cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Free and Forced Vibrations of a Segmented Bar by a Meshless Local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) Formulation

We use the meshless local Bubnov–Galerkin (MLPG6) formulation to analyze free and forced vibrations of a segmented bar. Three different techniques are employed to satisfy the continuity of the axial stress at the interface between two materials: Lagrange multipliers, jump functions, and modified moving least square basis functions with discontinuous derivatives. The essential boundary conditions are satisfied in all cases by the method of Lagrange multipliers. The related mixed semidiscrete formulations are shown to be stable, and optimal in the sense that the ellipticity and the inf-sup (Babuska-Brezzi) conditions are satisfied. Numerical results obtained for a bimaterial bar are compared with those from the analytical, and the finite element methods. The monotonic convergence of first two natural frequencies, first three mode shapes, and a static solution in the L 2, and H 1 norms is shown. The relative error in the numerical solution for a transient problem is also very small.
When an Adversary is Caught Telling the Truth: Reciprocal Cooperation Versus Self-Interest in Distributive Bargaining

In the present research, the authors examined a distributive bargaining situation in which the participant’s counterpart either did or did not make an unambiguously cooperative move at the outset of the negotiation. Participants’ bargaining roles were written such that they had a clear alternative of their own as well as accurate inside information about the other party’s no-agreement alternative. A confederate posing as a participant assumed the opposite role and followed a script. The script was varied such that the confederate either did or did not disclose his or her alternative at the outset of the negotiation. Results indicated that even though cooperation ran counter to their self-interest, participants were more cooperative in the disclosure conditions. That is, they made less demanding offers, disclosed more truthful information, and settled for less profit. Implications of these results and future research directions are discussed.
A Discharge Planning Tool for Use with Families of High-Risk Infants

The transition from hospital care to home care for high risk infants can be facilitated by the process of discharge planning. A tool designed specifically to coordinate discharge counseling and instruction for parents of high-risk infants has been developed and implemented in a perinatal center. Preliminary results indicate that the tool enables the health team to make an objective, rather than subjective, decision in respect to discharge of infants. Use of the tool also standardizes and documents the nurse's role in discharge planning.
A prairie plant community data set for addressing questions in community assembly and restoration

By assisting the recovery of disturbed or destroyed ecosystems, ecological restoration plays an important role in biodiversity conservation. Moreover, restoration has been heralded as an “acid test” of ecological understanding, by affording the ability to study community assembly, ecosystem function, and human influence over ecosystems across large spatial and long temporal scales. These data sets report the outcome of community assembly, in terms of plant community composition and structure and one important ecosystem function (aboveground biomass production), in 29 prairie restorations in southwestern Michigan. We also report putative forces shaping the outcome of assembly including the species pools (seed mixes applied during restoration), site conditions, landscape context, and land-use history. Detailed knowledge of each restoration effort, including seed mixes used, is unusual and makes these data sets uniquely suited to addressing questions in community assembly by comparing the sown seeds and resu...
Using Graph Theory to Describe and Model Chromosome Aberrations

Abstract Sachs, R. K., Arsuaga, J., Vazquez, M., Hlatky, L. and Hahnfeldt, P. Using Graph Theory to Describe and Model Chromosome Aberrations. Radiat. Res. 158, 556–567 (2002). A comprehensive description of chromosome aberrations is introduced that is suitable for all cytogenetic protocols (e.g. solid staining, banding, FISH, mFISH, SKY, bar coding) and for mathematical analyses. “Aberration multigraphs” systematically characterize and interrelate three basic aberration elements: (1) the initial configuration of chromosome breaks; (2) the exchange process, whose cycle structure helps to describe aberration complexity; and (3) the final configuration of rearranged chromosomes, which determines the observed pattern but may contain cryptic misrejoinings in addition. New aberration classification methods and a far-reaching generalization of mPAINT descriptors, applicable to any protocol, emerge. The difficult problem of trying to infer actual exchange processes from cytogenetically observed final patterns is...
Equity Carve-Outs And Changes In Corporate Control

This study proposes a corporate control hypothesis in which equity carve-outs facilitate changes in corporate control by providing an economical means to transfer control of corporate assets to bidders who will potentially create greater value. Consistent with this hypothesis, a statistically significant 16% of the equity carve-outs in this study's sample are taken over within six years. Those equity carve-outs subsequently taken over appear to be economically different from those motivated by other reasons. Parent firms of equity carve-outs subsequently taken over display a significantly greater share price reaction to the announcement of an equity carve-out than do parent firms of equity carve-outs not subsequently taken over. For those carve-outs subsequently taken over, an important factor contributing to parent firm gains is the relative size of the carve-out IPO. There appears to be an optimal retention level of 10-50% for carve-outs motivated by the intent to facilitate a change in corporate control.
Determining K and G

So far the crack tip stress fields and energy flows for elastic materials have been described and we have shown that near the crack tip the stress, strain and displacement fields are completely determined by {K I ,K II ,K III }. Furthermore the use of stress intensity factors and energy release rate as criteria for fracture have been introduced. However for only a small number of cases have solutions for the stress intensity factors been given. Thus in this chapter analytical, look-up, computational and experimental methods for the determination of the stress intensity factors and energy release rate will be described.
The Pacific Science Board in Micronesia: Science, Government, and Conservation on the Post-War Pacific Frontier

This article examines the planningand execution of scientific field work in thepost-war Micronesian Trust Territory, under theaegis of the Pacific Science Board (within theNational Research Council). It argues that thework of the PSB can be characterized as both`big natural history', and routine `frontierscience' in that scientific expertise wasintended to aid in managing the Trust. It alsoexamines the limitations of scientists whostruggled to extend American conservation andpreservation strategies on distant Pacificfrontier territories.
Computational and experimental investigations of magnetic domain structures in patterned magnetic thin films

The use of nondestructive magnetic signatures for continuous monitoring of the degradation of structural materials in nuclear reactors is a promising yet challenging application for advanced functional materials behavior modeling and measurement. In this work, a numerical model, which is based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation of magnetization dynamics and the phase field approach, was developed to study the impact of defects such as nonmagnetic precipitates and/or voids, free surfaces and crystal orientation on magnetic domain structures and magnetic responses in magnetic materials, with the goal of exploring the correlation between microstructures and magnetic signatures. To validate the model, single crystal iron thin films (~240 nm thickness) were grown on MgO substrates and a focused ion beam was used to pattern micrometer-scale specimens with different geometries. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) was used to measure magnetic domain structure and its field-dependence. Numerical simulations were constructed with the same geometry as the patterned specimens and under similar applied magnetic field conditions as tested by MFM. The results from simulations and experiments show that 1) magnetic domain structures strongly depend on the film geometry and the external applied field and 2) the predicted magnetic domain structures from the simulations agree quantitatively with those measured by MFM. The results demonstrate the capability of the developed model, used together with key experiments, for improving the understanding of the signal physics in magnetic sensing, thereby providing guidance to the development of advanced nondestructive magnetic techniques.
The Analysis and Specification of Color

A brief resume of the various methods used to describe, analyze, or specify colors, including color names, systems of material color standards, colorimeters, and spectrophotometric methods. The computation of colorimetric quantities from spectrophotometric data is considered, together with methods of specification based thereon.
Studies on the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) activity in peripheral blood.

SummarySignificant TRH-like activity was detected in the blood of thyroidectomized-hypophysectomized rats after (but not before) exposure to mild cold. Thus mild cold is capable of acting as a specific stimulus for the release of TRH in rats. This provides the first evidence for the possible physiologic importance of TRH. A study was made of the conditions under which TRH can be detected in blood. The presence of TRH in the peripheral circulation may be dependent upon the levels of the enzyme(s) responsible for its destruction. TRH is not detectable in the peripheral circulation unless the endogenous level of thyroid hormones is sufficiently reduced. Thyroid hormones are able to influence the levels or activity of the enzyme(s) responsible for the inactivation of TRH.
Newly Excavated Artifacts from Hagios Charalambos, Crete, with Egyptian Connections

The Minoan ossuary at Hagios Charalambos is located in the upland plain of Lasithi in Central Crete. This article discusses eight items with Egyptian connections discovered in the excavations of the site in 2002 and 2003. Two pendants carved from hippopotamus ivory in the form of apes belong to classes already known from Minoan Crete. Six clay examples of the sistrum add to our knowledge of this musical instrument on Crete as only a single MM IA sistrum was known previously from this island. The artifacts increase the very small corpus of “Egyptianizing” objects known from MM IA Crete, a period that is contemporary with the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. They point to a complex trade network reaching Cretan ports on both the south and the north coasts that was already present. These objects help document the distribution of exotic items with overseas connections to the interior of the Minoan island, well away from any coastal seaport or important population center. They also underscore the ambiguous nature of the connections between Minoan Crete and the East Mediterranean at this period when one cannot be sure if the overseas connections are direct or indirect. Within Crete, however, the distribution of hippopotamus ivory and objects made from it suggests that this trade from overseas is with South Cretan ports rather than North Cretan ports, because the distribution is densest in the Mesara and gradually diminishes away from this region. DOI:10.2458/azu_jaei_v03i2_betancourt
Investigation on Protective Effect of Vaccines in Mumps Outbreak in A Primary School of Jingmen City

[Objective]To understand the protection of domestic mumps vaccine.[Methods]According to "Diagnostic Criteria and Treatment Principle of Mumps"(GB-17016-1997),unified case investigation form was adopted to conduct epidemiological investigation on all mumps cases in the primary school,the immunization history was based on students' immunization vaccination certificates.[Results]There were 746 students in this primary school,39 were infected,the attack rate was 5.23%;the attack rate of students with mumps vaccine inoculation was significantly lower than that of students without mumps vaccine inoculation,the difference was significant(χ2=14.72,P0.01);the protective rate was 73.98%,the effect index was 3.84;after inoculation of mumps vaccine,the clinical symptoms of mumps was light.[Conclusion]Domestic mumps vaccine can effectively protect the susceptible population.
Formation of a Cationic Vinylimido Group upon C-H Activation of Nitriles by Trialkylamines in the Presence of TaCl5.

We report a new CH3CN activation mode where an imido group is directly formed by deprotonation of the nitrile coordinated to the highly Lewis acidic TaV center. The unexpected deprotonation of TaCl5(CH3CN) by NEt3 resulted in isolation of the triethylammonium vinylimido complex [HNEt3][Ta(NC(CH2)NEt3)Cl5]. The reaction is proposed to proceed through rearrangement of the initial nucleophilic carbanion to the electrophilic azaallene/carbocation intermediate. The use of more sterically hindered (i-Pr)CN and weakly nucleophilic N(i-Pr)2Et resulted in the isolation of a vinylimido group formed upon dimerization of deprotonated nitriles, suggesting deprotonation as the first step of the transformation.
Nanotechnology for portable energy systems: Modular photovoltaics, energy storage and electronics

For portable energy systems, this paper examines nanotechnology-enabled high-power and high-energy density microelectronics, power electronics, energy sources, and energy storage solutions. These energy systems are used in various applications including aerospace, biomedical, communication, electronics, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), robotics, etc. Proof-of-concept autonomous power systems are designed, and, practical solutions are substantiated and proposed. We perform applied research and technology developments in the design of efficient energy harvesting, energy management, and energy storage systems. To guarantee modularity and compatibility, the following components and modules are examined: (1) Low-power microelectronics; (2) High-power-density power electronics with high-current, high-voltage and high-frequency power MOSFETs; (3) High-efficiency energy harvesting sources such as solar cells and electromagnetic generators; (4) High specific energy and power density electrochemical energy storage devices; (5) Optimal energy management systems. The most advanced technology-proven nanoscale microelectronics, MEMS sensors, and energy conversion solutions are studied. The modular design, enabling topologies and optimization schemes result in high-performance micro- and mini-scale energy systems.
Focal Limb Weakness

Focal weakness of the limbs can be organized by affected body region. Shoulder weakness is most commonly due to C5–6 radiculopathy or brachial plexopathy. Scapular winging is usually secondary to long thoracic or accessory neuropathy. Hand weakness is most commonly the result of ulnar neuropathy, C8–T1 radiculopathy, motor neuron disease, or cerebral processes. Wrist drop is a special kind of hand weakness. The two most common sources of wrist drop are radial neuropathy and stroke, and can be differentiated from each other with focused examination. Proximal leg weakness is usually the result of upper lumbar radiculopathy or lumbar plexopathy. Postpartum leg weakness has multiple potential causes that can be distinguished by careful examination. Foot drop may be due to lesions of the peroneal nerve, sciatic nerve, L5 nerve root, or central nervous system. Multifocal weakness is due to multifocal central or peripheral nervous system disease. Relevant peripheral nervous system causes of multifocal weakness include mononeuropathy multiplex, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.
Quality of Communication in Robotic Surgery and Surgical Outcomes.

Background and objectives Robotic surgery has introduced unique challenges to surgical workflow. The association between quality of communication in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery and surgical outcomes was evaluated. Methods After each gynecologic robotic surgery, the team members involved in the surgery completed a survey regarding the quality of communication. A composite quality-of-communication score was developed using principal component analysis. A higher composite quality-of-communication score signified poor communication. Objective parameters, such as operative time and estimated blood loss (EBL), were gathered from the patient's medical record and correlated with the composite quality-of-communication scores. Results Forty robotic cases from March through May 2013 were included. Thirty-two participants including surgeons, circulating nurses, and surgical technicians participated in the study. A higher composite quality-of-communication score was associated with greater EBL (P = .010) and longer operative time (P = .045), after adjustment for body mass index, prior major abdominal surgery, and uterine weight. Specifically, for every 1-SD increase in the perceived lack of communication, there was an additional 51 mL EBL and a 31-min increase in operative time. The most common reasons reported for poor communication in the operating room were noise level (28/36, 78%) and console-to-bedside communication problems (23/36, 64%). Conclusion Our study demonstrates a significant association between poor intraoperative team communication and worse surgical outcomes in robotic gynecologic surgery. Employing strategies to decrease extraneous room noise, improve console-to-bedside communication and team training may have a positive impact on communication and related surgical outcomes.
Synthesis of B2H5FeCo(CO)6, Fe2Co(CO)9(μ-CO)BH2, FeCo2(CO)9(μ-CO)BH, FeCo2(CO)9(BH)2, and HFe3Co(CO)12BH. Co(CO)3 Fragment Addition and Fragment Exchange in Ferraborane Clusters

The reactions of Co2(CO)8 with the ferraboranes B2H6Fe2(CO)6, HFe3(CO)9BH4, HFe3(CO)10BH2, and HFe4(CO)12BH2 lead to fragment addition and/or fragment exchange. Thus, the new mixed-metal metallaboranes B2H5FeCo(CO)6 (1), Fe2Co(CO)9(μ-CO)BH2 (2), FeCo2(CO)9(μ-CO)BH (3), FeCo2(CO)9(BH)2 (4), and HFe3Co(CO)12BH (5) have been isolated in modest yields and characterized spectroscopically. Comparison of selected spectroscopic and chemical properties of isoelectronic pairs of hetero- and homometallaboranes defines the perturbation of the cluster network by the replacement of HFe by Co. Both direct effects due to the different metal atoms and indirect effects resulting from the differing number of skeletal hydrogen atoms are observed. Consistent with the radical mechanism suggested for Co(CO)x fragment addition to and exchange with organometallic clusters, a radical mechanism is proposed. However, the metallaborane reactions require neutral molecules and appear to be initiated by H atom transfer whereas the analo...
On Being a Profession: A Historical Perspective on Counselor Licensure and Accreditation

ABSTRACTState regulatory boards and counseling professional organizations are adopting positions that require a degree from a CACREP-accredited program as a prerequisite for licensure as a professional counselor. This article highlights some of the history of counseling licensure and accreditation for counseling programs and situates the objections of those who oppose CACREP accreditation in the context of the counseling profession’s history and development as a unique profession with a distinct identity.
Closed Suspension Mini-Cheek Lift to Reduce the Nasolabial Fold: A Preliminary Report

The author describes a new technique of repositioning sagging cheek skin based on the principle of suspending the affected skin with surgical sutures and fixating them to the distant deep temporali...
Nutritional Value of Potatoes: Vitamin, Phytonutrient, and Mineral Content

Publisher Summary Potatoes are the fourth most grown crop in the world, after the cereals rice, wheat, and maize, and are the only major food crop that is a tuber. Potatoes are a good source of many vitamins and minerals; if one compares percentage of recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calories in a given portion size versus the percentage of the RDA of vitamins and minerals in that same portion, many vitamins and minerals exceed the percentage of calories. Potatoes are a well-known source of vitamin C, with a medium red-skinned potato (173 grams) providing about 36% of the RDA according to the USDA databases. Vitamin C has a major role in detoxifying reactive oxygen species in plants, which are the primary source of vitamin C in the human diet.
Poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 as a potential therapeutic target in Merkel cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma are treated similarly to small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP1) is overexpressed in SCLC and response to PARP inhibitors have been reported in patients with SCLC. Our study explores PARP as a therapeutic target in Merkel cell carcinoma. METHODS We evaluated PARP1 expression and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) in 19 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. Target exome-sequencing was performed in 14 samples. Sensitivity to olaparib was tested in 4 Merkel cell carcinoma cell lines. RESULTS Most Merkel cell carcinomas (74%) express PARP1 at high levels. Mutations in DNA-damage repair genes were identified in 9 samples (64%), occurred exclusively in head neck primaries, and correlated with TP53/RB1 mutations. The TP53/RB1 mutations were more frequent in MCPyV-negative tumors. Sensitivity to olaparib was seen in the Merkel cell carcinoma line with highest PARP1 expression. CONCLUSION Based on PARP1 overexpression, DNA-damage repair gene mutations, platinum sensitivity, and activity of olaparib in a Merkel cell carcinoma line, clinical trials with PARP inhibitors are warranted in Merkel cell carcinoma.
Infection-targeted bactericidal nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles carrying an antibiotic and bearing a peptide that targets the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus effectively suppress staphylococcal infections in mice.
Logistical and safety implications of temperature-based acceptance of returned red blood cell units.

BACKGROUND AABB requires that red blood cells (RBCs) are maintained at 1 to 10°C during transport. Historically, blood banks used the 30-minute rule for returned RBCs transported outside of validated containers. The implications of this policy have not been previously reported in a real-life hospital setting. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A 2-year, retrospective review of RBC units returned outside of qualified containers was conducted. During the first year, the 30-minute rule was used to accept RBCs back into inventory. Sequentially, the following year, a temperature-based approach was implemented using a thermometer with an accuracy of ±1°C. Time out of the blood bank, temperature upon return, wastage, and transfusion reactions associated with the reissued RBCs were analyzed. RESULTS In our practice, the 30-minute rule would have accepted 15.2% of RBC units outside of the allowed temperature. Compared to the 30-minute rule, temperature-based acceptance was associated with a 13% increase in wastage (p < 0.001). During the 30-minute rule period, transfusion of returned and subsequently reissued RBCs was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward a higher transfusion reaction rate compared to the overall RBC transfusion reaction rate (1.4% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.084). During the temperature period, transfusion of returned and subsequently reissued RBCs had the same transfusion reaction rate compared to the overall RBC transfusion reaction rate (0.5% vs. 0.5%, p = 1.0). CONCLUSION Temperature-based acceptance of returned RBCs is associated with significantly higher wastage compared to the 30-minute rule. A temperature-based acceptance practice mitigates the risk of accepting RBCs with unacceptable temperatures returned within 30 minutes of issue.
Integrins in the wounded and unwounded stratified squamous epithelium of the cornea.

PURPOSE The authors determined the synthesis, cell surface expression, and localization of integrins in the rat corneal epithelium to detect whether any changes in integrins occur during epithelial migration in response to simple debridement wounding. METHODS Immunoprecipitation analysis of extracts from either metabolically or surface-labeled rat epithelia was done to assess the synthesis and cell surface expression of integrins in the normal cornea. The localization of integrins was determined by indirect immunofluorescence of frozen sections obtained from control corneas and from those after debridement wounding. Immunoblotting of extracts from time course experiments was done on organ cultures of rat corneas after debridement to determine if any changes in the amounts of integrins occurred. The cell adhesion function of integrins on control and migrating epithelial cells was evaluated by cell adhesion assays. RESULTS The data indicated that the corneal epithelium has a variety of distinct integrin subunits including beta 1, beta 4, beta 5, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 5, alpha 6, and alpha v. Although beta 1, beta 5, alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha v were localized to sites of apparent cell-cell contact, alpha 5, alpha 6, and beta 4 were localized specifically to the basal membrane of the basal cells. Little change occurred in the localization of integrins in the migrating epithelial sheets. At 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 hr after wounding, the amount of the beta 1, beta 4, alpha 3, alpha 5, and alpha 6 integrin subunits (as measured by immunoblots) was not altered relative to that of the control corneas. Adhesion assays also showed no differences in adhesion of stationary versus migrating corneal epithelial cells to fibronectin and laminin. CONCLUSIONS Integrin localization, production, and cell adhesion function in the stratified squamous epithelium of the cornea are not dramatically altered during epithelial cell migration over simple debridement wounds. Integrins in the cell membrane at sites of cell-cell interaction and as components of the hemidesmosomes in stationary epithelia may be available for rapid recruitment as epithelial cell migration proceeds.
Ensuring Minority Achievement in Corporations

In 1977, I proposed a theory to account for the differential success of some groups (e.g., white males) compared to others (e.g., women and minorities) in the management and upper professional ranks of corporations (Kanter 1977a). This theory shifted the focus of attention away from individual characteristics of the members of the group and toward aspects of organizational position. It shifted the “credit” or the “blame” for job achievement away from personality or learned propensity and toward the position or structural location as a determinant of work behavior and occupational achievement. Therefore, action steps to change structures, not individuals, are the natural extension of the theory.
Comments on ‘Some Logical Problems Suggested by Empirical Theories’ by Professor Dalla Chiara

Professor Dalla Chiara’s paper falls into two rather distinct parts, and so will my comments. But before commenting on the more technical parts of her paper, I shall make some general comments, as she does, on the relations between logic and the other sciences.
A Dissociated Pathogenesis for Infantile Esotropia

Binocular movements that result from unequal visual input to the two eyes are defined as dissociated. Dissociated esotonus, an unrecognized form of binocular dissociation, underlies dissociated horizontal deviation. Because dissociated eye movements arise in the setting of infantile strabismus, they have traditionally been considered to be the result of disrupted binocular vision. Dissociated eye movements may be the cause, rather than the effect, of infantile esotropia.
Pseudohypoaldosteronism: a review and report of two new cases.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) is a syndrome which is characterized by salt-wasting and failure to thrive, usually presenting in infancy and accompanied by inappropriately high urinary sodium (Na) in the face of hyponatremia; hyperkalemia; hyperreninemia; and elevated serum and/or urinary aldosterone. All adrenocortical hormones have been reported to respond normally to stimulation with ACTH. An autosomal dominant form of genetic transmission has been documented in some families.1–10 In the original case report,11 Cheek and Perry proposed that the salt-losing defect could be explained by a renal tubular refractoriness to mineralocorticoid (MC). In the 70 patients reported subsequently, the metabolic derangements have been alleviated by oral or parenteral Na supplementation; response to exogenous MC was poor. The amount of Na and duration of therapy required appear to vary. In 4 cases where investigation of in vivo mineralocorticoid responsiveness was conducted, at least 2 organ systems in addition to the renal tubules demonstrated unresponsiveness to MC12,13 (present report case 3). In contrast to the majority of cases in which no renal pathology has been found, several nonclassical cases have been reported in which a secondary etiology is operative: PHA after renal transplantation,14 PHA accompanying obstructive uropathy,15 and PHA associated with prematurity and birth asphyxia.16 Alon et al17 found three neonates with unilateral renal disease and what appears to be partial MC unresponsiveness of the renal tubules: inadequate potassium excretion and metabolic acidosis, but no renal salt-wasting and only slightly elevated PRA and serum aldosterone. This entity has been termed renal tubular acidosis type 4, subtype 5.18
Alcohol analysis in various matrixes: Clinical versus forensic testing

Abstract Ethanol is the most widely used and abused recreational substance. Unfortunately, ingestion of excess amount is considered socially acceptable that can result in numerous adverse consequences. The adverse health effects of long-term chronic ethanol use have been documented extensively. However, even occasional users are not immune from adverse consequences. The social and legal implications of public intoxication or driving while impaired are well known. In addition, postmortem analysis of ethanol plays an important part in determining the role that ethanol may have played in the cause of death. Accurate measurement of ethanol concentrations from a wide variety of body fluids is critical for proper enforcement of laws that determine the role, if any, that ethanol may have played.
StabilitySole: embedded sensor insole for balance and gait monitoring

Our group has developed an easy-to-use pressure-sensing insole equipped with accelerometers to evaluate a patient's postural control and balance ability in a non-obtrusive manner. Pressure sensors and MEMS accelerometers are embedded in a shoe insole and display balance information on an easy-touse graphical user interface. The importance of balance and gait monitoring is applicable to a variety of fields such as: evaluation of neurological disorders, early disease detection in children, new medication monitoring, and elderly fall risk. With this technology patients can use the insole in a home setting to monitor their balancing ability and relay data to their physician wirelessly for proper evaluation eliminating the need for additional in-office visits.
Room temperature terahertz semiconductor frequency comb.

A terahertz (THz) frequency comb capable of high-resolution measurement will significantly advance THz technology application in spectroscopy, metrology and sensing. The recently developed cryogenic-cooled THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) comb has exhibited great potentials with high power and broadband spectrum. Here, we report a room temperature THz harmonic frequency comb in 2.2 to 3.3 THz based on difference-frequency generation from a mid-IR QCL. The THz comb is intracavity generated via down-converting a mid-IR comb with an integrated mid-IR single mode based on distributed-feedback grating without using external optical elements. The grating Bragg wavelength is largely detuned from the gain peak to suppress the grating dispersion and support the comb operation in the high gain spectral range. Multiheterodyne spectroscopy with multiple equally spaced lines by beating it with a reference Fabry-Perot comb confirms the THz comb operation. This type of THz comb will find applications to room temperature chip-based THz spectroscopy. Terahertz frequency combs are highly desired for applications in precision measurements, sensing, spectroscopy and metrology. Here the authors demonstrate the room-temperature chip-based THz frequency comb using nonlinear frequency generation from a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser comb.
Lewis Acid-Promoted Atom-Transfer Free Radical Additions

The reactions of α-bromo oxazolidinone imides of acetic and propionic acid and terminal and internal alkenes were investigated in the presence of Lewis acids. Thus, the primary bromide, bromoacetyl-2-oxazolidinone amide (1), undegoes clean atom-transfer addition to 1-hexene as well as cis- or trans-3-hexene at room temperature or below. The best Lewis acids for this conversion are Sc(Otf)3 and Yb(Otf)3. Quantitative yields are obtained with Yb(Otf)3 for addtion of the bromide to both 1-hexene and cis-3-hexene, while the yield with trans-3-hexene is 63%. Yields obtained with Sc(Otf)3 are somewhat lower. The effects of solvent, temperature, and Lewis acid loading have been investigated. The secondary bromide, α-bromoproprionyl-2-oxazolidinone amide (7), was also investigated in atom-transfer addition to 1-hexene. Yields are comparable to those in the reaction of 1 with 1-hexene, but internal alkenes fail to react with this substrate. Tertiary bromides do not react with any of the alkenes studied. Control of...
Coalescing Narrative and Dialogue for Grounded Pose Forecasting

This research aims to create a data-driven end-to-end model for multimodal forecasting body pose and gestures of virtual avatars. A novel aspect of this research is to coalesce both narrative and dialogue for pose forecasting. In a narrative, language is used in a third person view to describe the avatar actions. In dialogue both first and second person views need to be integrated to accurately forecast avatar pose. Gestures and poses of a speaker are linked to other modalities: language and acoustics. We use these correlations to better predict the avatar’s pose.
Patient perceptions of misdiagnosis of endometriosis: results from an online national survey

Background Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease affecting 10% of females in which endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, resulting in pain, infertility, and physical and psychosocial dysfunction. Prior research documenting diagnostic error reports a 6.7-year mean diagnostic delay. This study takes a patient-oriented approach and aims to complement prior research on diagnostic error by examining patient-reported experiences with misdiagnosis. Methods Data were part of a larger online survey comprising nonrandomly sampled patients with self-reported surgically confirmed endometriosis (n = 758). We examined patients' reports of misdiagnosis, to which healthcare professionals (HCPs) they attributed misdiagnosis, mean diagnostic delay, and endometriosis symptoms and physical sites predicting misdiagnosis reports. Results Mean reported diagnostic delay was 8.6 years. 75.2% of patients reported being misdiagnosed with another physical health (95.1%) and/or mental health problem (49.5%) and most frequently by gynecologists (53.2%) followed by general practitioners (34.4%). Higher odds of reporting a physical or mental health misdiagnosis was associated with reports of virtually all symptoms and endometriosis on the bladder, small bowel, pelvic sidewall, and rectum. Higher odds of reporting a physical health misdiagnosis was exclusively associated with reports of endometriosis on the appendix. Higher odds of reporting a mental health misdiagnosis was exclusively associated with reports of a younger symptom onset age; endometriosis on the diaphragm, large bowel, lung, and ureter; and comorbid adenomyosis diagnosis. Conclusions Endometriosis continues to present serious and complex diagnostic challenges. These findings corroborate previous objective investigations documenting endometriosis diagnostic error, establish the first patient-reported incidence, and further demonstrate value in including patients in diagnostic error research.
Predictive modelling of mesophotic habitats in the north‐western Gulf of Mexico

Effective management of marine resources requires an understanding of the spatial distribution of biologically important communities. The north‐western Gulf of Mexico contains diverse marine ecosystems at a large range of depths and geographic settings. To better understand the distribution of these marine habitats across large geographic areas under consideration for marine sanctuary status, presence‐only predictive modelling was used. Results confirmed that local geographic characteristics can accurately predict the probability of occurrence for marine habitat types, and include a novel technique for assigning a single, most likely habitat in areas where multiple habitats are predicted. The highest resolution bathymetric data (10 m) available for the region was used to develop raster layers that represent characteristics that have been shown to influence species occurrence in other settings. A georeferenced historical photo record collected via remotely operated vehicle was classified according to six commonly found mesophotic habitats across the 18 reefs and banks under consideration for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary boundary expansion. Using maximum entropy modelling, the influence of local geographic characteristics on the presence of these habitats was measured and a spatial probability distribution was developed for each habitat type across the study area.
Hip disarticulation with pedicled total leg fillet flap for recurrent fungating sarcoma.

Soft tissue sarcomas may be treated with limb-sparing procedures in the majority of cases; however, certain cases involving significant tumor spread and fungation may call for amputation. In the th...
Extracellular Vesicles from Red Blood Cells and Their Evolving Roles in Health, Coagulopathy and Therapy

Red blood cells (RBCs) release extracellular vesicles (EVs) including both endosome-derived exosomes and plasma-membrane-derived microvesicles (MVs). RBC-derived EVs (RBCEVs) are secreted during erythropoiesis, physiological cellular aging, disease conditions, and in response to environmental stressors. RBCEVs are enriched in various bioactive molecules that facilitate cell to cell communication and can act as markers of disease. RBCEVs contribute towards physiological adaptive responses to hypoxia as well as pathophysiological progression of diabetes and genetic non-malignant hematologic disease. Moreover, a considerable number of studies focus on the role of EVs from stored RBCs and have evaluated post transfusion consequences associated with their exposure. Interestingly, RBCEVs are important contributors toward coagulopathy in hematological disorders, thus representing a unique evolving area of study that can provide insights into molecular mechanisms that contribute toward dysregulated hemostasis associated with several disease conditions. Relevant work to this point provides a foundation on which to build further studies focused on unraveling the potential roles of RBCEVs in health and disease. In this review, we provide an analysis and summary of RBCEVs biogenesis, composition, and their biological function with a special emphasis on RBCEV pathophysiological contribution to coagulopathy. Further, we consider potential therapeutic applications of RBCEVs.
Masque scenery and the tradition of immobilization in The First Part of The Countess of Montgomery's Urania

This study addresses two of the pivotal magical interventions in The First Part of The Countess of Montgomery's Urania, specifically those in which Wroth makes use of the masque tradition of immobilization: the Three Towers of the House of Love and the Marble Theatre on an island in the Gulf of Venice. In these enchantments, which include architecturally fantastic structures, music, and the symbolically posed, stilled characters, Wroth creates masque-like ‘idealized fictions’ that emblematize the romantic relationships she depicts. They are meant to elevate the sometimes sordid realities of real relationships to a higher allegorical plane on which the virtue of constancy and the vice of inconstancy may contend. Within the narrative as a whole, Wroth uses these aspects of masque tradition to gesture toward and to complicate what Christopher Booker has called ‘the cosmic happy ending.’
Visionaries, Managers, and Strategic Direction

Incentives for profitable innovation may be enhanced by employing a "visionary" CEO whose "vision" biases him in favor of certain projects. CEO vision changes which projects get implemented and thus affects the incentives of employees who can be compensated for their innovative ideas only when they become embodied in implemented projects. Profits may be enhanced further by letting objective managers decide which projects to investigate even though their decisions can depart from the firm's "strategy" by differing from those the CEO would have made.
Cohort Selection In Utero against Male Twins and Childhood Cancers: A Population-Based Register Study

Background: Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 14 years in the United States. Previous research finds that strong cohort selection in utero against males precedes a reduction in live-born males considered frail. We examine whether such cohort selection in utero may similarly affect the frequency of childhood cancers among male live births. Methods: We examined 1,368 childhood cancers among males born in Sweden over 144 months, from January 1990 to December 2001, and followed to age 15 in the Swedish Cancer Registry. We retrieved the count of male twins by birth month from the Swedish Birth Registry. We applied autoregressive, integrated, moving average time-series methods to identify and control for temporal patterns in monthly childhood cancers and to evaluate robustness of results. Results: Fewer childhood cancers occur among monthly male birth cohorts with elevated selection in utero (i.e., a low count of live-born male twins). This association appears in the concurrent month (coef = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.001–0.079) as well as in the following month in which most births from the twin9s conception cohort are “scheduled” to be born (coef = 0.055; 95% CI, 0.017–0.094). Conclusions: Elevated cohort selection in utero may reduce the number of frail male gestations that would otherwise have survived to birth and received a cancer diagnosis during childhood. Impact: This novel result warrants further investigation of prenatal exposures, including those at the population level, that may induce cohort selection in utero for some cancer types but not others.
Pedestrian Wind Factor Estimation in Complex Urban Environments.

Urban planners and policy makers face the challenge of creating livable and enjoyable cities for larger populations in much denser urban conditions. While the urban microclimate holds a key role in defining the quality of urban spaces today and in the future, the integration of wind microclimate assessment in early urban design and planning processes remains a challenge due to the complexity and high computational expense of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This work develops a data-driven workflow for real-time pedestrian wind comfort estimation in complex urban environments which may enable designers, policy makers and city residents to make informed decisions about mobility, health, and energy choices. We use a conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) architecture to reduce the computational computation while maintaining high confidence levels and interpretability, adequate representation of urban complexity, and suitability for pedestrian comfort estimation. We demonstrate high quality wind field approximations while reducing computation time from days to seconds.
Rival Versions of Corporate Governance as Rival Theories of Agency

Trends in corporate governance to minimize employee participation and to promote shareholder rights, in both the EU and US contexts, evidence the practical efficacy of the separation thesis and the dominance of models of corporate governance founded upon decision theory. Giving expression to a vision of human agency in terms of instrumental rationality, such models of corporate governance, presuppose clearly defined objectives. Drawing on the work of Talbot Brewer, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Robert Brandom, this paper offers an alternative practice-based model of corporate governance that emphasizes the role of socially and historically embodied forms of reasoning in promoting a better understanding of the aims or objectives of the corporation, particularly with respect to the social, environmental, and economic context of the firm. After reviewing recent empirical literature concerning employee participation, criteria are offered concerning effective employee participation programs, as a means of implementing a practice-based model of corporate governance.
Radicals in their Own Time: Four Hundred Years of Struggle for Liberty and Equal Justice in America

1. Roger Williams: freeborn 2. Thomas Paine: revolution 3. Elizabeth Cady Stanton: gender wars 4. W. E. B. Du Bois: American apartheid 5. Vine Deloria, Jr: betrayals and bridges.
Inhibition of Knob Formation on PlasmodiumFalciparum-Infected Erythrocytes by 2-Fluoro-L-Histidine

Knob protrusions and associated submembrane electron dense material (EDM) appear on the membrane of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum (Aikawa et al. 1972, Luse and Miller 1971). These knobs form focal junctions with the endothelial cells of capillaries, resulting in the sequestration of infected erythrocytes along the vascular endothelium (Luse and Miller 1971, Udeinya et al. 1981, Oo et al. 1986). Parasites that do not produce knobs (K- phenotype) neither attach to endothelial cells in vitro, nor do they sequester in vivo (Barnwell et al. 1983). These findings indicate the presence of cytoadherence properties at knobs and the importance of knobs for parasite survival in vivo.