cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INNOVATIVENESS IN THE FACE OF DECLINE: PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

The recent global recession has focused efforts towards better understanding of both firm response and the outcome of that response to recession, or decline. Past research suggests that firms either respond by being conservative, reducing costs, etc., or, they proactively try to innovate out of the decline. This work examines the various responses to decline with respect to firm innovativeness. Using data from US manufacturing firms, it is shown that innovativeness has important performance implications even in dire economic times. However, increasing innovativeness levels during decline is not shown to be superior to maintaining innovativeness. Findings provide limited evidence that decreasing innovativeness is not a desirable downturn strategy. Potential, practical, and theoretical implications of the findings are presented.
Clinical features of third ventriculostomy failures classified by fenestration patency

Abstract BACKGROUND To evaluate strategies for treating endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) failure, we assessed patients, clinical features at failure, and the outcome of VP shunt placement at re-operation, classifying patients by fenestration patency. METHODS Thirty-six patients with failed ETV were evaluated retrospectively. All but 4 had cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) images at re-operation to determine whether the fenestration was patent, and were grouped into “patent” and “no flow” groups. Symptoms at re-operation, the interval to failure, and outcome of re-operation were compared between these groups. RESULTS Progression of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) signs was significantly more frequent in the “no flow” group than the “patent” group ( p = 0.0025). The median interval to failure was 2.5 months, with no statistical difference between the “patent” group (median 4.0 months) and the “no flow” group (median 1.1 months). Re-operations consisted of 29 shunt placements, 4 redo ETVs, and 3 combinations of both. Kaplan-Meier estimation indicates that 41% of shunts would be expected to fail by 5.2 years. The success rate of shunt placement was somewhat worse in the “no flow” group, although the difference was not statistically significant ( p = 0.066). Four patients in the “patent” group treated with shunt placements eventually became shunt-independent with continuously patent fenestration; these were considered delayed successes. CONCLUSION Patients with signs of elevated ICP and “no flow” findings on MR should be given emergency treatment because they have a high risk of symptom progression. The clinical differences between “patent” and “no flow” fenestration at re-operation after ETV failure are considered to be worthy of further study.
The Sizes of Simulation Samples Required to Compute Certain Inventory Characteristics with Stated Precision and Confidence

This study presents calculations of sample sizes, measured in number of simulated time periods, required to estimate certain parameters of selected inventory models with specified precision and confidence. In particular, the inventory models used include the classical zero procurement lead-time case, plus selected non-zero procurement lead-time cases having 2-, 5-, and 10-period lead-times. The parameters estimated are the mean number of shortages and of overages per time period, an overage being the amount of stock on hand at the end of the period, with negative amounts or shortages equated to zero. The calculations presented include the number of time periods to be sampled to produce estimates of mean shortages and overages per time period within approximately 100 per cent of the true value, with 95-per-cent confidence. These calculations were done for the procurement lead-time models described above, using 100 different inventory policies with each model, as defined by selected stock-control levels and reorder points. The underlying demand distribution was assumed to be exponential. From this brief study of sample sizes on comparatively simple inventory models, we find that over the range of conditions examined, the sample sizes required to estimate shortages per period and overages per period tend not to be excessive; that is, sample sizes of less than 100 are usually required to obtain the level of precision specified a sample estimate within approximately 100 per cent of the true value at a 95-per-cent confidence level.
Estimating Student Retention and Degree-Completion Time: Decision Trees and Neural Networks Vis-a-Vis Regression.

Understanding student enrollment behavior is a central focus of institutional research in higher education. However, in the eyes of an enrollment management professional, the capacity to explain why students drop out, why they transfer out, or why some graduate quickly while others take their time may be less critical than the ability to accurately predict such events. Being able to identify who is at risk of dropping out or who is likely to take a long time to graduate helps target intervention programs to where they are needed most and offers ways to improve enrollment, graduation rate, and precision of tuition revenue forecasts. Explanatory models by regression and path analysis have contributed substantially to our understanding of student retention (Adam and Gaither, 2005; Pascarella and Terenzini, 2005; Braxton, 2000), although the cumulative research on time to degree (TTD) completion is less impressive. A likely explanation for this is the more complex nature of the path to graduation, which has lengthened considerably over the past thirty years for a typical student (Knight, 2002, 2004; Noxel and Katunich, 1998; Council for Education Policy, Research and Improvement, 2002). Thus, whereas
Spectral representation of the Green's functions for microstrip antennas on cylindrical substrates

It is well-known that the angular Fourier series is poorly convergent in a numerical implementation of the Green's functions, especially for electrically large patches and cylinders. Using the theory of characteristic Green's functions, the author represents the components of the Green's dyad as spectral integrals over a continuum of angular and axial wavenumbers, thereby obviating the need for Fourier series. The angular periodicity that is intrinsic to an electric dipole located on a cylindrical microstrip substrate can be recovered from the spectral integrals by applying completeness relations for the angular-domain characteristic Green's function. >
Comment on Walker: Europe's constitutional momentum

Walker begins his discussion with some general, deeply engaging questions about the process of constitution making. The bottom line that he reaches in addressing these questions is that there is no principled basis for deciding who is to decide and, in particular, for deciding who is to decide who are the subjects and what is the domain of a polity. Yet, in practice, a line will have to be drawn somewhere; otherwise we face an infinite regress. A paradox materializes, then: “[A]ny such line will itself involve a particular group of people (whose identity cannot be self-legitimating) making particular decisions (whose content cannot be self-legitimating).”1 This problem can be solved straightforwardly enough in the case of the selfrenewing state or the state that is appearing for the first time on the basis of a national push, perhaps even a national struggle. But can it be solved for an entity like the EU? There is an epistemic or conceptual problem. How to conceive “of the subjects and domain of a novel type of political community, where neither territory nor population is exclusive or predominant to that community?”2 And there is, of course, a related motivational issue. Walker emphasizes these problems in two ways. He documents the resistance within the community to what the idea of a constitution symbolizes; at the outer limit, an unwelcome pretension to statelike authority—”the paradigm case of the kind of entity suitable for constitutional treatment is the state.”3 And he details the variety of schools of thought within the community about a constitution. He speaks of their strategies as, respectively, “denial, truncation, materialism, stealth, vindication, and projection.”4 But he does not despair, for he holds out the prospect that perhaps the very enterprise of seeking to build consensus around a constitution, with the public debate it generates, can create the conditions required to overcome the
Animal models of pulmonary arterial hypertension: the hope for etiological discovery and pharmacological cure

At present, six groups of chronic pulmonary hypertension (PH) are described. Among these, group 1 (and 1') comprises a group of diverse diseases termed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) that have several pathophysiological, histological, and prognostic features in common. PAH is a particularly severe and progressive form of PH that frequently leads to right heart failure and premature death. The diagnosis of PAH must include a series of defined clinical parameters, which extend beyond mere elevations in pulmonary arterial pressures and include precapillary PH, pulmonary hypertensive arteriopathy (usually with plexiform lesions), slow clinical onset (months or years), and a chronic time course (years) characterized by progressive deterioration. What appears to distinguish PAH from other forms of PH is the severity of the arteriopathy observed, the defining characteristic of which is "plexogenic arteriopathy." The pathogenesis of this arteriopathy remains unclear despite intense investigation in a variety of animal model systems. The most commonly used animal models ("classic" models) are rodents exposed to either hypoxia or monocrotaline. Newer models, which involve modification of classic approaches, have been developed that exhibit more severe PH and vascular lesions, which include neointimal proliferation and occlusion of small vessels. In addition, genetically manipulated mice have been generated that have provided insight into the role of specific molecules in the pulmonary hypertensive process. Unfortunately, at present, there is no perfect preclinical model that completely recapitulates human PAH. All models, however, have provided and will continue to provide invaluable insight into the numerous pathways that contribute to the development and maintenance of PH. Use of both classic and newly developed animal models will allow continued rigorous testing of new hypotheses regarding pathogenesis and treatment. This review highlights progress that has been made in animal modeling of this important human condition.
Electromechanical Coupling of PZT Nanofibers

This paper presented the results of electromechanical characterization of PZT nanofibers through applied mechanical strain and forced vibration. PZT nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning process. Titanium film with ZrO2 layer was used to collect the nanofibers and also used as the substrates of the test coupons for the bending tests. Mechanical strain was applied to the test coupons through three-point-bending using Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA). The largest output voltage was 170mV under 0.5% applied strain. Silicon substrate with trenches was also used to collect the PZT nanofibers for the forced vibration tests. The output voltage from 150Hz sinusoid vibration source was also measured. The peaks of the output voltage were 64.9mV and −95.9mV, respectively. These tests have demonstrated the piezoelectric response of PZT nanofibers. Further tests are to be conducted to precisely determine the piezoelectric constants of PZT nanofibers.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Audit Fees at U.S. Non‐Profit Organizations

SUMMARY: Non‐profit organizations account for a significant share of the U.S. national economy. Some recent scandals and governance failures in non‐profits have led to increased scrutiny of non‐profits, including new state laws related to external audits. In this paper, we extend audit fee research by developing a model that seeks to explain non‐profit audit fees. Results from data provided by 125 of the largest non‐profits indicate that auditee size, complexity, liquidity, and resource dependency are associated with audit fees; in addition, audit fees are higher for non‐profits with a Big 4 auditor. The results also suggest that alternative monitoring mechanisms, such as a good audit committee and internal auditing, are complements rather than substitutes for monitoring by external auditors. Our results can be useful for researchers examining non‐profit auditing‐related issues and for non‐profit organizations seeking to benchmark their audit fees.
Two novel mutations of SCN9A (Nav1.7) are associated with partial congenital insensitivity to pain.

Abstract Insensitivity to pain is a rare disorder that is commonly associated with Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies (HSAN I–V) resulting often in autonomic dysfunction and premature death. Very few individuals have been reported with pain insensitivity lacking such autonomic neuropathies. We performed genetic, neurologic, psychological, and psychophysical evaluations in such an individual (OMIM 243000 ) and her first degree relatives. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA revealed two novel SCN9A mutations in this index case (IC). One was a non-conservative missense mutation (C1719R) in exon 26 present only in the IC and one parent. Further sequence analysis of the child’s DNA revealed a 1-bp splice donor deletion in intron 17 which was also present in the other parent and one sibling. Detailed psychophysical testing was used to phenotypically characterize the IC, her family members, and 10 matched normal controls. Similar to family members and controls the IC showed normal somatosensory functioning for non-nociceptive mechanoreception and warmth. However, she demonstrated diminished ability to detect cool temperatures combined with profound deficits in heat and mechanical nociception. Congenital insensitivity to pain in our IC was associated with two novel SCN9A mutations which most likely resulted in a Nav1.7 channelopathy. However, in contrast to individuals with other SCN9A mutations, the observed pain insensitivity was relative and not absolute, which may be consistent with hypomorphic effects of one or both mutations. The ability to sense at least some danger signals may be advantageous and ameliorate the otherwise increased morbidity and mortality of some individuals with congenital insensitivity to pain.
Blazing a New Path to the Future

Photovoltaic generation system would be steadily growing up worldwide. To fulfil the growing demand of solar energy in future, not only silicon-based technology but also other technologies development including III-V compound cells is essential. Concentrator type photovoltaic system will make a key role especially in the areas where direct sun irradiation is abundant. Technological breakthrough to overcome some of obstacles in dissemination of concentrator type photovoltaic system until now is getting ready and further electricity generation cost reduction by concentrator photovoltaic system is expected. Depending on the installation conditions, most suitable type of photovoltaic system needs to be selected, considering technological and economical performance
Oral aspects of HIV infection in children

Most infants with congenital HIV infection appear normal at birth. Clinical difficulties usually begin as the first year proceeds, and in about half of the children oral manifestations are the first signs. Oral manifestations are commonly found in HIV-positive asymptomatic and pediatric AIDS patients, they are the earliest clinical signs of HIV infection and disease progression in children, and may be used as diagnostic markers, especially in developing countries. Studies have established an accurate association between oral manifestations and progression of HIV disease in children. Since the mouth is easily accessed for clinical examination, the important oral signs should be utilized in the diagnosis and early intervention of AIDS in these vulnerable populations.
A resynthesis of the primordial and circumstantial approaches to ethnic group solidarity: Towards an explanatory model

Abstract Social scientists who have attempted to explain ethnic group solidarity have tended to use either the primordial or the circumstantial approach. The first approach accounts for strong ethnic attachments on the basis of their ineffable affective significance. Moreover, this affective significance most often surrounds images of the group's distinctive past, thus giving a historical dimension to the concept of primordialism. The second approach views ethnic group solidarity as resulting from certain social circumstances, both internal and external, under which the members of the group exist. It is argued that neither approach alone offers a sufficient explanation ‐ i.e., that the primordial approach cannot readily account for fluctuating ethnic group solidarity and that the circumstantial approach tends to ignore the affective significance of ethnic ties ‐ and that previous attempts to synthesize them have been inadequate as explanatory models. Such a synthetic model is offered, which is based on th...
Employees as internal audience: how advertising affects employees’ customer focus

Ad campaigns target consumers with information about the company, its products, and sometimes its employees. Ads also reach the organization’s employees and may contain information useful to employees in meeting customer needs. Results from a study involving a high-tech firm indicate that when employees believe ads are effective and value congruent, their customer focus increases. Pride completely mediates the effects of value congruence and effectiveness on customer focus. Organizational identification of employees generally results in a more favorable reaction to ads. A second study involving a regional health facility replicates and extends these findings to include employee portrayal accuracy when employees are featured in ads. Employee portrayal accuracy affects promise accuracy, effectiveness and value-congruence. In addition, employee portrayal accuracy has a direct effect on customer focus.
Cognitive Skills Valued by Educators: Historical Content Analysis of Testing in Ohio.

Abstract High-stakes school examinations are 1 way a society expresses the cognitive competencies it values. The author investigated changes in the relative importance society places on different types of cognitive skills using 2 data sets that were separated by almost a century. The data sets used were Ohio high school entrance examinations between 1902 and 1913 and the Ohio 9th-grade proficiency tests of the late 1990s. Content analysis revealed an inverse correlation between text characteristics reflecting culturally valued knowledge and text characteristics reflecting the complexity of relationships between facts. These results suggest that the examinations from 1902 to 1913 demanded deep declarative knowledge of culturally valued information but expected only simple interrelations between facts. The modern proficiency examinations expected examinees to understand complex interrelations between concepts but expected only superficial knowledge of culturally valued information. These findings suggest th...
SIVB 2003 CONGRESS SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDING: PLANT-TARGETS OF PATHOGENIC EFFECTORS CAN TRANSDUCE BOTH VIRULENCE AND RESISTANCE SIGNALS

Pathogens of plants produce effector proteins necessary for successful parasitism. The effectors enhance pathogen virulence by manipulating signaling in the plant. Plants produce resistance (R) proteins that mediate recognition of specific effectors and respond by initiating plant defenses. In many cases, R-proteins perceive effectors indirectly; virulence signaling initiated by the effector is shunted, via the R-protein, into a resistance response. Therefore, by understanding how effectors manipulate virulence targets we will concurrently gain insight into how this signaling elicits R-protein-mediated defense responses.
The Sin of Jehu

Haaea's scathing condemnation of Jehu, contained in Hosea 1 :4-5, is to be attributed not (as is commonly thought) to the bloodthirsty nature of Jehu's coup against Jorarn and the rest of the house ofOmri, but rather to the fact that after the coup, Jehu made an ill-conccived alliance with Assyria. This covenant/alliance prompted the ire of the prophet, who thought that Jehu had thereby acted whorishly against YHWH. L INTRODUCfION The first chapter of the book of Hosea opens with brief descriptions of the birth and naming of three of the prophet's children, each of whose names symbo~ some aspect of the judgment YHWH will visit upon Israel because "the land has acted whorishly against YHWH" (1:2b). The import of the second and third names is straightforward: YHWH has renoWlced the loving covenant relationship with Israel which formerly existed. The name of the second cbild (£0 'Ru/wnah [WNot 10vedW ]) indicates that YHWH will remove his love from Israel because Israel has not acted as one's kin should in a covenant relationship. The name of the third child (£0 ' !4mmi ["Not my kindred"]) also indicates an abrogation of the kinship relationship between
Modeling service variability in complex service delivery operations

One of the key promises of IT strategic outsourcing is to deliver greater IT service management through better quality and lower cost. However, this raises a critical question on how to model highly variable services for diverse customers with heterogeneous infrastructure and service demands. In this paper we propose the use of statistical learning approaches for service operation variability modeling. Specifically, we use the partial least squares regression that projects service attributes to explain the service volume variability, and the decision tree approach to model the service effort based on categorical customer and service properties. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology using data from a large IT service delivery environment.
Modeling of coupled collision and congestion in finite source wireless access systems

We present a novel model for multiple access systems that jointly models the access-control and communication layers. This model helps us jointly quantify both the collision loss at the control layer and congestion loss at the communication layer. A joint quantification of both losses is necessary because the performance of one layer directly impacts that of the other one, and thus, both these layers are inseparable. However, the conventional theoretical models quantify the collision and congestion losses separately, thereby unable to capture the coupling issues in networks with finite sources' constraint. Under our proposed framework, we further optimize the number of control and communication channels in order to minimize the joint total loss rate given a constraint on the total number of available channels. The corresponding optimization results are further visualized using our proposed channel allocation map under all possible traffic parameters needed in the considered system model.
Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover Megaripple Crossings up to Sol 710 in Gale Crater

After landing in Gale Crater on August 6, 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover traveled across regolith-covered, rock-strewn plains that transitioned into terrains that have been variably eroded, with valleys partially filled with windblown sands, and intervening plateaus capped by well-cemented sandstones that have been fractured and shaped by wind into outcrops with numerous sharp rock surfaces. Wheel punctures and tears caused by sharp rocks while traversing the plateaus led to directing the rover to traverse in valleys where sands would cushion wheel loads. This required driving across a megaripple (windblown, sand-sized deposit covered by coarser grains) that straddles a narrow gap and several extensive megaripple deposits that accumulated in low portions of valleys. Traverses across megaripple deposits led to mobility difficulties, with sinkage values up to approximately 30% of the 0.50 m wheel diameter, resultant high compaction resistances, and rover-based slip up to 77%. Analysis of imaging and engineering data collected during traverses across megaripples for the first 710 sols (Mars days) of the mission, laboratory-based single-wheel soil experiments, full-scale rover tests at the Dumont Dunes, Mojave Desert, California, and numerical simulations show that a combination of material properties and megaripple geometries explain the high wheel sinkage and slip events. Extensive megaripple deposits have subsequently been avoided and instead traverses have been implemented across terrains covered with regolith or thin windblown sand covers and megaripples separated by bedrock exposures.
Computer-Aided Solvent Selection for Improving the Morphology of Needle-like Crystals: A Case Study of 2,6-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid

We developed a computer-aided rational solvent selection procedure for improving the morphology of needle-like crystals and applied it to 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) form 2 crystals. In our procedure, a simple morphology prediction model, the Bravais−Friedel−Donnay−Harker (BFDH) model, was first applied to identify the needle tips and the major faces parallel to the needle direction (the surrounding faces). After that, a more sophisticated model, the modified attachment energy (MAE) model which incorporates solvent effects, was applied to the needle tips and the surrounding faces to estimate the aspect ratios of the DHB crystals obtained from various single solvents. Identifying the key interactions between chemical groups on solvent molecules and chemical groups on different crystal faces via analysis of molecular dynamics trajectories and using MAE values for mixed solvents, we were able to propose a specific solvent mixture for improving morphology. Specifically, our computer-aided solvent selectio...
Navigating Theories of Moral Cognition and Interpersonal Relationships to Understand Moral Decisions

Research on moral cognition argues that moral behavior is the result of individual analyses of the moral issue. Meanwhile, research in interpersonal dynamics suggests that ethics revolves around an...
Material identification in x-ray microscopy and micro CT using multi-layer, multi-color scintillation detectors

We demonstrate that a dual-layer, dual-color scintillator construct for microscopic CT, originally proposed to increase sensitivity in synchrotron imaging, can also be used to perform material quantification and classification when coupled with polychromatic illumination. We consider two different approaches to data handling: (1) a data-domain material decomposition whose estimation performance can be characterized by the Cramer-Rao lower bound formalism but which requires careful calibration and (2) an image-domain material classification approach that is more robust to calibration errors. The data-domain analysis indicates that useful levels of SNR (>5) could be achieved in one second or less at typical bending magnet fluxes for relatively large amounts of contrast (several mm path length, such as in a fluid flow experiment) and at typical undulator fluxes for small amount of contrast (tens of microns path length, such as an angiography experiment). The tools introduced could of course be used to study and optimize parameters for a wider range of potential applications. The image domain approach was analyzed in terms of its ability to distinguish different elemental stains by characterizing the angle between the lines traced out in a two-dimensional space of effective attenuation coefficient in the front and back layer images. This approach was implemented at a synchrotron and the results were consistent with simulation predictions.
Teenage childbearing is not so bad after all...or is it? A review of the new literature.

W hat are the socioeconomic effects of teenage childbearing for women and their families? A decade ago, the answer seemed clear, and it provided a solid basis for public policy. "Kids having kids," the research literature conclusively showed, was a very serious problem. It exacerbated the already difficult situation of young women from poor families and contributed importantly to the higher incidence of poverty and welfare dependence of these women. The summary in Risking the Future, the 1987 report of the National Research Council, is well known: "Women who become parents as teenagers are at greater risk of social and economic disadvantage throughout their lives than those who delay childbearing."1 President Clinton echoed this perspective in his 1995 State of the Union address, when he declared, with some understandable political hyperbole, that teenage pregnancy is "our most serious social problem." Now the consensus of the research community is much less settled. Research conducted in the decade since Risking the Future has challenged the conventional view, arguing instead that the problem of teenage childbearing has been exaggerated, perhaps substantially. Authors of these studies contend that a teenage birth does not make a young woman's situation very much worse and that it may even have a beneficial effect on her socioeconomic status. These conclusions have gotten a great deal of attention, and they have a lot of researchers and policymakers scratching their heads. What are we to make of all this? Should we be rethinking our public policy about
Case report 873

A case of lipoma arborescens with typical features was presented. MR imaging established the preoperative diagnosis by visualizing the typical frond-like synovial projections containing fatty tissue. The extent of joint involvement must be fully documented because an open synovectomy is most appropriate in the management of this disease. Although lipoma arborescens is a rare condition, it is important to recognize the MR features due to the large volume of MR examinations of the knee which are performed.
Hemodynamic alterations in focal cerebral ischemia: Temporal correlation analysis for functional imaging

AbstractWe describe a novel approach for analysing the hemodynamic alterations that result after focal cerebral ischemia. This approach utilizes a temporal correlation analysis of first pass transit data obtained with functional imaging. First pass transits of injected contrast agents are measured with dynamic CT scanning. Normal transit profiles are obtained from contralateral cortical regions to serve as reference profiles. Normalized correlations are then calculated to compare transit profiles from each individual pixel within the brain to the normal reference profile. The normalized correlation coefficient is used as a measure of temporal similarity to quantitatively assess deviations from normal hemodynamics. The method is based on the premise that perturbed hemodynamics are manifested as changes in the shape of the cerebral transit profiles. Correlation maps are produced that display regional alterations in cerebral hemodynamics. Results from rabbit (n = 4) and rat (n = 4) models of focal ischemia a...
Overexpression of PDGFRA cooperates with loss of NF1 and p53 to accelerate the molecular pathogenesis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive, frequently metastatic sarcomas that are associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a prominent inherited genetic disease in humans. Although loss of the NF1 gene predisposes to MPNST induction, relatively long tumor latency in NF1 patients suggests that additional genetic or epigenetic abnormalities are needed for the development of these nerve sheath malignancies. To study the molecular pathways contributing to the formation of MPNSTs in NF1 patients, we used a zebrafish tumor model defined by nf1 loss in a p53-deficient background together with the overexpression of either wild-type or constitutively activated PDGFRA (platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α) under control of the sox10 neural crest-specific promoter. Here we demonstrate the accelerated onset and increased penetrance of MPNST formation in fish overexpressing both the wild-type and the mutant PDGFRA transgenes in cells of neural crest origin. Interestingly, overexpression of the wild-type PDGFRA was even more potent in promoting transformation than the mutant PDGFRA, which is important because ~78% of human MPNSTs have expression of wild-type PDGFRA, whereas only 5% harbor activating mutations of the gene encoding this receptor. Further analysis revealed the induction of cellular senescence in zebrafish embryos overexpressing mutant, but not wild-type, PDGFRA, suggesting a mechanism through which the oncogenic activity of the mutant receptor is tempered by the activation of premature cellular senescence in an NF1-deficient background. Taken together, our study suggests a model in which overexpression of wild-type PDGFRA associated with NF1 deficiency leads to aberrant activation of downstream RAS signaling and thus contributes importantly to MPNST development-a prediction supported by the ability of the kinase inhibitor sunitinib alone and in combination with the MEK inhibitor trametinib to retard MPNST progression in transgenic fish overexpressing the wild-type receptor.
Graphs and Homomorphisms

Aside from ordered sets, the fixed point property has been investigated in other settings. On one hand, the fixed point property is most likely originated in topology. (See Exercise 6-1 for the topological fixed point property.) On the other hand, in any branch of mathematics in which the underlying structures have a natural type of morphism, we can define a fixed point property as “every endomorphism has a fixed point.” Hence, graphs are natural discrete structures for which to investigate the fixed point property. However, we must be careful: For graphs, the natural analogues of order-preserving maps would be the simplicial homomorphisms from Definition 6.1. Nonetheless, graph theorists prefer the notion of a (graph) homomorphism from Definition 6.10. It would be fruitless to argue whether simplicial homomorphisms or graph homomorphisms are “more natural.” Each notion is natural in certain settings: For example, simplicial homomorphisms are in one-to-one correspondence with the simplicial maps of the clique complex of a graph, as we will see in Exercise 9-19 when we investigate simplicial complexes, whereas we will see in this chapter that graph homomorphisms are a good framework to investigate natural graph theoretical topics, such as, for example, colorings.
Properties of hydrogenated indium oxide prepared by reactive sputtering with hydrogen gas

We investigate the possibility of fabricating high-mobility hydrogen-doped indium oxide (IO:H) using gaseous hydrogen instead of water vapor during sputtering. A sputtering tool equipped with a residual gas analyzer allows us to monitor the partial pressure of H 2 , O 2 and H 2 O in the system, and to link the gas composition to the properties of the deposited films. Films with mobilities as high as 90 cm2/Vs and carrier densities of 2.1020 cm−3 (after annealing) were obtained when low hydrogen content was introduced (partial pressure of 4.10−6 mbar) together with argon and oxygen. Increasing the content of hydrogen prove detrimental to the transparency of the film as well as to the electrical properties, as well as the absence of hydrogen.
Creatinine generation from kinetic modeling with or without postdialysis serum creatinine measurement: results from the HEMO study.

Background A convenient method to estimate the creatinine generation rate and measures of creatinine clearance in hemodialysis patients using formal kinetic modeling and standard pre- and postdialysis blood samples has not been described. Methods We used data from 366 dialysis sessions characterized during follow-up month 4 of the HEMO study, during which cross-dialyzer clearances for both urea and creatinine were available. Blood samples taken at 1 h into dialysis and 30 min and 60 min after dialysis were used to determine how well a two-pool kinetic model could predict creatinine concentrations and other kinetic parameters, including the creatinine generation rate. An extrarenal creatinine clearance of 0.038 l/kg/24 h was included in the model. Results Diffusive cross-dialyzer clearances of urea [230 (SD 37 mL/min] correlated well (R2 = 0.78) with creatinine clearances [164 (SD 30) mL/min]. When the effective diffusion volume flow rate was set at 0.791 times the blood flow rate for the cross-dialyzer clearance measurements at 1 h into dialysis, the mean calculated volume of creatinine distribution averaged 29.6 (SD 7.2) L], compared with 31.6 (SD 7.0) L for urea (P < 0.01). The modeled creatinine generation rate [1183 (SD 463) mg/day] averaged 100.1 % (SD 29; median 99.3) of that predicted in nondialysis patients by an anthropometric equation. A simplified method for modeling the creatinine generation rate using the urea distribution volume and urea dialyzer clearance without use of the postdialysis serum creatinine measurement gave results for creatinine generation rate [1187 (SD 475) mg/day; that closely matched the value calculated using the formally modeled value, R2 = 0.971]. Conclusions Our analysis confirms previous findings of similar distribution volumes for creatinine and urea. After taking extra-renal clearance into consideration, the creatinine generation rate in dialysis patients is similar to that in nondialysis patients. A simplified method based on urea clearance and urea distribution volume not requiring a postdialysis serum creatinine measurement can be used to yield creatinine generation rates that closely match those determined from standard modeling.
Efficacy of 3 therapeutic taping configurations for children with brachial plexus birth palsy.

Abstract Study Design Cross-sectional clinical measurement study. Introduction Scapular winging is a frequent complaint among children with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP). Therapeutic taping for scapular stabilization has been reported to decrease scapular winging. Purpose of the Study This study aimed to determine which therapeutic taping construct was most effective for children with BPBP. Methods Twenty-eight children with BPBP participated in motion capture assessment with 4 taping conditions: (1) no tape, (2) facilitation of rhomboid major and rhomboid minor, (3) facilitation of middle and lower trapezius, and (4) facilitation of rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, and middle and lower trapezius (combination of both 2 and 3, referred to as combined taping). The participants held their arms in 4 positions: (1) neutral with arms by their sides, (2) hand to mouth, (3) hand to belly, and (4) maximum crossbody adduction (CBA). The scapulothoracic, glenohumeral and humerothoracic (HT) joint angles and joint angular displacements were compared using multivariate analyses of variance with Bonferroni corrections. Results Scapular winging was significantly decreased in both the trapezius and combined taping conditions in all positions compared with no tape. Rhomboids taping had no effect. Combined taping reduced HT CBA in the CBA position. Conclusions Rhomboid taping cannot be recommended for treatment of children with BPBP. Both trapezius and combined taping approaches reduced scapular winging, but HT CBA was limited with combined taping. Therefore, therapeutic taping of middle and lower trapezius was the most effective configuration for scapular stabilization in children with BPBP. Resting posture improved, but performance of the positions was not significantly improved. Level of Evidence Level II.
Intersection and convex combination in multi-source spectral planted cluster detection

Planted cluster detection is an important form of signal detection when the data are in the form of a graph. When there are multiple graphs representing multiple connection types, the method of aggregation can have significant impact on the results of a detection algorithm. This paper addresses the tradeoff between two possible aggregation methods: convex combination and intersection. For a spectral detection method, convex combination dominates when the cluster is relatively sparse in at least one graph, while the intersection method dominates in cases where it is dense across graphs. Experimental results confirm the theory. We consider the context of adversarial cluster placement, and determine how an adversary would distribute connections among the graphs to best avoid detection.
Biopolitics and Boundary Work in South Africa's Sutherlandia Clinical Trial.

Between 2008 and 2011, South African and American investigators carried out a randomized controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of an African traditional medicine in South Africans who ...
The impact of 3D stacking on GPU-accelerated deep neural networks: An experimental study

In this work, we present a two-tier air-cooled thermal testbed composed of an NVIDIA Tesla K40 GPU and a heater/thermometer top die. The top die has four independently-controllable heaters, which can emulate a wide range of components, ranging from low power memory to high-performance multi-core processor cores. The performance and temperature of the bottom-tier GPU on several deep neural network workloads is investigated as a function of increasing top-die power dissipation, and the implications for 3DIC cooling are discussed.
Weak Men in William Faulkner's A ROSE FOR EMILY

Discussion of gender in William Faulkner's “A Rose for Emily” has primarily focused on establishing sexuality. Hal Blythe's ingenious critical testimonial that Homer is gay, based on the narrator's...
Material property analytical relations for the case of an AFM probe tapping a viscoelastic surface containing multiple characteristic times

We explore the contact problem of a flat-end indenter penetrating intermittently a generalized viscoelastic surface, containing multiple characteristic times. This problem is especially relevant for nanoprobing of viscoelastic surfaces with the highly popular tapping-mode AFM imaging technique. By focusing on the material perspective and employing a rigorous rheological approach, we deliver analytical closed-form solutions that provide physical insight into the viscoelastic sources of repulsive forces, tip–sample dissipation and virial of the interaction. We also offer a systematic comparison to the well-established standard harmonic excitation, which is the case relevant for dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and for AFM techniques where tip–sample sinusoidal interaction is permanent. This comparison highlights the substantial complexity added by the intermittent-contact nature of the interaction, which precludes the derivation of straightforward equations as is the case for the well-known harmonic excitations. The derivations offered have been thoroughly validated through numerical simulations. Despite the complexities inherent to the intermittent-contact nature of the technique, the analytical findings highlight the potential feasibility of extracting meaningful viscoelastic properties with this imaging method.
Prelaunch performance of the 118 GHz polarcube 3utemperature sounding radiometer

Design, analysis and pre-launch performance of the PolarCube 3U CubeSat 118.75 GHz radiometer payload is presented. Procedures used to determine optimum feed horn/reflector dimensions, phase center and antenna efficiencies based on a full wave Fourier analysis are outlined. A brief description of the design and functionality of the eight channel intermediate frequency board is also provided. Images obtained by the instrument during recent airborne tests over the Antarctic using an aluminium 3D printed corrugated feed indicate a well focused scanning reflector antenna system with high main beam efficiency and good separation between the radiometer channels.
Systemic antibiotic use for nonbacterial dermatological conditions among referring providers.

Background As usage of systemic antibiotic therapies has increased, so too has bacterial resistance. Antibiotic stewardship thus rests in part on judicious use of empiric treatment. The specific factors which underlie erroneous prescription patterns for dermatological conditions have not yet been well elucidated. Objective The objective of this study was to identify whether a predefined group of dermatologic conditions under the heading "pseudobacterial"-including eczematous conditions, arthropod assault, herpes zoster, neurodermatoses, autoimmune blistering disorders, and neutrophilic dermatoses-are associated with increased antibiotic use prior to dermatology referral. Methods This observational prospective study included 207 participants referred to an academic dermatology referral center for acute skin conditions which were ultimately deemed to be of a nonbacterial cause. Preceding antibiotic prescription, final diagnosis, and patient, and provider characteristics were reviewed. Results Antibiotic prescription were provided to 31/207 individuals. Patients with pseudobacterial diagnoses (66/207 individuals) had 4.79 (95% CI, 2.03-11.3) times the odds of empiric antibiotic treatment compared to all others. Rural referring providers (OR, 8.54; 95% CI, 1.81-40.3) and referring providers in areas with a low density of medical specialists (OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.43-10.0) also displayed increased odds of empiric antibiotic prescription for nonbacterial skin disease, though the former finding may be limited by the low number of rural vs. urban providers (7 vs. 200) included in the study. Conclusion Patients with noninfectious pseudobacterial dermatological conditions experienced greater odds for unnecessary exposure to antibiotics. Additional independent risk factors included rural settings and diminished access to specialist care.
Rotavirus Vaccines and Health Care Utilization for Diarrhea in US Children, 2001 to 2015.

Background:Rotavirus vaccination was introduced in the United States in 2006. Our objectives were to examine reductions in diarrhea-associated health care utilization after rotavirus vaccine implementation and to assess direct vaccine effectiveness (VE) in US children.Methods:Retrospective cohort st
Minor isotope safeguards techniques (MIST): Analysis and visualization of gas centrifuge enrichment plant process data using the MSTAR model

Abstract This paper presents a development related to the use of minor isotope safeguards techniques (MIST) and the MSTAR cascade model as it relates to the application of international nuclear safeguards at gas centrifuge enrichment plants (GCEPs). The product of this paper is a derivation of the universal and dimensionless MSTAR cascade model. The new model can be used to calculate the minor uranium isotope concentrations in GCEP product and tails streams or to analyze, visualize, and interpret GCEP process data as part of MIST. Applications of the new model include the detection of undeclared feed and withdrawal streams at GCEPs when used in conjunction with UF6 sampling and/or other isotopic measurement techniques.
Rethinking What We Know About Hemorrhoids

Although hemorrhoids are responsible for considerable economic cost and personal suffering, they have received surprisingly little research attention. In the United States, hemorrhoids are the third most common outpatient gastrointestinal diagnosis with nearly 4 million office and emergency department visits annually. The etiology of hemorrhoids is speculative. A low-fiber diet and constipation have historically been thought to increase the risk for hemorrhoids, but not proven. Symptoms commonly attributed to hemorrhoids include bleeding, pain, pruritus, fecal seepage, prolapse, and mucus discharge. Research has found that these symptoms were equally reported by patients with and without hemorrhoids. Medical therapies for hemorrhoids have not been formally studied except for fiber where the results have been inconsistent. A number of office-based interventions such as rubber band ligation and infrared coagulation are widely used and economically favorable for practitioners. Surgical procedures are effective at eliminating hemorrhoids but may be painful. Given the burden of disease and numerous gaps in our understanding, the time has come for targeted research to understand the cause, symptoms, and best treatment for patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids.