cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Nonpharmacological and Nonsurgical Therapies for Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants

Background: Nonpharmacological and nonsurgical measures are often recommended for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants, despite ambiguous supporting evidence. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of rigorously evaluated nonpharmacological and nonsurgical therapies for GERD in infants. Design/Methods: We searched online bibliographic databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration and Clinical Trials Database, and alternative medicine databases for the terms gastroesophageal reflux and infants. We selected randomized controlled trials of nonpharmacological and nonsurgical GERD therapies in otherwise healthy infants. Data were extracted from the selected articles regarding reflux, emetic episodes and intraesophageal pH. Results: We identified 43 relevant studies, of which 10 met the selection criteria. These studies examined positioning, pacifier use, and feeding changes. Positioning at a 60° elevation in an infant seat was found to increase reflux compared with the prone position. No significant difference was shown between the flat and head-elevated prone positions. The impact of pacifier use on reflux frequency was equivocal and dependent on infant position. The protein content of formula was not found to affect reflux. Although no study demonstrated a significant reflux-reducing benefit of thickened infant foods compared with placebo, 1 study detected a significant benefit of formula thickened with carob bean gum compared with rice flour (pH4 for 5% vs 8% of time). Another study showed that if supplementing with dextrose 5% water or dextrose 10% water, the lower-osmolality fluid was associated with less reflux. Conclusions: Many conservative measures commonly used to treat GERD in infants have no proven efficacy. Although thickened formulas do not appear to reduce measurable reflux, they may reduce vomiting. Further studies with clinical outcomes are needed to answer questions about efficacy definitively.
Acute and chronic toxicity of glyphosate compounds to glochidia and juveniles of Lampsilis siliquoidea (Unionidae).

Native freshwater mussels (family Unionidae) are among the most imperiled faunal groups in the world. Factors contributing to the decline of mussel populations likely include pesticides and other aquatic contaminants; however, there is a paucity of data regarding the toxicity of even the most globally distributed pesticides, including glyphosate, to mussels. Therefore, the toxicity of several forms of glyphosate, its formulations, and a surfactant (MON 0818) used in several glyphosate formulations was determined for early life stages of Lampsilis siliquoidea, a native freshwater mussel. Acute and chronic toxicity tests were performed with a newly established American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard guide for conducting toxicity tests with freshwater mussels. Roundup®, its active ingredient, the technical-grade isopropylamine (IPA) salt of glyphosate, IPA alone, and MON 0818 (the surfactant in Roundup formulations) were each acutely toxic to L. siliquoidea glochidia. MON 0818 was most toxic of the compounds tested and the 48-h median effective concentration (0.5 mg/L) for L. siliquoidea glochidia is the lowest reported for any aquatic organism tested to date. Juvenile L. siliquoidea were also acutely sensitive to MON 0818, Roundup, glyphosate IPA salt, and IPA alone. Technical-grade glyphosate and Aqua Star® were not acutely toxic to glochidia or juveniles. Ranking of relative chronic toxicity of the glyphosate-related compounds to juvenile mussels was similar to the ranking of relative acute toxicity to juveniles. Growth data from chronic tests was largely inconclusive. In summary, these results indicate that L. siliquoidea, a representative of the nearly 300 freshwater mussel taxa in North America, is among the most sensitive aquatic organisms tested to date with glyphosate-based chemicals and the surfactant MON 0818.
Impact of pregabalin on acute and persistent postoperative pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Summary We performed this systematic review to assess the analgesic efficacy of perioperative pregabalin. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to assess the impact of individual dose and frequency of pregabalin administration on analgesic efficacy. We included 55 studies. When all doses and administration regimens were combined, pregabalin was associated with a significant reduction in pain scores at rest and during movement and opioid consumption at 24 h compared with placebo {mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)]=−0.38 (−0.57, −0.20), −0.47 (−0.76, −0.18), and −8.27 mg morphine equivalents (−10.08, −6.47), respectively}. Patients receiving pregabalin had less postoperative nausea and vomiting and pruritus compared with placebo [relative risk (RR) (95% CI)=0.62 (0.48, 0.80) and 0.49 (0.34, 0.70), respectively]. Sedation, dizziness, and visual disturbance were more common with pregabalin compared with placebo [RR (95% CI)=1.46 (1.08, 1.98), 1.33 (1.07, 1.64), and 3.52 (2.05, 6.04), respectively]. All doses of pregabalin tested (≤75, 100–150, and 300 mg) resulted in opioid sparing at 24 h after surgery. There were no significant differences in acute pain outcomes with pregabalin 100–300 mg between single preoperative dosing regimens and those including additional doses repeated after surgery. Data were insufficient to reach conclusions regarding persistent pain, but limited data available from two studies suggested that pregabalin might be effective for the reduction of neuropathic pain. In conclusion, this review suggests that pregabalin improves postoperative analgesia compared with placebo at the expense of increased sedation and visual disturbances.
On Manufacturing Aware Physical Design to Improve the Uniqueness of Silicon-Based Physically Unclonable Functions

Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are hardware cryptographic primitives for generating unique signatures from complex and irreproducible manufacturing variations. The uniqueness of a PUF is a fundamental performance metric that defines the extent to which a response is tied to a single device. It is often compromised if the manufacturing variations are suppressed. Though attempts have been made to improve the quality of a PUF at system level, very little work has been done at enhancing the impact of manufacturing variations on PUF circuits. In this work, we propose a novel generalized systematic framework for improving inter-die and inter-wafer manufacturing variations of a PUF circuit. The framework aligns the gate structures at pitches closer to forbidden zone, where the sensitivity of Critical Dimension (CD) to the pitch variations is very high. We validated the proposed technique using a large population sample of arbiter PUFs. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme has improved inter-die and inter-wafer uniqueness of arbiter PUFs by as much as 8.4% and 16% respectively. The framework can be applied to any delay-based silicon PUF structure.
Political Terrain: Washington, D.C., from Tidewater Town to Global Metropolis

Washington, D.C., President John F. Kennedy once remarked, is a city of ""southern efficiency and northern charm."" Kennedy's quip was close to the mark. Since its creation two centuries ago, Washington has been a community with multiple personalities. Located on the regional divide between North and South, it has been a tidewater town, a southern city, a coveted prize in fighting between the states, a symbol of a reunited nation, a hub for central government, an extension of the Boston-New York megalopolis, and an international metropolis. In an exploration of the many identities Washington has taken on over time, Carl Abbott examines the ways in which the city's regional orientation and national symbolism have been interpreted by novelists and business boosters, architects and blues artists, map makers and politicians. Each generation of residents and visitors has redefined Washington, he says, but in ways that have utilized or preserved its past. The nation's capital is a city whose history lives in its neighborhoods, people, and planning, as well as in its monuments and museums. |An unconventional history of Washington, D.C., this book explores the city's many identities over time, from tidewater town to international metropolis.
Religion and the Internet: A microcosm for studying Internet trends and implications

This article argues that paying close attention to key findings within the study of religion and the Internet, a subfield of Internet Studies, can enhance our understanding and discussion of the larger social and cultural shifts at work within networked society. Through a critical overview of research on religion online, five central research areas emerge related to social practices, online–offline connections, community, identity, and authority online. It is also argued that observations about these themes not only point to specific trends within religious practice online, but also mirror concerns and findings within other areas of Internet Studies. Thus, studying religion on the Internet provides an important microcosm for investigating Internet Studies’ contribution in a wide range of contexts in our contemporary social world.
Dietary potassium intake and stroke mortality.

Background and Purpose—An inverse relationship of dietary potassium to stroke mortality in a small community has been previously reported. To further assess this association in a larger sample, we examined data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) Epidemiological Follow-up Study. Methods—We analyzed baseline data during 1971–1975 and follow-up through 1992. Dietary potassium intake, determined by 24-hour dietary recall at baseline, was available for 9866 subjects. Stroke mortality was recorded through 1992 follow-up. Results—Mean age and dietary potassium at baseline were 55 years and 2084 mg/d; blacks reported significantly lower potassium intake than whites (1606 versus 2178 mg/24 h). During an average of 16.7 years of follow-up, there were 304 stroke deaths. For men, stratified by tertile of dietary potassium intake, age-adjusted stroke mortality rates per 1000 person-years for the lowest dietary potassium group were significantly higher than for the highest intake...
Coregistration of Electrical Impedance Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

There has been moderate success in using elec- trical impedance tomography (EIT) to image changing imped- ances within the body, such as with pulmonary imaging. Abso- lute impedance imaging of static physiology has, however been more challenging primarily due to imprecise measurements and modeling errors associated with image reconstruction. At Dartmouth, we have been using EIT to generate images of the absolute impedance distribution of breast. Here we report on our recent efforts to improve the clinical intrepretation of EIT images by correlating them directly with magnetic resonance (MR) images. We have conducted a set of experiments in which EIT and MR images were obtained from a volunteers forearm. A qualitative analysis of the coregistered MR and EIT images is presented and we discuss how well absolute imaging with EIT is able to correctly characterize a physio- logical system. Further, we have conducted a set of experi- ments in which a circular electrode array was placed within a 3T MR imaging system and both EIT and MR images were obtained of a gelatine phantom. These experiments confirmed that dual-modality imaging (EIT/MRI) is possible. Based on these results, we finally discuss what we consider to be the possible benefits gained using a coupled imaging system such as this in a clinical setting.
Transfer of Learning Transformed.

Instruction is motivated by the assumption that students can transfer their learning, or apply what they have learned in school to another setting. A common problem arises when the expected transfer does not take place, what has been referred to as the inert knowledge problem. More than an academic inconvenience, the failure to transfer is a major problem, exacting individual and social costs. In this article, I trace the evolution of research on the transfer of learning, in general, and on language learning, in particular. Then, a different view of learning transfer is advanced. Rather than learners being seen to “export” what they have learned from one situation to the next, it is proposed that learners transform their learning. The article concludes by offering some suggestions for how to mitigate the inert knowledge problem from this perspective.
Experimental Study of Heat Convection From Stationary and Oscillating Circular Cylinder in Cross Flow

An experimental study is made on the processes of heat transfer from the surface of a forced oscillating cylinder in a crossflow. A range of oscillation amplitude (A/D =0.1,0.2), forced oscillation frequency (0<St_c<1), and Reynolds number (Re=550, 1100, 3500) is covered in water (Pr=6). Besides the increase at the natural vortex shedding frequency, large increases in the heat transfer are found at certain superharmonics. By using Digital Particle Image Velocimetry/Thermometry (DPIV/T), the increase in the heat transfer rate is found to correlate inversely with the distance at which vortices roll-up behind the cylinder, i.e., the distance decreases when the heat transfer increases. The cause of the increase is found to be the removal of the stagnant and low heat convecting fluid at the base of the cylinder during the roll-up of the vortices.
Rut tracking and steering control for autonomous rut following

Ruts formed as a result of vehicle traversal on soft ground are used by expert off road drivers because they can improve vehicle safety on turns and slopes thanks to the extra lateral force they provide to the vehicle. In this paper we propose a rut detection and tracking algorithm for Autonomous Ground Vehicles (AGVs) equipped with a laser range finder. The proposed algorithm utilizes an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to recursively estimate the parameters of the rut and the relative position and orientation of the vehicle with respect to the ruts. Simulation results show that the approach is promising for future implementation.
MEGA-MASERS AND GALAXIES

▪ Abstract In the Galaxy, microwave radiation can be amplified in the interstellar medium in the immediate neighborhood of young stellar objects, or circumstellar envelopes around evolved stars, resulting in cosmic maser emission. Cosmic masers exist because, in contrast to terrestrial conditions, the interstellar gas density is very low so that level population in molecules is typically not in thermal equilibrium, and sometimes inverted. In the nuclear regions of external galaxies, there exist very powerful OH (λ18 cm) and H2O (λ1.35 cm) cosmic masers with line luminosities of ∼ 102−104 L⊙, ≥ 106 times more luminous than typical Galactic maser sources. These are the “mega-masers,” found in high-density molecular gas located within parsecs of active galactic nuclei in the case of H2O mega-masers, or within the central 100 pc of nuclear star-burst regions in the case of OH mega-masers. H2O mega-masers are most frequently found in galactic nuclei with Seyfert2 or LINER spectral characteristics, in spiral an...
Stakeholder Approach to Better Understand the Psychological Health Services in the Military

Ensuring the psychological well-being of service members and their families has emerged as one of the principal challenges of today's armed services. Given that the system of care of psychological health services in the United States Military cannot be divorced from the large healthcare delivery system, an enterprise perspective is needed to truly understand the dynamics of care. This paper makes two key contributions: it identifies the key stakeholders of the military health enterprise with respect to psychological health, and analyzes the espoused senior leadership values over the last decade as seen in the stakeholder reports. This stakeholder analysis highlights the challenges faced in melding the constituent organizations into an enterprise, especially in the face of leadership turnover. The thematic analysis of senior leadership values shows an evolution of focus from managing execution of care to emphasizing healthy lifestyles and psychological health.
The Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae 61 hrpH product, an envelope protein required for elicitation of the hypersensitive response in plants.

Abstract Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae 61 contains a 25-kb cluster of hrp genes that are required for elicitation of the hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco. TnphoA mutagenesis of cosmid pHIR11, which contains the hrp cluster, revealed two genes encoding exported or inner-membrane-spanning proteins (H.-C. Huang, S. W. Hutcheson, and A. Collmer, Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 4:469-476, 1991). The gene in complementation group X, designated hrpH, was subcloned on a 3.1-kb SalI fragment into pCPP30, a broad-host-range, mobilizable vector. The subclone restored the ability of hrpH mutant P. syringae pv. syringae 61-2089 to elicit the HR in tobacco. DNA sequence analysis of the 3.1-kb SalI fragment revealed a single open reading frame encoding an 81,956-Da preprotein with a typical amino-terminal signal peptide and no likely inner-membrane-spanning hydrophobic regions. hrpH was expressed in the presence of [35S]methionine by using the T7 RNA polymerase-promoter system and vector pT7-3 in Escherichia coli and was shown to encode a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 83,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The HrpH protein in E. coli was located in the membrane fraction and was absent from the periplasm and cytoplasm. The HrpH protein possessed similarity with several outer membrane proteins that are known to be involved in protein or phage secretion, including the Klebsiella oxytoca PulD protein, the Yersinia enterocolitica YscC protein, and the pIV protein of filamentous coliphages. All of these proteins possess a possible secretion motif, GG(X)12VP(L/F)LXXIPXIGXL(F/L), near the carboxyl terminus, and they lack a carboxyl-terminal phenylalanine, in contrast to other outer membrane proteins with no known secretion function. These results suggest that the P. syringae pv. syringae HrpH protein is involved in the secretion of a proteinaceous HR elicitor.
A low power 1 Mbit MRAM based on 1T1MTJ bit cell integrated with copper interconnects

A low power 1 Mb Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) based on a 1-Transistor and 1-Magnetic Tunnel Junction (1T1MTJ) bit cell is demonstrated. This is the largest MRAM memory demonstration to date. In this circuit, MTJ elements are integrated with CMOS using copper interconnect technology. The copper interconnects are cladded with a high permeability layer which is used to focus magnetic flux generated by current flowing through the lines toward the MTJ devices and reduce the power needed for programming the bits. The 25 mm/sup 2/ 1 Mb MRAM circuit operates with address access times of less than 50 ns, consuming 24 mW at 3.0 V and 20 MHz. The circuit is fabricated in a 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS process utilizing five layers of metal and two layers of poly.
Effects of hydrogen pretreatment on physical-vapor-deposited nickel catalyst for multi-walled carbon nanotube growth

Physical vapor deposited nickel catalyst layers of 10, 50, 100, 200, 350, and 500  were granulated using hydrogen plasma for varying times to determine an effective carbon nanotube (CNT) growth process using microwave plasma enhanced CVD (MPECVD). Nickel was deposited via sputtering or evaporation. The catalyst granule size, density, and resulting CNTs were analyzed. Sputtered nickel of 50  with 5 minutes of hydrogen plasma pretreatment resulted in the most effective CNT growth.
Design and performance of “bumpless” and “bumpless-smooth” discrete-time control systems

The design of both “bumpless” and “bumpless smooth” type real-time, discrete-time control signals is demonstrated, and the closed-loop response of a system using such novel d iscrete-time control inputs is illustrated.
Machine to dynamically condition tissue engineered vasculature

Cyclic loading is an important stimulus for creating mechanically stable tissue engineered blood vessels. The goal of this work is to create a device that dynamically conditions rings of vascular tissue created by cells in culture without the use of a scaffold. To create a high-throughput and accurate yet inexpensive device, a dual-regulator pressure source and electronic valve controller were utilized to cyclically inflate up to 32 ring segments cultured on a series of silicone tubes encased in standard sterile conical tubes. This device will be used to determine the dynamic culture conditions that optimize engineered vessel growth and maturation in culture.
Loss of Bif-1 Suppresses Bax/Bak Conformational Change and Mitochondrial Apoptosis

Bif-1, a member of the endophilin B protein family, interacts with Bax and promotes interleukin-3 withdrawal-induced Bax conformational change and apoptosis when overexpressed in FL5.12 cells. Here, we provide evidence that Bif-1 plays a regulatory role in apoptotic activation of not only Bax but also Bak and appears to be involved in suppression of tumorigenesis. Inhibition of endogenous Bif-1 expression in HeLa cells by RNA interference abrogated the conformational change of Bax and Bak, cytochrome c release, and caspase 3 activation induced by various intrinsic death signals. Similar results were obtained in Bif-1 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts. While Bif-1 did not directly interact with Bak, it heterodimerized with Bax on mitochondria in intact cells, and this interaction was enhanced by apoptosis induction and preceded the Bax conformational change. Moreover, suppression of Bif-1 expression was associated with an enhanced ability of HeLa cells to form colonies in soft agar and tumors in nude mice. Taken together, these findings support the notion that Bif-1 is an important component of the mitochondrial pathway for apoptosis as a novel Bax/Bak activator, and loss of this proapoptotic molecule may contribute to tumorigenesis.
Fiber and the development of gastrointestinal function

Dietary lipid represents a major calorie source for the developing infant, yet dietary lipid absorption is relatively inefficient by adult standard. Recent studies are presented, indicating that the developmentally related improvement in lipid absorption observed in the preterm and fullterm infant relate to the maintenance of an intact intraluminal phase and completion of the enterohepatic circulation for bile salts. Critical issues including the absorption of nonpolar vitamins, iron, and the type of dietary lipid are discussed. The possible influence of the introduction of dietary fiber to the food of the developing infant is examined, and areas for future investigation are discussed.
Nanotechnology-enabled flexible and biocompatible energy harvesting

The development of a method for efficiently harvesting energy from the human body could enable extraordinary advances in biomedical devices and portable electronics. Being electromechanically coupled, nanopiezoelectrics represent a promising new materials paradigm for scavenging otherwise wasted energy, with the ultimate goal of replacing or augmenting batteries. Of particular interest is developing biomechanical energy nanogenerators that are highly efficient, but with flexible form factors for wearable or implantable applications. This perspective presents an overview of the opportunities, progresses, and challenges in the rapidly accelerating field of nanopiezoelectrics. The combination of new nanomaterial properties, novel assembly strategies, and breakthrough device performance metrics suggests a rich platform for a host of exciting avenues in fundamental research and novel applications.
Rapid layout of a continuous-time transconductance-C filter

Recent results in the design automation of continuous-time transconductance-C filters are presented. These results are limited to grounded capacitors and are reported only for CMOS technologies. A high-level behavioral description of an LC ladder is outlined using a signal-flow graph technique. It is shown that a simple, four-line grammar provides enough versatility for several design generators to produce files for SPICE analysis and Magic layouts of the signal-flow graph simulation of the LC ladder. Areas of future work in these early stages of development of design automation of analog subsystems and circuits are suggested. >
Dirt on My Record: Rethinking Disciplinary Practices in an All-Black, All-Male Alternative Class

In this empirical study, the authors draw on classroom observations and interviews with twenty-three Black male ninth graders in an urban district to focus on the nature of disciplinary practices in an all-Black, all-male manhood development class. While scholars have identified the “discipline gap” as a salient aspect of the experience of Black male students in schools, few studies offer insight into the nature of disciplinary practices in spaces that Black male students view as supportive and positive. Existing studies also rarely capture African American male student perceptions of classroom and school discipline at the high school level. Utilizing Althusser (1971) and Leonardo (2005) to theorize about the racialized nature of discipline in schools, the authors find that a reframing of discipline within this alternative setting provides a counternarrative to how Black male students are typically perceived to respond to school discipline. The authors argue that, led by a “hero teacher,” the manhood deve...
Possible Explanations for the Tooth Loss and Cardiovascular Disease Relationship

Abstract Several studies have shown relationships between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A few studies have also shown that tooth loss may be associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. We have reviewed the relevant literature to assess possible explanations for the reported associations between tooth loss and CVD. In particular, we considered whether the reported association between tooth loss and CVD could be explained by antecedent periodontal disease, antecedent caries, the extraction process, dietary changes following tooth loss, or confounding or bias from other sources. Since access to care and attitudes to health care may influence the decision to extract teeth, as well as cardiovascular disease risk, one needs to be cautious about confounding from behaviorally related factors. Available evidence suggests that further studies are needed to rule out that confounding is a possible explanation for the tooth loss and CVD relationship, that prior periodon...
Secure Communication in Fiber-Optic Networks

Providing data security in the optical layer enables low latency data encryption and enlarges the capacity for secure data transmission. As the demand for both secure and high speed transmission grows dramatically, secure data transmission is pushing the requirements for processing speed and network capacity. As fiber-optic systems form the backbone of communication networks, optical approaches for protecting the network security increases the available capacity of the network. Moreover, compared to electric circuits, fiber-optic systems are immune to electromagnetic interference and have high processing speeds. In this chapter, we discuss using fiber-optic-based techniques to defend against threats in the network, including optical encryption, optical code-division multiple access (CDMA), optical key distribution, optical steganography, anti-jamming, and optical chaos-based communication. These approaches are categorized by their different applications for protecting the properties of network security, including confidentiality, privacy, and availability.
Syndrome coronarien aigu avec sus-décalage du segment ST chez les patients de 85 ans et plus. Prise en charge invasive versus traitement médical exclusif : étude départementale

Resume Introduction La coronarographie et/ou la fibrinolyse chez un patient âge pour la prise en charge d’un syndrome coronarien aigu avec sus-decalage du segment ST (SCA ST+) sont a haut risque. Existe-t-il un benefice a une prise en charge invasive de ces patients ? Methodes Cette etude retrospective monocentrique (CHD Vendee, La Roche-sur-Yon) a inclus les patients de plus de 85 ans hospitalises pour la prise en charge d’un SCA ST+ entre janvier 2008 et decembre 2013. La mortalite toute cause, la morbidite intrahospitaliere, les comorbidites et la perte d’autonomie ont ete comparees en fonction du choix de strategie de reperfusion : « invasif » (coronarographie et/ou fibrinolyse) ou « non invasif » (traitement medical exclusif). Resultats Parmi 1373 patients hospitalises pour SCA ST+, 118 (8,6 %) ont ete inclus dont 71 (60,2 %) ont beneficie d’une revascularisation « invasive » et 47 d’une strategie « non invasive ». La mortalite a 1 an est superieure dans le 2e groupe (28 % versus 45 % ; p = 0,077 NS). Les criteres identifies de moindre acces a la reperfusion sont l’âge, le sexe feminin, l’antecedent de valvulopathie severe, l’absence de prise en charge par le SMUR, le delai de prise en charge. Aucune difference n’est montree concernant morbidite intrahospitaliere (23 vs 21 ; p = 0,24) ou perte d’autonomie (p = 0,31). Conclusion La prise en charge invasive des SCA ST+ du patient âge diminuerait la mortalite a un an sans augmenter la morbidite.
White Collar Crime and Punishment: Reflections on Michael, Martha, and Milberg Weiss

We are deeply conflicted about white collar crime and punishment. This conflict is largely born of the government's use of novel, "gray-area" legal theories in many high profile white collar prosecutions. Such prosecutions, which seek to expand the scope of existing crimes, tend to undermine the integrity and expressive function of our system of white collar criminalization. These prosecutions also may violate the defendants' right to fair notice of the possible crimes with which they may be charged. We need a new approach. First, in such "gray-area" cases, we should rely upon civil and administrative remedies except in extraordinary circumstances. Second, we should assess whether extraordinary circumstances exist by examining whether the defendant's alleged acts caused substantial, identifiable harm. To test this approach, I examine three of the most significant economic fraud investigations and prosecutions of the last 20 years - those of Michael Milken, Martha Stewart, and the Milberg Weiss law firm. I conclude that none of the cases warranted criminal prosecution on "gray-area" economic fraud theories, and that assertion of those theories actually served to undermine our confidence in white collar criminalization and punishment.
Regulating Pollutants, Good Neighbor Agreements, and Negative Externalities: Who Bears the Burden of Protecting Communities?

Given the failure of federal, state, and common-law environmental regulation to deal with the external social costs of pollution on human health and the environment, local communities have turned to legal and nonlegal strategies to address their concerns. This Article seeks to address the increased need for the study of community environmental policing and monitoring of air quality. The case study presented of the Portland Good Neighbor Agreement considers whether the community benefits gained by a Good Neighbor Agreement are equitably balanced against the costs to the community of negotiation and implementation. While such agreements have the potential for a wide range of positive benefits for a community, there are significant transaction costs associated with negotiating, signing, implementing, and enforcing the terms and conditions. As such, reliance on Good Neighbor Agreements to remediate the negative human health impacts of pollution is misguided and detracts from the critical need for an environmental regulatory regime to take the responsibility off of communities and to adequately address the impacts of industrial pollution.
Soybean Maturity Group and Incidence of Velvetbean Caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Mexican Bean Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Five soybean varieties from maturity groups IV-VIII were routinely monitored in the 1993 and 1994 growing seasons to examine the effect of plant maturity on the seasonal abundance of velvetbean caterpillars, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, and Mexican bean beetles, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant. Differences were detected in the population density of pest populations, percentage of defoliation, and yield. The early maturing varieties (groups IV and V) had lower mean infestations, although the peak A. gemmatalis populations occurred in all varieties at the same time in Georgia. During the population peak in mid-September, the group IV-V varieties were already maturing and no longer attractive to the damaging population densities of 30-60 A. gemmatalis per 25 sweeps that were present on the group VI-VIII varieties. Similar trends were note for E. varivestis populations. Population peaks occurred in all varieties in mid-September, with highest densities in the group VIII variety and much lower populations in all the earlier-maturing varieties. Plots treated with diflubenzuron at 0.28 kg (AI)/ha in mid-Auguest had lower insect populations and percentage defoliation and higher yields than corresponding untreated plots for all varieties except the group IV variety, in which no differences were detected because of low insect populations. Significant linear regressions were obtained between peak A. gemmatalis population densities and percentage defoliation for all 5 maturity group soybeans. Significant linear regressions also were obtained between population peaks and yield reductions for the group V-VIII varieties. The economic injury levels (ElL) for A. gemmatalis were lower for the group IV and V entries (25-30 per 25 sweeps) than for the group VI-VIII entries (35-40 per 25 sweeps). Thus, it appears that a standard ElL for A. gemmatalis cannot be established across all maturity group soybeans in the southern region. The soybean maturity group affected the density of both the A. gemmatalis and E. varivestis population peaks, but the timing of these peaks was similar across all varieties. The group IV and V varieties can be planted to escape high populations of these pests and resultant plant injury, and these varieties had yields comparable to the later maturing entries.
Discrete nanomolecular polyhedral borane scaffold supporting multiple gadolinium(III) complexes as a high performance MRI contrast agent.

An icosahedral closo-B122– scaffold supports 12 copies of Gd3+-chelate held in close proximity with each other by suitable linkers which employ azide–alkyne click chemistry. This design is the first member of a new class of polyfunctional MRI contrast agents carrying a high payload of Gd3+-chelate in a sterically constrained configuration. The resulting contrast agent shows higher relaxivity values at high magnetic fields. MRI contrast agents currently in use are not as effective in this regard, presumably due to a lack of steric constraint of gadolinium centers and lower water exchange rates. In vivo MRI studies in mice show excellent contrast enhancement even at one-seventh of the safe clinical dose (0.04 mmol Gd/kg) for up to a 1 h exposure.
Impact of Environmental Aerosols on a Developing Extratropical Cyclone in the Superparameterized Community Atmosphere Model

AbstractThe impacts of environmental aerosols on the growth of an extratropical cyclone in a realistic winter flow setting are investigated using the superparameterized Community Atmosphere Model (SP-CAM) where cloud-scale dynamics and thermodynamics are explicitly resolved. An examination of the results from 13 ensemble pairs suggests that the growth rate of the cyclone is temporarily reduced as a result of increased aerosol concentrations. A convection–advection–moisture self-adjustment (CAMS) mechanism of aerosol–cyclone interaction is proposed to explain this finding. Specifically, the weakened growth is unambiguously attributed to the weakening of the cold advection underneath the midtropospheric trough of the cyclone. The weakened cold advection is in turn driven by a decrease of the zonal temperature gradient that is tied to the reduced latent heating in the stratiform cloud region of the cyclone. Invigoration of convection ahead of the cold front by aerosols is found to be directly responsible for...
Analysis of Developmental Dysplasia of Hip in Neonates

Objective To explore the morbidity of developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH) in neonates. Methods Seven hundred and sixty-two full-term newborns were examined with the Grafe and Morin technique of hip sonography.There were 382 male babies and 380 female babies.According to the Graf index,DDH included hip dysplasia,semi-dislocation of hip joint,dislocation of hip joint.The neonates with hip dysplasia were observed closely.The last two groups were treated with Pavlik early,then followed up for 6 months.Then 2 groups were decided to finish or remove the treatment. Results 1.There were 143 neonates with DDH.The incidence of dislocated hip was 0.52%,and the incidence of hip dysplasia was 18.25%.2.There were significant difference between normal hip group(619 cases) and DDH group in angle α[(60.19±6.92) degrees vs(44.52±7.29) degrees,P0.05],angle β[(45.25±7.29) degrees vs(58.45±10.36) degrees,P0.05] and femoral head coverage [(62.85±6.38)% vs(37.65±7.74)%,P0.05].3.The high-risk factors of DDH were sex,fetal position,labor presentation and left-side. Conclusions 1.Ultrasonography can be a preferred screening method in diagnosis of DDH.2.There are cleared in neonatal developmental indicators of the hip,the incidence of DDH and associated risk factors.They are contributed to reducing the incidence of DDH.At the same time,there were contributed to improving the prognosis of the baby.
Test results analysis of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis carrier in Cangzhou Area from 2008-2011

[Objective] To understand the epidemiological characteristics of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis(ECM) in Changzhou City from 2008-2011,and put forward evidence for developing effective immunization strategies.[Methods]Sampling: using sterile spatula to press the base of tongue,then the sterile cotton swab,which had been dipped in a small amount of sterile saline,was utilized to wipe the secretions in pharyngeal mucosa which was inoculated on Neisseria plate and sent to the laboratory with heat preservation.Test methods: the inoculated plate were cultured under the 10% CO 2,37 ℃ environment for 24 hours,the suspected colonies,smears received microscopic examination and serological grouping typing test.[Results]From 2008-2011 in Cangzhou area,ECM reported carrier rate was 5.42% in average,that of 0-5 years children,6-10 years children,11-15 years students,16-20 years students was 8.20%,7.65%,5.88% and 4.74%,respectively which was higher than 0.56% of 20 years age group.The reported number of 0-5 years and 6-10 years children carriers occupaied 30.00% and 28.00% of total carriers.[Conclusion] The epidemic situation of ECM is stable in this City,but is not optimistic,because the carriers have been found with pathogenic strains.According to the detection result,effective vaccination of meningitis vaccine should be strengthened especially on susceptible population in rural area to form an immune barrier and to prevent the outbreak of ECM.
Stress hormone levels in a freshwater turtle from sites differing in human activity

Glucocorticoids, such as corticosterone (CORT), commonly serve as a measure of stress levels in vertebrate populations. These hormones have been implicated in regulation of feeding behaviour, locomotor activity, body mass, lipid metabolism and other crucial behaviours and physiological processes. Thus, understanding how glucocorticoids fluctuate seasonally and in response to specific stressors can yield insight into organismal health and the overall health of populations. I compared circulating CORT concentrations between two similar populations of painted turtle, Chrysemys picta, which differed primarily in the level of exposure to human recreational activities. I measured basal CORT concentrations as well as the CORT stress response and did not find any substantive difference between the two populations. This similarity may indicate that painted turtles are not stressed by the presence of humans during the nesting season. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of CORT concentrations in freshwater reptiles, a group that is historically under-represented in studies of circulating hormone concentrations; specifically, studies that seek to use circulating concentrations of stress hormones, such as CORT, as a measure of the effect of human activities on wild populations. They also give insight into how these species as a whole may respond to human recreational activities during crucial life-history stages, such as the nesting season. Although there was no discernable difference between circulating CORT concentrations between the urban and rural populations studied, I did find a significant difference in circulating CORT concentrations between male and female C. picta. This important finding provides better understanding of the sex differences between male and female painted turtles and adds to our understanding of this species and other species of freshwater turtle.
TH-CD-207B-04: Is TTF a True Representation of the Sharpness Property of a Non-Linear CT System?

Purpose: To investigate if the task-transfer-function (TTF) accurately models the transfer properties of a CT system for lung nodule imaging. Methods: An anthropomorphic lung phantom was imaged using a standard chest protocol on a clinical CT scanner with and without 24 physically inserted synthetic lesions (nominal diameter: 8 – 10 mm). Images were reconstructed using FBP and iterative algorithm (SAFIRE, Siemens Healthcare). 3D TTF was measured using an established technique. Corresponding idealized virtual lesions were blurred with the TTF and superimposed onto lesion-less phantom images. Images of the physically and virtually inserted lesions were compared in terms of rendition of spatial features (blurriness of the edges), lesion morphology, and lesion volume. Feature rendition was measured in terms root-mean-square (RMS) of the frequency power of the native and TTF-transferred lesion edge transition. Morphology was assessed with the Regional Hausdorff Distance (RHD) using custom written code (MATLAB v2015b). Volumes were measured using a clinical segmentation tool (iNtution, TeraRecon). Results: The RMS was less than 0.02 and 0.05 for FBP and IR respectively. Using the nonlinear mixed effect (nlme) package (R, www.r-project.org), the difference in RHD between virtual and physical lesions was 5% on average. There was less than 1 ± 5% (R2 > 0.97) and 3 ± 4% (R2 > 0.97) difference between the volumes of the physical lesions and the corresponding virtual lesions for FBP and IR respectively. Additionally, was closer concordance for images reconstructed with FBP than iterative reconstruction. Conclusion: The TTF was found to accurately model the transfer properties of the CT imaging system on lung lesions for both FBP and iterative reconstruction algorithms. TTF was found to offer slightly better lesion renditions when modeling images reconstructed with FBP versus iterative reconstruction. This methodology will be used in future investigation of more complex imaging tasks such as low contrast detectability of known lesions.
Animal Remains from the Schroeder Site, Durango, Mexico

ABSTRACTSpecies represented in the faunal remains found during excavations at the Schroeder Site are derived from three ecological habitats in the immediate vicinity. Marine molluscs suggest trade relationships with coastal groups.
Potential use of chemical cues for colony-mate recognition in the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus.

Bats should benefit from recognition of their roost-mates when colonies form stable social units that persist over time. We used Y-maze experiments and gas chromatography–olfactometry (GC-O) to evaluate whether female big brown bats Eptesicus fuscus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) use chemical cues to distinguish among conspecifics. In dual-choice Y-maze experiments, females chose the scent of another female from their own roost over a conspecific female from a different roost in a majority of trials. Analysis of total body odors using GC-O suggests that individuals from a given colony may share a more common odor signature with roost-mates than with non-roost-mate conspecifics. Using four principle components derived from 15 odor variables, discriminant function analysis correctly assigned most individuals to the correct colony.
Information Risk and the Cost of Equity Capital Revisited: Evidence from the U.S. Property-Casualty Insurance Industry

This paper revisits the relationship between information risk and the cost of equity capital in the U.S. property-casualty (P/C) insurance industry. Eckles, Halek and Zhang (2014) find that information risk has no effect on the cost of equity using a sample of U.S. P/C insurers. Following their approach, we decompose information risk into innate and discretionary components. We find that innate information risk affects the cost of equity capital through two opposing channels. On the one hand, innate information risk directly increases an insurer’s cost of equity capital by increasing investors’ assessment of the riskiness of the insurer’s future cash flows. On the other hand, innate information risk indirectly decreases the insurer’s cost of equity capital by changing its production so that the assessed riskiness of the firm’s future cash flows are reduced. This (negative) indirect effect depends on factors that influence the insurer’s underwriting decisions. Our empirical results provide supporting evidence for a significant, positive direct effect of innate information risk, while the magnitude of the (negative) indirect effect increases with the insurer’s proportion of long-tail business and decreases with its affiliated reinsurance usage. As to the impact of discretionary information risk, our results are mixed. We also find that, on average, the overall effect of information risk on the cost of equity capital for property-casualty insurers is significant and negative.