cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel approach for execution of distributed tasks on mobile ad hoc networks

A novel distributed approach for executing distributed tasks on mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) is presented. A distributed application is represented as a complex task comprised of simpler sub-tasks that need to be performed on different categories of computing devices with specialized roles. The dependencies induced by logical patterns of data flow between these specialized devices which are responsible for performing the aforementioned sub-tasks, yield a task graph representation for a given application. We present a simple and efficient distributed algorithm for dynamic discovery and selection of suitable devices in a MANET from among a number of them providing the same functionality. We refer to this process as instantiation which is carried out with respect to the proposed task graph representation of the application. We also present a distributed algorithm for detecting disruptions in application execution that can occur due to device mobility. The algorithm then recovers quickly from the situation by re-instantiating affected parts of the task graph, if possible. Finally, we propose metrics for evaluating the performance of these algorithms and report simulation results for a variety of application scenarios.
Fast nearest neighbor search of entropy-constrained vector quantization

Entropy-constrained vector quantization (ECVQ) offers substantially improved image quality over vector quantization (VQ) at the cost of additional encoding complexity. We extend results in the literature for fast nearest neighbor search of VQ to ECVQ. We use a new, easily computed distance that successfully eliminates most codewords from consideration.
Contrasting leaf phenotypes control seasonal variation in water loss in a tropical forest shrub.

Abstract Psychotria marginata, a shrub common to humid tropical forests in Central America, produces leaves in two seasonal flushes with contrasting morphology and physiology. Leaf production is bimodal with a major peak at the beginning of the annual wet season and a secondary peak at the end of the wet season. Together these peaks account for 75-87% of annual leaf production. Leaves produced just prior to the dry season have higher specific mass and, during drought, have lower stomatal conductances and higher water-use efficiencies. Plants irrigated during two consecutive dry seasons continued to produce leaves with these morphological and physiological differences, indicating that this feature has been strongly canalized by some factor other than water availability in this highly predictable yet seasonal habitat. The bimodal leaf production results in acclimation to changing conditions through co-occurring leaves that lack the physiological plasticity usually associated with acclimation. Heterophylly of this form suggests that the moderate drought of the dry season has been a significant selective factor for understory plants.
Combinatorially selected guanosine-quartet structure is a potent inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus envelope-mediated cell fusion.

Abstract The phosphorothioate oligonucleotide T2G4T2 was identified as an inhibitor of HIV infection in vitro by combinatorial screening of a library of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides that contained all possible octanucleotide sequences. The oligonucleotide forms a parallel-stranded tetrameric guanosine-quartet structure. Tetramer formation and the phosphorothioate backbone are essential for antiviral activity. The tetramer binds to the human immunodeficiency virus envelope protein gp120 at the V3 loop and inhibits both cell-to-cell and virus-to-cell infection.
Effect of physical activity guidelines on physical function in older adults.

In 1996, in one of the first government recognitions of the potential health benefit of physical activity (PA), the Surgeon General (SG) endorsed guidelines for practice.1 The report represented a consensus statement aimed at facilitating a public health recommendation for PA that would be acceptable to the majority of Americans in lieu of previous recommendations that emphasized vigorous exercise. The primary message was simple and directed at all ages—to accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate PA on 5 or more days of the week. Although the SG report was detailed and addressed known PA benefits for different segments of the population or for specific medical conditions, no distinction was made relative to a recommendation for older adults. The report indicated that more research was needed to determine the types of PA necessary to preserve strength and physical function (PF) in this population.1 The ensuing decade produced a large amount of PA research directed at the older adult.2-8 An abundance of evidence indicated that PA was consistently associated with better fitness parameters and related health outcomes,9,10 but few studies have specifically examined the effect of the PA threshold endorsed by the SG (150 min/week) on PF. The relationship between the SG-endorsed PA guidelines and PF was examined cross-sectionally in a sample of healthy older adults and prospectively in a sample of postmenopausal women undergoing a walking intervention, and a significant association was found between PA and PF.11,12 Leisure time activity counseling to Improve Fitness In Elders (Project LIFE) and Leading the Way in Exercise and Diet (Project LEAD), two PA intervention trials that targeted older adults and used self-reported PF as a primary outcome, were recently completed,.13-15 Using data pooled from these two studies, the following two research questions were examined: Do individuals who meet the SG guidelines have higher PF scores than those who do not? Does changing from above to below thresholds, or vice versa, affect functional trajectory?
Modeling situated conversational agents as partially observable Markov decision processes

A Situated Conversational Agent (SCA) is an agent that engages in dialog about the context within which it is embedded. An SCA is distinguished from non-situated conversational agents by an intimate connection of the agent's dialog to its embedding context, and by intricate dependencies between its linguistic and physical actions. Constructing an SCA that can interact naturally with users while engaged in collaborative physical tasks requires the agent to interleave decision making under uncertainty, action execution, and observation while maximizing expected utility over a sequence of interactions. These requirements can be fulfilled by modeling an SCA as a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP). We show how POMDPs can be used to formalize and implement psycholinguistic proposals on how situated dialog participants collaborate in order to make and ground dialog contributions.
A micro cell lysis device

A new micromachined cell lysis device is developed. It is designed for miniature bio-analysis systems where cell lysing is needed to obtain intracellular materials for further analysis such as DNA identification. It consists of multi-electrode pairs to apply electric fields to cells. We adopt the means of using electric field lysing because it can greatly simplify purification steps for preparation of biological samples compared to conventional chemical methods. Yeast, Chinese cabbage, radish cells and Escherichia coli are tested with the device. The lysis of yeast, Chinese cabbage and radish cells is observed by a microscope. The experimental observation suggests that E. coli are also lysed by the pulsed electric field. The range of electric field for the lysis is on the order of 1 kV/cm to 10 kV/cm. The Teflon coated on the electrodes can protect the electrodes during the pulsing period. In addition, for practical reasons, we reduce the voltage required for lysing to less than 10 V by making the electrode gap on the order of microns.
Title IX literacy: what coaches don't know and need to find out.

Celebrated by many and lamented by a vocal few, Title IX holds the distinction of being one of the few pieces of legislation passed by the United States Congress that has emerged as an iconic symbol unto itself. Despite broad familiarity with the term, it remains much less clear how many Americans have more than a superficial understanding of what the law requires. This study was pursued to determine the level of Title IX literacy among a constituency directly impacted by compliance or noncompliance with the legislation, that being college coaches. Results reveal that most college coaches do not have a basic knowledge of the application and extent of the law, have not been educated about Title IX through reliable educational mediums, and possess a desire to learn more and have candid and meaningful discussions about these issues. The lack of consistent and systematic education mechanisms may explain the tensions that arise so frequently around gender equity issues within college and university athletic de...
Training policy students to hit the ground running: The design of an integrative core course

Effective public policy education must prepare students both to integrate the lessons of multiple disciplines and to apply these across diverse substantive areas. How can these objectives best be accomplished? Research on adult learning and professional education points toward applied, problem-based, cooperative, and student-driven pedagogy. This article describes the design and implementation of an integrative core course in which Master of Public Policy (MPP) students work through the stages of policy analysis in a series of current policy problems. The instructor serves as a coach, and a professional “client” for each problem provides feedback grounded in experience. Engaged learning is enhanced through teamwork, peer instruction, and opportunities for reflection and self-assessment. Over time, refinements in problem and client selection and the integration of skills have been informed by practical concerns and formal program assessment.
The influence of the alkaline earth cations, magnesium, calcium, and barium on the dissolution kinetics of quartz

This study quantifies the influence of the four major dissolved solutes found in terrestrial and marine environments on the dissolution kinetics of quartz. Dissolution rates are dependent upon the concentration and identity of alkali and alkaline earth cations in near-neutral pH solutions. We determine the effect of alkaline earth cations upon quartz reactivity by measuring dissolution rates in 0.0001–0.2 molal solutions of MgCl2, CaCl2, BaCl2, LiCl, KCI, and NaCl at near-neutral pH and 200°C. The results fit a first order rate law, where dissolution rates are slowest in pure water and increase with the introduction of salts in the order: Mgt+ < Ca2+ ≈ Li+ ≈ Na+ ≈ K+ < Ba2+. The trend is consistent with previously reported lower temperature measurements of dissolution rate for amorphous silica and sources of quartz. This suggests cation-specific effects hold for multiple silica polymorphs over temperatures of 25–200°C. Combining evidence from the literature and the kinetic data presented in this study, we propose a simple model: The dissolution rate of quartz. Alkali and alkaline earth cations indirectly enhance dissolution by] modifying rates of solvent motion, exchange, or orientation at the mineral-solution interface. Rate enhancement is proportional to the concentration of ions at the surface and their solvation character. The resulting model predicts (1) the dissolution rate of quartz for a suite of cations with weak surface interactions, (2) the influence of ion concentration, (3) that the catalyzing effect of salts diminish as the concentration of silicic acid in solution increases (decreasing reaction affinity) by increasing the amount of H4SiO4 at the interface, (4) that electrolytes have little rate-enhancing effect on the dissolution kinetics of silicate minerals, and (5) that dissolution rates of other oxide materials containing constituents with sluggish solvent interactions are also enhanced by introduction of alkali or alkali cations. Our findings reiterate the need to understand relationships between near-surface solute/solvent properties and mineral reactivity.
Parental personality factors in child abuse.

In an attempt to demonstrate that abusing parents differ from nonabusing parents in personality variables, the Michigan Screening Profile of Parenting was administered to six groups of mothers: (a) adjudicated abusers, (b) spouses of adjudicated abusers, (c) mothers convicted of child neglect, (d) nonabusing mothers from a college student population, (e) nonabusing mothers from a middle socioeconomic level, and (f) nonabusing mothers from a lower socioeconomic level. Major differences occurred when comparison was made of one or more of the first three groups with one of the latter three groups. The groups differed significantly on six factor-analyzed cluster categories: (a) relationship to one's own parents, (b) tendency to becoming upset and angry, (c) tendency toward isolation and loneliness, (d) expectations of one's own children, (e) inability to separate parental and child feelings, and (f) fear of external threat and control. In all of the cases, the first three groups scored at levels of higher risk than did the latter three groups, whereas the abusers scored at the highest risk levels throughout. It is suggested that a therapist who helps a parent develop the ability to maintain equanimity under stress, by helping reduce deviations from the norm in characteristi cs related to abuse potential, is ultimately helping to reduce actual abusive behavior. With the growing emphasis in the literature on the fact that the causes of child abuse are multiple and interactive, many therapists who deal with parental personality and attitudinal variables are made to feel as if they are engaging in a futile effort (D'Agostino, 1975; Smith, 197S). Although many new and exciting identification and treatment programs for child abuse abound throughout the country (National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1975, 1976), very little encouragement has been given to the therapist who does not have easy access to the new interdisciplinary treatment programs and who, in many instances, remains the
Measurements of DNA Lengths Remaining in a Viral Capsid after Osmotically Suppressed Partial Ejection

The effect of external osmotic pressure on the extent of DNA ejection from bacteriophage-λ was recently investigated (Evilevitch et al., 2003). The total length of DNA ejected was measured via the 260-nm absorption by free nucleotides, after opening of the capsids in the presence of varying amounts of polyethylene glycol 8000 and DNase I. As a function of osmolyte concentration, this absorption was shown to decrease progressively, ultimately vanishing completely for a sufficiently high external osmotic pressure. In this work we report the results of both sedimentation and gel analysis of the length of DNA remaining inside the capsids, as a function of osmolyte concentration. It is confirmed in this way that the progressive inhibition of DNA ejection corresponds to partial ejection from all of the capsids.
VLSI placement using uncertain costs

Many objective functions used to evaluate placement quality contain uncertain parameters (e.g. channel width, wire length). While these values can be estimated, they cannot be precisely known until the layout is finished. As a result, current automatic placement algorithms use 'expected' values in their objective functions and return one possible estimate of placement quality. An algorithm that uses the full range of potential values when computing placement cost can yield a more credible prediction of placement quality and reveal more about the structure of optimal configurations. An interval-based approach to modeling uncertainty in automatic placement is proposed. It is used to illustrate the authors' methods by implementing an interval branch and bound placement algorithm. >
Unusual Neoplasms of Childhood

The radiation oncologist may be consulted for a number of unusual tumors which are generally considered to be benign in the classical sense — that is, they do not develop metastases — but which may be locally aggressive and result in death or considerable disability if not managed properly.
Endovascular management of juxtarenal aneurysms with fenestrated endovascular grafting

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the technical feasibility and short-term results of juxtarenal aneurysm repair with an endovascular graft that incorporated the visceral aortic segment with graft material. Methods Patients were studied prospectively after the implantation of an endovascular device with graft material extending proximal to the renal arteries, variably incorporating the superior mesenteric and celiac arteries. All patients were deemed to be high risk with respect to open surgical repair and had compromised proximal neck anatomy. Proximal neck lengths were ≤10 mm, or ≤15 mm with a challenging morphology (funnel shape or extensive thrombus). Fenestrations within the graft material were customized to accommodate visceral and renal vessels on the basis of computerized tomography (CT), angiography, or intravascular ultrasound data. Selected visceral ostia were protected with balloon-expandable stents after partial endograft deployment. All patients were evaluated with CT and kidney, ureters, and bladder x-ray at discharge and at 1, 6, and 12 months. Visceral duplex scan studies were performed at 1, 6, and 12 months. Results A total of 22 patients were enrolled in the study. Sixteen patients had short proximal necks (3-10 mm), and six had compromised necks of 10 to 15 mm in length. Endograft design included bifurcated (20) and tube (2) systems. All prostheses were implanted successfully without the acute loss of any visceral arteries. A total of 58 visceral vessels were incorporated (mean, 2.6 per patient) and most commonly included both renal arteries and the superior mesenteric artery. The mean follow-up was 6 months. There were no deaths within 30 days and no aneurysm-related deaths during the follow-up period. Two early ( Conclusions The placement of an endovascular prosthesis with graft material that incorporates the visceral arteries is technically feasible. The occurrence of endoleaks appears to be relatively low. The increased sealing and fixation zones in this patient population should limit the late development of proximal endoleak or migration; however, this situation will require more patients and extended follow-up.
Marine Vessels as Substitutes for Heavy-Duty Trucks in Great Lakes Freight Transportation

This paper applies a geospatial network optimization model to explore environmental, economic, and time-of-delivery tradeoffs associated with the application of marine vessels as substitutes for heavy-duty trucks operating in the Great Lakes region. The geospatial model integrates U.S. and Canadian highway, rail, and waterway networks to create an intermodal network and characterizes this network using temporal, economic, and environmental attributes (including emissions of carbon dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides). A case study evaluates tradeoffs associated with containerized traffic flow in the Great Lakes region, demonstrating how choice of freight mode affects the environmental performance of movement of goods. These results suggest opportunities to improve the environmental performance of freight transport through infrastructure development, technology implementation, and economic incentives.
Feasibility of automated pre-screening for lifestyle and behavioral health risk factors in primary care

Screening of primary care patients for unhealthy behaviors and mental health issues is recommended by numerous governing bodies internationally, yet evidence suggests that provider-initiated screening is not routine practice. The objective of this study was to implement systematic pre-screening of primary care patients for common preventive health issues on a large scale. Patients registered for non-acute visits to one of 40 primary care providers from eight clinics in an Academic Medical Center health care network in the United States from May, 2012 to May, 2014 were contacted one- to three-days prior to their visit. Patients were invited to complete a questionnaire using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. Six items assessed pain, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, concern about weight, and mood. The acceptance rate among eligible patients reached by phone was 65.6 %, of which 95.5 % completed the IVR-Screen (N = 8,490; mean age 57; 57 % female). Sample demographics were representative of the overall primary care population from which participants were drawn on gender, race, and insurance status, but participants were slightly older and more likely to be married. Eighty-seven percent of patients screened positive on at least one item, and 59 % endorsed multiple problems. The majority of respondents (64.2 %) reported being never or only somewhat physically active. Weight concern was reported by 43.9 % of respondents, 36.4 % met criteria for unhealthy alcohol use, 23.4 % reported current pain, 19.6 % reported low mood, and 9.4 % reported smoking. The percent endorsement for each behavioral health concern was generally consistent with studies of screening using other methods, and contrasts starkly with the reported low rates of screening and intervention for such concerns in typical PC practice. Results support the feasibility of IVR-based, large-scale pre-appointment behavioral health/ lifestyle risk factor screening of primary care patients. Pre-screening in this population facilitated participation in a controlled trial of brief treatment for unhealthy drinking, and also could be valuable clinically because it allows for case identification and management during routine care.
Diffusion Bonding of Superplastic 7075 Aluminum Alloy

Because of the presence of surface oxide films, aluminum alloys are very difficult to join by diffusion bonding processes when there are no interlayers between mating surfaces. In the present investigation, the diffusion bonding of superplastic 7075 aluminum alloy has been carried out using a special method for surface treatment in the temperature range 500∼520°C, at pressures of 2.0∼3.0 MPa, times of 90∼150min and a vaccum of 1×10−5torr. The joint strength obtained is the same as the base metal strength of the alloy, and the joint microstructure is indistinguishable from that of the base metal. In this paper, the effect of the superplastic treatment of the alloy on the bonding process is discussed, and it is proposed that the bonding mechanism is the migration of the initial bond interface caused both by the diffusion of atoms and by the growth of grains during the diffusion bonding process.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participant's Proximity to Healthy Food Availability within Convenience Stores and the Association with Dietary Intake, Fayette County, Ky 2010-2011

Background: Food environment has been shown to affect the dietary intake of an individual. It is hypothesized that the type of food available in convenience stores and the proximity of those stores to a consumer may influence the purchasing decisions of those shopping a these food outlets. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to assess the dietary intake of SNAP participants in Fayette County, Kentucky, compared to the availability of healthful foods options at convenience stores and gas stations, which were within a close proximity to their homes (ten minute drive time or within 20 miles). Food audits were conducted in 35 gas stations and food marts, a total availability score ranged from 0-16, price was scored based on a similar protocol to NEMS-S. A higher scores will indicate better availability and price of healthy foods. 24-hour dietary recalls were then collected from 147 participants to obtain Healthy Eating Index scores. Results: On average, SNAP participants did not meet the daily dietary recommendations for consuming fruits and vegetables. Stores with more healthful options were an average of nine miles and produced an average HES score for participants of 1.03. Where as stores with low availability of healthful options were only located an average of two miles away and produced an average HES score for participants of 1.06. Among those who live close to gas stations with low availability of healthy food items was associated with lower odds of consuming at least one serving of fruit (OR 0.84 95% CI [0.60, 0.95]), and lower odds of consuming one serving of milk (OR 0.88 95% CI [0.72, 0.96]) compared to those who live farther away. Proximity to convenience stores and pharmacies with low availability of healthy food had lower odds of consuming more than five servings of grains per day (OR 0.87 95% CI [0.78, 0.95]) compared to those who live farther away. Conclusion: The results indicate that there is a significant association between having healthful food available at convenience stores and the dietary intake of those living within close proximity to those stores. This implies that there is a need for further interventions on the community level to make available more healthy food choices at these stores.
Morton Horwitz's Methodological Transformation: Some Musings on Transformations I and II

This essay places Morton Horwitz's two classic texts, The Transformation of American Law, 1780-1860 (1973) ("Transformation I") and The Transformation of American Law, 1870-1960 (1992) ("Transformation II") in historical and theoretical relief. The analysis is done on three levels. There is a discussion that draws upon Horwitz's biography as conveyed in an interview of Horwitz conducted by the author. There is also an examination of the two texts and their relationship to changes in legal academia. The discussion of the legal academy leads to a broader historical analysis framing Transformation I and Transformation II within the contours of intellectual trends beyond the legal academy.
Design and Validation of a Soft Switch for a Virtually Variable Displacement Pump

University of Minnesota M.S.M.E. thesis. June 2015. Major: Mechanical Engineering. Advisor: James Van de Ven. 1 computer file (PDF); vii, 109 pages.
Identifying Older Adults with Serious Illness: A Critical Step toward Improving the Value of Health Care

Objective To create and test three prospective, increasingly restrictive definitions of serious illness. Data Sources Health and Retirement Study, 2000–2012. Study Design We evaluated subjects’ 1-year outcomes from the interview date when they first met each definition: (A) one or more severe medical conditions (Condition) and/or receiving assistance with activities of daily living (Functional Limitation); (B) Condition and/or Functional Limitation and hospital admission in the last 12 months and/or residing in a nursing home (Utilization); and (C) Condition and Functional Limitation and Utilization. Definitions are increasingly restrictive, but not mutually exclusive. Data Collection Of 11,577 eligible subjects, 5,297 met definition A; 3,151 definition B; and 1,447 definition C. Principal Findings One-year outcomes were as follows: hospitalization 33 percent (A), 44 percent (B), 47 percent (C); total average Medicare costs $20,566 (A), $26,349 (B), and $30,828 (C); and mortality 13 percent (A), 19 percent (B), 28 percent (C). In comparison, among those meeting no definition, 12 percent had hospitalizations, total Medicare costs averaged $7,789, and 2 percent died. Conclusions Prospective identification of older adults with serious illness is feasible using clinically accessible criteria and may be a critical step toward improving health care value. These definitions may aid clinicians and health systems in targeting patients who could benefit from additional services.
Characterizing Motions by Unit Distance Invariance

It has been proved by P. Zvengrowski [1, appendix to chapter II] that a map of the euclidean plane, T: E2 E2, which preserves unit distance is an isometry. His proof uses an approximation procedure based on the theorem of Kronecker that the ring generated over Z by J3 is dense in R . A weaker version of this theorem, where the map is assumed to be one-to-one, is proved in [2]. Some of the unproved assertions in [2] are not so obvious as one might think, since the proofs we have, anyway, do not generalize to higher dimensions. However, the ideas in [2] could be used to considerably simplify Zvengrowski's proof, eliminating the reliance on algebraic number theory. Here we present elementary proofs for all dimensions of this theorem.
Implications of the Bystander and Abscopal Effects of Radiation Therapy

Siva and colleagues have demonstrated that localized thoracic radiation resulted in DNA damage at out-of-field sites. Although these interesting findings require validation, we discuss the important clinical implications of these data, especially in the era of immune therapies. Clin Cancer Res; 22(19); 4763-5. ©2016 AACRSee related article by Siva et al., p. 4817.
Restricted episiotomy use and maternal and neonatal injuries: a retrospective cohort study

There is relatively little information on episiotomies in the context of restricted episiotomy use. This study sought to examine maternal and neonatal injuries with restricted episiotomy use. We performed a retrospective database analysis of vaginal deliveries at a tertiary care maternity hospital from June 2010 to June 2015. Maternal injuries (third- or fourth-degree lacerations) and neonatal injuries (birth trauma) were identified through the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes. Vaginal deliveries were classified as spontaneous, vacuum-assisted, or forceps-assisted. The associations between episiotomy and maternal and neonatal injuries were examined with stratification by parity, type of vaginal delivery, and type of episiotomy (midline or mediolateral). Adjusted-odds’ ratios were calculated for maternal and neonatal injuries using a multiple logistic regression model to adjust for potential confounders. 22,800 deliveries occurred during the study interval involving 23,016 neonates. The episiotomy rate was 6.7 % overall and 22.9 % in operative vaginal deliveries. Episiotomies, both midline and mediolateral, were associated with increased risks of maternal and neonatal injuries regardless of parity (p < 0.0001). Upon stratification by the type of delivery, the association with maternal injury remained only for spontaneous vaginal deliveries (p < 0.0001). Adjusted-odds’ ratios demonstrated a continued association between episiotomy and maternal [aOR 1.67 (1.39–2.05)] and neonatal injuries [aOR 1.43 (1.17–1.73)]. Episiotomy continues to be associated with increased third- and fourth-degree lacerations with restricted use, particularly in spontaneous vaginal deliveries.
The Importance of Managing Strategic IT Project Contracts Using a Business Process Approach

Much has been written about managing information technology IT project contracts and their ultimate effect on fulfilling an organization's strategy. The integration of managing IT projects, contracts and firm strategy, however, continues to capture the attention of scholars and practitioners. This paper discusses the integration of these issues while providing a necessary process framework of how project contracts become strategic to firms when repeated transactions, increased risk identification, enhanced trust over time, and improved exploration and learning are present. IT project management has been and continues to be a growth profession, and the use of IT project contracts to outsource work has been increasing in importance as well. The authors have found that IT project management is collaborative when work is administered through information technology contracts that respond to organizational objectives. Because of the variance in how IT contracts are managed, they develop a strategic process model and discuss two lessons learned to better facilitate managing IT contracts. The proposed model and lessons learned provide insight so that the achievement of organizational strategy can be improved through simultaneous IT project and goal alignment.
Epstein-Barr Virus-associated Gastric Cancer and Potential Mechanisms of Oncogenesis.

Introduction EBV-associated Gastric Cancer (EBVaGC) comprises about 9% of all cases of GC and constitutes a distinct clinicopathological and molecular entity. The pattern of viral expression in EBVaGC cannot be set to any of the previously EBV-associated malignancies. Several lines of evidence support that viral expression in EBVaGC is characterized by high transcription of the BamH1- A rightward transcript (BART), low-levels of EBNA-1 and lack of LMP1. The high transcription activity of the BamH1-A region is importantly directed to express BART miRNAs, supporting a critical role for these miRNAs during epithelial cell infection and carcinogenesis. Several studies have shown that promoter hypermethylation is also a prominent feature of EBVaGC. Based on the recent TCGA report, the specific fingerprint of genomic alterations in EBVaGC is marked by mutations in PIK3CA, ARID1A and BCOR genes, and amplification of 9p24.1 that harbors the genes for the JAK2, PD-L1 and PD-L2 proteins. The specific programs of viral gene expression, promoter methylation and genomic mutations found in EBVaGC target cell signaling pathways leading to increased proliferation, increased cell survival, immune evasion, augmented EMT and acquisition of stemness features. Less understood is the participation of EBV in chronic gastric inflammation, but some studies argue that EBV, similar to and together with Helicobacter pylori, is an early participant in the GC oncogenic process through promoting chronic inflammation and increased tissue damage. Conclusion Here, we discuss the principal and distinctive carcinogenic routes promoted by EBV in the gastric epithelium.
Perspectives of Individuals who Experienced Bullying during Childhood

Background: The objective of the qualitative study was to describe the perspectives of adults who experienced bullying at school during childhood or adolescence. Method: Data was collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 8) and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Results: Three major themes emerged: (a) the school should have done something, (b) it still affects me, and (c) there needs to be prevention. Conclusion: Based on their unique expertise, occupational therapy practitioners may be able to collaborate with interprofessional teams to address the needs of individuals who bully and those who are being bullied at school.
Managing Landscapes for Environmental Sustainability

Landscape is a heterogeneous area consisting of a cluster of interactive ecosystems including the soil-scape, water, flora and fauna, micro- and meso-climate, and terrain or physiography. These components interact among one another, and are strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities. Misuse of landscape and mismanagement of its components can adversely impact biogeochemical cycles of water, carbon and other elements leading to degradation of natural resources and the environment. Thus, a high priority of restoring degraded landscapes includes enhancing soil and ecosystem carbon stock, conserving water and increasing the green water, reducing runoff, maintaining soil chemical fertility (nutrients), improving soil structure, enhancing soil biodiversity, and maintaining a favorable salt balance. Strategies of sustainable intensification must be adopted to restore the landscape. Sequestration of carbon in soil and vegetation within the landscape is important to adaptation and mitigation of climate change. Open image in new window Fig. 12.1 Components of a landscape
Impact of Course of Therapy on Response Rate and Duration with the Bexxar® Therapeutic Regimen (Tositumomab and Iodine I 131 Tositumomab) and with Chemotherapy.

Low grade NHL with or without transformation is characterized by recurrence. Initial response rates with chemotx are high, but all patients ultimately relapse, and the response rates and durations of response typically decline with each subsequent course of chemotx. In the pivotal trial of Bexxar (JCO 19:3918 2001) there were significantly more patients with longer durations of response than after their last qualifying chemotx. The aim of the current retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of Bexxar and prior chemotx by course of treatment in a larger group of patients. Response rates (RR) and duration of response data were available from the treatment histories of the 230 patients from five clinical studies. Demographics: median age, 56 years; age > 60, 34%; median number of prior regimens, 3 (range 1–13); bone marrow involvement, 48%; bulky disease, 32%; transformed histology 28%; IPI score ≥ 2, 81%; and refractory to their preceding regimen, 80%. The patient-specific dosing regimen for Bexxar was previously described (JCO 19:3918). RR and durations for chemotx used as the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and >6th treatment were compared to Bexxar for the same numerical treatment. At each successive treatment course, there was a consistently higher RR and duration of response after Bexxar than after chemotx (Table). The actual differences in RR may be greater, as the data for Bexxar are based on responses observed on at least 2 evaluations >4 weeks apart, as assessed by an independent, blinded Masked Independent Randomized Radiology and Oncology (MIRROR) panel. The reported RR for chemotx are based on Investigator-assessed unconfirmed responses. Of note, the % responding pts in continuous response at ≥ five year after receiving Bexxar for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and >6th relapse were 41%, 21%, 25%, 35%, 36 and 9%, respectively. While RR decreased with number of prior therapies, the durations of response and percent in continuous response after Bexxar were substantial and consistent across the range of the number of prior therapies. | Treatment/Regimen Number | | Chemotx | | | Bexxar | | |:------------------------ | --- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | -- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | | | n | Response Rate (Unconfirmed) | Median Duration of Response (months) | n | Response Rate (Confirmed) | Median Duration of Response (months) | | 2 | 183 | 51% | 8.0 | 27 | 74% | 14.4 | | 3 | 145 | 52% | 5.0 | 44 | 64% | 47.2 | | 4 | 98 | 45% | 5.0 | 54 | 52% | 10.8 | | 5 | 45 | 40% | 4.0 | 48 | 54% | 11.0 | | 6 | 33 | 36% | 4.0 | 21 | 52% | 27.0 | | 7 or more | 48 | 19% | 3.5 | 36 | 42% | 9.6 |
Design Considerations for the Next Generation Hip Resurfacing Implant: Commentary

The current generation of hip resurfacing consists of a metal-on-metal ball and monoblock socket of minimal thickness. Although results in certain patient subgroups have been excellent at up to 15 years of follow-up, other subgroups have had poor results. The hard-on-hard bearing is susceptible to edge-loading conditions and may produce excessive metallic debris; furthermore, other patients have had allergic reactions to the metal byproducts. In both situations, there can be clinical failures from adverse local tissue reactions. As such, the role of hip resurfacing has diminished over the last decade because of these issues. Developing the next generation hip resurfacing is essential to address these problems, and there are multiple design considerations in doing so. The choice of materials will be of prime concern, with the decision to use a hard-on-soft or hard-on-hard articulation. The dimensions of the resurfacing implant also pose a challenge, because of the requirement to preserve the bone. Fixation of the implant is another area of interest, in order to maximize implant longevity.
Coarsening-resistant Ag nanoparticles stabilized on amorphous TiO x nanoparticles

Bare Ag nanoparticles (∼10 nm) and Ag nanoparticles (1–20 nm) on the surfaces of larger TiOx nanoparticles were prepared by laser ablation of microparticle aerosols (LAMA). The behaviors of the nanoparticles during high temperature annealing were then studied with ex situ and in situ transmission electron microscopy. For the ex situ heating experiments, Ag and Ag-on-TiOx NPs were collected onto gold TEM grids and subjected to annealing treatments at 500 °C in argon, vacuum, and air. At this temperature, bare Ag NPs on carbon TEM supports coarsened rapidly in both air and argon atmospheres. In contrast, Ag-on-TiOx NPs that were heated to 500 °C in flowing argon or in a vacuum did not coarsen significantly and were remarkably stable. Ag-on-TiOx NPs that were heated to 500 °C in air, however, behaved quite differently. The TiOx crystallized upon heating and a significant loss of Ag were observed from the surfaces of the TiOx, likely due to sublimation. These results demonstrate that the surface defect structure and chemistry of the oxide support strongly influence the thermal stability of Ag NPs produced by LAMA.
Longitudinal study of quantitative changes in pelvic organ support among parous women.

Background Pelvic organ prolapse is more common among parous (vs nulliparous) women and also more common after vaginal (vs cesarean) birth. However, very little is known about how childbirth affects the course and progression of the genital hiatus across a woman’s life span. Objective The objective of the sttudy was to investigate the longitudinal, quantitative changes in pelvic organ support after childbirth, focusing on the impact of vaginal vs cesarean delivery. Study Design This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study in which parous women were recruited 5–10 years from first delivery and followed up annually. Using data from annual pelvic organ prolapse quantification examinations, we considered changes in vaginal support at the anterior vaginal wall (point Ba), the vaginal apex (point C), and the posterior wall (point Bp). In univariate and multivariable models, we compared pelvic organ support between women who had delivered at least 1 child vaginally vs those delivered exclusively by cesarean. Other covariates considered included race, age at first delivery, and the size of the genital hiatus. For models of support at Ba and Bp, we also considered the independent association with apical support. For women who delivered vaginally, we also considered forceps birth. Results A total of 1224 women participated for a total of 7055 woman-visits. In multivariable models, vaginal birth was associated with significantly worse support 5 years from first delivery. Also, women with at least 1 vaginal birth had more rapid worsening of support at point C. The width of the genital hiatus was a significant independent predictor of worse support 5 years from delivery as well as the rate of change over time. In models that controlled for the genital hiatus, the strength of the impact of vaginal birth was attenuated. Conclusion Vaginal birth was associated with worse support 5 years from first delivery and with more rapid deterioration in support at the apex. Above and beyond the impact of vaginal birth, the size of the genital hiatus may be an independent marker for those at greatest risk of prolapse progression.
A new look at multi-stage models of cancer incidence

Multi-stage models have long been used in combination with SEER data to make inferences about the mechanisms underlying cancer initiation. The main method for studying these models mathematically has been the computation of generating functions by solving hyperbolic partial differential equations. Here, we analyze these models using a probabilistic approach similar to the one Durrett and Moseley used to study branching process models of cancer. This more intuitive approach leads to simpler formulas and new insights into the behavior of these models. Unfortunately, the examples we consider suggest that fitting multi-stage models has very little power to make inferences about the number of stages unless parameters are constrained to take on realistic values.
Contextual Polarity and Influence Mining in Online Social Networks

In this paper, we combine social networks and sentiment analyses to identify significant and informative community divisions. We further demonstrate analytically that positive sentiment between individuals increases by the number of discussions exchanged. We employ our method on real-world social traces of Starbucks ideas and propose the models of correspondence among the idea proposers and the authors of the comments. Our results reveal that sentiment scores can indeed lead to more informative and significant community structure improvement over the social networks without sentiment scores. The results also show that there is a statistically significantquadratic relationship between the sentiments scores and thenumber of conversations between users.
Heat Transfer in a Falling Laminar Liquid Film with In-Depth Radiation Absorption.

Abstract A heat transfer problem involving a steady-state falling liquid film along a vertical wall with an imposed constant heat flux on the liquid film surface and an in-depth thermal radiation absorption in the film layer is analyzed. The liquid film is assumed to be normal to the incident radiative heat flux, and the heat flux is assumed to be parallel and unidirectional. Nondimensionalized governing equations are formulated and solved numerically. Sample calculations are provided. The effects of pertinent dimensionless parameters on the heat transfer process are demonstrated. The calculated results reveal that the in-depth thermal radiation absorption would play a key role in the heat transfer in the liquid film.
Visual comfort is key to broad MR hardware acceptance (Conference Presentation)

We review the various display engine technologies and subsequent optical architectures used today in AR and see-through MR headsets to enable the best possible three-dimensional immersion experience for the user. Special consideration will be given to the degree of adequacy of the display architecture to the human perceptive system in order to increase visual comfort for prolonged usage. Wearable comfort issues are also addressed as key issues for broad acceptance, and range from size, weight, center of gravity to thermals, fabrics and more.
Pruritic Eruptions of Pregnancy

The pruritic eruptions of pregnancy can be categorized by the morphology of the individual lesions, with histopathology, immunofluorescence, and laboratory data contributing to the proper classification of each eruption. The authors discuss herpes gestationis, impetigo herpetiformis, pruritic and urticaria! papules and plaques of pregnancy, papular dermatitis of pregnancy, pruritus gravidarum, autoimmune progesterone dermatitis of pregnancy, and prurigo gestationis, emphasizing their classification, cause, treatment, prognosis, and differential diagnosis.
Nonpharmacological prevention of osteoporotic fractures

Osteoporosis is a systemic, metabolic disease that can result in debilitating fractures. The lasting effects of vertebral and hip fractures can cause acute and chronic pain, deformity, and emotional distress. Research evidence and clinical experience have determined that weight bearing and strength training exercise, fall prevention efforts, hip protectors, and some alternative therapies may assist patients in avoiding the pervasive and lasting effects of osteoporotic fractures. Clinicians should consider the recommendations ofnonpharmacological measures to assist patients at risk for experiencing the culminating event of this destructive disease.
Atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of lead, cadmium, zinc, and copper in clams and oysters: collaborative study

A collaborative study to determine the accuracy and precision of flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of lead, cadmium, zinc, and copper in clams and oysters is detailed. Samples containing levels of lead and cadmium too low to be measured by direct atomic absorption spectrophotometry were first extracted as the l-pyrrolidinecarbodithioate complex into n-butyl acetate before measurement. Computation of recoveries used the sum of the average collaborative results for the unfortified samples and the fortification levels as the expected concentrations. Average recoveries obtained were: 94.0% for lead; 99.7% for cadmium; 99.3% for zinc; and 100.2% for copper for the lowest fortification levels. 7 references, 4 tables.