cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does Higher Quality Early Child Care Promote Low-Income Children’s Math and Reading Achievement in Middle Childhood?

Higher quality child care during infancy and early childhood (6–54 months of age) was examined as a moderator of associations between family economic status and children’s (N = 1,364) math and reading achievement in middle childhood (4.5–11 years of age). Low income was less strongly predictive of underachievement for children who had been in higher quality care than for those who had not. Consistent with a cognitive advantage hypothesis, higher quality care appeared to promote achievement indirectly via early school readiness skills. Family characteristics associated with selection into child care also appeared to promote the achievement of low-income children, but the moderating effect of higher quality care per se remained evident when controlling for selection using covariates and propensity scores.
An Adaptive Treecode for Computing Nonbonded Potential Energy in Classical Molecular Systems

A treecode algorithm is presented for rapid computation of the nonbonded potential energy in classical molecular systems. The algorithm treats a general form of pairwise particle interaction with the Coulomb and London dispersion potentials as special cases. The energy is computed as a sum of group-group interactions using a variant of Appel's recursive strategy. Several adaptive techniques are employed to reduce the execution time. These include an adaptive tree with nonuniform rectangular cells, variable order multipole approximation, and a run-time choice between direct summation and multipole approximation for each group-group interaction. The multipole approximation is derived by Taylor expansion in Cartesian coordinates, and the necessary coefficients are computed using a recurrence relation. An error bound is derived and used to select the order of approximation. Test results are presented for a variety of systems. c 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 184-195, 2001
Global corporate philanthropy: a strategic framework

Over the past decade, corporate philanthropy has undergone two fundamental transformations – strategic refocusing and globalization. Faced with scarcer resources and downsizing, leading firms have redefined philanthropy by tying it directly to corporate strategies and business units. Philanthropy is now seen as a component of long‐term competitiveness, rather than a short‐term image builder and sales generator. Internationally it can not only enhance and unify a global image, but also help open emerging markets through much‐needed social programmes. This high potential is unfortunately matched by an equally high risk. Global philanthropy can represent an ethical minefield, owing to extreme difficulties in monitoring subsidiary operations. In order to address this issue, presents a dual strategic framework for multinationals and their non‐profit counterparts. Adopts a stepwise approach, starting with a mission review and moving to a partner screening process, an internal audit and action plan, followed by ...
Intrachannel nonlinear penalties in dispersion-managed transmission systems

We have developed a model for intra-channel impairments in dispersion-managed systems and validated it using numerical simulations. We have shown that intrachannel impairments can be reduced using optimal precompensation. We have studied the intrachannel penalty for different modulation formats, and results show that the optimum precompensation is independent of modulation format. The intrachannel penalty decreases as the spectrum of the modulation format broadens.
FDA Drug Approval Summary: Bevacizumab Plus FOLFOX4 as Second-Line Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

On June 20, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA), administered in combination with FOLFOX4 (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) for the second-line treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum. Efficacy and safety were demonstrated in one Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) open-label, multicenter, randomized, three-arm, active-controlled trial enrolling 829 adult patients. Patients had received a fluoropyrimidine- and irinotecan-based regimen as initial therapy for metastatic disease; or they had received prior adjuvant irinotecan-based chemotherapy and had recurred within 6 months of completing therapy. Treatments included bevacizumab, 10 mg/kg, as a 90-minute i.v. infusion on day 1, every 2 weeks, either alone or in combination with FOLFOX4, or FOLFOX4 alone. The bevacizumab monotherapy arm was closed to accrual after an interim efficacy analysis suggested a possibly shorter survival in that arm. Overall survival (OS), the primary study endpoint, was significantly longer for patients receiving bevacizumab in combination with FOLFOX4 than for those receiving FOLFOX4 alone. The objective response rate was significantly higher in the FOLFOX4 plus bevacizumab arm than in the FOLFOX4 alone arm. The duration of response was approximately 6 months for both treatment arms. Patients treated with the bevacizumab combination were also reported, based on investigator assessment, to have significantly longer progression-free survival. There were no new bevacizumab safety signals. The most serious, and sometimes fatal, bevacizumab toxicities are gastrointestinal perforation, wound-healing complications, hemorrhage, arterial thromboembolic events, hypertensive crisis, nephrotic syndrome, and congestive heart failure.
The Glidewire technique for overcoming urethral obstruction.

AbstractPurpose: Using the hydrophilic Terumo Glidewire* we developed a less traumatic, yet effective alternative method to filiforms and followers for cases of urethral obstruction.*Microvasive, Watertown, Massachusetts.Materials and Methods: The initial step and cornerstone of our method is the passage of the Glidewire per urethra in a manner similar to a filiform. After the appropriate intravesical location of the Glidewire is confirmed using a ureteral catheter, it is exchanged for a standard polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) coated guide wire. Urethral dilation and/or catheter placement is then performed.Results: This technique was successful in 19 of 20 attempts, several of which followed unsuccessful passage of filliform catheters. Urethral obstruction due to strictures, bladder neck contractures and benign prostatic hyperplasia in our group was treated effectively. Furthermore, no complications occurred due to the technique.Conclusions: The Glidewire method is safe and effective for treating most c...
Bias Temperature Instability model for digital circuits - predicting instantaneous FET response

We propose a semi-empirically enhanced BTI model to predict the instantaneous shift in VT due to both NBTI (in PFETs) and PBTI (in NFETs). Our proposed model uses same technology parameters as in existing model, and applied for both NBTI and PBTI. At every step of model generation, we demonstrate the correlation between our model and measured hardware. Further, we discuss the necessary steps to integrate our model with existing digital circuit simulators.
Justice From the Victim’s Perspective

What are the meanings of justice, as seen from the perspective of victims of violent crime? Are victims' visions of justice represented by the conventional legal system? Are they represented by restorative justice? The author engages these questions, drawing on in-depth interviews with 22 victims of violent crime. It is argued that survivors' views of justice do not fit well into either retributive or restorative models. This has implications for current efforts to use restorative models in cases of violence against women.
When prognosis precedes diagnosis: putting the cart before the horse

Each year in the United States, some 6 million people present to emergency departments with chest pain.[1][1] Although only 15%–20% of these patients are ultimately diagnosed with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS),[2][2] about half are admitted for evaluation. Conversely, 2% of patients with ACS
Thermally stable Ge/Ag/Ni Ohmic contact for InAlAs/InGaAs/InP HEMTs

Excellent annealed ohmic contacts based on Ge/Ag/Ni metallization have been realized in a temperature range between 385 and 500/spl deg/C, with a minimum contact resistance of 0.06 /spl Omega//spl middot/mm and a specific contact resistivity of 2.62 /spl times/10/sup -7/ /spl Omega//spl middot/cm/sup 2/ obtained at an annealing temperature of 425/spl deg/C for 60 s in a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) system. Thermal storage tests at temperatures of 215 and 250/spl deg/C in a nitrogen ambient showed that the Ge/Ag/Ni based ohmic contacts with an overlay of Ti/Pt/Au had far superior thermal stabilities than the conventional annealed AuGe/Ni ohmic contacts for InAlAs/InGaAs high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). During the storage test at 215/spl deg/C, the ohmic contacts showed no degradation after 200 h. At 250/spl deg/C, the contact resistance value of the Ge/Ag/Ni ohmic contact increased only to a value of 0.1 /spl Omega//spl middot/mm over a 250-h period. Depletion-mode HEMTs (D-HEMTs) with a gate length of 0.2 /spl mu/m fabricated using Ge/Ag/Ni ohmic contacts with an overlay of Ti/Pt/Au demonstrated excellent dc and RF characteristics.
Targeting Interleukin-1 in Heart Disease

Inflammation is a coordinated cellular-humoral response to injury. A close interaction between resident cells (ie, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and dendritic cells) and leukocytes regulates the initiation and resolution of the acute inflammatory response. Constitutive membrane and cytoplasmic receptors function as guardians that “signal the alarm” when activated by products of cell destruction or microbial invasion. This first-line innate immune response initiates a process of leukocyte mobilization from the bone marrow, recruitment to the “activated” endothelium, and migration to the site of tissue injury to prevent infection and to facilitate tissue repair. Although critical for many forms of repair, the inflammatory response may also become a mechanism for progressive injury, impaired healing, and disease. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is an apical proinflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation and a powerful inducer of the innate immune response.1,2 The production and activity of IL-1 are finely regulated at multiple levels, and very small concentrations of exogenous IL-1 can induce a sepsis-like syndrome and shock.1,2 IL-1 induces the synthesis and expression of several hundreds of secondary inflammatory mediators.1,2 IL-1 also induces its own production and processing, and this step is key in the pathogenesis of many autoinflammatory diseases.1,3 Two related genes code for 2 different proteins (IL-1α and IL-1β) that bind the same receptor (type I). IL-1α is synthesized as a fully active peptide that remains membrane bound or may be released from the cytoplasm during cell death. IL-1α thereby participates more prominently in local response to injury and less in the systemic inflammatory response.1,2 IL-1β, the main form of circulating IL-1, is initially synthesized as a precursor (proIL-1β) that becomes activated by caspase-1 cleavage in the setting of a macromolecular structure known as the inflammasome.1,4 Caspase-1 …
Infrared Spectroscopy in H2O, D2O and CH3OH:

As the technique of infrared spectroscopy has developed, more and more problems have arisen where it would be desirable to be able to measure the infrared spectrum of a compound in water or alcoholic solutions.
Caloric Restriction Reverses Obesity-Induced Mammary Gland Inflammation in Mice

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Estrogen synthesis is catalyzed by aromatase. Recently, we identified an obesity-inflammation-aromatase axis in mouse models and women. In mouse models of obesity, inflammatory foci characterized by crown-like structures (CLS) consisting of dead adipocytes encircled by macrophages were found in the mammary gland (MG). CLS of the breast were found in most overweight and obese women. CLS were associated with adipocyte hypertrophy, activation of NF-κB, elevated levels of proinflammatory mediators and aromatase, and increased expression of the progesterone receptor (PR). Collectively, these findings provide a plausible explanation for the link between obesity, chronic inflammation, and post-menopausal breast cancer. Here we investigated whether caloric restriction (CR) reversed the inflammatory state and related molecular changes in the MG of obese mice. Obese ovariectomized C57BL/6J mice were subjected to 30% CR for 7 or 14 weeks. Findings in CR mice were compared with results in mice fed a high fat diet ad libitum or with control mice fed a low fat diet. CR was associated with more than a 75% decrease in mammary CLS/cm2. Reduced histological inflammation following CR was associated with decreased adipocyte diameter and MCP-1 levels, reduced NF-κB binding activity, and normalization of levels of proinflammatory mediators, aromatase and PR. In summary, obesity-related inflammation of the MG and elevated aromatase and PR levels were reversed with CR. Our results provide a rationale for determining whether weight loss can reverse breast inflammation associated with obesity in women.
Achievable rate for amplify and forward relay system at low SNR

In this paper, the achievable rate and its approximations are studied for an Amplify-and-Forward (AF) relaying system at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To characterize the effect of relay locations, an aggregate channel model with both long-term path loss and short-term fading is used. To consider the effect of channel information at the relay node, instantaneous and average amplification coefficients are applied respectively when evaluating the achievable rate. The optimal power loadings and amplification coefficients to reveal useful insight on the relay operating status for the achievable rate.
Temperature Sensing RRAM Architecture for 3-D ICs

3-D integrated circuits, or 3-D ICs, have gained significant attention in the research community over the past few years. This has primarily been motivated by their enhanced power, performance, and functionality over planar CMOS ICs. However, thermal management remains a key challenge in these devices due to the impedance of heat flow that results from die stacking. In this paper, we address this challenge by utilizing a temperature sensing resistive random access memory (TSRRAM) which can generate accurate thermal profiles to gauge the heat distribution within the 3-D IC. The architecture enables each RRAM switching element in the memory die to be used both as a memory bit and a temperature sensor. We simulated our TSRRAM design as an L2 cache for an alpha 21364 processor. We used a customized simulation framework to test the design accuracy and performance over several SPEC2000 CPU benchmarks, and achieved a 2.14 K mean error and an eight-cycle performance overhead with a 4-kB L2 cache size. Furthermore, we show that active sensing methods can be employed to achieve 100% coverage of global hot spot temperatures.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA): Separation of CEA-Reacting Molecules from Tumor, Fetal GW, Meconium and Normil Colon

CEA-radioimmunoassays have been used on fractions obtained by electro-focusing samples of pooled primary carcinomas of the colon, normal colon, neonatal meconium, premature meconium and fetal gut. Comparison of protein, pH and CEA-profiles suggest that one embryonic, one neonatal and several cross-reacting “normal” CEA-reacting molecules exist. The embryonic form was not expressed in any of the normal colon extracts. Between 10–30X more CEA-reactivity was found in carcinomas compared with normal sources (na CEA/ ng protein X 100). Both quantitative and qualitative differences occur due to embryonic or neoplastic gene expression.
Parathyroid Cancer Cases: A Single Center's Experience

ABSTRACT Objective: To review cases of parathyroid carcinoma treated at our institution during the last 30 years. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients who were treated for parathyroid carcinoma at our institution by searching for the International Classification of Diseases–Ninth Revision code. We reviewed clinical and pathologic characteristics, treatment options, disease burden and metastasis, calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and complications and mortality. Results: We identified 8 patients with parathyroid carcinoma between 1984 and 2014, 5 men and 3 women. Mean age at diagnosis was 50.6 years. Two patients were African American, and the rest were Caucasian. The majority were past or present smokers. The mean time to recurrence after diagnosis was 13.2 years (n = 5). Mean survival was 23.7 years for the patients who died (n = 3). Five patients had metastatic disease in the neck, spine, or lung. One patient received adjuvant radiation. Most patients had postoperative hypocalcemia due to hungry bone syndrome, but eventually hypercalcemia recurred and many required bisphosphonates and/or cinacalcet. Three patients had a history of secondary malignancies. Two patients survived over 25 years after the initial diagnosis. Conclusion: Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare malignancy. Common presentations included hypercalcemia with or without neck mass. The histologic diagnosis can be challenging. Capsular invasion and metastasis are strong pathologic evidence of carcinoma. Also, PTH more than 10 times the upper limit of normal value with severe hypercalcemia should alarm clinicians to suspect parathyroid carcinoma. Recurrence can occur many years after initial surgery, and hypercalcemia is the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, long-term follow-up is mandatory. Abbreviations: FNA = fine needle aspiration PTH = parathyroid hormone
The Need for a Council of Social Science Editors

Although social scientific journals have some problems in common with other journals—rising costs and the explosion of information—they have many unique problems. These include smallness, narrow bases of support, exceptionally high rejection rates, short tenure for editors, long publication lag times, and no common style manual. Substantively some of the social sciences are experiencing a fragmentation and proliferation of perspectives, both theoretical and methodological. At a time when many social scientists feel that publication outlets should be increased, most journals are barely able to maintain their present size.
Axitinib inhibits retinal and choroidal neovascularization in in vitro and in vivo models.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly in developed countries. Neovascular/exudative (wet) AMD is the aggressive form of AMD and can involve choroidal neovascularization and vascular leakage. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications have significantly improved treatment of wet-AMD. However, only approximately 40% of patients obtain full benefit from anti-VEGF therapy and the medications are given by intravitreal injection. Axitinib, a small molecule multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, is taken orally and inhibits VEGF activity by blocking VEGF receptors. Axitinib also has the advantage of blocking platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors which play a role in neovascularization. Using in vitro human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMVECs), human brain vascular pericytes (HBVRs), 3D co-culture vessel sprout assay, and in vivo laser induced rat choroidal neovascularization (CNV) models, the effect of axitinib on neovascularization was evaluated. Axitinib inhibited neovascularization better than anti-VEGF and/or anti-hPDGF-B mAb in the in vitro models demonstrating that combined inhibition of both VEGF and PDGF pathways may be synergistic in treating wet-AMD. Additionally, axitinib showed good efficacy at a low dose (0.875 mg/day) in laser-induced CNV model in rats. In conclusion our data shows that axitinib, an inhibitor of VEGF and PDGF-B pathways may be useful in ameliorating wet-AMD therapy.
Echocardiography Criteria for Structural Heart Disease in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease Initiating Hemodialysis.

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease among hemodialysis (HD) patients is linked to poor outcomes. The Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative Workgroup proposed echocardiographic (ECHO) criteria for structural heart disease (SHD) in dialysis patients. The association of SHD with important patient outcomes is not well defined. Objectives This study sought to determine prevalence of ECHO-determined SHD and its association with survival among incident HD patients. Methods We analyzed patients who began chronic HD from 2001 to 2013 who underwent ECHO ≤1 month prior to or ≤3 months following initiation of HD (n = 654). Results Mean patient age was 66 ± 16 years, and 60% of patients were male. ECHO findings that met 1 or more and ≥3 of the new criteria were discovered in 87% and 54% of patients, respectively. Over a median of 2.4 years, 415 patients died: 108 (26%) died within 6 months. Five-year mortality was 62%. Age- and sex-adjusted structural heart disease variables associated with death were left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤45% (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.48; confidence interval [CI]: 1.20 to 1.83) and right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction (HR: 1.68; CI: 1.35 to 2.07). An additive of higher death risk included LVEF ≤45% and RV systolic dysfunction rather than neither (HR: 2.04; CI: 1.57 to 2.67; p = 0.53 for test for interaction). Following adjustment for age, sex, race, diabetic kidney disease, and dialysis access, RV dysfunction was independently associated with death (HR: 1.66; CI 1.34 to 2.06; p Conclusions SHD was common in our HD study population, and RV systolic dysfunction independently predicted mortality.
Abstract LB-238: Posttranscriptional regulation of rictor by protein kinase D in human colon cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Background: mTORC2 phosphorylates Akt at Ser473 thus resulting in Akt activation; knockdown of rictor, a component of mTORC2, blocks Ser473 phosphorylation. Knockdown of rictor leads to growth inhibition and induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. However, the molecular mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of rictor expression remains unclear. Protein kinase D (PKD), a serine/threonine kinase family that includes PKD1, PKD2 and PKD3, has been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Recently, PKD3 has been shown to increase Akt phosphorylation at Ser473. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulation of rictor protein levels by protein kinase D (PKD) in CRC cells. Methods: HT29 and HCT116 CRC cells were treated with MG132, a proteasome inhibitor; cycloheximide (CHX), a protein synthesis inhibitor; Go6976, a PKC and PKD inhibitor; Go6983, a PKC inhibitor; or CID755673, a selective PKD inhibitor. Cells were transfected with plasmids encoding PKD1 or PKD2, or infected with an adenovirus construct expressing PKD3. Whole cell lysates were extracted and Western blot analysis performed for rictor protein expression. Total RNA was extracted and real-time RT-PCR was performed for rictor mRNA expression. To investigate whether PKD and rictor are co-localized, PKD and rictor expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in human CRCs, liver metastases and corresponding normal mucosa (AccuMax tissue array). Results: MG132 treatment increased rictor protein levels although raptor and mTOR expression was only slightly increased. Moreover, increased Akt Ser473 phosphorylation was observed. Treatment with CHX decreased rictor protein levels in a time-dependent fashion suggesting that rictor is a target of proteasomal degradation in CRC cells. Treatment of HT29 and HCT116 cells with Go6976, but not Go6983, decreased rictor protein expression. Consistently, treatment with the selective PKD inhibitor, CID755673, decreased rictor protein expression and inhibited CRC cell growth. Overexpression of PKD1, PKD2 or PKD3 increased rictor protein levels without affecting rictor mRNA expression. In addition, overexpression of PKD3 inhibited rictor degradation suggesting that PKDs are critical for rictor protein expression. Rictor as well as PKD1, PKD2 and PKD3 were up-regulated in primary CRCs and liver metastases compared with normal mucosa, implying a potential role of PKDs upstream of the rictor signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of CRC. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that PKD post-transcriptionally regulates rictor protein levels in CRC cells. Importantly, these data suggest that PKD-mediated CRC growth is due, at least in part, to an mTORC2-dependent signaling pathway. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-238.
Conservative management of ectopic gestation.

Abstract The management of ectopic gestation has become more challenging than ever before. The recent progress in diagnostic modalities, i.e., ultrasound and sensitive beta-hCG assays, has enabled early detection of ectopic gestation and a change in treatment goals. The traditional catastrophic presentation of a ruptured ectopic gestation and hemoperitoneum no longer is common. Today this condition is typically diagnosed before a rupture occurs, while the patient is only minimally symptomatic. Accordingly, treatment has shifted from an immediate life-saving intervention, into conservative methods of management, directed at preserving fertility and reducing morbidity. As experience is being gained rapidly in the various conservative treatment methods, their respective merits can be evaluated. Laparoscopic linear salpingostomy is the treatment of choice for small, unruptured, isthmic or ampullary gestations. Laparoscopic segmental resection is most suitable for ruptured tubal gestations. These procedures should be performed via laparotomy only if the patient is hemodynamically unstable. In selected cases, nonsurgical treatment methods, i.e., expectant management or methotrexate, may be considered. Serial serum beta-hCG measurements following a conservative treatment is mandatory to rule out persistence of trophoblastic tissue. Further prospective randomized studies are needed, to compare different conservative treatment methods in regard to their respective safety, reproductive outcome, and economic feasibility.
Cooperative Stabilization of Transthyretin by Clusterin and Diflunisal

The circulating protein transthyretin (TTR) can unfold, oligomerize, and form highly structured amyloid fibrils that are deposited in tissues, causing organ damage and disease. This pathogenic process is caused by a heritable TTR point mutation in cases of familial TTR-related amyloidosis or wild-type TTR in cases of age-associated amyloidosis (previously called senile systemic amyloidosis). The TTR amyloid cascade is hypothesized to begin with the dissociation of the TTR native tetrameric structure into folded but unstable monomeric TTR subunits. Unfolding of monomeric TTR initiates an oligomerization process leading to aggregation and fibril formation. Numerous proteostatic mechanisms for regulating the TTR amyloid cascade exist. Extracellular chaperones provide an innate defense against misfolded proteins. Clusterin (CLU), a plasma protein, has the capacity to recognize exposed hydrophobic regions of misfolded proteins, shielding them from aggregation. We have previously demonstrated that CLU is associated with the amyloid fibrils in cardiac tissues from patients with TTR amyloidosis. In this study, we have used tetrameric and monomeric TTR structural variants to determine the ability of CLU to inhibit TTR amyloid fibril formation. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, we determined that CLU preferentially stabilizes monomeric TTR and generates increasingly stable conformations under acid stress. Moreover, studies using surface plasmon resonance showed a direct interaction of CLU with high-molecular weight TTR oligomers. The interactions of CLU with monomeric and aggregated TTR proceed in a cooperative manner in the presence of diflunisal, a small molecule drug used to stabilize TTR tetramers.
Requiring outreach from a CS0-level robotics course

Since Fall 2006, Berea College has offered a CS0-level course entitled Introduction to Robotics. This course is one course among many which students can choose to satisfy a practical reasoning requirement in our institution's general education program. In each of the last two years of course offerings, the course has included a required outreach assignment in which students demonstrate the robots and their programming to children in the larger community. The positive college student response to this added outreach requirement is explored in this article.
The Potential and Problems of Beekeeping In the Philippines

There are still undeveloped regions in the world which have no honey industry, although they support a rich natural vegetation which could yield good honey crops if colonies were maintained there. Some of these regions have no road access; others present special problems of drought or high temperatures, or of native bees that are difficult to handle, or of parasites or predators. The Philippines constitute one such area, and the present article on the circumstances there may possibly provide clues that could help the development of beekeeping in other parts of Asia.
Algebraic Spaces and Stacks

geometrie algebrique # espace algebrique # empilement algebrique # fibration # espace de modules fins # espace de modules grossiers
Joint prototype and metric learning for image set classification

In this paper, we address the problem of image set classification, where each set contains a different number of images acquired from the same subject. In most of the existing literature, each image set is modeled using all its available samples. As a result, the corresponding time and storage costs are high. To address this problem, we propose a joint prototype and metric learning approach. The prototypes are learned to represent each gallery image set using fewer samples without affecting the recognition performance. A Mahalanobis metric is learned simultaneously to measure the similarity between sets more accurately. In particular, each gallery set is represented as a regularized affine hull spanned by the learned prototypes. The set-to-set distance is optimized via updating the prototypes and the Mahalanobis metric in an alternating manner. To highlight the importance of representing image sets using fewer samples, we analyzed the corresponding test time complexity with respect to the number of images used per set. Experimental results using YouTube Celebrity, YouTube Faces, and ETH-80 datasets illustrate the efficiency on the task of video face recognition, and object categorization. A Set-based Prototype and Metric Learning framework is proposed for image set classification.It can represent gallery image set using fewer but more discriminative prototypes.It is robust to the changes of feature length.It works better with fewer prototypes.It works better with k-means initialization than the random initialization.
Ethanol Stability and Milk Composition

This chapter reviews the history of the use of the ethanol stability test and surveys the milk compositional factors influencing its result. Developed originally as an indicator of fresh milk quality, it now finds use in some countries as a warning of the lack of suitability for high temperature heat treatment. Relevant factors influencing the heat stability of milk are introduced and mechanisms are proposed and compared for both instability reactions. It is concluded that a fairer option would be to develop a direct rapid heat stability method for use by field operatives.
By-Product Synergy: Productively Using Waste in Joint Production Operations

As raw material resources become more scarce and waste disposal becomes more costly, firms are increasingly focused on the effective use of raw materials, many of which are natural resources. By-product synergy is an operational model that leverages economies of scope to more effectively use natural resources, while simultaneously reducing waste. Processes are joined by feeding the waste stream of one process as input into another process. The operational, economic, and environmental implications of this joint production method are explored in this chapter.
New Medical Applications of Solid-State Lasers

Lasers are currently being used in numerous medical applications. While the early applications of lasers to medicine generally involved thermal vaporization of tissue, many more complex laser-tissue interactions are used today.
A Survey of Perceptions and Acceptance of Wearable Technology for Health Monitoring in a Urological Patient Population

AbstractIntroduction: Through real-time monitoring of biophysical parameters, physical activity monitors may represent a medium by which urologists can actively engage patients and improve treatment outcomes. We examined patient reported acceptance of physical activity monitor technology in an ambulatory urology setting.Methods: Patients treated at a single urology department during a 6-month period were identified. A web based survey was conducted evaluating patient characteristics and acceptance of physical activity monitors.Results: A total of 1,043 (19%) patients completed the survey, of whom 210 (20%) reported using physical activity monitors for health and wellness. Overall 854 (82%) respondents were willing to use these devices for urological care. Compared to patients who disagreed, those willing to use physical activity monitors for medical care reported greater perceived medical benefit (86% vs 14%), improved communication (85% vs 26%), confidentiality (89% vs 45%), less interference with daily ...
Mosaicism: Implications for Genetic Counseling and Medical Management.

Mosaicism describes the presence of two or more populations of cells with different genotypes in one individual that have developed from a single fertilized egg. This article reviews the various clinical presentations of mosaicism associated with hereditary cancer syndromes and the challenges in providing patients and their families with appropriate genetic testing, as well as provides recommendations for cancer presentation and early detection. Management of mosaicism is based on personal and family history, along with genetic testing results. .
Finite Frame Theory

Given a signal, whether it is a discrete vector or a continuous function, one desires to write it in terms of simpler components. Typically, these components or “building blocks” form what is called a basis. A basis is an optimal set, containing the minimal number of elements needed to uniquely represent any signal in a given space. A frame can be thought of as a redundant basis, having more elements than needed. In fact, in any finite dimensional vector space every finite spanning set is a frame. The redundancy of a frame leads to a non-unique representation, however, this makes signal representation resilient to noise and robust to transmission losses. Frames are now standard tools in signal processing and are of great interest to mathematicians and engineers alike. This chapter presents a brief introduction to frames in finite dimensional spaces, and in particular discusses a highly desirable class of frames called equiangular tight frames. Possible research ideas suitable for an undergraduate curriculum are also discussed.
Abstract 20418: Racial Differences in Outcomes With Dabigatran and Rivaroxaban versus Warfarin in Medicare Population With Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Dabigatran and rivaroxaban were approved for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) based on clinical trials which included very few black patients. Hypothesis: To assess if da...
Representing the Japanese Workplace: Linguistic Strategies for Getting the Work Done

Company employees receive explicit training in verbal politeness. But models for how to speak in the workplace also circulate outside the explicit pedagogical sphere: popular media disseminate implicit messages to mass audiences about what language styles work in the workplace. This chapter examines mediatized messages about workplace speech circulating through televisual texts from the dual perspectives of norms about “appropriate” status asymmetric communication and gendered language. Data are drawn from two recent business dramas featuring both female and male characters. The focus is on directives as they operate within the more general framework of gendered speaking norms and serves to illustrate that a gendered distribution of access to directive forms aligns with and thus reinforces a more general matrix of gendered possibilities at work.
Neurophysiological Study of the Structure-Activity Relations of Insecticides

Structure-activity relationships of insecticides have been a subject of investigations for many years since the development of synthetic insecticides such as DDT and organophosphates. In most cases, these studies were based on the comparison of insect killing potencies of a variety of analogs and derivatives of a parent compound. However, since the action of an insecticide in killing insects is exerted as a result of a chain of reactions, it is difficult to relate such killing potencies to the chemical structures of the insecticide. The process of toxic action of an insecticide is summarized as follows.
Chemistry and Genotoxicity of Runoffs from Model Coal Piles

The use of coal for fuel in place of oil and natural gas has been increasing. Typically, coal is stored outdoors in large piles. Rainfall on the coal creates runoffs which may contain materials hazardous to the environment.
Logic Programming and Meta-Logic

The theory of cut-free sequent proofs has been used to motivate and justify the design of a number of logic programming languages. Two such languages, lambda Prolog and its linear logic refinement, Lolli, provide for various forms of abstraction (modules, abstract data types, and higher-order programming) but lack primitives for concurrency. The logic programming language LO (Linear Objects) provides some primitives for concurrency but lacks abstraction mechanisms. A logic programming presentation of all of higher-order linear logic, named Forum, modularly extends these other languages and also allows for abstractions and concurrency in specifications. To illustrate the expressive strengths of Forum, we specify in it a sequent calculus proof system and the operational semantics of a programming language that incorporates side-effects.
Calcium is a prominent constituent of the Gamma Particle in the zoospore of Blastocladiella emersonii as revealed by X-ray microanalysis

Abstract Energy selective X-ray elemental microanalysis was used to demonstrate the presence of Ca, K and P (relative amounts about 1 : 1 : 4, respectively) in the virus-like Gamma Particles found in the zoospores of the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii . Some Gamma Particles, however, lack detectable amounts of K. The possible significance of these observations for understanding the triggering of encystment and the initiation of wall synthesis is underscored.
Confocal Raman Microscopy for Label-Free Detection of Protein-Ligand Binding at Nanopore-Supported Phospholipid Bilayers.

Interactions of lectins, proteins that selectively bind carbohydrates, play an important role in many biological processes including cell adhesion, immune response, and cell signaling. Given the range of lectin functions and their potential for application in disease detection, there is a need for methods to investigate lectin–carbohydrate interactions that are rapid, structurally specific, and sensitive to binding from low-concentration samples. In this work, we describe the preparation and application of supported phospholipid bilayers deposited in wide-pore chromatographic silica particles for confocal Raman-microscopy-based detection of specific binding of concanavalin-A to mannose-functionalized phospholipids. The high surface area of porous-silica supports provides an ample concentration of phospholipid and protein for rapid, label-free detection of lectin binding to be carried out in an individual lipid-bilayer-functionalized particle. The Raman spectrum provides structural information on the bound...
Comparison of information structures in stochastic games with imperfect public monitoring

This paper studies the impact of an improvement of information structure upon the perfect public equilibrium payoff set in discounted stochastic games with imperfect public monitoring. We first suggest three partial orders on information structures in stochastic games. Although each of them reduces to the notion of garbling in repeated games (Kandori in Rev Econ Stud 59:581–593, 1992), we find that an improvement of information in terms of our two garbling notions does not imply an expansion of the equilibrium payoff set for some games. We also show that more informativeness in terms of our third notion of garbling is sufficient for the expansion, thereby extending the well-known monotonicity result in Kandori (1992) to stochastic games.
First Ray Function, Metatarsalgia, and Hammertoes: How Are They Connected?

First ray insufficiency has been closely linked to metatarsalgia and less commonly discussed as a cause of digital deformities. Metatarsalgia is often thought to be the result of elongated metatarsals. Increased pressure under an elongated metatarsal has been speculated to cause attrition and eventual rupture of the plantar plate of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), leading to hammertoe or crossover toe deformity. While the interconnection between first ray insufficiency, metatarsalgia, and digital deformity has been well accepted, scrutiny of the literature shows conflicting evidence of support. Hypermobility of the first ray using standard clinical measures has not been demonstrated in any condition other than hallux valgus. Hypermobility of the first ray has been recognized to be a result, rather than a cause, of hallux valgus deformity. Therefore, metatarsalgia can be a common complaint in hallux valgus patients. In the absence of hallux valgus, a plantarflexed metatarsal is a logical cause of metatarsalgia. Digital deformities can cause plantarflexed metatarsals. Instability of the first ray and metatarsalgia can result from rearfoot and midfoot dysfunction. Pronation of the rearfoot and unlocking of the calcaneal-cuboid joint will compromise the dynamic stabilization of the first ray contributed by the peroneus longus muscle as well as the plantar aponeurosis. Instability of the first ray in this circumstance will transmit center of pressure laterally during terminal stance, shifting from a high-gear to a low-gear toe off. Engaging a less-efficient windlass mechanism through the lesser MTPJs compromises overall stability of the medial longitudinal arch. Low-gear push-off also can cause overload of the lesser MTPs, increasing plantar pressure, increasing the risk of metatarsalgia, and development of digital deformity.
Locoregional Therapy of Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma versus Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

PURPOSE To compare outcomes of unresectable hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after locoregional therapy (LRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients with histologically confirmed HCC-CC or HCC treated with LRT between 2007 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Ten patients (8 men; median age, 60 y) with 12 HCC-CCs (mean diameter, 4.2 cm ± 1.9; mean number, 3.7 ± 3.3) treated with chemoembolization (n = 6), yttrium-90 radioembolization (n = 2), RF ablation (n = 1), or chemoembolization/RF ablation (n = 1) were compared with 124 patients (92 men; median age, 59 y) with 134 HCCs (mean diameter, 4.8 cm ± 4.0; mean number, 2.6 ± 2.2) treated with chemoembolization (n = 51), yttrium-90 radioembolization (n = 17), RF ablation (n = 41), or chemoembolization/RF ablation (n = 15). Propensity score-matched analysis with conditional logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, LRT modality, tumor-specific features, and Child-Pugh class. Tumor-volume doubling time (TVDT) before LRT and objective response rates were compared by Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact test; progression-free survival (PFS) and transplant-free survival (TFS) were compared by Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS On univariate analysis, HCC-CC was associated with lower median TVDT (2.4 months vs 5.2 months, P = .03), objective response (30% vs 71%, P = .01), and median PFS (2.4 months vs 7.4 months, HR 4.3, 95% CI 2.2-8.4, P < .0001). Propensity score-matched analysis demonstrated greater distant progression (60% vs 30%, P = .003) and significantly shorter median PFS (2.4 months vs 6.0 months, HR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3-8.9, P = .017) for HCC-CC. No significant difference was observed in TFS (7.5 months vs 13.8 months, HR 1.5, 95% CI 0.4-6.1). CONCLUSIONS HCC-CC was associated with reduced PFS and greater distant progression after LRT compared with HCC, indicating a need for adjunctive treatment strategies to improve outcomes.
Pilot randomized trial of short-term changes in inflammation and lipid levels during and after aspirin and pravastatin therapy

Inflammation and elevated blood lipids are associated with infertility. Aspirin and statin therapy may improve infertility treatment outcomes among overweight and obese women with systemic inflammation, but little is known about the short-term effects of statins in this population. We conducted a pilot study of aspirin, pravastatin, or combined treatment among a group of overweight and obese, reproductive-aged women. Our goal was to characterize short-term changes in inflammatory and lipid biomarkers during and after treatment. In this open-label trial, women aged 18–40 years with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 were randomized to receive either 162 mg aspirin, 40 mg pravastatin, or both. The study medication was taken daily for 2 weeks, and participants were then followed for a two-week washout period. Participants provided blood samples at baseline, after the intervention period, and after the washout period. The outcomes were changes in biomarkers of inflammation and lipids measured in blood components at each timepoint. Nine, 8, and 8 women were randomized to the aspirin, pravastatin, and combined arms, respectively. Analyses were conducted among 8, 7, and 7 women in the aspirin, pravastatin, and combined arms for whom biomarker data was available at baseline. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were lower after treatment in all arms and continued to decrease after washout in the pravastatin and combined arms. Results were consistent between the whole sample and women with baseline hsCRP between 2 and 10 mg/L. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was lower after treatment in the pravastatin and combined arms and rose slightly after washout. Our results provide preliminary evidence that short-term aspirin and pravastatin therapy reduces hsCRP and LDL cholesterol among overweight and obese women of reproductive age, including those with low-grade inflammation. Because of these short-term effects, these drugs may improve infertility treatment outcomes in this population, which we will assess in a future randomized trial.