cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Sampling Variation on Sales Forecasts for New Consumer Products

A general procedure is outlined for estimating the sampling error in sales forecasts of new nondurable consumer products. The technique is illustrated for the Parfitt and Collins model with actual ...
Prostaglandin: Increased Production by Renal Cell Carcinoma

AbstractThe syndrome of hypercalcemia in patients with renal cell carcinoma without metastasis to bone, in association with elevated levels of immunoreactive prostaglandin E and normal parathyroid hormone levels, prompted the investigation of an etiologic relationship of increased prostaglandin in this syndrome.Ethyl acetate extracts of tissue culture effluents, primary and metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and plasma were chromatographed on silicic acid columns and assayed by double antibody immunoprecipitative methods for immunoreactive prostaglandins A and E. Increased levels of immunoreactive prostaglandins A and E were found 1) to be generated in parallel with cell growth during a period of time by renal cell carcinoma in monolayer growth, 2) in extracts of primary and metastatic renal cell carcinoma tissue and 3) in the venous effluent of a kidney bearing a renal cell carcinoma. These findings support the hypothesis that renal cell carcinoma can produce prostaglandins. Furthermore, reported syndromes...
Transmembrane Substrate Unfolding in Intramembrane Proteolysis

In recent years impressive progress has been made in our understanding of intramembrane cleaving proteases (iCliPs), enzymes that carry out proteolytic reactions within cell membranes, and their substrates, but basic biochemical questions such as what determines a transmembrane helix to be a substrate and how cleavage site is dictated remain unresolved. Much onus as to why we sill do not understand substrate specificity in these enzymes falls to the difficulties in monitoring enzyme-substrate interactions in a lipid or membrane-mimetic environment. Here we will present deep-UV resonance Raman spectroscopy data describing discrete structural characteristics of substrates prior to and during interactions with iCLiPS indicating structural flexibility in both environments is an intrinsic property of cleavable substrates. Furthermore, we also will present evidence that mutagenesis of substrates that abolishes intramembrane proteolysis do not significantly influence binding and dissociation constants of enzyme and substrate, while they do convey distinct changes to the intrinsic structural flexibility of the substrate. The mutations also alter the extent to which the enzyme influences the substrate structure during binding. Overall these results imply a synergy between a sequence complementarity between enzyme and substrate, which requires adequate structural flexibility of the substrate transmembrane helical sequence in order to expose the peptide bond for cleavage.
Toward a Phenomenology of Human Rights

Our conception of human rights has been distorted by the politics surrounding the formulation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This essay takes as its starting-point our experience of human rights which, following Levinas, should be understood primarily as the rights of the other. Although one can always make specific demands of others on one’s own behalf, these demands do not of themselves constitute a right, nor do they establish a corresponding duty on the part of others. Our primary experience of rights lies in our sense that certain injustices suffered by others are intolerable, and that we cannot rest until those injustices are addressed. A quotation from Mengzi shows that this conception, unlike the standard account, does not rely on presuppositions drawn from the liberal tradition of political philosophy but in a concrete understanding of our relation to others that is not limited to any single tradition.
Low cost V-band filter and antenna on liquid crystal polymer substrate

In this paper, we present for the first time low cost V-band compact planar band-pass filter and circularly polarized antenna array that have been designed, fabricated on liquid crystal polymer substrate and measured. The 4 pole elliptic filter exhibits a measured minimum insertion loss of 2.6 dB at 68 GHz for a relative 3 dB bandwidth of 11% and a rejection better than 22 dB at an offset of 10% away from the center frequency. In addition, a 2 by 2 linearly polarized series path antenna array has been developed and exhibit a 10 dB bandwidth of 4 GHz, a gain of 11 dBi and a 3dB beam-width of 40 degrees in both azimuth and elevation (E and H plane).
Tumor volume doubling time of pulmonary metastases predicts overall survival and can guide the initiation of multikinase inhibitor therapy in patients with metastatic, follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The current study was conducted to better characterize the association between overall survival (OS) from metastatic thyroid cancer and the rate of structural disease progression. METHODS In this retrospective study, the average tumor volume doubling time (midDT) of 2 dominant lung metastases was used to group patients into 6 clinically relevant cohorts. OS was calculated from the time of metastasis diagnosis and from the time the pulmonary lesions crossed over the 1-cm diameter threshold. RESULTS The tumor growth rate was remarkably constant in lung metastases from thyroid cancer over a median follow-up of 8.5 years (median correlation coefficient, 0.92; coefficient of determination, 0.85). Patients with a midDT ≤1 year were found to have worse OS compared with those with a higher midDT (log-rank P = .01). The 5-year OS rate from the 1-cm diameter time point was 20% for patients with a midDT ≤1 year (15 patients), 50% for patients with a midDT of 1 to 2 years (19 patients), 53% for patients with a midDT of 2 to 3 years (9 patients), 80% for patients with a midDT of 3 to 4 years (6 patients), and 80% for patients with a midDT of ≥4 years or who were negative (12 patients). Within the group of patients with a midDT ≤1 year, the 2-year OS rate from the 1-cm diameter point was 88% in the patients treated with multikinase inhibitors (8 patients) versus 43% in the nontreated group (7 patients) (P = .13). CONCLUSIONS The midDT of lung metastases appears to be a good prognostic indicator of OS in patients with metastatic thyroid cancer. Unlike the thyroglobulin DT, the midDT alone can be used to predict eligibility for multikinase inhibitor therapy. Cancer 2017;123:2955–64. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Studies on mechanisms of resistant starch analytical methods

This study aimed to quantify resistant starch (RS) contents in native and modified starches from various botanical sources using standard methods for RS analysis (AOAC Methods 991.43, 2002.02, and the Englyst method) to better understand differences in RS contents of starchy foods analyzed using these methods. RS contents of octenyl succinic (OS) normal corn starch increased with increasing wt% substitution, whereas RS contents of OS-modified high-amylose maize starch decreased. Differences in RS contents of RS3 were within 10% regardless of the method used. The largest differences were observed in cross-linked wheat distarch phosphate and debranched high-amylose maize stearic-acid complex (RS5) analyzed using AOAC Method 991.43 and other methods. Differences in RS contents were partially attributed to binding-site differences between Bacillus licheniformis (BL) and porcine pancreas (PPA) α-amylase. Starch granules treated with BL and PPA at equal activity showed distinct morphological changes after 84 h of hydrolysis. Starches hydrolyzed by BL were mainly eroded on the surface of the granules, whereas PPA showed pitting on granule surfaces. Banana starch granules were hydrolyzed mainly in distal regions of the granule. These results suggest that mechanistic differences in enzyme action are responsible for differences in measured RS contents of native and modified
Effect of selection for backfat thickness in swine on fetal skeletal muscle metabolism

At 110 d of gestation, fetuses were removed from sows selected for high (obese) or for low (lean) backfat thickness. The body weights of lean (1,031 +/- 64 g) and obese (864 +/- 55 g) fetuses were not significantly different. Analysis of muscle composition and of in vitro metabolic characteristics was conducted on the biceps femoris muscle. The percentage of dry weight, protein and glycogen was greater in the muscle of obese fetuses than in the muscle of lean fetuses (P less than .01, P less than .05, and P less than .05, respectively). Percentage of muscle triglyceride was similar (P greater than .05) between the two phenotypes. The rate of glucose oxidation to CO2 tended to be greater (P less than .07) and the rate of lactate production was lower (P less than .05) in the muscle from obese fetuses than in the muscle from lean fetuses. The rates of leucine oxidation to CO2 and of palmitate oxidation to CO2 did not differ between phenotypes. The rate of alpha-ketoisocaproate release from the muscle of obese fetuses was greater (P less than .05) than from that of the lean fetuses. The rate of release of alanine and of glutamine plus glutamate did not differ between phenotypes. The rate of esterification of palmitate did not differ between phenotypes. It was concluded that abnormalities in glucose metabolism and in the partitioning of leucine between oxidation and release as the keto acid existed at 110 d of gestation in the muscle of obese fetuses. Any relation between these differences and ultimate differences in carcass composition were not evident.
High power Tm-doped all-fiber amplifier at 2130 nm

A diode pumped (793nm), long-wavelength thulium-doped all-fiber amplifier was demonstrated. Laser gain competition was used to suppress parasitic lasing and an output power of 80 W was generated at 2130nm with 50% optical efficiency.
Development of a game-based cognitive measures system for elderly on the basis of Mini-Mental State Examination

Elderly care is one of the important issues in the medical mature of the time facing all over the world. Currently, the paper-based testing and recording methods are commonly used in various care centers which not only waste manpower but also may cause mistakes with different social workers in assessment. This study aims at measuring the cognitive function of elderly by the empirical research approach. In accordance with several research results, they indicate that game-style learning and gymnastics awareness training can be useful to slow down degeneration. Therefore, we attempt to develop a game-based cognitive measures system on the basis of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to examine functions including registration, attention and calculation, recall, language, ability to follow simple commands and orientation. The system consists of two major modules, one is game-based measures system and another is Web-based management system. We expect that the game-based measures system will motivate elders during examination and reduce mistakes from manpower process. Most importantly, the Web-based management system will cost down efforts in tracking and analyzing personal status of elders. The experimental results show that the score of game-based measures is correspondence to the traditional MMSE.
Clinical Applications of Hepatobiliary MR Contrast Agents

Modern hepatocellular-specific MR contrast agents such as gadoxetic acid are an important adjunct to conventional extracellular contrast material in MRI examinations of the liver. They allow not only evaluation of vascular structures and early dynamic contrast kinetics but are also able to determine the presence or absence of functioning hepatocytes. In addition, the high biliary excretion rate of 50% allows a true T1 cholangiopancreatography phase with improved characterization of biliary abnormalities and leaks.
Microfluidics-mediated self-template synthesis of anisotropic hollow ellipsoidal mesoporous silica nanomaterials.

ABSTRACTHerein, a facile strategy was firstly developed to synthesize ellipsoidal mesoporous silica nanomaterials (MSNs) with well-ordered parallel channels along the short axis. A miniaturized microfluidic device with spiral-shaped channels was then chosen as a straightforward and general platform to produce the corresponding hollow counterparts of MSNs under mild conditions. Such reaction process carried out in a microfluidic system was further demonstrated to be more rapid and efficient than a conventional batch method under equivalent experimental conditions. The evolution of hollow structure can be well tuned by flow rates (i.e. etching time), providing a new paradigm for rational design and engineering of anisotropic nanostructures.
Executive function and other cognitive deficits are distal risk factors of generalized anxiety disorder 9 years later

ObjectiveThe cognitive model (Hirsch & Mathews, 2012) and attentional control theory (Eysenck & Derakshan, 2011) postulate that compromised executive function (EF) and other cognitive constructs are negatively linked to increased excessive and uncontrollable worry, the core symptom of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, the prospective link between neuropsychological constructs and GAD are not well understood.MethodsA nationally representative sample of 2605 community-dwelling adults whose average age was 55.20 (s.d. = 11.41, range 33–84; 56.31% females) participated at baseline and 9-year follow-up. Baseline neuropsychological function and symptoms were measured using the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone and Composite International Diagnostic Interview – Short Form. Multivariate Poisson and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted with 11 baseline covariates entered simultaneously: age, gender, years of formal education, perceived control, hypertension/diabetes, body mass index, exercise status, as well as GAD severity, panic disorder severity, and depression severity. Those with baseline GAD were also removed.ResultsLower Time 1 composite global cognition z-score independently predicted higher Time 2 GAD severity and diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40–0.89, p = 0.01]. Poor inhibition, set-shifting, working memory (WM) updating, inductive reasoning, and global cognition sequentially forecasted heightened GAD. However, processing speed, verbal WM, verbal fluency, and episodic memory did not predict future GAD.ConclusionGlobal cognition, inductive reasoning, inhibition, set-shifting, and WM updating EF impairments may be distal risk factors for elevated GAD nearly a decade later.
Femoral Osteomyelitis Caused by Cladophialophora in a Patient without Known Immunocompromise.

Abstract Background: Chronic osteomyelitis associated with a stage IV decubitus ulcer is a challenging condition to manage, characterized by frequent relapses and need for long-term anti-microbial ...
Condom use intentions mediate the relationships between psychosocial constructs and HIV sexual risk behavior in young Black men who have sex with men.

HIV prevention interventions that reduce sexual risk behaviors among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM), the most severely affected population in the United States, are critical for redu...
Static detection of security vulnerabilities in scripting languages

We present a static analysis algorithm for detecting security vulnerabilities in PHP, a popular server-side scripting language for building web applications. Our analysis employs a novel three-tier architecture to capture information at decreasing levels of granularity at the intrablock, intraprocedural, and interprocedural level. This architecture enables us to handle dynamic features of scripting languages that have not been adequately addressed by previous techniques. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on six popular open source PHP code bases, finding 105 previously unknown security vulnerabilities, most of which we believe are remotely exploitable.
Is the Federal Reserve Responsive to Monetary Policy Signaling from the Administration

This Chapter employs the index of monetary policy signaling from the Administration to the Federal Reserve (SAFER) that was developed in Chapter Two. The SAFER index is a simple weekly sum of articles that appeared in the Wall Street Journal in which Administration officials expressed a desire for easier (+1) or tighter (-1) monetary policy. A key assumption is that systematically over time the financial media capture the essence of communication that is going on between the executive branch and Federal Reserve officials. The signaling index is employed in ordinary least squares regressions for the period from January 1964 to May 1994. Cumulative values of the SAFER index over a three-week period, as an explanatory variable, are found to have a statistically significant effect on the average Federal funds rate during the third week, as the dependent variable. Further evidence suggests that the SAFER index is Granger-causal with respect to the Federal funds rate. After classifying the signals by sources within the Administration (Oval Office, Council of Economic Advisers, Treasury and other and unidentified sources), it is shown that, for the overall 1964–1994 period, signals from the Treasury Department and from other and unidentified sources have a statistically significant effect on the Federal funds rate while signals from the Oval Office and the Council do not.1
The GenderMag Recorder's Assistant

Building software systems is hard work, with challenges ranging from technical issues to usability issues. If the technical issues are not addressed, the software cannot work - but if the usability issues are not addressed, many potential users and customers are not even interested in whether it works. Further, usability must be inclusive: software needs to support diverse sorts of users. To help software professionals address gender-inclusive usability, we have created the GenderMag Recorder's Assistant tool. This Open Source tool is the first to semi-automate evaluating gender biases in software that is being designed, developed, or maintained. In this showpiece, we will demo the tool and encourage attendees to get involved in using it and improving upon it.
Would increasing access to recreational places promote healthier weights and a healthier nation

Abstract Addressing gaps in evidence on causal associations, this study tested the hypothesis that better access to recreational places close to home helps people to maintain lower body mass index (BMI) using a retrospective longitudinal study design and up to 6 years of data for the same individuals (1,522,803 men and 183,618 women). Participants were military veterans aged 20–64 who received healthcare through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2009–2014 and lived in a metropolitan area. Although there were cross-sectional associations, we found no longitudinal evidence that access to parks and fitness facilities was associated with BMI for either men or women in the full sample or in subgroups of residential movers and stayers. Our findings suggest that simply increasing the number of parks and fitness facilities may not be enough to achieve needed population-level reductions in weight.
Personalized financing decision support with health evolution model for elder care

The burden of elder care is increasing rapidly due to an aging society. Elder care services are expensive and becoming more so in the US. Financing elder care services with available financial prod...
Genetic basis for skin youthfulness

Abstract Aging skin is a consequence of both intrinsic factors, including genetics, and extrinsic factors, including environmental exposures such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation and smoking. This contribution focuses on intrinsic factors that promote aging skin. Specifically, in this contribution we review the literature describing how single nucleotide polymorphisms, epigenetic changes, variable gene expression, microRNA, and mitochondrial depletion relate to skin aging. Investigations studying intrinsic factors associated with skin aging are important as they promote a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of aging skin. This contribution also describes potential avenues for future genetic research in skin aging. Molecular mechanisms that may be therapeutically intervened upon are of particular interest given the cultural value placed on youthful appearing skin. Future research efforts will hopefully reveal a means upon which to intercede on the skin aging process.
Playing the long surveillance ball game: Metachronous testicular tumor developing after treatment and remission of extragonadal germ cell tumor.

A 32-year-old man with vague abdominal pain was found to have enlarged para-aortic and mediastinal lymph nodes on computed tomography. He was diagnosed with retroperitoneal mixed germ cell tumor as...
Barium-Promoted Ruthenium Catalysts on Yittria-Stabilized Zirconia Supports for Ammonia Synthesis

The cost-effective, small-scale, distributed synthesis of ammonia depends on effective catalysts and processes that operate under modest elevated pressure (i.e., p < 20 bar) conditions. The present paper considers Ru as the active catalyst supported on yittria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The addition of alkali and alkaline-earth metal promoters is found to increase synthesis rates by an order of magnitude. The rate enhancement is largely insensitive to the promoter concentration, with Cs outperforming Ba and K by a factor of 2. However, Ba is found to be stable whereas Cs degrades more rapidly, which is attributed to the low melting point of its oxide. At 400 °C and 1.0 MPa, the specific synthesis rate over Ba–Ru is measured to be approximately 1410 mmol gRu–1 h–1, higher than the most active oxide-supported Ru catalysts reported in the literature. The rate becomes inhibited by H2 absorption at low temperature (below 350 °C), but lower H2/N2 ratios enable the rate to remain comparable to what is observed i...
Expansion Thoracoplasty in Rabbit Model: Effect of Timing on Preserving Pulmonary Growth and Correcting Spine Deformity.

Study design In a treatment-control animal study expansion thoracoplasty (ET) was performed in a juvenile rabbit model of thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS) and benefits to thoracic development and respiratory function quantified. Rabbits treated early versus late were compared to age-matched normal and disease control rabbits through to skeletal maturity. Objective Evaluate (1) how ET changes the natural TIS disease trajectory and (2) how timing of ET affects changes in spine growth, lung growth, and respiratory mechanics. Summary of background data Pulmonary growth potential is thought to diminish with age; thus, early therapeutic intervention may increase pulmonary growth in children with TIS. However, no direct empirical evidence exists to support this treatment paradigm. Methods Convex left scoliosis and resultant TIS was induced in 3-week-old rabbits via surgical rib tethering. We compare the efficacy of ET performed at 7 weeks and expanded at 11 weeks (early, n = 7) versus only at 11 weeks of age (late, n = 7) in preserving lung growth and respiratory function relative to normal (n = 8) and disease (n = 10) rabbits. Sequential computed tomography images and pulmonary function testing was performed to quantify spine curvature, lung growth, and respiratory volumes. At 28 weeks of age chest wall elastance was measured in vivo then acinar complexity analyzed histologically via radial alveolar counts. Results ET performed early or late altered the predicted trajectory of spine deformity, pulmonary growth inhibition, and respiratory dysfunction seen in disease rabbits. Growth was not significantly different between early and late rabbits and post-treatment gains remained below those of age-matched normal rabbits. Chest wall elastance was impaired by ET and more so in early rabbits, there were no differences in pulmonary elastance. Conclusion ET interrupted the natural progression of deformity and pulmonary hypoplasia associated with spine curvature in disease rabbits. However, growth benefits are only seen in cases of the most severe initial deformity and must be balanced against the further impairment to chest wall function associated with repetitive surgery. Level of evidence N/A.
Pollutant measurements at near road and urban background sites in New York, USA

Abstract Due to the potential for heightened exposure to vehicle exhaust pollutants, air monitoring has been required at near roadway (NR) locations within large urban centers in the United States since 2010. In this paper pollutant measurements at two urban NR locations, Rochester and New York City, Queens are discussed. Pollutants measured at these sites include PM2.5 mass, nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, NOx), ultrafine particles (UFP), black carbon (BC) and carbon monoxide (CO). Measurements at NR sites are made in conjunction with existing urban background (UB) sites. Although pollutant concentrations at Rochester and Queens are elevated at the NR sites compared to the UB sites particularly during the daytime hours, all pollutants are below the level of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). At Rochester, BC at the NR site is elevated by a factor of 2–3 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and drops to near uniform concentrations at both sites at night. The enhancement or increment in BC is highest in summer and lowest in winter. Other co-pollutants including NOx and CO are also elevated at the Rochester NR site by varying degrees during daytime hours. Similarly, enhanced pollutant concentrations are observed at the Queens NR site. At both locations small increments are observed for PM2.5 mass. For example, an annual increment of 0.27 μg/m3 and a daily increment of 0.80 μg/m3 was observed at the Rochester NR site. At Queens NR annual PM2.5 mass increments of 0.92 and 1.0 μg/m3 were observed in 2017 and 2018. In addition, a NR daily increment of 1.4 μg/m3 was observed at Queens in 2018. The data are analyzed for diurnal, weekday vs weekend and seasonal patterns. Nonparametric wind regression identified the roadways as the major source of traffic related air pollutants.
Withdrawing from Overseas Bases: Why a Forward-Deployed Military Posture is Unnecessary, Outdated, and Dangerous

The United States maintains a veritable empire of military bases throughout the world — about 800 of them in more than 70 countries. This forward-deployed military posture incurs substantial costs and disadvantages, exposing the United States to vulnerabilities and unintended consequences. The strategic justifications for overseas bases — that they deter adversaries, reassure allies, and enable rapid deployment operations — have lost much of their value and relevance in the contemporary security environment. In the absence of a major peer competitor, and in an era of low security threats, the policy of maintaining a constant worldwide overseas military presence is unwise. The United States should withdraw its permanent peacetime military presence abroad and abandon its forward-deployed posture in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Integrating IoT Monitoring for Security Operation Center

A Security Operation Center (SOC) performs critical functions in alerting and taking defensive actions for computer security. As network infrastructures evolve with broader inclusion of IoT (Internet of Things) and ad hoc wireless connectivity, the SOC function takes on additional challenges and has a need for greater visibility of connected devices. In particular, SOCs must interpret different protocols that are used for IoT operation. As a result, SOCs need real-time accurate asset inventory with information of deployed IoT devices and their status. The quantity of IoT devices can significantly outnumber deployed PCs and servers, depending on the network. Responsibilities within the SOC are usually defined based on the network infrastructure in place, the size of the entity, the threat landscape, and the organizational strategy decided. This paper discusses the classification of attacks as it relates to SOC integration for IoT. A framework to improve monitoring and response with security orchestration and automation is presented.
Probing the Electronic Structure of a Thorium Nitride Complex by Solid-State 15N NMR Spectroscopy.

The solid-state 15N NMR powder spectra of the thorium nitride complex, [K(18-crown-6)(THF)2][(R2N)3Th(μ-15N)Th(NR2)3] ([K][1-15N], R = SiMe3), and the thorium amide complex, [Th(NR2)3(15NH2)] (2-15...
Linewidth enhancement factor in a microcavity Brillouin laser

The linewidth of regenerative oscillators is enhanced by amplitude–phase coupling of the oscillator field [Phys. Rev.160, 290 (1967)]. In laser oscillators, this effect is well known for its impact on semiconductor laser performance. Here, this coupling is studied in Brillouin lasers. Because their gain is parametric, the coupling and linewidth enhancement are shown to originate from phase mismatch. The theory is confirmed by measurement of linewidth in a microcavity Brillouin laser, and enhancements as large as 50× are measured. The results show that pump wavelength and device temperature should be carefully selected and controlled to minimize linewidth. More generally, this work provides a new perspective on the linewidth enhancement effect.
A Multidirectional Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester With Direction-Dependent Dual Resonance

A multidirectional base-mounted piezoelectric vibration energy harvester with a 2 mm $\times2$ mm $\times20$ mm polyurethane resonating beam, an 8.36-g tip mass, and a lead zirconium titanate (PZT) transducer was designed, fabricated, and tested. The harvester was shown to operate in any direction in a 2-D plane and produced as much as $8.2~\mu \text{W}$ across a 50- $\text{M}\Omega $ load under harmonic base excitations with peak acceleration of 0.25 g at an angle of 45°. Experiments showed that, in some directions, the harvester had two resonant frequencies, one at 36.0 Hz and one at 38.5 Hz. Analysis shows that this phenomenon is caused by deviations in the shape of the polyurethane beam from the intended square cross section. This analysis is used to propose a method for designing harvesters with any two desired resonant frequencies. The possibility of using this design method to increase the harvester’s bandwidth is discussed.
Analysis of UHPC Beams under Impact Loads

This paper presents the results of numerical studies on the responses of normal-strength concrete (NSC) and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) beams subjected to impact loads using an advanced single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model. The constitutive models and material parameters were developed and calibrated based on the results of static and dynamic testing on NSC and UHPC cylinders at the Center for Infrastructure Protection and Physical Security (CIPPS), University of Florida. The results from the SDOF models were compared to the results obtained by static and impact testing of full-scale NSC and UHPC beams. The numerical models provided good correlation with the impact test results and were able to predict the peak response quantities with reasonable accuracy.
Implementing teach-back during patient discharge education

Aim To determine how registered nurses understood the teach-back method and whether such understanding translated to better evaluation of patients' understanding of discharge instructions. Background The teach-back method helps nurses confirm whether the information provided to patients is understood. The current literature indicates the benefits of teach-back; however, nurses do not apply the method adequately during discharge teaching. Design This study used a qualitative pretest-posttest design with an educational session. Methods A consecutive sampling method was used. Twelve nurses were interviewed using a discussion guide to gauge their understanding of the teach-back method during the period July to August 2016. This was followed by an educational session on the teach-back method. Nurses then implemented the method on the medical/surgical unit. A second interview was conducted using a questionnaire to evaluate participants' understanding of the method. Data were analyzed using Atlas.ti 7 software. Results Participants' knowledge of the teach-back method increased. Participants identified benefits associated with the method, but time constraint was a concern. Conclusion The findings contribute to an understanding of the teach-back method by nurses. Patient care will benefit if the method is reinforced among nurses through continuing in-service education.
Engaging Chinese older adults in death education and advance planning: clinical practice implications

We live in a death-denying society, but not planning for death and dying in advance might leave individuals and the family with unfinished business and regrets. Chinese societies are rapidly aging....
If They Build It: Student-Designed Assignments in a Molecular Biology Laboratory

In an undergraduate biochemistry and molecular biology lab course, students designed their own final assignment to communicate their laboratory work to non-disciplinary audiences. A “meta-assignment” guided them as they proposed the content, form, and process requirements. Students strove to develop unique ideas, and all successfully completed their self-assigned projects. Providing students in this class with the freedom, responsibility, and appropriate scaffolding to build their own projects and learning experiences allowed them to interact with their discipline in new ways and enhanced their abilities to design and plan their work, communicate scientific ideas to nonscientists, and think creatively.
Catalysis in Cultural Psychology: Its Past and Future

Most psychologists today are aware that human beings are wonderfully complex, and even introductory psychology textbooks instruct students about the necessity of considering the systemic and layered nature of the psyche (e.g., Myers and DeWall, Exploring psychology. Worth Publishers, pp. 10–11, 2018). Yet acknowledging that psychological phenomena should be studied from different complimentary systemic perspectives does not address how these systems are organized, mutually linked, and transforming. Jaan Valsiner (Culture and human development. Sage, p. 75–76, 2000) first proposed that models of catalysis could explain how systems at different levels of hierarchical organization (i.e., biological, psychological, social) change and are transformed. This chapter reviews the status of catalysis in contemporary cultural psychology and then how catalysis might still yet be developed in the field. This leads me to the proposal that catalytic models of causality can be productively linked with notions of liminality by examining ordinary as well as rare and complex events.
A Process Sensor for Locating the Liquid-Solid Boundary through the Mold of a Casting

Accurate process control of single-crystal and directionally-solidified castings requires knowledge of the exact location of the solidifying front. If the front advances too rapidly, single crystal growth in a preferred orientation degenerates into the formation of polycrystals. A solidification front which moves more slowly than necessary is wasteful of the casting resources. A sensing technology is being developed which determines the location of the boundary between a solidifying crystal and liquid metal. The sensing method utilizes the ordered pattern of x-rays diffracted from the solid as an absolute indicator of the liquid-crystal interface.
Comment on "Gain-assisted Superluminal Light Propagation"

Wang, Kuzmich and Dogariu, in their 20 July, 2000, Nature article, describe an experiment ostensibly measuring superluminal speeds of 310c via a few percent shift in time of an optical pulse undergoing anomalous dispersion in a pumped medium. This paper seems to have become part of the superluminal lore and is often referenced as a profound example of superluminality. We have closely examined the article and find serious flaws that need to be addressed.
Nancy Akhavan. The Title I Teacher's Guide to Teaching Reading, K-3

The search for the “correct method” for teaching reading has been a long-running narrative in the history of American education, but with the authorization of No Child Left Behind and its signature...
The Functional Role of an Interleukin 6-inducible CDK9·STAT3 Complex in Human γ-Fibrinogen Gene Expression *

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an IL-6-inducible transcription factor that mediates the hepatic acute phase response (APR). Using γ-fibrinogen (FBG) as a model of the APR, we investigated the requirement of an IL-6-inducible complex of STAT3 with cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) on γ-FBG expression in HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells. IL-6 induces rapid nuclear translocation of Tyr-phosphorylated STAT3 that forms a nuclear complex with CDK9 in nondenaturing co-immunoprecipitation and confocal colocalization assays. To further understand this interaction, we found that CDK9-STAT3 binding is mediated via both STAT NH2-terminal modulatory and COOH-terminal transactivation domains. Both IL-6-inducible γ-FBG reporter gene and endogenous mRNA expression are significantly decreased after CDK9 inhibition using the potent CDK inhibitor, flavopiridol (FP), or specific CDK9 siRNA. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments revealed an IL-6-inducible STAT3 and CDK9 binding to the proximal γ-FBG promoter as well as increased loading of RNA Pol II and phospho-Ser2 CTD Pol II on the TATA box and coding regions. Finally, FP specifically and efficiently inhibits association of phospho-Ser2 CTD RNA Pol II on the γ-FBG promoter, indicating that CDK9 kinase activity mediates IL-6-inducible CTD phosphorylation. Our data indicate that IL-6 induces a STAT3·CDK9 complex mediated by bivalent STAT3 domains and CDK9 kinase activity is necessary for licensing Pol II to enter a transcriptional elongation mode. Therefore, disruption of IL-6 signaling by CDK9 inhibitors could be a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory disease.
Justice Still Fails: A Review of Recent Efforts to Compensate Individuals Who Have Been Unjustly Convicted and Later Exonerated

With this Article, I hope to motivate state legislators to enact responsible, practical compensation statutes and encourage courts to entertain state law and civil rights claims brought by those who have been unjustly convicted and later exonerated. I begin by looking at the reasons for enacting compensation statutes: uniformity, practicality, popular support, and fairness. Next, I dissect the arguments raised by opponents. Finally, I turn to recent judicial decisions hinting that courts may be stepping in where legislatures fear to tread.
MICROSTRUCTURE OF RAPIDLY QUENCHED TYPE 308 STAINLESS STEEL WELD FILLER METAL AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON RAPID SOLIDIFICATION PROCESSES

The structure of type 308 stainless steel was evaluated following rapid quenching using the hammer-arc process. A large degree of variation was found from a fully austenitic structure to the duplex ferrite plus austenite structure commonly found in welded material. The lack of large-scale segregation, as determined by electron microprobe analysis, indicates the structural variations are due to cooling rate changes rather than compositional fluctuations. The results also show that this material is very sensitive to cooling rate in the range prevalent in the hammer-arc process.
Built to run, not fail

Networks of genes that control organism development are organized in a basic architecture that is conserved across processes and species.
Welfare Personnel in the Soviet Union

Social work as a profession does not exist in the Soviet Union. But social welfare, interpreted to include income maintenance and social service programs, is very much in evidence; indeed, of Brobdingnagian proportions and considerable variety. Wel fare functions are performed by a multitude of people who fall into the following major groups: social insurance delegates directed by trade unions, welfare workers employed by the fifteen republic ministries of social welfare, physicians and nurses in public health, and teachers and vospitateli (peda gogues-upbringers) in the educational sys tem. What they do and what qualifications, if any, they possess constitute the focus of this article.
2 Excavata: Acrasiomycota; Amoebozoa: Dictyosteliomycota, Myxomycota

The organisms commonly referred to as slime molds belong to three different taxonomic groups, the two largest of which (the dictyostelids and myxomycetes) are closely related members of the supergroup Amoebozoa. Members of the third, and much smaller, group (traditionally known as acrasids but more appropriately referred to as sorocarpic amoebae) belong to the supergroup Excavata. Both dictyostelids and myxomycetes are common to abundant organisms in terrestrial ecosystems. Dictyostelids are most commonly associated with the microhabitat represented by the surface humus layers of soil, whereas the ecological distribution of myxomycetes encompasses a wide range of microhabitats. Myxomycetes, with about 900 described species, are the better known group, and they are more easily collected and studied. Dictyostelids, with approximately 150 species, more than half of which have been described rather recently, are isolated in laboratory culture from samples collected in the field. Only recently have the techniques of modern molecular biology been applied to the study of these two groups in an effort to develop a more complete understanding of their biology, ecology, and phylogeny. Because they have been so poorly studied, little is known about the global distribution and ecology of the acrasids.
Improved TTF functionalization of polymers for two-dimensional charge-transfer networks

Covalent conjugation of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) moieties to macromolecular backbones combines unique properties of polymers, such as processability and high functional group density, with the outstanding redox properties of TTF to expand applications in organic electronics, chemical sensors, molecular switches, and nonlinear optical materials among others. Herein, we report the synthesis of a polymethacrylate backbone with 4-(hydroxymethyl)TTF (hmTTF) as the pendant group using post-polymerization modification of poly(N-hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate) to obtain the product polymer with a wide range of molecular weights (18 ≤ Mn ≤ 126 kDa) and up to ca. 70 mol% (76 wt%) TTF. The electrochemical and electronic properties of phmTTFMA are analogous to that of monomeric TTF. Film-forming phmTTFMA-based charge-transfer complexes (CTCs) with various electron acceptors including iodine, TCNQ, and chloranil showed an isotropic electrical conductivity. The magnitude of the conductivities of phmTTFMA-based CTCs is primarily affected by the electron affinity of the electron acceptors. The morphology of the amorphous phmTTFMA is strongly dependent on its electronic interactions with small-molecule electron acceptors. For example, a lamellar-like structure is observed when phmTTFMA is mixed with chloranil.
Electrocavitation in nanofluidics: unique phenomenon and fundamental platform

In this paper, we will highlight one phenomenon unique to nanofluidics: electrocavitation. Electrocavitation is defined as cavitation induced by electric fields. Cavitation in general occurs in a liquid when it is subjected to a pressure below its vapor pressure, where the liquid can break apart and form a cavity (bubble). This is frequently seen in macroscale systems, for example, rotating propeller blades on the turbines of ships or water columns in the xylem of trees. Electrocavitation in nanochannels was first reported when researchers applied electric fields within nanochannels containing electrolytes discontinuous in conductivity and found that bubbles formed within the channel. The reasons to highlight electrocavitation to both the lab-on-a-chip community and those interested in the fundamental understanding of cavitation in general are detailed below.
Consumer Arbitration as Exceptional Consumer Law (Including a Contractualist Reply to Carrington & Haagen)

This article is part of a symposium on arbitration held by the McGeorge School of Law. It replies to an article co- authored by Paul Carrington, the keynote speaker for the symposium. See Paul Carrington and Paul Haagen, Contract and Jurisdiction, 1996 Sup. Ct. Rev. 331. Carrington and Haagen, like many commentators, criticize recent Supreme Court decisions on arbitration law and the contractual approach underlying those decisions. This article defends the contractual approach.
Solution of the dimer problem on a hexagonal lattice with boundary

The dimer problem is solved exactly for a hexagonal lattice with general boundary using a known generating function from the theory of partitions. It is shown that the leading term in the entropy depends on the shape of the boundary.
Hierarchical simulation: Two case studies of stuttering modification using systematic desensitization

Abstract The use of behavior therapy techniques to alleviate stuttering is being extensively applied. Two cases illustrating hierarchical simulation are presented. In the first, a technique incorporating systematic desensitization and reciprocal inhibition was used to reduce the stuttering behavior of a 13-year-old boy while speaking in a classroom situation. The procedure involved the use of color slides to simulate speaking before an actual classroom as an adjunct to systematic desensitization and reciprocal inhibition. Results indicated a reduction in classroom stuttering as reported by the client and his teacher. In the second case, a 5-year-old boy used forceful muscular activity as being reciprocal to anxiety. This procedure involved the use of videotapes to hierarchically simulate anxiety producing classroom situations. Measures of stuttering indicated a mean reduction of 18%. One year after therapy indicated stuttering had been eliminated.
Rapid Mood-Elevating Effects of Low Field Magnetic Stimulation in Depression

Background We previously reported rapid mood elevation following an experimental magnetic resonance imaging procedure in depressed patients with bipolar disorder (BPD). This prompted the design, construction, and testing of a portable electromagnetic device that reproduces only the rapidly oscillating (1 kHz, Methods We used a randomized, double blind, sham controlled treatment protocol to study the effects of LFMS in a large group of stably medicated, depressed patients with either BPD ( n = 41) or major depressive disorder ( n = 22). Subjects received a single, 20-minute treatment. Change in mood was assessed immediately afterward using a visual analog scale (VAS), the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scales. Results Substantial improvement (>10% of baseline) in mood was observed following LFMS treatment relative to sham treatment for both diagnostic subgroups for our primary outcomes, the VAS and the HDRS-17. These differences were not statistically significant in primary analyses stratifying by diagnosis but were significant in secondary analyses combining data across the two diagnostic groups ( p = .01 VAS, p = .02 HDRS-17). Rapid improvement in mood was also observed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scales as secondary measures (positive affect scale p = .02 BPD, p = .002 combined group). A finite element method calculation indicates a broad penetration of the LFMS electric field throughout the cerebral cortex. Conclusions Low field magnetic stimulation may produce rapid changes in mood using a previously unexplored range of electromagnetic fields.