cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An MRI-Based Atlas for Correlation of Imaging and Pathologic Findings in Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pathologic diagnosis is the gold standard in evaluating imaging measures developed as biomarkers for pathologically defined disorders. A brain MRI atlas representing autopsy-sampled tissue can be used to directly compare imaging and pathology findings. Our objective was to develop a brain MRI atlas representing the cortical regions that are routinely sampled at autopsy for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS Subjects (n = 22; ages at death = 70-95) with a range of pathologies and antemortem 3T MRI were included. Histology slides from 8 cortical regions sampled from the left hemisphere at autopsy guided the localization of the atlas regions of interest (ROIs) on each subject's antemortem 3D T1-weighted MRI. These ROIs were then registered to a common template and combined to form one ROI representing the volume of tissue that was sampled by the pathologists. A subset of the subjects (n = 4; ages at death = 79-95) had amyloid PET imaging. Density of β-amyloid immunostain was quantified from the autopsy-sampled regions in the 4 subjects using a custom-designed ImageScope algorithm. Median uptake values were calculated in each ROI on the amyloid-PET images. RESULTS We found an association between β-amyloid plaque density in 8 ROIs of the 4 subjects (total ROI n = 32) and median PiB SUVR (r2 = .64; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS In an atlas developed for imaging and pathologic correlation studies, we demonstrated that antemortem amyloid burden measured in the atlas ROIs on amyloid PET is strongly correlated with β-amyloid density measured on histology. This atlas can be used in imaging and pathologic correlation studies.
Factors that Affect Passengers’ Satisfaction in Using Airport Shuttle Bus Service between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport

The current study identifies the factors that affect satisfaction of transit passengers while using airport shuttle bus service between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport. Anova and t-test has been employed to identify the factors affecting the passenger satisfaction for use of airport shuttle bus service between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi International airports. The study found that satisfaction of passengers while using airport shuttle bus service between the Airports are in high level. Female passengers have higher satisfaction level than male passenger. And the domestic transit passengers are having higher satisfaction level than the international transit passengers. The finding of the research would help the airport management to analyze and compare the factors that affect passengers’ satisfactions in using airport shuttle service from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport.
To explore the method of health education prevention of AIDS suitable for rural migrant workers

Migrant workers are the important strength,to promote China's economic and social development.At present,there are 120 million migrant workers in the whole country.Basically,migrant workers are leaving away home and partners for a long term and most of them are 15-49 years old which are in their sexually active period.Generally their AIDS awareness is not high,having infection of HIV/AIDS high-risk sexual behavior,they are the HIV/AIDS infected fragile people and the communication " bridge" for AIDS transmitted from urban to rural.It is urgent to explore the AIDS prevention method and health education in migrant workers,and carry out such method which is fun and the migrant workers love to see,which helps to improve their awareness of HIV/AIDS and their protecting consciousness.This paper analyzes the basic situation of the migrant workers and summarizes AIDS health education methods suitable for rural migrant workers.
Tree Crown Width Estimation, Using Discrete Airborne LiDAR Data

AbstractLight detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a promising technology for extracting forest biophysical parameters, including tree height, total volume, biomass, etc. However, tree crown width estimation at the individual level is challenging due to overlapping crown surfaces in urban forests. The objective of this study, therefore, is to develop an approach for estimating tree crown width at the individual tree level using airborne LiDAR data in an urban area. To reach this objective, we constructed a general geometric model for each tree, centering at the tree position on the ground to fit the LiDAR-derived crown surface and then predicted crown width using tree height and shape-related parameters as independent variables and the ground measurement of all the crown widths identified by LiDAR data as dependent variables. Analyses of results suggest that tree crown widths in a mixed forest can be successfully extracted through model-based linear regression analysis, which can explain 88.5 % of variance as...
Why the English “Enlightenment” Was Different

At one time “the” Enlightenment was taken by many to have been deliberately, or at any rate implicitly, hostile to religion in general and to Christianity in particular. As late as 1967 this supposedly unitary phenomenon could still be described by a well-known author as “the rise of modern paganism.”1 Yet as long ago as 1932, Ernst von Cassirer had warned us that “if we attempt to test this traditional view by concrete historical facts, we soon come to entertain the gravest doubts and reservations.”2 In Cassirer’s judgment, the “strongest intellectual forces of the Enlightenment do not lie in its rejection of belief but rather in the new form of faith which it proclaims, and in the new form of religion which it embodies.”3 And by 1981 at the latest it had become clear that the evident irreligion of the French philosophes was quite untypical of the educated classes in protestant nations of the Atlantic world. For “in England, Scotland, Germany, Holland and English North America, ‘enlightenment’ found a home within the Christian churches.”4
Optimizing Cold-Water Immersion for Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia: An Evidence-Based Paper.

Reference: Zhang Y, Davis JK, Casa DJ, Bishop PA. Optimizing cold water immersion for exercise-induced hyperthermia: a meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015;47(11):2464−2472. Clinical Questions: Do optimal procedures exist for implementing cold-water immersion (CWI) that yields high cooling rates for hyperthermic individuals? Data Sources: One reviewer performed a literature search using PubMed and Web of Science. Search phrases were cold water immersion, forearm immersion, ice bath, ice water immersion, immersion, AND cooling. Study Selection: Studies were included based on the following criteria: (1) English language, (2) full-length articles published in peer-reviewed journals, (3) healthy adults subjected to exercise-induced hyperthermia, and (4) reporting of core temperature as 1 outcome measure. A total of 19 studies were analyzed. Data Extraction: Pre-immersion core temperature, immersion water temperature, ambient temperature, immersion duration, and immersion level were coded a priori for ext...
Outcomes Following Complete Surgical Metastasectomy for Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: The benefit of complete surgical metastasectomy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma remains controversial due to limited outcome data. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether complete surgical metastasectomy confers a survival benefit compared to incomplete or no metastasectomy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods: Ovid Embase®, MEDLINE®, Cochrane and Scopus® databases were searched for studies evaluating complete surgical metastasectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma through January 19, 2016. Only comparative studies reporting adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for all cause mortality of incomplete surgical metastasectomy vs complete surgical metastasectomy were included in the analysis. Generic inverse variance with random effects models was used to determine the pooled aHR. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Results: Eight published cohort studies with a low or moderate potential for bias we...
Function and Phylogeny of Bacterial Butyryl Coenzyme A:Acetate Transferases and Their Diversity in the Proximal Colon of Swine

ABSTRACT Studying the host-associated butyrate-producing bacterial community is important, because butyrate is essential for colonic homeostasis and gut health. Previous research has identified the butyryl coenzyme A (CoA):acetate-CoA transferase (EC 2.3.8.3) as a gene of primary importance for butyrate production in intestinal ecosystems; however, this gene family ( but ) remains poorly defined. We developed tools for the analysis of butyrate-producing bacteria based on 12 putative but genes identified in the genomes of nine butyrate-producing bacteria obtained from the swine intestinal tract. Functional analyses revealed that eight of these genes had strong But enzyme activity. When but paralogues were found within a genome, only one gene per genome encoded strong activity, with the exception of one strain in which no gene encoded strong But activity. Degenerate primers were designed to amplify the functional but genes and were tested by amplifying environmental but sequences from DNA and RNA extracted from swine colonic contents. The results show diverse but sequences from swine-associated butyrate-producing bacteria, most of which clustered near functionally confirmed sequences. Here, we describe tools and a framework that allow the bacterial butyrate-producing community to be profiled in the context of animal health and disease. IMPORTANCE Butyrate is a compound produced by the microbiota in the intestinal tracts of animals. This compound is of critical importance for intestinal health, and yet studying its production by diverse intestinal bacteria is technically challenging. Here, we present an additional way to study the butyrate-producing community of bacteria using one degenerate primer set that selectively targets genes experimentally demonstrated to encode butyrate production. This work will enable researchers to more easily study this very important bacterial function that has implications for host health and resistance to disease.
CLINICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING. Tip of the Tongue.

A 65-year-old woman with a history of HIV infection, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia had a 1-week history of cough with pink sputum and mild shortness of breath on exertion, but no fever, chills, night sweats, rhinorrhea, or nasal congestion.
The effect of body mass and diet composition on torpor patterns in a Malagasy primate (Microcebus murinus)

One of the most obvious physiological changes accompanying seasonal heterothermy in mammals is a fattening stage preceding periods of resource scarcity. This phenomenon reflects the interplay of both diet and physiology. Though the accrual of fat stores is known to be essential for overwintering in some species, the influence of diet on the physiology of torpor is not fully understood. Results from captive studies in heterothermic rodents and marsupials have indicated that when autumn diets are enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), animals receiving these diets experience deeper and more frequent torpor bouts than their counterparts receiving a control diet. Our study investigates this potential effect of dietary composition in animals that use daily torpor rather than prolonged torpor (i.e., hibernation). In so doing, we investigate the degree to which dietary effects on torpor are restricted to cold-adapted rodents and marsupials, or are a more general feature of mammalian heterothermy. We examined the effects of a PUFA diet and a control diet on the thermoregulation of one of the few species of primates known to use daily torpor: the grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus). Though the results of this study are largely inconclusive regarding the impact of dietary manipulations on torpor frequency and duration, we nonetheless find that the propensity of animals to enter torpor is directly influenced by age and seasonal changes in body mass, and thus reflect important physiological aspects of flexible thermoregulatory responses.
Elastic neutrino-proton scattering

A general analysis of elastic neutrino- and antineutrino-proton scattering is presented which emphasizes the use of these processes as probes of the space-time structure of the weak neutral current. We begin by exhibiting the most general matrix elements in terms of the scalar ($S$), pseudoscalar ($P$), tensor ($T$), vector ($V$), and axial-vector ($A$) form factors. These matrix elements are then used to calculate the differential cross sections $\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{\mathrm{dt}}$ and the proton polarization for incident ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and ${\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$. Based on these results tests are suggested to discriminate between the $S$,$P$,$T$ and $V$,$A$ covariants which respectively flip or preserve the incident neutrino helicity. It is noted that when $V$, $A$, and $T$ are all absent from the neutral current, the differential cross sections take the simple form $\frac{d{\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{\ensuremath{\nu},\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}}{\mathrm{dt}} = \frac{\mathrm{tf}(t)}{E_{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}}$, where ${E}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ is the laboratory energy of the incident neutrinos, $t$ is the square of the momentum transfer, and $f(t)$ is a proton form factor. This observation suggests several ways of discriminating between $S$,$P$,$T$ and $V$,$A$ couplings including a comparison of $\frac{d{\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{\ensuremath{\nu}}}{\mathrm{dt}}$ and $\frac{d{\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}}{\mathrm{dt}}$, and an examination of the average momentum transfer $〈t〉$. Since some of these tests are subject to the "confusion theorem" (i.e., the ability of $S$,$P$,$T$ to mimic $V$,$A$), consideration is given to experiments in which the proton polarization is measured. Although such experiments are difficult to perform, the expected effects are strikingly large, and can lead to an unambiguous disentangling of $V$,$A$ from $S$,$P$,$T$. A discussion is also given of the $\ensuremath{\nu}$ and $\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ elastic cross sections which, when compared to experiment, suggest that the neutral current is not predominantly $S$,$P$.
Palmitoyl-carnitine production by blood cells is associated with plasma palmitate oxidation in women

Circulating acyl-carnitines (acyl-CNTs) are associated with insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in both rodents and humans. However, the mechanisms whereby circulating acyl-CNTs are i...
3D functional scaffolds for tendon tissue engineering

Abstract Tendons transfer forces from skeletal muscle to bone, and are crucial in all joint movement. The limitations of natural tendon grafts motivate the tissue engineering (TE) approaches, which aim to build patient-specific biological substitutes that can repair the damaged or diseased tissues. In this chapter, we review the state-of-the-art techniques for constructing functional three-dimensional (3D) tendon scaffolds, including electrospinning, knitting, braiding, electrohydrodynamic jet printing, collagen extrusion, wet spinning, and microfiber melt drawing. These technologies possess their own advantages, and the induced scaffolds are capable of partially realizing the functions of native tissue in terms of fibrous organizations, mechanical properties, and biological activities. However, concerns in 3D tendon scaffolds still exist, such as selection of biomaterials, degradation, cell alignment, mechanical properties, crimped fiber generation, and mechanical stimuli, which are also discussed.
Pakistan's Approach to Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Reframing the Policy Framework for Peacebuilding and Development Strategies

Countering violent extremism (CVE) is one of the central focuses of the government of Pakistan. This article examines the current CVE policy framework and questions the existing paradigm of CVE pol...
Fusiform dilatation of the internal carotid artery following childhood craniopharyngioma resection treated by endovascular flow diversion-A case report and literature review.

Abstract Fusiform dilatation of the internal carotid artery (FDICA) is a well-described radiographic finding following resection of childhood craniopharyngioma (CP). A 39-year-old woman with right-sided FDICA was successfully treated for lesion enlargement with endovascular flow diversion, which has not been described in the literature.
Synthesis of dehydrocineole, a new monoterpene from the acarid mite, caloglyphus rodriguezi (arachnida: acari)

Abstract Dehydrocineole, a new monoterpene ether, 6-methylsalicylaldehyde, undecane and tridecane are reported from the opisthonotal gland secretion of the mite, Caloglyphus rodriguezi . A synthesis of dehydrocineole is described.
Anion-exchange HPLC of taurine, cysteinesulfinate and cysteic acid.

Taurine is synthesized from cysteine by mammalian liver and other tissues. Cysteinesulfinate is believed to be the major intermediate in hypotaurine and taurine synthesis. The oxidation product of cysteinesulfinate, cysteic acid, can also be decarboxylated to taurine; the sulfur is completely oxidized prior to decarboxylation rather than after decarboxylation as is the case for conversion of cysteinesulfinate to hypotaurine and on to taurine. Cysteic acid appears to form spontaneously from cysteine and is present in plasma.
The evolution of quality management in state Medicaid agencies: a national survey of states with comprehensive managed care programs.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Concern has been expressed about whether managed care health plans can successfully meet the special needs of Medicaid beneficiaries. A 1996 survey indicated that state Medicaid agencies had just begun conducting quality oversight and management. Since then the federal government has released guidelines under the Quality Improvement System for Managed Care (QISMC) program to assist states with quality management of managed care programs. In 1999 a follow-up telephone survey was conducted with representatives from 45 states to describe the current state of and changes in quality management activities by state Medicaid agencies for Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in managed care. Results The 45 states represented a 50% increase between 1995 and 1999. The number of states enrolling the disabled had doubled (from 15 to 30). Most states collecting data on satisfaction and childhood immunizations fed it back to health plans, although feedback of other measures of access and quality occurred less frequently and fewer states provided information to beneficiaries choosing health plans. Fewer than 25% of states reported having even one health plan demonstrate improvement in individual measures of access and quality except for prenatal care (28%) and childhood immunizations (33%). Fewer than half of the states included contractual penalties in their contracts with health plans, and very few (three or fewer per penalty) had ever invoked such penalties. Conclusions State Medicaid agencies continue to adapt to their new roles as value-based purchasers of health care. Although increasing numbers of states collect data on satisfaction, access, and quality of care, few states have been able to document improved performance in the health plans they oversee.
Pertussis: The Whooping Cough

Bordetella pertussis can cause serious and potentially fatal complications, especially in very young infants. Early diagnosis and treatment of pertussis with a macrolide antibiotic, such as azithromycin, before the paroxysmal stage of disease can help mitigate complications and reduce the spread of this highly contagious disease.
Annals Understanding Clinical Research: Interpreting Results With Large P Values.

Relying solely on P values to interpret study results is widely recognized as suboptimal, but it remains the dominant method of study interpretation in biomedicine. This tutorial discusses issues t...
Rethinking the Administrative State Through an Intersectional Framework

This article was inspired by the special invitation to the Minnowbrook 50th Anniversary Conference: Rethinking the Administrative State. Participants were asked to write a concept paper discussing ...
The Salesperson's Role in Supply Chain Relationships: The effect of moderators

In this paper, the impact of one of the important antecedents of trust – which is salesperson competence on development of trust in a buyer-salesperson relationship, is examined. The moderating rol...
Clinical Presentations of the Occult Spinal Dysraphisms

The occult spinal dysraphisms are a mixed group of pathologies. Most share the presenting symptoms associated with tethering of the spinal cord. However, some of these pathologies have unique presentations associated with their anatomy. In this chapter, we will discuss the common and uncommon presentations of patients with the different forms of occult spinal dysraphism.
Nested Networks: Transformational Change in Higher Education

Abstract We live in a deeply connected, rapidly changing world. When, in 2030, we reflect on having successfully achieved the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), we will cre...
An improved first order local regularization method for ill-posed Volterra equations

Abstract In this paper, we present a first order local regularization method for solving ill-posed Volterra equations with ν-smoothing kernels, and establish stability and convergence of the method for all values of ν ∈ N . The method is an improvement of one whose numerical performance is shown to erode at ν = 4 and whose convergence theory is uncertain once ν > 4 . We describe numerical implementation of the fast sequential algorithm associated with the method and provide a new scheme to approximate the initial condition. Numerical examples illustrate our theoretical results, particularly the method's stability in the case ν = 4 and higher.
Review of “Handbook of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Spinal Medicine for Nurses and Advanced Practice Health Professionals,” edited by Michael Y. Wang, Andrea L. Strayer, Odette A. Harris, Cathy M. Rosenberg, and Praveen V. Mummaneni

This book is prefaced with a paragraph stating that it was written by a multidisciplinary team of experts in neurology, neurosurgery, and spinal care for the purpose of providing a quick review han...
Exogenous testosterone increases sensitivity to moral norms in moral dilemma judgements

Moral dilemma judgements frequently involve decisions where moral norms and the greater good are in conflict. The current preregistered study tested the effect of the steroid hormone testosterone on moral dilemma judgements using a double-blind administration of testosterone or placebo. Counter to predictions, testosterone administration led to increased inaction in moral dilemmas where harmful actions prohibited by moral norms increase overall well-being. Using a mathematical model to disentangle sensitivity to consequences, sensitivity to moral norms and general preference for inaction versus action, analyses further revealed that testosterone administration influenced judgements by increasing sensitivity to moral norms. Exploratory analyses suggested the opposite pattern for endogenous testosterone measured at baseline, in that higher levels of endogenous testosterone were associated with lower sensitivity to moral norms. The results indicate that the role of testosterone in moral judgements is more complex than suggested by previous findings. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: The stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 13 November 2017. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at https://osf.io/rysbe/ 1.
SCDM-k

The recently developed selected columns of the density matrix (SCDM) method (Damle et al. 2015, [16]) is a simple, robust, efficient and highly parallelizable method for constructing localized orbitals from a set of delocalized KohnSham orbitals for insulators and semiconductors with point sampling of the Brillouin zone. In this work we generalize the SCDM method to KohnSham density functional theory calculations with k-point sampling of the Brillouin zone, which is needed for more general electronic structure calculations for solids. We demonstrate that our new method, called SCDM-k, is by construction gauge independent and a natural way to describe localized orbitals. SCDM-k computes localized orbitals without the use of an optimization procedure, and thus does not suffer from the possibility of being trapped in a local minimum. Furthermore, the computational complexity of using SCDM-k to construct orthogonal and localized orbitals scales as O(NlogN) where N is the total number of k-points in the Brillouin zone. SCDM-k is therefore efficient even when a large number of k-points are used for Brillouin zone sampling. We demonstrate the numerical performance of SCDM-k using systems with model potentials in two and three dimensions.
Temporal Variations of Water Quality Parameters, Phytoplankton, And Invertebrates In Environmental Change Hotspots: A Case of Lake Wamala, Uganda

Lake Wamala (Uganda) is a small shallow lake (maximum mean depth = 4.5m) that has periodically undergonefluctuations in depth and area because of changes in rainfall, temperature and wind speed. No study, however,has been done to assess how these changes, in addition to catchment degradation, which are likely to intensify in future, have affected aquatic productivity processes. Data on Secchi depth (SD), turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total phosphorous (TP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), soluble reactive silicon (SRSi), ammonia (NH4-N), nitrite nitrogen (NO2-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), Chlorophyl a, composition and abundance of algae, and invertebrates were compared between periods 1998-2000 and 2011-2013. Results showed a twofold increase in conductivity and TP, a threefold increase in SRSi, chlorophyll a > 25 ?g l-1, and persistence by low water transparency (SD 70%, with emergence of new species, especially among the dinoflagellate and euglenophyte groups. Although rotifers, which are known to have capacity to withstand stressful habitat conditions, dominated the zooplankton, their density decreased by >80%. The phantom-midge, chaoborus, and the midge, chironomid, larvae dominated macro-invertebrate, but did not show clear trends between the two periods.
Closure of ‘third places’? Exploring potential consequences for collective health and wellbeing

In unassuming neighborhood locales, such as coffee shops, hair salons, and malls, people meet to socialize, express themselves, and support one another. These 'third places' enrich social interaction, sense of community, and belonging outside of the home and workplace. Yet third places are closing across the United States. Americans may be losing access to key services, goods, and amenities, in addition to community sites that help buffer against loneliness, stress, and alienation. The relevance of third places to health and quality life is under-researched. These sites may support wellbeing through mechanisms of stimulation, support, protection, and care. We call on researchers to investigate how third places contribute to wellbeing and consider the consequences that the disappearance of such places has for public health. Future research on third places may be mobilized to innovatively reduce health disparities and improve quality of life.
Impact of comorbid conditions on disease-specific quality of life in older men and women with atrial fibrillation

Older persons with atrial fibrillation (AF) experience significant impairment in quality of life (QoL), which may be partly attributable to their comorbid diseases. A greater understanding of the impact of comorbidities on QoL could optimize patient-centered care among older persons with AF. To assess impairment in disease-specific QoL due to comorbid conditions in older adults with AF. Patients aged ≥ 65 years diagnosed with AF were recruited from five medical centers in Massachusetts and Georgia between 2015 and 2018. At 1 year of follow-up, the Quality of Life Disease Impact Scale—for Multiple Chronic Conditions was used to provide standardized assessment of patient self-reported impairment in QoL attributable to 34 comorbid conditions grouped in 10 clusters. The mean age of study participants (n = 1097) was 75 years and 48% were women. Overall, cardiometabolic, musculoskeletal, and pulmonary conditions were the most prevalent comorbidity clusters. A high proportion of participants (82%) reported that musculoskeletal conditions exerted the greatest impact on their QoL. Men were more likely than women to report that osteoarthritis and stroke severely impacted their QoL. Patients aged < 75 years were more likely to report that obesity, hip/knee joint problems, and fibromyalgia extremely impacted their QoL than older participants. Among older persons with AF, while cardiometabolic diseases were highly prevalent, musculoskeletal conditions exerted the greatest impact on patients’ disease-specific QoL. Understanding the extent of impairment in QoL due to underlying comorbidities provides an opportunity to develop interventions targeted at diseases that may cause significant impairment in QoL.
Free-Hand Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Under Local Anesthesia in the Office Without Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Experience with 304 Cases

Background: We present our series of free-hand transperineal prostate biopsy (fTP-Bx) using a novel coaxial needle introducer guide. All cases were performed in the office under local anesthesia (L...
Shooting the Messenger: The Liability of Crowdfunding Intermediaries for the Fraud of Others

The new federal crowdfunding exemption in section 4(a)(6) of the Securities Act requires that securities be sold only through regulated intermediaries — brokers and funding portals. Much of the information appearing on those crowdfunding intermediaries’ platforms will be provided by someone other than the intermediary. Crowdfunding intermediaries must post extensive disclosure provided by issuers of the securities being sold. Under the SEC’s proposed rules, they must also provide communication channels where prospective investors and others may post comments.Neither the statute nor the proposed rules say much about the intermediary’s obligation to verify the information posted by others or its liability if that information is false or misleading. The result under the securities antifraud rules is unclear. Unless the law is clarified, crowdfunding intermediaries face a significant risk of liability that could make crowdfunded securities offerings unfeasible.I argue that crowdfunding intermediaries should be liable for information provided by others in only three circumstances: (1) if they knew the posted information was false; (2) if they were aware of red flags that should have alerted them to the fraud; or (3) if they recommend a particular security or offering without an adequate investigation.
Applications of Avatar Mediated Interaction to Teaching, Training, Job Skills and Wellness

The focus of this chapter is on the application of a framework for remotely delivering role-playing experiences that afford users the opportunity to practice real-world skills in a safe virtual setting. The framework, AMITIES, provides a single individual the capabilities to remotely orchestrate the performances of multiple virtual characters. We illustrate this by introducing avatar–enabled scenarios that range from teacher preparation to effectively dealing with complex interpersonal situations such as resistance to peer pressure and participation in job interviews (either as the interviewer or the interviewee).
Abstract 46: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Accelerates Cerebral Pathology in Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke Prone Rat (SHRsp)

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and its pathological changes in small vessels in brain, is responsible for lacunar infarcts, white matter lesions, hemorrhages, microbleeds, and cognitive impairment. Although it has been suggested that OSA has a role in CSVD, there are no controlled studies relating OSA to CSVD and it pathological consequences. We tested the hypothesis that OSA in SHRsp rats, a model for CSVD, accelerates the development of associated brain pathologies. Chronic intermittent airway obstructions (termed OSA, 10 sec in duration, 60/hr, during 8 hr of the sleep cycle) were induced by remotely inflating balloons implanted in the tracheas of SHRsp and their parent strain, Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Studies were conducted at 12 and 20 weeks of age after being subjected to 14 days of OSA. Sham rats had balloons implanted but without inflations to occlude the airway. Systolic blood pressure was significantly increased in SHRsp with OSA by 58 ± 15 and 32 ± 7 mm Hg at 12 and 20 weeks respectively ...
Values, Anthropology of

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by J. Peacock, volume 24, pp. 16145–16148, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
A Concise Guide to the Federalist Papers as a Source of the Original Meaning of the United States Constitution

Many lawyers, judges, law clerks, and legal scholars feel unprepared to make or evaluate claims about the original meaning of the Constitution based on the Federalist Papers. The typical law school curriculum acknowledges the importance of the Federalist Papers - usually by assigning Supreme Court cases which cite them - but does not treat the essays in depth. As a result, many law students and graduates still need accessible information about the creation, content, and distribution of the essays, manageable summaries of the theories under which the Federalist Papers might provide evidence of the original meaning, and instruction on possible grounds for impeaching claims about the original meaning based on the Federalist Papers. I hope to address these needs in this guide to the Federalist Papers. The guide provides the essential background that lawyers, judges, law clerks, and legal scholars ought to have before advancing, contesting, or evaluating claims about the original meaning of the Constitution based on the Federalist Papers. I have tried to keep the guide concise in the hope that the intended audience will have time to read it. At the same time, I believe that the guide is sufficiently analytical to promote critical thinking, careful judgment, and judicious evaluation of arguments that rely on the Federalist Papers.
Hydrate adhesive and tensile strengths

The physical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments depend on the interaction between hydrates and minerals. In particular, hydrates prefer to nucleate on mineral surfaces, therefore, the hydrate-mineral adhesive strength and the tensile strength of the hydrate mass itself affect the mechanical response of hydrate-bearing sediments. In this study, ice and hydrates made with various guest molecules (CO2, CH4, and THF) are formed between mica and calcite substrates. Adhesive and tensile strengths are measured by applying an external pull-out force. Results show that tensile failure occurs in CO2 and CH4 hydrates when calcite is the substrate, while ice and all hydrates exhibit adhesive failure on mica. The debonding strength is higher when calcite substrates are involved rather than mica substrates. A nominal pull-out strength of 0.15 ± 0.03 MPa can be adopted for mechanical analyses of hydrate-bearing sediments.
Low-SAR hexa-band antenna for mobile applications

In this work, we describe a hexa-band mobile phone antenna with a metallic backing, designed for SAR reduction. The proposed antenna has a simple structure comprising of two radiating strips and a coupling strip which serves to enhance the bandwidth at high frequency. The antenna has been designed to cover multiple bands, namely LTE Band 13 (747–787 MHz); DCS 1800 (1710–1880MHz); PCS 1900 (1850–1990MHz); WCDMA (1920–2170MHz); LTE Band 40 (2300–2400 MHz); and Band 41 (2496–2690MHz). The designed antenna only occupies a small area of 15×29.5 mm2 on the system circuit board. By adjusting the shape, location and size of the backing, the SAR is effectively reduced over all of the bands, while the efficiency of the antenna is preserved. Thus, the antenna is an excellent candidate for incorporation into smart phones for next generation wireless systems.
A causal model of productivity in a research facility

The problem addressed concerns the conditions that foster productivity among natural scientists in a large research laboratory. We take several variables identified as important in two major perspectives in the literature on productivity, and use these variables to construct a causal model. Using path analysis, we test the model by employing data from a sample of 295 scientists working at an atomic research facility in West Germany. In general, educational level of the scientists has an important, positive impact on productivity; years of service has a varying and more modest positive effect. Rank of the scientist has an intermediate positive impact on productivity; psychological factors have a negligible effect. Finally, the influence the scientist has on his research endeavors has a modest positive impact on productivity.
Chronic Inflammation Predisposing to Cancer Metastasis: Lesson Learned from a Chronically Embedded Foreign Body in a Duodenal Diverticulum

Malignant neoplasms of small intestine are uncommon and account for less than 0.3 % of all gastrointestinal tract malignancies [1]. Despite the fact that the small intestine accounts for 75 % of the gastrointestinal tract, metastasis to the small bowel is also rare and has been reported in only 2 % of autopsies [2, 3]. Most of the metastases to small intestine originate from melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, genitourinary neoplasms, carcinoma of cervix, thyroid carcinoma, merkel cell carcinoma, breast cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and lung cancer [3–8]. Accidental foreign body (FB) ingestion is common. Although most cases occur in pediatric populations, FB ingestion in adults is not uncommon [9]. Fortunately, approximately 90 % of the time, objects pass through the system without any complications [10]. However, if retained within the digestive tract and FB may become impacted and can cause perforation, obstruction, and bleeding. Additionally, an embedded FB may trigger inflammation, which over time may lead to consequent malignant transformation of the local tissue [11–13]. The theory of FB-induced carcinogenesis has been a focus of extensive research for decades. Turner reported that subcutaneous implantation of FB disks in rats led to formation of sarcoma surrounding the immediate vicinity of the disks [14]. Since then, numerous studies have linked FB-induced inflammation to carcinogenesis [12]. However, metastasis from other sites to an area with an embedded FB has seldom been reported. Here, we report a case of a 75-year-old female with a history of colon cancer, resected 5 years previously, whom was found to have metastatic colon cancer to a duodenal diverticulum with an impacted foreign body which had been there for at least 5 years prior to presentation.
Directional constraint evaluation in Optimality Theory

Weighted finite-state constraints that can count unboundedly many violations make Optimality Theory more powerful than finite-state transduction (Frank and Satta, 1998). This result is empirically and computationally awkward. We propose replacing these unbounded constraints, as well as non-finite-state Generalized Alignment constraints, with a new class of finite-state directional constraints. We give linguistic applications, results on generative power; and algorithms to compile grammars into transducers.
Stability of the magnetospheric boundary

Abstract The magnetospheric boundary which is the interface between solar wind and the magnetosphere is viewed as a surface of hydromagnetic Kelvin-Helmholtz discontinuity. The crucial effect of compressibility on its stability is discussed. It is shown that substantial portions of the dayside of the boundary are unstable under all conditions of solar wind. The spatial extent of the instability on the dayside is almost completely independent of the speed and density of solar wind. But it is critically dependent on the angle between the geomagnetic field and the compressed interplanetary field at the boundary. The stability of the nightside of the boundary is dependent on solar wind speed among other factors; the higher the speed, the more extensive is the stable region.
Refractive index and composition of poly(methyl methacrylate) fracture surface layers

By using the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light the refractive index of the thin layer present on fresh poly(methyl methacrylate) fracture surfaces has been measured. The fracture surface refractive index, 1.32, is the same as that of the craze in the same polymer. The fracture surface layer is accordingly thought to be craze like in structure.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity Studies of (Cyclohexenyl)nickel(II) Complexes†

The synthesis and characterization of the complexes [(cyclohexenyl)Ni(NCMe)2][B(ArF)4] (1) and [(cyclohexenyl)Ni(mesitylene)][B(ArF)4] (2) are reported. Abstraction of the nitrile ligands in 1 with B(C6F5)3 yields a “ligand-free” [(cyclohexenyl)NiII]+ species which coordinates 1,3-dienes, including butadiene (BD), isoprene (IP), 1,3-cyclohexadiene (1,3-CHD), 1,4-cyclohexadiene (1,4-CHD), and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene (DMBD) at low temperatures. Diene insertion is observed at temperatures above ca. −20 °C. An s-trans diene complex is formed upon coordination of DMBD. Hydrogen transfer is observed when complex 2 is exposed to 1-hexene or cyclopentadiene to generate new allyl nickel complexes and 1 equiv of cyclohexene. Polymerization of 1,3-CHD and DMBD with 2 is described, and a coupling product formed between DMBD and 2 is observed and characterized.
Transition from direct tunneling to field emission in metal-molecule-metal junctions

Current-voltage measurements of metal-molecule-metal junctions formed from pi-conjugated thiols exhibit an inflection point on a plot of ln(I/V(2)) vs 1/V, consistent with a change in transport mechanism from direct tunneling to field emission. The transition voltage was found to scale linearly with the offset in energy between the Au Fermi level and the highest occupied molecular orbital as determined by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. Asymmetric voltage drops at the two metal-molecule interfaces cause the transition voltage to be dependent on bias polarity.
Genetic architecture and evolutionary constraint when the environment contains genes

The environment provided by conspecifics is often the most important component of the environment experienced by individuals, frequently having profound effects on fitness and trait expression. Although these social effects on fitness and trait expression may appear to be purely environmental, they differ from other sorts of environmental influences, because they can have a genetic basis and thus can contribute to evolution. Theory has shown that these effects modify the definition of genetic architecture by making the phenotype the property of the genotypes of multiple individuals and alter evolutionary dynamics by introducing additional heritable components contributing to trait evolution. These effects suggest that genetic and evolutionary analyses of traits influenced by social environments must incorporate the genetic components of variation contributed by these environments. However, empirical studies incorporating these effects are generally lacking. In this paper, I quantify the contribution of genetically based environmental effects arising from social interactions during group rearing to the quantitative genetics of body size in Drosophila melanogaster. The results demonstrate that the genetic architecture of body size contains an important component of variation contributed by the social environment, which is hidden to ordinary genetic analyses and opposes the direct effects of genes on body-size development within a population. Using a model of trait evolution, I show that these effects significantly alter evolutionary predictions by providing hidden constraints on phenotypic evolution. The importance of relatedness of interactants and the potential impact of kin selection on the evolution of body size are also examined.
Analysis of the P Wave in Severe Aortic Stenosis

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The electrocardiograms of 19 adults with necropsy-proved severe isolated valvular aortic stenosis were analyzed with particular reference to P wave changes. Three had normal P waves and 16 had changes of left atrial enlargement. The most sensitive indicator of left atrial enlargement in those patients was a large negative P deflection in lead V-l. In cases of known isolated aortic stenosis, changes in the P wave in addition to the ST-T changes are of value in assessing the state of the left ventricle and the sever ity of obstruction.
Illusion of Knowing in Adult Readers: Effects of Reading Skill and Passage Length

The importance of comprehension monitoring, or the ability to evaluate whether comprehension has been successful, is discussed in terms of van Dijk and Kintsch's (1983) model of discourse processing. Failure to monitor may impede comprehension and prevent learning. When monitoring failure occurs at the same time a reader exhibits high confidence in comprehension, it is called Illusion of Knowing, or IK (Glenberg, Wilkinson, & Epstein, 1982). Although previous monitoring investigations have used passages with embedded contradictions, we used unaltered or intact expository text to investigate the effects of reading skill and passage length on IK. Good and poor adult readers read a short and long version of the same passage. Results indicate that monitoring accuracy is not related to reading skill and that IK is more likely to occur with a short excerpt of text, while the longer version of the passage elicits more accurate monitoring. Instructional and research implications of these findings are discussed.
Primary structure of peptides from bovine brain glutamine synthetase. Comparison with sequences of glutamine synthetases from other organisms

Abstract An analysis of the covalent structure of bovine brain glutamine synthetase has been initiated. Cyanogen bromide and tryptic digests have yielded peptides accounting for most of the polypeptide subunit, and sequence analysis has placed in order over half of the amino acids within these peptides. The amino terminus is acetylated and has the following partial sequence: Ac(H, S 3 , A 2 T)-L-B-K-G-I-K-Z-V-Y-M. The carboxyl-terminal sequence is: A-L-P-Q-G-D-K-V-Q-A-M. The peptides isolated from bovine glutamine synthetase show a high degree of homology with peptides isolated from ovine and porcine brain glutamine synthetases. In contrast to the sequence homologies of the proteins from eukaryotic sources, there are no obvious amino acid sequence homologies between bovine brain glutamine synthetase and any prokaryotic glutamine synthetase. Bovine brain glutamine synthetase is inactivated by phenylglyoxal and N -ethylmaleimide. In both cases catalytic activity is protected by the presence of ATP, suggesting the presence of arginine and cysteine residues at or near the ATP binding site.
Capital budgeting in governments: The feasibility of Artificial Intelligence technology

Abstract Research on capital budgeting, or capital planning, for governments has focused on developing increasingly sophisticated decision models. However, broad-based acceptance of sophisticated decision models has been limited, at best. This paper described Artificial Intelligence technology, specifically expert systems, as a logical complement to the present mechanical decision model approaches. The unique attributes of government capital budgeting domains are presented as a construct for discussing the feasibility of adoption and implementation of expert systems. Because of the domain-specific nature of feasibility studies, no declarative conclusions are formed. Rather, nontechnical and objective assessments of the relevant decision variables are presented and supported by extensive references.