cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stratigraphy, correlation, and age estimates for fossils from Area 123, Koobi Fora

Geological data from the Bura Hasuma region at Koobi Fora provide important constraints for estimating the ages of hominin fossils recovered there, including the cranium KNM-ER 1813. Strata of the upper Burgi, KBS, and Okote members in this part of Koobi Fora reflect three depositional regimes driven by changing paleogeography through time. The upper Burgi and lowermost KBS sequence in the southern Bura Hasuma region accumulated in a lacustrine to delta front setting, with highly localized depositional patterns, limiting the lateral extent of lithostratigraphic markers. Farther north, uppermost upper Burgi through KBS member strata document a fluctuating lake margin, with complex facies patterns. This interval is marked by laterally extensive lithostratigraphic markers, including molluscan packstones, beach sandstones, and stromatolite beds. The uppermost KBS and Okote members show a transition to dominantly fluvial character, with localized and discontinuous accumulation. An age model for the richly fossiliferous Area 123 sequence demonstrates the complexity of terrestrial accumulation patterns. Early lacustrine and delta front accumulation is marked by fairly continuous sedimentation, and high accumulation rates (up to ca. 91 cm/k.yr.). The fluctuating lake margin interval reflects lower sedimentation rates coupled with intervals of exposure, decreasing accumulation significantly (to ca. 13 cm/k.yr.). The capping fluvial interval is marked by significant erosion surfaces, breaks which may drop the overall accumulation rate even lower (ca. 0.3 cm/k.yr.). The data provided here establish a geological framework at odds with a recent proposal of ages considerably younger (by ca. 250 k.yr.) for many of the fossils from Area 123 and elsewhere. Tests of age models demonstrate that the younger ages are not possible. While minor refinements to age estimates for fossils are indicated by improved chronostratigraphic control, in the case of KNM-ER 1813, an age of younger than 1.78 Ma is precluded on magnetostratigraphic grounds.
Peripheral Motor Dynamics of Song Production in the Zebra Finch

Singing behavior in songbirds is a model system for motor control of learned behavior. The target organs of its central motor programs are the various muscle systems involved in sound generation. Investigation of these peripheral motor mechanisms of song production is the first step toward an understanding of how different motor systems are coordinated. Here we review physiological studies of all major motor systems that are involved in song production and modification in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Acoustic syllables of zebra finch song are produced by a characteristic air sac pressure pattern. Electromyographic (EMG) and sonomicrometric recording of expiratory muscle activity reveals that respiratory motor control is tightly coordinated with syringeal gating of airflow. Recordings of bronchial airflow demonstrate that most of the song syllables are composed of simultaneous independent contributions from the two sides of the syrinx. Sounds generated in the syrinx can be modified by the resonance properties of the upper vocal tract. Tracheal length affects resonance, but dynamic changes of tracheal length are unlikely to make a substantial contribution to sound modification. However, beak movements during song contribute to sound modification and, possibly, affect the vibratory behavior of the labia. Rapid beak aperture changes were associated with nonlinear transitions in the acoustic structure of individual syllables. The synergy between respiratory and syringeal motor systems, and the unique bilateral, simultaneous, and independent sound production, combined with dynamic modification of the acoustic structure of song, make the zebra finch an excellent model system for exploring mechanisms of sensorimotor integration underlying a complex learned behavior.
Design methodology for the S/390 parallel enterprise server G4 microprocessors

This paper describes the design methodology employed in the design of the S/390® Parallel Enterprise Server G4 microprocessors. Issues of verifying design metrics of area, power, noise, timing, testability, and functional correctness are discussed within the context of a transistor-level custom design approach. Practical issues of managing the complexity of a 7.8-million-transistor design and encouraging design productivity are introduced.
Further evaluating the acceptability of group visits in an uninsured or inadequately insured patient population with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to evaluate perceptions of care delivered through group visits to disadvantaged patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS One hundred eighty-six patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to receive care in group visits or usual care for 12 months. Their perceptions of the care they received were measured at baseline and 6 and 12 months by the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT), the Diabetes-Specific Locus of Control (DLC) survey, and the Trust in Physician Scale (TPS). RESULTS Compared to patients in usual care, group visit patients' PCAT scores were higher in the domains of ongoing care (P = .001), community orientation (P < .0001), and cultural competence (P = .022). In addition, group patients had higher scores for the Powerful-Other Health Professional subscale of the DLC survey (P = .010). CONCLUSIONS Patients assigned to group visits had generally more positive perceptions about their care in the areas of ongoing care, community orientation of care, and cultural competence of care than did those in usual care. The perception that one's health professional is powerful, however, has been associated with a reluctance of patients to make medication changes on their own in previous studies. These findings suggest the need for modification in the way that group visits are conducted to empower and activate patients while still delivering continuous, culturally competent, and community-oriented care.
Leadership-Scholarship Integration: Using the Neuman Systems Model for 21st-Century Professional Nursing Practice

This article describes leadership and scholarship from the Neuman systems model as requisite for a true practice model necessary for 21st-century scientific professional nursing. A rationale for the integration of leadership and scholarship is provided along with markers to guide the leadership-scholarship protocol, which can be viewed as a scholarly research process. An example from a community nursing center demonstrating the application of the integration of leadership-scholarship is presented to support the proposed integration.
Induced Chromosomal Aberrations with Special Reference to Man

Induced mutagenesis has long been an active and fruitful area of genetic research. The recent technical advances in tissue culture techniques, as well as in chromosome preparations, have greatly facilitated the expansion of this field to the chromosomal level. Four general classes of exogenous agents have been described which are capable of causing chromosome aberrations and, therefore, possibly gene mutations as well: irradiation, viruses, physical stimuli, and chemicals. This last group can be further subdivided into those compounds affecting biosynthesis of macromolecules (DNA, RNA, and protein): antitumor agents, antibiotics, alkylating agents, nitroso-compounds, and a heterogeneous miscellaneous group (Lea, 1955; Revell, 1953; Kihlman, 1961, 1966; Oster-tag, 1966; Cohen and Shaw, 1965).
Computer Capabilities and Limitations

The two major entities in HCI are both information processors. They are to interact with each other, as if they were partners, in a manner supporting the accomplishment of selected applications (Chapter 4). The model of user-computer symmetry is appealing, at least in theory. It is utilized in a number of ways throughout this book. However, whenever the question of dominance arises, the user is the clear-cut choice; the computer capabilities are to be subservient.
National and Regional Representativeness of Hospital Emergency Department Visit Data in the National Syndromic Surveillance Program, United States, 2014

OBJECTIVE: We examined the representativeness of the nonfederal hospital emergency department (ED) visit data in the National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP). METHODS: We used the 2012 American Hospital Association Annual Survey Database, other databases, and information from state and local health departments participating in the NSSP about which hospitals submitted data to the NSSP in October 2014. We compared ED visits for hospitals submitting data with all ED visits in all 50 states and Washington, DC. RESULTS: Approximately 60.4 million of 134.6 million ED visits nationwide (~45%) were reported to have been submitted to the NSSP. ED visits in 5 of 10 regions and the majority of the states were substantially underrepresented in the NSSP. The NSSP ED visits were similar to national ED visits in terms of many of the characteristics of hospitals and their service areas. However, visits in hospitals with the fewest annual ED visits, in rural trauma centers, and in hospitals serving populations with high percentages of Hispanics and Asians were underrepresented. CONCLUSIONS: NSSP nonfederal hospital ED visit data were representative for many hospital characteristics and in some geographic areas but were not very representative nationally and in many locations. Representativeness could be improved by increasing participation in more states and among specific types of hospitals. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;page 1 of 8). Language: en
Multiscale study for stochastic characterization of shale samples

Abstract Characterization of shale reservoirs, which are typically of low permeability, is very difficult because of the presence of multiscale structures. While three-dimensional (3D) imaging can be an ultimate solution for revealing important complexities of such reservoirs, acquiring such images is costly and time consuming. On the other hand, high-quality 2D images, which are widely available, also reveal useful information about shales’ pore connectivity and size. Most of the current modeling methods that are based on 2D images use limited and insufficient extracted information. One remedy to the shortcoming is direct use of qualitative images, a concept that we introduce in this paper. We demonstrate that higher-order statistics (as opposed to the traditional two-point statistics, such as variograms) are necessary for developing an accurate model of shales, and describe an efficient method for using 2D images that is capable of utilizing qualitative and physical information within an image and generating stochastic realizations of shales. We then further refine the model by describing and utilizing several techniques, including an iterative framework, for removing some possible artifacts and better pattern reproduction. Next, we introduce a new histogram-matching algorithm that accounts for concealed nanostructures in shale samples. We also present two new multiresolution and multiscale approaches for dealing with distinct pore structures that are common in shale reservoirs. In the multiresolution method, the original high-quality image is upscaled in a pyramid-like manner in order to achieve more accurate global and long-range structures. The multiscale approach integrates two images, each containing diverse pore networks – the nano- and microscale pores – using a high-resolution image representing small-scale pores and, at the same time, reconstructing large pores using a low-quality image. Eventually, the results are integrated to generate a 3D model. The methods are tested on two shale samples for which full 3D samples are available. The quantitative accuracy of the models is demonstrated by computing their morphological and flow properties and comparing them with those of the actual 3D images. The success of the method hinges upon the use of very different low- and high-resolution images.
Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

This chapter reviews literature pertaining to the treatment of pediatric anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors in African American children and adolescents. Generally, evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most efficacious treatments for these disorders; however, many of these studies either do not provide an ethnic breakdown of their sample or have a poor sampling of African Americans. Aside from such limitations, extant literature has identified pertinent sociocultural factors influencing the symptom expression in African American youth (e.g., heightened relevance of somatic symptoms). Additionally, in light of several cultural variables that affect the accessibility of and response to treatment in African American youth, recent studies have attempted to adapt empirically supported protocols to become more respectful of the unique sociocultural contexts of African American youth. Inasmuch, this chapter includes an overview of existing literature in order to provide treatment considerations and future research directions for pediatric anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors in African American children and adolescents.
Fractionation of carbon-based nanomaterials by anion-exchange HPLC.

A sample containing carbon nanoparticles was obtained starting with the soot generated during combustion of inexpensive paraffin oil in a flame. The complexity of the sample, however, required fractionation to isolate its components. Anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (AE-HPLC) was used for the analysis and collection of soot-derived carbon nanoparticles. The fractionated species were monitored by ultraviolet (UV) absorption and laser-induced photoluminescence detection, providing the chromatographic UV absorption and emission profiles of the separated sample. Chromatographic fractionation allowed for bulk measurements of electronic properties for individual fractions and further analysis via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM of fractionated species showed a predominant size of about 4–5 nm diameter particulates. A general trend between photoluminescence and elution time was observed; the later eluting species in the chromatogram exhibited photoluminescence at longer wavelengt...
Abstract 5365: Zeranol-containing serum (Z-Sera) harvested from 30-day Z-implanted heifers induce transformation of human normal breast epithelial cells through down-regulation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase γ (PTPγ) tumor suppressor gene

The morbidity of breast cancer ranks first in the U.S. it remains the second leading cause of maligancy-related death in women, regardless of advances in novel therapeutic strategies. Many risk factors have been associated with breast cancer initiation, promotion and progression. Recently, Zeranol (Z), one of six growth promoters approved by FDA for use in the beef industry may cause health concerns due to the consumption of beef products containing bio-active Z metabolites. Our laboratory previously demonstrated that Z down-regulates the expression of estrogen-regulated PTPγ in primary cultured human normal breast epithelial cells and transforms the normal human breast epithelial cell line, MCF-10A, to neoplastic breast cancer cells. In the current study, we investigated the biologically active Z metabolites present in Z-Sera harvested from 30-day post Z implanted heifers (72 mg pellet) on MCF-7 cell growth and PTPγ mRNA expression in MCF-10A cells using non radioactive cell proliferation and real time PCR. Our results showed that Z-Sera at 0.5, 2.5 and 12.5% significantly increased the growth of MCF-7 cells by 42, 71, and 108%, respectively. While the sera harvested from the control heifers did not increase MCF-7 cell growth. Treatment with 2.5% Z-sera harvested 30, 60, 90 days post Z-implantation significantly down-regulated the expression of PTP γ mRNA in MCF-7 cells to 18.2, 36.5 and 51%, respectively. Furthermore, neoplastic transformation of MCF-10A cells resulted after exposure of 2.5% Z-Sera in culture medium to MCF-10A for 21-day. The expression of PTPγ mRNA, in transformed MCF-10A cells, was significantly reduced by 83, 96 and 97%, as compared to the controls. We hypothesize that the transformation of MCF-10A cells by bio-active Z metabolites contained in 2.5% Z-sera may be mediated through the down-regulation of estrogen-regulated PTPγ in MCF-10A cells. We have reported that the growth rate of pre-adipocytes isolated from the beef cattle 30-day post Z-implantation was 12 fold faster than the pre-adipocytes isolated from of the control beef cattle. In summary, our in vitro data suggest that potential adverse health risk may result from consuming beef products containing bio-active Z metabolites. (Supported by NIH grant R01 ES 015212). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5365.
Trapping Hylemya spp. Flies in Tobacco Fields on Sticky Colored Stakes

Painted garden stakes coated with Stikem® were used to capture maggot flies, Hylemya spp., in and on the margin of tobacco fields. Although most of the flies captured were H. florilega (Zetterstedt), there was a small number of seed-corn maggots, H. platura (Meigen). Both male and female flies were captured. The colors of paints tested were blue, green, yellow, orange, red, white, and black. Stakes painted with “Rustoleum 659 yellow” or with “Lucite 2360 white” captured more flies than any painted with the other colors. Fertilizer placed at the base of the stakes did not increase the number of flies captured on the stakes.
Kinematic Airport Surface Trajectory Model Development

*Airport surface trajectory models are a key component of current airport surface decision support tools as well as future surface traffic research concepts such as optimized taxi scheduling. These automation tools and concepts, however, commonly use constant speed based airport surface trajectory models even though aircraft do not taxi at a constant speed. This paper describes the development of an empirical kinematic airport surface trajectory model that was derived from the study of actual taxiing speed and acceleration characteristics on specific segments of a taxi route, such as straights and turns. A limited validation study showed this empirical surface trajectory model predicted unimpeded taxi times an average of only 9 percent earlier than the actual mean while modeling speed and acceleration variations observed in actual surface traffic movement. This was approximately 30 percent better than the constant speed based surface trajectory model to which it was compared.
Promoting Successful Computer use by Older Adults: Input Devices and Experienced Users

This experiment looked at the use of two input devices (mouse and light pen) for younger, middle-aged, and older adults who were experienced mouse users. We asked participants to use both their preferred and non-preferred hand to perform a pure pointing task and then to rate the ease of use and acceptability of the device they were using in the hand they were using it as well as their perceived work load across trials. We found that using a light pen minimized age differences, that differences between the preferred and non-preferred hand became more apparent with age so that older adults were less efficient using their non-preferred hand than were younger adults, and that older adults gained more from practice. Overall, the mouse was rated as more acceptable than the light pen across trials even though the light pen was more efficient. Finally, recommendations are made for ease of use, acceptability, and performance.
NUMERICAL CALCULATION OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC DISSECTION BASED ON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCAN

Based on the 527 slices of Aortic Dissection(AD) obtained by Computed Tomography(CT),the true lumen(TL) and the false lumen(FL) of Abdominal Aortic Dissection(AAD) were reconstructed by the medical processing software 3D-Doctor and reverse remodeling software Geomagic.The flow field characteristics of the true lumen and false lumen of AAD were calculated by Fluent.Some important physical quantities of the true lumen and false lumen such as shear stress,static pressure,and risk position of the wall were obtained.Using fluid dynamic software ANSYS-CFX,the interaction between the fluid and the wall,the deformation of the true lumen and the false lumen were also analyzed.The model was real,and the velocity and pressure boundary conditions were obtained by Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI).The results show that the wall shear stress becomes larger rapidly near the break point.The forward extension of FL increases faster than reverse extension.The deformation of the flexible wall is larger than that of the rigid wall,but the shear stress on the flexible wall is much smaller.
Research on interface performance of alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant

Four kinds of alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactants with different length of carbon chain are prepared.The effects of mass fraction of surfactants,mass fraction of Na_2CO_3,and volume fraction of n-pentanol on the oil/water interfacial tension are studied.The results show that the interfacial tension is lower when the mass fraction of surfactants is 0.1%-0.3%,mass fraction of Na_2CO_3 is 0.6%,volume fraction of n-pentanol is 1.6%.The lowest interfacial tension is 3.1×10~(-3)mN/m.
Binge-eating disorder and major depressive disorder co-morbidity: Sequence and clinical significance

Introduction Binge-eating disorder (BED) is associated with obesity and with elevated rates of co-occurring major depressive disorder (MDD) but the significance of the diagnostic comorbidity is ambiguous—as is the significance of the onset sequence for MDD and BED. Objective and aims We compared eating-disorder psychopathology and psychiatric comorbidity in three subgroups of BED patients: those in whom onset of BED preceded onset of MDD, those with onset of MDD prior to onset of BED, and those without MDD or any psychiatric comorbidity. Methods A consecutive series of 731 treatment-seeking patients meeting DSM-IV-TR research criteria for BED were assessed reliably by doctoral-clinicians with semi-structured interviews to evaluate lifetime psychiatric disorders (SCID-I/P) and ED psychopathology (EDE Interview). Results Based on SCID-I/P, 191 (26%) patients had onset of BED preceding onset of MDD, 114 (16%) had onset of MDD preceding onset of BED, and 426 (58%) had BED without co-occurring disorders. Three groups did not differ with respect to age, ethnicity, or education, but a greater proportion of the group without MDD was male. Three groups did not differ in body-mass-index or binge-eating frequency, but groups differed significantly with respect to eating-disorder psychopathology, with both MDD groups having significantly higher levels than the group without co-occurring disorders. The group having earlier onset of MDD had elevated rates of anxiety disorders compared to the group having earlier onset of BED. Conclusions MDD in combination with BED—with either order of onset—has a meaningful adverse effect on ED psychopathology and overall psychiatric co-morbidity.
Six-month survival of a calf with an artificial heart

A pneumatically powered artificial heart, constructed primarily from a polyurethane, was implanted in the chest of a calf and supported the calf for more than 6 months. The heart, which was designed to fit in the chest of a 90 kilogram calf, was able to support the animal when it weighed 180 kilograms. During the first 105 days the calf remained strong and healthy. The animal grew progressively weaker after day 105, and by day 160 right heart failure became apparent. The principal cause of the right heart failure was an obstructive growth between the right atrium and the right ventricle. An attempt to correct the problem on day 184 with an artificial heart resulted in the animal’s death.
Rebuilding the School

The ideology and practice of antifascist democratic education had a clear setting: the school building. More than a place to hold classes, it was an integral part of the “new school,” physically, pedagogically, and symbolically. Educational reformers frequently emphasized that the postwar school system needed an appropriate structure, one whose appearance would indicate the antifascist, democratic lessons being taught within its walls. Concern with the school building had several motivations. First, the idea that physical renewal could bring about intellectual and spiritual renewal was a metaphor so powerful that it permeated Soviet zone discussions and decisions about education. Allusions to architectural renewal of the school building provided a rhetorical device to argue in favor of educational reforms. As in other aspects of antifascist education, Soviet zone reformers relied heavily on previous educational structures instead of creating new ones; nevertheless, they believed that the appearance of school buildings and classrooms played a role in communicating antifascist democratic education to pupils. Second, the Soviet zone school building was the local point of access to the ambivalent task of reconstructing the German nation. The school building represented the physical site for chasing out old, undemocratic memories and creating new, antifascist ones.
Moderate physical activity promotes basal hepatic autophagy in diet-induced obese mice

Obesity is a known risk factor for the development of hepatic disease; obesity-induced fatty liver can lead to inflammation, steatosis, and cirrhosis and is associated with degeneration of the mito...
Non-invasive FFRCT revealing severe inducible ischaemia in an anomalous right coronary artery

A 48-year-old woman was referred to Stanford University Medical Center, because of exertional dyspnoea and chest tightness relieved by rest. On stress echocardiography, she exercised for 10 min on a Bruce protocol without any chest discomfort, achieving a maximum heart rate of 171 beats per min, and 11.3 METs. There were …
Clinical Application of Cone Beam Computed Tomography of the Rabbit Head: Part 2-Dental Disease.

Domestic rabbits are increasing in popularity as household pets; therefore, veterinarians need to be familiar with the most common diseases afflicting rabbits including dental disease. Current diagnostic approaches include gross oral examination, endoscopic oral examination, skull radiography, and computed tomography (CT). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), a new oral and maxillofacial imaging modality that has the capability to produce high-resolution images, has not yet been described for use in evaluating dental disease in rabbits. A total of 15 client-owned rabbits had CBCT, oral examination, dental charting, and dental treatment performed under general anesthesia. Images were evaluated using transverse and custom multiplanar (MPR), 3D, and panoramic reconstructed images. The CBCT findings were grouped into abnormalities that could be detected on conscious oral examination vs. abnormalities that could not be detected by conscious oral examination. Potential associations between the two categories were examined by pairwise Fisher's exact test with statistical significance determined by P < 0.05. The most common findings identified on CBCT images were periodontal ligament space widening (14/15), premolar and molar malocclusion (13/15), apical elongation (13/15), coronal elongation (12/15), inflammatory tooth resorption (12/15), periapical lucency (11/15), moth-eaten pattern of osteolysis of the alveolar bone (9/15), ventral mandibular border contour changes (9/15), and missing teeth (8/15). Of the CBCT abnormalities likely to be observed on oral examination, coronal elongation (detectable on oral examination) was significantly associated with apical elongation (P = 0.029). There were no other significant associations between CBCT findings that are also clinically detectable and CBCT findings that are not be detectable on oral examination. This suggests that pathology often exists that is not apparent upon oral examination. This study establishes the common CBCT findings associated with dental disease in rabbits and demonstrates the feasibility of this technology to diagnose and plan treatment in dental disorders in this species.
Cavity nonlinear optics with monolayer materials (Conference Presentation)

Realizing low-power (few-photon) nonlinear optics in a scalable way is important for both fundamental scientific studies to build strongly correlated “quantum fluids of light” and technological applications, including optical information processing. In recent years, such single photon nonlinearity has been reported using cavity coupled single emitters, including quantum dots, and atoms. However, the macroscopic size of atomic physics cavities, and stochastic spatial and spectral nature of quantum dots pose a serious problem for the scalability. In my talk, I will introduce a new platform with cavity coupled to patterned monolayer materials to accomplish this goal. I will present theoretical analysis of a coupled system of cavity-transition metal dichalcogenides and provide some preliminary experimental data on nonlinear optics with cavity and monolayer materials.
Thermal pasteurization process evaluation using mashed potato model food with Maillard reaction products

Abstract Model foods with Maillard reaction product formation have been utilized to evaluate thermal sterilization processes, but these models are not optimal for pasteurization. Model foods for pasteurization applications have been developed, but studies on temperature sensitivity and validation are limited. The goal of this research was to assess the temperature sensitivity of chemical marker and color formation in mashed potato model foods and conduct validation testing using a microwave-assisted pasteurization system (MAPS) and conventional, hot water methods. Reaction kinetics were determined for chemical marker M-2 (4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone) and color formation (L* and a* values). Results showed that the thermal resistance constants (z-values) were 20.6–24.0 °C for M-2, 20.8–28.8 °C for L* value, and 10.3–25.6 °C for a* value. Correlation analysis between M-2, L*, and a* values and thermal lethality and cook value showed that model foods were most relevant for pasteurization process quality evaluation. Thermal treatment equivalent at the cold spot was approximately 11 min at 90 °C for all pasteurization processes. Model foods pasteurized in MAPS had less color change than those from hot water processes, implying the less severe MAPS process yielded better quality. Model foods and image analysis techniques used in this study could be helpful quality evaluation tools for pasteurization processes.
G2 and some exceptional Witt vector identities

Abstract We find some new one-parameter families of exponential sums in every odd characteristic whose geometric and arithmetic monodromy groups are G 2 .
Asset price volatility, price markups, and macroeconomic fluctuations

Abstract A variant of the neoclassical growth model is considered to study the role of innovation, lags in technology adoption, total factor productivity TFP , and price markups as main determinants of asset price volatility. The model confers a prominent role to price markups as opposed to other macroeconomic sources of uncertainty. In the data, price markups are highly correlated with stock market values, whereas other financial measures of profitability exhibit much less volatility and are weakly correlated with stock market values.
Dexamethasone in pregnant women with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (hellp) syndrome: A case report

Introduction: HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy with severe pre-eclampsia, resulting in increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The management of HELLP syndrome is controversial because the pathophysiology of the disease is not well understood. The current standard of care is supportive therapy and immediate delivery of the fetus. However, the use of corticotherapy may have potential benefit on improving maternal recovery, but various studies reported inadequate and inconsistent findings. Case presentation: A 25-year-old pregnant patient presented to the emergency room with vaginal bleeding and hypertension. She was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia and underwent delivery via a cesarean section and was then transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to exacerbation of HELLP syndrome. Prompt initiation of supportive care was provided and dexamethasone 10 mg IV Q 12 hours was administered. The patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital four days after corticotherapy was initiated, on day eight. Conclusion: Various studies evaluated the use of corticosteroids, specifically dexamethasone, in the improvement of HELLP syndrome and maternal outcomes. Evidence on the management of the syndrome remains controversial due to limits in the strength of the conclusions of various clinical trials. As a result, the evidence is insufficient to justify the use of corticotherapy in the management of HELLP syndrome to improve maternal outcomes.
Role of nitric oxide in mediation of macrophage cytotoxicity and apoptosis

Macrophages can recognize and eliminate tumor cells. To this effect, these cells use a variety of cytotoxic effectors. Recent work has paid particular attention to nitric oxide (NO) and its metabolic by-products in mediating macrophage tumor cytotoxicity. Moreover, work from this and other laboratories have indicated that macrophage-dependent, NO mediated tumor cell death meets the morphologic and molecular criteria that define apoptotic cell death. This review will initially discusss the characteristics of macrophage tumor cytotoxicity and the potential mechanisms by which NO can induce apoptosis in tumor cells. In addition, observations of spontaneous and acquired resistance to NO will be analyzed. Lastly, the relevance of results obtained using animal cells to the biology of the human macrophage will be considered.
Modulation of the Expression of a Secondary IgG Antihapten Response In Vitro

Despite several observations which indicate that lymphocytes originally producing IgM may switch to the production of IgG (9,6) some investigators still term the switch hypothetical (10). Thus the significance of these observations to antigen driven immune processes remains unclear. It is possible to view the single cell M → G switch as one which occurs during ontogeny (6), and presumably is not antigen and to view subsequent shifts in antibody class during immunization as reflections of antigenic influences on the expression of precommitted percursor cells. This raises the question of how antigen influences expression of Ig classes; antibody and interacting cells or cell products have all been implicated in the regulatory process, but again their precise role remains un-elucidated (10, 7, 18, 8).
DISTRIBUTION OF IN VIVO LATERAL BENDING STIFFNESSES IN IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOTIC SPINES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a biomechanical model that was developed to analyze progressive idiopathic scoliotic spines. This led to an optimization scheme for determining lateral bending stiffness, which was based upon Wolff's law. The chapter explains a study involving stiffness distributions for four adolescent patients, whose progressive idiopathic scoliosis was corrected surgically with Harrington distraction instrumentation. The mean stiffness parameters for the scoliotic spines are comparable to those reported for adolescent cadaver spinal motion segments. The chapter discusses the linkage system, which is composed of both rigid link elements and interconnecting torsional springs. The linkage boundary condition, which consists of simple support on one end and a roller support on the opposite end, allows only displacements along the axis of the distraction rod. The equilibrium equations for the corrected spinal configuration are derived from the minimum total potential energy.
Neanderthal Technoeconomics: An Assessment and Suggestions for Future Developments

This paper reviews results from economically-oriented studies of Middle Paleolithic technologies. Findings on raw material exploitation have shown conclusively that Middle Paleolithic hominins, mainly Neanderthals, were extremely flexible, able to respond to a range of different constraints on the availability of stone and the organization of tasks on landscapes. Overall, studies of raw material economics show a remarkable level of consistency in modal and maximum distances of raw material transport and in the nature of and treatment of transported artifacts. This indicates that results are methodologically and empirically robust, and reveals important commonalities in hominin behavior. Research on raw material economy may also be limited a widespread focus on aggregate, assemblage-level observations. The next phase of methodological development should concentrate on the use of intra-assemblage variation as a means of investigating internally diversified prehistoric populations. A paradoxical feature of variation in artifact design and investment illustrate the importance of considering intra-group variation in behavior.
Disparities in Adolescent and Young Adult Sarcoma Survival: Analyses of the Texas Cancer Registry and the National SEER Data

Purpose: Examine disparities in survival for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with bone and soft tissue sarcomas in Texas compared with national estimates. Methods: AYAs with sarcomas ...
The Case of Monica Khuma: More than Borderline Difficulties

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) typically presents during late adolescence and can persist if untreated through adulthood. It can wreak havoc on an individual’s interpersonal and professional life and is frequently difficult to diagnose and subsequently difficult to treat. The hallmark feature of BPD is an unstable sense of self that manifests with impulsive, attention-seeking, and self-destructive behaviors. There is high comorbidity between BPD and mood and anxiety disorders as well as with substance use disorders. The ideal treatment involves a combination of pharmacology to address symptoms such as irritability, impulsivity, and anxiety and psychotherapy to create a more positive and cohesive sense of oneself. Central to work with patients with BPD is an awareness of transferential issues and bringing them to the patient’s awareness as part of the treatment.
Machine Learning Methodologies for Paddy Yield Estimation in India: a Case Study

In-season crop yield estimation has various applications such as the farmer taking corrective measures to increase the yield, optimizing the supply-demand chain of fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural commodities, price prediction and determining the risk levels in agriculture insurance. Crop yield estimation models based on remote sensed satellite data and weather data have been widely adopted as do not require specific information about the crop and farming practices and hence are scalable across crops, growing locations and conditions. In this paper, we present a case study of weather and soil data based yield estimation modeling for paddy crop at different spatial resolution (SR) levels, namely, at the district (coarser SR) and taluk (finer SR) levels in India. We provide a detailed analysis of accuracy of the yield estimation models across varied sets of features and different machine learning (ML) techniques. Further, we perform dis-aggregation of district yield data by applying the machine learning models trained using district level data to predict yields at taluk level. Taluk level yield prediction by dis-aggregation of district level data has average error of 6% and maximum error of 25%.
New Associate Editors

It is with great pleasure that I welcome Danielle Griffith, Shanthi Pavan, and Nick Van Helleputte to the Editorial Board of the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits as new Associate Editors. Griffith is an expert on low-power wireless circuits, oscillators, and MEMS. Pavan brings expertise in data converters, filters, and mixed-signal circuits. Van Helleputte is an expert on biomedical circuits, power management, and sensor interfaces.
The Impact of National Anthem Protests on National Football League Television Ratings

The National Football League’s (NFL) television ratings decreased by approximately 8% during the 2016 season, then a further 10% the following season. These declines coincided with league-wide nati...
Metric aspects of zoom vision

The small dimensions of the focal planes of solid-state sensors and the limited resolution of the pixel array decrease the potential applications of vision systems. Zoom lenses can enhance the flexibility and capabilities of vision systems by providing the user with continuous access to a full range of focal length settings without degrading geometric accuracy. The key to the use of such lenses lies in the inherent stability of array cameras. Preliminary test results showed that when the focal length setting of a zoom lens was changed, significant changes occurred in both the position of the principal point and lens distortion characteristics. However, these changes were found to be either linear or curvilinear over the entire range of zoom. Moreover, both the magnitude and pattern of the changes were found to be highly stable over a period of weeks. Thus, the results indicated that the changing interior geometry of zoom lens camera systems can be pre-calibrated and then applied during the measurement process. This paper reports on experimental results and distortion models using two zoom lenses with focal lengths ranging from 12.5mm to 75mm.
Multivariate Quantile Bayesian Structural Time Series (MQBSTS) Model.

In this paper, we propose the multivariate quantile Bayesian structural time series (MQBSTS) model for the joint quantile time series forecast, which is the first such model for correlated multivariate time series to the author's best knowledge. The MQBSTS model also enables quantile based feature selection in its regression component where each time series has its own pool of contemporaneous external time series predictors, which is the first time that a fully data-driven quantile feature selection technique applicable to time series data to the author's best knowledge. Different from most machine learning algorithms, the MQBSTS model has very few hyper-parameters to tune, requires small datasets to train, converges fast, and is executable on ordinary personal computers. Extensive examinations on simulated data and empirical data confirmed that the MQBSTS model has superior performance in feature selection, parameter estimation, and forecast.
Skateboarder and scooter-rider perceptions of the urban environment: a qualitative analysis of user-generated content

Personal Mobility Devices such as skateboards and scooters are increasingly considered a form of active transportation in dense urban environments. Understanding the experience of users is paramoun...
Modeling the role of efficiency for the equitable and effective distribution of donated food

Food banks operate with an objective to serve as many of food-insecure people as possible with the limited supply available to them. This paper presents a mixed-integer programming model to identify the efficient assignment of demand zones (counties) to distribution centers (branches) and equitable allocation of donated food from the food bank branches to the demand zones. The model objective function minimizes the total cost of branch operation, the cost of receiving and distributing food, the cost of undistributed food while maintaining the maximum allowed deviation from perfect equity. Data from the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina (FBCENC) are used to characterize the major attributes controlling the food distribution system of a food bank. Results from the optimization model using FBCENC data show that the optimal allocation under perfect equity follows a particular structure depending on the shipping cost and the cost of undistributed supply. Sensitivity analyses exploring the trade-offs between efficiency and effectiveness as a function of the cost of shipping, truck capacity, and a user-specified maximum inequity cap show that marginal sacrifice in equity can significantly improve effectiveness. The corresponding improvement in effectiveness is greater when comparatively larger trucks are used and the cost of shipping is relatively higher. The analyses also suggest that while efficiency is less sensitive to the allowable limit on the deviation from perfect equity, it is sensitive to truck size. A comparison of direct shipping to branches to operating a local hub suggests the former option to be more cost efficient.
Achieving Equality of Educational Opportunity in the Wake of Judicial Retreat From Race Sensitive Remedies: Lessons from North Carolina

Introduction 1478 I. First Lesson: Race Discrimination Exists and Is Harmful to Academic Outcomes 1481 A. Outputs 1482 B. Inputs 1483 1. School racial composition 1484 2. Tracking 1490 II. Second Lesson: Policy Choices Still Matter 1492 III. Third Lesson: Socioeconomic Diversity Contributes to Educational Equity 1493 IV. Fourth Lesson: Racism in American Society Affects Minority Students’ Achievement Attitudes and Behaviors....1499
Can More Women Run? Reevaluating Women's Election to the State Legislatures

Do men and women take similar or different paths to public office? In this paper we examine the occupational and educational backgrounds, family situations, and prior political experiences of women state legislators and their male counterparts. We assess the utility of three different possible explanations for changes and continuities observed in the pathways women legislators have followed into office over time: an assimilation model, a convergence model, and a persistent differences model. We present findings from two nationwide surveys of state legislators conducted by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) in 1981 and 2008 as well as from semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted in 2009 with 22 women legislators from 15 states. Although we find some limited support for each of the three models, the preponderance of evidence is consistent with a model of persistent gender differences over time in pathways into office. Some past studies have suggested that increases in the number of women officeholders will depend on whether or not women attain those credentials associated with men’s election to office, but the variation we find in the backgrounds and experiences of women legislators and the persistence of gender differences over time suggest a need to think more broadly and less conventionally about the women who might serve in the future. Our analysis leads us to conclude that more women (of varying occupational backgrounds, education levels, ages, and previous experience) could run.