cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanoimaging for protein misfolding diseases.

Misfolding and aggregation of proteins are widespread phenomena leading to the development of numerous neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases. Each of these diseases is linked to structural misfolding and aggregation of a particular protein. The aggregated forms of the protein induce the development of a particular disease at all levels, leading to neuronal dysfunction and loss. Because protein refolding is frequently accompanied by transient association of partially folded intermediates, the propensity to aggregate is considered a general characteristic of the majority of proteins. X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy have provided important information on the structure of aggregates. However, fundamental questions, such as why the misfolded conformation of the protein is formed, and why this state is important for self-assembly, remain unanswered. Although it is well known that the same protein under pathological conditions can lead to the formation of aggregates with diverse biological consequences, the conditions leading to misfolding and the formation of the disease prone complexes are unclear, complicating any development of efficient prevention of the diseases. Misfolded states exist transiently, so answering these questions requires the use of novel approaches and methods. Progress has been made during the past few years, when recently developed ensemble methods and single-molecule biophysics techniques were applied to the problem of the protein misfolding. In this review, the impacts of these studies on the understanding of the mechanisms of the protein self-assembly into aggregates and on the development of treatments of the diseases are discussed. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2010 2 526–543 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website
Concentrated Cramer-Rao bound expressions

We present a method to simplify the analytical computation of the Cramer-Rao bound. The method circumvents bound calculations for so-called nuisance parameters. Under mild regularity conditions the technique, which replaces expectations with almost sure limits, can significantly lower the analytical complexity as compared to traditional methods. The dimension of a matrix that requires computation and inversion is reduced to the length of the parameter vector of interest. We give applications to random variables having densities in the exponential family. For normal distributions the resulting expressions take on particularly simple closed forms. >
Violence and exploitation of children in Tajikistan

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union Tajikistan has faced the immense challenge of building a democratic republic and transitioning from a state-controlled to a free market economy. This transition has been complicated by consequences of civil war that had significant financial and social costs including a sharp drop in government expenditures on health social welfare and educational services. The reduction in expenditures resulted in the closure of many health social welfare and educational services and programmes that were previously financed and supported by the government as well as deterioration of social infrastructures such as roads transportation hospitals schools and public welfare institutions. In Tajikistan the impact of civil war and economic and social restructuring has been immense including: an unemployment rate of over 30 per cent; low wages that do not even cover basic household necessities (the average monthly salary is less than US$7 per month); extremely high levels of inflation that have severely diminished or eliminated the savings of most families causing those at the lowest income levels to sink more deeply into debt; price instability that has created great economic pressures; and the migration of many men to Russia and other countries in search of work. As a result many individuals and families now suffer from a pervasive sense of financial insecurity economic pressure and poverty. (excerpt)
High intrinsic mobility and ultrafast carrier dynamics in multilayer metal-dichalcogenide MoS 2

The ultimate limitations on carrier mobilities in metal dichalcogenides, and the dynamics associated with carrier relaxation, are unclear. We present measurements of the frequency-dependent conductivity of multilayer dichalcogenide ${\mathrm{MoS}}_{2}$ by optical-pump terahertz-probe spectroscopy. We find mobilities in this material approaching 4200 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ ${\mathrm{V}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at low temperatures. The temperature dependence of scattering indicates that the mobility, an order of magnitude larger than previously reported for ${\mathrm{MoS}}_{2}$, is intrinsically limited by acoustic phonon scattering at THz frequencies. Our measurements of carrier relaxation reveal picosecond cooling times followed by recombination lasting tens of nanoseconds and dominated by Auger scattering into defects. Our results provide a useful context in which to understand and evaluate the performance of ${\mathrm{MoS}}_{2}$-based electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Secure Optical Burst Switching: Framework and Research Directions

Optical burst switching has been positioned as a viable means of implementing optical communication efficiently. This article identifies potential threats to security in OBS networks. To alleviate the security threats in OBS networks, a secure Optical Burst Switching (S-OBS) framework is proposed. The S-OBS framework provides two levels of security measures: authentication of burst headers and confidentiality of data bursts. Candidate solutions in each category are examined, and research directions are presented.
On algebraic traceback in dynamic networks

This paper presents the concept of incremental traceback for determining changes in the trace of a network as it evolves with time. A distributed algorithm, based on the methodology of algebraic traceback developed by Dean et al., is proposed that can determine a path of d nodes using O(d) marked packets, and subsequently determine the changes in it using O(log d) marked packets. The algorithm is established to be order-wise optimal, i.e. no other distributed algorithm can determine changes in the path topology using lesser order of bits (or marked packets). The algorithm is shown to have a computational complexity of O(d log d), which is significantly less than that of any existing non-incremental algorithm for algebraic traceback. The extension of the traceback mechanism to systems deploying network coding is also considered.
Photographers Note Digital's Advantages, Disadvantages:

Digital imaging has been found to increase photographer's flexibility and time management, ensure usable images and increase involvement in photo editing decisions. However, digital imaging has als...
Chemoreception in Lizards

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews laboratory results and procedure of the chemoreception in lizard. In the last two decades, chemical communication in lizards and in other vertebrates has become an active area of research. Many species of lizards extrude their tongues while moving through their home ranges. In some cases, the tongue is simply flicked into the air, whereas in other cases, the tongue is touched to some object in the environment. The tongue is thought to deliver molecules to the paired vomeronasal (Jacobson's) organs in the roofs of the lizards' mouths. However, there is some evidence that taste, in some species, may be the chemosensory mode involved during substrate licking. in lizards. However, there have been only a few quantitative studies on chemoreception in lizards, and only a few species have been examined more thoroughly. These studies convincingly show that tongue extrusion is used to obtain several types of information.
The EPR Paradox, Actions at a Distance and the Theory of Relativity

The Einstein Podolsky Rosen paradox is examined with the intent of determining whether it is a peculiarity of quantum mechanics or it is an inadequate comprehension of the experimental results. The example of the singlet state for separate fermions is used to specify the points of contradiction with quantum mechanics, particularly the localization of wave packets and the uncertainty principle. The contradiction between such state and the theory of relativity is discussed, in order to neutralize the assertion that no violation exists because the EPR experiments are not “useful” for human telegraphy. The key point is that, assuming the singlet state, the choice at the first detector would be a truly random one. The question whether the Schroedinger equation mandates the EPR state is debated with somewhat new points of view. An analysis of the beautiful new method of Alley and Shih is made and it shows that it does not provide a new proof for the existence of the EPR state. We urge more experimental work on this fascinating subject.
DSM Criteria that Best Differentiate Intellectual Disability from Autism Spectrum Disorder

Clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) overlap, creating potential for diagnostic confusion. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM) criteria that best differentiate children with ID and some ASD features from those with comorbid ID and ASD were identified. Records-based surveillance of ASD among 8-year-old children across 14 US populations ascertained 2816 children with ID, with or without ASD. Area under the curve (AUC) was conducted to determine discriminatory power of DSM criteria. AUC analyses indicated that restricted interests or repetitive behaviors best differentiated between the two groups. A subset of 6 criteria focused on social interactions and stereotyped behaviors was most effective at differentiating the two groups (AUC of 0.923), while communication-related criteria were least discriminatory. Matching children with appropriate treatments requires differentiation between ID and ASD. Shifting to DSM-5 may improve differentiation with decreased emphasis on language-related behaviors.
Succinate Dehydrogenase B (SDHB) Immunohistochemistry for the Evaluation of Muscle Biopsies

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) is a key mitochondrial enzyme complex composed of 4 subunits. SDH histochemistry is routinely utilized in the assessment of muscle biopsies to reveal underlying pathology such as subsarcolemmal mitochondrial aggregates. In this study, we evaluated the utility of succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB) immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 27 muscle biopsies, including 13 mitochondrial myopathies (MMs), 9 inflammatory myopathies, and 5 controls. SDHB IHC was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections with a mouse monoclonal antibody (Abcam 21A11AE7) in parallel with histochemical SDH stains on a fresh-frozen tissue. In all muscle biopsies, SDHB IHC exhibited granular immunoreactivity and highlighted the dark type 1 and lighter type 2 staining pattern observed by histochemistry. In all cases of MM, SDHB IHC showed subsarcolemmal granular aggregates involving the entire periphery of the fibers that were more distinct than those seen by SDH histochemistry. In 3 extraocular muscle biopsies, SDHB immunoreactive speckles of various sizes were distributed throughout the entire sarcoplasm that were more prominent than those seen on SDH histochemistry. Subsarcolemmal and cytoplasmic granular aggregates seen on SDHB IHC correlated with mitochondrial pathology on electron microscopy. In cases of inflammatory myopathy, there was diffuse sarcoplasmic SDHB immunoreactivity in degenerating fibers, but no evidence of subsarcolemmal aggregates. This study demonstrates that SDHB IHC is highly sensitive and specific in the identification of MM. The automation, reproducibility, and cost efficiency of SDHB IHC offer advantages over the labor-intensive histochemical method requiring frozen sections. As this technique is performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, it can be easily applied for retrospective studies.
A Novel Thermal-activated Shape Memory Penile Prosthesis: Comparative Mechanical Testing

Objective To compare a novel nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) shape memory alloy (SMA) penile prosthesis of our own design with commercially available prostheses using a format similar to mechanical testing done at major penile prosthesis manufacturers. We evaluated the mechanical parameters of commercially available penile prostheses and used this information to guide the development of the Ni-Ti-based physiological penile prosthesis that expands and becomes erect with a small amount of heat applied. Methods A penile prosthesis consisting of an exoskeleton of temperature-tuned Nitinol was designed and prototyped. Mechanical testing was performed in a model of penile buckling, penile lateral deviation, and original penile shape recovery commonly used by penile prosthesis manufacturers for testing. Results Our SMA penile prosthesis demonstrated useful mechanical characteristics, including rigidity to buckling when activated similar to an inflatable penile prosthesis (2.62 kgf SMA vs 1.42 kgf inflatable penile prosthesis vs 6.45 kgf for a malleable prosthesis). The Ni-Ti also became more pliable when deactivated within acceptable mechanical ranges of existing devices. It could be repeatedly cycled and generate a restorative force to become erect. Conclusion An SMA-based penile prosthesis represents a promising new technology in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. We demonstrated that an Ni-Ti-based prosthesis can produce the mechanical forces necessary for producing a simulated erection without the need for a pump or reservoir, comparable with existing prostheses.
Converter design for solar powered outdoor mobile robot

This project presents a hybrid system implementing the use of solar panels and batteries to power a robot. The main aim is to integrate a charging system which allows the batteries to be charged from solar panels, wall outlet, and a deployable solar charging station. The proposed system is divided in three sections: design of solar panels, design of a battery charger and design of a DC-DC converter with fuzzy MPPT tracking system. This paper will cover only up to the design of the DC-DC converter, as further work is still pending design/results. For the design of the solar panels, different cell configurations were considered. Once the solar panels were designed and fitted to the robot, we determined the battery requirements to meet the robot power load and payload. Lithium Polymer batteries were chosen as the power source for the robot since they have a competitive power density to weight ratio. In order to extend the battery life, and simplify the load, we decided to take two battery banks. One battery is charging while the other battery is discharging. This allowed us to precisely control the battery charging profile without load variations interfering with our measurements. We used a fuzzy maximum power point tracking controller with a primary focus on regulating the power input for a lipo. Different topologies of DC-DC converters were considered and based on our literature research, it was concluded that a Buck-Boost converter is the most appropriate option when working with solar cells. The following paper discusses all the design specifications, component decisions and construction of the solar powered robot. Various technologies, not used in the robot, are included here as a literature review of the current state of the art. The goal of this paper is to summarize the tested methods and results to expedite future researchers in the correct direction.
The Twist Structure of Open-End Yarns

A single measurement of twist is insufficient to typify open-end yarns because the twist (tpi) of the fibers comprising the yarn core is different from those comprising the outer sheath, and both are usually lower than the machine value. The differences may be expressed in terms of a twist gradient which is a function of machine design, operating conditions, and fiber characteristics. In these experiments the differences were particularly marked with high polyester blends.
Properties and Processing of Crude Oil From Tight Formations

Light tight oils are in general high API gravity feedstocks and lesser amounts of contaminants than many conventional crude oils. However, there is a series of challenges that need to be solved to ensure uninterrupted transportation and refining of these tight oils. Unlike most conventional crude oils, tight oils are light, sweet crude oils, with a high paraffin content, high volatility, and low acidity. They also have minimal asphaltene and resin constituents as well as varying contents of filterable solids, hydrogen sulfide, and mercaptans. In addition, the streams from a tight oil production region can have significant variability, with colors ranging from pale amber to black.
SEROTONIN SYNDROME: A Clinical Update

Serotonin syndrome is characterized by varied degrees of cognitive, autonomic, and neuromuscular dysfunction and can only be produced by drug therapy that increases central nervous system serotonin neurotransmission. Information gained from a retrospective review of 127 cases of serotonin syndrome is presented. It is not uncommon for severe cases of serotonin syndrome to be confused with neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Treatment is mainly supportive, but specific pharmacologic therapy with serotonin antagonists may be potentially beneficial.
Diurnal Cycle Variability of Surface Temperature Inferred From AIRS Data

The Diurnal Cycle of the Earth surface temperature is investigated using the daily range of the satellite skin temperature data (DTR) provided by measurements of Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) in 2002-2015. The AIRS is on the Aqua satellite, which is in a polar orbit with two crossing times per day at every location on the Earth. Its measurements from the ascending (day) and descending (night) orbits can serve as a proxy for the diurnal cycle. The spatial pattern of the DTR of the skin temperature and its time variability for 14 years of the AIRS operation allows to evaluate the diurnal cycle change on the decadal time scale. Using the Empirical Mode Decomposition of the data time series it is found that the DTR of the surface (skin) temperature over the global Earth has a temporal small positive trend in the decade of the AIRS measurements indicating that the day temperatures grew slightly more rapidly than the night temperatures. A possible cause of the observed DTR increase is a decrease of the low cloud fraction at nighttime found for the same time period from the AIRS retrievals.
Pomerelle Russet: an Early Maturing Potato Variety with High Yields of U.S. No. 1 Tubers Suitable for Fresh Market and mid-Storage Processing and Tolerance to Potato Mop-top Virus

Pomerelle Russet is an early maturing fresh potato variety, which produces moderately high early-season (95–110 days after planting) yields of long tubers with brown-russet skin. It is notable for its very attractive, smooth tubers and resistances to internal and external defects with a high percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers. Fresh merit ratings for Pomerelle Russet in trials conducted in Idaho, Oregon and Washington were consistently higher than Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah. Early harvest yields for Pomerelle Russet are generally comparable to Russet Norkotah with a higher percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers. Compared to Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, Pomerelle Russet has greater resistance to Potato mop-top virus, soft rot, corky ringspot and tuber infections from late blight. It also has higher protein and vitamin C concentrations than Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, indicating that it can provide an enhanced level of dietary protein and vitamin C relative to these standard potato varieties. Pomerelle Russet has moderate specific gravity and good resistance to sugar ends. It also has moderately long dormancy, about 30 days shorter than Russet Burbank. Average post-harvest processing ratings for Pomerelle Russet were similar to Ranger Russet and greater than Russet Burbank. Pomerelle Russet also has maintained acceptable fry color for about 180–200 days in storage at 8.9 °C, indicating potential for processing out of mid-term storage, with improved fry color uniformity relative to industry standards. However, its primary use appears to be as a high quality, early fresh variety.
“A Stalker's Paradise”: How Intimate Partner Abusers Exploit Technology

This paper describes a qualitative study with 89 participants that details how abusers in intimate partner violence (IPV) contexts exploit technologies to intimidate, threaten, monitor, impersonate, harass, or otherwise harm their victims. We show that, at their core, many of the attacks in IPV contexts are technologically unsophisticated from the perspective of a security practitioner or researcher. For example, they are often carried out by a UI-bound adversary - an adversarial but authenticated user that interacts with a victim»s device or account via standard user interfaces - or by downloading and installing a ready-made application that enables spying on a victim. Nevertheless, we show how the sociotechnical and relational factors that characterize IPV make such attacks both extremely damaging to victims and challenging to counteract, in part because they undermine the predominant threat models under which systems have been designed. We discuss the nature of these new IPV threat models and outline opportunities for HCI research and design to mitigate these attacks.
Verification of Heavy Gas Models on the Basis of Large Scale Experiments

The main objective of the project has been the verification of a number of heavy gas dispersion models on the results of the Thorney Island large scale release tests. From the large variety of models published in the literature only such models have been selected which are frequently used and differ significantly in their basic assumptions.
Modeling Problem Transformations based on Data Complexity

This paper presents a methodology to transform a problem to make it suitable for classification methods, while reducing its complexity so that the classification models extracted are more accurate. The problem is represented by a dataset, where each instance consists of a variable number of descriptors and a class label. We study dataset transformations in order to describe each instance by a single descriptor with its corresponding features and a class label. To analyze the suitability of each transformation, we rely on measures that approximate the geometrical complexity of the dataset. We search for the best transformation minimizing the geometrical complexity. By using complexity measures, we are able to estimate the intrinsic complexity of the dataset without being tied to any particular classifier.
The importance of ecoregion versus drainage area on fish distributions in the St. Croix River and its Wisconsin tributaries

Aquatic ecoregions, based on regional landscape features, have been proposed as a model for aquatic resource management. The model assumes the existence of a typical biota associated with a given ecoregion and serves as the basis for biological assessment, reference site designation, and determination of stream potential, based on this biotic assemblage. Contrasting models for predicting stream ecosystem structure focus on the importance of local site conditions, including the regular and predictable changes that occur as a function of area draining to a site. In this study, a classification of 429 stream sites over an area of approximately 20 000 km2 in the St. Croix River basin delineated three major species groups: redhorse/spotfin shiner; brook charr/sculpin; and mixed species. Numerical analyses revealed no relationship between the species communities and ecoregions. In contrast, there was a strong association between the species communities and the area draining to the site. Our study highlights the importance of accommodating the inherent structure associated with site drainage area when imposing a regionally-based ecological classification upon stream ecosystems. This structure is expressed in the systematic changes to the physical habitat that occur with increasing drainage area and are reflected by the species community at the site. Management models that currently incorporate ecoregions in the classification or prediction of stream ecosystem structure would benefit from the inclusion of specific components that incorporate drainage area measurements.
Do emotions play an essential role in moral judgments

The past few decades of moral psychology research have yielded empirical anomalies for rationalist theories of moral judgments. An increasing number of psychologists and philosophers argue that the...
Common artefacts encountered on images acquired with combined compressed sensing and SENSE

Various techniques have been proposed which aim at scan time reduction and/or at improved image quality by increasing the spatial resolution. Compressed sensing (CS) takes advantage of the fact that MR images are usually sparse in some transform domains and recovers this sparse representation from undersampled data. CS may be combined with parallel imaging such as sensitivity encoding (SENSE), hereafter referred to as Compressed SENSE, to further accelerate image acquisition since both techniques rely on different ancillary information. In practice, Compressed SENSE may reduce scan times of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) scans by up to 50% depending on the sequence acquired and it works on 1.5-T or 3-T scanners. Compressed SENSE may be applied to 2D and 3D sequences in various anatomies and image contrasts. Image artefacts (i.e. motion, metal and flow artefacts, susceptibility artefacts) frequently appear on magnetic resonance images. The Compressed SENSE technique may cause special artefacts, which might influence image assessment if they go undetected by imaging readers. Our institution has been using Compressed SENSE for over half a year, both in a neuroradiological setting and for musculoskeletal examinations. So far, three special image artefacts—called the wax-layer artefact, the streaky-linear artefact and the starry-sky artefact—have been encountered and we aim to review these main artefacts appearing in sequences acquired with Compressed SENSE. • Compressed SENSE combines compressed sensing and SENSE technique. • Compressed SENSE permits scan time reduction and increases spatial image resolution. • Images acquired with Compressed SENSE may present with special artefacts. • Knowledge of artefacts is necessary for reliable image assessment.
Opportunities for use of radiation therapy in penile cancer based on patterns of care in the United States from 2007 to 2013

Background:Radiation therapy (RT) is an effective modality for the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the penis. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends consideration of primary ...
Direct Aspiration versus Stent Retriever Thrombectomy for Acute Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in 9127 Patients.

Abstract Background: The two most common approaches to thrombectomy of emergent large vessel occlusion (direct aspiration and primary stent retriever thrombectomy) have been extensively studied; however, the detailed benefit and risk comparison is largely unknown. Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare radiographic and clinical outcomes between the use of primary stent retrievers and direct aspiration in management of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: PubMed database was searched for studies between September 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017 with acute ischemic stroke patients. Results: We identified 64 studies with 6875 patients in the primary stent retriever group and 25 studies with 2252 patients in the aspiration group. Primary aspiration alone, without the need of rescue stent retriever devices within the aspiration cohort, was performed in 65% of 2252 patients. There was no difference in the distribution of emergent large vessel occlusion based on occlusion site, age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, or the use of intravenous tPA (P = .19, .051, .23, and .093, respectively). Successful recanalization rates, defined as thrombolysis in cerebral Infarction 2b/3, were significantly higher in the aspiration group than the primary stent retriever group (89% versus 80%, P
Sexual Dialetics and Strategy in Berber Marriage

Two distinctive approaches have been utilized to investigate marriage and the family among the Berbers of North Africa. One has found its focus in the formal organization of political entities; the...
Relating nitrogen concentration and light intensity to the growth and lipid accumulation of Dunaliella viridis in a photobioreactor

The marine microalgal species Dunaliella viridis is a promising source of biofuels because of its ability to accumulate neutral lipids without freshwater resources for growth. Less energy for biofuel production from D. viridis may also be required because of the possible extraction of lipids through osmotic lysis. However, there is a lack of experimental data on the growth of D. viridis that can be used in mathematical models for process design. In this study, experiments were performed in a 3.2 L photobioreactor with both pH and temperature tightly controlled at 7.6 and 25 °C, respectively. Levels of neutral lipids, biomass, carbohydrate, chlorophyll, and cell counts of D. viridis were evaluated for ten days at various initial light intensities (100, 300, 400, and 600 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and nitrogen levels (9 and 60 g m−3 as nitrogen). The maximum lipid production observed was 26.9 g m−3 with 3.15 g m−3 day−1 average lipid productivity at an initial nitrogen concentration of 9 g m−3 and initial light intensity of 300 μmol photons m−2 s−1. The data show that D. viridis accumulates cellular carbohydrates as a primary carbon and energy storage product and then converts the cellular carbohydrates into cellular lipids as a secondary storage product when nitrogen is depleted. The on-line light data revealed linear relationships between real-time light intensity and biomass concentration (r = 0.96, p < 0.01) and between real-time light intensity and chlorophyll a concentration (r = − 0.89, p < 0.01), suggesting the possible use of real-time light data as a method for in situ quantification of biomass concentration and chlorophyll a concentration.
From Preconception Care to the First Day of School: Transforming the Health of New Families With Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle medicine holds great promise to transform health during the period from preconception to early childhood. Genetic, epigenetic, nutritional, and environmental factors have lifetime impact on the newborn and family. Little is known about the full potential of lifestyle medicine to improve maternal, child, and family health. Additionally, health care providers face limits in time and may have gaps in knowledge, that preclude discussion of the impact lifestyle medicine can the mother, newborn, and family. Greater understanding of the potential impact of lifestyle medicine provides opportunities to identify current deficiencies in care and areas for improvement and highlights the need for further research. This article reviews current evidence supporting the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, avoiding risky substance use, stress management and social connectedness as applied to maternal child care from preconception to early childhood, examines the current state of practice, and identifies opportunities for both practice change and further research. Rather than view each component of care in isolation, viewing care as a continuum from preconception to childhood can best establish healthy habits and optimize outcomes for the entire family.
Firefighter Overexertion: A Continuing Problem Found in an Analysis of Non-Fatal Injury Among Career Firefighters.

Traditionally, safety-related research on firefighting has focused on fires and fireground smoke as the primary source of non-fatal firefighter injury. However, recent research has found that overexertion and musculoskeletal disorders may be the primary source of firefighter injury. This study aimed to provide an update on injury occurrence among career firefighters. Injury data were collected over a two-year period from two large metropolitan fire departments in the U.S. Injury data were categorized based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System. Cross-tabulations and Chi-square tests were used to determine the primary causes of injury, as well as the injury region. Between the two fire departments, there were 914 firefighters included in the analysis. The median age was 40.7 years old with those aged 40–49 as the largest age group for injury cases (38.3%). The most frequently reported cause of injury was ‘overexertion and bodily reaction’ (n = 494; 54.1%). The most reported injury region was in ‘multiple body parts’ (n = 331; 36.3%). To prevent subsequent musculoskeletal disorders that may arise due to overexertion, initiatives that promote enhanced fitness and ergonomics based on an analysis of the physical demands of firefighting are suggested.
The Next Generation US Leo Hyperspectral Infrared Sounder

Today's state-of-the-art infrared hyperspectral sounders in Low Earth Orbit have demonstrated very high performance in several basic, but very critical, performance characteristics. Because of this, and the high information content of the infrared hyperspectral radiance spectra, the data has proven valuable for a range of applications including 1) radiance data assimilation for medium range numerical weather forecasting, 2) atmospheric soundings for various meteorological applications, 3) trace gases studies, 4) reference inter-calibration, and 5) climate process studies and radiance trending. This paper will discuss the desirable characteristics of the next generation of the US infrared hyperspectral sounder, envisioned to continue the hyperspectral data record after the JPSS series ends in the late 2030s, in order to maintain very high value and return on investment, and even improve the quality of the available data over the current generation.
Fed Forecasting since the Great Recession

Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decisions rely on economic forecasts from the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) staff. This paper analyzes the forecasts of GDP growth, inflation, and unemployment by the FRB staff and the FOMC from 2009 through 2016. Forecasts for the current year are positively significant but biased predictors of actual values. For future years, forecasts of unemployment are positively significant but biased, while forecasts of GDP growth and inflation are negatively correlated to actual rates or are not statistically significant. FOMC unemployment forecasts are more accurate than the FRB staff's, but differences for inflation and GDP growth are not statistically significant.
Getting to Know You: An Expanded Approach to Capital Jury Selection

The Colorado Method of capital jury selection is a widely-embraced strategy defense attorneys use in voir dire, in which attorneys rank each juror exclusively on the likelihood that the juror will vote for life or death. The method has some problems. It is not fully public. Discussing punishment prior to guilt also predisposes juries to vote for death. It inadequately addresses innocence cases. Nor should we reduce jurors to their views or positions on the death penalty. While capital juries are already predisposed to give death sentences, scholars have determined that numerous case-specific and juror-specific factors—such as a defendant's willingness to express remorse or the juror’s views or racial experiences—significantly affect jurors’ votes. I review research findings from the Capital Jury Project and other studies, concluding that capital defense attorneys are better served by questioning and ranking jurors on a much broader set of factors. I propose that with more information in hand, defense attorneys can improve their ability to rank jurors and select a jury more inclined to impose a life sentence.
A Comparison of Image-Guided Targeted Prostate Biopsy Outcomes by PI-RADS® Score and Ethnicity in a Diverse, Multiethnic Population.

Purpose:NonHispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic/Afro-Caribbean men have the highest risk of prostate cancer (PCa) compared to nonHispanic White (NHW) men. However, ethnicity-specific outcomes of targe...
Primary cutaneous malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumor: Case of a rare tumor with review of the literature.

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are mesenchymal neoplasms with characteristic epithelioid or spindled cytomorphology that typically grow around blood vessels. These tumors are phenotypically and immunohistochemically distinct, expressing markers of both melanocytic and smooth muscle differentiation. Herein, we describe a case of histopathologically malignant cutaneous PEComa without metastatic spread, with review of the pertinent literature. Telescoping punch biopsy demonstrated an epithelioid neoplasm with marked atypia, hypercellularity, and increased mitotic activity. Immunohistochemical stains for HMB-45, NK1-C3, PGP9.5, MiTF, CD10, and CD68 were positive within tumor cells. In addition, there was diffuse expression of caldesmon and focal cytoplasmic staining for smooth muscle actin on the excision specimen. The patient underwent treatment with surgical excision with adjuvant radiation and surveillance computed tomography (CT). The patient remains free of recurrence or metastatic disease after 10 months of follow-up. To our knowledge, this is only the third reported case of a malignant cutaneous PEComa reported in the literature to date.
In this issue ... insights and understandings

An editorial is presented on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that in the United States, fully vaccinated people would longer need to wear masks indoors. The article discussed that numerous businesses reassured their customers that they had opted to continue their mask-wearing requirement;and the policies of many U.S. institutions in this pandemic, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) declared.
Computer Simulations as Scientific Instruments

Computer simulations have conventionally been understood to be either extensions of formal methods such as mathematical models or as special cases of empirical practices such as experiments. Here, I argue that computer simulations are best understood as instruments. Understanding them as such can better elucidate their actual role as well as their potential epistemic standing in relation to science and other scientific methods, practices and devices.
Invariance Properties of SolowAS Productivity Residual

In 1957, Robert Solow published a paper that provided the theoretical foundation for almost all subsequent work on productivity measurement. Although most applications of Solow's method have measured trends over fairly long time periods, the method also has important uses at higher frequencies. Under constant returns to scale and competition, the Solow residual measures the pure shift of the production function. Shifts in product demand and factor supplies should have no effect on the residual. Tests of this invariance property show that it fails in a great many industries. Though other explanations may deserve some weight, it appears that the leading cause of the failure of invariance is increasing returns and market power. The empirical findings give some support to the theory of monopolistic competition.
Greasing the Wheels: Using Pork Barrel Projects to Build Majority Coalitions in Congress

Pork barrel projects would surely rank near the top of most observers' lists of Congress's most widely despised products. Yet, political leaders in Congress and the President often trade pork for votes to pass legislation that serves broad national purposes, giving members of Congress pork barrel projects in return for their votes on general interest legislation. It is a practice that succeeds at a cost, but it is a cost that many political leaders are willing to pay in order to enact the broader public policies that they favor. There is an irony in this: pork barrel benefits, the most reviled of Congress's legislative products, are used by policy coalition leaders to produce the type of policy that is most admired - general interest legislation. This book makes the case that buying votes with pork is one way in which Congress solves its well-known collective action problem.
Enterobacter sakazakii—Personal Perspectives and Reminiscences from a 32-Year History†

The first definitive description of neonatal meningitis due to “yellow-pigmented Enterobacter cloacae” was in 1961, and it was followed 4 years later by a similar description. Biogroup 15 was the most distinct and had four distinguishing characteristics. It also was the only biogroup that fermented a-methyl-D-glucoside. At the time, it was suspected that Enterobacter sakazakii really was a new genus with at least two species. However, as there was a wait in the laboratory to do another round of DNA-DNA hybridization experiments, the original paper in 1980a had to go with the hybridization data for only five E. sakazakii strains. The paper of 1980a and the publications it cited gave several early insights on human infections and the epidemiology and ecology of hospital infections. The need for a foundation to further research of E. sakazakii came from several recent discussions and events. Input on the foundation’s mission will be solicited from the public, industry, physicians, microbiologists, other scientists, government and regulatory agencies, and from anyone else who wishes to give input.
High cell density attenuates reactive oxygen species: Implications for in vitro assays

In vitro cell-based assays are an essential and universally used step in elucidation of biological processes as well as in drug development. However, results obtained depend on the validity of protocols used. This statement certainly pertains to in vitro assays of oxidative stress. The holy grail of in vitro models is reliability and predictability of outcomes that relate to a single variable like addition of hydrogen peroxide or xanthine oxidase. Without such validated outcomes, comparison of results among different laboratories is not possible. Achieving this goal requires a thorough understanding of the complex interplay between the cells, their environment, and the experimental assays. Furthermore, as this knowledge is attained, it must be disseminated and used to update and standardize existing protocols. Here, we confirm and extend the effect of pyruvate and cell density on in vitro oxidative stress assays. Cell viability was assessed using a colorimetric assay measuring the reduction of a tetrazolium salt (XTT) into a colored formazan dye. Extracellular hydrogen peroxide concentrations were measured using the foxp3 assay. We confirmed a previously reported finding that pyruvate, a common ingredient in cell culture media, acts as an extracellular scavenger of reactive oxygen species. We also demonstrated that cell density directly correlates with resistance to oxidative stress in tissue culture. It is theorized that the protective effect due to cell density predominantly relates to intracellular factors such as reduced glutathione and extracellular factors such as catalase.
Digital citizenship: parameters of the digital divide

As part of a National Science Foundation-funded study, we analyze data from a 2002 Midwest urban random sample survey (n = 167 adults) of differential access to and uses of computer technology. Factor analysis revealed three dimensions of attitudes toward technology (desire for computer skills, information power, computer use) and two factors regarding government role (digital government, computer access equity). A well-fitted structural equation (LISREL) path model (GFI = .98; AGFI = .94; NFI = .90) showed several key results. As education declined, desire for computer skills increased. Respondents with higher levels of education were more likely to use computers at home and work. Non-whites were more likely to report technological information as key to citizen empowerment, computers should be accessible to all citizens, and increased interest in learning computer skills. Interest in developing computer skills was positively associated with digital citizenship. Viewing technology as a source of informational power was positively related to digital government and computer access equity. Three statistically significant indirect effects were found.
Characterization of a Bending Fatigue Mini-Specimen Technique (Krouse Type) for Nuclear Materials

A bending fatigue mini-specimen (Krouse type) was used to study the fatigue properties of nuclear materials for (SS304L, HT9). The objective of this paper study fatigue for HT9 ferritic-martensitic steel and SS304L using a mini-specimen (Krouse type) suitable for reactor irradiation studies. These mini-specimens are similar in design (but smaller) to that described in the ASTM B593 standard. A bending fatigue machine was modified to test the mini-specimen. This study was conducted to evaluate the high cycle bending fatigue behavior of HT9 and SS304 and compare its bending properties with simulations conducted with the Abaqus FEA code. Other properties including tensile strength and hardness were also measured. The S-N fatigue results were affected by polishing of surface and bending fatigue reported values for HT9 were lower than the typical S-N curve for SS304L.
Investigating failure behavior and origins under supposed “shear bond” loading

Abstract Purpose This study evaluated failure behavior when resin-composite cylinders bonded to dentin fractured under traditional “shear” testing. Failure was assessed by scaling of failure loads to changes in cylinder radii and fracture surface analysis. Three stress models were examined including failure by: bonded area; flat-on-cylinder contact; and, uniformly-loaded, cantilevered-beam. Methods Nine 2-mm dentin occlusal dentin discs for each radii tested were embedded in resin and bonded to resin-composite cylinders; radii (mm) = 0.79375; 1.5875; 2.38125; 3.175. Samples were “shear” tested at 1.0 mm/min. Following testing, disks were finished with silicone carbide paper (240–600 grit) to remove residual composite debris and tested again using different radii. Failure stresses were calculated for: “shear”; flat-on-cylinder contact; and, bending of a uniformly-loaded cantilevered beam. Stress equations and constants were evaluated for each model. Fracture-surface analysis was performed. Results Failure stresses calculated as flat-on-cylinder contact scaled best with its radii relationship. Stress equation constants were constant for failure from the outside surface of the loaded cylinders and not with the bonded surface area or cantilevered beam. Contact failure stresses were constant over all specimen sizes. Fractography reinforced that failures originated from loaded cylinder surface and were unrelated to the bonded surface area. Conclusions “Shear bond” testing does not appear to test the bonded interface. Load/area “stress” calculations have no physical meaning. While failure is related to contact stresses, the mechanism(s) likely involve non-linear damage accumulation, which may only indirectly be influenced by the interface.