cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current practice patterns in conservative thumb CMC joint care: survey results

Abstract Study design Cross-sectional descriptive survey Introduction Best practice for conservative clinical care pathways is not well outlined in the literature for patients with thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) pain. This self-report survey investigated the current practice patterns of assessments and conservative interventions for the painful thumb CMCJ among hand therapists. Methods An online survey was distributed to members of the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). Questions were included about evaluation measures and intervention techniques used for this population. A descriptive analysis was completed of the results. Results A total of 23.5% of the ASHT membership responded to the survey. Results were categorized using the International Classification of Functioning and Disability domains as a framework. The survey results report varying use of evaluation measures, therapeutic interventions, including orthotic fabrication, joint protection and patient education all therapeutic interventional techniques, and modalities. Conclusion Therapists use a comprehensive array of evaluation measures and interventions for body functions and structures in the care of thumb CMC pain. In contrast, more consistent use is needed of psychometrically-sound functional outcome measures that show change in activities and participation. This survey highlights areas to employ current evidence, as well as, future research should address environmental factors and personal factors for this population Level of evidence Not applicable.
Open depressed skull fracture missed on computed tomography: A case report

A case of an open depressed skull fracture that was missed on standard computed tomographic (CT) scan is presented. The fracture was seen on a CT generated lateral scout film, and after repositioning the gantry, further CT images clearly showed the fracture and underlying brain injury. The authors recommend that all patients with head trauma undergoing head CT have either a CT generated lateral scout film or a lateral skull radiograph to assess the vertex of the skull, an area poorly visualized on standard axial images.
Studies on the mechanism by which prolactin regulates protein, RNA, and DNA synthesis in Nb2 node lymphoma cells

Specific aspects of the prolactin stimulation of RNA, DNA and protein synthesis in the Nb2 node lymphoma cell line were determined. In time sequence studies the onset of the prolactin stimulation of the incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into these macromolecules was found to be 0.5-1 h for [3H]uridine incorporation into RNA, 1-2 h for [3H]leucine incorporation into protein, and 4-8 h for [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. The total DNA content of the cell cultures was increased by 12-18 hours after addition of prolactin. Amiloride, an inhibitor of the plasma-membrane-bound Na+/H+ antiporter, was found to inhibit the mitogenic effects of prolactin. Amiloride was also found to inhibit the prolactin stimulation of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, thus suggesting that the initial regulation of the Na+/H+ antiporter may initiate these responses as well as the mitogenic effect of prolactin. In contrast, H-7, a drug which inhibits protein kinase C, had no effect on the magnitude of the prolactin stimulation of DNA, RNA or protein synthesis at a drug concentration (100 muM) that abolished the mitogenic effect of prolactin. The early effects of prolactin on RNA, DNA and protein synthesis would therefore appear not to involve an activation of protein kinase C.
Stiffness prediction of the double lap shear joint. Part 2: Finite element modeling

To develop vehicles with adhesively bonded structures, one needs to be able to perform structural finite element (FE) analysis of the adhesive joints. In current structural analysis practice, adhesive joints are modeled as rigid joints, semi-rigid springs, or other equivalent representations. This paper is aimed at determining modeling methods that give reasonably accurate predictions of the stiffness of bonded joints, and yet are practical enough to be used at the component or vehicle level of modeling. Starting with the double lap shear (DLS) joint, different finite element modeling methods were investigated. Simulation results were compared with DLS test results and with the analytical solutions presented in Part 1 of this paper (Stiffness prediction of the double lap shear joint. Suitable modeling methods are recommended for ABAQUS and LS-DYNA.
High-frequency active metamaterials

We present a systematic numerical study of metamaterials integrated with gain media to achieve composite metamaterials at terahertz and infrared wavelength with reduced losses. The impact of spatial dispersion on the effective permeability resonance restoration is emphasized.
The gordian knot of chronic illness care.

According to legend, when Alexander the Great arrived in the kingdom of Phrygia in what is now central Turkey, he was faced with a unique challenge. The gods had assisted Gordius, the king of Phrygia, with tying his ox-cart to a pole with an intricate knot. The man who could undo the “Gordian Knot
Vertebrate Feeding Guilds in California’s Sierra Nevada: Relations to Environmental Condition and Change in Spatial Scale

In biogeography, as in other parts of physical geography, it has become conventional wisdom to assert that a change in the scale of analysis necessitates a change in explanatory factors. In this article, we present an empirical study at a regional scale and compare the results to earlier data analyzed at a subcontinental scale. We describe the spatial patterns of vertebrates, characterized by taxonomic Classes and feeding guilds, on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada of California. The analysis indicates that numbers of total species, species within Classes, and species within both individual and aggregated guilds all relate strongly to environmental conditions of vegetation structure and climate. Compared to the subcontinental scale patterns for the American West, the results seem similar for guild structure but less so for taxonomic characteristics, probably because guilds and taxa respond differently to factors at different scales. Changing spatial scales may or may not necessitate changing explanator...
Hindfoot arthroscopic surgery for posterior ankle impingement: a systematic surgical approach and case series.

Background:Hindfoot arthroscopic surgery has been described as a minimally invasive surgical treatment for posterior ankle impingement syndrome. The current article describes a systematic approach for identifying relevant hindfoot structures as well as the clinical results of a case series.Purpose:To present a structured systematic surgical approach for identifying relevant anatomic structures and abnormalities during hindfoot arthroscopic surgery. In addition, we report the clinical results of a case series.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:The systematic surgical approach divides the extra-articular structures of the hindfoot into quadrants as defined by the intermalleolar ligament. Twenty-two patients underwent hindfoot arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of posterior ankle impingement syndrome. The mean follow-up time was 25 months (range, 14-35 months). Standard patient-reported outcome questionnaires of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Short Form–12 (SF-12) general...
Turn-off failure of power MOSFETs

Experimental results of the failure of power MOSFETs during inductive turn-off are discussed. The electrical characteristics of these devices during failure are shown to be identical to those of a bipolar transistor undergoing second breakdown. Other comparisons of the power MOSFET failure and bipolar second breakdown are made. A nondestructive measurement system is used which allows repeated measurements of the failure characteristics as a function of various parameters to be made on a single device. It is shown that commercially available power MOSFETs do not fail as a result of dV/dt currents. Drain voltage slew rates up to 22 V/ns were studied. Other measurements show that the drain voltage at which failure occurs increases with temperature, the critical current above which failure occurs decreases with temperature, and the magnitude of the load inductance has no effect on the failure. The results of this study are consistent with the theory that activation of the parasitic bipolar transistor initiates the power MOSFET failure during turn-off.
Evaluation of infiltration in layered pavements using surface GPR reflection techniques

Abstract The bearing capacity of sub-asphalt soils, which is a critical parameter for assessing pavement conditions and guiding pavement maintenance, is greatly influenced by soil water content. In this study, ground-coupled ground penetrating radar (GPR) techniques were used to non-destructively monitor the volumetric water content in sub-asphalt aggregate layers during an extended infiltration experiment. Water was injected over a period of several months into two differently layered pavement test sections, one of which contained a sub-asphalt drainage layer. GPR travel time data were used to estimate the water content in each aggregate layer and the variations in water content with time, and GPR amplitude data were used to indicate areas of high water content immediately beneath the asphalt layer. The GPR data revealed significant variations in the water content of the aggregate layers in both the horizontal and vertical directions and over time. Comparison of the water content estimates from GPR travel time data and from gravimetric water content measurements showed that the difference between the two techniques was approximately 0.02 cm 3 /cm 3 . These results suggest that GPR techniques can be used for accurate, non-invasive water content estimation in sub-asphalt aggregate layers and for assessing the efficacy of pavement drainage layers.
Dworkin on the Foundations of Liberal Equality

Earlier, in Chapter 2, we had occasion to examine in detail the arguments in support of the idea of neutrality about the good advanced by Ronald Dworkin in “Liberalism”. In his Tanner Lectures published in 1990, Dworkin offered an account and defense of liberalism significantly different from and more ambitious than that earlier view. In these lectures, Dworkin, like Raz, rejected the idea of a merely political liberalism advanced by Rawls, and set out instead to show that the principles of liberal political order were founded upon a distinctive ethical view (the “challenge model”) which spoke directly to the question of the good. This suggests a form of perfectionist liberalism. However, this chapter tries to show that a lingering neutralism undermines Dworkin’s attempt to articulate a comprehensive perfectionist liberalism, and that this neutralism also leads Dworkin to treat those who think otherwise than he does in an illiberal, or at least ungenerous, fashion.
The Role of Nuclear Cap Binding Protein Cbc1p of Yeast in mRNA Termination and Degradation

The cyc1-512 mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae causes a 90% reduction in the level of iso-1-cytochrome c because of the lack of a proper 3'-end-forming signal, resulting in low levels of eight aberrantly long cyc1-512 mRNAs which differ in length at their 3' termini. cyc1-512 can be suppressed by deletion of either of the nonessential genes CBC1 and CBC2, which encode the CBP80 and CBP20 subunits of the nuclear cap binding complex, respectively, or by deletion of the nonessential gene UPF1, which encodes a major component of the mRNA surveillance complex. The upf1-Delta deletion suppressed the cyc1-512 defect by diminishing degradation of the longer subset of cyc1-512 mRNAs, suggesting that downstream elements or structures occurred in the extended 3' region, similar to the downstream elements exposed by transcripts bearing premature nonsense mutations. On the other hand, suppression of cyc1-512 defects by cbc1-Delta occurred by two different mechanisms. The levels of the shorter cyc1-512 transcripts were enhanced in the cbc1-Delta mutants by promoting 3'-end formation at otherwise-weak sites, whereas the levels of the longer cyc1-512 transcripts, as well as of all mRNAs, were slightly enhanced by diminishing degradation. Furthermore, cbc1-Delta greatly suppressed the degradation of mRNAs and other phenotypes of a rat7-1 strain which is defective in mRNA export. We suggest that Cbc1p defines a novel degradation pathway that acts on mRNAs partially retained in nuclei.
Strong-coupling expansions for the attractive Holstein and Hubbard models.

Weak-coupling expansions (conserving approximations) are carried out for the attractive Holstein and Hubbard models (on an infinite-dimensional hypercubic lattice) that include all band-structure and vertex correction effects. Quantum fluctuations are found to renormalize transition temperatures by factors of order unity, but may be incorporated into the superconducting channel of Migdal-Eliashberg theory by renormalizing the phonon frequency and the interaction strength.
Cellulose solvent-based pretreatment for corn stover and avicel: concentrated phosphoric acid versus ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl

Since cellulose accessibility has become more recognized as the major substrate characteristic limiting hydrolysis rates and glucan digestibilities, cellulose solvent-based lignocellulose pretreatments have gained attention. In this study, we employed cellulose solvent- and organic solvent-based lignocellulose fractionation using two cellulose solvents: concentrated phosphoric acid [~85 % (w/w) H3PO4] and an ionic liquid Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl). Enzymatic glucan digestibilities of concentrated phosphoric acid- and [BMIM]Cl-pretreated corn stover were 96 and 55 % after 72 h at five filter paper units of cellulase per gram of glucan, respectively. Regenerated amorphous cellulose by concentrated phosphoric acid and [BMIM]Cl had digestibilities of 100 and 92 %, respectively. Our results suggested that differences in enzymatic glucan digestibilities of concentrated phosphoric acid- and [BMIM]Cl-pretreated corn stover were attributed to combinatory factors. These results provide insights into mechanisms of cellulose solvent-based pretreatment and effects of residual cellulose solvents and lignin on enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis.
Does Community Resource Fit Matter to Fathers? A Study of Employed Fathers, School and School Activity Schedules, and Well-Being

Several scholars have noted that community resources might facilitate or hinder employees' ability to meet their many work and family demands, thereby affecting their psychological well-being. However, this is the first study to estimate these relationships using a newly developed quantitative measure of community resource fit that assesses the satisfaction of employed parents of school-aged children with key community resources. In this analysis, the authors focus on the relationships linking one aspect of community resource fit—specifically, child's school and school activity schedules, or school resource fit—as a contextual variable influencing well-being (i.e., job-role quality, psychological distress) in a sample of 53 employed married fathers. Among these fathers, having school and school activity schedules that meet their needs is associated with low psychological distress and high job-role quality. Importantly, fathers with fewer resources in terms of income or job flexibility benefit most in term...
Introduction to the bioequivalence theme issue.

Martinez, M. N., Hunter, R. P. Introduction to the bioequivalence theme issue.J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 35 (Suppl. 1), 1–2.This introduction provides an overview of the veterinary bioequivalenceinitiative and of the foundational goals and objectives of this theme issue.(Paper received 16 December 2011; accepted for publication 17 December2011)Marilyn N. Martinez, US Food and Drug Administration, Center for VeterinaryMedicine, Ofﬁce of New Animal Drug Evaluation, Rockville, Maryland 20855, USA.E-mail: marilyn.martinez@fda.hhs.gov
Crustal thickness estimation using high frequency Rayleigh waves

The method of nonlinear waveform-fitting was extended to include changes in the depth of the Moho. Studies performed on synthetic data at 10° epicentral distance showed that it is theoretically possible to determine Moho-depth with an accuracy of less than a kilometer if the frequency range extends to 0.12 Hz. We applied this method on several broadband records from two earthquakes in Western United States to invert for crustal thickness. Waveform-fitting of Rayleigh waves for epicentral distances between 3° and 10° for individual paths in this region show that the average Moho-depth can be resolved to 1–2 km. It was possible to obtain good waveform fits for frequencies between 0.02–0.08 Hz. We conclude that broadband seismic data from local events allow us to determine Moho-depth independently from crustal shear-wave velocity.
From value stream mapping toward a lean/sigma continuous improvement process: an industrial case study

Though lean manufacturing has been widely recognised for its effectiveness in continuously improving productivity, product quality, and on-time delivery to customers, the cost for hiring a full-time lean manufacturing engineer has kept many small businesses from implementing lean in their facilities. This paper presents a case study of lean implementation at a small manufacturer in the United States. Starting with collecting process information, a current value-stream map was created that reflected the current operation status. A future value stream map was then proposed to serve as a guide for future lean activities. Next, hurdles that kept the company from moving towards future state were identified. The ‘5 whys’ method was employed to reveal the root cause for each hurdle, followed by kaizen events proposed as solutions. In this case study, two kaizen events were proposed. For the first kaizen event, Taguchi experiment design was used to find the optimal machining parameters that reduced variation in a...
Finite-Element Model for Pretensioned Prestressed Concrete Girders

This paper presents a nonlinear model for pretensioned prestressed concrete girders. The model consists of three main components: a beam-column element that describes the behavior of concrete, a truss element that describes the behavior of prestressing tendons, and a bond element that describes the transfer of stresses between the prestressing tendons and the concrete. The model is based on a two-field mixed formulation, where forces and deformations are both approximated within the element. The nonlinear response of the concrete and tendon components is based on the section discretization into fibers with uniaxial hysteretic material models. The stress transfer mechanism is modeled with a distributed interface element with special bond stress-slip relation. A method for accurately simulating the prestressing operation is presented. Accordingly, a complete nonlinear analysis is performed at the different stages of prestressing. Correlation studies of the proposed model with experimental results of pretensioned specimens are conducted. These studies confirmed the accuracy and efficiency of the model.
Access to Care and Chronic Disease Outcomes Among Medicaid-Insured Persons Versus the Uninsured.

Objectives. We sought to determine the association between Medicaid coverage and the receipt of appropriate clinical care.Methods. Using the 1999 to 2012 National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys, we identified adults aged 18 to 64 years with incomes below the federal poverty level, and compared outpatient visit frequency, awareness, and control of chronic diseases between the uninsured (n = 2975) and those who had Medicaid (n = 1485).Results. Respondents with Medicaid were more likely than the uninsured to have at least 1 outpatient physician visit annually, after we controlled for patient characteristics (odds ratio [OR] = 5.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.8, 6.6). Among poor persons with evidence of hypertension, Medicaid coverage was associated with greater awareness (OR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.26, 2.66) and control (OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.32, 2.27) of their condition. Medicaid coverage was also associated with awareness of being overweight (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.67), but not with awaren...
Managed Lane Toll Prices: Impact of Transportation Demand Management Activities and Toll Exemptions

This research involved a simulation that compared 3 days of actual traffic data for the I-95 Express Lanes and general purpose lanes in Miami, Florida, with a hypothetical scenario in which all transportation demand management (TDM) activities and toll exemptions were eliminated. The purpose of the research was to quantify the extent to which carpooling, vanpooling, and transit use contribute to better traffic flow in the I-95 corridor. In the hypothetical scenario there was a slight degradation in express lane level of service (LOS) and a slight increase in tolls in the southbound direction. Conversely, there was a slight improvement in express lane LOS and a slight decrease in tolls in the northbound direction. In the hypothetical scenario, many inherently low emission vehicles (ILEVs), which are toll exempt, opted out of the express lanes. The increase in express lane volume from former carpoolers, vanpoolers, and transit riders reverting to single-occupant status was often offset by even larger volume...
Extended Divide-and-Conquer Algorithm for Uncertainty Analysis of Multibody Systems in Polynomial Chaos Expansion Framework

In this paper, an advanced algorithm is presented to efficiently form and solve the equations of motion of multibody problems involving uncertainty in the system parameters and/or excitations. Uncertainty is introduced to the system through the application of polynomial chaos expansion (PCE). In this scheme, states of the system, nondeterministic parameters, and constraint loads are projected onto the space of specific orthogonal base functions through modal values. Computational complexity of traditional methods of forming and solving the resulting governing equations drastically grows as a cubic function of the size of the nondeterministic system which is significantly larger than the original deterministic multibody problem. In this paper, the divide-and-conquer algorithm (DCA) will be extended to form and solve the nondeterministic governing equations of motion avoiding the construction of the mass and Jacobian matrices of the entire system. In this strategy, stochastic governing equations of motion of each individual body as well as those associated with kinematic constraints at connecting joints are developed in terms of base functions and modal terms. Then using the divide-and-conquer scheme, the entire system is swept in the assembly and disassembly passes to recursively form and solve nondeterministic equations of motion for modal values of spatial accelerations and constraint loads. In serial and parallel implementations, computational complexity of the method is expected to, respectively, increase as a linear and logarithmic function of the size.
Real-time monitoring of in situ gas-phase H/D exchange reactions of cations by atmospheric pressure helium plasma ionization mass spectrometry (HePI-MS).

An enclosed atmospheric-pressure helium-plasma ionization (HePI-MS) source avoids, or minimizes, undesired back-exchange reactions usually encountered during deuterium incorporation experiments under ambient-pressure open-source conditions. A simple adaptation of an ESI source provides an economical way of conducting gas phase hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions (HDX) in real time without the need for complicated hardware modifications. For example, the spectrum of [2H8]toluene recorded under exposed ambient conditions showed the base peak at m/z 96 due to fast leaching of ring hydrogens because of interactions with H2O vapor present in the open source. Such D/H exchanges are rapidly reversed if the deuterium-depleted [2H8]toluene is exposed to D2O vapor. In addition to the enumeration of labile protons, our procedure enables the identification of protonation sites in molecules unambiguously, by the number of H/D exchanges observed in real time. For example, molecules such as tetrahydrofuran and p...
Effect of Radiofrequency Electric Field Treatment on Protein Metabolism in Yellow Meal worm larvae

Tenebrio molitor (L.) larvae were exposed to both continuous and pulse-modulated radio frequency (rf) electric fields. The results of the incorporation of radioactive labeled amino acids (L-leucine-U-C14) injected into untreated treated T. molitor revealed that the level of radioactivity in larvae increased with time. During the 24-hour period following rf treatment, treated larvae functioned to incorporate labeled amino acids at a higher rate than did control larvae. An increase in C14O2 expired following rf treatment was noted.
Prior Misdiagnosis of Celiac Disease Is Common Among Patients Referred to a Tertiary Care Center: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Prior Misdiagnosis of Celiac Disease Is Common Among Patients Referred to a Tertiary Care Center: A Prospective Cohort Study
Are Bundled Payments a Viable Reimbursement Model for Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty

Background Alternative payment models, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Bundled Payment for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative, aim to decrease overall costs for hip and knee arthroplasties.
Global Public Goods and East Asia

Exemplifying a broad category of global public goods concerned with safeguarding human security, Chapter 5 focused on one such activity — the campaign to curb nuclear proliferation. The chapter concluded that although hardly devoid of setbacks and formidable ongoing challenges, US leadership in counter-proliferation had broadly succeeded in rendering a veritable tinderbox somewhat less explosive. Continuing with the broader theme of hegemonic stability, this chapter adopts a regional perspective on global public goods provision. Owing to its growing weight in the world economy, East Asia receives the spotlight here as a lead example of the more generalized regional impact of US power.
Computational Translation and Integration of Test Data to Meet Risk Assessment Goals

The remarkable advances of high-performance computing to facilitate and increase efficiency in helping to resolve or support assessments on the toxic effects of chemicals on tissues and genomic material have led to development of novel in silico methods. These methods can support risk assessment via integration of study data that can be translated into meaningful predictive information. This chapter describes some methods in computational toxicology and how to integrate experimental data with computational assessments for supporting risk assessment.
A reliability assessment of series-stacked servers with server-to-bus differential power processing

As demand for data centers grows with the expansion of cloud computing and storage, so too does the power consumption. In the search for more efficient and reliable power delivery to the servers that make up the data centers, researchers and industry have been investigating various power delivery options. Recently, series-stacked architectures have been proposed to address the efficiency limitation of conventional power delivery architectures in data centers by processing only the difference in power between a group of servers. This paper addresses the reliability aspect of the series-stacked architectures, and compares it to the conventional power delivery architecture in which the full server power needs to be processed. Through the calculation of a cluster level down-time in both power delivery architectures, the series-stacked architecture is shown to be a competitive alternative to the conventional architecture because of reduced converter failure rate.
MIS-SPECIFICATION TESTING IN RETROSPECT

The primary objective of this paper is threefold. First, to undertake a retrospective view of Mis-Specification (M-S) testing, going back to the early 20th century, with a view to (i) place it in the broader context of modeling and inference and (ii) bring out some of its special features. Second, to call into question several widely used arguments undermining the importance of M-S testing in favor of relying on weak probabilistic assumptions in conjunction with generic robustness claims and asymptotic inference. Third, to bring out the crucial role of M-S testing in securing trustworthy inference results. This is achieved by extending/modifying Fisher's statistical framework with a view to draw a clear line between the modeling and the inference facets of statistical induction. The proposed framework untangles the statistical from the substantive (structural) model and focuses on how to secure the adequacy of the statistical model before probing for substantive adequacy. A case is made for using joint M-S tests based on custom-built auxiliary regressions with a view to enhance the effectiveness and reliability of probing for potential statistical misspecifications.
3D indoor scene reconstruction and change detection for robotic sensing and navigation

A new methodology for 3D change detection which can support effective robot sensing and navigation in a reconstructed indoor environment is presented in this paper. We register the RGB-D images acquired with an untracked camera into a globally consistent and accurate point-cloud model. This paper introduces a robust system that detects camera position for multiple RGB video frames by using both photo-metric error and feature based method. It utilizes the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm to establish geometric constraints between the point-cloud as they become aligned. For the change detection part, a bag-of-word (DBoW) model is used to match the current frame with the previous key frames based on RGB images with Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF (ORB) feature. Then combine the key-frame translation and ICP to align the current point-cloud with reconstructed 3D scene to localize the robot position. Meanwhile, camera position and orientation are used to aid robot navigation. After preprocessing the data, we create an Octomap Model to detect the scene change measurements. The experimental evaluations performed to evaluate the capability of our algorithm show that the robot's location and orientation are accurately determined and provide promising results for change detection indicating all the object changes with very limited false alarm rate.
Modeling Interactions with Benzene: Aryl-Aryl, Cation-π, and Chaotrope-π

The association of benzene with itself, urea, guanidinium ion, and tetramethylammonium ion has been studied in water via Monte Carlo statistical mechanics simulations. Benzene dimerization in chloroform and liquid benzene have also been considered as well as the association of urea with naphthalene in water. Calculations of potentials of mean force predict complexes to exist in each case at contact separations. The energetics and optimal structures for the gas-phase complexes have also been characterized. Differences with the solution structures are discussed along with general implications for host-guest chemistry.
Towards Critical Justice: Exploring Intersectionality in Community-based STEM-rich Making with Youth from Non-dominant Communities

We investigated how community ethnography as a pedagogy approach to STEM-rich making supported youth makers from two low-income urban communities engaged in sustained STEM-rich making towards making a difference in their communities. Data is drawn from two-year long ethnographic data across two community-based, youth making programs. We highlight two cases. Case # 1 focuses on one African American girl's making endeavors across one school year. Case # 2 looks at how two youth engaged in critical sense-making with regards to the currently available how-to making resources they could locate online. We discuss how these pedagogical moves supported the youth in making towards a more just future in ways that addressed intersecting scales of injustice.
Noninvasive carbon dioxide monitoring

Technical aspects and clinical applications of the two most commonly used noninvasive CO2 monitors, capnography and transcutaneous monitoring, are discussed. Neither accurately reflect PaCO2 in most critically ill patients. However, both monitors give valuable information about other aspects of the patient's physiology. PETCO2 reflects changes in pulmonary perfusion and deadspace ventilation; and, PtcCO2 reflects changes in peripheral perfusion. Thus, both are useful in the critically ill patient, but not necessarily for the assessment of PaCO2.
A Local Maximum Phrase Detection Method for Analyzing Phrasing Strategies in Expressive Performances

This paper proposes a Local Maximum Phrase Detection (LMPD) method for the analysis of phrasing strategies in expressive performances. The LMPD method systematically extracts a quantitative representation of phrasing strategy by equating the occurrence of a local maximum in the loudness curve with the occurrence of a phrase or sub-phrase. We further define mathematical descriptors for phrase strength and volatility, and phrase typicality, for comparing phrasing strategies among performances. Phrase strength measures the prominence or clarity of a phrase, and the volatility is defined as the standard deviation of the phrase strengths within a performance. Phrase typicality quantifies the degree to which a phrase loudness peak location is characteristic among the performances polled. The ideas behind these descriptors extend to phrase information derived from tempo variation. We illustrate the LMPD method using preliminary results from its application to eleven commercially available audio recordings of a solo violin Bach Sonata.
RARE EARTH SESQUISULFIDES: POTENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION MATERIALS

Abstract Rare earth sesquisulfides in pellet and single crystal form show potential as high temperature thermoelectric materials. Recent experiments also indicate their potential in solar photovoltaic devices. The seminar will discuss the optical, magnetic, and specific heat measurements recently investigated in collaboration with several groups at the Ames Laboratory–DOE. Stoichiometric R 2 S 3 compounds are, with the exception of La 2 S 3 , ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, or Van Vleck paramagnets at low temperatures. With excess dopants (S, Bi, Te or Cd) these compounds become wide band-gap n-or p- type semiconductors. With excessive rare earth, these materials become semi-metallic. The–phase of the solid solution R 2 S 3- R 3 S 4 allows one to study how insulators become semi-conductors and semi-metals.
Effects of wholesale electricity markets on wind generation in the midwestern United States

Abstract This paper estimates the effect of starting the Midcontinent ISO electricity market in 2005 on wind generation. An average increase in wind plant capacity factors of 1.7–2.8 percentage points associated with the start of the market is estimated, relative to neighboring wind plants not in the market. These results are robust to potentially confounding variation associated with wind speed differences determined by weather. Policy makers in regions of increasing wind generation should consider expanding the wholesale market region as a tool to deal with variability of renewable generation. Many technical experts and market participants provide anecdotes that competitive wholesale markets are beneficial for wind energy, this analysis provides the first statistical evidence to support that claim.
Global Governance: Is There a Role for Islamic Economics and Finance?

In this chapter, Mohseni-Cheraghlou argues that the implementation and growth of genuine Islamic economic and financial (IEF) systems in countries with significant Muslim population, which host more than 1.5 billion people, can help international efforts in increasing financial stability, reducing poverty and inequality, and promoting shared prosperity and environmental sustainability. In doing so, Mohseni-Cheraghlou argues that an IEF system can contribute much toward international institutions’ (such as IMF and World Bank) global governance efforts in these fronts. Finally, the chapter provides the case study of a successful attempt by an organization named Akhuwat, for reducing poverty and promoting shared prosperity in Pakistan through Qard Hassan, an Islamic microfinance scheme.
Anti-Narcotic Nationalism in Britain and France, 1866–1916

AbstractWhile drug historians have recognized that nationalism played a key role in the development of narcotics control, few have analyzed precisely what this role was. This paper explores the development of antiopium discourses and policies in two countries – Britain and France – to see the effects that different nationalisms had on the move towards tighter control over opiates in the early-twentieth century. It shows that both countries developed their own distinct brand of “anti-narcotic nationalism” that reflected broader trends in their political cultures; particular understandings of the nation colored fears of what opiates could do to the national community if left uncontrolled, and the new regulations of the World War I era reflected these particularly national concerns. Opiate control, therefore, was not only a global undertaking, but also a distinctly national task that took different forms depending on the national context.
A Mumford Shah Style Unified Framework for Layering: Pitfalls and Solutions

Layered models are commonly used in computer vision to estimate the shape, appearance, depth ordering, occlusion structure and motion of objects from a set of images, offering computationally simpler alternatives to full 3D scene models. A unified computational framework for the various modeling elements (shape, appearance, motion and depth ordering), which integrates much of the current and prior work on layered models, would aid our understanding and development of layer extraction algorithms. A notable earlier work by Jackson et al. [2008] sought to provide such a framework in the context of variational methods, neatly cast as a single joint optimization problem. However, it did not perform as anticipated and has not been further developed. As the complexity of their formulation may have hindered its continued exploration, we reformulate their diffeomorphic approach within the much simpler framework of active contours. More importantly, though, we uncover a tricky modeling flaw which poorly extended the classical Mumford-Shah segmentation model to layering, causing unexpected performance degradation of their potentially powerful formulation. We elucidate this flaw and demonstrate its unintended consequences (a shrinking effect on foreground layers). We fix this problem by abandoning their unconstrained joint optimization philosophy and implementing an augmented Lagrangian style optimization process with PDE constraints instead. This new approach, which splits the classical Mumford-Shah appearance and geometric priors into two separate cost functions (one to be minimized with the other as a constraint) fixes the unintended shrinking problem and more properly extends the Mumford-Shah modeling paradigm into the layered framework, yielding far superior results. In doing so, we establish a more solid mathematical foundation for a unified variational approach to layering.
The direct and ocean-mediated influence of Asian orography on tropical precipitation and cyclones

Prior global climate model (GCM) experiments have shown that the Tibetan Plateau and related orography play a significant role in enhancing the Indian Monsoon, particularly during its onset, and the East Asian monsoon. However, these experiments have been largely performed with atmosphere-only, lower-resolution GCMs that neglect the influence of atmosphere–ocean coupling, and do not resolve tropical cyclones (TCs). Here we explore the influence of Asian orography on tropical circulations in a Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory GCM at two different atmosphere/land resolutions (∼50 and 200 km), and with or without atmosphere–ocean coupling. Atmosphere–ocean coupling is found to play a significant role in the precipitation response due to the Asian orography, enhancing the precipitation increase over the Western North Pacific (hereafter WNP), and drying the Arabian Sea. In these same regions, the higher resolution model, which resolves TCs up to category 3, suggests that Asian orography has a significant influence on TCs, increasing TC frequency in the WNP, and decreasing it in the Arabian Sea. However, in contrast to precipitation, this TC response does not appear to be strongly affected by the atmosphere–ocean coupling. Connections between the direct atmospheric circulation response to Asian orography, ocean circulation changes, and these various effects on precipitation and tropical cyclones are analyzed and discussed.
Minimum twelve-year follow-up of fixed- vs mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty: Double blinded randomized trial

Abstract Background Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with fixed-bearing (FB) implants have demonstrated impressive functional results and survival rates. Meanwhile, rotating-platform (RP) constructs have biomechanically shown to reduce polyethylene wear, lower the risk of component loosening, and better replicate anatomic knee motion. There is growing question of the clinical impact these design changes have long-term. Questions/purposes: The aim of this double-blinded prospective randomized trial was to compare function and implant survival in patients who received either FB or RP press-fit condylar Sigma (PFC Sigma, DePuy, Warsaw, IN) total knee replacements at a minimum follow-up of twelve years. Patients and methods Patient reported outcome measures used included the functional Knee Society Score, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, Medical Outcomes Short Form-36 (SF-36) score, and satisfaction assessment on a four-point Likert scale. The data was collected from times preoperative, two-years, and final encounter (mean 13.95 years). A total of 28 RP and 19 FB knees (58.8%) were analyzed at the final follow-up. Results Among all patients, KSS and WOMAC scores statistically improved from pre-op to 2-year, while KSS statistically worsened from 2-year to final follow-up. The RP group averaged better follow-up scores in all assessments at the final follow-up with exception of overall satisfaction. There was no statistically significant difference in the functional Knee Society Score, Short Form-36, WOMAC scores, patient satisfaction or implant survival between the two groups at any measured period. Conclusions The use of a fixed-bearing or rotating-platform design does not convey significant superiority in terms of function or implant longevity at a minimum twelve years after total knee arthroplasty. Level of evidence Level I, Experimental study, randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Offline Consequences of Echo Chambers

Echo chambers exist both online and offline, and in both situations they can affect individuals' opinions and behavior. There is a need for an assessment of the relative strength of online and offline echo chambers, and their interaction, on offline consequences.
The relationship between alcohol use and anxiety and retrospective attendance of primary care visits among women with human immunodeficiency virus.

ABSTRACTIn this retrospective study, we sought to determine the associations between alcohol use and anxiety and RIC among WHIV. Alcohol use was assessed using the Timeline Follow-back to measure u...
Mechanistic-Based Parametric Model for Predicting Rolling Resistance of Concrete Pavements:

The structural rolling resistance (SRR) is the component of rolling resistance that occurs because of the viscoelastic deformation of the pavement structure. In this paper, a simple model to calcul...
The Body in Religion: Cross-Cultural Perspectives . By Y.K. Greenberg

The Body in Religion: Cross-Cultural Perspectives. By Y.K. Greenberg (2018). New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 309pp.
A case of late-onset neutropenia secondary to rituximab in a patient with mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Rituximab (RTX) is increasingly used in the treatment of autoimmune blistering disorders (AIBDs). Neutropenia associated with RTX has been reported in the treatment of hematologic and rheumatic conditions,1, 2 occurring both shortly after treatment and weeks to months later. Definitions of early-onset neutropenia (EON) and late-onset neutropenia (LON) have been variable in the literature (Table I), with presentation ranging from an asymptomatic laboratory test value to critical illness. Few cases of RTX-associated neutropenia in the setting of AIBDs have been reported.3, 4, 5, 6 Here, we present a case of LON secondary to RTX occurring in a patient with mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), a condition in which RTX-associated neutropenia has not been reported to our knowledge. Table I Neutropenia definitions
Tango of edge and cloud execution for reliability

The increasing cost of cloud services and the need for decentralization of servers has led to a rise of interest in Edge computing. Edge computing brings the servers closer to the end users which helps in reducing network latency. However, the presence of multiple edge servers adversely affects the reliability due to difficulty in maintenance of heterogeneous servers. This paper aims at evaluating the performance of various server configuration models in edge computing using EdgeCloudSim, a popular simulator for edge computing. The performance is evaluated in terms of service time and percentage of failed tasks for an Augmented Reality application.We evaluated the performance of the following edge computing models, Exclusive: Mobile only, Edge only, Cloud only; and Hybrid: Edge & Cloud hybrid with load-balancing on the Edge, and Mobile & Edge hybrid. We analyzed the impact of variation of different parameters such as WAN bandwidth, cost of cloud resources, heterogeneity of edge servers, etc., on the performance of the edge computing models. We show that due to variation in the above parameters, the exclusive models are not sufficient for computational requirements and there is a need for hybrid edge computing models.
A two-dimensional feasibility study of deep learning-based feature detection and characterization directly from CT sinograms.

Machine Learning, especially deep learning, has been used in typical x-ray computed tomography (CT) applications, including image reconstruction, image enhancement, image domain feature detection and image domain feature characterization. To our knowledge, this is the first study on machine learning for feature detection and analysis directly based on CT projection data. Specifically, we present neural network methods for blood vessel detection and characterization in the sinogram domain avoiding any partial volume, beam hardening, or motion artifacts introduced during reconstruction. First, we estimate sinogram domain vessel maps using a residual encoder-decoder convolutional neural network (REDCNN). Next, we estimate the vessel centerline and we extract the vessel-only sinogram from the original sinogram, eliminating any background information. Finally, we use a fully connected neural network to estimate the vessel lumen cross-sectional area from the vessel-only sinogram. We trained and tested the proposed methods using CatSim simulations, real CT measurements of vessel phantoms, and clinical data from the NIH CT image database. We achieved encouraging initial results showing the feasibility of CT analysis in the sinogram domain. In principle, sinogram domain analysis should be possible for many other and more complicated clinical CT analysis tasks. Further studies are needed for this sinogram domain analysis approach to become practical for clinical applications.