cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Consumer Decision-Making Theory of Trademark Law

The consumer search costs theory has dominated discussion of trademark law for the last several decades. According to this theory, trademark law aims to increase consumer welfare by reducing the cost of shopping for goods or services, and it accomplishes this goal by preventing uses of a trademark that might confuse consumers about the source of the goods with which the mark is used. This conceptual frame is wrong, and it is complicit in most of trademark law’s extraordinary expansion. “Search costs” is not sufficiently precise; many types of search costs are irrelevant to consumer behavior, and even when search costs are relevant, it is not clear that consumers always want them reduced. Yet precisely because the category of search costs is so broad, and because courts’ traditional focus on consumer confusion seemed so compatible with search cost language, courts overwhelmingly have equated confusion and search costs. As a result, they have felt compelled to respond whenever a mark owner can describe the defendant’s use in confusion-based terms. But trademark law is not, and never has been, an all-purpose tool for reducing search costs or eliminating confusion. It is instead a limited intervention in the market that prevents certain kinds of deceptive acts that have certain kinds of effects. If it is to have meaningful limits, courts need to recover this sense of modesty and limit trademark law to circumstances in which the defendant’s use of a mark is likely to deceive consumers in ways that will interfere with purchasing decisions. Reframing trademark law’s purpose in this way has significant ramifications for almost every part of trademark doctrine, from a variety of theories of infringement to the likelihood of confusion analysis, defenses, and even the scope of injunctive relief. It is, to put it simply, a better view of trademark law, and one that can identify reasonable limits in an area sorely lacking limits of any kind.
A Storage Efficient Way to Implement the Discrete Cosine Transform

Ahmed has shown that a discrete cosine transform can be implemented by doing one double length fast Fourier transform (FFT). In this correspondence, we show that the amount of work can be cut to doing two single length FFT's.
Lowering the Costs of Program Evaluation: Energy Conservation Programs in the Pacific Northwest

During this period of reductions in government social programs, there is great value in developing program evaluation methods that are low cost and timely. This article explores the use of past eva...
Longitudinal assessment of the effect of concentration on stream N uptake rates in an urbanizing watershed

We examined the effect of concentration on nitrogen uptake patterns for a suburban stream in Maryland and addressed the question: How does NO3 − uptake change as a function of concentration and how do uptake patterns compare with those found for NH4 +? We applied a longitudinal (stream channel corridor) approach in a forested stream section and conducted short-term nutrient addition experiments in late summer 2004. In the downstream direction, NO3 − concentrations decreased because of residential development in headwaters and downstream dilution; NH4 + concentrations slightly increased. The uptake patterns for NO3 − were very different from NH4 +. While NH4 + had a typical negative relationship between first-order uptake rate constant (K c ) and stream size, NO3 − had a reverse pattern. We found differences for other metrics, including uptake velocity (V f ) and areal uptake rate (U). We attributed these differences to a stream size effect, a concentration effect and a biological uptake capacity effect. For NO3 − these combined effects produced a downstream increase in K c , V f and U; for NH4 + they produced a downstream decrease in K c and V f , and a not well defined pattern for U. We attributed a downstream increase in NO3 − uptake capacity to an increase in hyporheic exchange and a likely increase in carbon availability. We also found that K c and V f were indirectly related with concentration. Similar evidence of ‘nutrient saturation’ has been reported in other recent studies. Our results suggest that higher-order uptake models might be warranted when scaling NO3 − uptake across watersheds that are subject to increased nitrogen loading.
Numerical implementation of the Sinc‐Galerkin method for second‐order hyperbolic equations

A fully Galerkin method in both space and time is developed for the second-order, linear hyperbolic problem. Sinc basis functions are used and error bounds are given which show the exponential convergence rate of the method. The matrices necessary for the formulation of the discrete system are easily assembled. They require no numerical integrations (merely point evaluations) to be filled. The discrete problem is formulated in two different ways and solution techniques for each are described. Consideration of the two formulations is motivated by the computational architecture available. Each has advantages for the appropriate hardware. Numerical results reported show that if 2N + 1 basis functions are used then the exponential convergence rate , κ > 0, is attained for both analytic and singular problems.
The ELISA Standard Save: Calculation of sample concentrations in assays with a failed standard curve

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is often used to measure protein levels in plasma and other solutions. In order for the assay to be quantitative, a standard curve must be prepared for each assay. Technical blunders in preparing the standard curve can render otherwise representative sample values useless. In order to recover these data, a protocol has been developed whereby a new standard curve is generated using the DeltaOD values of the samples. This new standard is applied to the original plate in order to determine sample concentrations. To validate this method, sample concentrations obtained using an acceptable standard curve were plotted against those obtained using the new standard curve. Linear regression analysis showed a 1:1 correlation between concentrations, with r(2) values ranging from 0.98-0.99 and slopes ranging from 0.97-1.10. In this manner, data for these samples are preserved, saving the investigator the time and money involved in repeating experiments.
Experimental determination of the effect of feedforward control on trajectory tracking errors

Trajectory tracking errors resulting from the application of various controllers have been experimentally determined on the MIT Serial Link Direct Drive Arm. The controllers range from simple PD control applied independently at each joint to feedforward control incorporating full dynamics followed by a separate PD control loop. It was found that trajectory tracking errors decreased as more feedforward terms were incorporated.
A Laser-Polymerized Thin Film Silica Surface Modification for Suppression of Cell Adhesion and Electroosmotic Flow in Microchannels

A laser-polymerized thin film for silica surface modification is presented. This technique enables photopatterned surface charge modification consistent with optical tweezer techniques. This charge modification may be applied for chip-based cell techniques and multi-dimensional separation techniques that require nonuniform zeta potential on a microfluidic chip.
Complex game development: a case study in rapid software development by novice programmers

In this paper, we discuss the development of complex gaming systems by freshman college students using a rapid game development method called the GM-method. The method combines agile software engineering techniques with non traditional instructional methods and non traditional assessments of student performance. The GM-method we discuss herein provides freshmen with the cachet and magnetism of complex game development without sacrificing the development of core programming skills. The focus of the DWC classroom experience is on the development of competency, independent learning skills, massive knowledge assimilation, rapid product development and teamwork.
Temperature Differentially Facilitates Spontaneous but Not Evoked Glutamate Release from Cranial Visceral Primary Afferents

Temperature is fundamentally important to all biological functions including synaptic glutamate release. Vagal afferents from the solitary tract (ST) synapse on second order neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract, and glutamate release at this first central synapse controls autonomic reflex function. Expression of the temperature-sensitive Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1 receptor separates ST afferents into C-fibers (TRPV1+) and A-fibers (TRPV1-). Action potential-evoked glutamate release is similar between C- and A-fiber afferents, but TRPV1 expression facilitates a second form of synaptic glutamate release in C-fibers by promoting substantially more spontaneous glutamate release. The influence of temperature on different forms of glutamate release is not well understood. Here we tested how temperature impacts the generation of evoked and spontaneous release of glutamate and its relation to TRPV1 expression. In horizontal brainstem slices of rats, activation of ST primary afferents generated synchronous evoked glutamate release (ST-eEPSCs) at constant latency whose amplitude reflects the probability of evoked glutamate release. The frequency of spontaneous EPSCs in these same neurons measured the probability of spontaneous glutamate release. We measured both forms of glutamate from each neuron during ramp changes in bath temperature of 4–5°C. Spontaneous glutamate release from TRPV1+ closely tracked with these thermal changes indicating changes in the probability of spontaneous glutamate release. In the same neurons, temperature changed axon conduction registered as latency shifts but ST-eEPSC amplitudes were constant and independent of TRPV1 expression. These data indicate that TRPV1-operated glutamate release is independent of action potential-evoked glutamate release in the same neurons. Together, these support the hypothesis that evoked and spontaneous glutamate release originate from two pools of vesicles that are independently modulated and are distinct processes.
Bad Loans: A Comparative Study of U.S. and Japanese Regulations Concerning Loan Loss Reserves

In this article, the author investigates the methods of processing bad loans and disclosures practiced by Japanese banks. The author also compares the differing United States and Japanese legal regulations and business practices, concluding that the various rules and regulations concerning loan loss reserves in Japan are very much behind those of the United States.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Spectroscopic Investigation of New Iron(III) and Copper(II) Complexes of a Carboxylate Rich Ligand and Their Interaction with Carbohydrates in Aqueous Solution

New tetra-iron(III) (K4[1]·25H2O·(CH3)2CO and K3[2]·3H2O·(OH)) and di-copper(II) (Na3[3]·5H2O) complexes as carbohydrate binding models have been synthesized and fully characterized used several techniques including single crystal X-ray crystallography. Whereas K4[1]·25H2O·(CH3)2CO and Na3[3]·5H2O are completely water-soluble, K3[2]·3H2O·(OH) is less soluble in all common solvents including water. The binding of substrates, such as d-mannose, d-glucose, d-xylose, and xylitol with the water-soluble complexes in different reaction conditions were investigated. In aqueous alkaline media, complexes K4[1]·25H2O·(CH3)2CO and Na3[3]·5H2O showed coordination ability toward the applied substrates. Even in the presence of stoichiometric excess of the substrates, the complexes form only 1:1 (complex/substrate) molar ratio species in solution. Apparent binding constants, pKapp, values between the complexes and the substrates were determined and specific mode of substrate binding is proposed. The pKapp values showed t...
On Postmodern Management Theory

The author thinks that western postmodern management theory tries in different ways to explore or describe characteristics of enterprise organization and culture in western countries today. Western postmodern management has also revealed modernity of western management, the interior contradictions and negative consequences of development models of management modernization, which are worth studying and using as reference.
Fuel for Fun: a cluster-randomized controlled study of cooking skills, eating behaviors, and physical activity of 4th graders and their families

Childhood obesity remains a serious concern in the United States and in many other countries. Direct experience preparing and tasting healthful foods and increasing activity during the school day are promising prevention approaches. Engaging parents and families remains an important challenge. Fuel for Fun: Cooking with Kids Plus Parents and Play is a multi-component school- and family-based intervention for 4th graders and their families intended to promote positive food and activity environments, policies and behaviors at the individual, family and school levels. This paper describes the design and evaluation plan.
Meta‐Analysis of Medication Adherence Interventions Among Heart Failure Patients: The Lumpers Make Their Case

Those who make many species are the ‘splitters,’ and those who make few are the ‘lumpers.’—Charles Darwin Dating back to Hippocrates, patients have been nonadherent to medical therapy.[1][1] In the 2000 years since, it remains unclear how much progress has been made. Research shows that
Interaction of constitutive and phenobarbital-induced cytochrome P-450 isozymes during the sequential oxidation of benzphetamine. Explanation for the difference in benzphetamine-induced hydrogen peroxide production and 455-nm complex formation in microsomes from untreated and phenobarbital-treated rats.

The following pathway for benzphetamine (Bz) metabolism in rat hepatic microsomes was established: Bz leads to norbenzphetamine (NorBz) leads to N-hydroxynorbenzphetamine leads to N-benzylethyl-alpha-phenylnitrone leads to 2-nitroso-1-phenylpropane. The last product forms a complex with cytochrome P-450 with an absorbance maximum at 455 nm. Steps 1, 2, and 4 are cytochrome P-450-dependent; Step 3 appears to involve the flavoprotein, mixed-function amine oxidase. Step 2 is partially uncoupled, producing H2O2 at approximately 3 times the rate of N-hydroxylation. Bz is oxidized to NorBz in microsomes from both untreated rats (U-microsomes) and phenobarbital (PB)-treated rats (PB-microsomes), but the 455-nm peak does not appear in U-microsomes until almost all of the Bz has been converted to NorBz; i.e., Bz inhibits the oxidation of NorBz in U- but not in PB-microsomes. The inhibition is competitive. Bz inhibits the oxidation of the nitrone to 2-nitroso-1-phenylpropane in both U- and PB-microsomes; NorBz inhibits this reaction in U-microsomes only. These results can be explained as follows. The substrate affinities of the cytochrome P-450 primarily responsible for the N-demethylation of Bz in U- and PB-microsomes differ markedly. The constitutive cytochrome(s) in U-microsomes has a high affinity for Bz; PB induces both this form and a cytochrome(s) with a lower affinity for Bz. The substrate affinities of these two cytochromes P-450 for NorBz do not differ appreciably. Thus, although both forms of cytochrome P-450 can oxidize Bz and NorBz in PB-microsomes, Bz is primarily oxidized by the constitutive form, whereas NorBz is oxidized primarily by the induced form, thereby relieving competition and increasing the over-all sequential oxidation of Bz. The nitrone appears to be oxidized exclusively by the constitutive form in both U- and PB-microsomes. The current study shows that PB induction of monooxygenase activity need not be due entirely to an increase in the amount of cytochrome P-450 or the substrate selectivity of cytochrome P-450 isozyme(s) responsible for that activity, but that, in at least one case, the metabolism of Bz, PB-induced activity can be due, at least in part, to the induction of a cytochrome P-450 isozyme that relieves substrate inhibition.
Testing tether dynamics in space - the STRING mission

Spacecraft are becoming smaller relative to the amount of scientific information we are acquiring with them. This miniaturization, however, presents even bigger challenges to the spacecraft developers. First, none of these programs have the resources to reinvent the wheel again for their projects. Second, the requirements in communication, operations and software development are not only contained in the transition from bigger satellites to smaller, but sometimes even complicated by this miniaturization.
A 2.4-GHz wireless sensor network using single diode rectennas

A novel RF power harvesting system is proposed for a fully wireless sensor network (e.g., monitoring home, office, etc). The proposed system allows various sensor networks for heat, smoke, humidity, etc. to operate continuously without the need for replacing batteries. The power receiver consists of a patch antenna, rectification system, and a power management circuit for voltage regulation. As a result, a wireless sensor can be operated from several meters away using nothing more than a simple internet router. This design offers ubiquitous integration of wireless power technology into daily sensing applications.
Portugal a lápis de cor: a sul de uma pós-colonialidade, de Sheila Khan

Reviewed book:: KHAN, Sheila. Portugal a lapis de cor: a sul de uma pos-colonialidade. Coimbra: Almedina, 2015. 133p.
The Confidence Trap: Japan’s Past Bubble and China’s Recent Bubble

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the origin of China’s recent credit and asset boom by comparing it with the Japanese bubble economy in the late 1980s by focusing on the asymmetric pattern of financial liberalisation under high savings. It argues that (1) both cases show a ‘confidence trap’ in that policy-makers of the government shared a complacent mindset that they can achieve the optimal mix of market liberalisation and repression, while believing that their political economic system is fundamentally different from others; (2) Such complacent confidence precipitated the supply-side driven financial reforms, in which both governments tried to diversify the credit channels of bank deposits by promoting non-bank financial intermediaries; (3) Exogenous shocks played a pivotal role in enforcing the government to take aggressive monetary easing and fiscal expansionary measures. But the Chinese case is different from the Japanese case in that (1) local politics has promoted a ‘too secure to fail’ situation in whic...
Mentions and Melanin

The significance of social media in modern society has increased manifold over the past decade. Many scholars have begun to discuss and study the role of social media in diverse fields such as Black Studies, Feminist Studies, psychology, political science, and education (Lee, 2012; Lewis, Hussen, & Van Vuuren, 2013; August & Liu, 2015; Wang, Wang, & Zhu, 2013; Cumberbatch & Trujillo-Pagan, 2016).
Size and number of the hypoglossal nerve foramina in the avian skull and their potential neuroanatomical significance.

The cranial openings of nervus hypoglossus, the 12th cranial nerve, are for the first time studied across a broad range of higher avian taxa. This nerve plays an important role in the innervation of the syrinx and exits the skull through a variable number of foramina. Most previous authors described 2–3 foramina nervi hypoglossi (FNH) for neornithine birds, but the number, size, and arrangement of FNH is actually more variable than what is apparent from the literature. In the case of three foramina, there is usually a pair of caudal foramina and a rostral one, but even in closely related taxa, a great variability of the FNH pattern may exist. Many taxa of Neognathae exhibit a quadruple of symmetrically arranged FNH, in others four foramina are strung together in a line. A few taxa show more than four FNH, although in these cases the additional foramina are very small. Of particular interest is the occurrence of a very large caudal FNH in Trochilidae and many species of Passeriformes. This large foramen is suggestive of a correlation with the highly developed vocal capabilities of these birds and may transmit fibers from the tracheosyringeal portion of nucleus nervi hypoglossi, in which case it would be an osteological correlate of vocal capabilities. However, targeted neuroanatomical studies are required to determine how individual hypoglossal foramina relate to hypoglossal roots and their branches, and which of them receive fibers supplying axial, lingual, and syringeal muscles.
The effects of psychiatric and “biological” labels on lay sentencing and punishment decisions

This research, using focal concerns perspective on sentencing, examines how and why psychiatric labels, and having diagnoses biologically “labeled,” affect sentencing beliefs. Dimensions of public stigma toward psychiatric illnesses are hypothesized to mediate sentencing views. This is a 2 × 2 partially-crossed, between-subjects multifactorial experiment with a lay sample (n= 1213), presenting mediation analyses. Four psychiatric labels (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, behavioral-variant Frontotemporal Dementia, High Functioning Autism, Borderline Intellectual Disability) led to significant beneficial effects on sentencing (less prison/rehabilitation support) as mediated by decreased stigmatization regarding lack of treatability, social acceptance, and personal responsibility. One biological “label” (Pedophilic Disorder) was mediated by decreased stigmatization (dangerousness), resulting in less prison support. Data support effects of psychiatric labeling on sentencing under focal concerns. As no psychiatric labels resulted in increased discriminatory sentencing and, instead, led to decreased discriminatory sentencing behavior, psychiatric labeling may reduce punitiveness and bolster non-punitive sentencing beliefs. Biological labeling, aside from Pedophilic Disorder, may not affect sentencing.
A Formal Approach to Decision Support

It is often the case that the existence of a theoretical structure for an object provides for an easier design and implementation of that object. This typically occurs because the theory gives the builder a starting point, an unambiguous definition of the object, and a clear enumeration of the object’s properties. Some areas of computer science which have benefited from a theoretical structure include compiler construction, benefiting from formal language theory, and the relational data model, benefiting from mathematical logic. It is the purpose of this paper to describe a formalism which will provide the theoretical foundation for decision support systems.
In Situ X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Nickel Oxide Electrodes

In situ x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used to study the changes in the structure of nickel oxide electrodes in real time and in the fully charged and discharged states. The extended x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data showed that the nickel oxide electrode undergoes irreversible structural changes in the initial charging step but then the electrode cycles between two states which are reversible. The XANES data from the real time dispersive XAS experiments also show the nickel oxides undergoing the same changes observed in the XAFS data. The analysis of the XAFS data is discussed in detail for these oxide materials.
Models of Global Dynamics: From Club of Rome to Integrated Assessment

Human activities can cause negative global changes in the environment, such as global warming, excessive pollution of the environment, extinction of some species, degradation of entire geographic areas, and others. Section 12.1 discusses the modeling of global changes as a scientific problem of great complexity and importance. Section 12.2 describes the first global models—models of world dynamics developed by J. W. Forrester, D. H. Meadows, and M. D. Mesarovic in the 1970s. They represented first systematic attempts to analyze the global dynamics and produced outcomes that attracted significant public attention. These models evolved in the 1990s into a more quantitative approach known as integrated assessment models, which are explored in Sect. 12.3.
Establishment of a Mouse Model of Myasthenia Gravis which Mimics Human Myasthenia Gravis Pathogenesis for Immune Intervention

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a classical antibody-mediated autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction. MG-like disease could be induced in animals by immunization with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). We have established the mouse model of MG, experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and have characterized the clinical and immunopathological similarities with human MG. This paper reviews the immunopathological aspect of EAMG at the cellular and molecular level and its similarities with human MG, and our approach to treat the disease.
Bush v. Gore and the Distortion of Common Law Remedies

The book The Final Arbiter addresses the legal and political consequences of the Bush v. Gore decision. This article presented as Chapter 4 addresses the lasting impact of Bush v. Gore on the law of remedies. While others have focused on what the Court should or could have done in the case, this article focuses on what the Court actually did by analyzing the text of the decision and the remedial platform that formed the Court's consensus. The Court in Bush adopted a new model of prophylactic relief that provided too much, not too little relief. Yet this prophylactic remedy was disconnected from prior legal principles guiding the judicial use of this unique remedial power. The result of this novel use of a prophylactic remedy is the creation of a future model of expansive relief for constitutional violations. However the case also provides a model of federal court use of a remedy to nullify state rights.
Augmenting brain and cognition by aerobic exercise

Cognitive function declines in late adulthood and this is preceded by atrophy of the prefrontal cortex, hippocampal formation, and parietal cortex. Despite significant loss of brain tissue in late adulthood, decline is not ubiquitous across all older adults. In fact, some adults age quite successfully with minimal decline. This suggests that brain deterioration might not be an inevitable consequence of aging. In fact, mounting evidence suggests that participation in regular aerobic exercise is effective at enhancing cognitive and brain health in late adulthood. In this paper we discuss the evidence that cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic exercise augments cognition by increasing gray matter volume in prefrontal and hippocampal brain regions.
Reflections on the Origin of Modern Physics: 16th and 17th Centuries: From Copernicus to Newton

In what follows I hope to discuss ideas of Ptolemy, Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton; in each case only very few observations can be made; yet I hope that what will be said will be adequate to explain what I have in mind: to show that the scientific praxis as a whole is inherently hermeneutical, and the same is true for all its constitutive aspects.1
De regulering van maximale geluidsniveaus voor muziekactiviteiten in Nederland

In Nederland zijn geen wettelijke regels voor de maximale geluidsniveaus voor muziekactiviteiten. In 2015 bracht toenmalige staatssecretaris van Rijn een Actieplan preventie gehoorschade uit. In 2017 gaf het Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport (VWS) aan het Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) de opdracht om een advies te geven over maximale geluidsniveaus voor muziekactiviteiten. In dit artikel wordt het RIVM-adviesrapport en de situatie in Nederland besproken.
Alkali-activated concrete: Engineering properties and stress–strain behavior

Abstract This paper presents an investigation into the tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio, and stress–strain relationships of alkali-activated portland-cement-free concrete made with fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as the sole binder. Alkali-activated concrete is shown to be stronger in tension and have lower Poisson’s ratio than portland cement concrete. Relationships are proposed to estimate the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity based on the compressive strength of alkali-activated concrete, which are of the same form as those currently employed for portland cement concrete.
Abstract WP492: Dysphagia Severity and Decision Making Algorithm Impact on Length of Hospital Stay, Restraint Use and Cost in Stroke Patients

Introduction: Enteral feeding tubes, nasally inserted (NGT) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes (PEG) are used to provide nutrition and hydration to stroke patients with dysphagia. For pat...
Exposure to Potentially Harmful E-Cigarette Emissions via Vape Tricks: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: The number of adolescents and adults using e-cigarettes, referred to as vaping, has dramatically increased. E-cigarettes can be used to perform vape tricks by inhaling and exhaling the e-cigarette aerosol in patterns to create visual effects or large clouds. To create these effects, the puffing patterns associated with vape tricks may be different than standard ad-lib e-cigarette usage. The prevalence of vape tricks and the harm associated with exposure to e-cigarette emissions when performing vape tricks is currently unknown. Objective: Our objectives are to characterize duration, heart rate, respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute volume, and physical activity metrics associated with the performance of vape tricks and to characterize the emission of e-cigarettes when performing vape tricks in a manner suitable to inform novel exposure modeling. Methods: The study will recruit e-cigarette users with a history of performing vape tricks. Data collection will occur in two different sessions. In the first session, participants will be asked to puff on their e-cigarette as they normally would for 20 minutes. The second session will be a vape tricks session, where users will be asked to perform a series of up to five different vape tricks with their e-cigarette. Data will be collected through screener surveys, in-person interviews, video recordings, a personal exposure monitor, and a biometric garment. Results: Data analysis is pending and scheduled to take place in the fall of 2019. Conclusions: This study will be used to assess the feasibility of using a biometric garment to complement environmental and observational data. The approach may provide greater insight into the health risks of performing vape tricks compared to typical e-cigarette use. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/12304
ADOPTION OF THE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: REPORTING AND DATA SYSTEM™ RESULTS IN HIGHER RATES OF APPROPRIATE ASPIRIN AND STATIN INITIATION REGARDLESS OF ORDERING PROVIDER

Coronary Artery Disease - Reporting and Data System™ (CAD-RADS™) is a standardized reporting template which correlates Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) findings to treatment recommendations. We examine the impact of CAD-RADS™ versus Nonstandard reporting (NSR) on post-CCTA medication use. CCTAs
General relativistic model for mixed fluid sphere with equation of state

We generate a general frame work to solve the Einstein system with an equation of state that describe static spherically symmetric anisotropic matter distribution in terms of a generating function. It is examined for a Van der Waals type equation of state with a physically reasonable form of generating function. The model satisfies all the required major physical properties of a realistic star. It is shown to be stable in the low-density regime that may represent a liquid–gas mixed fluid sphere.
Air toxics in the U.S.: magnitude of the problem and strategy for control.

Over the past several years, substantial concern has been expressed by some in Congress, environmental groups, and members of the public concerning the lack of progress in regulating toxic air pollutants by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a result, a number of amendments to the Federal Clean Air Act have been introduced to require EPA to regulate in a relatively rapid timeframe, a large number of potentially toxic pollutants that are released to the ambient air. This paper discusses EPA's current understanding of the magnitude and nature of the air toxics problem in the U.S., and the pollutants and source categories that pose the most significant risk to the public. The focus of the discussion is on routine releases, as opposed to catastrophic, accidental releases such as the one in Bhopal, India. The paper then discusses the strategy that EPA has put in place to deal with the problem and presents the status of a number of regulatory and non-regulatory activities under way to better understand the problem and to mitigate it. The strategy involves important roles for: (1) EPA to regulate national problems using a variety of Federal authorities in addition to the Clean Air Act, andmore » (2) States to develop their own air toxic control programs to deal with unique local problems involving high risk point sources and multipollutant, multisource problems in large urban or industrialized areas. 10 refs.« less
Does Size Matter? The Real Effects of Subsidizing Small Firms

Size standards determine small firms’ eligibility for U.S. government subsidies. We estimate the economic effects of access to these subsidies by exploiting randomness in the timing of size standard changes across industries surrounding the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. We find that size standards have increased considerably over the past decade, leading to the crowding out of the smallest firms, as reflected by lower shares of small businesses in employment and payroll. Consequently, overall employment growth decreases, wages drop, and displaced workers become unemployed. We provide micro-level evidence on subsidy reallocation to larger firms in procurement and loan programs.
Identifying bladder rupture following traumatic pelvic fracture: A machine learning approach

Abstract Introduction Bladder rupture following blunt pelvic trauma is rare though can have significant sequelae. We sought to determine whether machine learning could help predict the presence of bladder injury using certain factors at the time of presentation of blunt pelvic trauma. Materials and methods Adult patients at a Level I trauma center with blunt trauma pelvic fractures from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2017 were identified. Patients with admission urinalysis data, fracture ICD 9 codes, and mechanism of injury available in the trauma registry were included. Patients with bladder rupture and pelvic fracture were compared to those with pelvic fracture alone. The classification of results was performed using the MATLAB Classification Learner Tool. The classification performances were tested by machine learning algorithms in the domains of Decision Tree, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Ensemble classifiers. Results Of the 3063 eligible pelvic fracture patients identified, 208 (6.8%) had concomitant bladder ruptures. Twenty machine learning algorithms were then tested based on pelvic fracture ICD-9 code, admission urinalysis, and mechanism of injury. The best classification results were obtained using the Gaussian Naive Bayes and Kernel Naive Bayes classifiers, both with accuracy of 97.8%, specificity of 99%, sensitivity of 83%, and area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve of 0.99. Conclusion Machine learning algorithms can be used to help predict with a high level of accuracy the presence of bladder rupture with blunt pelvic trauma using readily available information at the time of presentation. This has the potential to improve selection of patients for additional imaging, while also more appropriately allocating hospital resources and reducing patient risks.
Gas-Insulated High Temperature Superconducting Coaxial Dipole for MVDC Power Systems

The concept of gas-insulated high temperature superconducting (HTS) coaxial dipole for power distribution systems in medium voltage direct current (MVDC) architectures is explored. Finite element analysis of electromagnetic characteristics of the preliminary designs of the HTS coaxial dipole show promise in terms of its ability to eliminate electromagnetic interference with other devices by eliminating the magnetic field leakage external to the dipole. The coaxial dipole allows effective cancelation of self-magnetic field of the individual poles carrying several kA current thus allowing higher current carrying capacity of the cable. Design options for arranging the HTS conductors and insulator spacers is presented. Outstanding challenges to realize practical coaxial dipole configurations of HTS power distribution systems are discussed.
A Note on Change in Creativity by Handedness Over A Maturational Time Period

SummaryThirty left-handed and right-handed Ss (10 each from the second grade, fifth grade, and college) were compared on four subtests of the Torrance creativity test. At each age level, left-hande...
Hypertrophic lichenoid dermatitis immune-related adverse event during combined immune checkpoint and exportin inhibitor therapy: A diagnostic pitfall for superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for cancer treatment have revolutionized the field of medicine. However, an unintended but frequent consequence of ICI therapy is the development of cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs), such as lichenoid dermatitis irAEs (LD-irAEs). The hypertrophic variant of LD-irAE may be a diagnostic challenge since it can mimic superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A 79-year-old woman with metastatic melanoma who began treatment with an ICI-pembrolizumab-plus exportin-1 (XPO1) inhibitor presented after 1 month of therapy with symmetrical violaceous papules coalescing into plaques and with two nodules of the bilateral dorsal hands. Biopsy of the nodules revealed an actinic keratosis and atypical epidermal proliferation concerning for SCC. However, in the ensuing 3 weeks, the patient developed multiple new erythematous, violaceous, and scaly macules and papules, some coalescing into plaques on the extremities. Biopsies of these lesions revealed exuberant irregular epidermal hyperplasia with hypermaturation and lichenoid infiltrate concentrated at the base of the elongated, broadened rete ridges, consistent with hypertrophic LD-irAE. Treatment included topical fluocinonide ointment, intralesional triamcinolone injections and oral acitretin. Distinguishing hypertrophic LD-irAE and SCC can be challenging since both entities share histopathologic features; thus, correlation with clinical presentation is essential for diagnosis and optimal patient management.
Cohort discovery and risk stratification for Alzheimer's disease: an electronic health record-based approach.

Background We sought to leverage data routinely collected in electronic health records (EHRs), with the goal of developing patient risk stratification tools for predicting risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Method Using EHR data from the University of Michigan (UM) hospitals and consensus-based diagnoses from the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, we developed and validated a cohort discovery tool for identifying patients with AD. Applied to all UM patients, these labels were used to train an EHR-based machine learning model for predicting AD onset within 10 years. Results Applied to a test cohort of 1697 UM patients, the model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.70 (95% confidence interval = 0.63-0.77). Important predictive factors included cardiovascular factors and laboratory blood testing. Conclusion Routinely collected EHR data can be used to predict AD onset with modest accuracy. Mining routinely collected data could shed light on early indicators of AD appearance and progression.
A Patient with Chronic Pain in the Back of the Head

Occipital neuralgia typically involves a pain from the base of the head, or occiput, across the scalp towards the front of the head. Pain may be unilateral or bilateral. The pain may be described as electric, tinging, aching, burning, throbbing, and shooting. Sensitivity to light, scalp tenderness, and pain with movement of the neck can be associated with the condition. Headaches associated with occipital neuralgia can occasionally be confused with other headache syndromes and are most commonly misdiagnosed as migraines or tension headaches.
Impact of early dose intensity reduction of Palbociclib on clinical outcomes in patients with hormone-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer

Palbociclib is commonly added to an aromatase inhibitor (AI) as first-line therapy in ER + HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC). There are no data on the effect of the relative dose intensity (RDI) of palbociclib in first-line setting on clinical outcomes. The objective of this study is to explore the association of RDI and dose reduction of palbociclib in the first-line setting with PFS. This is a retrospective study of ER + HER2- MBC patients who received palbociclib plus AI in first-line setting. Subjects ≥ 18 years old with MBC, who were started on palbociclib 125 mg daily, had completed ≥ 1 cycle of palbociclib, and did not progress within the first 12 weeks were eligible. Analyses were performed at 12- and 36-week landmarks (LM). RDI was defined as the total amount of palbociclib taken per the total amount planned. RDI-high-12 and RDI-low-12 cohorts were defined as patients receiving palbociclib with RDI ≥ 80% and RDI < 80% during the first 12 weeks, respectively. Reduction-12 and No-reduction-12 cohorts were defined as patients who had any dose reduction and patients who had no reduction during the first 12 weeks, respectively. 56 patients were eligible. Kaplan–Meier analysis from 12-week LM showed a median PFS of 17.1 months in RDI-high-12 versus 6.8 months in RDI-low-12 cohort (p = 0.0006). There was a 7.0-month improvement in median PFS in No-reduction-12 versus Reduction-12 cohort (p = 0.0638). Median PFS at 36-week LM was not reached in RDI-high-36 versus 8.6 months in RDI-low-36 cohort (p = 0.0703). RDI < 80% of palbociclib during the first 12 weeks, when used in combination with an AI in first-line setting in ER + HER2- MBC, is associated with significantly shorter PFS compared to RDI ≥ 80%. There is a trend towards shorter PFS among patients with RDI < 80% versus RDI ≥ 80% at 36 weeks. A larger study is needed to validate these findings.
An acidic polysaccharide (AGC3) isolated from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) suspension culture as a potential immunomodulatory nutraceutical.

Polysaccharides isolated from Panax quinquefolius roots are widely used as nutraceuticals due to their immunomodulatory properties. Despite their popularity, several challenges exist in isolating ginseng root polysaccharides such as batch-to-batch structural inconsistencies and bacterial endotoxin contamination. A plant tissue culture-based platform offers a potential solution to isolate natural polysaccharide fractions with consistent chemical characteristics and reduced endotoxin content. In this study, an acidic polysaccharide fraction (AGC3) with immunomodulatory properties was isolated from Panax quinquefolius suspension cultures. The heterogeneous fraction (molecular weight: 4.81 and 32.14 kDa), purified by anion exchange chromatography, was predominantly composed of galactose (>60%) along with the presence of rhamnose, arabinose, glucose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid. The major glycosidic linkages were found to be t-Galp (47.7%), 4-Galp (15.6%), 2,4-Rhap (8.1%), 6-Galp (8.1%) and 4-GalAp (6.8%). Structural analyses indicated the presence of a pectic rhamnogalacturonan I polysaccharide in AGC3. AGC3 significantly (p < 0.05) stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells and primary murine splenocytes by enhancing the production of several immunomodulatory mediators such as IL-6, TNF-α, GM-CSF and MCP-1. The results also indicated the putative roles of NF-κB (p65/RelA) and MAPK (p38) signaling pathways in the immunostimulatory response. Additionally, AGC3 induced murine splenocyte proliferation, another major indicator of immunostimulation. Overall, AGC3 has the potential to be used as an immunostimulatory nutraceutical.
Filter-feeders have differential bottom-up impacts on green and brown food webs

Nutrient recycling by consumers can strongly impact nutrient availability for autotrophic and heterotrophic microbes, thus impacting functions such as primary production and decomposition. Filter-feeding freshwater mussels form dense, multispecies assemblages in aquatic ecosystems and have been shown to play a critical role in nutrient cycling. Mussel excretion can enhance benthic primary production and influence algal species composition. However, the role of mussels in brown or detritus-based food webs and species-specific differences has received considerably less attention. Here, using mesocosm experiments, we assessed how three species of freshwater mussels that occupy three different phylogenetic tribes influenced benthic algal accrual, ecosystem metabolism, cotton strip decomposition, leaf litter (Acer saccharum) decomposition, and litter-associated fungal biomass measured as ergosterol. Additionally, we measured mussel excretion and biodeposition rates and assessed the stoichiometry (C:N, C:P, and N:P) of the benthic algae, cotton strips, and leaf litter. In comparison to controls without mussels, generally, mussel treatments had higher benthic algal biomass composed of more diatoms, higher gross primary productivity and net ecosystem production rates, and higher cotton strip tensile strength loss, but there was not a difference in ecosystem respiration rates, leaf litter decomposition rates, or fungal biomass. Benthic algae had lower C:N and higher N:P in mussel treatment tanks and cotton strip C:N was lower in mesocosms with mussels. Our results suggest that nutrient regeneration by mussels most strongly regulates green food webs, with some impacts to brown food webs, suggesting that consumers have interactive effects on microbial functioning in freshwaters.
Insulin resistance versus insulin deficiency: evidence of racial differences in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Racial differences in the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) are well established.1 Southeast Asians living in Western countries as well as those living in their native countries are at a higher risk of developing T2D as compared with the Whites.2 3 Similarly, Blacks and Native Americans in the USA are at a higher risk of developing T2D.4 Many studies have been conducted to understand the racial differences in the pathogenesis of T2D. Insulin resistance and insulin secretion defects have been the focus of most of these studies. South Asians, known to have more body fat for the same body mass index (BMI), have been shown to be more insulin resistant than Whites.5 6 Previous studies did not find South Asians to have higher degrees of insulin deficiency than Whites.7 However, two epidemiological studies in the current issue of BMJ-DRC suggest otherwise.8 9 The first study compared the incidence of T2D in South Asians living in urban India and Pakistan with Blacks and Whites living in urban and suburban areas in the USA.8 South Asian data were obtained from the Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia Study that recruited healthy …