cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The response of longan fruit to cold and gamma irradiation treatments for quarantine eradication of exotic pests

SummaryIn separate treatments, fruit of Dimocarpus longan Lour, were subjected to 15 d at 1.1°C or to gamma irradiation from a 60Co source. Cold-treated fruit were not significantly different from untreated fruit in characteristics including decay susceptibility, firmness, and the percentage of total soluble solids and acids in the pulp, but treatment produced patches of bronze discolouration on the pericarp. Gamma irradiation at 100,200, or 300 Gy did not significantly affect susceptibility to decay or injure fruit, nor were firmness or external and interior colour reduced. Irradiated fruit, however, had lower percentages of total soluble solids and acids, with a concomitantly higher pH, but sensory evaluations could not differentiate these fruits from untreated ones. Due primarily to the injurious effects of cold treatment on the longan pericarp, irradiation at 100 to 300 Gy would be preferable for maintaining quality of longans that require quarantine treatment for the eradication of exotic pests and a...
Alliances with universities - how firms absorb and apply knowledge

Expanding on the notion that absorptive capacity is a multi-dimensional construct, we elaborate on a pivotal component of absorptive capacity, applying external knowledge (AEK), by examining the extent to which certain key internal and external factors are related to AEK. Using survey questionnaire data from senior executives in firms collaborating with university research centres our focus was AEK with respect to advancing new products, new processes, and improvements to existing products and processes. Results show that a more technologically uncertain environment is positively associated with AEK and the firm age is associated with AEK in a curvilinear, inverted U-shape fashion such that as firms mature they apply external knowledge better up to a certain point until diminishing returns come into play. We also found tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge moderate these relationships in different ways. We conclude with implications for future theory development, empirical research, and management practice.
Regulation of fatty acid synthase gene transcription. Sequences that confer a positive insulin effect and differentiation-dependent expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes are present in the 332 bp promoter

We have previously reported induction of fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene expression by insulin and adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. In order to identify sequences responsible for insulin regulation of the FAS gene, chimaeric constructs containing serial deletions of the 5'-flanking region of the rat FAS gene ligated to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene were prepared and transfected into 3T3-L1 cells. Plasmids containing 2100 (-2100CAT), 1400 (-1400CAT), 1009 (-1009CAT) and 332 (-332CAT) bp of FAS 5' flanking sequences exhibited comparable basal CAT activities in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. This activity was 3-fold higher when these constructs were transiently transfected into 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Stably transfected 3T3-L1 cells also exhibited a 3-fold increase in CAT activity upon adipocyte differentiation, indicating that sequences required for the differentiation-dependent increase in FAS expression are located within the 332 bp promoter. Treatment with 10 nM insulin increased CAT activity by 2.1 +/- 0.2-, 2.6 +/- 0.1-, 2.0 +/- 0.2- and 1.7 +/- 0.2-fold respectively in 3T3-L1 adipocytes transiently transfected with -2100CAT, -1400CAT, -1009CAT and -332CAT plasmids. CAT activity was increased by 3.0 +/- 0.3- and 3.5 +/- 0.6-fold respectively by insulin treatment in adipocytes stably transfected with -2100CAT and -1009CAT plasmids. When insulin-responsive H4IIE hepatoma cells were transiently transfected with -2100CAT, -1400CAT, -1009CAT and -332CAT plasmids and then treated with 10 nM insulin, CAT activity increased by 3.1-, 3.1 +/- 0.8-, 3.0 +/- 0.7- and 2.3 +/- 0.5-fold respectively in serum-free media, and by 2.6 +/- 0.4-, 3.3 +/- 0.9-, 3.1 +/- 0.4- and 2.9 +/- 0.6-fold respectively in the presence of 0.5% serum. These results indicate that sequences responsible for insulin regulation of FAS gene are also located within 332 bp of the transcription start site.
Fixture Optimization for Robotic Belt Grinding System

A PPPRRR grinding robot type is proposed for the belt grinding process with complex surfaces.The D-H kinematic model is used to obtain the solutions of the kinematics and inverse kinematics.The mathematical model for the robotic grinding paths is set up to finish a golf clue.The factors including the pose of the work piece respect to the end and the position of contact wheel respect to the robot is analyzed to influence the grinding ability.By the Monte Carlo method to optimize the pose and position factors above,the grinding ability is increased.
Isolation,culture and identification of nestin positive cells in ICR mouse islets

The islets were isolated from ICR mice by using the intraductal collagenase technique,then nestin+ cells were separated and expanded.Those cells were induced into medium containing low glucose concentration(2.5 mmol/L) and low serum(2%).The results indicated that mouse islets contain nestin+ cells.After isolation,they can differentiate into islet-like structure at low glucose concentration(2.5 mmol/L) and low serum(2%) conditions in long-term culture,demonstrating that nestin+ mouse islet cells may have the biological properties of pancreas precursor cells.
Privacy and security concern of online social networks from user perspective

Personal data sharing has emerged as a popular activity on online social networks such as Facebook, Google+, Twitter. As a result, privacy issues have received significant attention in both the research literature and the mainstream media. In this study, we designed a set of questions aimed to learn about user views of online privacy, user knowledge about OSNs privacy settings, and user awareness of privacy disclosure. Our goal is to find out from the users whether and how well users are knowledgable of, satisfied with, and able to effectively use available privacy settings. The information obtained from this study can be used to help OSNs adjust their privacy settings to better match user expectations, and help privacy advocates design better ways to help users control the disclosure of their online information. We collected answers to the questions from a group of 377 users, selected via several methods, who have experiences with multiple OSNs, including Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn. We analyzed the data with respect to user demographics. Our study shows that 44% of the users lack the knowledge about privacy policies and mechanisms of their OSNs; 34% and 41% of the users, respectively, are seriously and somewhat concern about their privacy protection; and 80% of the users do not think their OSNs have provided sufficient privacy control or default privacy settings that match their expectations. Based on our analysis, we propose several options for OSNs and OSN users to improve the user privacy.
Mill's Moral and Political Philosophy

As perhaps the leading historical proponent of two important normative traditions - utilitarianism and liberalism - John Stuart Mill (1806-73) occupies an unusually important position in the history of western moral and political philosophy. Viewed in historical context, both utilitarianism and liberalism have exerted considerable progressive influence on the scope of moral concern, the design of public institutions, the responsibilities of government, and the interests and rights of the governed. Mill did much to articulate the justification, content, and implications of utilitarian and liberal principles. This essay reconstructs the central elements of his contributions to the utilitarian and liberal traditions, focusing on his two most popular and best known works - Utilitarianism (1861) and On Liberty (1859), - but drawing on other texts when this sheds light on the interpretation of these two texts. It concludes by looking at how Mill applies his utilitarian and liberal principles to issues of political and sexual equality in Considerations on Representative Government (1859), Principles of Political Economy (1848), and The Subjection of Women (1869).
SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF SEVERE HINDFOOT CHARCOT DEFORMITY CAN BE ACHIEVED BY INTERNAL FIXATION IN DIABETIC PATIENTS

Introduction Hind foot Charcot deformity is a disastrous complication of diabetic neuropathy and can lead to instability, ulceration and major amputation. The treatment of these patients is controversial. Internal stabilization and/or external fixation have demonstrated variable results of limb salvage and some authorities thus advise patients to undergo elective major amputation. However, we report a series of 9 diabetic patients with severe hind foot deformity complicated by ulceration in 5/9, who underwent acute corrective internal fixation with successful correction of deformity, healing of ulceration in 4/5 patients and limb salvage in all cases. Methods We treated 9 diabetic patients attending a multidisciplinary diabetic/orthopaedic foot clinic with progressive severe Charcot hind foot deformity despite treatment with total contact casting, 5 with predominant varus deformity and 2 with valgus deformity and 2 with unstable ankle joints. Five patients had developed secondary ulceration. All patients underwent corrective hind foot fusion with tibiotalo-calcaneal arthrodesis using a retrograde intra-medullary nail fixation and screws and bone grafting. One patient also with fixed plano-valgus deformity of the foot underwent a corrective mid-foot reconstruction. Results Patients were followed up closely in the diabetic /orthopaedic multidisciplinary foot clinic and were treated with total contact casting. (Mean follow up time was 15.6 ±6.9months) In all patients the deformity was corrected with successful realignment to achieve a plantigrade foot. Healing of the secondary ulcers was achieved in 4/5casesand limb salvage was achieved in all cases. Three patients underwent further surgical procedure to promote bone fusion. One patient required removal of a significantly displaced fixation screw. In another patient with previously existing heel ulceration, the fixation device was removed due to progressive ulceration. However, by then, the patient had achieved fibrous union and stability of the hind foot. Two patients had postoperative wound infections which that were treated with initially intravenous antibiotic therapy and then negative pressure wound therapy. Conclusion In conclusion, internal fixation for severe hind foot deformity together with close follow up in a multidisciplinary diabetic/orthopaedic foot clinic can be successful in diabetic patients with advanced Charcot osteoarthropathy and secondary ulceration.
Conflict in Kenyan Households: An Exploratory Study of Professional Women and Domestic Workers

ABSTRACTConsiderable research has investigated work/life balance challenges faced by professional women in the West; considerably less research has focused on challenges faced by Sub-Saharan African women, in spite of the dramatic increase in women professionally employed in these countries. One strategy used to cope with work/life challenges is hiring domestic helpers, and interpersonal conflicts often arise between these workers and their female employers. Therefore, this qualitative study focuses on these conflicts that arise in Kenyan households. Seventy university female faculty and staff members completed a questionnaire asking them to describe these conflicts and the conflict strategies they use during these difficult interactions. Follow-up interviews also were conducted. Data analysis revealed specific areas of conflict that reflected the unique dialectical tensions that occur in this work context; for example, the workspace is both public and private and the employer–domestic worker relationship...
Novel Organic Schottky Barrier Diode Created in a Single Planar Polymer Film

An organic Schottky barrier diode is created in a single planar PEDOT:Tos film by treating a half of the PEDOT:Tos film with TDAE vapor. Current is rectified in one direction by the Schottky barrier at the junction. The unique planar structure made of a single film greatly reduces defects, resulting in a remarkably high current density with a high rectification ratio, as well as making it suitable for ink-jet-type or roll-to-roll printing techniques.
Aerobic respiration along isopycnals leads to overestimation of the isotope effect of denitrification in the ocean water column

Abstract The nitrogen (N) isotopes provide an integrative geochemical tool for constraining the fixed N budget of the ocean. However, N isotope budgeting requires a robust estimate for the organism-scale nitrogen isotope effect of denitrification, in particular as it occurs in water column denitrification zones (ewcd). Ocean field data interpreted with the Rayleigh model have typically yielded estimates for ewcd of between 20 and 30‰. However, recent findings have raised questions about this value. In particular, culture experiments can produce a substantially lower isotope effect (∼13‰) under conditions mimicking those of ocean suboxic zones. In an effort to better understand prior field estimates of ewcd, we use a geochemical multi-box model to investigate the combined effects of denitrification, aerobic respiration, and isopycnal exchange on the δ15N of nitrate. In the context of this admittedly simplistic model, we consider three isopycnals extending from the Southern Ocean to the Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP). We show that the data from the ETNP suboxic zone can be reproduced with an ewcd of 13‰, given a rate of aerobic respiration consistent with the nutrient data on these isopycnals and a plausible range in the δ15N of the sinking flux being remineralized. We discuss the limitations of our analysis, additional considerations, as well as possible data-based tests for the proposal of a lower ewcd than previously estimated. All else held constant, a lower ewcd would imply a lower global ocean rate of denitrification that is more similar to the estimated rate of N input to the global ocean, providing a major impetus for further investigation.
Extended family and friendship support and suicidality among African Americans

This study examined the relationship between informal social support from extended family and friends and suicidality among African Americans. Logistic regression analysis was based on a nationally representative sample of African Americans from the National Survey of American Life (N = 3263). Subjective closeness and frequency of contact with extended family and friends and negative family interaction were examined in relation to lifetime suicide ideation and attempts. Subjective closeness to family and frequency of contact with friends were negatively associated with suicide ideation and attempts. Subjective closeness to friends and negative family interaction were positively associated with suicide ideation and attempts. Significant interactions between social support and negative interaction showed that social support buffers against the harmful effects of negative interaction on suicidality. Findings are discussed in relation to the functions of positive and negative social ties in suicidality.
Abstract 4586: Association of FUT2 gene variant, gut bacteria and colorectal adenomas

The fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) gene is responsible for the expression of the ABO blood group antigens. These antigens serve as anchors for a variety of microbes in the gut and may confer increased susceptibility to microbial infections and diseases. We assessed the association between a genetic variant in the FUT2 gene (rs516246) and mucosal-adherent gut bacteria in relation to colorectal adenomas. Genomic DNA from 200 consented screening colonoscopy subjects was genotyped for FUT2 rs516246 using a TaqMan genotyping assay. qPCR was performed to target the 16S rRNA gene for specific bacteria. Statistical analysis included t-test, logistic regression Chi-squared tests and Spearman9s correlation test. Results show that, except for age and waist-hip ratio, patient characteristics were similar for cases and controls. Higher abundance of E. coli and Eubacteria was associated with adenoma status. There was a null association between FUT2 genotype and adenomas. Similarly, gut bacteria and adenoma status was not strongly influenced by FUT2 genotype. In conclusion: the FUT2 (rs516246) gene variant does not appear to influence the relationship between gut bacteria and colorectal adenomas. Citation Format: Winifred Okunola, Amber McCoy, Santosh Dulal, Temitope O. Keku. Association of FUT2 gene variant, gut bacteria and colorectal adenomas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4586. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4586
Additive manufacturing of borosilicate glass (Conference Presentation)

Glasses including have significant scientific and engineering applications including optics, communications, electronics, and hermetic seals. This paper investigates a filament fed process for Additive Manufacturing (AM) of borosilicate glasses. Compared to soda-lime glasses, borosilicate glasses have improved coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and are widely used because of thermal shock resistance. In this work, borosilicate glass filaments are fed into a CO2 laser generated melt pool, smoothly depositing material onto the workpiece. Single tracks are printed to explore the effects that different process parameters have on the morphology of printed glass as well as the residual stress trapped in the glass. The transparency of glass allows residual stress to be measured using a polariscope. The effect of the substrate as well and substrate temperature are analyzed. We show that if fracture due to thermal shock can be avoided during deposition, then the residual stress can be relieved with an annealing step, removing birefringence. When combined with progress toward avoiding bubble entrapment in printed glass, we show the AM approach has the potential to produce high quality optically transparent glass for optical applications.
Experimental Atom-by-Atom Dissection of Amide-Amide and Amide-Hydrocarbon Interactions in H2O.

Quantitative information about amide interactions in water is needed to understand their contributions to protein folding and amide effects on aqueous processes and to compare with computer simulations. Here we quantify interactions of urea, alkylated ureas, and other amides by osmometry and amide–aromatic hydrocarbon interactions by solubility. Analysis of these data yields strengths of interaction of ureas and naphthalene with amide sp2O, amide sp2N, aliphatic sp3C, and amide and aromatic sp2C unified atoms in water. Interactions of amide sp2O with urea and naphthalene are favorable, while amide sp2O–alkylurea interactions are unfavorable, becoming more unfavorable with increasing alkylation. Hence, amide sp2O–amide sp2N interactions (proposed n−σ* hydrogen bond) and amide sp2O–aromatic sp2C (proposed n−π*) interactions are favorable in water, while amide sp2O–sp3C interactions are unfavorable. Interactions of all ureas with sp3C and amide sp2N are favorable and increase in strength with increasing alky...
A novel sansalvamide analogue inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation via induction of macrophage inhibitory cytokine (MIC-1)

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 3818 Introduction: Pancreatic cancer continues to be a devastating disease with a poor prognosis and survival. Novel therapeutics are currently under investigation. Sansalvamide A is a cyclic peptide from a marine fungus and has potent anti-proliferative activity in cancer cells. Macrophage inhibitory cytokine (MIC-1) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and is associated with pro-apoptotic and anti-tumorigenic activities. In the present study, we investigated the growth-inhibitory effects of a novel brominated and methylated sansalvamide depsipeptide analogue on human pancreatic cancer cells and the role of MIC-1 in this growth inhibition. Methods: Human pancreatic cancer (ASPC-1) cells were treated with 10 μM sansalvamide analogue and cell counting was conducted at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Olignonucleotide microarray analysis was conducted to identify genes whose expression is markedly changed by the sansalvamide depsipeptide. Real-time RT-PCR was performed after 24 hours to confirm the time and concentration-dependent up-regulation of one particular gene, MIC-1. ASPC-1 cells were also pre-treated with actinomycin D (an inhibitor of transcription) to determine the role of transcription and message stability in sansalvamide analogue-induced MIC-1 expression. Results: The sansalvamide depsipeptide analogue significantly inhibited cell proliferation (93% decrease in cell number at 72 hours with 10μM, P<0.01). The sansalvamide depsipeptide analogue caused concentration and time-dependent induction of MIC-1 expression (5.1 fold increase at 3 hours, 14.0 fold increase at 6 hours, 10.3 fold increase at 12 hours and 6.3 fold increase at 24 hours with 10 μM, P <0.01 ). In cells pre-treated with actinomycin D, the sansalvamide depsipeptide analogue inhibits the induction of MIC-1, suggesting that a change in transcription is involved. Conclusions: The sansalvamide analogue induced growth inhibition and up-regulated MIC-1 gene expression at the transcriptional level in human pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, the growth inhibition is associated with increased expression of MIC-1.
Financial capability of parents of kindergarteners

Abstract Financial capability is generally conceptualized as the ability and the opportunity to save, borrow, and invest money in the mainstream economy. But, many families struggle with finding work, saving money, and accessing credit. Thus, it is important to build families' financial capability to enhance their well-being in an economy in which low incomes and unstable employment are becoming commonplace and families are having to make do with less. In order to better understand how to support families' financial capability, this study elicited perspectives on barriers to and enhancers of financial capability through an online survey and in-depth interview with 32 parents of kindergarten children from a mid-sized, Midwestern city. Some parents identified raising young children as a barrier to aspects of their financial capability, and to care for their children many parents were making tradeoffs between working, paying for childcare, and related money management matters. Parents' also reported barriers to finding paid work, earning adequate and stable income, and saving money. In addition to children transitioning to adulthood, some parents believed that having better employment opportunities, earning more income, better money management strategies, lower health insurance premiums, and completing higher education might enhance their financial capability. Theory, and policy considerations are discussed, and emphasize incorporating income-generating work in conceptualizing financial capability, and opportunities to support families with young children by creating steady well-paying secure jobs, providing universal low- or no-cost childcare, and shoring up safety net programs.
The multi-site family study on incarceration, partnering and parenting: Program impacts

The Multisite Family Study on Incarceration, Partnering, and Parenting documented the impact of couples-based relationship education on intimate relationship quality; parenting and coparenting qual...
Comparison of the Severity of Respiratory Disease in Children Testing Positive for Enterovirus D68 and Human Rhinovirus

Objective To compare the characteristics and severity of respiratory disease in children testing positive for enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and for human rhinovirus (RhV). Study design A retrospective single center study of children presenting with acute respiratory symptoms and positive polymerase chain reaction for RhV/EV from September 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014 was performed. Specimens were subsequently tested specifically for EV-D68 and specimens identified as RhV were subtyped when possible into RhV-A, RhV-B, and RhV-C species. Clinical manifestations in patients with EV-D68 were compared with those with non-EV-D68, RhV, and RhV-C. Results Of the 173 patients included in the analysis, 72 tested positive for EV-D68, 61 for RhV, and 30 for RhV-C. There were significantly fewer infants in the EV-D68 group. Patients with EV-D68 were more likely than those without EV-D68, and specifically with RhV-C, to have fever and wheezing. Patients with EV-D68 received more magnesium sulfate for respiratory distress not responding adequately to repeated doses of inhaled albuterol. Hospitalized patients with EV-D68 received more bronchodilator therapy than patients with RhV. Patients with EV-D68 were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit and were older than patients without EV-D68. There was no difference in length of overall hospitalization or time in the pediatric intensive care unit. Conclusions Children with EV-D68 appeared to have more severe respiratory disease on admission than children with RhV as evidenced by higher rates of fever, wheezing, bronchodilator use and pediatric intensive care unit admission. Despite the initial difference in severity, no significant difference in length of stay was found suggesting that patients with EV-D68 recovered as quickly as other groups.
Poster: Learning to Mine Parallel Natural Language/Source Code Corpora from Stack Overflow

For tasks like code synthesis from natural language, code retrieval, and code summarization, data-driven models have shown great promise. However, creating these models requires parallel data between natural language (NL) and code with fine-grained alignments. Stack Overflow (SO) is a promising source to create such a data set but existing heuristic methods are limited both in their coverage and the correctness of the NL-code pairs obtained. In this paper, we propose a method to mine high-quality aligned data from SO by training a classifier using two sets of features: hand-crafted features considering the structure of the extracted snippets, and correspondence features obtained by training a neural network model to capture the correlation between NL and code. Experiments using Python and Java as test beds show that the proposed method greatly expands coverage and accuracy over existing mining methods, even when using only a small number of labeled examples.
The Elusive Isobaric Reactor

A reactor is proposed in which the principal role of the magnetic field is to reduce the thermal conductivity. A purely toroidal magnetic field confines a plasma whose pressure is almost constant. The plasma is limited in height by two planar electrodes. The density rises as the temperature falls toward the material boundaries to maintain essentially isobaric conditions. Fueling the reactor is a simple by-product of the drift motion of the ions through the reactor, the confinement time being determined by the residence time of transport rather than by diffusion. As in many reactor schemes, the size is large, but not unreasonable. There are unsolved problems requiring research, but these seem addressable with modest temperature plasmas.
Traumatic Brain Injury in Elderly Individuals

Elderly individuals are second only to young adults among those most likely to sustain traumatic brain injury. Falls, pedestrian accidents, and low-speed motor vehicle accidents are the most common causes of traumatic brain injury in the elderly and often result in focal contusions or subdural or intraparenchymal hematomas. Individuals with coma lasting less than 6 hours, a supportive social network, and absence of substance abuse are likely to have good outcomes, whereas those living alone and with prolonged coma and chronic alcohol use often have poor outcomes. Slower recovery, a higher rate of medical complications, and payer limitations make necessary careful assessment and imaginative use of home and other settings for treatment. Intensive rehabilitation can be effective with selected elderly individuals.
Pathologic Response of the Gastrointestinal Tract to Toxicants

This chapter covers the normal anatomy and histology of, as well as pathologic responses to toxicants in, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the esophagus to the rectum. Because the GI tract is a primary route of exposure to toxins, the resulting lesions are important to understand and study. Many toxicopathologic lesions in the GI tract, however, are nonspecific and follow a continuum, from necrosis and ulceration/inflammation to healing, fibrosis, or metaplasia/dysplasia. Nevertheless, these lesions are important in that they may lead either directly or indirectly to the death of the patient.
Fully Nonlinear Wave-body Interactions With Fully Submerged Dual Cylinders

A 2-dimensional fully nonlinear numerical wave tank (NWT) is developed based on the potential theory, Mixed EulerianLagrangian (MEL) time marching scheme and boundary element method (BEM). Wave deformation and wave forces on submerged single and dual cylinders are investigated using the NWT. The computed mean, 1st , 2ndand 3rd-order wave forces on a single submerged cylinder are compared with those of Chaplin’s experiment, Ogilvie’s 2nd-order theory, and another nonlinear computation called high-order spectral method. The computed potential-based mean, 2nd and 3rd harmonic forces agree well with lab measurement, but there exists noticeable discrepancy in the 1st-order wave forces as the KC number increases, which can be attributed to viscous effects (clockwise circulation around the body). An independently developed 2-D viscous NWT confirmed the experimental observation. The NWT simulations for submerged dual cylinders show that the interaction effects can be significant when the gap is small. In particular, the higher harmonic forces on the rear cylinder can be greatly increased due to already deformed incident waves by the front cylinder. The potential NWT results for dual cylinders are also compared with those including viscous effects.
ROUTINE CONTINUOUS ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC MONITORING FOLLOWING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTIONS

Routine electrocardiographic monitoring is commonly utilized following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), but its clinical and prognostic implication has not been well studied. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the incidence of actionable alarms on telemetry monitoring and their clinical
Retained surgical sponge

Surgical foreign bodies are retained more commonly than is suspected. About 50% will become symptomatic in the form of erosion into the bowel or vessels, fistulae, abscesses, obstruction, bleeding, or chronic pain. Expeditious removal is recommended. Laparoscopic retrieval is feasible especially if discovered early.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Markers of Synaptic Injury and Functional Connectivity in Alzheimer Disease: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Synaptic loss is the best surrogate for cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease (AD) and is more closely associated with cognitive function than amyloid or tau pathologies. Neurogranin (Ng) and synaptosome-associated protein-25 (SNAP-25) have demonstrated utility as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of synaptic injury in presymptomatic and symptomatic AD. While these synaptic markers have been shown to correlate with cognitive impairment and whole brain or regional atrophy in previous studies of AD, to our knowledge, the relationship between fluid markers of synaptic injury and functional brain imaging has not been previously investigated. Objective The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between CSF markers of synaptic injury (Ng and SNAP-25) and functional connectivity (FC) in the default mode and semantic memory networks in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia due to AD (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR] 0.5-1) and cognitively normal controls (CDR 0), adjusting for age, gender, and the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) genotype. Secondary objectives include investigating the associations between CSF markers of amyloid and tau pathology (CSF tau, p-tau181, and Aβ42) and FC in the default mode and semantic memory networks in AD (CDR 0.5-1) and controls (CDR 0), adjusting for age, gender, and the APOE4 genotype. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of individuals with MCI or mild dementia due to AD (CDR 0.5-1; n=20), and cognitively normal controls (CDR 0; n=20). Participants will undergo detailed clinical and neuropsychological assessments, CSF biomarker assessments (CSF Ng, SNAP-25, tau, p-tau181, and Aβ42 levels) and functional magnetic resonance imaging assessments, using a Siemens 3.0 Tesla Prisma scanner, during resting state and during the performance of a semantic memory task. All study procedures will be completed within 4 months of enrollment. Partial correlation analyses will examine associations of CSF biomarker measures with FC in the default mode and semantic memory networks in AD and controls. Results This study was funded by the Chronic Brain Injury Discovery Themes of the Ohio State University College of Medicine. Study enrollment began in April 2018. Study procedures and data analysis are currently underway. Results are expected by December 2019. Conclusions Findings from this study will further support the utility of CSF Ng and SNAP-25 as markers of synaptic injury by examining their associations with functional alterations in cortical networks affected by early AD pathology. International registered report identifier (irrid) DERR1-10.2196/14302.
Optical Voltammetry of Polymer-Encapsulated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

The semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), noncovalently wrapped by a polymeric monolayer, is a nanoscale semiconductor–electrolyte interface under investigation for sensing, photonics, and photovoltaic applications. SWCNT complexes are routinely observed to sensitize various electrochemical/redox phenomena, even in the absence of an external field. While the photoluminescence response to gate voltage depends on the redox potential of the nanotube, analogous optical voltammetry of functionalized carbon nanotubes could be conducted in suspension without applying voltage but by varying the solution conditions as well as the chemistry of the encapsulating polymer. Steady-state photoluminescence, absorbance, and in situ measurements of O2/H2O reactivity show correlation with the pH/pKa-dependent reactivity of π-rich coatings. The nanotube emission responses suggest that the presence of photogenerated potential may explain the observed coating electrochemical reactivity. This work finds that ele...
Forces, torques, and motion everywhere in an ultrasonic standing wave field

Ultrasonic standing waves are used to align and manipulate non-spherical objects. In a previous report, simulations were performed to determine the forces and torques on rod-shaped objects located in stable positions at a standing wave node. Here I determine the forces and torques at all positions in the standing wave field. I present simple expressions with two adjustable parameters that fit these forces and torques. I then use the force and torque expressions to predict the trajectories of objects as a function of time.
Hyperkyphosis and self-reported and objectively measured sleep quality in older men.

Author(s): Kaufmann, Christopher N; Shen, Jian; Woods, Gina N; Lane, Nancy E; Stone, Katie L; Kado, Deborah M; Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study Research Group | Abstract: ObjectivesHyperkyphosis is associated with restricted pulmonary function and posture, potentially contributing to poor sleep. A previous study reported older women with hyperkyphosis had worse self-reported sleep quality, but it is less clear if this association exists in men. We examined the association between hyperkyphosis and subjective and objective sleep quality in a cohort of older men.DesignLongitudinal analysis of data from large cohort of older men participating in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (MrOS).SettingCommunity.ParticipantsWe studied 754 men participants in MrOS who had kyphosis measured during the 3rd clinic visit (2007-2009) and future subjective and objective sleep quality assessed between 2009-2012 (an average of 2.9 years later).InterventionN/A.MeasurementsTo measure kyphosis, 1.7 cm thick wooden blocks were placed under the participant's head to achieve a neutral spine position while lying supine on a DXA table. We collected data on both subjective (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], and Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]) and objective (wrist actigraphy: Total Sleep Time [TST], Wake After Sleep Onset [WASO], Sleep Efficiency [SE], Sleep Onset Latency [SOL]; and polysomnography: Apnea Hypopnea Index [AHI]) sleep measurements. Those who required g3 blocks were considered hyperkyphotic (n = 145 or 19.2%).ResultsIn unadjusted and multivariable analyses, men with hyperkyphosis did not report having worse self-reported sleep characteristics based on PSQI and ESS. Similarly, there were no significant associations between hyperkyphosis and objective sleep measures. When examined as a continuous predictor (blocks ranging from 0-8), results were no different.ConclusionsAlthough we hypothesized that poor posture in those with hyperkyphosis would interfere with sleep, in this sample of older men, worse kyphosis was not associated with self-reported or objectively measured poor sleep quality.
Simultaneous Septal Perforation and Deviation Repair with a Chondromucosal Transposition Flap

Nasal septal perforations can cause issues of epistaxis, whistling, crusting, saddle deformity, and obstruction, which motivate patients to seek surgical repair. Numerous methods of septal perforation repair have been described, with surgical success rates ranging from 52% to 100%, but few studies address situations with concomitant septal deviation. In treating patients with septal perforation and deviation, both issues should be addressed for optimal outcomes. While routine septoplasty involves the removal of septal cartilage, septal perforation repair involves the addition of interposition grafts. The composite chondromucosal septal rotation flap harmoniously combines these seemingly conflicting goals as an effective and efficient technique for septal perforation repair. We present 3 patients successfully treated for their septal perforation and septal deviation concurrently with this technique.
Cord blood transplants supported by unrelated donor CD34+ progenitor cells.

Alternative donor transplantation with the haplo-cord platform allows the use of a lower-dose single umbilical cord blood unit (CBU) by co-infusion of third-party CD34+-selected cells from a haploidentical relative, which provides early transient engraftment while awaiting durable CBU engraftment. In our experience, ~15% of patients lack a suitable haploidentical donor. Here we report 26 patients who underwent haplo-cord transplant using CD34+-selected partially matched unrelated donor grafts. Twenty-four were conditioned with fludarabine/melphalan +/− low-dose TBI (n = 16). Twenty-five received ATG and all received posttransplant tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Median time to neutrophil and platelet recovery was 11 and 18 days. CBU engraftment, with CD33 and CD3 >5% cord chimerism in the myeloid/lymphoid compartment by day +60, occurred in 20 of 24 patients (83%). Incidence of grade 2–4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 27% at day +100, and chronic GVHD was 4% at 1 year. Overall survival at 1 year was 54%. For patients in need of an alternative transplant who lack a haploidentical donor, haplo-cord transplantation using CD34+-selected partially matched unrelated donor grafts results in rapid engraftment with no increased rate of cord graft failure or GVHD.
Fostering System-Level Perspective Taking When Designing for Change in Educational Systems.

A core element of systems thinking is perspective taking. Perspectives help people distinguish between salient and irrelevant information, take particular types of actions, and make sense of the world. In this article, we consider what systems thinking and perspective taking means for designers in education. First, we present a framework, the five spaces for design in education, to illustrate design work in education. The framework presents five spaces for design: artifacts, processes, experiences, systems, and culture. We claim that most—if not all—educators participate in design work; however, the design spaces they work in vary. Consequently, educational designers often fail to consider the perspectives of those working in different spaces, resulting in failed reform efforts. We illustrate this concept through the technology integration attempts of the Los Angeles Unified School District. We argue more effective design in education occurs when designers both recognize their own design perspective and are aware of other perspectives.
Proteomic profiling identifies an exercise signature in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Introduction: Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have exertional intolerance; however, the biological mediators relevant for PAH that are affected by this phenomenon remain incompletely characterized. Aim: To examine the transpulmonary gradient of proteins in PAH and how these are perturbed by an exercise challenge. Methods: Twelve patients with PAH and 12 age- and sex-matched patients with unexplained dyspnea underwent level 3 cardiopulmonary exercise testing with blood sampling from the pulmonary artery and pulmonary capillary wedge compartments at rest, peak exercise, and post-exercise. Proteomics were performed on plasma samples using an aptamer-based technology. Pathway and functional enrichment analyses were used to cluster proteins. Results: Patients with PAH (mPAP 39±6, PVR 376±189 dyn‑s-cm-5) had a cardiac output similar to patients with unexplained dyspnea, but exercised to a lower workload and had lower peak lactate levels (5±2 vs. 8±2 mmol/L, p Conclusions: Patients with PAH have a differentiated transpulmonary profile of proteins following an exercise challenge. Changes in the transpulmonary gradient of these proteins suggest that they might play a role in the pathophysiology of PAH and serve as a biomarker of exercise intolerance in the disease.
Expressive Robot Motion Timing

Our goal is to enable robots to time their motion in a way that is purposefully expressive of their internal states, making them more transparent to people. We start by investigating what types of states motion timing is capable of expressing, focusing on robot manipulation and keeping the path constant while systematically varying the timing. We find that users naturally pick up on certain properties of the robot (like confidence), of the motion (like naturalness), or of the task (like the weight of the object that the robot is carrying). We then conduct a hypothesis-driven experiment to tease out the directions and magnitudes of these effects, and use our findings to develop candidate mathematical models for how users make these inferences from the timing. We find a strong correlation between the models and real user data, suggesting that robots can leverage these models to autonomously optimize the timing of their motion to be expressive.
F-LEMMA: Fast Learning-based Energy Management for Multi-/Many-core Processors

Over the last two decades, as microprocessors have evolved to achieve higher computational performance, their power density also has increased at an accelerated rate. Improving energy efficiency and reducing power consumption is therefore of critical importance to modern computing systems. One effective technique to improve energy efficiency is dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS). In this paper, we propose F-LEMMA: a fast learning-based power management framework consisting of a global power allocator in userspace, a reinforcement learning-based power management scheme at the architecture level, and a swift controller at the digital circuit level. This hierarchical approach leverages computation at the system and architecture levels, and the short response times of the swift controllers, to achieve effective and rapid µs-level power management. Our experimental results demonstrate that F-LEMMA can achieve significant energy savings (35.2% on average) across a broad range of workload benchmarks. Compared with existing state-of-the-art DVFS-based power management strate gies that can only operate at millisecond timescales, F-LEMMA is able to provide notable (up to 11 %) Energy-Delay Product improvements when evaluated across benchmarks.
Progressive Decline in Voice and Voice-Related Quality of Life in X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism.

Summary Objective To characterize the evolution of swallowing and voice in patients with X-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP). Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods Retrospective review of 59 patients with XDP from January 2016 to January 2018. All patients underwent complete examinations and quality of life (QOL) surveys (Swallowing Quality of Life questionnaire [SWAL-QOL], Voice-Related Quality of Life [V-RQOL], and Voice Handicap Index [VHI]), and functional endoscopic examination of swallowing. We excluded patients with incomplete records or patients lost to follow-up. Univariate analysis was used to compare 2016 to 2018 Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), SWAL-QOL, V-RQOL, and VHI scores. Results Ten patients met the inclusion criteria. Nine patients had oromandibular dystonia. Voice-related measures significantly worsened with an increase in mean VHI from 81 to 109.9 (P = 0.026) and decrease in mean V-RQOL from 58 to 28 (P = 0.013). Vocal strain also significantly worsened 0.4 to 1.4 (P = 0.001). Mean PAS scores increased from 4.2 to 5.1 (P = 0.068) and mean SWAL-QOL decreased from 50.4 to 43.5 (P = 0.157). In the SWAL-QOL, the mean Eating Duration score worsened from 0.9 to 0.4 (P = 0.052) and Mental Health score declined from 10.1 to 6.1 (P = 0.077). Conclusions Both vocal strain and voice-related QOL measures considerably worsened over the 2-year interval in our limited group of XDP patients with no significant change in PAS scores or swallowing QOL. The findings demonstrated that the pace of disease affecting voice symptoms was different from swallowing symptoms in our study group and that changes in communication ability may be a more sensitive marker for disease progression than swallowing dysfunction.
Audit firm concentration and competition: Effects of consolidation since 1997.

For many years, businesses, government regulators, and the public have expressed concern about the dominance of a few large public accounting firms in the audit market. Recent events have increased concern about the lack of competition in the auditing industry. Using market concentration measures we examine the level of competition among the remaining active audit firms before and after the merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand and before and after the dissolution of Arthur Andersen. We also segment the audit market by auditor and client size and examine the effects of the consolidating events from these perspectives. We find that concentration did indeed increase after both events but, in most instances, decreased in the years between those two events. However, the remaining Big Four audit firms continue to dominate the market for audits of publicly held companies, particularly audits of large firms. We also find that, while some segments of the audit market are highly concentrated, there are a few segments that are relatively competitive.