cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies of Si—Ge Interfaces with Surface EXAFS and Photoemission

In this chapter, synchrotron radiation has been applied to the study of Si—Ge interfaces in order to probe their electronic and geometric structures. The methods and results which will be discussed are divided into two categories: photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS).
A comparison of the MOMS trial results to a contemporaneous, single-institution, postnatal closure cohort

We evaluate a single-institution cohort of mothers contemporaneous with the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) trial to determine the generalizability of MOMS results and compare shunt rates. A retrospective chart review identified patients with myelomeningocele born between 2003 and 2009. We applied MOMS eligibility criteria and compared sociodemographic variables between patients at our institution who would have been eligible or ineligible and MOMS participants. Finally, we applied the original MOMS primary outcome and the revised primary outcome to our cohort. Of the 78 patients, 55 (70.5%) were eligible for the MOMS trial. Mean maternal age, race, and marital status were different from both MOMS groups. Comparing our series to MOMS postnatal shows fewer female infants (44.9 vs. 63.8%, p = 0.017) and more thoracic lesions (12.8 vs. 3.8%, p = 0.038). Shunt rates in our cohort (84.6%) were higher than MOMS prenatal and similar to MOMS postnatal (44.0 and 83.7%, respectively). Fewer children met the original primary outcome than the postnatal group (84.6 vs. 97.8%, p = 0.002). There was no significant difference between our cohort and the prenatal group (84.6 vs. 72.5%, p = 0.058). When applying the revised criteria, we find the opposite: a significant difference between local and MOMS prenatal (84.6 vs. 49.5%, p < 0.001) but no difference between the local group and MOMS postnatal (84.6 vs. 87.0%, p = 0.662). Mothers in our cohort differ from mothers enrolled in MOMS via several sociodemographic factors. Baseline fetal characteristics show a significantly higher functional lesion level in between our cohort and MOMS. Treatment of hydrocephalus in our series tracks almost identically with original MOMS shunt criteria. Revision of the criteria led to greater concordance between meeting criteria and receiving a shunt in MOMS patients, but changes the results in our series.
Bayesian dictionary learning with Gaussian processes and sigmoid belief networks

In dictionary learning for analysis of images, spatial correlation from extracted patches can be leveraged to improve characterization power. We propose a Bayesian framework for dictionary learning, with spatial location dependencies captured by imposing a multiplicative Gaussian process (GP) priors on the latent units representing binary activations. Data augmentation and Kronecker methods allow for efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling. We further extend the model with Sigmoid Belief Networks (SBNs), linking the GPs to the top-layer latent binary units of the SBN, capturing inter-dictionary dependencies while also yielding computational savings. Applications to image denoising, inpainting and depth-information restoration demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms other leading Bayesian dictionary learning approaches.
Exploring the Overlap Between Sexual Victimization and Offending Among Young Women Across Neighborhoods: Does the Type of Force and Type of Offending Matter?

The relationship between victimization and subsequent maladaptive behaviors such as offending is well established. To a lesser degree, a contextual lens has been used to examine how neighborhood characteristics influence the overlap between victimization and offending. The existing literature has yet to explore how the neighborhood context moderates the victim–offender overlap among young women, specifically, or whether the type of force used during sexual victimization or offending matters. This study uses data from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to examine whether concentrated disadvantage moderates the impact of sexual victimization on subsequent offending for women. Results indicate that young women who experience sexual victimization are more likely to engage in general offending regardless of neighborhood type. However, closer examination reveals that, when taking into account the type of force used in sexual victimization (physical or coerced) and the typ...
Polymorphic variations associated with doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used antineoplastic agent for the treatment of various malignancies, and its use is associated with unpredictable cardiotoxicity. Susceptibility to DOX cardiotoxicity is largely patient dependent, suggesting genetic predisposition. We have previously found that individual sensitivity to DOX cardiotoxicity was associated with differential expression of genes implicated in inflammatory response and immune trafficking, which was consistent with the increasing number of reports highlighting the important role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex polymorphism in hypersensitivity to drug toxicity. This pilot study aimed to investigate DNA from patients treated with DOX-based chemotherapy for breast cancer and to correlate the results with the risk for DOX-associated cardiotoxicity. We have identified 18 SNPs in nine genes in the HLA region (NFKBIL1, TNF-α, ATP6V1G2-DDX39B, MSH5, MICA, LTA, BAT1, and NOTCH4) and in the psoriasis susceptibility region of HLA-C as potential candidates for association with DOX cardiotoxicity. These results, albeit preliminary and involving a small number of patients, are consistent with reports showing the presence of susceptibility loci within the HLA gene region for several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and with our previous findings indicating that the increased sensitivity to DOX cardiotoxicity was associated with dysregulation of genes implicated both in inflammation and autoimmune disorders.
Congenital immature pure erythroid leukemia with E-cadherin expression

Congenital pure erythroid leukemia is exceedingly rare and poses a diagnostic challenge. We report an atypical case of congenital pure erythroid leukemia that did not express typical erythroid markers. The patient presented with a high white blood cell count with blastic cells at birth. Although flow cytometric analyses of peripheral blood and bone marrow showed a large CD45-negative cell population, we did not identify any evidence of monoclonality. While the circulating blasts decreased with only supportive care, hepatomegaly with multiple nodules was accompanied by liver failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and development of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Pathological examination of the liver biopsy specimen revealed a small round cell tumor that was negative for nearly all hematopoietic cell markers, including classical erythroid cell markers, and positive for CD43, CD71, and E-cadherin, an early erythroid marker epithelial calcium-dependent adhesion protein, suggesting that these tumor cells originated from an immature erythroblast. We found high β-catenin and c-Myc protein expression, which were not previously described in pure erythroid leukemia. Cytosine arabinoside temporarily alleviated clinical symptoms; however, the patient died of progressive disease at 8 months of age. This case indicates that E-cadherin is useful for diagnosing pure erythroid leukemia, even in immature cases.
Semantic search during divergent thinking

Abstract Divergent thinking, as a method of examining creative cognition, has not been adequately analyzed in the context of modern cognitive theories. This article casts divergent thinking responding in the context of theories of memory search. First, it was argued that divergent thinking tasks are similar to semantic fluency tasks, but are more constrained, and less well structured. Next, response time distributions from 54 participants were analyzed for temporal and semantic clustering. Participants responded to two prompts from the alternative uses test: uses for a brick and uses for a bottle, for two minutes each. Participants’ cumulative response curves were negatively accelerating, in line with theories of search of associative memory. However, results of analyses of semantic and temporal clustering suggested that clustering is less evident in alternative uses responding compared to semantic fluency tasks. This suggests either that divergent thinking responding does not involve an exhaustive search through a clustered memory trace, but rather that the process is more exploratory, yielding fewer overall responses that tend to drift away from close associates of the divergent thinking prompt.
Oral History and Digital Humanities: Voice, Access, and Engagement. By Douglas A. Boyd and Mary A. Larson

In the following three reviews, oral history scholars Abby Perkiss, Sharon Leon, and Dan Royles reflect critically and thoughtfully on the comprehensive analysis of digital technology's impact on o...
A LOOK AT TITLE VII'S REGULATORY REGIME

At a recent judicial conference, televised by C-SPAN, a panel of jurists discussed the problem of the burgeoning case load facing the federal courts! and possible responses to that problem. One panelist called for the creation of Article I courts2 and the use of administrative agencies to handle and decide certain cases, thus freeing the Article III judiciary3 to concentrate on the "important" cases (e.g., antitrust, securities, etc.). When asked to identify the type of cases that fell outside the "important" case category, Judge Stanley Sporkin identified social security cases and actions brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VII").4
3D Printing, Ink Casting and Micromachined Lamination (3D PICLμM): A Makerspace Approach to the Fabrication of Biological Microdevices

We present a novel benchtop-based microfabrication technology: 3D printing, ink casting, micromachined lamination (3D PICLμM) for rapid prototyping of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and biological devices. The technology uses cost-effective, makerspace-type microfabrication processes, all of which are ideally suited for low resource settings, and utilizing a combination of these processes, we have demonstrated the following devices: (i) 2D microelectrode array (MEA) targeted at in vitro neural and cardiac electrophysiology, (ii) microneedle array targeted at drug delivery through a transdermal route and (iii) multi-layer microfluidic chip targeted at multiplexed assays for in vitro applications. The 3D printing process has been optimized for printing angle, temperature of the curing process and solvent polishing to address various biofunctional considerations of the three demonstrated devices. We have depicted that the 3D PICLμM process has the capability to fabricate 30 μm sized MEAs (average 1 kHz impedance of 140 kΩ with a double layer capacitance of 3 μF), robust and reliable microneedles having 30 μm radius of curvature and ~40 N mechanical fracture strength and microfluidic devices having 150 μm wide channels and 400 μm fluidic vias capable of fluid mixing and transmitted light microparticle visualization. We believe our 3D PICLμM is ideally suited for applications in areas such as electrophysiology, drug delivery, disease in a dish, organ on a chip, environmental monitoring, agricultural therapeutic delivery and genomic testing.
Comparative Infectious Risk of Immunosuppressive Therapies Used in Psoriasis

Few population-based studies have evaluated the infectious risk of immunosuppressive therapies used in psoriasis. Using Medicare, we identified psoriasis patients using anti-TNF therapies, ustekinumab, cyclosporine, methotrexate, or ultraviolet light. We calculated incidence rates (IRs per 1000 person-years) of hospitalized infections and opportunistic infections and used Cox-proportional hazard modeling to compare risk between therapies. Among 30,451 psoriasis patients, we identified 3,124 hospitalized infections [crude IR 160.0 (95% CI 102.3–109.7)]. Crude IRs were lowest for ultraviolet (UV) therapy [crude IR 90.0 (95% CI 82.2–98.5)] and highest for cyclosporine [crude IR 160.1 (95% CI 123.5–207.6)]. Patients starting cyclosporine (HR 1.4 [95% CI 1.1–1.9]) or methotrexate (HR 1.2 [95% CI 1.1–1.4]) or anti-TNF therapy (HR 1.2 [95% CI 1.04–1.3]) were at higher risk compared to UV therapy. Herpes zoster was the most common opportunistic infection [crude IR 13.7 (95% CI: 12.4–15.1)], although risk was simi...
Spatial Methods to Enhance Public Health Surveillance and Resource Deployment in the Opioid Epidemic

Objectives. To improve public health surveillance and response by using spatial optimization.Methods. We identified cases of suspected nonfatal opioid overdose events in which naloxone was administ...
Electroconvulsive Therapy for Catatonia in Children and Adolescents

Catatonia may be more common in children and adolescents than previously thought. A boost for the recognition of pediatric catatonia comes from changes in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, facilitating the diagnosis in a wide range of pediatric and adult patients with associated developmental and autistic spectrum disorders; and schizophrenic, affective, and medical disorders. The current status, assessment, and treatment of pediatric catatonia are described. Two case vignettes illustrate diagnostic assessment and treatment. Theories modeling the mechanism of catatonia are reviewed, including a vagal theory.
Social Support, Reciprocity, and Anonymity in Responses to Sexual Abuse Disclosures on Social Media

Seeking and providing support is challenging. When people disclose sensitive information, audience responses can substantially impact the discloser's wellbeing. We use mixed methods to understand responses to online sexual abuse-related disclosures on Reddit. We characterize disclosure responses, then investigate relationships between post content, comment content, and anonymity. We illustrate what types of support sought and provided in posts and comments co-occur. We find that posts seeking support receive more comments, and comments from “throwaway” (i.e., anonymous) accounts are more likely on posts also from throwaway accounts. Anonymous commenting enables commenters to share intimate content such as reciprocal disclosures and supportive messages, and commenter anonymity is not associated with aggressive or unsupportive comments. We argue that anonymity is an essential factor in designing social technologies that facilitate support seeking and provision in socially stigmatized contexts, and provide implications for social media site design. CAUTION: This article includes content about sexual abuse.
The impact of model resolution on the simulated Holocene retreat of the southwestern Greenland ice sheet using the Ice Sheet System Model (ISSM)

Abstract. Geologic archives constraining the variability of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) during the Holocene provide targets for ice sheet models to test sensitivities to variations in past climate and model formulation. Even as data–model comparisons are becoming more common, many models simulating the behavior of the GrIS during the past rely on meshes with coarse horizontal resolutions ( ≥10 km). In this study, we explore the impact of model resolution on the simulated nature of retreat across southwestern Greenland during the Holocene. Four simulations are performed using the Ice Sheet System Model (ISSM): three that use a uniform mesh and horizontal mesh resolutions of 20, 10, and 5 km, and one that uses a nonuniform mesh with a resolution ranging from 2 to 15 km. We find that the simulated retreat can vary significantly between models with different horizontal resolutions based on how well the bed topography is resolved. In areas of low topographic relief, the horizontal resolution plays a negligible role in simulated differences in retreat, with each model instead responding similarly to retreat driven by surface mass balance (SMB). Conversely, in areas where the bed topography is complex and high in relief, such as fjords, the lower-resolution models (10 and 20 km) simulate unrealistic retreat that occurs as ice surface lowering intersects bumps in the bed topography that would otherwise be resolved as troughs using the higher-resolution grids. Our results highlight the important role that high-resolution grids play in simulating retreat in areas of complex bed topography, but also suggest that models using nonuniform grids can save computational resources through coarsening the mesh in areas of noncomplex bed topography where the SMB predominantly drives retreat. Additionally, these results emphasize that care must be taken with ice sheet models when tuning model parameters to match reconstructed margins, particularly for lower-resolution models in regions where complex bed topography is poorly resolved.
A Method for Reconstruction of Anterior Commissure Glottal Webs With Endoscopic Fibro-Mucosal Flaps:

Background:Anterior-commissure (AC) cicatrization and web formation is a difficult problem that can result from a variety of clinical scenarios. An advancement-rotation flap utilizing papillomatous...
A Single Layer of MoS2 Activates Gold for Room Temperature CO Oxidation on an Inert Silica Substrate

We demonstrate the facile deposition of catalytically active stable Au nanoparticles on single-layer MoS2, on an inert oxide substrate (SiO2). Unlike a gold surface, adsorption of CO on these gold ...
Evaluation of the Insurance Theory Using Objective Measurements of Tenderness, Juiciness, and Proximate Composition of Beef Strip Steaks

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the insurance theory with objective measurements of tenderness, juiciness, and raw and cooked proximate analysis, and to determine their relationship with sensory scores.Materials and MethodsPaired strip loins (IMPS # 180) were collected to equally represent 5 quality treatments [Prime, Top Choice (Modest and Moderate marbling), Low Choice, Select, and Select Enhanced (110% of initial raw weight); n = 12 pairs/quality treatment]. Following a 21d aging period, strip loins were fabricated into 2.5cm steaks with the face steak designated for raw proximate analysis. Steaks were grouped into sets of 3 consecutive steaks. Each set within a strip loin pair were randomly assigned a degree of doneness (DOD): very-rare (VR; 55°C), rare (RA; 60°C), medium-rare (MR; 63°C), medium (ME; 71°C), well-done (WD; 77°C), or very well-done (VWD; 82°C), so that each carcass had representation for each DOD. Steaks were cooked to their designated DOD on a clamshell grill (Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe, Model GR-150, Stamford, CT) with temperatures monitored using a probe thermometer (Super-Fast Thermopen, ThermoWorks, American Fork, UT). From each DOD group, one steak was used for Slice Shear force (SSF), Warner Braztler shear force (WBSF), pressed juice percentage (PJP), and cooked proximate analysis. The other 2 steaks were assigned to consumer or trained sensory testing. Data were analyzed as a split-plot with the whole plot factor of quality treatment and sub-plot factor of degree of doneness.ResultsThere was an interaction (P 0.05) CM to Low Choice at R, M, and VWD. At VR, R, and MR, Prime contained the greatest (P 0.05) CF content to Select Enhanced. However, when cooked to M and higher, Low Choice, Select, and Select Enhanced had similar (P > 0.05) CF. Prime was similar (P > 0.05) to Select Enhanced for CMF when cooked to R and MR, and similar (P > 0.05) to Top Choice at VR, MR, and M. Top Choice, Low Choice and Select samples had similar (P > 0.05) CMF when cooked to VR, R, and VWD. When evaluating the correlation coefficients, CM was associated (P < 0.01) with consumer juiciness (r = 0.27), tenderness (r = 0.17), flavor liking (r = 0.23), and overall liking (r = 0.19), while CF was associated (P < 0.05) with consumer juiciness (r = 0.12) and tenderness (r = 0.15).The strongest (P < 0.01) correlations for consumer juiciness, tenderness, flavor liking, and overall liking occurred with CMF (r = 0.69, r = 0.56, r = 0.45, and r = 0.49, respectively). A logistic regression was performed to predict the probability of a sample being rated juicy by consumers using CMF, and had an adjusted R2 value of 0.47. The model identified CMF percentages of 68.25, 69.85, and 71.20% for a probability of 50, 75, and 90% for a consumer rating a steak juicy.ConclusionCombined, cooked moisture and fats showed the strongest association with consumer sensory scores and could be used to predict whether a strip steak would be rated juicy by a consumer.
Financial Technology and the Inequality Gap

Information-based models of capital income inequality that link return heterogeneity to investor sophistication levels need to assume an increase in data costs over time to generate widening inequality. Empirically, this assumption contradicts evidence that investment markets have become more informative, and theoretically, it also overlooks the possibility that poorer investors can avoid paying a large fixed cost for research, simply by buying shares in a fund. In this paper, I study the impact of financial innovation on capital income inequality in a theoretical framework where investors, heterogeneous in their sophistication, have a costly choice between not investing, investing through a fund of average quality, and searching for an informed fund. The model predicts that while financial innovation can make the investment sector more efficient and boost financial inclusion, some financial innovation also brings risks. When the cost of financial data processing falls, more wealthier investors trade on better information. This makes participation less valuable for the marginal stock market participant, who is a relatively poorer investor in some average (uninformed) fund and who exits the market altogether, foregoing the equity premium. The decrease in the participation of poorer investors amplifies inequality. Empirically, this negative force dominates in the last 20 years and explains why, in spite of a dramatic reduction in data processing costs and fund fees, the US stock market has become more informative, but less inclusive and the participation rate has declined.
Design Principles of Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphases for Lithium-Metal Anodes

Lithium metal is a promising anode to provide high energy density for next-generation batteries. However, it has not been implemented due to its low cycling efficiency, which results from the formation of an unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The SEIs formed with traditional liquid electrolytes are heterogeneous and easy to crack during cycling, thus resulting in the formation of dendritic and dead Li, and further devastating the electrode performance. To solve these issues, efforts have been made to replace natural SEIs with artificial SEIs (ASEIs). Here, we discuss critical design principles of ASEIs based on the understanding of SEI failure mechanisms. Three key principles for a successful ASEI are identified: (1) mechanical stability, which can be either high strength or adaptivity, (2) spatially uniform Li+ transport with moderate conductivity and even single-ion conduction, and (3) chemical passivation to mitigate Li-electrolyte parasitic reactions. Selected examples of recently developed ASEIs are categorized and elaborated. Finally, future directions are given for ASEI designs.
Transanal total mesorectal excision achieves equivalent oncologic resection compared to laparoscopic approach, but with functional consequences.

Abstract Background This study compared transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) to laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (laTME) for the treatment of low rectal cancer. Adequacy of oncologic resection as well as postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all proctectomy for low rectal cancer by a single surgeon at our institution from January 2014 to September 2019. Results There were 20 taTME and 30 laTME patients. TaTME patients had more distal tumors with no difference in pathologic resection margins or frequency of positive distal margin. Operative times were longer for taTME, but there were no differences in short-term outcomes or complications. TaTME patients had a higher rate of postoperative fecal incontinence. Conclusion TaTME may be a good option for the most distal tumors, when distal margins may be compromised. TaTME provides equivalent oncologic resection, but there is a higher incidence of postoperative fecal incontinence.
Compact U(1)×U(1) Model with Minimal Interspecies Interaction

We introduce a minimally interacting pure gauge compact U(1)×U(1) model consistent with Abelian projection symmetries. This paradigm, whose interactions are entirely due to compactness, illustrates how compactness can contribute to interspecies interactions. Furthermore, it has a much richer phase structure than that obtained by naively tensoring together two compact U(1) copies.
Bur Hole-Based Resections of Intrinsic Brain Tumors with Exoscopic Visualization.

Background The primary goal of brain tumor surgery is maximal safe resection while avoiding iatrogenic injury. As surgical technology increases, it is becoming more possible to resect these lesions using minimally invasive approaches. While keyhole surgeries are being advocated, the lower limit of these approaches is unclear. Bur hole–based approaches may represent a standardized minimally invasive approach. The exoscope may provide increased visualization over standard microscopic visualization, making this approach possible. This approach has yet to be described strictly for intra-axial brain tumors. Material and Methods All patients who underwent a bur hole–based surgery of an intra-axial tumor with exoscopic visualization by the senior author from January 2018 to December 2019 were prospectively identified and patient information and outcomes were collected. Results Fifteen consecutive patients underwent surgical resection of an intrinsic brain tumor using a bur hole–based approach with exoscopic visualization. The average ± standard deviation age was 57.9 ± 24.2 years. The pathology was a metastatic brain tumor in eight patients (53%), low-grade glioma in four patients (27%), and high-grade glioma in three patients (20%). The average percent resection was 100 ± 1%, where 14 (93%) underwent gross total resection. Following surgery, the median (interquartile range) Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) score was 90 (90–90), where 11 (73%) and four patients (27%) had improved and stable KPS, respectively. Zero patients had complications. The average length of stay following surgery was 1.4 ± 0.5 days, where nine patients (60%) were discharged on postoperative day 1. Conclusion This study shows that intra-axial tumors can be resected through a bur hole–based approach with exoscopic visualization with extensive resection, minimal morbidity, and early discharge rates.
Bedside upper gastrointestinal series in the neonatal intensive care unit.

In neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients with intubation status, fluoroscopic evaluation for the bowel is limited. This study was to evaluate the utility of bedside upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series with delayed radiographs (DR) for assessing duodenojejunal junction (DJJ) and small bowel passage in NICU patients with nonspecific bowel ultrasonography and contrast enema findings. We reviewed clinical and imaging data for bedside UGI with DR of NICU patients from 2014 to 2019. Five abdominal radiographs were obtained at fixed time intervals of immediately after, 1 min, 5 min, 1 h, and 2 h following the administration of 5 cc/kg isotonic water-soluble contrast agent via the nasogastric tube. Twenty bedside UGI with DR were performed in 17 patients (weight range: 520-3620 g, age range: 0–4 months). Confidence identifying the DJJ was either good (n = 7) or equivocal (n = 8) at immediate or 1 min radiographs. The DJJ could not be evaluated in five from four delayed passage (including two meconium plug syndrome and one gastric volvulus) and one inadequate timing. There was only one case of intestinal malrotation, which was not detected on ultrasonography, but detected at the first UGI examination with good DJJ confidence. Bedside UGI with DR can evaluate intestinal malrotation using immediate and 1 min delay and small bowel passage using 1 and 2 h delay images in NICU patients with nonspecific ultrasonographic and contrast enema findings. The majority with delayed contrast passages can have bowel pathology. Because of a small number of patients in this study, further studies with more infants are needed.
Ocular Injuries in Pediatric Patients Admitted with Abusive Head Trauma

Abstract Purpose Pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT) refers to head injury from intentional blunt force or violent shaking in children ≤5years old. We sought to evaluate the epidemiology of ocular injuries in AHT. Methods This retrospective analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank (2008-2014), identified children Results 10,545 children were admitted with AHT, and 2,550 (24.2%) had associated ocular injuries. 58.7% were female. The mean age was 0.5 (±1.0) years. Most (85.7%) were ≤1 year old. Common ocular injuries included: contusion of eye/adnexa (73.7%) and retinal edema (59.3%), and common head injuries were subdural hemorrhage (SDH) (72.8%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (22.9%). Retinal hemorrhages occurred in 5.3%. 42.8% of children had injury severity scores of >24 (very severe), and the mortality rate was 19.2%. Children ≤1 year old had greatest odds of retinal hemorrhages (OR=2.44; P=0.008) and SDH (OR=1.55; P Conclusions and relevance Ocular injuries varied with age and were variably associated with non-ocular injury. The youngest group was most frequently affected; however, the 2-3year group was most likely to succumb to their injuries.
Gout and Pseudogout

Surgery is a risk factor for development of crystal arthropathy or for a flare of preexisting crystal arthropathy. Gout or pseudogout should be considered in patients with joint pain, unexplained fever, leukocytosis, or difficulty with physical therapy. It is vital not to ignore the patient’s joint exam, especially in patients who are slow to mobilize or who cannot give a history. Both gout and pseudogout are in the differential diagnosis of postoperative fever. Correctly diagnosing postoperative gout or pseudogout may lead to earlier treatment of the patient and help prevent barriers to postoperative recovery.
Popular Music Helps Students Focus on Important Social Issues

(2007). Popular Music Helps Students Focus on Important Social Issues. Middle School Journal: Vol. 38, Engaging Instruction to Captivate Students, pp. 21-29.
The Kurdish Quasi-State: Leveraging Political Limbo

Prior to the takeover of Mosul by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in June 2014, political pundits, the media, and some Kurds were predicting imminent Kurdish statehood. They argued tha...
Constant Proportion Portfolio Insurance

This article describes constant proportion portfolio insurance, its features, and valuation. It explains gap risk and cites various works done in modeling gap risk Keywords: gap risk; portfolio insurance
Introduction to Projected Dynamical Systems for Traffic Network Equilibrium Problems

It is now well-known that a plethora of equilibrium problems, notably, network equilibrium problems, can be uniformly formulated and studied as finite-dimensional variational inequality problems. Indeed, it was precisely the traffic network equilibrium problem, as stated by Smith (1979), and identified by Dafermos (1980) to be a variational inequality problem, that gave birth to the ensuing research activity in variational inequality theory and applications in transportation science, regional science, operations research, and, more recently, in economics.
Foliar δ15N Values as Indicators of Foliar Uptake of Atmospheric Nitrogen Pollution

Publisher Summary Among the cycles of elements important to life, the nitrogen (N) cycle has been the most perturbed beyond its natural state by human activities. One manifestation of this perturbation is a dramatic increase in the amount of reactive N in the atmosphere. Anthropogenic emissions of atmospheric reactive N now exceed natural emissions and are the predominant source of atmospheric reactive N deposition to terrestrial ecosystems. It is crucial to improve the understanding of the potential sinks for reactive N as global inputs continue to increase. This chapter discusses the use of foliar δ15N values as a tool for determining the magnitude and impact of gaseous, reactive N directly entering the foliage of vegetation. Although not an exhaustive treatment, this discussion can be placed within the context of the causative factors defining foliar δ15N values. The current understanding of foliar δ15N values provides a background on which foliar uptake of reactive N can be considered.
Muscle Intrusion as a Potential Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between flexor digitorum and lumbrical muscle intrusion into the carpal tunnel and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Five hundred thirteen manual laborers (1026 wrists) were evaluated with ultrasound to determine whether those with CTS had more muscle intrusion into the carpal tunnel than those without CTS. One hundred ninety of the participants without CTS at baseline (363 wrists) were followed over 1 year to determine whether muscle intrusion at baseline predicted the development of CTS. Results: Participants with CTS had more muscle within the carpal tunnel with the wrist in the neutral (P = 0.026) and flexed (P = 0.018) positions than those without CTS. Baseline muscle intrusion did not predict development of CTS at 1 year. Conclusions: Muscle intrusion into the carpal tunnel is associated with CTS, but muscle intrusion alone does not predict the development of CTS over the course of a year. Muscle Nerve 50: 517–522, 2014
The Imbalance of Vascular Molecules in Alzheimer's Disease

The vascular system plays an integral role during Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both systemic circulatory changes and alterations directly within the brain vasculature have been suggested to contribute to both the onset and progression of neurological conditions such as AD. It is now well established that vascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and stroke significantly increase one's risk of later developing AD. Research within the last decade has begun to identify specific vascular molecules associated with such risk factors as well as elucidate the biological role they may play in the pathological processes linked to AD. This review aims to provide an overview of some of the key molecules within vascular cells and circulating in blood that have been identified to be altered in AD pathogenesis. In particular, the vascular-specific transcription factors MEOX2, MYOCD, and SRF, genetic risk factor APOE4, transport proteins LRP1 and RAGE, and circulating molecules such as sLRP1, homocysteine, and albumin are discussed. I aim to clarify how these identified vascular molecules may help to predict, explain, and influence the incidence AD. A strong emphasis is placed on the concept that these molecules play overlapping roles in cardiovascular disease progression, neurovascular dysfunction, and amyloid-β pathology. The studies reviewed here have identified vascular-based molecular targets in AD and thus provide new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of this devastating disease.
Triplet energy studies of thiophene and para-phenylene based oligomers.

A series of conjugated materials based on oligomers of the para-phenylene type and oligothiophenes was prepared, and their phosphorescence spectra were recorded at 77 K using a pulsed flash-lamp as a light source and gated detection. The triplet energies of the oligomers were estimated and correlated with their chemical structure. It was found that simple changes in the building block sequence in the thiophene-containing oligomers allowed for tuning the triplet energy from 1.86 to 2.35 eV (530−670 nm). Hypsochromic shifts and little variation of the triplet energy were obtained with increasing length of the π-system for thiophene end-capped oligomers, contrary to the usual behavior of unsubstituted oligomers. The experimental results were supported with theoretical computations from density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G*) calculations, which indicated that changes in the geometry and delocalization of the triplet excited state account for the trends in the triplet energy evolution.
Mean-field theory for interchain orientational ordering of conjugated polymers.

A generalized anisotropic planar-rotor model on a triangular lattice for interchain orientational ordering of undoped and doped polyacetylene is considered; the effects of various terms on the symmetry and the range of stability of the observed herringbone phases are studied
The Effects of Feed Form, Protein Profile, Energy Level, and Gender on Broiler Performance in Warm (26.7 C) Environments

Abstract Two dietary energy levels, 3032 and 3109 kcal ME/kg, and four protein levels of approximately 17, 18, 19, and 20%, were used to formulate eight grower-finisher rations used in four feeding regimens used in both mash and crumble form fed to broilers in a warm (26.7 C) environment. The protein levels were established by specific lysine: energy ratios with methionine plus cystine at a constant percentage of lysine. Best overall broiler performance was obtained with a feeding regimen using the higher energy level with high-protein profile in crumble form; feed conversion for this regimen was improved 5.4% and body weight 3.2% over the poorest performing diet, which was the lower energy diet with low-protein profile in mash form. Overall, crumbling improved feed conversion 1.5% and increased body weight 2.2%, the high-protein profile improved feed conversion 2.0%, and increasing metabolizable energy from 3032 to 3109 kcal/kg improved feed conversion 2.2%. Feed conversion for males was 3.3% better than for females.
Graphics Standards: The Pace Quickens

In recent months the pace of standards development for computer graphics has quickened. One standard has been adopted, accepted, and has already demonstrated its effectiveness. Another has now achieved the status of Draft International Standard, and is becoming an American National Standard as well. Several companies have made public announcements of their support for standards, and there has been extensive press coverage. This paper shall attempt to place all of this activity in perspective.
Earthquake recurrence on the southern San Andreas modulated by fault-normal stress

Earthquake recurrence data from the Pallett Creek and Wrightwood paleoseismic sites on the San Andreas fault appear to show temporal variations in repeat interval. These sites are located near Cajon Pass, southern California, where detailed mapping has revealed geomorphically and structurally expressed domains of alternating extension and contraction respectively associated with releasing and restraining bends of the San Andreas fault. We investigate the interaction between strike-slip faults and auxiliary reverse and normal faults as a physical mechanism capable of producing such variations. Under the assumption that fault strength is a function of fault-normal stress (e.g. Byerlee's Law), failure of an auxiliary fault modifies the strength of the strike-slip fault, thereby modulating the recurrence interval for earthquakes. In our finite element model, auxiliary faults are driven by stress accumulation near restraining and releasing bends of a strike-slip fault. Earthquakes occur when fault strength is exceeded and are incorporated as a stress drop which is dependent on fault-normal stress. The model is driven by a velocity boundary condition over many earthquake cycles. Resulting synthetic strike-slip earthquake recurrence data display temporal variations similar to observed paleoseismic data within time windows surrounding auxiliary fault failures. Although observed recurrence data for the two paleoseismic sites are too short to be definitive about the temporal variations or the physical mechanism responsible for it, our simple model supports the idea that interaction between a strike-slip fault and auxiliary reverse or normal faults can modulate the recurrence interval of events on the strike-slip fault, possibly producing short term variations in earthquake recurrence interval.
Current-induced magnetization reversal in high magnetic fields in Co/Cu/Co nanopillars

Angular momentum transfer in magnetic nanostructures mediated by an electric current has become the subject of intense research. Slonscewski and Berger first considered this theoretically in 1996 [1,2]. Its experimental observation a few years later [3–7] has boosted efforts to understand the influence of the conduction electron spin on the magnetization dynamics of ferromagnetic nanostructures in the presence of high electric currents. A spin current has been demonstrated to switch the magnetization direction of a small magnetic element. Reversible changes in multilayer resistance have also been observed and associated with magnetic excitations or the generation of spin waves. However, an in-depth understanding of the relationship between these two phenomena — reversible excitations of the magnetization and irreversible switching of the magnetization—is still missing. In the initial experiments a point contact was employed to inject high current densities into a magnetic multilayer [3,6,7]. Subsequent experiments have concentrated on the reduction of the lateral size of Co=Cu=Co trilayers to the submicron scale, resulting in the fabrication of nanopillar devices [8–14]. In the point-contact experiments the applied magnetic field was oriented perpendicular to the thin film plane and was larger than the film demagnetization fields (H � 2T ). In this high field regime a peak structure in the differential resistance (dV=dI) at a critical current was interpreted as the onset of current induced excitation of spin waves in which the current induced spin-transfer torque leads to the uniform precession of the magnetization [3,6,15]. Spin-transfer torque studies on pillar devices concentrated on magnetic fields applied in the thin film plane. In the low-field regime, a hysteretic jump in the differential resistance was observed; clear evidence for current induced magnetization reversal of one of the magnetic layers [8–14]. Hence, the effect of the spin-polarized current on the magnetization seemed to be quite distinct in the low and high field regimes. Experimentally, a current induced hysteretic magnetization reversal was observed only at low in-plane fields in nanopillar devices. In this Letter we report detailed studies of current induced dynamics of the magnetization in submicron size pillar devices at high magnetic fields in the field perpendicular to the plane geometry. For sufficiently large currents of one polarity hysteretic magnetic switching of the layers is observed at high magnetic fields. In contrast to previous results in this geometry with mechanical point contacts, these results cannot be understood as small amplitude excitations of the magnetization. Micromagnetic modeling suggests that spin-transfer torques induce precessional states which evolve into a static state of antiparallel alignment of the layers.
A robust eye position tracker based on invariant local features, eye motion, and infrared-eye responses

ABSTRACT Despitetheeffortmadeintheeyetrackingcommunity,theeyepositiontrackingproblemremainsunsolvedcompletely,dueto the large variations in the eye appearance. This paper des cribes a multi-modal eye position tracker in dark/bright pupilimage sequences. The tracking algorithm consists of detecting meaningful particles that correspondto IR-Pupil responsesandeyemotion,Þlteringofparticlesthr oughappearancemodelsinthelocalinvari antdescriptorspace, andmatchingofeyeneighbors. Experimental valida tions have shown satisfactory performance in t erm of precision of eye position estimation,and robustnessto 2D head rotations, translations, closed eye states, and reasonable out-of-planerotations.Keywords: Eye tracking,RVM, variability modeling, local de scriptors,Vision beyondthe visible spectrum 1. INTRODUCTION As one of the most salient features of the human face, eyes play an important role in interpreting and understanding apersonOs desires, needs, and emotional states. In addition, the unique geometric, photometric, and motion characteristicsof the eyes also provide important visual cues for face detection, face recognition, and for facial expression recognition.Humans acquire a vast amount of information through the eyes, and the eyes reveal information about our attention andintention. Most people use their eyes intensively everyday for a large variety of purposes: for reading, for watchingentertainment,for gatheringinformationto plan actions and movements,for perceivingand learning new things.During the last decade, tremendous effort has been made on developing robust and cheap eye tracking systems
Negative Feedback Regulation of T Cells via Interleukin-2 and FOXP3 Reciprocity

As interleukin-2 (IL2) is central to the clonal expansion of antigen-selected T cells, we investigated the relationship between IL2 and the negative regulatory transcription factor FOXP3. We found IL2 to be responsible for T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-activated FOXP3 expression by both CD4+ and CD8+ human T cells, and as anticipated, FOXP3 expression restricted TCR-stimulated IL2 expression. However, no evidence could be found that FOXP3+ cells actively suppress IL2 expression by FOXP3- cells. These data are consistent with an IL2/FOXP3-dependent negative feedback loop that normally regulates the T cell immune response. It follows that a defect in this negative feedback loop as a result of a deficiency of either IL2 or FOXP3 will lead to a hyperproliferative autoimmune syndrome, without the necessity of invoking an active suppressive function for FOXP3+ T cells.
A Marxian Alternative to the Traditional "Transformation Problem":

This paper offers a unique Marxian formulation of the transformation of values in prices of production. This formulation-based upon a specific reading of Marx's economics not previously applied to the "transformation problem"-permits a radically new conception and solution to that problem. The authors underscore the theoretical distance separating this Marxian formulation not only from the generally Ricardian framework of the debates over value-price transformation, but also from certain other Marxian critiques of that framework. This intervention in the transformation debates is shown to be closely linked to and warranted by a specific view of the basic differences between Marxian and classical economic theories.
Reduction of delayed optimal control problems to nondelayed problems

A method is exhibited which transforms a large class of optimal control problems with fixed delays to nondelayed problems, thus permitting classical results to be used in their analysis.
Flattening a Puckered Pentasilacyclopentadienide Ring by Suppression of the Pseudo Jahn−Teller Effect

We report the theoretical prediction of flattening of the puckered Si5 ring by suppression of the pseudo-Jahn−Teller effect through coordination of two Mg2+ cations to the Si5H5− anion to make an inverse [Mg2+Si5H5−Mg2+] sandwich complex. The pseudo-Jahn−Teller (PJT) effect was suppressed through the OMO−UMO gaps increase in the resultant [Mg2+Si5H5−Mg2+] sandwich complex, as compared to the initial Si5H5− anion. It was the influence of two Mg2+ cations that caused the OMO−UMO gaps increase that made this type of PJT effect suppression work. In the three other complexes under the current computational study, namely, [Li+Si5H5−Li+], [Na+Si5H5−Na+], and [Be2+Si5H5−Be2+], the Si5H5− moiety remains nonplanar. We believe that if the Mg(Si5H5)2 solid compound were synthesized, it could have planar Si5H5− building blocks.