cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Handling Frequency on 8-Week Body Weight, Feed Conversion, and Mortality

Abstract IN EXPERIMENTAL work with chickens, it is often required to handle birds more frequently than in commercial flocks. This raises the question whether such frequent handling would affect certain measures of broiler performance. In the fall of 1960, an experiment was designed to study the effects of handling frequency on 8-week weight, feed conversion, and mortality in broilers. The experiment, covering a period of eight weeks, involved four handling frequencies: (1) Birds were handled and weighed once at eight weeks of age; (2) Birds were handled and weighed twice at seven and eight weeks of age; (3) Birds were handled and weighed four times, once every two weeks; and (4) Birds were handled and weighed eight times, once each week. At eight weeks of age individual body weights were taken and handling consisted of penning in birds with a crowding wire and catching each bird for the purpose of weighing.…
A PROBABILISTIC MODEL UPDATING ALGORITHM FOR FATIGUE DAMAGE DETECTION IN ALUMINUM HULL STRUCTURES

The use of aluminum alloys in the design of naval structures offers the benefit of light-weight ships that can travel at high-speed. However, the use of aluminum poses a number of challenges for the naval engineering community including higher incidence of fatigue-related cracks. Early detection of fatigue induced cracks enhances maintenance of the ships and is critical for preventing the catastrophic failure of the hull. Furthermore, monitoring the integrity of the aluminum hull can provide valuable information for estimating the residual life of hull components. This paper presents a model-based damage detection methodology for fatigue assessment of hulls that are instrumented with a long-term hull monitoring system. At the core of the data driven damage detection approach is a Bayesian model updating algorithm enhanced with systematic enumeration and pruning of candidate solutions. The Bayesian model updating approach significantly reduce the computational effort by systematically narrowing the search space using errors functions constructed using the estimated modal properties associated with the condition of the structure. This study proposes the use of the Bayesian model updating technique to detect damage in an aluminum panel modeled using high-fidelity finite element models. The performance of the proposed damage detection method is tested through simulation of a progressively growing fatigue crack introduced in the vicinity of a welded stiffener element. An experimental study verifies the accuracy of the proposed damage detection method using an aluminum plate excited with a controlled excitation in the laboratory.
Impacts of small club tournaments on black bass populations in Connecticut and the effects of regulation exemptions

Abstract Annual tournament-associated mortality of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and smallmouth bass M. dolomieu (≥30 cm) was quantified at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir and Gardner Lake, Connecticut, during 2001 and 2002 to determine the effects of tournaments on black bass populations. Nontournament and tournament anglers followed a 30-cm minimum length limit during both years. Tournament anglers—but not nontournament anglers—were exempt from new, more restrictive regulations (a 30–41-cm protected slot length limit at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir; a 41-cm minimum length limit at Gardner Lake) imposed in 2002. Annual tournament-associated mortality of largemouth bass was 2.4–8.4% of total annual mortality, 1.0–3.2% of the population size, and 2.0–20.8% of annual fishing mortality. For smallmouth bass, tournament-associated mortality was approximately 7% of total annual mortality, 4% of the population size, and 29–52% of annual fishing mortality. Based on the levels of total annual mortality, annual fi...
Tensile and Stress‐Rupture Behavior of SiC/SiC Minicomposite Containing Chemically Vapor Deposited Zirconia Interphase

The tensile and stress-rupture behavior of SiC/SiC minicomposite containing a chemically vapor deposited (CVD) ZrO2 interphase was evaluated. Fractographic analyses showed that in situ fiber strength and minicomposite failure loads were strongly dependent on the phase contents and microstructure of the ZrO2 interphase. When the ZrO2 interphase structure possessed a weakly bonded interface within the dense ZrO2 interphase coating layer, the interphase sufficiently protected the fiber surface from processing degradation and promoted matrix crack deflection around the fibers. With this weakly bonded interphase, the stress-rupture properties of SiC/SiC minicomposite at 950° and 1200°C appeared to be controlled by fiber rupture properties, and compared favorably to those previously measured for state-of-the-art BN fiber coatings.
Cecil: a sequencing constraint language for automatic static analysis generation

A flexible and general mechanism for specifying problems relating to the sequencing of events and mechanically translating them into dataflow analysis algorithms capable of solving those problems is presented. Dataflow analysis has been used for quite some time in compiler code optimization. Most static analyzers have been custom-built to search for fixed and often quite limited classes of dataflow conditions. It is shown that the range of sequences for which it is interesting and worthwhile to search in actually quite broad and diverse. A formalism for specifying this diversity of conditions is created. It is shown that these conditions can be modeled essentially as dataflow analysis problems for which effective solutions are known. It is also shown how these solutions can be exploited to serve as the basis for mechanical creation of analyzers for these conditions. >
A micromechanics-based viscoelastic model for nanocomposites with imperfect interface:

A viscoelastic interface model is proposed to study the effective mechanical responses of nanocomposites filled with carbon nanotubes. It is incorporated with the Mori–Tanaka method and the elastic...
Protein Methyltransferase 2 Inhibits NF-κB Function and Promotes Apoptosis

The protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) include a family of proteins with related putative methyltransferase domains that modify chromatin and regulate cellular transcription. Although some family members, PRMT1 and PRMT4, have been implicated in transcriptional modulation or intracellular signaling, the roles of other PRMTs in diverse cellular processes have not been fully established. Here, we report that PRMT2 inhibits NF-κB-dependent transcription and promotes apoptosis. PRMT2 exerted this effect by blocking nuclear export of IκB-α through a leptomycin-sensitive pathway, increasing nuclear IκB-α and decreasing NF-κB DNA binding. The highly conserved S-adenosylmethionine-binding domain of PRMT2 mediated this effect. PRMT2 also rendered cells susceptible to apoptosis by cytokines or cytotoxic drugs, likely due to its effects on NF-κB. Mouse embryo fibroblasts from PRMT2 genetic knockouts showed elevated NF-κB activity and decreased susceptibility to apoptosis compared to wild-type or complemented cells. Taken together, these data suggest that PRMT2 inhibits cell activation and promotes programmed cell death through this NF-κB-dependent mechanism.
The effects of parity on passive avoidance conditioning on three age groups of Fischer 344 male rats.

Abstract In a cross-sectional design, primiparous (first parity) and multiparous (second parity) parity male Fischer 344 rats were tested for passive avoidance performance at 100 days, one year, and two years of age. Second parity animals showed greater ability to inhibit behaviors across all three ages but there was no interaction of age with parity.
Understanding Our Students: A Longitudinal- Study of Success and Failure in Engineering With Implications for Increased Retention

In spite of considerable research about the poor retention rate ofundergraduate engineering students, we still have an inadequateunderstanding of the factors that affect students’ decisions toremain in engineering programs and their ability to perform wellenough to be retained. Although continued study is needed ofexternal factors such as curricular requirements, admissions crite-ria, and test scores, we also need to know much more about therelationships between curricular experiences and students’ learningstyles, habits, and attitudes. The work presented in this paper wasdesigned to enhance educators’ understanding of the factors thatunderlie the concern about student retention in engineering. Byobserving 1,000 engineering students during their first three yearsin college, the research team generated a large database on the stu-dents’ academic and non-academic characteristics as well as theirsuccesses and failures. The traits discovered not only support manyfindings from previous studies but also reveal some new relation-ships that could prove essential to designing an educational envi-ronment that will prepare engineers for success in the future.Keywords: retention, gender, underrepresented minorities
Jump start exit criterion: Exploring a new model of service delivery for the treatment of childhood feeding problems

While the literature on the assessment and treatment of childhood feeding disorders continues to grow, little research has focused on developing new forms of service delivery. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a brief, intensive intervention for the treatment of food selectivity in three boys who had failed to progress in traditional outpatient treatment. The implications of this model of service delivery are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical calculations of three‐dimensional turbulent vortex breakdown

Numerical solutions to the three-dimensional, unsteady, incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations have been obtained for bubble-type vortex breakdown. Two different turbulence models were employed: (1) standard K-e and (2) an explicit, regularized algebraic Reynolds stress model. Results are computed at a Reynolds number of 10,000. The algebraic Reynolds stress model produced a breakdown bubble with a larger length-to-diameter ratio than did the K-e model. Breakdown also occurred at lower levels of adverse pressure gradient for the algebraic stress model than for the K-e model. In each case single-cell breakdown structures resulted. This is contrasted with numerical calculations for laminar breakdown which reveal the existence of complex multicell bubble breakdown structures.
PC-TRIO: An indexed TCAM architecture for packet classifiers

We propose an indexed TCAM architecture, PC-TRIO, for packet classifiers. PC-TRIO uses wide SRAMs and index TCAMs. On our classifier datasets, PC-TRIO on an average reduced TCAM power by 96% and lookup time by 98%, compared to PC-DUOS+ [23] that does not use indexing or wide SRAMs. We extend PC-DUOS+ by augmenting it with wide SRAMs and index TCAMs using the same methodology as used in PC-TRIO, to obtain PC-DUOS+W. On ACL datasets, PC-DUOS+W reduced TCAM power by 86% and lookup time by 98%, compared to PC-DUOS+.
Selective undercut etching of InGaAs and InGaAsP quantum wells for improved performance of long-wavelength optoelectronic devices

In this paper, the authors show how selective undercut etching of InGaAs and InGaAsP-based quantum wells (QWs) can improve the performance of InP-based optoelectronic devices. First, wet-chemical-etching characteristics are investigated. Mixtures of sulphuric and hydrogen peroxide acids are used as wet-etching solutions, and properties such as etch rates, selectivity, and anisotropy are studied in detail. Problems arising from the anisotropic nature of the etching are analyzed, and their impact on device design and performance is discussed. Second, the authors present several optoelectronic devices where selective undercut etching of InGaAs- or InGaAsP-based multiquantum wells (MQWs) improves device performance; these devices include electroabsorption modulators (EAMs), vertical-cavity semiconductors optical amplifiers (VCSOAs), and waveguide amplifier photodetectors (WAPs). Very high extinction ratios were obtained for the EAM. A selective undercut-etched VCSOA reached a record-high 17-dB fiber-to-fiber gain, and the WAP demonstrated an external quantum efficiency higher than 100%
Acceptance of Tablet PC technology by engineering faculty

This paper considers the results of a two-year project in which Tablet PCs were given to engineering faculty at the Pennsylvania State University. During Phase 1, 34 faculty members received a Tablet PC for use in the classroom. Due to the success of this implementation and demand by other faculty, the project was expanded in the following year to include an additional 30 faculty members in the College of Engineering. During both phases of the project, the participants were asked to complete various assessment tools including scales measuring teaching efficacy, computer skills efficacy, and technology acceptance. A sample of the faculty members participated in interviews intended to gather additional information on their perceptions of the Tablet PC and its benefit in the classroom environment. This paper provides results of the project assessment and its relation to the literature on the diffusion of innovation and the Technology Acceptance Model. Implications of the assessment will be discussed that may be helpful to those who are interested in implementing a similar program for engineering faculty.
Frame-based multicast switching

This letter considers the multicast scheduling problem for the case where the average rates of flows are known and a fixed frame size is applicable. We present a frame-based decomposition method for computing offline a recurring schedule that can guarantee the specified flow rates with minimum internal speedup, if any. We consider both the no-splitting case, where a multicast cell must be transferred to all its destinations in a single time slot, and the fanout-splitting case, where a multicast cell may take multiple time slots to transfer to all its destinations, transferring only to a subset of its destinations each time.
From text to television: A chamber theatre approach

(1982). From text to television: A chamber theatre approach. Literature in Performance: Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 23-34.
Student Depression Becomes an Issue of Faculty Concern

Law student stress and depression are problems that have become national in scope. While students enter law school suffering from clinical stress and depression at a rate that mirrors the national average, this number skyrockets during the first year of law school. Do we expect too much of our law students? This articles explores some of the reasons why students may be experiencing stress in law school, and also considers ways in which faculty and staff can help alleviate the problem.
Saving Face: Identifying Voter Responses to Black Candidates and Female Candidates

Much of what we know about the responses of voters to Black candidates and female candidates comes from experimental research. Yet the accuracy of experimental data can be threatened by the possibility that social desirability pressures contaminate self-reporting. We address this threat in a project that considers psychological approaches to reducing social desirability pressures. Offering participants the opportunity to explain their decisions about sensitive subjects, such as voting for a Black or female candidate, can lessen social desirability pressures. We analyze this approach across three commonly used samples: undergraduate, adult convenience, and adult national. Our results suggest that existing experimental research overestimates voter support for Black and female candidates, but these issues can be mitigated with the simple innovation presented here.
(2,2'-Bi-pyridine)-chlorido-[diethyl (2,2':6',2''-terpyridin-4-yl)phospho-nate]ruthenium(II) hexa-fluorido-phosphate aceto-nitrile/water solvate.

The cationic complex in the title compound, [RuCl(C10H8N2)(C19H20N3O3P)]PF6·0.83CH3CN·0.17H2O, is a water-oxidation precatalyst functionalized for TiO2 attachment via terpyridine phospho­nate. The The RuII atom in the complex has a distorted octa­hedral geometry due to the restricted bite angle [159.50 (18)°] of the terpyridyl ligand. The dihedral angle between the least-squares planes of the terpyridyl and bipyridyl moieties is 86.04 (14)°. The mean Ru—N bond length for bi­pyridine is 2.064 (5) A, with the bond opposite to Ru—Cl being 0.068 A shorter. For the substituted terpyridine, the mean Ru—N distance involving the outer N atoms trans to each other is 2.057 (6) A, whereas the bond length involving the central N atom is 1.944 (5) A. The Ru—Cl distance is 2.4073 (15) A. The P atom of the phospho­nate group lies in the same plane as its adjacent pyridyl ring, with the ordinary character of the bond between P and Ctpy [1.801 (6) A] allowing for free rotation of the terpyridine substituent around the P—Ctpy axis. The aceto­nitrile solvent mol­ecule was refined to be disordered with two water mol­ecules; occupancies for the acetontrile and water mol­ecules were 0.831 (9) and 0.169 (9), respectively. Also disordered was the PF6− counter-ion (over three positions) and one of the eth­oxy substituents (with two positions). The crystal structure shows significant intra- and inter­molecular H⋯X contacts, especially some involving the Cl− ligand.
Factorizations of upper triangular Toeplitz matrices

Let D be a principal ideal domain and m a positive integer. We denote by \(R_m(D)\) the ring of \((m+1) \times (m + 1)\) upper triangular Toeplitz matrices with entries in D. Then \(R_m(D)\cong R[X]/(X^{m+1})\) is a commutative Noetherian ring with identity and thus every nonzero non-unit of \(R_m(D)\) can be written as a finite product of irreducible elements. In this manuscript we give conditions for an element of \(R_m(D)\) to be irreducible, describe the general structure of factorizations of elements as products of irreducible elements, and give a description of how certain elements factor as products of irreducible elements. In particular, we generalize work of Chang and Smertnig in the case where \(m=1\).
ThFeAsN in Relation to Other Iron-Based Superconductors

Abstract The electronic structure, magnetic and structural properties of the superconductor ThFeAsN are discussed in relation to the Fe-pnictide and Fe-chalcogenide superconductors based on results of first principles calculations. The electronic structure is that of a high density of states semimetal. It shows approximately nested hole and electron Fermi surfaces of Fe d character involving the xz, yz and xy orbitals. There is a strong tendency towards magnetism at the GGA level, and this magnetism is important for describing the Fe As bonding, but greatly overestimates the magnetic ordering. The lowest energy magnetic state at the GGA level is the stripe order, and this particular order couples strongly to electrons near EF. ThFeAsN is therefore strongly similar to the Fe-pnictide family of superconductors, although it is a particularly anisotropic member.
Modulatory Effects of Gut Microbiota on the Central Nervous System: How Gut Could Play a Role in Neuropsychiatric Health and Diseases

Gut microbiome is an integral part of the Gut-Brain axis. It is becoming increasingly recognized that the presence of a healthy and diverse gut microbiota is important to normal cognitive and emotional processing. It was known that altered emotional state and chronic stress can change the composition of gut microbiome, but it is becoming more evident that interaction between gut microbiome and central nervous system is bidirectional. Alteration in the composition of the gut microbiome can potentially lead to increased intestinal permeability and impair the function of the intestinal barrier. Subsequently, neuro-active compounds and metabolites can gain access to the areas within the central nervous system that regulate cognition and emotional responses. Deregulated inflammatory response, promoted by harmful microbiota, can activate the vagal system and impact neuropsychological functions. Some bacteria can produce peptides or short chain fatty acids that can affect gene expression and inflammation within the central nervous system. In this review, we summarize the evidence supporting the role of gut microbiota in modulating neuropsychological functions of the central nervous system and exploring the potential underlying mechanisms.
Studies in vitro of intestinal carbohydrate and protein absorption; a progress review.

lfed rats by stomach tube and determined the amount of substance re­ maining in the intestine after a given in­ t erval. In 1934 Miller and AbboW first de­ scribed their double lumened single balloon tube which was utilized in the study of human absorption. Two years later these same i nvestigat ors3 developed a triple lu­ mened tube with two balloons. These tubes offered a m e thod of controlling the site of a bsorption, length of segment, and con­ cent ration of substances introduced into the small i nt estine. This made it possible to study the effects of osmotic gradients and of motility upon absorption. Others 4 - 12 found modifications of this method of investigation to be fruitful. Studies of absorption which interfered least with the normal physiologic relationships were those involving a nalysis of the iestinal content and the blood. 13
A comparison of clinical and radiologic outcomes between frame-based and frameless stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases

Abstract Purpose Modern experiences in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) report noninvasive frameless techniques as an effective alternative to frame-based SRS. Frameless techniques potentially increase positional uncertainty and planning target volume margins are frequently used. Here, we compare rates of local control and radiation necrosis in frameless versus frame-based SRS. Methods and materials Ninety-eight patients (170 lesions) with radiologic and clinical follow-up were analyzed. Group 1 contained 34 patients (61 lesions) immobilized with an invasive stereotactic frame. Group 2 had 64 patients (109 lesions) immobilized with a frameless SRS mask. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were recorded, as were intervals to local recurrence and radiation necrosis (asymptomatic and symptomatic). Results Median patient age was 59 years (range, 25-89), and Karnofsky performance scale was 80 (range, 50-100). Median radiologic and clinical follow-up was 6.5 months (range, 0.7-44.3) and 7 months (range, 0.7-45.7). A median of 2 tumors were treated per course (range, 1-5) with a median dose of 18 Gy (range, 13-24 Gy). The median time to local failure was not reached, and Kaplan-Meier estimates of local failure were not statistically significant between groups (P = .303). Actuarial 6-month local failure rates were 7.2% in group 1 and 12.6% in group 2 (P = .295), with 12-month local failure rates of 14.5% and 26.8% (P = .185), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in symptomatic (P = .391) or asymptomatic (P = .149) radiation necrosis. Six-month radiation necrosis was 0% in group 1 and 1.6% in group 2 (P = .311) with 12-month rates of 20.2% and 3.8%, respectively (P = .059). Median time to necrosis was not reached in group 1, but was 44 months in group 2. Conclusions Frameless SRS demonstrates clinical outcomes comparable to frame-based techniques with respect to local failure and radiation necrosis.
A General Formula for Black-Scholes Option Pricing

We value European options when the underling asset follows a mixed jumpdiffusion process involving various sources of jumps. These jumps are assumed independent of each other. With each type having a lognormally distributed jump size and a Poissondistribution arrive time, and all jumps of risk is nonsystematic. Based on the theory of equivalent martingale measure transformation and under the environments of the BlackScholes′, an analytic solution is presented for European claims (call or put options) with multiple sources of jumps.
Analysis on the data of direct network report of public health emergencies in Chenzhou,2004-2014

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies and current status of direct network reporting from 2004 to 2014 in Chenzhou and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of public health emergency. Methods The data of public health emergency was obtained through national public health emergency reporting and management system; descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted. Results From 2004 to 2014,112 public health emergencies were reported in Chenzhou with 3 439 cases of disease and 42 deaths. The year with most event was 2009 and least event was2013 during 2004 to 2014. Of all the emergencies,46( 41. 07%) were classified to grade Ⅳ,17( 15. 17%)to grade Ⅲ and 3( 2. 68%) to grade Ⅱ,46 were not graded. Infectious disease outbreaks and food poisoning events were the main composition of emergencies,which respectively accounted for 53. 56% and 30. 36%.The respiratory disease took a large part of infectious disease events,accounted for 61. 67 %( 37 /60),and the major diseases were influenza AH1N1,influenza,mumps,measles,varicella. The peak period were observed in May-June and September-November accounted for 63. 39% in a year. Public health emergencies were reported in all counties in Chenzhou,while the numbers were relatively more in Linwu county,Jiahe county and Guiyang county. The public health emergencies occurred in countryside,county and city which accounted for 12. 5%,18. 75% and 68. 75%; there were statistically significant differences in the average incidence rate comparison of countryside,county and city( x2= 133. 77,P 0. 01). The emergencies which occourred in school accounted for 46. 43%( 52 /112),especially in rural areas. Among events reported,the median of time interval between events occurred and reported online was 30 hours( P25~ P75∶ 8 ~ 99 h).The median of time interval between events reported and reported online was 15 hours( P25~ P75∶ 3 ~ 32 h),the event classification accuracy was 86. 61%. Conclusion The events mainly occurred in schools and countryside,which should be the focus of the public health emergency in Chenzhou. Prevention of respiratory infectious diseases is the key to control public health emergencies. The interval between events occurred and reported online is timely,and the reporting of public health emergencies should be improved to increase the quality of network direct reporting in Chenzhou.
Dopaminergic Agonists in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Dopaminergic agonists are drugs that directly stimulate the dopamine receptors of the striatum and have proved useful in treating Parkinson’s disease. In the United States, they are primarily used in conjunction with levodopa. Most have long half-lives and have been particularly useful in controlling and attempting to prevent motor fluctuations.
Three Parity Conditions in International Finance

International finance often focuses on parity conditions linking financial or goods markets in different countries. The integration between financial markets is often measured by deviations from uncovered interest parity (UIP) as in Cumby and Obstfeld (1984) and Frankel and MacArthur (1988). Similarly, the integration between goods markets is often measured by deviations from purchasing power parity as in Roll (1979) and Adler and Lehmann (1983). This study presents new evidence on both sets of parity conditions using a monthly data set spanning over twenty-five years. This data set is also used to interpret ‘real interest parity’ (RIP), another form of interest parity often cited as evidence of financial market integration.
Hauptmanns und Rilkes Der Apostel

(1943). Hauptmanns und Rilkes Der Apostel. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 196-201.
Comparison of 2D single-shot turbo-spin-echo and spin-echo echo-planar diffusion weighted brain MRI at 3.0 Tesla: preliminary experience in children

Abstract Purpose To qualitatively compare a 2D single-shot turbo-spin-echo (ssTSE) diffusion-weighted imaging MRI technique with a spin-echo echo-planar imaging (SE-EPI) approach in pediatric neuroimaging. Methods Images were acquired at 3T in 15 patients (10.6±6.0years). A neuroradiologist rated the data based on the severity of image artifacts from air-tissue interfaces and devices such as ventriculoperitoneal shunts and orthodontia, and whether their presence affected diagnostic image quality. Results ssTSE was preferred over SE-EPI in diagnostic image quality and exhibited fewer clinically relevant artifacts (p Conclusion ssTSE provides superior diffusion-weighted brain images at 3T, particularly in the presence of orthodontia and shunts.
Prostate Artery Embolization via Transradial or Transulnar versus Transfemoral Arterial Access: Technical Results

Abstract Purpose To compare safety and feasibility of prostate artery embolization (PAE) via transradial/transulnar access (TR/UA) and transfemoral access (TFA). Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted for 3 cohorts: the first 32 consecutive PAE procedures performed via TFA (initial TFA, January 2014 to August 2015), the following 32 procedures performed via TFA (advanced TFA, August 2015 to February 2016), and the first 32 procedures performed via TR/UA (February 2016 to July 2016). Indications included lower urinary tract symptoms (n = 68), urinary retention (n = 24), and preoperative embolization before prostatectomy (n = 4). A single operator performed all procedures at a single institution. Results Technical success was achieved in 29/32 (90.6%) initial TFA procedures, 31/32 (96.9%) advanced TFA procedures, and 30/32 (93.8%) TR/UA procedures. Mean procedure time was 110.0 minutes in TR/UA group, 155.1 min in initial TFA group, and 131.3 minutes in advanced TFA group ( P P = .03 relative to TR/UA); mean fluoroscopy time was 38.8 minutes in TR/UA group, 56.5 minutes in initial TFA group, and 48.0 minutes in advanced TFA group ( P P = .02 relative to TR/UA). Access site–related and overall adverse events did not vary significantly among study cohorts ( P > .15 and P > .05, respectively). Conclusions TR/UA represents a safe and feasible approach to PAE with a comparable safety profile to TFA. Reduced procedure and fluoroscopy times might be attributable to the learning curve or method of arterial access.
A novel low-cost solution for driving assessment in individuals with and without disabilities

Brake reaction time is a key component to studying driving performance and evaluating fitness to drive. Although commercial simulators can measure brake reaction time, their cost remains a major barrier to clinical access. Therefore, we developed open-source software written in C-sharp (C#) for measuring driving related reaction times, which includes a subject-controlled vehicle with straight-line dynamics and several testing scenarios. The software measures both simple and cognitive load based reaction times and can use any human interface device compliant steering wheel and pedals. Measures from the software were validated against a commercial simulator and tested for reproducibility. Further, experiments were performed using hand controls in both able-bodied and spinal cord injured patients to determine clinical feasibility for disabled populations. The software demonstrated high validity when measuring brake reaction times, showed excellent test-retest reliability, and was sensitive enough to determine significant brake reaction time differences between able-bodied and spinal cord injured subjects. These results indicate that the proposed simulator is a simple and feasible low-cost solution to perform brake reaction time tests and evaluate fitness to drive.
Differential Protection With Critical Motors and Motor Applications: What You Didn't Know

The application of differential protection has been shown to be effective in many applications within the forest product-based industries. However, there are some aspects of differential protection that need special consideration. Some differential configurations may be harmful to the systems they were installed to protect. This article will cover a few of the basics surrounding typical differential applications. Also highlighted are some of the risk areas that are typically overlooked when applying differential protection for certain applications.
A "sweet-spot" for fluid-induced oscillations in the conditioning of stem cell-based engineered heart valve tissues.

Abstract Fluid-induced shear stresses are involved in the development of cardiovascular tissues. In a tissue engineering framework, this stimulus has also been considered as a mechanical regulator of stem cell differentiation. We recently demonstrated that the fluid-oscillating effect in combination with a physiologically-relevant shear stress magnitude contributes to the formation of stem cell-derived de novo heart valve tissues. However, the range of oscillations necessary to induce favorable gene expression and engineered tissue formation is unknown. In this study, we took a computational approach to establish a range of oscillatory shear stresses that may optimize in vitro valvular tissue growth. Taking a biomimetic approach, three physiologically-relevant flow waveforms from the human: (i) aorta, (ii) pulmonary artery and (iii) superior vena cava were utilized to simulate pulsatile flow conditions within a bioreactor that housed 3 tissue specimens. Results were compared to non-physiological pulsatile flow (NPPF) and cyclic flexure-steady flow (Flex-Flow) conditions. The oscillatory shear index (OSI) was used to quantify the fluid-induced oscillations occurring on the specimen surfaces. The range of mean OSI under the physiological conditions investigated was found to be 0.18 ≤ OSI ≤ 0.23. On the other hand, NPPF and Flex-Flow environments yielded a mean OSI of 0.37 and 0.11 respectively, which were 46% higher and 45% lower than physiological conditions. Moreover, we subsequently conducted OSI-based human bone marrow stem cell (HBMSC) culture experiments which resulted in preferential valvular gene expression and phenotype (significant upregulation of BMP, KLF2A, CD31 and α-SMA using an OSI of 0.23 in comparison to a lower OSI of 0.10 or a higher OSI of 0.38; p both fluid-induced oscillations and shear stresses.
Parental contributors to children’s persistence and school readiness

Abstract This study examined whether parental teaching strategies (e.g., scaffolding) are predictive of school readiness competencies through children’s task persistence, and if the strength of the relation varies across two contextual features of parenting (e.g., warmth and harsh discipline). Past research has examined contextual features of parenting or specific parenting practices as being related to children’s achievement, with less attention given to how they might interact. In the present study, a moderated-mediation model was tested to assess whether parental scaffolding skills predict children’s language-cognitive and social–emotional school readiness, mediated by children’s persistence and moderated by parent warmth and harsh discipline. Exploratory analyses assessed whether a competing sequential-mediation model better explained the associations among parenting, children’s persistence, and school readiness than a moderated-mediation model. In a low-income sample of families from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project (N = 2977), parental scaffolding significantly predicted children’s persistence at 36 months, as well as both latent constructs of school readiness before kindergarten. Persistence partially mediated the link between parental scaffolding and both latent constructs of school readiness. Neither warmth nor harsh discipline moderated the mediational model. In the sequential-mediation model, parent scaffolding and children’s persistence mediated the associations between warmth and harsh discipline and both latent constructs of school readiness. The sequential-mediation model provided a similar fit to the data as the moderated-mediation model. The results indicate that parental scaffolding can promote children’s persistence and later school readiness.
New metrics for evaluating home plate umpire consistency and accuracy

The availability of pitch-tracking data has led to increased scrutiny of Major League Baseball umpires. While many studies have attempted to rate umpires based on their conformity to the rule book strike zone, players and managers tend to accept deviations from this zone, provided that umpires establish consistent zones within a game. Using tools from computational geometry, we propose new metrics for assessing the consistency and accuracy of an umpire’s ball and strike calls over the course of a game. We apply these metrics to pitch-tracking data on all ball and strike calls made during the 2017 MLB regular season, giving some characterizations of the variation in performance of MLB umpires. This analysis demonstrates that measures of consistency can complement current accuracy-based evaluations of umpires.
The Effects of Gene × Environment Interactions on Silver Nanoparticle Toxicity in the Respiratory System

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are used in multiple applications but primarily in the manufacturing of antimicrobial products. AgNP toxicity in the respiratory system is well characterized, but few in vitro or in vivo studies have evaluated the effects of interactions between host genetic and acquired factors or gene × environment interactions (G × E) on AgNP toxicity in the respiratory system. The primary goal of this article is to review host genetic and acquired factors identified across in vitro and in vivo studies and prioritize those necessary for defining exposure limits to protect all populations. The impact of these exposures and the work being done to address the current limited protections are also discussed. Future research on G × E effects on AgNP toxicity is warranted and will assist with informing regulatory or recommended exposure limits that enforce special protections for all populations to AgNP exposures in occupational settings.
Pub/Sub-Sum: A Content Summarization Pub/Sub Protocol for Information-Centric Networks

In an age of data overload and scenarios that require fast-distributed situational understanding, we envision that content summarization services will become a critical capability of underlying networked systems. Previous work, called InfoMax, proposed such a service in the transport layer to minimize semantic redundancy of transmitted content and maximize information coverage. Here, we extended this work in three ways. First, we adapted summarization to the needs of streaming content and developed a corresponding publish-subscribe protocol (called Pub/Sub-Sum) with on-the-fly extractive summarization of continuous content streams (as opposed to extractive summarization of fixed data sets). Next, we supported many-to-many communication between publishers and subscribers, as opposed to InfoMax, which was designed to disseminate data from one producer to multiple consumers. Lastly, we introduce a new type of congestion handling mechanism that adaptively controls the level of summarization by considering available network bandwidth. We conducted experiments for functionality and performance on Mininet (a network emulator) and on a real device testbed. Evaluation results indicated that the new protocol summarizes data appropriately to available network resources, offering an improved compromise between received data quality and resource consumption.
Transitioning the IR Clinic to Telehealth: A Single-Center Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Telehealth has not previously been widely implemented as a result of regulatory and reimbursement concerns; however, in the current national emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has relaxed many of its rules, allowing increased adoption of telehealth services, improving the safety and access of outpatient health care. A complete understanding of the regulatory requirements, technologic options, and billing processes of telehealth is required to initiate a successful clinic. A model is presented here based on a single institution's experience with implementing telehealth in the outpatient interventional radiology clinic.
Prospective Evaluation of 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT in Detection of High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer: Comparison With mpMRI.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of PET with (2S)-2-[[(1S)-1-carboxy-5-[(6-(18F)fluoranylpyridine-3-carbonyl)amino]pentyl]carbamoylamino]pentanedioic acid (18F-DCFPyL)...
Adverse childhood experiences and sexual health outcomes and risk behaviors among a nationwide sample of men who have sex with men.

Abstract Background Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with a wide range of increased risk behaviors and health consequences, they have not been extensively described in all subpopulations. Objective The specific objectives of the study were to describe the prevalence of predefined ACEs among a nationwide sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) and determine associated HIV or sexually transmitted infection (STI) related health outcomes, testing practices, and risk behaviors. Participants and Setting Eligible participants were MSM aged 18 years or older who reported male-male sex in the past 12 months. Methods Data were obtained from the 2015 cycle of the American Men’s Internet Survey, these data were collected between September 2015 and April 2016, and contained questions related to 8 ACE exposure categories. During analyses conducted between September 2017 and April 2018, multiple log-binomial models were fit to assess associations. Results Among 2590 participants, 79.7 % reported exposure to one or more ACE category. Participants exposed to any ACE were more likely to report STI testing (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.07; 95 % confidence interval [95 %–CI]: 1.00, 1.15), illicit substance use (aPR: 1.23, 95 %–CI: 1.05, 1.46), and condomless anal intercourse with another man (aPR: 1.13, 95 %–CI: 1.03, 1.21). Conclusions There is a high overall ACE burden among MSM nationally, with potential influences on key HIV/STI behaviors in later life. ACE exposure should be routinely assessed, prevention is ideal but appropriate measures such as trauma informed care should also be considered for adult MSM accessing HIV and STI-related services.
Multiple Roles for Hepatitis B and C Viruses and the Host in the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Chronic hepatitis B and C viral infections are major risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States and worldwide. Direct and indirect mechanisms of viral infection lead to the development of HCC. Chronic viral infection leads to inflammation and liver damage, culminating in cirrhosis, the penultimate step in the progression toward HCC. Host, viral, and environmental factors likely interact to promote oncogenesis. Clinical considerations include recommendations for screening for HCC in persons at risk, treatment with antivirals, and an emerging role for immunotherapy in HCC. We pose unanswered questions regarding HCC susceptibility and pathogenesis in the setting of chronic hepatitis B and C.
Building Containerized Workflows Using the BioDepot-workflow-builder (Bwb)

Abstract We present the BioDepot-workflow-builder (Bwb), a software tool that allows users to create and execute reproducible bioinformatics workflows using a drag-and-drop interface. Graphical widgets represent Docker containers executing a modular task. Widgets are then graphically linked to build bioinformatics workflows that can be reproducibly deployed across different local and cloud platforms. Each widget contains a form-based user interface to facilitate parameter entry and a console to display intermediate results. Bwb provides tools for rapid customization of widgets, containers and workflows. Saved workflows can be shared using Bwb’s native format or exported as shell scripts.
A Political Economy of Human Rights: Oil, Natural Gas, and State Incentives to Repress

Oil and other natural resources are linked to many bad outcomes, such as civil war, autocracy, and lack of economic development. Using a state-centered framework for revenue extraction, we identify why oil should also be linked to another bad thing–repression. We argue that where states do not rely on their citizenry for generating revenue, they are more likely to use indiscriminate violation of personal integrity rights as a policy tool. We test this argument using a cross-national database with a variety of indicators of oil and fuel rents and personal integrity violations. Across all specifications and different indicators, we find a substantive and significant relationship between a state relying on oil and the violation of personal integrity rights.
Do Stringent Bankruptcy Laws Always Deter Entrepreneurial Activity? A Study of Cultural Influences

Stringent bankruptcy laws are generally understood to increase the costs of failure and thus not conducive for entrepreneurship. In this paper, theory is developed and tested exploring the moderating influences of the dimensions of culture — individualism — collectivism, masculinity– femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and power distance. Results of this study, from conditional fixed effects Poisson regressions, support that stringent bankruptcy laws are positively associated with the levels of entrepreneurial activity in certain cultural contexts.
Comparative study of ATR and DRIFT infrared spectroscopy techniques in the analysis of soil samples.

Abstract The primary goal of this investigation is to determine the feasibility of using vibrational spectroscopy techniques for the analysis of soil samples in order to characterize a specific area and hence create a soil map for use in forensic investigation. We compare spectra of “artifacts” which are exclusive to a single location or area rather than focus on the general intrinsic components of soil. Comparison of these artifacts may allow the creation of a map of different regions and thus allow matching of soil evidence to these regions (spectra). For this purpose, we compare the feasibility of two mid-infrared sampling techniques to discriminate among collected soil samples. The techniques used are Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) and Diffuse Reflectance Infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT). The data is analyzed and classified using multivariate statistical Linear and partial least squares discriminant analysis as well as principal component analysis. Although both ATR and DRIFT techniques show promising results in soil discrimination, the data shows that DRIFT is more sensitive in the application of soil discrimination. It is suggested that, to obtain better results both techniques should be coupled with multivariate statistical analysis of the collected data.
Broadband linearization of a Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator

A new analog fiber-optic link architecture uses a standard Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator in lithium niobate with a single RF traveling-wave electrode to achieve linearization across greater than an octave bandwidth. A broadband (800-2500 MHz) link with this new architecture has a measured dynamic range of 74 dB (in an instantaneous bandwidth of 1 MHz).
Disordered eating in boys: Beyond the DSM-IV

Screening for eating disorders in boys and providing effective care require not only a familiarity with formal diagnostic criteria but also an appreciation of the wide spectrum of struggles that occur and an understanding of how these often-hidden issues are different in boys and young men than in girls.