cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Column Tests on 7 1/2-in. Round, Solid Bars

Tests on column strength of round bars to study effect of size, residual stress, and unavoidable initial crookedness; results of 4 experiments on axially loaded, solid, round bars of 7 1/2 in. diam and of approximately 19 ft length; 2 of bars were of T-1 constructional alloy steel and 2 were of AISI C-1020 structural carbon steel.
Unique Considerations of Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic, neurodevelopmental disorder with many unique characteristics. In this chapter, we discuss the (a) physical clinical features of the syndrome, (b) behavioral characteristics of the syndrome, (c) various assessment and treatment procedures for behavior disorders in PWS, and (d) unique considerations for assessment and treatment. The most serious clinical feature in PWS is hyperphagia (i.e., insatiable appetite), which is associated with food-related problem behavior such as overeating and food stealing. Hyperphagia coupled with low levels of activity contributes to numerous health concerns. In addition, individuals with PWS are reported to engage in self-injurious behavior (e.g., skin picking) and other problem behaviors (e.g., aggression, property destruction, obsessive-compulsive behavior) that interfere with learning, independence, and quality of life. We review behavioral assessment and treatment procedures for these behavior disorders with a particular focus on weight management and the use of functional analysis methodology and function-based intervention. Finally, we discuss special considerations and modified procedures for the assessment and treatment of problem behavior in PWS.
Power and Dominance in Nonverbal Communication

Interpersonal power and dominance are communicated in a variety of ways: (a) through the kinesic cues displayed such as facial expressions, gestures, body posture, and movement; (b) through access to greater personal space and higher status territory; (c) through the use of haptics, especially non-reciprocal touch and touch initiation; (d) by vocalic cues like voice pitch, loudness, the use of pauses and interruptions; and (e) through contextual cues such as appearance and clothing, and cues of status and precedence. Dominance and submission messages can be communicated through a variety of nonverbal channels and often they work in tandem to create messages of dominance and control versus submission and weakness. Keywords: interpersonal communication; interpersonal dominance; social influence; visual and nonverbal communication
Influence of Strip Mines on Regional Ground-Water Flow

The effect of an operational strip mine on regional ground-water flow is investigated using a finite element model of the steady flow system. Mine location, mine size, water-table configuration, and subsurface layering of aquifer units are examined. The results demonstrate that: (1)The impact of a mine can extend far beyond its radius of influence at the water table; (2)mines placed near regional discharge areas have a more significant effect on the regional system; (3)natural water-table variation due to topography masks the effects of some mines; and (4)buried aquifers beneath the mine excavation limit the amount of flow field distortion caused by the mine.
h-Polynomials and h∗-Polynomials

In Chapters 2 and 3, we developed the Ehrhart polynomial and Ehrhart series of an integral polytope \(\mathcal{P}\) and realized that the arithmetic information encoded in an Ehrhart polynomial is equivalent to the information encoded in its Ehrhart series. More precisely, when the Ehrhart series is written as a rational function, we introduced the name \(h^{{\ast}}\)-polynomial for its numerator: $$\displaystyle{\mathop{\mathrm{Ehr}}\nolimits _{\mathcal{P}}(z) = 1 +\sum _{t\geq 1}L_{\mathcal{P}}(t)\,z^{t} = \frac{h_{\mathcal{P}}^{{\ast}}(z)} {(1 - z)^{\dim (\mathcal{P})+1}}\,.}$$ Our goal in this chapter is to prove several decomposition formulas for \(h_{\mathcal{P}}^{{\ast}}(z)\) based on triangulations of \(\mathcal{P}\). As we will see, these decompositions will involve both arithmetic data from the simplices of the triangulation and combinatorial data from the face structure of the triangulation.
Medicare/Medicaid: Finding Consumer Information Through Government Web Sites

Medicare and Medicaid are the U.S. government's two main publicly funded health insurance programs. The two programs-and the differences between them-are often confused. Understanding Medicare and Medicaid eligibility requirements, enrollment options, and benefits can be a challenge. Knowledge of the information and resources available through government Web sites can assist consumers, physicians, and health care providers to become better informed so they can take charge of their health care options. This article gives an overview of Medicare and Medicaidtheir histories and differences, the scope of the individual programs, and the relationship between Medicare and Medicaid. The article discusses the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Web site, http://www.Medicare.gov, and the U.S. Department of Social Security Administration Web sites and explains how to navigate them to access important information.
Activity of Tobacco Hornworm and Corn Earworm Moths as Determined by Traps Equipped with Blacklight Lamps

Hourly sampling of catches in traps equipped with blacklight lamps indicated that tobacco hornworm moths. Manduca sexta (Johannson), are active all night. When the period of darkness from 8 PM to 5 AM is considered, maximum activity of males occurred between 9 and 10 PM, and a sharp rise took place then compared with activity between 8 and 9 PM. After 10 PM, a steady decline began and continued throughout the night. The activity of females was similar to that of males, except for the relatively lower level of male activity between 8 and 9 PM. Many more males than females were captured at all hours; thus the decline in male activity after 10 PM was steeper than that for females. Activity of corn earworm moths. Heliothis Zea (Boddie), increased until 1 AM. A steady and rather sharp decline occurred after 1 AM.
Comparative Test for Sugarcane Varieties on Dongfanghong Farm in 2013

Comparative test of 14 varieties was conducted on Dongfanghong Farm under the same cultivation conditions, and their agronomic characters, cane yield, sucrose content and adversity tolerance were tested. As a result, Yuetang93-159, ROC16 and Guitang21 showed special early-maturity with high cane yield and high sucrose content, Yuetang00-236 showed early-maturity with high cane yield and specially high sucrose content.ROC22 and ROC25 also showed good performance in maturity, cane yield and sucrose content. These 5varieties seemed suitable to be cultivated in Dongfanghong Farm.
Solving Chance-Constrained Optimization Problems with Stochastic Quadratic Inequalities

We propose a new and systematic reformulation and algorithmic approach to solve a complex class of stochastic programming problems involving a joint chance constraint with random technology matrix and stochastic quadratic inequalities. The method is general enough to apply to nonconvex as well as nonseparable quadratic terms. We derive two new reformulations and give sufficient conditions under which the reformulated problem is equivalent. The second reformulation provides a much sparser representation of the feasible set of the chance constraint and offers tremendous computational advantages. This new reformulation method can be used for linear stochastic inequalities and will also significantly improve the solution of such joint chance-constrained problems. We provide general and easily identifiable conditions under which the base reformulations can be linearized. We show that the size of the reformulated problems, in particular, their number of binary variables and quadratic mixed-integer terms, does n...
Inheritance of acid-soil tolerance in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) grown on an Ultisol

Inheritance of acid-soil tolerance (generally considered Al-toxicity tolerance) in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is not clear. Forty F1 sorghum hybrids and their 14 parents were grown two seasons in the field at relatively high (67 and 71%) and low (43 and 42%) Al saturations on an acid Ultisol in Colombia, South America to evaluate the effects of acid soil on agronomic component traits and to better understand inheritance of acid-soil tolerance of sorghum. For plants grown at the high Al saturation levels, hybrids from acid-soil tolerant [AS-T] × acid soil-sensitive [AS-S] crosses were as tolerant as hybrids from AS-T × AS-T crosses which were as tolerant as their AS-T parents. Hybrids from AS-S × AS-S crosses were all sensitive to the acid-soil stress conditions. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were significant for acid-soil tolerance, and GCA effects were more important than SCA effects. Significant GCA and SCA effects were detected for grain yield and number of roots at the low Al saturation level. Additive genetic effects in these genotypes were important for acid-soil tolerance rating, grain yield, and number of roots at the high Al saturation level.
Effect of particle size, density, and concentration on granular mixing in a double screw pyrolyzer

Abstract Double screw pyrolyzers can be used to convert cellulosic biomass into bio-oil. Bio-oil can then be converted into synthetic gasoline, diesel, and other transportation fuels, or can be converted into bio-based chemicals for a wide range of purposes. One method of industrial bio-oil production is called fast pyrolysis, the fast thermal decomposition of organic material in the absence of oxygen. One type of pyrolyzer, a double screw pyrolyzer, features two intermeshing screws encased in a reactor which mechanically conveys and mixes the biomass and heat carrier media. The mixing effectiveness of the two materials in the pyrolyzer is directly correlated to the bio-oil yield—the better the mixing, the higher the yields. This study investigates the effects of particle size, density, and concentration on mixing effectiveness in a double screw pyrolyzer. Using glass beads as simulated heat carrier media and various organic particles as biomass, a cold-flow double screw mixer with 360° of optical access and full sampling capabilities was used to collect mixing data. Unique optical visualization and composition analysis paired with statistical methods were used to evaluate the effects of varying the biomass particle size and density, the heat carrier particle size, and the biomass particle concentration. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis indicated that reducing the biomass particle size, for counter-rotating down pumping screw rotation orientations, noticeably increased mixing effectiveness. Increasing the heat carrier media particle size showed both increases and decreases in mixing effectiveness depending on operating condition. For all screw rotation orientations, a change in biomass particle density resulted in little change in mixing effectiveness, while reducing the biomass particle concentration reduced the overall mixing effectiveness.
Potential Immune Biomarkers for Disease Progression in ALS (P5.040)

Objectives: To determine whether innate and adaptive immune cells serve as biomarkers for ALS disease progression. Background: Increasing evidence supports a role for both innate and adaptive immune cells in ALS disease progression. We have previously reported that decreased Foxp3 expression, the functional marker of regulatory T-lymphocytes (Tregs), is associated with rapid disease progression in ALS. We also have defined a unique monocyte gene expression profile in rapidly progressing ALS patients. We now address the question as to whether combining Tregs and monocyte aberration provides a significant index of ALS disease progression. Design/Methods: Human monocytes were obtained by negative selection from peripheral blood of 67 ALS patients and 32 healthy volunteers. The purified monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry for three different subpopulations of monocytes and TIM3 expression. The blood leukocytes from same patients and healthy controls were used to extract RNA and measure Foxp3 mRNA expression by quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Rapidly progressing ALS patients had fewer CD14 low CD16 + monocytes and increased TIM3 + CD14 low CD16 + monocytes than slowly progressing ALS patients or controls. Foxp3 message was decreased in fast ALS patients compared with slow ALS patients or controls. ROC curve analysis indicate that when CD14 low CD16 + monocytes was ≤ 5.7[percnt], fast progression was predicted with 90[percnt] sensitivity and 70[percnt] specificity. When TIM3 + CD14 low CD16 + monocytes was ≥24.6[percnt], fast progression was predicted with 68[percnt] sensitivity and 74.5[percnt] specificity. Foxp3 expression lower than 0.588 predicted fast progression with 71[percnt] sensitivity and 75[percnt] specificity. Combining the three indexes, with the predicted probability ≥0.5, predicted fast progression with 91[percnt] sensitivity and 87[percnt] specificity. Conclusion: Individually, monocyte and Tregs provide significant indices of ALS disease progression. Combination of the three indicators provides improved sensitivity and specificity and could serve as a biomarker for monitoring the immune/inflammatory status of ALS patients and stratification for clinical trials. Study supported by NIH, MDA Disclosure: Dr. Zhao has received research support from GlaxoSmithKline. Dr. Beers has received research support from Glaxo Smith Kline. Dr. Thonhoff has nothing to disclose. Dr. Neal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Appel has received research support from Neuraltus, Inc., and GlaxoSmithKline.
Acquisition of LISP Programming Skill

The acquisition of a complex skill like writing LISP code can be decomposed into the learning of an underlying set of production rules. Each production rule appears to have a simple learning trajectory and its acquisition is independent of the acquisition of other production rules. These basic results do not appear to be dependent on the instructional modality under which one learns. Learning under a more directive modality only reduces the amount of time students spend debugging their errors.
Genetically expressed voltage sensor ArcLight for imaging large scale cortical activity in the anesthetized and awake mouse

With the recent breakthrough in genetically expressed voltage indicators (GEVIs), there has been a tremendous demand to determine the capabilities of these sensors in vivo. Novel voltage sensitive fluorescent proteins allow for direct measurement of neuron membrane potential changes through changes in fluorescence. Here, we utilized ArcLight, a recently developed GEVI, and examined the functional characteristics in the widely used mouse somatosensory whisker pathway. We measured the resulting evoked fluorescence using a wide-field microscope and a CCD camera at 200 Hz, which enabled voltage recordings over the entire cortical region with high temporal resolution. We found that ArcLight produced a fluorescent response in the S1 barrel cortex during sensory stimulation at single whisker resolution. During wide-field cortical imaging, we encountered substantial hemodynamic noise that required additional post hoc processing through noise subtraction techniques. Over a period of 28 days, we found clear and consistent ArcLight fluorescence responses to a simple sensory input. Finally, we demonstrated the use of ArcLight to resolve cortical S1 sensory responses in the awake mouse. Taken together, our results demonstrate the feasibility of ArcLight as a measurement tool for mesoscopic, chronic imaging.
Privacy and the Right to Be Let Alone (Invited Chapter)

This chapter from the book First Amendment Law in Louisiana explores how Louisiana courts have dealt with the four separate torts in privacy law: misappropriation, intrusion, publication of private facts, and false light publicity. It provides individual overviews of each of these torts accompanied by case examples from Louisiana courts, noting the ways in which the state has both recognized and limited privacy rights. The chapter also examines potential defenses to such claims, including consent, public documents laws, and newsworthiness.
Safety and Efficacy of Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Stroke Prevention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Abstract Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is associated with a substantial risk of thromboembolic stroke. Although long-term treatment with warfarin or the non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants can reduce this risk, such therapy is underutilized, and safe and consistent long-term treatment can be challenging. Transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an emerging alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation. Long-term follow-up of randomized clinical trials demonstrate that Watchman LAA closure provides significant reductions in hemorrhagic stroke, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality compared with continued warfarin therapy. Major bleeding is also reduced compared with continued warfarin therapy once the post-implant pharmacologic regimen is completed. This review summarizes the current dataset for the safety and efficacy of transcatheter LAA closure, and highlights the gaps in evidence and future directions for clinical research.
Domestic Life and Material Culture

Several dimensions of domestic life, defined as the varied familial/societal interactions that take place within residential environments, are explored through the material culture evidence found in such contexts. Material culture is defined as that segment of humankind's physical world that has been purposely made or modified, consciously or unconsciously, by people according to culturally dictated plans. Three demonstrations of the intersections between domestic life and material culture are provided: residential spaces, household artifacts, and women's roles. A brief survey of current trends in these research areas concludes the article.
Reduced CYP219 Clopidogrel Metabolism in a Multiethnic Population: Prevalance and Associated Rates of Recurrent Cerebrovascular Events (P05.220)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency and effects of variability in CYP2C19 metabolism in cerebrovascular disease patients. BACKGROUND: Recently, concern has been raised over the possibility of reduced efficacy of clopidogrel due to genetic variations in CYP2C19 metabolism. An FDA black box warning recommends all patients be tested. It has been estimated that ∼ 3% (range 2-14%) of the population are poor metabolizers, with significant racial/ethnic variation, but little data is available for cerebrovascular patients. DESIGN/METHODS: A retrospective review of all stroke and TIA patients tested for the clopidogrel CYP2C19 genotype from 4/2010 to 2/2012 was performed, with collection of data including race/ethnicity, CYP2C19 status, and presence of recurrent vascular events. RESULTS: A total of 53 cerebrovascular patients were tested; consisting of 5.7% poor (n=3), 26.4% intermediate (n=14), 62.3% extensive (n=33), 3.8% indeterminate (n=2), and 1.9% “mixed ultra rapid and poor” (n=1) metabolizers. Only 10/38 Caucasians (26.3%) were intermediate or poor metabolizers, compared with 7/15 (46.7%) non-Caucasians. Of 43 patients treated with clopidogrel, 3/27 extensive metabolizers (11.1%) had recurrent cerebrovascular events or thrombosis compared with 33.3% of intermediate metabolizers (4/12), and 50% of poor metabolizers (1/2). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the proportion of poor and intermediate clopidogrel metabolizers in cerebrovascular patients are comparable to cardiovascular studies, with a similarly higher prevalence of reduced metabolism, and potentially recurrent events, in non-Caucasian patients. Given the significant racial/ethnic differences, the large proportion of patients who are intermediate or poor metabolizers, and the need for long-term therapy with this medication, routine CYP2C19 testing of clopidogrel treated stroke/TIA patients, particularly in non-Caucasians, may be warranted. In addition, the emergence of generic clopidogrel could substantially increase usage, making this issue of even more importance. Disclosure: Dr. Spokoyny has nothing to disclose. Dr. Barazangi has received personal compensation for activities with Genentech, Inc. Dr. Jaramillo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rose has received personal compensation for activities with Boehringer Ingelheim as a speaker. Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tong has nothing to disclose.
Modulation of the Immunogenic Characters of Protective Epitopes in Synthetic Vaccines

Protective antigenic determinants can be mimicked by chemical synthesis. To become part of efficient vaccines B and T epitopes must be inserted in appropriate structures so as to elicit a strong, long lasting protective immune response. To achieve this goal synthetic peptides can be either linked to a carrier or, preferably associated within totally synthetic constructions. Adjuvants such as synthetic muramyl dipeptides can afford tools not only to enhance the level of the immune response but also to modulate its characters. These points will be illustrated using synthetic malarial vaccine models and a totally synthetic polyvalent vaccine containing B and T epitopes. Finally, a model of prevention against experimental allergic encephalomyelitis will be discussed to illustrate how the immunogenic characters of a synthetic antigen can be modulated by association with adjuvants or by suitable coupling.
The relationship between ehrlichiosis and the development of hematologic malignancies.

Abstract Viral and bacterial infections cause chronic inflammation and produce bacterial metabolites that may lead to carcinogenesis. Ehrlichiosis is an intracellular infection that primarily infects white blood cells. Given that infections can lead to cancer, and that Ehrlichia has tropism for white blood cells, it can be deduced that Ehrlichia may cause hematologic malignancies, such as acute leukemia. A prospective study was performed that tested the blood of ten patients with acute leukemia for prior exposure to Ehrlichia. The RT-PCR that was performed did not detect Ehrlichia DNA in any of the ten samples. Therefore, based on this small study, one cannot conclude that Ehrlichia can lead to hematologic malignancies.
Analysis and Regulation of Biologics, Including Biosimilars

Biologics represent an increasingly important segment of the pharmaceutical market, and were 25% of the worldwide total prescription and OTC sales in 2017. EvaluatePharma predicts that by 2024, 9 of the top 15 pharmaceuticals by sales in the United States, and 10 worldwide will be monoclonal antibodies or fusion proteins. Many of these products have patents that have already or soon will expire. Due to the complex nature of biologics, they are typically expensive to produce, and until recently, the United States had no defined process for approving biosimilar equivalents of biotechnology-derived drugs.
5G-NR (New Radio) CSI Computation Algorithm and Performance

5G-NR specifications is release ready and it incorporates two types of channel state information (CSI) feedback procedures. A low resolution CSI feedback procedure targeting a highly efficient (low feedback overhead) SU-MIMO operation and a high resolution CSI feedback procedure targeting an optimized MU-MIMO operation (high feedback overhead). A precoder index ranges from 2-12 bits for low resolution CSI and to several hundred bits for high resolution CSI. In this paper, we propose low-complexity precoder search algorithms for both low and high resolution CSI. We also observe that the gains due to high-resolution CSI feedback is limited to channels with low to medium spatial correlation.
Epigenetic Regulations in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

Precise genetic and epigenetic spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression in the mammalian central nervous system is critical in how the brain develops, functions and forms its complex circuitry between differentiated neurons. These neuronal differentiation processes are tightly regulated by epigenetic processes including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs. Dysregulation of any of these pathways is detrimental to normal neuronal development and functions, which can result in devastating neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of epigenetic regulations in brain development and functions, as well as their implications in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Treatment of dedifferentiated chordoma: a retrospective study from a large volume cancer center.

Dedifferentiated chordomas (DC) are genetically and clinically distinct from conventional chordomas (CC), exhibiting frequent SMARCB1 alterations and a more aggressive clinical course. We compared treatment and outcomes of DC and CC patients in a retrospective cohort study from a single, large-volume cancer center. Overall, 11 DC patients were identified from 1994 to 2017 along with a cohort of 68 historical control patients with CC treated during the same time frame. Clinical variables and outcomes were collected from the medical record and Wilcoxon rank sum or Fisher exact tests were used to make comparisons between the two groups. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests were used to compare DC and CC overall survival. DC demonstrated a bimodal age distribution at presentation (36% age 0–24; 64% age > 50). DC patients more commonly presented with metastatic disease than CC patients (36% vs. 3% p = 0.000). DC patients had significantly shorter time to local treatment failure after radiation therapy (11.1 months vs. 34.1 months, p = 0.000). The rate of distant metastasis following treatment was significantly higher in DC compared to CC (57% vs. 5%, p = 0.000). The median overall survival after diagnosis for DC was 20 months (95% CI 0–48 months) compared to 155 months (95% CI 94–216 months) for CC (p = 0.007). DC patients exhibit significantly higher rates of both synchronous and metachronous metastases, as well as shorter overall survival rates compared to conventional chordoma. The relatively poor survival outcomes with conventional therapies indicate the need to study targeted therapies for the treatment of DC.
6.28 – Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This chapter is an overview of the state-of-the-art understanding of the disease pathophysiology, underlying genetic predisposition and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This review covers a reasonably diverse and comprehensive assessment of inflammatory and noninflammatory pathways, that appear to be important in the disease modification. The volume of material reported reviewing existing and emerging therapies for IBD, as well as those targets and approaches, which have been linked as potential therapeutic avenues, is tremendous. As such, any review of this type can only scratch the surface of the disease area and a detailed commentary of every approach and hypothesis linked with the disease has not been possible.
Religiously mixed families in the Mediterranean society of the Cairo Geniza

Documents of various genres from the Cairo Geniza from the eleventh to thirteenth centuries, as well as contemporary legal queries to rabbinic figures, attest to the phenomenon of mixed-faith famil...
Correction: An approach to integrating exome sequencing for fetal structural anomalies into clinical practice.

Abstract An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Male Infertility Websites: What are Our Patients Reading?

AbstractIntroduction:People of reproductive age (20–45 years) turn to the Internet for health information more often than do adults older than the age of 45. We sought to assess the readability and...
High sensitivity Troponin-T for prediction of adverse events in patients with COVID-19.

Background: High sensitivity troponin-T (hs-TnT) has been associated with mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. We aimed to determine if hs-TnT levels and their timing are independent p...
Abstract 14989: Failure to Rescue After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Does Experience Matter?

Introduction: Volume-outcome relationships are well defined in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), but little is known about how hospital experience in aortic valve replacement (AVR) inf...
Research on esophageal cancer: With personal perspectives from studies in China and Kenya

The most common form of esophageal cancer (EC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), is prevalent in many unindustrialized societies, among people with lower socioeconomic status and those who frequently use tobacco and alcohol. In some areas, ESCC mortality ranked top among all cancer. In this review, we begin with discussions of the extensive research on EC in Linxian in northern China that started 60 years ago and the recent studies in Kenya from our personal perspectives. Based on the results obtained from these studies and information from the literature, we summarize our current understanding about the risk factors for ESCC including lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, consumption of food and beverages at high temperature and other unhealthy habits), poor diet and nutritional insufficiencies and genetic susceptibility. Elimination or minimization of these environmental risk factors, as well as early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions, would be effective means for the prevention of ESCC. Current knowledge of molecular alterations in ESCC (gene mutations, hypermethylation and amplification or overexpression), as well as treatment of ESCC and the potential of targeted therapy, are also discussed. Finally, we propose effective approaches for the prevention of ESCC by adapting a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet that would also prevent other diseases. Community outreach, public education and international collaboration are important for achieving this public health goal.
Women's Experience of Pelvic Girdle Pain After Childbirth: A Meta‐Synthesis

Introduction Persistent pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and the resulting consequences may occur for more than 10 years after birth. The purpose of this meta-synthesis is to provide a new interpretation and deeper understanding of women's experience of living with PGP postpartum. Methods A literature review of CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest dissertations was conducted for any qualitative study addressing PGP after birth and published in English from 2000 to 2019. A meta-synthesis using Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnography approach was performed. Results Seven studies were found describing the experiences of women living with PGP from birth to 13 years after birth. Six themes emerged that represented women's experience: invisible pain, life being restrained, failure to perform the maternal role, experiencing downward emotional spiral, need for active social support, and adaptation to a new conditional life. Discussion The experiences of women living with PGP after birth highlight the need for holistic care. Interventions by health care providers should support the ability of women to perform daily functions and adapt to their new reality instead of a disease-focused intervention. In addition, women with PGP emphasize the importance of active social support from family members and health care providers. Future research that examines the differences between PGP during the first 3 months postpartum versus that which persists later is needed to develop targeted interventions.
Joint cortical surface and structural connectivity analysis of Alzheimer's Disease.

Prior neuroimaging studies have demonstrated isolated structural and connectivity changes in the brain due to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, how these changes relate to each other is not well understood. We present a preliminary study to begin to fill this gap by leveraging joint independent component analysis (jICA). We explore how jICA performs in an analysis of T1 and diffusion weighted MRI by characterizing the joint changes of complex cortical surface and structural connectivity metrics in AD in subjects from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. We calculate 588 region-based cortical metrics and 4,753 fractional anisotropy-based connectivity metrics and project them into a low-dimensional manifold with principal component analysis. We perform jICA on the manifold and subsequently backproject the independent components to the original data space. We demonstrate component stability with 3-fold cross validation and find differential component loadings between 776 cognitively unimpaired control subjects and 23 with AD that generalizes across folds. In addition, we perform the same analysis on the surface and connectivity metrics separately and find that the joint approach identifies both novel and similar components to the separate approaches. To illustrate the joint approach’s primary utility, we provide an example hypothesis for how surface and connectivity components may vary together with AD. These preliminary results suggest jointly varying independent cortical surface and structural connectivity components can be consistently extracted from MRI data and provide a data-driven way for generating novel hypotheses about AD that may not be captured by separate analyses.
Polyaniline nano-needles into electrospun bio active fibres support in vitro astrocyte response

Recent studies have proposed that the bioelectrical response of glial cells, called astrocytes, currently represents a key target for neuroregenerative purposes. Here, we propose the fabrication of electrospun nanofibres containing gelatin and polyaniline (PANi) synthesized in the form of nano-needles (PnNs) as electrically conductive scaffolds to support the growth and functionalities of primary astrocytes. We report a fine control of the morphological features in terms of fibre size and spatial distribution and fibre patterning, i.e. random or aligned fibre organization, as revealed by SEM- and TEM-supported image analysis. We demonstrate that the peculiar morphological properties of fibres – i.e., the fibre size scale and alignment – drive the adhesion, proliferation, and functional properties of primary cortical astrocytes. In addition, the gradual transmission of biochemical and biophysical signals due to the presence of PnNs combined with the presence of gelatin results in a permissive and guiding environment for astrocytes. Accordingly, the functional properties of astrocytes measured via cell patch-clamp experiments reveal that PnNs do not alter the bioelectrical properties of resting astrocytes, thus setting the scene for the use of PnN-loaded nanofibres as bioconductive platforms for interfacing astrocytes and controlling their bioelectrical properties.
A Strange Liking: Our Admiration for Criminals

The law regards the felon as ignominious. It assumes the convict will be held in dishonor. Indeed, the stigma that flows from a criminal conviction is a factor courts consider in determining whether mens rea shall be required for that crime. Yet criminals are not always the objects of opprobrium. Noncriminals often enjoy, love, even admire criminals. They admire them not in spite of their criminality but because of it — or at least because of qualities that are inextricably linked to their criminality. That they sometimes do so wonderingly, against considerable inner resistance, serves only to highlight the strength of the attraction. This article explores noncriminals’ admiration for the lawbreaker. Drawing on literature, films, history, and psychoanalysis, the article seeks to delineate and explain this paradox. The article concludes that criminals and noncriminals are profoundly bound together. It argues that criminals, by their very existence, perform psychological functions for the law-abiding — gratifying their anti-social impulses, reassuring them of their comparative innocence, and assuaging their guilt through vicarious punishment. From this perspective, criminals are far from being an unequivocal evil; they are in fact necessary for us to be what we are. They are the Sancho Panza to our Don Quijote, the Fool to our King Lear, the partner we need to perform our complicated dance.
Towards a unified framework to study causality in Earth-life systems

There is considerable interest in better understanding how earth processes shape the generation and distribution of life on Earth. This question, at its heart, is one of causation. In this article I propose that at a regional level, earth processes can be thought of as behaving somewhat deterministically and may have an organized effect on the diversification and distribution of species. However, the study of how landscape features shape biology is challenged by pseudocongruent or collinear variables. I demonstrate that causal structures can be used to depict the cause-effect relationships between earth processes and biological patterns using recent examples from the literature about speciation and species richness in montane settings. This application shows that causal diagrams can be used to better decipher the details of causal relationships by motivating new hypotheses. Additionally, the abstraction of this knowledge into structural equation metamodels can be used to formulate theory about relationships within Earth-life systems more broadly. Causal structures are a natural point of collaboration between biologists and Earth scientists, and their use can mitigate against the risk of misassigning causality within studies. My goal is that by applying causal theory through application of causal structures, we can build a systems-level understanding of what landscape features or earth processes most shape the distribution and diversification of species, what types of organisms are most affected, and why.
Rationale, design and respondent characteristics of the 2013-2014 New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NYC HANES 2013-2014).

Purpose Capacity to monitor non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at state or local levels is limited. Emerging approaches include using biomeasures and electronic health record (EHR) data. In 2004, New York City (NYC) performed a population-based health study on adult residents using biomeasures (NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Study, or NYC HANES), modeled after NHANES. A second NYC HANES was launched in 2013 to examine change over time, evaluate municipal policies, and validate a proposed EHR-based surveillance system. We describe the rationale and methods of NYC HANES 2013–2014.
A High-gain Time-resolving Spectrograph for Diagnostics of Laboratory Simulated Re-entry Objects

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a high-gain time-resolving spectrograph for diagnostics of laboratory-simulated re-entry objects. Temporal resolution is sufficient for the observation of transient low-intensity sources such as those encountered in hypersonic wakes. In particular, schemes for intensity calibration and data reduction are described. Examples of wake-temperature determination from the unresolved vibrational bands of CN are given. Improved spectral resolution can be achieved only through increased dispersion of the spectrograph and increased temporal resolution, only by faster deflexion of the photoelectrons. The image of the time-resolved spectrum from the image converter is relayed to the image intensifier by two Carl Meyer f /2 transfer lenses arranged in 1:1 conjugate.Because of the limited space in which the instrument is located it is necessary to bend the light path between the two image tubes. It is observed that when a slit is used, spectral resolution is limited by the overall spatial resolution of the system, and can be increased by increased dispersion in the spectrograph. The time-resolved spectra for some atomic lines are also obtained by impregnating the epoxy coatings of the model with appropriate salts.
Asynchronous sampling and reconstruction of sparse signals

Asynchronous signal processing is an appropriate low-power approach for the processing of bursty signals typical in biomedical applications and sensing networks. Different from the synchronous processing, based on the Shannon-Nyquist sampling theory, asynchronous processing is free of aliasing constrains and quantization error, while allowing continuous-time processing. In this paper we connect level-crossing sampling with time-encoding using asynchronous sigma delta modulators, to develop an asynchronous decomposition procedure similar to the Haar transform wavelet decomposition. Our procedure provides a way to reconstruct bounded signals, not necessarily band-limited, from related zero-crossings, and it is especially applicable to decompose sparse signals in time and to denoise them. Actual and synthetic signals are used to illustrate the advantages of the decomposer.
Simulation of Sports Techniques by Digital Computer and Programmable Calculator

(1974). Simulation of Sports Techniques by Digital Computer and Programmable Calculator. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 65-68.
Engaging young people with our science

Communication, education and outreach are increasingly important elements of the particle physics research agenda as acknowledged in recent European Strategy and U.S. Community Summer Study reports. These efforts help develop the next generation of researchers and a scientifically literate citizenry. We describe some examples that engage young people with our science.
Total Quality Management: Is It the Marketing Concept Revisited?

Abstract This paper examines the importance of the Total Quality Management (TQM) movement for business enterprise. In view of the different conceptualizations of quality and the varied prescriptions for managing the process to ensure continuous and consistent achievement of the same, a framework is described which places the marketing discipline as the umbrella function that is best prepared to implement TQM in the organization. A capstone marketing TQM course is suggested as a vehicle for student exposure to TQM deployment.
Glasses for Immobilizing Lanthanide, Alkali, and Alkali-Earth Fission Products

A series of glasses were formulated for the immobilization of a potential waste stream from commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing, the combined lanthanide (LN), alkali, and alkaline earth (Cs/Sr) fission products. These glasses were formulated to meet repository disposal requirements while being processable in a cold-crucible melter. The glasses were fabricated and tested for product consistency test response, phase characterization, density, and glass transition temperature. The results suggest that the combined fission product waste forms are likely to meet repository requirements and generate less glass than if individual streams were vitrified.
Harmony from chaos? Perceptual-motor delays enhance behavioral anticipation in social interaction.

Effective interpersonal coordination is fundamental to robust social interaction, and the ability to anticipate a coactor's behavior is essential for achieving this coordination. However, coordination research has focused on the behavioral synchrony that occurs between the simple periodic movements of coactors and, thus, little is known about the anticipation that occurs during complex, everyday interaction. Research on the dynamics of coupled neurons, human motor control, electrical circuits, and laser semiconductors universally demonstrates that small temporal feedback delays are necessary for the anticipation of chaotic events. We therefore investigated whether similar feedback delays would promote anticipatory behavior during social interaction. RESULTS revealed that coactors were not only able to anticipate others' chaotic movements when experiencing small perceptual-motor delays, but also exhibited movement patterns of equivalent complexity. This suggests that such delays, including those within the human nervous system, may enhance, rather than hinder, the anticipatory processes that underlie successful social interaction. (PsycINFO Database Record Language: en
Sodium β‐Styrenesulfonate and β‐Styrenesulfonyl Chloride

Sodium β-Styrenesulfonate and β-Styrenesulfonyl Chloride solvent: 800 ml. of ethylene chloride reactant: dioxane product: 95 + % pure sodium β-styrenesulfonate product: β-styrenesulfonyl chloride byproduct: 2,4-diphenylbutane-1,4-sultone byproduct: sodium 2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethane-1-sulfonate Keywords: replacement reactions, hydroxy by halogen; sulfonation, C-sulfonation; assay methods, for sodium β-styrenesulfonate; assay methods, for unsaturation, (bromate-bromide titration); dioxane; sulfur trioxide, distillation of; distillation, apparatus, for sulfur trioxide
Plasma tomography systems for industrial plasma tools

Summary form only given. Addressing the geometry constraints that have inhibited the use of optical emission based tomography systems on industrial plasma tools, the University of Michigan has developed a plasma tomography system which uses optical emission spectroscopy (OES) technology and can be operated from a relatively small window compared to the standard Abel geometry previously used by many authors; this change in geometry may make the technique more applicable to industrial plasma tools, which have relatively small windows. This current sensor's design, results, and a comparison with findings based on Langmuir probe and other OES methods will be presented. In addition, these results will be compared with spatial etch rate uniformity in the hope of making a jump to process control using a tomography sensor. Plans for future sensor improvements to allow for multipeak analysis and compatibility with more confining geometries will also be presented.
Modeling the pulse-echo response of a two-dimensional phase-insensitive array for NDE of layered media

The use of a pulse-echo phase-insensitive array as the approach for the NDE (nondestructive evaluation) of uneven bondlines in the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor is discussed. Experimental results with a scanned-element pseudoarray indicate that the sensitivity of detecting total disbonds at a rough interface between two rubberlike materials can be improved by more than a factor of 2 by using phase-insensitive detection. Computer simulations are being used to evaluate the pulse-echo characteristics of various arrangements of pulse-echo arrays with coplanar interspersed transmitting and receiving elements. This approach allows flexibility for exploring various array configurations, and as well as independent selection of materials for optimizing transmit and receive characteristics. >
N-acetyl-l-cysteine decreases intra-abdominal adhesion formation through the upregulation of peritoneal fibrinolytic activity and antioxidant defenses.

Background Intraperitoneal adhesions occur in more than 94% of patients after abdominal surgery. Mechanisms that decrease oxidative stress and upregulate peritoneal fibrinolysis reduce adhesions. N -acetyl- l -cysteine (NAC) is a clinically relevant antioxidant whose effect on peritoneal fibrinolysis and ability to decrease adhesions has not been established. The aims of this study were to determine if NAC reduces adhesions and to characterize its potential mechanism(s) of action. Methods Male Wistar rats ( n = 92) received 0.9% saline (OP Control), intraperitoneal NAC (150 mg/kg, OP + NAC), or oral NAC (1200 mg/kg) twice daily on preoperative day 1, day of operation, and postoperative day 1. Adhesions were induced on the day of operation using our previously described ischemic button model. Animals were killed on postoperative day 7 for adhesion scoring. Peritoneal tissue and fluid from the intraperitoneal NAC group were measured at 24 hours for fibrinolytic activity, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), total glutathione, and 8-isoprostane (8-IP). The effect of NAC on tPA and PAI-1 production was tested in vitro in human mesothelial cells. The effect of NAC on intestinal wound healing was measured using colonic anastomotic burst pressures. Results Intraperitoneal NAC reduced adhesions by 53% ( P P P P Conclusion NAC administered intraperitoneally decreased adhesion formation while upregulating peritoneal fibrinolytic activity and antioxidant defenses without affecting normal anastomotic wound healing. These data suggest a potential new therapeutic use for NAC in adhesion prevention.