cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bureaucratic Posture: On the Need for a Composite Theory of Bureaucratic Behavior

This article examines the underlying assumptions and main findings of four streams of research on bureaucratic postures. It explores the utility of each school of thought for understanding how perspectives on bureaucratic postures are associated with the advancement of the public interest and bureaucratic performance. A main conclusion is that, although limited in scope of application, each stream has merit. Nonetheless, the existing research is too narrow: The field needs to consider a more complex model of bureaucratic behavior that draws from these four fields to offer a framework that is widely applicable to the range of motives for work found in the public bureaucracy and the variety of behaviors that individuals exhibit. Some attributes that may characterize such a model are sketched out.
Do Emerging-market Acquirers Gain Productivity via Cross-border M&As?Evidence from Chinese Acquirers

Scholars have pointed out that emerging-market cross-border mergers and acquisitions might represent a strategic move to learn from and assimilate the acquired foreign assets in order to upgrade do...
Fast adaptive polynomial root tracking using a homotopy continuation method

A fast adaptive method for tracking the roots of a time-varying complex domain polynomial is derived. The approach uses the method of homotopy continuation and is efficient from both mathematical and implementation standpoints. The method is globally convergent and tracks all roots simultaneously. An example that verifies the accurate tracking ability of the algorithm is presented. Applications which could benefit from this method are also discussed. >
INQUIRY Project: Computer-Assisted Counseling Centers for Adults

INQUIRY centers for adults offer counseling for persons who seek to make career changes, to continue their education, or to re-enter the world of work (i.e., women) but who are unaware of most of the available opportunities. Computers are used to assist in the counseling by providing a comprehensive data bank of information on educational, leisure time, and occupational opportunities and by teaching problem-solving processes and awareness of self as decision-maker. Educational and career development tasks provide a diagnostic and prescriptive framework for services. Centers are being developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a leader in advanced computer technology. An integrative computer-assisted counseling service, such as INQUIRY centers are designed to be, could make needed counseling and information services available to many more adults than are currently being served.
Gene transfer of NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor to the vascular adventitia attenuates medial smooth muscle hypertrophy.

We previously showed that a systemic inhibitor of gp91phox (nox2)-based NAD(P)H oxidase abolishes angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced vascular hypertrophy. In the present study, we tested whether periv...
Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Current Surgical Strategy

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer. Although rare, it remains the second most common hepatobiliary cancer and its incidence is increasing worldwide. Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma can occur anywhere along the biliary tree and prognosis varies according to the location of disease.
Strong Liquid Behavior of Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be Bulk Metallic Glass Forming Alloys

The viscosities of the Zr46.75Ti8.25Cu7.5Ni10Be27.5 and the Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 bulk metallic glass forming liquids was determined from the melting point down to the glass transition in the entire temperature range of the supercooled liquid. The temperature dependence of the viscosity in the supercooled liquid obeys the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) relation. The fragility index D is about 20 for both alloys and the ratio between glass transition temperature and VFT temperature is found to be 1.5. A comparison with other glass forming systems shows that these bulk metallic glass formers are strong liquids comparable to sodium silicate glass. Furthermore, they are the strongest among metallic glass forming liquids. This behavior is a main contributing factor to the glass forming ability since it implicates a higher viscosity from the melting point down to the glass transition compared to other metallic liquids. Thus, the kinetics in the supercooled liquid is sluggish and yields a low critical cooling rate for glass formation. The relaxation behavior in the glass transition region of the alloys is consistent with their strong glassy nature as reflected by a stretching exponent that is close to 0.8. The microscopic origin of the strong liquid behavior of bulk metallic glass formers is discussed.
Height and risk of fatal prostate cancer: findings from the National Health Interview Survey (1986 to 1994).

Abstract PURPOSE: Height is determined by genetic and nutritional factors mediated through the endocrine system early in life and, thus, may be related to subsequent risk of fatal prostate cancer. This hypothesis was examined in a large representative U.S. national sample. METHODS: Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed to determine whether height was prospectively related to the risk of fatal prostate cancer in 110,042 men age ⩾ 50 years old interviewed between 1986 and 1994. Height was self-reported and vital status and causes of death ascertained using the National Death Index. Endpoints were deaths that listed prostate cancer as the underlying cause and deaths with any mention of prostate cancer. Relative risks (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, race, weight, and education. RESULTS: Six hundred and thirty-three deaths listing of prostate cancer as the underlying cause and 910 deaths with any mention of prostate cancer were identified. Height was associated neither with risk of death with prostate cancer listed as the underlying cause nor with risk of death with any mention of prostate cancer (multivariate p for trend = 0.1318 and 0.0698, respectively). Risks were marginally greater among the tallest men compared to the shortest (⩽ 171.4 vs. ⩾ 182.9 cm), but not significantly (RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 0.92 to 1.57, and RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.98 to 1.58 for `underlying cause' and `any mention', respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Height alone was not related to risk of fatal prostate cancer in this population.
POPLITEAL ARTERY TRAUMA IN A RURAL LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER

Popliteal vascular trauma has historically been an urban phenomenon. We hypothesized that rural popliteal artery injury would result more often from blunt mechanisms of injury (MOI), have a longer time to operation, and result in a higher amputation rate. We retrospectively reviewed all cases of popliteal artery injury from December 1994 to May 2001 at our rural trauma center. Age, gender, Injury Severity Score (ISS), MOI, scene transport versus transfer from a referring hospital, time to operation, and operative times were studied. Significance was determined by Student's t test with a P value ≤0.05. Thirty-two popliteal artery injuries were found. Blunt trauma accounted for 50 per cent of the injuries. Eighty-eight per cent of the patients were transferred from a referring hospital. Patients transported directly from the scene had a higher ISS. Longer operative times translated into an increased need for fasciotomy. The amputation rate was 19 per cent. This is the first attempt to delineate the specific nature of rural popliteal artery trauma. The amputation rate was not different between the two different MOI and was independent of the time to operation. Of those patients receiving an amputation 83 per cent were transferred from another hospital and despite a statistically lower ISS still required an amputation.
Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) therapy for progressive intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after high-dose therapy and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation.

Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) therapy for progressive intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after high-dose therapy and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation
The effects of multidisciplinary pain management treatment on locus of control and pain beliefs in chronic non-terminal pain.

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether chronic pain patients' beliefs and attributions about pain control are amenable to change in a short-term inpatient multidisciplinary pain management program.DesignNon-randomized consecutive sample with prospective, before–after treatment.SettingPain-management,
Abstract IA4: Normalizing the tumor microenvironment to enhance therapeutic outcome

A solid tumor is like an aberrant organ – comprised of cancer cells and a variety of host cells embedded in an extra-cellular matrix – nourished by blood vessels and drained by lymphatic vessels. Using an array of imaging technologies and animal models, we have shown that blood and lymphatic vessels as well as matrix associated with tumors are abnormal and these abnormalities can create a hostile tumor microenvironment (e.g., hypoxia, high interstitial fluid pressure). These abnormalities can fuel tumor progression as well as prevent treatments from reaching and attacking tumor cells. To this end, we proposed that “normalizing” tumor vessels and matrix would allow cancer therapies to penetrate the mass more uniformly and to function more effectively. We then showed first in mice and then in cancer patients that antiangiogenic drugs - originally designed to destroy tumor vessels - could, paradoxically, also “normalize” them, creating a window of opportunity to attack the cancer most effectively. More crucially, the extent of vascular normalization closely associated with the overall survival of patients receiving anti-angiogenic therapy. More recently, we have shown that the drugs approved by the FDA for lowering blood pressure can “normalize” the collagen matrix and improve the delivery of molecular and nanomedicine (3, 4). At this meeting, I will present emerging data on new targets for normalizing the tumor microenvironment and how normalization can potentiate the outcome of tumor vaccine therapy. References: 1. Jain RK. Normalization of the tumor vasculature: An emerging concept in anti-angiogenic therapy of cancer. Science. 2005;307:58–62. 2. Goel S et al. Normalization of the vasculature for treatment of cancer and other diseases. Physiological Reviews. 2011;91:1071–1121. 3. Jain RK, Stylianopoulos T. Delivering nanomedicine to solid tumors. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. 2010;7:653–64. 4. Diop-Frimpong B, Chauhan VP, Krane S, Boucher Y, Jain RK. Losartan inhibits collagen I synthesis and improves the distribution and efficacy of nanotherapeutics in tumors. PNAS. 2011;108:2909–14. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr IA4.
Novel alkyl alkanethiolsulfonate sulfhydryl reagents. Modification of derivatives ofl-cysteine

A simple, general scheme for the synthesis of sulfhydryl-specific alkyl alkanethiolsulfonate (RSSO2R′) reagents where R′ is methyl, has been developed. Two new reagents, methyl aminoethanethiolsulfonate (2) and methyl benzylthiolsulfonate (3) were synthesized. These were used to modify stoichiometrically and selectively under mild conditions the sulfhydryl groups ofN-acetyl-l-cysteine ethyl ester (4),N-acetyl-l-cysteinep-nitroanilide (7), glutathione, and the A chain of bovine insulin. The corresponding β-S-(β-aminoethanethiol) and β-S-(benzylthiol) derivatives ofl-cysteine and of the peptides were afforded. The characteristics and significance of these reactions and products are discussed.
Relative Decline and the Overconsumption-Underinvestment Hypothesis

Eventually, the economies of preeminent states tend to decline relative to the capability positions of rivals and in terms of their own history of growth. One of the explanations put forward to account for this phenomenon is the idea that rich and powerful societies spend too much and, in the process, undercut the material foundations of their own success. We trace the development of this theme from ancient Greece through the 14th century and Ibn Khaldun to contemporary theories of political economy. After suggesting several reasons why modern system leaders (such as nineteenth-century Britain or the United States after 1945) should be less prone to overconsumption problems than traditional empires, we analyze the empirical relationships between five major forms of consumption and spending (total, private, nonmilitary public, military, and governmental deficits) and investment, productivity, and economic growth in the 1831-1913 British and 1950-1986 United States cases. Employing Granger tests of antecedence, the primary finding is that the consumption variables, with the exception of private consumption in the American case, appear to have little impact on investment and economic performance. We conclude that overconsumption arguments pertaining to the relative decline of the modern system leaders, at best, are focusing on derivative effects and not the root causes of relative decline. The relative decline of system leaders takes two forms. The system leader's share of some pool of capabilities may decline relative to the shares possessed by other major actors. Alternatively, a system leader's performance may falter in the sense that it is no longer able to produce or influence as well as it did in an earlier period. The first type, involving international comparison, need not suggest that the system leader is doing anything wrong. The competition may simply be doing something better. The second type, involving historical comparison, need not imply that the system leader
Adaptive 6-DoF Haptic Contact Stiffness Using the Gauss Map

The penalty method is a popular approach to resolving contact in haptic rendering. In simulations involving complex distributed contact, there are, however, many simultaneous individual contacts. These contacts have normals pointing in several directions, many of which may be parallel, causing the stiffness to effectively accumulate in a temporally highly-varying and unpredictable way. Consequently, penalty-based simulation suffers from stability problems. Previous methods tackled this problem using implicit integration, or by scaling the stiffness down globally by the number of contacts. Although this provides some control over the net stiffness, it leads to large penetrations, as small contacts are effectively ignored when compared to larger contacts. We propose an adaptive stiffness method that employs the Gauss map of contact normals to ensure a spatially uniform and controllable stiffness in all contact directions. Combined with virtual coupling saturation, penetration can be kept shallow and simulation remains stable, even for complex geometry in distributed contact. Our method is fast and can be applied to any penalty-based formulation between rigid objects. While used primarily for rigid objects, we also apply our method to reduced deformable objects. We demonstrate our approach on several challenging 6-DoF haptic rendering scenarios, such as car engine and landing gear virtual assembly.
The Analysis of the Connotation of "People-orientation"

As for the "people-orientation",there are a variety of interpretations of "people".This article holds that first of all the physical labor and production practice in the society of human history should be taken into consideration ontologically.Secondly the value of human beings,compared with the value of material,should be put on the top of the system of values.Moreover,human beings,the main body,is studied as both the subject and the object of cognition.
Analysis of bomb radiocarbon data for common thresher sharks, Alopias vulpinus , in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean with revised growth curves

Bomb radiocarbon dating was used to determine the periodicity of band pair formation in the vertebral centra of three common thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus). The traditional interpretation of band pairs were accurate (i.e. annual) up to approximately 14 years of age. In older individuals, band pair counts underestimated age. A new maximum validated age was estimated to be 38 years (an increase of 18 years over the band count estimates). Previously reported length at age estimates for common thresher sharks up to 14 years were used in conjunction with the two older validated estimates to develop a revised growth curve for the species, which was described using the Schnute general model (sexes combined). Updated estimates of age at maturity remained the same for males (8 years) and increased by one year to 13 years for females. The primary finding was the increase in longevity for this species from a band pair count estimate of 24 years to a bomb radiocarbon validated estimate of 38 years, indicating this species lives much longer than previously thought.
On the convergence of distributed estimation of LTV dynamic system with switching directed topologies and time-varying sensing models

In this paper, the problem of linear dynamic state estimation using distributed networked agents, is studied. Based on our previous work [1], the proposed algorithm is further extended to a more realistic scenario where both the process model of the target, and the local sensing model of each agent might be time varying. In addition, the directed communication topology, as adopted in [1], is further allowed to change with time. Moreover, the set of agents directly sensing the target is also subject to change over time in the extended scenario. The sufficient conditions for the approximated local estimate error covariances to be uniformly upper bounded in the positive definite sense, are formulated.
External-Beam Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation

As discussed elsewhere in this textbook, interest in accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) for the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery has grown substantially over the past two decades. This interest derives from the hope that targeting a smaller volume of breast tissue than that treated in traditional whole breast irradiation might allow for treatment to be completed more efficiently and with greater sparing of normal tissues. Such an approach might have similar efficacy to whole breast radiation in selected patients in whom radiation therapy to areas of the breast remote from the tumor bed might not be necessary.
Narratives of Change

This chapter will examine narratives provided by veteran participants on why various change initiatives came about. In Chapter 3, we saw organizational innovations arise to deal with the geographic and political problematics of policing the LMD. Yet, we also saw that many of these issues surrounding police coordination and distribution of policing in the region are rather longstanding. Understanding which solutions were identified from amongst available options, and why they were chosen at a particular point in time, can shed light on the kinds of factors that may influence change in police organizations.
Multi-modal exercise training and protein-pacing enhances physical performance adaptations independent of growth hormone and BDNF but may be dependent on IGF-1 in exercise-trained men☆

Abstract Objective Protein-pacing (P; 5–6 meals/day @ 2.0 g/kg BW/day) and multi-mode exercise (RISE; resistance, interval, stretching, endurance) training (PRISE) improves muscular endurance, strength, power and arterial health in exercise-trained women. The current study extends these findings by examining PRISE on fitness, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) response, cardiometabolic health, and body composition in exercise-trained men. Design Twenty active males (> 4 days exercise/week) completed either: PRISE (n = 11) or RISE (5–6 meals/day @ 1.0 g/kg BW/day; n = 9) for 12 weeks. Muscular strength (1-repetition maximum bench and leg press, 1-RM BP, and 1-RM LP), endurance (sit-ups, SU; push-ups, PU), power (squat jump, SJ, and bench throw, BT), flexibility (sit-and-reach, SR), aerobic performance (5 km cycling time-trial, TT), GH, IGF-1, BDNF, augmentation index, (AIx), and body composition, were assessed at weeks 0 (pre) and 13 (post). Results At baseline, no differences existed between groups except for GH (RISE, 230 ± 13 vs. PRISE, 382 ± 59 pg/ml, p Conclusions Exercise-trained men consuming a P diet combined with multi-component exercise training (PRISE) enhance muscular power, strength, aerobic performance, and flexibility which are not likely related to GH or BDNF but possibly to IGF-1 response.
Spin-axis stabilization of a rigid body about an arbitrary direction using Two Reaction Wheels

The purpose of attitude stabilization is to stabilize a body about an equilibrium point, usually requiring at least three independent actuations. In practice, however, a control law for an underactuated system with two actuators becomes crucial when one of the three actuators fails during operation, or when the control objective is to stabilize the spin axis of the body about an arbitrary direction, possibly with a nonzero spinning velocity. In this work, we develop a feedback control law that globally and asymptotically achieves spin-axis stabilization of a rigid body about an arbitrary axis using only two reaction wheels. For this, a modified version of (z;w)-parameterization is presented for the purpose of describing attitude kinematics of a rigid body. We then introduce dynamics of the body with two reaction wheels and use a feedback linearization technique to develop a control law with the goal of achieving spin-axis stabilization of the body. We show that the developed control law is globally and asymptotically stable by using Lyapunov's direct method in conjunction with LaSalle's invariance principle. This controller is implemented in simulation, and results are presented that show its stabilizing behavior. While the control law presented here is suitable for general applications, we primarily focus on its application to the thrust direction regulation of tensegrity hoppers.
Minimally invasive treatments for perforator vein insufficiency

Incompetent superficial veins are the most common cause of lower extremity superficial venous reflux and varicose veins; however, incompetent or insufficient perforator veins are the most common cause of recurrent varicose veins after treatment, often unrecognized. Perforator vein insufficiency can result in pain, skin changes, and skin ulcers, and often merit intervention. Minimally invasive treatments have replaced traditional surgical treatments for incompetent perforator veins. Current minimally invasive treatment options include ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (USGS) and endovascular thermal ablation (EVTA) with either laser or radiofrequency energy sources. Advantages and disadvantages of each modality and knowledge on these treatments are required to adequately address perforator venous disease.
Hypervariable Domain of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus nsP3 Redundantly Utilizes Multiple Cellular Proteins for Replication Complex Assembly

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a representative member of the New World alphaviruses. It is pathogenic for a variety of vertebrate hosts, in which EEEV induces a highly debilitating disease, and the outcomes are frequently lethal. Despite a significant public health threat, the molecular mechanism of EEEV replication and interaction with hosts is poorly understood. Our previously published data and those of other teams have demonstrated that hypervariable domains (HVDs) of the alphavirus nsP3 protein interact with virus-specific host factors and play critical roles in assembly of viral replication complexes (vRCs). The most abundantly represented HVD-binding proteins are the FXR and G3BP family members. FXR proteins drive the assembly of vRCs of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), and G3BPs were shown to function in vRC assembly in the replication of chikungunya and Sindbis viruses. Our new study demonstrates that EEEV exhibits a unique level of redundancy in the use of host factors in RNA replication. EEEV efficiently utilizes both the VEEV-specific FXR protein family and the Old World alphavirus-specific G3BP protein family. A lack of interaction with either FXRs or G3BPs does not affect vRC formation; however, removal of EEEV's ability to interact with both protein families has a deleterious effect on virus growth. Other identified EEEV nsP3 HVD-interacting host proteins are also capable of supporting EEEV replication, albeit with a dramatically lower efficiency. The ability to use a wide range of host factors with redundant functions in vRC assembly and function provides a plausible explanation for the efficient replication of EEEV and may contribute to its highly pathogenic phenotype.IMPORTANCE Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is one of the most pathogenic New World alphaviruses. Despite the continuous public health threat, to date, the molecular mechanisms of its very efficient replication and high virulence are not sufficiently understood. The results of this new study demonstrate that North American EEEV exhibits a high level of redundancy in using host factors in replication complex assembly and virus replication. The hypervariable domain of the EEEV nsP3 protein interacts with all of the members of the FXR and G3BP protein families, and only a lack of interaction with both protein families strongly affects virus replication rates. Other identified HVD-binding factors are also involved in EEEV replication, but their roles are not as critical as those of FXRs and G3BPs. The new data present a plausible explanation for the exceptionally high replication rates of EEEV and suggest a new means of its attenuation and new targets for screening of antiviral drugs.
Service diversification and growth of professional service firms

Abstract This study investigates the impact of service diversification on the rate and mode of firm growth in professional service firms (PSFs). Drawing on the extant PSF literature, we identify differing views regarding the growth impact of service diversification. Specifically, some scholars suggest that the external client benefits associated with service diversification should allow PSFs to expand revenues at a rapid pace and pursue less merger and acquisition activity, whereas others imply that increased diversification can cause internal challenges with respect to learning costs, coordination and innovation that can limit the rate of revenue growth and encourage more mergers and acquisitions. We test these competing views using longitudinal data on 137 accounting firms and cross-sectional data on 125 law firms and find that service diversification is negatively associated with the rate of firm revenue growth and positively associated with the use of mergers and acquisitions.
Methods to coalesce fluorinated Pickering emulsions

This work surveys methods to coalesce water-in-fluorocarbon emulsions stabilized by amphiphilic nanoparticles (NPs) for applications in droplet microfluidics. Most droplet assays to date have relied on one type of surfactant consisting of perfluorinated polyether and polyethylene glycol (PFPE–PEG) to stabilize the drops against coalescence. Nonetheless, this surfactant is known to have several limitations, the most severe of which being its mediation of inter-drop molecular transport leading to the cross-talk of droplet contents. Previously we addressed this challenge by replacing surfactants with amphiphilic NPs. The merging of NP-stabilized drops, however, is known to be more difficult than that of surfactant-stabilized drops due to the high energy barrier to desorb NPs from the interface. Here we compare the efficiency of droplet merging by different methods including centrifugation, freeze–thaw cycling, addition of chemical additives, and the application of an electric field. The results of this work are useful as a selection guide for the appropriate method to merge NP-stabilized drops.
Characterization of common bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a high-volume hospital system

Despite the popularity of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, rates of common bile duct injury remain higher than previously observed in open cholecystectomy. This retrospective chart review sought to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, biliary injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy within a high-volume healthcare system. 800 of approximately 3000 cases between 2009 and 2015 were randomly selected and retrospectively reviewed. A single reviewer examined all operative notes, thereby including all cases of BDI regardless of ICD code or need for a second procedure. Biliary injuries were classified per Strasberg et al. (J Am Coll Surg 180:101–125, 1995). Logistic regression models were utilized to identify univariable and multivariable predictors of biliary injuries. 31.0% of charts stated that the Critical View of Safety was obtained, and 12.4% of charts correctly described the critical view in detail. Three patients (0.4%) had a cystic duct leak, and 4 (0.5%) had a common bile duct injury. Of the four CBDI, three patients had a partial transection of the CBD and one had a partial stricture. Patients who suffered BDI were more likely to have had lower hemoglobin, urgent surgery, choledocholithiasis, or acutely inflamed gallbladder. Multivariable analysis of BDI risk factors showed higher preoperative hemoglobin to be independently protective against CBDI. Acutely inflamed gallbladder and choledocholithiasis were independently predictive of CBDI. The rate of CBDI in this study was 0.5%. Acutely inflamed conditions were risk factors for biliary injury. Multivariable analysis suggests a protective effect of higher preoperative hemoglobin. There was no correlation of CVS with prevention of biliary injury, although only 12.4% of charts could be verified as following the technique correctly. Better implementation of CVS, and increased caution in patients with perioperative inflammatory signs, may be important for preventing bile duct injury. Additionally, counseling patients with acute inflammation on increased risk is important.
Barlow's method of superconvergence for higher-order finite elements and for transverse stresses in structural elements

Abstract In this paper, Barlow's method for determining superconvergent stress/strain points is examined for higher-order finite elements, with particular interest in ones proven in lumped mass explicit dynamic methods, and for transverse stresses in structural elements computed via equilibrium equations. Others have found that for Lagrange polynomial finite elements with equidistant nodes, Barlow and Gauss-Legendre points are coincident for linear and quadratic elements, but are different for cubic and higher order interpolations. The reason for this non-coincidence is identified herein, whereby it is shown to be a result of poor-performing interpolation functions using equal nodal spacing Lagrange polynomials, which results in poor nodal displacement predictions—a violation of a basic premise of Barlow's method. The paradox is shown to be eliminated by using better interpolation functions with “optimal” nodal locations defined by Gauss-Lobatto points. These “optimal” higher-order elements are shown to compute exact superconvergent nodal displacements for one-dimensional bars, and consistent with lower-order elements, the stress/strain superconvergent points predicted by Barlow's method are found to be Gauss-Legendre points of the same precision rule as that of the Gauss-Lobatto rule used for the nodal locations. Barlow's method thus has a sound theoretical foundation for higher-order elements. The coincidence of Barlow with Gauss-Legendre points has been confirmed to be the case for up to 9th order “optimal” nodal location elements in one, two, and three dimensions, which retains the same number of degrees of freedom and also noticeably increases the critical time increment in explicit methods. In addition, calculation of transverse stresses in structural elements, via integration of three-dimensional equilibrium equations, is examined from Barlow's superconvergence viewpoint. Barlow's method provides a distinct means to determine superconvergent points for higher-order derivatives of displacement fields, as necessary for this procedure, and explains the observations of others in computing static transverse stresses from equilibrium equations. A brief catalogue of the newly defined Barlow points for transverse stresses in common element types is provided.
Surgical Treatment - Reconstructive Surgery General Overview

Chronic lymphedema continues to be a challenge both in diagnosis and treatment. Physical therapy remains the first line of treatment, and interventions traditionally have been reserved for those who do not significantly benefit from physical therapy or fail nonoperative management. Indications are slowly changing, however, since preventive microsurgery and reconstruction in the early stages of lymphedema, before fibrosis and obstruction of the major lymph vessels occur, have been recommended by multiple authors. The goal of reconstructive lymphatic surgery is to improve lymphatic outflow by restoring lymphatic drainage of the affected limb. Lymphatic reconstructions using microsurgical or supermicrosurgical techniques have been around for decades, but recent progress has been significant. The three main techniques include lymphovenous anastomoses (LVA), lymphatic grafting, and vascularized lymph node autotransplantation (VLNT). This introductory chapter provides a general overview of these microsurgical techniques and helps the readers to make decisions on patient’s selection and appropriate treatment. The senior author’s personal experience of 40 years in this field helps to focus attention to the most promising procedures.
Acquired Concomitant Esotropia in Pseudotumor Cerebri

Acquired esotropia due to increased intracranial pressure is classically associated with unilateral or bilateral 6th nerve palsy and/or divergence paralysis. We have recently treated a 17 year old ...
American Philosophy as a Technototem

John McCumber's Time in the Ditch: American Philosophy and the McCarthy Era provides a compelling account of a repressed part of philosophy's history and its tragic consequences for subsequent decades of philosophic practice in the U.S. Political values and interests originating in McCarthyism got encoded within abstract conceptual frameworks, propelling analytic philosophy to an undeserved position of authority while depriving it of critical self-understanding. This comment identifies residues of McCarthyism still playing out in the ‘Science Wars’, and the career of critical philosophic projects in both other disciplines and philosophy's feminist and multicultural fringes.
Singularity and Flow Passability

In this chapter, a general theory for the passability of a flow to a specific boundary in discontinuous dynamical systems will be presented. The concepts of real and imaginary flows will be introduced. The G-functions for discontinuous dynamical systems will be developed to describe the general theory of the passability of a flow to the boundary. Based on the G-function, the passability of a flow from a domain to an adjacent one will be discussed. With the concepts of real and imaginary flows, the full and half sink and source flows to the boundary will be discussed in detail. A flow to the boundary in a discontinuous dynamical system can be passable or non-passable. Thus, all the switching bifurcations between the passable and non-passable flows will be presented. To understand the concept of flow passability, a discontinuous dynamical system with a parabolic boundary is presented as an example.
Similarity-Based Models

In previous chapters we have introduced the basic concepts of the relational database model and fuzzy set theory. The relational model has been the dominant database model for a considerable period of time and so it was naturally used by researchers to introduce fuzzy set theory into databases. Much of the work in the area has been in extending the basic model and query languages to permit the representation and retrieval of imprecise data. A number of related issues such as functional dependencies, security, implementation considerations and others have also been investigated. These topics will be described in this chapter and the next in the context of relational databases.
Meaning and Prosody of Wh-Indeterminates in Korean

This article presents an experiment investigating the relative contribution of two different prosodic properties to the interpretation and scope configuration of wh-indeterminates in Korean. The ex...
Understanding and evaluating the SAS® EVAAS® Univariate Response Model (URM) for measuring teacher effectiveness

Abstract Despite little attention or exposure in the evaluation literature, the two SAS® EVAAS®models for estimating teacher effectiveness are used by several states and districts, in some cases for high stakes policies regarding teacher tenure, retention, or incentive pay. The EVAAS approach involves using one of two distinct models, the Multivariate Response Model (MRM) or the Univariate Response Model (URM). In this paper, we discuss and illustrate advantages and disadvantages of the EVAAS URM relative to the other widely used and studied value-added methods. We perform simulations to evaluate their ability to uncover true teacher effects under various teacher assignment scenarios. We also use administrative data to illustrate the extent of agreement between the URM and other common value-added approaches. Although the differences are small in our administrative data, we show with theory and simulations that standard linear regression using OLS often performs at least as well as—and sometimes better than—the more complicated EVAAS URM.
PERT and CPM Techniques in Project Management

An integrated approach to PERT and CPM is presented underlining the basic concepts. The fundamental model can be visualized as a network in which points or nodes correspond to events and arrows correspond to activities. This model is also convenient in expressing the sequence and interrelationships existing in a project. The mathematics and the mechanics of the network analysis as it is applied to critical path computations are developed and illustrated. Recent developments in areas of cost optimization and cost-time integration have been considered. A simplified highway construction project is presented to illustrate the application of PERT and CPM techniques in which the concepts of the work breakdown structure and the account code structure are also incorporated.
Beyond the Myth of the Town Meeting: Discursive Engagement as Governance

This essay offers a response to the special issue essays. It emphasizes that town meetings are a site for governance and have implications for contemporary deliberative practices.
Effects of 6-Week Use of Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes in Smokers With Serious Mental Illness.

INTRODUCTION The US Food and Drug Administration is considering implementing a reduced-nicotine standard for cigarettes. Given the high rate of smoking among people with serious mental illness (SMI), it is important to examine the responses of these smokers to very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes. METHODS This trial compared the effects of VLNC (0.4 mg nicotine/g tobacco) and normal nicotine content cigarettes (15.8 mg/g) over a 6-week period in non-treatment-seeking smokers with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder (n = 58). Linear regression was used to examine the effects of cigarette condition on cigarettes per day, subjective responses, nicotine and tobacco toxicant exposure, craving, withdrawal symptoms, and psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS At week 6, participants in the VLNC condition smoked fewer cigarettes per day, had lower breath carbon monoxide levels, lower craving scores, and rated their study cigarettes lower in satisfaction, reward, enjoyment, and craving reduction than those in the normal nicotine content condition (ps < .05). Week 6 psychiatric and extrapyramidal symptoms did not differ by condition, except for scores on a measure of parkinsonism, which were lower in the VLNC condition (p < .05). There were no differences across conditions on total nicotine exposure, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol, withdrawal symptoms, or responses to abstinence. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that a reduced-nicotine standard for cigarettes would reduce smoking among smokers with SMI. However, the lack of effect on total nicotine exposure indicates VLNC noncompliance, suggesting that smokers with SMI may respond to a reduced-nicotine standard by substituting alternative forms of nicotine. IMPLICATIONS Results from this trial suggest that a reduced-nicotine standard for cigarettes would reduce smoking rates and smoke exposure in smokers with SMI, without increasing psychiatric symptoms. However, noncompliance with VLNC cigarettes was observed, suggesting that these smokers might respond to a reduced-nicotine standard by substituting alternative forms of nicotine.
Resident Response During Pandemic: This Is Our Time.

This commentary discusses the value of residents during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The author also evaluates the role of program leadership and administration during this health crisis.
Visible Light Mediated N-Desulfonylation of N-Heterocycles using a Heteroleptic Copper (I) Complex as a Photocatalyst

A photoredox protocol that uses a heteroleptic Cu (I) complex, [Cu­(dq)­(BINAP)]­BF4, has been developed for the photodeprotection of benzenesulfonyl-protected N-heterocycles. A range of substrates was examined, including indazoles, indoles, pyrazoles, and benzimidazole, featuring both electron-rich and electron-deficient substituents, giving good yields of the N-heterocycle products with broad functional group tolerance. This transformation was also found to be amenable to flow reaction conditions.
Prevalence of monarch (Danaus plexippus) and queen (Danaus gilippus) butterflies in West Texas during the fall of 2018.

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a conspicuous insect that has experienced a drastic population decline over the past two decades. While there are several factors contributing to dwindling monarch populations, habitat loss is considered the most significant threat to monarchs. In the United States, loss of milkweed, particularly in the Midwest, has greatly reduced the available breeding habitat of monarchs. This has led to extensive efforts to conserve and restore milkweed resources throughout the Midwest. Recently, these research and conservation efforts have been expanded to include other important areas along the monarch’s migratory path. During the fall of 2018, we conducted surveys of monarch eggs and larvae through West Texas. We documented monarch and queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus) reproduction throughout the region and used the proportion of monarch and queen larva to estimate the number of monarch eggs. Peak egg densities for monarchs were as high as 0.78 per milkweed ramet after correction for the presence of queens. Despite our observations encompassing only a limited sample across one season, the peak monarch egg densities we observed exceeded published reports from when monarch populations were higher. To our knowledge, this is the first study to correct for the presence of queens when calculating the density of monarch eggs. This research also provides insight into monarch utilization of less well-known regions, such as West Texas, and highlights the need to expand the scope of monarch monitoring and conservation initiatives. While the importance of monarch research and conservation in the Midwest is unquestionable, more comprehensive efforts may identify new priorities in monarch conservation and lead to a more robust and effective overall strategy, particularly given the dynamic and rapidly changing global environment.
A dynamic analysis of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability in soft solids

Abstract A soft viscoelastic layer is susceptible to interfacial instability due to self-weight when oriented in a heavy over light configuration. This is the solid Rayleigh–Taylor instability. We perform an elastodynamic stability analysis for the viscoelastic layer in a cylindrical container and compute the dispersion relationship, as it depends upon the dimensionless elastogravity number, elastocapillary number, solid Deborah number, compressibility number, and the aspect ratio. The stability diagram is mapped in the parameter space and we compute the wavenumber and associated growth rate for the dominant mode. The presence of the cylindrical boundary restricts the allowable modes and we show how this affects mode number selection. Our predictions compare favorably to previously reported experimental work in the literature.
Emory at WNUT-2020 Task 2: Combining Pretrained Deep Learning Models and Feature Enrichment for Informative Tweet Identification

This paper describes the system developed by the Emory team for the WNUT-2020 Task 2: “Identifi- cation of Informative COVID-19 English Tweet”. Our system explores three recent Transformer- based deep learning models pretrained on large- scale data to encode documents. Moreover, we developed two feature enrichment methods to en- hance document embeddings by integrating emoji embeddings and syntactic features into deep learn- ing models. Our system achieved F1-score of 0.897 and accuracy of 90.1% on the test set, and ranked in the top-third of all 55 teams.
Black Dancers and Musicians Performing Afro-Christian Identity in Early Modern Spain and Portugal

This article discusses several early modern Spanish and Portuguese texts that describe Afro-Iberians’ festive and confraternal practices in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. While scholars have contended that the early modern Iberian sates and church used conversion and confraternities, or lay Catholic brotherhoods, to integrate Afrodescendants to Iberian society, by linking Afro-Iberians’ festive practices to their confraternities, the article contends that these texts underscore how Afrodescendants adapted their African cosmologies and festive customs in the diaspora, rather than totally assimilate to Iberian culture. The article also triangulates Afrodescendants’ festive practices in Europe, Africa, and the Americas, suggesting that Afrodescendants thought of the diaspora as an imagined community.
The Essential Role of Climate Litigation and the Courts in Averting Climate Crisis

The UN General Assembly has declared that we have just over a decade in which to act to limit greenhouse gas emissions so as to avert the worst effects of climate change.1 Yet, in the face of this looming crisis, state actors exhibit a shocking lack of ambition in their efforts to structure legal and political responses to climate change. Despite nearly three decades of international legal developments, at the state level the rule of law around climate change remains sparse. Even in the most recalcitrant of states, the expanse of the legal void cannot be attributed to a lack of understanding of the scale of the problem. In the United States, for example, the Trump Administration’s emphatically sceptical stance on climate change and near-absolute opposition to domestic action on climate change masks the reality that the risks of climate change have been firmly recognized in US law for more than a decade. Nonetheless, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that the ‘United States has reached a tipping point crying out for a concerted response’, the state ‘presses ahead toward calamity. It is as if an asteroid were barreling toward Earth and the government decided to shut down our only defenses ... bluntly insist[ing] that it has the absolute and unreviewable power to destroy the Nation.’2 The failures of state actors are undeniable. The United States is simply one very obvious and very important case in point. With very few exceptions, heads of state and national legislatures demonstrate little interest in leading efforts to address climate change. The leadership void is immense. The task of filling it falls to the judiciary.