cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in active musculoskeletal stiffness. Part I.: Quantification in controlled measurements of knee joint dynamics

Abstract Active females demonstrate increased risk for musculoskeletal injuries relative to equivalently-trained males. Although gender differences in factors such as passive laxity, skeletal geometry and kinematics have been examined, the effect of gender on active muscle stiffness has not been reported. Stiffness of the active quadriceps and hamstrings musculature were recorded during isometric knee flexion and extension exertions from twelve male and eleven female subjects. A second-order biomechanical model of joint dynamics was used to quantify stiffness from the transient motion response to an angular perturbation of the lower-leg. Female subjects demonstrated reduced active stiffness relative to male subjects at all torque levels, with levels 56–73% of the males. Effective stiffness increased linearly with the torque load, with stiffness increasing at a rate of 3.3 Nm/rad per unit of knee moment in knee flexion exertions (hamstrings) and 6.6 Nm/rad per unit of knee moment extension exertions (quadriceps). To account for gender differences in applied moment associated with leg mass, regressions analyses were completed that demonstrated a gender difference in the slope of stiffness-versus-knee moment relation. Further research is necessary to identify the cause of the observed biomechanical difference and implications for controlling injury.
Lexical priming in picture naming of young children who do and do not stutter.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the influence of lexical/semantic priming on the speech reaction time of young children who do and do not stutter during a picture-naming task. Parti...
Modeling the Effect of Irradiation and Post-Irradiation Annealing on Grain Boundary Composition in Austenitic Fe-Cr-Ni Alloys

Many irradiation effects in Fe-Cr-Ni alloys such as radiation-induced segregation, radiation-enhanced diffusion, and void swelling are known to vary with bulk alloy composition. The development of microstructural and microchemical changes during irradiation and during post-irradiation annealing is determined by the rate of diffusion of point defects and alloying elements. To accurately predict the changes in grain boundary chemistry due to radiation-induced segregation and post-irradiation annealing, the composition dependence of diffusion parameters, such as the migration energy, must be known. A model has been developed which calculates migration diffusivity. The advantages of this calculational method are that a single set of input parameters can be used for a wide range of bulk alloy compositions, and the effects of local order can easily be incorporated into the calculations. A description of the model is presented, and model calculations are compared to segregation measurements from seven different iron-chromium-nickel alloys, irradiated with protons to doses from 0.1 to 3.0 dpa at temperatures between 200 C and 600 C. Results show that segregation trends can be modeled using a single set of input parameters with the difference between model calculation and measurement being less than 5 at%, but usually less than 2 at%. Additionally, model predictions are compared to grain boundary composition measurements of neutron irradiated 304 stainless steel following annealing. For the limited annealing data available, model calculations correctly predict the magnitude and time scale for recovery of the grain boundary composition.
Exploiting Memory-Level Parallelism in Reconfigurable Accelerators

As memory accesses increasingly limit the overall performance of reconfigurable accelerators, it is important for high level synthesis (HLS) flows to discover and exploit memory-level parallelism. This paper develops 1) a framework where parallelism between memory accesses can be revealed from runtime profile of applications and provided to a high level synthesis flow, and 2) a novel multi-accelerator/multi-cache architecture to support parallel memory accesses, taking advantage of the high aggregated memory bandwidth found in modern FPGA devices. Our experimental results have shown that for 10 accelerators generated from 9 benchmark applications, circuits using our proposed memory structure achieve on average 52% improved performance over accelerators using a traditional memory interface. We believe that our study represents a solid advance towards achieving memory-parallel embedded computing on hybrid CPU+FPGA platforms.
Spatio-Temporal Correlation-Based Density Optimization in Wireless Underground Sensor Networks

This paper investigates the optimal sensor density in Wireless Underground Sensor Networks (WUSNs) to guarantee high monitoring accuracy with minimum deployment cost. In WUSNs, the density of underground sensors is expected to be as low as possible due to the high deployment cost. However, an extremely high density of underground sensors is required to maintain the full connectivity of WUSNs due to the harsh underground channel conditions. This conflict constitutes the greatest challenge to deploy the WUSNs and was not addressed before, to our knowledge. In this paper, a spatio-temporal correlation-based data collection scheme is proposed to release the unfeasible sensor density requirement of the full connectivity in WUSNs. More importantly, an explicit solution for sensor density optimization in WUSNs under the proposed data collection scheme is developed such that the effects of the dynamic underground channel conditions, the spatio- temporal correlations, the network connectivity, and the random or controlled mobility of mobile sinks are captured. The results of this paper provide principles and guidelines for the design and deployment of wireless underground sensor networks.
Overview: cause and prevention in biowarfare and bioterrorism.

Bioweaponry is rooted in the ancient past. It became a science in the early 20th century following the breakthrough discoveries in microbiology and immunology of the late 1800s. The 20th century, with its major and minor wars, saw the research and development of biological weapons capable of immense destruction of life, which were used both by nations in preparation for military warfare and by individuals who engage in asymmetric warfare. Treaties, international agreements, and political pursuits have not been able either to control or to rid the world of bioweapons. The tools for specific defense against bioweapons consist of vaccines against both viruses and bacteria, and of antibiotics and drugs against bacteria. Vaccines and antimicrobials are of limited usefulness because of the large number of possible microbes that can be used for weapons, because of antimicrobial resistance to drugs and antibiotics, and because of limitations in technical feasibility for developing vaccines and antibacterials against certain of the agents. Induction of non-specific innate immunity by immunostimulatory vaccines (at one time licensed) needs to be explored for possible immunoprophylactic-therapeutic activity when administered immediately following exposure to bioweapon pathogens. The ideal solution to the bioweapons problem lies in measures to end their development and application throughout the world. Emphasis was made at the recent World Economic Forum of the need to end poverty and hunger in the world as a means to reduce the incentive to engage in warfare. Added to this is betterment of health, focused mainly on preventable diseases. A further solution to the problem may lie in the development of modern robotic systems for rapid forensic detection of development and production of bioweapons by "rogue" nations and even by individuals. This review deals with the specifics of the development of bioweapons and their control by vaccines, by therapy with antibacterials, by non-specific immunostimulants, by advanced systems for detection of development and deployment of biological agents of destruction, and by political and health-giving initiatives.
Cigarette Smoking in Opioid-Using Patients Presenting for Hospital-Based Medical Services

Little is known about cigarette smoking among opioid users who are not in substance abuse treatment. The study examined cigarette smoking in out-of-treatment opioid users presenting at a hospital who participated in drug abuse research. Participants exhibited a high rate of smoking (92%) at baseline that remained unchanged at one year and were moderately nicotine-dependent. Nineteen percent preferred unfiltered cigarettes. Women were more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes; men were more likely to smoke unfiltered cigarettes. Caucasians tended to smoke more than other ethnicities and exhibited greater dependence. Out-of-treatment drug users continue to be at high risk for continued smoking.
A low-cost solution for automated solder paste application

In electrical and computer engineering, prototyping is a process through which an original concept is represented in a physical system. Creating such a prototype might only necessitate the use of a soldering iron, but specialized equipment can facilitate or in some cases be requisite for complex designs and smaller component packages. This equipment, however, can be prohibitively expensive. This paper proposes a machine which eliminates most of the above issues, a computer numerically-controlled (CNC) solder paste dispenser. To apply solder paste to a design, the machine uses a X/Y gantry to precisely position a syringe of paste and dispense a measured amount.
Transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis presenting as pyonephrosis.

Primary tumors of the renal pelvis and collecting system are relatively uncommon. Malignant tumors arising from the renal pelvis constitute only 5% of urinary tract neoplasms; approximately 90% of pelvicaliceal cancers are transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), and the remaining 10% are squamous cell carcinoma. These tumors are centered in the renal pelvis and secondarily invade the renal sinus fat and renal parenchyma.' They are less common than renal cell carcinomas and 2 to 3 times more common than ureteral malignancy. 2 Their clinical presentation is nonspecific and variable, and they can be mistaken for a variety of conditions. Sometimes they are detected in unsuspected cases with urinary tract symptoms. The radiologic evaluation is therefore critical in initial detection. Sonography plays an important role as a primary screening technique in renal imaging to evaluate variety of urinary symptoms. This report presents an unusual case in which there was extensive dilatation of the renal pelvis and calyces, and they contained diffuse low-level echoes simulating pyonephrosis. No discrete solid masses were identified to suspect TCC of the renal pelvis. No vascularity was identified on color flow examination. With the background clinical history of turbid urine and generalized fatigue, a sonographic diagnosis of pyonephrosis was made. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was recommended to evaluate the cause of obstruction, which showed an extensive renal pelvic and collecting system tumor, which was later confirmed with a pathologic report.
Assessment of a multidimensional satellite rainfall error model for ensemble generation of satellite rainfall data

This letter presents preliminary insights from the pursuit of the following scientific query: "How realistic is ensemble generation of satellite rainfall data by a multidimensional satellite rainfall error model?" The authors first evaluated the scale-dependent multidimensional error structure for two satellite rainfall algorithms developed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, namely: 1) the infrared (IR) estimates known as the 3B41RT product and 2) the combined passive microwave (PMW) and IR estimates known as the 3B42RT product. Ground radar (WSR-88D) rainfall fields from the Southern Plains of the U.S. were used as reference. Next, by reversing the definition of reference and corrupted rain fields produced by a multidimensional satellite rainfall error model (SREM2D, developed by Hossain and Anagnostou), the authors derived the inverse multidimensional error structure of WSR-88D rainfall fields with respect to the satellite rainfall estimation algorithms. SREM2D was then applied on actual satellite rainfall data with the pertinent inverse error parameters to generate an ensemble of most likely realizations of the reference WSR-88D rainfall fields. The simulated ensemble was then compared with that derived from a simpler (bidimensional) inverse error modeling approach. The accuracy of the SREM2D rainfall ensemble was observed to be higher than the simpler error-modeling scheme for the 3B41RT product. No tangible improvement was observed for the 3B42RT product, which is attributed to the heterogeneous nature of 3B42RT data statistics that was not accounted for in the inverse SREM2D approach. The overall conclusion is that a multidimensional error modeling approach such as SREM2D has the potential to generate realistic ensembles of satellite rainfall fields, which should be considered as an improvement over the more widely used simpler error-modeling scheme. A combined use of the multidimensional error model with a sequential error correction scheme could therefore potentially improve the diagnosis of satellite rainfall-based predictability of the global water and energy cycle
Extra high speed modified Lundell alternator parameters and open/short-circuit characteristics from global 3-D-FE magnetic field solutions

A combined magnetic vector potential, magnetic scalar potential method of computation of 3-D magnetic fields by finite elements is used for global 3-D field analysis and machine performance computations under open-circuit and short-circuit conditions for an example 14.3 kVA modified Lundell alternator, whose magnetic field is of an intrinsic 3-D nature. The computed voltages and currents under these machine test conditions were verified and found to be in very good agreement with corresponding test data. Results of the use of this modeling and computation method in the study of a design alteration example, in which the stator stack length of the example alternator is stretched in order to increase voltage and volt-ampere rating, are given. These results demonstrate the inadequacy of conventional 2-D based design concepts and the need for this type of 3-D magnetic field modeling in the design and investigation of such machines. >
Effects of crown release on growth and quality of even-aged red maple stands

The efects of six crown-release treatments on growth and bole quality of 54 dominant, codominant, and intermediate red maples (Acer rubrum L.) were examined in an even-aged stand in upper Michigan. Treatments included an unreleased control, a single-tree and a two-tree crown release, and a full crown-to-crown release of 5, 10, and 15ft. Twenty-two years after treatment, all trees showed a decrease in number of defects. Trees released to 15 ft lost twice as many defects as unreleased trees. Codominants and intermediates lost twice as many defects as dominants. Overgrown knots were the most common defects and showed the greatest decrease over time. The number of epicormic branches also declined; dominants had no epicormic branches afier 22 years. Growth was greater for all released trees than for unreleased trees. Twice as much growth occurred in the 15-ft treatment as in the control, but this result was not sign$cantly greater than those of the 5- or 10-ft crown release treatments. Dominant trees grew sign$- cantly more than the intermediate trees. Twenty-two years afrer treatment, dominants appeared to be least afected by crown-release but had the fewest defects and largest diameters. Crown-release treatment had the greatest efect on intermediates. To maximize growth and maintain bole quality, a crown release of between 5 and loft is recommended for red maple pole-size trees in the LQke States. North. J. Appl. For. 23(4): 229 -233.
Microanalysis Methods for Characterization of Personal Aerosol Exposures

ABSTRACT Chemical characterization of particulate matter (PM) to which human populations are exposed is essential to developing an understanding of the risks and associations of PM with health endpoints. In this research we developed microanalysis methods for the characterization of personal exposure to PM and demonstrated the capabilities of sensitive analytical techniques through the analysis of 9 aerosol samples. These techniques will be used in future exposure assessment studies and to conduct source apportionment of personal and community exposures. Aerosol loadings comparable to 24-h personal exposure samples (150–480 μg) were collected on 25 mm Teflon filters with a PM10 personal sampler operating at 4 lpm. Qualitative functional group identification as well as quantitation of five metals (V, Cr, As, Cd, Pb) and 26 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in the aerosol samples was accomplished using the following techniques: Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Inductively-Couple...
On the theory of solitary Rossby waves

The evolution of long, finite amplitude Rossby waves in a horizontally sheared zonal current is studied. The wave evolution is described by the Korteweg-de Vries equation or the modified Korteweg-de Vries equation depending on the atmospheric stratification. In either case, the cross-stream modal structure of these waves is given by the long-wave limit of the neutral eigensolutions of the barotropic stability equation. Both non-singular and singular eigensolutions are considered and the appropriate analysis is developed to yield a uniformly valid description of the motion in the critical-layer region where the wave speed matches the flow velocity. The analysis demonstrates that coherent, propagating, eddy structures can exist in stable shear flows and that these eddies have peculiar interaction properties quite distinct from the traditional views of turbulent motion.
Autosomal Dominant Central Pigment Epithelial and Choroidal Degeneration

Abstract Eight of nine individuals of a four-generation family had autosomal dominant central pigment epithelial and choroidal degeneration, which was not entirely consistent with previously described central retinal and choroidal degenerations. The early loss of the choriocapillaris with a relative sparing of the sensory retinal and pigment epithelial function is similar to central areolar choroidal degeneration. Ophthalmoscopically, however, the disease resembled the dominant progressive foveal degenerations, except that our patients additionally had multiple peripheral yellow-white lesions. An exceptional finding in our patients was the preservation of good visual acuity despite marked atrophy of the choriocapillaris.
Uniform Resampling of Digitized Contours

This paper addresses the problem of the nonuniform intersample distance of digital curves obtained as a result of quantization of continuous contours on a square lattice. A resampling algorithm based on variable-factor interpolation and decimation is presented, and its performance is evaluated analytically and by computer simulations assuming the grid-intersect quantization. It is shown that the output of the resampling algorithm outperforms the original digital curve in terms of the average and maximum error in the measurement of length by 50 and 73 percent, respectively. The resampling algorithm can be used as a preprocessing stage in shape analysis systems to enhance their performance by increasing the accuracy and consistency of both local and global features such as curvature and the Fourier shape descriptors.
Respiratory source control using a surgical mask: An in vitro study

ABSTRACTCough etiquette and respiratory hygiene are forms of source control encouraged to prevent the spread of respiratory infection. The use of surgical masks as a means of source control has not been quantified in terms of reducing exposure to others. We designed an in vitro model using various facepieces to assess their contribution to exposure reduction when worn at the infectious source (Source) relative to facepieces worn for primary (Receiver) protection, and the factors that contribute to each. In a chamber with various airflows, radiolabeled aerosols were exhaled via a ventilated soft-face manikin head using tidal breathing and cough (Source). Another manikin, containing a filter, quantified recipient exposure (Receiver). The natural fit surgical mask, fitted (SecureFit) surgical mask and an N95-class filtering facepiece respirator (commonly known as an “N95 respirator”) with and without a Vaseline-seal were tested. With cough, source control (mask or respirator on Source) was statistically supe...
Cancer: #1 The relationship of reproductive and body composition factors on the stage of cancer at diagnosis among non-hispanic white and hispanic postmenopausal breast cancer cases

Abstract PURPOSE: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among both White and Hispanic women, however, White women have a substantially higher incidence of the disease. The main objective of this study was to determine if White and Hispanic cases differ on stage of cancer at diagnosis and body composition measurements, and to determine if stage of cancer at diagnosis was associated with obesity. METHODS: 40 Hispanic cases and 33 White cases were recruited from physicians' clinics in Tucson, Arizona. The following anthropometric and body composition measurements were obtained: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, Body Mass Index (BMI), Bone Mineral Density (BMD), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), and Percent Body Fat. Information on reproductive factors, exercise, and dietary intake were collected from structured questionnaires. RESULTS: White and Hispanic cases differed on hormone replacement therapy use, height, weight, BMI, and BMD. However, the groups did not differ statistically on percent body fat, any of the reproductive factors, WHR, stage of cancer, or receptor status. White women had significantly higher BMIs and BMDs, and they were significantly taller and heavier. BMI and percent body fat did not predict stage of cancer at diagnosis. The rates of overweight and obesity of both White and Hispanic breast cancer cases are significantly higher than normal populations of the same age. CONCLUSION: There are differences in body composition factors between the two groups, but there is not a difference in stage of cancer at diagnosis. Further studies need to be conducted to examine the role of ethnic differences in body composition and stage of cancer at diagnosis.
The Kinetics of Crystal Growth and Renal Stone-Formation

The formation of stones in the urinary tract is one of the oldest diseases suffered by humans, and despite extensive studies, there is still much to be learned as to why concretions develop in some patients but not in others. Calcium — containing salts probably constitute one of the most important components of urinary stones, and studies of the physical chemistry of formation of such crystals may help elucidate the important factors involved in the in vivo formation of these salts. Under physiological conditions, the most stable calcium phosphate phase is hydroxyapatite [HAP, Ca5(PO4)3OH] but in tooth, bone and renal deposits, although exhibiting an apatitic x-ray pattern, the ratio of total calcium, TCa, to total phosphate, Tp concentrations, TCa/Tp is often appreciably lower than the 1.67 required for HAP. Typical variations in TCa, Tp, total oxalate, Tox, ionic strength, I(millimolar units) and pH for serum and urine are shown in Table 1.
Studies of an accumulator energy-storage automobile design with a single pump/motor unit

Conception d'un systeme de stockage d'energie par accumulateur pour une automobile utilisant une seule unite moteur-pompe
Examining Social Media and Digital Practices Among Southeastern Magazines

Recent advancements in digital media have had drastic effects on magazines across the country. This research paper addressed those results by examining the digital and social media practices of four city magazines based in the American Southeast to determine what practices are working across social media and digital platforms. Through a content analysis, this study found that city magazines need to use local content, multimedia content and advertising bundles to draw in more visitors or advertising revenues.
The ‘de novo’ DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3b compensates the Dnmt1-deficient intestinal epithelium

Dnmt1 is critical for immediate postnatal intestinal development, but is not required for the survival of the adult intestinal epithelium, the only rapidly dividing somatic tissue for which this has been shown. Acute Dnmt1 deletion elicits dramatic hypomethylation and genomic instability. Recovery of DNA methylation state and intestinal health is dependent on the de novo methyltransferase Dnmt3b. Ablation of both Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b in the intestinal epithelium is lethal, while deletion of either Dnmt1 or Dnmt3b has no effect on survival. These results demonstrate that Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b cooperate to maintain DNA methylation and genomic integrity in the intestinal epithelium.
Mass Spectrometric Study of Photoionization V. Water and Ammonia.

Photoionization efficiency curves are obtained for the molecule and fragment ions of H2O and NH3 in the wavelength region extending from onset of ionization to 600 A. Threshold values of 12.593 eV and 10.162 eV are observed for the H2O+ and NH 3 + ions, respectively. Vibrationally excited states of the molecule ions and autoionization of Rydberg levels are observed. A determination of the bond angle of the H2O+ ion from the Franck-Condon factors of the bending overtones results in a value of 112 degrees. Threshold values of the fragment ions permit calculations of heats of formation of the OH+ and NH 2 + ions and result in the ionization energies, I ( OH ) = 12.94 eV and I ( NH 2 ) = 11.22 eV . .
Hypothalamic lesions in goldthioglucose injected mice.

SummaryGoldthioglucose injections, in the dose which produces obesity in mice, cause in these animals extensive hypothalamic damage involving the ventromedial nuclei. Such lesions are permanent in animals which in fact become obese, but are not apparent in animals unsuccessfully injected. Goldthiomalate, though as toxic as goldthioglucose, does not cause obesity; its injection does not lead to hypothalamic lesions. Implications of these findings as regards the mechanism of the regulation of food intake are discussed.
Data Analytics for Fault Localization in Complex Networks

We consider the problem of identifying the source of failure in a network after receiving alarms or having observed symptoms. To locate the root cause accurately and timely in a large communication system is challenging because a single fault can often result in a large number of alarms, and multiple faults can occur concurrently. In this paper, we present a new fault localization method using a machine-learning approach. We propose to use logistic regression to study the correlation among network events based on end-to-end measurements. Then based on the regression model, we develop fault hypothesis that best explains the observed symptoms. Unlike previous work, the machine-learning algorithm requires neither the knowledge of dependencies among network events, nor the probabilities of faults, nor the conditional probabilities of fault propagation as input. The “low requirement” feature makes it suitable for large complex networks where accurate dependencies and prior probabilities are difficult to obtain. We then evaluate the performance of the learning algorithm with respect to the accuracy of fault hypothesis and the concentration property. Experimental results and theoretical analysis both show satisfactory performance.
Effects of Mangiferin on Gastric Ulcers in Rats

Objective:To study the effect of mangiferin on gastric ulcers in rats.Methods:Ulcer index,area of ulcer,gastric juice volume,acidity and pepsin output were measured on experimental by water-immersion stress were assessed.Results:Mangiferin could inhibit the formation of ulcer,could gastric ulcer induced by water-immersion stress,acetic acid and pyloric ligation in rats.The changes of superoxidase dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA) in the gastric mucosa of gastric ulcer induced increase the activity of SOD and decrease the contents of MDA in the gastric mucosa.Mangiferin was not shown to be able to reduce gastric juice volume,acidity and pepsin output.Conclusion:Mangiferin had antiulcer effect in rats.
Analysis of varicella epidemiology from 2007 to 2012 in Miyun County of Beijing

Objective To study the epidemic characteristics and epidemic situation of varicella in Miyun of Beijing,and provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of varicella. Methods Clinically diagnosed patients with varicella of Miyun from 2007 to 2012 were epidemiologically analyzed by the method of descriptive epidemiology. Results 1933 cases of clinically diagnosed varicella from 2007 to 2012 in Miyun were reported,the average annual incidence rate was 65. 16 /105. There were cases in every month of the year,two peaks of incidence appeared in April,May and December. There were varicella patients in every group below 50 years old. 14 years old group and below accounted for 65. 86% of total cases. The sex ratio of male and female was 1. 10∶ 1. Incidence rates of varicella disease were statistically significant in city,urban and rural,mountainous area. The incidence was highest in city and lowest in mountainous areas. The immunization history of varicella vaccine of 1377 cases reported by schools and kindergartens and other collective units were analysed,52. 70% of them had immune history,all the cases received single dose of varicella vaccine. Conclusions Incidence of varicella in Miyun decreased year by year,which is relevant to taking control measures and varicella vaccine emergency vaccination to improve vaccination rate. Children,students,scattered children constitute of the main incidence group,they were still the focus of vaccine prevention,and should receive the inoculation of the second dose of varicella vaccine timely.
Safety and efficacy of metallic stents in the management of colorectal obstruction.

Background: The use of self-expandable metallic stents in the management of obstructing colorectal cancer has been described with increasing frequency in the literature. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy and associated morbidity of the use of self-expandable metallic stents to relieve colorectal obstruction at our institution. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent colorectal stent placement between December 2001 and December 2003 in a tertiary referral center was performed. Results: Stents were placed successfully in 17 of 21 patients (81%) with colorectal obstruction. Placement was achieved endoscopically in 13 patients and radiologically in 4. Ten self-expandable metallic stents were used as a bridge to surgery, and 7 were used for palliation. The obstructions were located in the sigmoid colon (11 patients), the rectosigmoid (3), the splenic flexure, the hepatic flexure, and the rectum. Malignant obstruction was noted in 14 patients. One patient with malignancy experienced a sigmoid perforation, and 2 patients with benign disease had complications (1 stent migration and 1 reobstruction). Stent patency in obstruction secondary to colonic adenocarcinoma was 100% in our follow-up period (range, 5 to 15 months). Conclusions: The use of stents as a bridge to surgery is associated with low morbidity, allows for bowel preparation, and thus avoids the need for a temporary colostomy. Long-term patency suggests that stents may allow for the avoidance of an operation in patients with metastatic disease and further defines their role in the palliation of malignant obstruction. Further prospective randomized studies are necessary to fully elucidate the use of stents in the management of colorectal cancer.
Emerging and Potential Opportunities for 2D Flexible Nanoelectronics

The last 10 years have seen the emergence of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and black phosphorus (BP) among the growing portfolio of layered van der Waals thin films. Graphene, the prototypical 2D material has advanced rapidly in device, circuit and system studies that has resulted in commercial large-area applications. In this work, we provide a perspective of the emerging and potential translational applications of 2D materials including semiconductors, semimetals, and insulators that comprise the basic material set for diverse nanosystems. Applications include RF transceivers, smart systems, the so-called internet of things, and neurotechnology. We will review the DC and RF electronic performance of graphene and BP thin film transistors. 2D materials at sub-um channel length have so far enabled cut-off frequencies from baseband to 100GHz suitable for low-power RF and sub-THz concepts.
Clinical use of subcutaneous G-CSF or GM-CSF in malignancy.

Colony-stimulating factors are glycoproteins that act on hematopoietic cells by binding to specific cell surface receptors and stimulating proliferation, differentiation commitment, and a degree of end-cell functional activation. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), produced by monocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, regulates the production of neutrophils within the bone marrow and affects neutrophil progenitor proliferation.[1,2]
Value and Ideology

Insofar as there is a phenomenological tradition with respect to the foundations of ethics (metaethics) one would have to say that it is primarily axiolog-ical. Values figure prominently not only in the ethical writings of Husserl, Scheler, and Hartmann — to name only the most prominent of the earlier figures — but also of Heidegger, Sartre, and Merleau-Ponty. This “second generation,” however (especially Heidegger), was often quite critical of the concept of value, an attitude that corresponds to an overall relative decline in value theory in general in recent years; it has been supplanted, we can surmise, by theories of rights, laws, interests, etc. Consequently, it might seem to be sheer temerity to attempt to reactivate value theory in the face of its undoubted problems — the inherent vagueness of the term value, its loose associations with other disciplines, its subjectivist, emotive, and utilitarian connotations, etc.
The Effect of Protein Electrostatic Interactions on Globular Protein-Polymer Block Copolymer Self-Assembly.

Mutation of a superfolder green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to design GFP variants with formal net charges of 0, −8, and −21, providing a set of three proteins in which the total charge is varied to tune protein–protein interactions while controlling for the protein size and tertiary structure. After conjugating poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) to each of these three GFP variants, the concentrated solution phase behavior of these three block copolymers is studied using a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), depolarized light scattering (DPLS), and turbidimetry to characterize their morphologies. The electrostatic repulsion between supercharged GFP suppresses ordering, increasing the order–disorder transition concentration (CODT) and decreasing the quality of the ordered nanostructures as measured by the full width at half-maximum of the primary scattering peak. By contrast, the charge distribution of the neutrally charged GFP results in its largest dipole moment, calculated about...
Harvesting Wind Energy

Wind energy is a very common mechanical energy in nature. Harvesting wind energy has been an important approach for large scale power supply. The traditional method is to use the turbine driven electromagnetic generator. In this chapter, we present some new approaches for harvesting wind energy using TENGs. Two typical rotational structure TENGs have been introduced based on the lateral sliding mode. The flutter-driven structure TENG based on contact-separation mode as driven by the turbulence from air flow is presented. These researches broaden the applications of TENG towards self-powered wind-driven systems in the wild environments.
MPEG-2 Out of the Blue! (Or Lets Put an MPEG on a Square Chip)

The MPEG-2 Standard for digital motion video will be ratified as an international standard in late 1994. This paper describes a recently developed silicon component that efficiently implements real time decompression of an MPEG-2 encoded video data stream. The chip has been developed by IBM Corporation and is fully compliant with the MPEG-2 Draft Standard at MP@ML (Main Profile at Main Level). We include an overview of the MPEG-2 algorithm, and outline the main characteristics of the video decoder chip. Rather than going into details of the internal architecture of particular coprocessors, the descriptions and examples are given in terms of function and specific application environments.
Other Behavioral Paradigms

To this point, we have concentrated much of our discussion concerning experimental methods on the use of the classical conditioning paradigm, specifically, classical eyeblink conditioning. We have pointed out in previous chapters that due to the high degree of stimulus control and the relative ease of recording responses, the classical conditioning of skeletal muscle responses has proven extremely useful for studying brain-behavior relationships. It is important to note, however, that there are a number of other behavioral paradigms that have been used to successfully study how the brain encodes learning and memory. This is especially true as relatively inexpensive, high-speed computers have become available for controlling the delivery of stimuli and recording behavioral responses. In this chapter, we review some of these other behavioral paradigms.
Does Sincerity Matter? An Empirical Test

I conducted 2 experiments to test the hypothesis that participants who are given more (vs. less) sincere reinforcement will achieve criterion behavior sooner or more completely, and also tested for the Greenspoon effect. In each experiment, assistants’ biases were measured and they were then asked to reinforce participants’ responses under conditions where that reinforcement was either congruent or incongruent with the identified biases. Assistants’ effectiveness under these 2 conditions was determined by measuring the shift in participants’ responses from baseline values. In Experiment 1, 20 assistants reinforced designated responses by 40 participants to a 40-item questionnaire. Results supported a sincerity effect but not the Greenspoon effect. The results of Experiment 2 were nonsignificant, which I attribute to the use of a design resulting in less assistant–participant communication.
Feed-forward and generalised regression neural networks in modelling feeding behaviour of pigs in the grow-finish phase

Feeding patterns of pigs have been investigated for use in management decisions and identifying sick animals. Development of models to predict feeding behaviour has been limited due to the large number of potential environmental factors involved and complex relationships between them. Artificial neural networks have been proven to be an effective tool for mapping complicated, nonlinear relationships between inputs and outputs. However, they have not been applied to feeding behaviour prediction. In this study, we compared the use of feed-forward (FFNN) and generalised regression neural networks (GRNN) in forecasting feeding behaviour of pigs in the grow-finish phase, using time of day and temperature humidity index as inputs. Models were calibrated on data from 1923 grow-finish pigs collected from 2008 to 2014, and their predictive ability was tested using data from four additional grow-finish groups collected from 2014 to 2016. Results indicated that FFNN trained with the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) and scaled conjugate gradient (SCG) algorithms were the most accurate forecasting models. In three of the four validation groups, models trained with LM and SCG algorithms exhibited strong performance, with correlations between predicted and observed feeding behaviours ranging from 0.623 to 0.754. Large deviations between predicted and observed behaviours in the fourth validation group were probably the result of an outbreak of pneumonia, which demonstrates the potential for the model to be used in automated detection of disease outbreak and other stress events. This work is the first step in developing a fully automated system for detecting changes in feeding behaviour.
Customized normalcy profiles for the detection of targeted attacks

Functionality is the highest semantic level of the software behavior pyramid that reflects goals of the software rather than its specific implementation. Detection of malicious functionalities presents an effective way to detect malware in behavior-based IDS. A technology for mining system call data, discussed herein, results in the detection of functionalities representing operation of legitimate software within a closed network environment. The set of such functionalities combined with the frequencies of their execution constitutes a normalcy profile typical for this environment. Detection of deviations from this normalcy profile, new functionalities and/or changes in the execution frequencies, provides evidence of abnormal activity in the network caused by malware. This approach could be especially valuable for the detection of targeted zero-day attacks. The paper presents the results of the implementation and testing of the described technology on the computer network testbed.
Imaging of the Pediatric Thymus and Thymic Disorders

Imaging of the thymus can prove challenging for the radiologist. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a broad overview of the thymus, its role in normal physiology and pathologic processes. After a brief discussion of the history of the thymus, the embryology, anatomy, and histology of the thymus are reviewed. The normal appearance of the thymus using the various imaging modalities available to the radiologist is then discussed, followed by an overview of congenital thymic variants and benign pathologies involving the thymus, including thymolipoma, thymoma, and thymic rebound. The chapter concludes with a summary of thymic malignancies, with a primary focus on leukemia and lymphoma.
Parental mediation during the U.S. 2016 presidential election campaign: How parents criticized, restricted, and co-viewed news coverage

Presidential election campaigns provide opportunities for parents to socialize their children to become politically engaged citizens. However, news coverage of the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign c...
Cell fitness is an omniphenotype

Genotype-phenotype relationships are at the heart of biology and medicine. Numerous advances in genotyping and phenotyping have accelerated the pace of disease gene and drug discovery. Though now that there are so many genes and drugs to study, it makes prioritizing them difficult. Also, disease model assays are getting more complex and this is reflected in the growing complexity of research papers and the cost of drug development. Herein we propose a way out of this arms race. We argue for synthetic interaction testing in mammalian cells using cell fitness - which reflect changes in cell number that could be due to a number of factors - as a readout to judge the potential of a genetic or environmental variable of interest (e.g., a gene or drug). That is, if a mammalian gene or drug of interest is combined with a known perturbation and causes a strong cell fitness phenotype relative to that caused by the known perturbation alone, this justifies proceeding with the gene/drug in more complex models like mouse models where the known perturbation is already validated. This recommendation is backed by the following: 1) human protein-coding genes important to cell fitness under normal growth conditions involve nearly all classifications of cellular and molecular processes; 2) Nearly all human genes important in cancer - a disease defined by altered cell number - are also important in other complex diseases; 3) Many drugs affect a patient9s condition and the fitness of their cells comparably. Taken together, these findings suggest cell fitness could be a broadly applicable phenotype for understanding gene and drug function. Measuring cell fitness is robust and requires little time and money. These are features that have long been capitalized on by pioneers using model organisms that we hope more mammalian biologists will recognize.
Stakeholder Engagement in Developing an Electronic Clinical Support Tool for Tobacco Prevention in Adolescent Primary Care.

Following guideline recommendations to promote tobacco prevention in adolescent primary care, we developed a patient-facing clinical support tool. The electronic tool screens patients for use and susceptibility to conventional and alternative tobacco products, and promotes patient–provider communication. The purpose of this paper is to describe the iterative stakeholder engagement process used in the development of the tool. During the pre-testing phase, we consulted with scientists, methodologists, clinicians, and Citizen Scientists. Throughout the development phase, we engaged providers from three clinics in focus groups. Usability testing was conducted via in-depth, cognitive interviewing of adolescent patients. Citizen Scientists (n = 7) played a critical role in the final selection of educational content and interviewer training by participating in mock-up patient interviews. Cognitive interviews with patients (n = 16) ensured that systems were in place for the feasibility trial and assessed ease of navigation. Focus group participants (n = 24) offered recommendations for integrating the tool into clinical workflow and input on acceptability and appropriateness, and anticipated barriers and facilitators for adoption and feasibility. Engaging key stakeholders to discuss implementation outcomes throughout the implementation process can improve the quality, applicability, and relevance of the research, and enhance implementation success.
Central District Office Leadership for Diversity and Equity: Constraints and Opportunities for Policy Intermediaries.

This article reports the findings of a multiyear investigation of school district central office directors of diversity and equity in Minnesota, who play an important role in school desegregation/i...
Local corporate misconduct and local initial public offerings

This paper investigates the cost of going public through initial public offerings (IPOs) for firms located in regions with significant fraud density. We find that companies in regions with a high proportion of nearby firms that have committed corporate misconduct have more pronounced underpricing, experience higher post‐IPO stock return volatility, and are more likely to withdraw their offerings. Overall, our results show that local corporate misconduct is associated with the pricing of IPOs, and the breach of trust is related to costly IPOs for newcomers.
Free trade and opioid overdose death in the United States

Opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. rose dramatically after 1999, but also exhibited substantial geographic variation. This has largely been explained by differential availability of prescription and non-prescription opioids, including heroin and fentanyl. Recent studies explore the underlying role of socioeconomic factors, but overlook the influence of job loss due to international trade, an economic phenomenon that disproportionately harms the same regions and demographic groups at the heart of the opioid epidemic. We used OLS regression and county-year level data from the Centers for Disease Controls and the Department of Labor to test the association between trade-related job loss and opioid-related overdose death between 1999 and 2015. We find that the loss of 1000 trade-related jobs was associated with a 2.7 percent increase in opioid-related deaths. When fentanyl was present in the heroin supply, the same number of job losses was associated with a 11.3 percent increase in opioid-related deaths.