cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of season of harvest and duration of pre-measurement storage impact hydraulic conductance of stem samples for Acer rubrum L. x saccharinum L. and Fraxinus americana L.

Abstract The influence of pre-measurement storage length and season of harvest of stem segment samples on hydraulic conductance and percentage embolism was determined for two tree species because no published guidelines exist concerning storage. Stem sections from Fraxinus americana L. ‘Autumn Applause’ (white ash) and Acer rubrum L. x saccharinum L. ‘Autumn Blaze’ (hybrid red maple) were collected from well-established trees in fall 1995 (October), spring 1996 (April), and summer 1996 (July). Ends of stem sections collected in the fall were either covered with wax or left exposed. Entire sections from all dates were placed in closed plastic bags to prevent desiccation during transport and subsequent storage. Stem sections were either analyzed immediately (0 storage) or held at 2°C for 2 or 4 days. Hydraulic conductance before embolisms were cleared with positive pressure (initial k h ), hydraulic conductance after embolisms were cleared (maximum k h ), and percentage embolism were similar for all pre-embolism measurement storage lengths within each of the three seasonal sampling periods for hybrid red maple and spring- and summer-collected white ash. Fall-collected white ash samples with 0 storage had higher initial k h , and percentage embolism increased if samples were stored. Embolism was greatest for summer-collected samples and lowest for spring-collected samples for hybrid red maple, but values were similar for white ash. Stem covering did not influence measured parameters. Our data indicate that hybrid red maple stem segments can be stored without significant loss of hydraulic conductance for up to 4 days, but white ash should not be stored in the fall. Unless maximum levels of native embolism have been reached, as determined from laboratory analysis, stem segments of species on which storage data are not available should be processed as soon as possible.
Activities in Li2O-, Na2O, and K2O-SiO2 Solutions

Activities of alkali metal oxides and silica are calculated for regions of the Li2O-SiO2, Na2O-SiO2, and K2O-SiO2 phase diagrams where volatility, cell potential, and thermodynamic data are available. For the high-silica composition regions, activities are calculated from the stable phase diagrams and assumptions based on sub-regular solution behavior. These data permit estimates of the phase boundaries for the metastable two-liquid regions in the Li2O and Na2O systems which may be compared with experiment. An estimate is also made of the critical point for K2O-SiO2 to determine whether metastable phase separation in this system will be experimentally obtainable.
Pain relief for neonatal circumcision: serious design flaws?

To the Editor. A flurry of articles addressing pain relief for neonatal circumcision have been published recently.1–6 Although research addressing this painful procedure is long overdue, these studies all have serious design flaws. To properly study the pain and stress response of neonatal circumcision, an investigator needs to document the electrophysiologic measurements of cardiac activity to assess reactivity and regulation of the autonomic nervous system, cortisol levels to assess the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical response, cry acoustics, as well as crying time and facial activity.7 The published studies often concentrate on only one or two of these measures giving an incomplete picture of the neonate's response. For example, swaddling and sucrose nipple reduced cry duration but had no positive effect on postsurgical cortisol levels.6 Although it was clear before any of these studies began that some anesthesia would be better than no anesthesia, these studies were designed, by comparing anesthetized boys with those operated on without anesthesia, to demonstrate that some anesthesia was better than no anesthesia, thus providing no new information. The institutional review boards of the Hospital for Sick Children, the University of Chicago, the University of Alberta, and the University of Rochester allowed unanesthetized surgery …
A leech homolog of twist: evidence for its inheritance as a maternal mRNA.

In the development of leeches such as Helobdella robusta, mesodermal and ectodermal fates segregate to cells DM and DNOPQ, respectively, at fourth cleavage. As one step in identifying genes that may act in mesoderm determination, we have cloned the H. robusta homolog to the Drosophila gene twist. This homolog, designated Hro-twi, exhibits high (>90%) amino acid identity with other twist-class genes within its basic-helix‐loop‐helix (b-HLH ) DNA binding motif and dimerization domain. Like twist, Hrotwi contains CAX-rich stretches: three stretches 5ae to the b-HLH and one located 3ae of the b-HLH motif. RT‐PCR analysis suggests that Hro-twi is present throughout development, beginning as a maternal transcript in the oocyte. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.
Resonant-tunneling devices and circuits

Resonant-tunneling diodes (RTDs) have demonstrated oscillation frequencies above 400 GHz and switching speeds of 2 ps, establishing them as the fastest all-electronic switches at room temperature. This high speed, together with reasonable impedance levels and straightforward integration with other III-V devices, has encouraged workers in the field to consider the potential of RTDS for selected circuit applications requiring multigigahertz speeds. Limited demonstrations have been achieved for samplers, A/D converters, parity generators, multivalued logic, and multiple-state memory. Theoretical efforts have successfully answered some of the interesting physical questions about the transient behaviour of this unique device. The author describes the process of resonant tunneling, summarizes the device and circuit achievements to date, and discusses ultimate limits and promising applications of this device. >
Effects of elevated CO2‐grown loblolly pine needles on the growth, consumption, development, and pupal weight of red‐headed pine sawfly larvae reared within open‐topped chambers

Seedlings of loblolly pine, Pinus taeda, were grown in open-topped chambers under four levels of CO2: two ambient and two elevated. Larvae of the red-headed pine sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei, were reared from early instar to pupation, primarily on branches within chambers. Larval growth and mortality were assessed and leaf phytochemistry samples of immature and mature leaves collected weekly. Mature leaves grown under elevated CO2 had significant reductions in leaf nitrogen and increases in non-structural carbohydrate contents, resulting in foliage being a poorer food source for larvae, i.e. higher carbohydrate:nitrogen ratio. Nutritional constituents of immature needles were unaffected by seedling CO2 treatment. Volatile mono- and sesquiterpenes were unrelated to plant CO2 treatments for either leaf age class. Larval consumption of immature needles significantly increased on seedlings grown under CO2 enrichment, while mature needle consumption was not different between the treatments. The average weight gain per larva significantly declined in late instar larvae consuming elevated CO2-grown needles. In spite of this reduced growth, neither the days to pupation nor pupal weights were different among the CO2 treatments. This study suggests that enriched CO2-induced alterations in pine needle phytochemistry can affect red-headed pine sawfly performance. However, compensatory measures by larvae, such as choosing to consume more nutritious immature needles, apparently helps offset enriched CO2-induced reductions in the leaf quality of mature needles.
An analysis of stewardess requirements and scheduling for a major domestic airline

This paper studies the optimal utilization of stewardesses and optimal allocation of trips to bases by a special approximation to the solution of a linear programming problem.
Clopidogrel pharmacogenomics and risk of inadequate platelet inhibition: US FDA recommendations

Antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel is the current standard of care for coronary artery disease patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention. However, approximately 25% of patients experience a subtherapeutic antiplatelet response. Clopidogrel is a prodrug that undergoes hepatic biotransformation by CYP2C19 into its active metabolite. Several studies have reported that, compared with wild-type individuals, CYP2C19 variant allele carriers exhibit a significantly lower capacity to metabolize clopidogrel into its active metabolite and inhibit platelet activation, and are therefore at significantly higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Consequently, the US FDA has recently changed clopidogrel's prescribing information to highlight the impact of CYP2C19 genotype on clopidogrel pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical response. Future studies remain necessary to develop effective personalized therapeutic strategies for CYP2C19 variant allele carriers and other individuals at risk for clopidogrel nonresponsiveness.
Waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index, and subsequent kidney disease and death.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and obesity are important public health concerns. We examined the association between anthropomorphic measures and incident CKD and mortality. Study Design Cohort study. Setting & Participants Individual patient data pooled from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Cardiovascular Health Study. Predictors Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI). Outcomes & Measurements Incident CKD defined as serum creatinine level increase greater than 0.4 mg/dL with baseline creatinine level of 1.4 mg/dL or less in men and 1.2 mg/dL or less in women and final creatinine level greater than these levels, and, in separate analyses, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decrease of 15 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or greater with baseline eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or greater and final eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Multivariable logistic regression to determine the association between WHR, BMI, and outcomes. Cox models to evaluate a secondary composite outcome of all-cause mortality and incident CKD. Results Of 13,324 individuals, mean WHR was 0.96 in men and 0.89 in women and mean BMI was 27.2 kg/m 2 in both men and women. During 9.3 years, 300 patients (2.3%) in creatinine-based models and 710 patients (5.5%) in eGFR-based models developed CKD. In creatinine-based models, each SD increase in WHR was associated with increased risk of incident CKD (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.43) and the composite outcome (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.18), whereas each SD increase in BMI was not associated with CKD (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.20) and appeared protective for the composite outcome (hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.99). Results of eGFR-based models were similar. Limitations Single measures of creatinine, no albuminuria data. Conclusions WHR, but not BMI, is associated with incident CKD and mortality. Assessment of CKD risk should use WHR rather than BMI as an anthropomorphic measure of obesity.
Generation of intrinsic vibrational gap modes in three-dimensional ionic crystals

The existence of anharmonic localization of lattice vibrations in a perfect three-dimensional diatomic ionic crystal is established for the rigid-ion model by molecular dynamics simulations. For a realistic set of NaI potential parameters, an intrinsic localized gap mode vibrating in the [111] direction is observed for fcc and zinc-blende lattices. An axial elastic distortion is an integral feature of this mode which forms more readily for the zinc blende than for the fcc structure. Molecular dynamics simulations verify that in each structure this localized mode may be stable for at least 200 cycles.
Perceived Racial/Ethnic Discrimination Among Fifth-Grade Students and Its Association With Mental Health

Objectives. We sought to describe the prevalence, characteristics, and mental health problems of children who experience perceived racial/ethnic discrimination.Methods. We analyzed cross-sectional data from a study of 5147 fifth-grade students and their parents from public schools in 3 US metropolitan areas. We used multivariate logistic regression (overall and stratified by race/ethnicity) to examine the associations of sociodemographic factors and mental health problems with perceived racial/ethnic discrimination.Results. Fifteen percent of children reported perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, with 80% reporting that discrimination occurred at school. A greater percentage of Black (20%), Hispanic (15%), and other (16%) children reported perceived racial/ethnic discrimination compared with White (7%) children. Children who reported perceived racial/ethnic discrimination were more likely to have symptoms of each of the 4 mental health conditions included in the analysis: depression, attention deficit ...
Preserving confidentiality of high-dimensional tabulated data: Statistical and computational issues

Dissemination of information derived from large contingency tables formed from confidential data is a major responsibility of statistical agencies. In this paper we present solutions to several computational and algorithmic problems that arise in the dissemination of cross-tabulations (marginal sub-tables) from a single underlying table. These include data structures that exploit sparsity to support efficient computation of marginals and algorithms such as iterative proportional fitting, as well as a generalized form of the shuttle algorithm that computes sharp bounds on (small, confidentiality threatening) cells in the full table from arbitrary sets of released marginals. We give examples illustrating the techniques.
The penetration of microorganisms between the tooth and direct resin fillings

The use of direct filling acrylic resins as restorative materials has led to a number o f investigations concerning permeability at the margins between filling and tooth structure. Previous studies have evaluated permeability by measurement o f the ex­ pansion-contraction characteristics of the material, or by observing the penetration o f water, dye solution, air or radiocal­ cium. In this paper, after a review of some previous studies, a series o f experi­ ments will be presented in which pene­ tration is tested by means o f color-pro­ ducing microorganisms. The success o f amalgam as a filling material is attributed in part to the rela­ tively small volume changes which occur after it is inserted. The amalgam ex­ pands on setting, thereby compensating for a small shrinkage due to thermal changes in the mouth. The direct filling resins, on the other hand, shrink as they polymerize. Measurements outside the mouth by means of a dilatometer show that the volumetric shrinkage due to polymerization is 6 to 8 per cent, depend­ ing on the brand o f resin. T he shrinkage inside the mouth is somewhat less, as some polymerization occurs before inser­ tion in the cavity.1,2 Polymerization shrinkage is minimized in the brush-on technic because the ma­ terial is added in small increments.3 Proper technics can force the polymeri­ zation shrinkage to take the direction least harmful to the restoration: on the floor o f the cavity in the pressure method and on the open face in the brush-on method. The direction of shrinkage is related to adhesion; shrinkage occurs at those surfaces where there is no adhe­ sion.2,4 Sorption of water by the resin causes an expansion in volume of 1.0 to 1.5 per cent. Warping from this expan­ sion is apparently due to release of strain, as annealed specimens do not warp after water immersion.1,4 The coefficient of linear expansion o f indirect filling resin is 81 ppm ; tooth structure is 11 ppm. Therefore the resin has seven times the thermal expansion of tooth structure.® The coefficient, how­ ever, varies somewhat with the brand of resin and with the technic of insertion. Coefficients when measured after speci­ mens are immersed in physiological salt solution are reported to be 36 to 65 per
The Effect of Gang Membership on Victimization: A Behavioral Genetic Explanation

The current study represents the first attempt to examine how genetic and environmental factors work in concert to influence gang membership, victimization, and the effect of gang membership on victimization experiences. Using data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the present study employs behavioral genetic modeling (i.e., the ACE model and the DeFries-Fulker model) to examine these associations. The findings indicate that gang affiliation is influenced significantly by both genetic factors and environmental factors that are uniquely experienced by the individual. Controlling for heritable influences, gang membership increased the risk of victimization over time. The latter finding suggests that gang membership operates as a nonshared environmental influence on victimization.
Design of sparse linear arrays by Monte Carlo importance sampling

The formation of acoustic images in real-time requires an enormous computational burden. To alleviate this demand the use of sparse arrays for beamforming is mandated. The design of these arrays for adequate mainlobe width and low sidelobe level is a difficult nonlinear optimization problem. A new approach to the joint optimization of sensor placement and shading weights is discussed. Based on the concept of importance sampling the optimization method is presented and some examples given to illustrate its effectiveness.
Newer Modalities for Detection of Pulmonary Emboli

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common cardiovascular disease after myocardial infarction and stroke in the United States. Early and accurate diagnosis of this condition is imperative because many patients die within hours of presentation. Clinical and laboratory tests can be used to accurately determine the pretest probability of PE. When necessary, imaging techniques are then used to exclude or diagnose PE. Pulmonary angiography is the reference standard for the diagnosis of PE, but it is invasive and has a high morbidity and mortality rate. Ventilation and perfusion (V/Q) scanning in the past has been recommended as the initial diagnostic test for PE; however, this technique also has limitations. Recently, new modalities for the diagnosis and exclusion of PE have been evaluated. These techniques include V/Q single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), single- and multi-detected computed tomography, and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) including gadolinium-enhanced MRA, real-time magnetic resonance imaging (RT-MR), and magnetic resonance perfusion imaging.
Results from a Music, Imagery, and Movement Treatment Intervention in a Long-Term Care Facility:

Results are presented from the first cohort of a music, imagery, and movement (MiM) treatment intervention study conducted with residents in a long-term care facility. The pre–post two-group treatment design randomly assigned participants to the 10-week MiM intervention or 10-week conversational social control group (N = 20). Cognitive functioning and depression were assessed for all study participants at baseline and the end of treatment. Quantitative data showed an impact of MiM on depression score reduction, and qualitative data suggested that participants engaged in meaningful interpersonal experiences within the MiM group. Together, the data suggest that creative arts participation enhances positive social engagement, which may be a key therapeutic mechanism of change acting on depression scores differentially across the MiM group versus the social control conversation group.
Graft-versus-Host reactions: a review.

Publisher Summary Graft-versus-host reactions (GVHRs) are one of the most intriguing facets of transplantation immunology. This chapter describes the GVHRs, and mechanisms of GVHRs. All GVHRs, both in vivo and in vitro, involve the interaction of lymphocytes as the pivotal event. The chapter discusses the role of donor lymphocytes in the induction and prosecution of GVHRs, the dual roles of host lymphoid cells that are both the primary source of antigenic stimulus and the primary target of donor antihost effector cells, and the probable consequences of donor-host interactions. The host participation in GVHRs involves immunogenic stimulus, development of lesions, and alteration of host immunologic capability. The implication to be drawn from a consideration of the cellular basis of GVHRs is that donor and host both bring to the response unique contributions. The chapter discusses the modification of GVHRs based on altered donors or donor cells and altered hosts after initiation of the GVHR. The chapter also discusses the cellular and molecular aspects of immunoregulation in GVHRs and highlights the imniunoregulatory role of the spleen.
Collaboration in Research and Engineering for Advanced Technology.

SNL/CA proposes the Collaboration in Research and Engineering for Advanced Technology and Education (CREATE) facility to support customer-driven national security mission requirements while demonstrating a fiscally responsible approach to cost-control. SNL/CA realizes that due to the current backlog of capital projects in NNSA that following the normal Line Item process to procure capital funding is unlikely and therefore SNL/CA will be looking at all options including Alternative Financing.
Cell cycle effects of the EGFR TK inhibitor erlotinib in NSCLC cell lines

2284 p27KIP, a cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor and a putative tumor suppressor, plays a critical role in the regulation of cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Erlotinib, an orally bioavailble EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown a potential activity against cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. In previous work, we have reported that erlotinib exerts the inhibitory effects on EGFR high expressed human non-small cell lung cancer cell H322 through the disruption of G1 -related cell cycle regulators and blocking cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase transition. The present study shows that erlotinib arrests H322 cells at G1 phase by accumulating the p27KIP protein, and initiating a chain of events by decreasing the amounts of cyclin A and cyclin E and the suppression of cyclin A- or cyclin E-associated cdk-2 kianse activity. Erlotinib induced G1 arrest and p27KIP up-regulation in the tested sensitive cell lines (H322, H358, and A431), but to lesser degree in the resistant cell lines (A549, H596, and H1299). The G1 arrest and p27KIP up-regulation by erlotinib was sustained within 8 h of removal of drug exposure, and completely relieved at 24 h. The immunocytochemical and immunoblot studies revealed that erlotinib treatment resulted in p27KIP localization in nucleus, whereas; the p27KIP was predominately detected at cytoplasm in control cells. In addition, erlotinib treatment led to a dramatic inhibition of p27KIP phosphorylation at Thr 187, and down-regulation of Skp2 expression. As a result, the half-life of p27KIP was significantly increased by erlotinib treatment. Furthermore, the reduction of p27KIP expression using p27KIP small interfering RNA abrogated erlotinib-induced G1 phase arrest and cell growth inhibition. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that p27KIP as a key mediator of cell cycle plays an implant role in erlotinib-induced cell growth inhibition at G1 phase arrest. This work was supported in part by NIH grant CA50270 and OSI Pharmaceuticals.
Pharmacotherapy: Current role of β-blockers after MI in patients without HF.

When administered in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction, β-blockers decrease myocardial ischaemia, reduce the rates of reinfarction and serious ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and have substantial early benefits. However, the benefits of prolonged β-blockade after acute myocardial infarction are unproven and are discussed.
Strategic approaches to disability disclosure on social media

AbstractPersons with physical disabilities often face isolation in face-to-face settings or limited opportunities to form relationships due to an ongoing, and often derogatory, disability narrative of difference. Unlike face-to-face interactions, social media let persons with disabilities control how and when they disclose information about their disabilities and offer new opportunities for relationship formation. This qualitative study establishes a theoretical framework for exploring how and why persons with physical disabilities choose to disclose their disabilities on social media platforms. Major findings from the study describe three strategic approaches (open, secure, and limited) to disability disclosure on social media. The study also examines the relationship between age of discloser and age of the disability as key factors in approach selection.
Spatially-segmented undersampled MRI temperature reconstruction for transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound

Volumetric thermometry with fine spatiotemporal resolution is desirable to monitor MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) procedures in the brain, but requires some form of accelerated imaging. Accelerated MR temperature imaging methods have been developed that undersample k-space and leverage signal correlations over time to suppress the resulting undersampling artifacts. However, in transcranial MRgFUS treatments, the water bath surrounding the skull creates signal variations that do not follow those correlations, leading to temperature errors in the brain due to signal aliasing. To eliminate temperature errors due to the water bath, a spatially-segmented iterative reconstruction method was developed. The method fits a k-space hybrid signal model to reconstruct temperature changes in the brain, and a conventional MR signal model in the water bath. It was evaluated using single-channel 2DFT Cartesian, golden angle radial, and spiral data from gel phantom heating, and in vivo 8-channel 2DFT data from a FUS thalamotomy. Water bath signal intensity in phantom heating images was scaled between 0-100% to investigate its effect on temperature error. Temperature reconstructions of retrospectively undersampled data were performed using the spatially-segmented method, and compared to conventional whole-image k-space hybrid (phantom) and SENSE (in vivo) reconstructions. At 100% water bath signal intensity, 3 ×-undersampled spatially-segmented temperature reconstruction error was nearly 5-fold lower than the whole-image k-space hybrid method. Temperature root-mean square error in the hot spot was reduced on average by 27 × (2DFT), 5 × (radial), and 12 × (spiral) using the proposed method. It reduced in vivo error 2 × in the brain for all acceleration factors, and between 2 × and 3 × in the temperature hot spot for 2-4 × undersampling compared to SENSE. Separate reconstruction of brain and water bath signals enables accelerated MR temperature imaging during MRgFUS procedures with low errors due to undersampling using Cartesian and non-Cartesian trajectories. The spatially-segmented method benefits from multiple coils, and reconstructs temperature with lower error compared to measurements from SENSE-reconstructed images. The acceleration can be applied to increase volumetric coverage and spatiotemporal resolution.
Band-structure calculations for the 3 d transition metal oxides in G W

Many-body $GW$ calculations have emerged as a standard for the prediction of band gaps, band structures, and optical properties for main-group semiconductors and insulators, but it is not well established how predictive the $GW$ method is in general for transition metal (TM) compounds. Surveying the series of 3$d$ oxides within a typical $GW$ approach using the random-phase approximation reveals mixed results, including cases where the calculated band gap is either too small or too large, depending on the oxidation states of the TM (e.g., FeO/Fe${}_{2}$O${}_{3}$, Cu${}_{2}$O/CuO). The problem appears to originate mostly from a too high average $d$-orbital energy, whereas the splitting between occupied and unoccupied $d$ symmetries seems to be reasonably accurate. It is shown that augmenting the $GW$ self-energy by an attractive (negative) and occupation-independent on-site potential for the TM $d$ orbitals with a single parameter per TM cation can reconcile the band gaps for different oxide stoichiometries and TM oxidation states. In Cu${}_{2}$O, which is considered here in more detail, standard $GW$ based on wave functions from initial density or hybrid functional calculations yields an unphysical prediction with an incorrect ordering of the conduction bands, even when the magnitude of the band gap is in apparent agreement with experiment. The correct band ordering is restored either by applying the $d$-state potential or by iterating the wave functions to self-consistency, which both have the effect of lowering the Cu-$d$ orbital energy. While it remains to be determined which improvements over standard $GW$ implementations are needed to achieve an accurate ab initio description for a wide range of transition metal compounds, the application of the empirical on-site potential serves to mitigate the problems specifically related to $d$ states in $GW$ calculations.
Enhanced sensitivity of flow detection in small vessels with slow flow by coherent-flow power Doppler

Power Doppler imaging is a commonly used method for the detection of flow. However, the sensitivity of power Doppler in small vessel detection is limited in clinical ultraound scanners by a combination of factors, including the small-diameter of vessels, slow flow through the vessels, the size of the Doppler ensemble, the presence of motion, the presence of noise, and the type of filter used. We have developed an alternative power Doppler imaging technique that enhances flow detection of small vessels and slow flow. This technique utilizes the same principles as power Doppler, but uses the coherence of backscattered blood signal rather than the backscattered signal power. We show that this technique, called coherent flow power Doppler (CFPD), is less sensitive to clutter-based signals and thermal noise and improves signal-to-noise ratio of the flow signal. We show through simulations, phantoms, and in vivo experimentation in human liver that this additional signal-to-noise ratio (7.5-12.5 dB) can be utilized to detect slower flow, improved frame rate (smaller Doppler ensemble), or improve the Doppler image profile. In addition, the technique demonstrates better signal-to-noise ratio for small-sized vessels (less than 2 mm).Power Doppler imaging is a commonly used method for the detection of flow. However, the sensitivity of power Doppler in small vessel detection is limited in clinical ultraound scanners by a combination of factors, including the small-diameter of vessels, slow flow through the vessels, the size of the Doppler ensemble, the presence of motion, the presence of noise, and the type of filter used. We have developed an alternative power Doppler imaging technique that enhances flow detection of small vessels and slow flow. This technique utilizes the same principles as power Doppler, but uses the coherence of backscattered blood signal rather than the backscattered signal power. We show that this technique, called coherent flow power Doppler (CFPD), is less sensitive to clutter-based signals and thermal noise and improves signal-to-noise ratio of the flow signal. We show through simulations, phantoms, and in vivo experimentation in human liver that this additional signal-to-noise ratio (7.5-12.5 dB) can be utili...
On the instability of laminar flow and its transition to turbulence

In recent years, there has been much progress in our understanding of the mechanism of transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow, but the problem remains not completely solved. Theoretically, the most easily tractable mechanism of transition is that following the development of the disturbances in the laminar motion caused by its inherent instability. When the disturbances are small, the equations describing the motion can be linearized, and the mathematical theory can be developed in great detail. Even in this case, it is well-known that the theory of the instability of parallel flows has involved a great deal of controversy, largely due to the difficulty of the mathematical problems involved.
Surgical gesture classification from video data

Much of the existing work on automatic classification of gestures and skill in robotic surgery is based on kinematic and dynamic cues, such as time to completion, speed, forces, torque, or robot trajectories. In this paper we show that in a typical surgical training setup, video data can be equally discriminative. To that end, we propose and evaluate three approaches to surgical gesture classification from video. In the first one, we model each video clip from each surgical gesture as the output of a linear dynamical system (LDS) and use metrics in the space of LDSs to classify new video clips. In the second one, we use spatio-temporal features extracted from each video clip to learn a dictionary of spatio-temporal words and use a bag-of-features (BoF) approach to classify new video clips. In the third approach, we use multiple kernel learning to combine the LDS and BoF approaches. Our experiments show that methods based on video data perform equally well as the state-of-the-art approaches based on kinematic data.
Population Dynamics and Evolution of Cancer Cells

Abstract While the core of cancer research is concerned with molecular cell biology, principles from the fields of population dynamics and evolutionary biology can provide important, complementary insights that can improve our understanding of disease development and therapy outcomes. Cell division and death processes, mutations, and selection are central to carcinogenesis, the response to treatment, and the evolution of drug resistance. Mathematical models have become an increasingly important tool to study these dynamical interactions and evolutionary processes, allowing us to capture a set of biological assumptions and to follow them to their logical conclusions. This review discusses different ways in which mathematical models can be useful in cancer research: mathematical models can lead to the formulation of new concepts; application of mathematical models to clinical data can allow us to estimate central kinetic parameters; and parameterized mathematical models can be used to make predictions about disease and therapy outcomes. Examples of these approaches will be discussed in the context of case studies from our own research and brought into context with the broader oncology literature. The first half of the review is concerned with dynamical and evolutionary processes that contribute to the development of cancer, while the second part concentrates on the dynamics and evolution of cells during therapeutic and preventative interventions. We will explore, how mathematical models and clinical data can be combined to make patient-specific predictions about treatment outcomes.
Automated Classification of Postural Control for Individuals With Parkinson's Disease Using a Machine Learning Approach: A Preliminary Study.

The purposes of the study were (1) to compare postural sway between participants with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy controls and (2) to develop and validate an automated classification of PD postural control patterns using a machine learning approach. A total of 9 participants in the early stage of PD and 12 healthy controls were recruited. Participants were instructed to stand on a force plate and maintain stillness for 2 minutes with eyes open and eyes closed. The center of pressure data were collected at 50 Hz. Linear displacements, standard deviations, total distances, sway areas, and multiscale entropy of center of pressure were calculated and compared using mixed-model analysis of variance. Five supervised machine learning algorithms (ie, logistic regression, K-nearest neighbors, Naive Bayes, decision trees, and random forest) were used to classify PD postural control patterns. Participants with PD exhibited greater center of pressure sway and variability compared with controls. The K-nearest neighbor method exhibited the best prediction performance with an accuracy rate of up to 0.86. In conclusion, participants with PD exhibited impaired postural stability and their postural sway features could be identified by machine learning algorithms.
Fortified blended flour supplements displace plain cereals in feeding of young children

Lipid-based nutritional supplements (LNS) and fortified blended flours (FBF) are widely used to increase the nutrient density of children's diets and improve their health, but their effectiveness could be modified by displacement of other foods. We reanalysed data from a cost-effectiveness trial comparing impacts on anthropometry of three FBFs (Corn Soy Blend Plus [CSB+], Corn Soy Whey Blend [CSWB], SuperCereal Plus [SC+]) and one LNS (Ready-to-use Supplementary Food [RUSF]) among infants aged 7-23 months in Burkina Faso. Using dietary diversity data from a single 24-h recall period (n = 1,591 children, observed once over 18-month study period), we fit logistic regression models to estimate differences in intake of each food group making up the infant and young child minimum dietary diversity score and linear models to test for differences in dietary diversity score among children in each supplement arm. We tested for differences in breastfeeding time using the subsample for which breastfeeding was observed (n = 176). Children who consumed one of the three FBFs had lower odds of consuming household grains, roots and tubers compared with the LNS consumers (odds ratios [ORs] = 0.35-0.47; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 0.20-1.05). Consumption of other foods, dietary diversity and breastfeeding did not differ significantly at the 5% significance level. FBFs displaced the household's own cereals more than LNS, with no difference in the child's consumption of other more nutrient-rich family foods. Given limited stomach capacity and feeding time, providing fortified cereals may help improve children's overall diet quality in settings where children would otherwise be fed nutrient-poor root crops or cereal grains.
The Pandemic Syllabus

A syllabus is a contract, an introduction, a statement of values, a todo list, a plan. It is often the point of first contact between professor and student, or between student and an area of law. Beyond the technological challenges, for many professors Fall 2020 was also the first-time coming up with a camera policy or amending attendance expectations to consider a pandemic. For some, this is also the first time explicitly engaging in antiracist pedagogy in the classroom or considering practices like trauma informed teaching. This essay offers a practical, “nuts and bolts” walkthrough of promising practices for each part of the syllabus while also touching on complex pedagogical questions such as issues of accessibility, setting a cooperative tone for class, and preparing students for sometimes challenging discussions. This essay is not only about the transition to online teaching, but more broadly about shifts within legal education that only promise to become more relevant. The essay is a practical and helpful guide for those planning future semesters, even in a post-pandemic world.
Cryoneurolysis before Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients With Severe Osteoarthritis for Reduction of Postoperative Pain and Opioid Use in a Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Background We hypothesized that preoperative cryoneurolysis of the superficial genicular nerves in patients with osteoarthritis would decrease postoperative opioid use relative to standard of care (SOC) treatment in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Patients received either cryoneurolysis (intent-to-treat [ITT]: n = 62) or SOC (ITT: n = 62). The cryoneurolysis group received cryoneurolysis of the superficial genicular nerves 3–7 days before surgery plus a similar preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative pain management protocol as the SOC group. The primary end point was cumulative opioid consumption in total daily morphine equivalents from discharge to the 6-week study follow-up assessment. Secondary end points included changes in pain and functional scores. Primary and secondary end points were assessed using ITT and per-protocol (PP) analyses. Results The primary end point was not met in the ITT analysis (4.8 [cryoneurolysis] vs 6.1 [SOC] mg; P = .0841) but was met in the PP analysis (4.2 vs 5.9 mg; P = .0186) after excluding patients with medication deviations or missing follow-up data. Compared with the SOC group, the cryoneurolysis group had improved functional scores and numerical improvements in pain scores across all follow-up assessments, with significant improvements observed in current pain from baseline to the 72-hour and 2-week follow-up assessments and pain in the past week from baseline to the 12-week follow-up assessment. Conclusion Findings from the PP analysis suggest that preoperative cryoneurolysis in patients with knee osteoarthritis can reduce opioid consumption and improve functional outcomes after TKA.
Is Fallible Knowledge Attributable

Here are two prima facie plausible theses about propositional knowledge: (i) a belief could still constitute knowledge even if the belief is justified in a way that’s compatible with its being either false or accidentally true; (ii) each instance of knowledge is related to its subject in a way similar to that in which each intentional action is related to its agent. Baron Reed (2007, 2009) develops and defends a novel argument for the incompatibility of (i) and (ii). In this paper, I clarify and critically assess Reed’s incompatibility argument. Against the backdrop of an example in which an action is non-intentional due to the role that an accidentally true belief plays in the action’s etiology, I argue that Reed’s incompatibility argument defeats itself: two of its premises are themselves jointly incompatible.
RESENHA DO LIVRO: "LONG-RUN ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS: READINGS IN COINTEGRATION" DE ROBERT F. ENGLE E CLIVE W. J. GRANGER*

O objetivo desta secao e introduzir o conceito de co-integracao de uma forma intuitiva para os leitores nao-familiarizados com os mais recentes avancos na literatura em series temporais. Busca-se tambem integrar este conceito com varias questoes relevantes em analise de regressao em series temporais. O leitor familiarizado com esse material pode iniciar a leitura na secao seguinte.
Relation of Breakfast Regimen to Control of Body Weight

Abstract Data were collected from school boys, young women, young men and elderly men relative to the effect of the breakfast regimen on control of body weight. The data showed that omission of breakfast was ineffective in weight-reducing regimens, and that the most effective way to control weight was to gear the daily food intake to each individual so that he eats more, less, or the same amount of food necessary for daily energy requirements. It was also found that the nutritional principles involved applied to all ages and both sexes alike.
Drivers Metrics and Best Practices for Information Security

Information security is one of the top problems of business executive and information system managers alike. Pervasive use of information technology in all aspects of business today as well as highlighted need for regulatory compliance calls for analysis of information systems in their entirety – going beyond technical aspects and considering people and organizations as well. In my dissertation, I am studying the motivations and incentives of parties involved in information security interactions using economic analysis. I propose to identify the drivers of information security decisions, metrics of information security effectiveness and incentive mechanisms that make security policies work. I employ tools of economics and game theory as well as analyze empirical information security performance data collected in collaboration with a major IT security service provider.
Wilfulness vs. Expectation: A Promisor-Based Defense of Wilful Breach Doctrine

Conventional wisdom is that the default remedy for breach of contract is and ought to be expectation damages, which are designed to put the injured promisee in the position she would have been in had the contract been performed. At the same time, the cases often refer to wilful breach, by which courts seem to mean especially bad, deliberate promisor conduct. Almost by definition, however, the wilfulness of a breach can have little to do with the promisee's expectation interest: that interest should only be measured with reference to the harm suffered by the injured promisee. Whatever the promisor did or failed to do to cause the harm would seem to be of no relevance in calculating the promisee's expectation. Commentators have typically sought to explain this tension by suggesting that expectation can often be measured or interpreted in many ways, and that what courts do when they deem a breach wilful is to use the defendant's bad behavior to pick the most generous definition of the plaintiff's expectation. We offer an alternative understanding that is cleaner and, we think, more compelling. Wilfulness matters not because it screens for a more generous expectation measure, but because it identifies those breaches that should be prevented or deterred. When wilfulness, so understood, is present, courts rightly award remedies that serve to deprive the promisor of any incentive to breach and thus to assure the promisee of getting full expectation.
Evaluating fire blocking performance of barrier fabrics

SUMMARY A series of evaluations were performed on different types of barrier fabrics (BFs) used in soft furnishings. Fundamental properties that influence the heat transfer characteristics of barrier material as it relates to thermal protection of cushioning components in upholstered products are discussed. This is important to enable a priori selection of BFs such that a final upholstered product complies with flammability regulations. Heat transfer measurements are used to determine effectiveness of materials to be used as barrier materials. A new bench-scale composite test method is also described to assess qualitative fire blocking performance of BFs. When tested for heat transfer characteristics, the area density and thickness of BFs show strong influence. However, when tested as a composite in a mock-up assembly, the BFs considered in this study showed a clear distinction between active and passive BFs. In the case of chemically active BFs, the construction parameters and material properties such as thickness, air permeability, and heat transfer were of little significance. In the case of passive BFs, however, these parameters became decisive. Results from this study suggest that if the BF is not an active fire barrier, then the amount of heat transferred through BF is critical. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Survival characteristics of corn seed during storage : II. Rate of seed deterioration

The Ellis-Roberts deterioration model depends on the assumption that the rate of seed deterioration is the same among seed lots of a crop species when stored in identical environments. The rate of deterioration of 11 corn (Zea mays L.) seed lots from six hybrids was measured during storage in various combinations of constant temperatures (20, 30, 40, and 50°C) and seed moisture contents (100, 120, 140, and 160 g kg -1 , fresh weight basis). The seed-survival curves were constructed by conducting successive germination tests at frequent intervals during storage. The rates of seed deterioration were estimated by probit analysis and differences among seed lots were identified by analysis of variance. The deterioration rates were significantly different among seed lots in 16 of 21 storage environments when analyzing full data sets (all data points) and in 14 of 21 storage environments when using truncated data sets (germination percentages between 5 and 95%). Both genotype and initial seed quality affected the rate of deterioration with low-vigor seed lots generally deteriorating at a faster rate than high-vigor seed lots. The rate of deterioration was greatly influenced by storage environment and increased with an increase in storage temperature, seed moisture, or both. The assumption of a constant rate of seed deterioration in identical storage environments was not valid for hybrid corn seed.