cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling of a Single Element Pulsed Ring-Down Antenna for Implementation in a Phased Array System

Summary form only given. A pulsed ring-down phased array antenna provides substantial energy deposition in the far field region in addition to a broad range main beam with scanning capabilities. This allows remote neutralization of Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at far field distances and in virtually any direction. The pulsed ring-down antenna operates by charging the single element antenna with a high potential source and closing a switch to develop transient wave reflections on the antenna which then propagate in air. The performance of a pulsed ring-down phased arrav is highly contingent upon the design and performance of the individual antenna elements within the array. Such factors as operating voltage, antenna capacitance, material losses, antenna geometry and closing switch conductance characteristics must be examined for optimal performance to be achieved. By utilizing the Comsol RF module transient analysis functions, we are able to characterize the various parameters beginning with a monopole and a dipole pulsed ring-down antenna operating in the hundreds of MHz range. We have examined and compared the results achieved from the experimental setup to the simulation model in order to better characterize the individual components of the antenna. We have also examined the discrepancies between an ideal closing switch and the experimental setup closing switch, which dramatically affects the far field range of the antenna. We have examined the material properties of the antenna to improve losses and increase system capacitance allowing an increase in the number of RF cycles per antenna discharge. With the results presented, an accurate model of pulsed ring-down antennas is available and will allow future development of more complex geometries that will improve the operation of pulsed ring- down phased array.
Choosing a physician depends on how you want to feel: the role of ideal affect in health-related decision making.

When given a choice, how do people decide which physician to select? Although significant research has demonstrated that how people actually feel (their “actual affect”) influences their health care preferences, how people ideally want to feel (their “ideal affect”) may play an even greater role. Specifically, we predicted that people trust physicians whose affective characteristics match their ideal affect, which leads people to prefer those physicians more. Consistent with this prediction, the more participants wanted to feel high arousal positive states on average ([ideal HAP]; e.g., excited), the more likely they were to select a HAP-focused physician. Similarly, the more people wanted to feel low arousal positive states on average ([ideal LAP]; e.g., calm), the more likely they were to select a LAP-focused physician. Also as predicted, these links were mediated by perceived physician trustworthiness. Notably, while participants’ ideal affect predicted physician preference, actual affect (how much people actually felt HAP and LAP on average) did not. These findings suggest that people base even serious decisions on how they want to feel and highlight the importance of considering ideal affect in models of decision making, person perception, and patient physician communication.
Characterization of a nose-only inhalation exposure system for hydrocarbon mixtures and jet fuels.

A directed-flow nose-only inhalation exposure system was constructed to support development of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for complex hydrocarbon mixtures, such as jet fuels. Due to the complex nature of the aerosol and vapor-phase hydrocarbon exposures, care was taken to investigate the chamber hydrocarbon stability, vapor and aerosol droplet compositions, and droplet size distribution. Two-generation systems for aerosolizing fuel and hydrocarbons were compared and characterized for use with either jet fuels or a simple mixture of eight hydrocarbons. Total hydrocarbon concentration was monitored via online gas chromatography (GC). Aerosol/vapor (A/V) ratios, and total and individual hydrocarbon concentrations, were determined using adsorbent tubes analyzed by thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TDS-GC-MS). Droplet size distribution was assessed via seven-stage cascade impactor. Droplet mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) was between 1 and 3 μm, depending ...
Boundary control of plates with variable physical characteristics

A technical method for constructing smooth solutions for a class of evolution equations is presented. This class of equations includes the Schrodinger equation and the Euler-Bernoulli vibrating plate equation, each with variable coefficients. The work is intended as a tool for boundary control methods which require solution operators with a smoothing effect. >
The problems and challenges of working in international settings: A special topic issue of the Cornell Quarterly

Excerpt] While international issues have always been part of the content published in the Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, this is the first issue devoted exclusively to multinational content. In part, this issue is a signal of the importance of and need for international research in the hospitality domain. The breadth of topics and approaches also highlights the diversity of the content necessary to contribute to practice. This issue begins a periodic series that examines some of the challenges and opportunities that face hoteliers and restaurateurs as the travel business becomes increasingly internationally focused. Greater understanding of the critical elements that must be considered by executives accepting assignments in other lands can help to ensure success and avoid critical errors that can ruin promising careers and hurt the parent companies. Some of the most essential considerations are outlined below; other thoughts will arise from readers and can be the subject of articles in future issues of the Cornell Quarterly.
Emerging Tools for Evaluating Digital Library Services: Conceptual Adaptations of LibQUAL+ and CAPM

The paper describes ways to examine how digital libraries are valued by their users, and explores ways of permitting the allocation of resources to areas of user-identified need. Pertinent models from marketing, economics, and library assessment and evaluation are reviewed, focussing on the application of the LibQUAL+TM and CAPM methodologies. Each methodology, which was developed independently, provides a useful framework for evaluating digital library services. The paper discusses the benefits of a combined methodology that would provide even greater potential for evaluation of digital library services.
Time Domain Control Design for Robust Stability of Linear Regulators: Application to Aircraft Control

This paper addresses the aspect of `Stability Robustness' of linear systems in time domain. Upper bounds on the linear perturbation of an asymptotically stable linear system are obtained to maintain stability, both for `structured' as well as `unstructured' perturbations using Liapunov approach. A quantitative measure called `Stability Robustness Index' is introduced and this measure is used to design `robust' controllers for Linear Quadratic (LQ) Regulators. The proposed control design algorithm can be used, for given set of perturbations, to select the range of control effort for which the system is stability robust. Conversely it can also be used, for given control effort, to determine the range of the size of allowable perturbations. The algorithm is illustrated with the help of an aircraft control example. The scope of the proposed research and its extension to LQG Regulators, dynamic compensator design and other applications are discussed.
Politics in Action: Wolves, Snowmobiles, and Bison and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Faculty are always grappling with how to get their students to actively participate in learning about politics. Interest in active learning, service learning, and other pedagogical approaches demonstrate this concern. At the same time we are witnessing a parallel and related mission promoting civic engagement. For example, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' American Democracy Project has a civic engagement series in which it collaborates with campuses across the United States to encourage increased political participation and civic awareness of topics such as the stewardship of public lands and jury service, to name a few. What can instructors do in the classroom to bring these learning methods together and accomplish these goals? We suggest that outlining and describing the political dynamics of interest group activity in an interesting issue area, and then requiring students to advocate on behalf of these interests in class role-play scenarios and other exercises, help to accomplish active learning, which may lead to greater civic engagement.The authors thank Michael J. Yochim for his insightful comments on earlier versions of the manuscript and George L. Mehaffy, vice president for Academic Leadership and Change at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the founder of the American Democracy Project, for organizing our visit to Yellowstone National Park.
Pricing and autonomic control of Web servers with time-varying request patterns

The motivation for this paper stems from two important emerging trends: (i) the growth of commercial services on the Internet, and (ii) the need for deploying systems that can automatically tune themselves. The need for automatic tuning for price (charged by the service provider) becomes particularly acute not only because of high costs of involving humans in system operation but also because such tuning should be nimble enough to adapt to workload changes. This paper introduces a dynamic pricing structure which is fair to both clients and servers. It also examines techniques for dynamically setting the price. During widely time-varying loads, if the server charges a fixed price regardless of load, it can result in either being unfair to the clients or a loss in revenue earned. Again, fixing the price to a low value can decrease the revenue that a server could potentially make. Our first contribution in this paper is a combination of pricing and admission control strategy for such commercial services that take the above-mentioned factors into consideration. In the first step, the customer/client is offered a price package. The second step enforces a level of admission control imposed by the server. It can so happen that a client despite the high price, chooses to get service at a time of high load. The server can use the second step as a way of rejecting this client if it feels that the revenue it would make from this client can be offset by the lower revenue due to degradation in QoS for others. The second contribution in this paper is in developing and evaluating three heuristics for dynamically modulating the above pricing/admission-control strategy to maximize revenue. Some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration when designing techniques for modulating the parameters are revenue enhancement (for the server), implementability and computational complexity. We specifically focus on a Web service on the Internet that needs to cater to the http file requests of a large number of clients on a continuous basis.
Childhood abuse history in older women with panic disorder.

Seventeen female subjects (ages 55–73) participating in a clinical trial for older panic disorder patients were administered the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Seven subjects reported histories of sexual abuse. Physical abuse was reported by 10 subjects, including six of the seven who also reported sexual abuse. The data raise questions regarding the possible contributory role of childhood trauma in some panic disorder patients.
Analysis of carbohydrates in Fusarium verticillioides using size-exclusion HPLC – DRI and direct analysis in real time ionization – time-of-flight – mass spectrometry (DART-MS)

Direct analysis in real time ionization – time-of-flight – mass spectrometry (DART-MS) and size-exclusion HPLC – DRI are used, respectively, to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the carbohydrates extracted from the corn rot fungus Fusarium verticillioides. In situ permethylation in the DART beam forms tri-methylammonium adducts of the carbohydrates, which enables positive ion MS detection and analysis of these compounds in either whole fungal extracts or size-exclusion separated HPLC fractions of the extracts. This method detects the disaccharide trehalose at concentrations greater than 3.0 ppm. Additionally, this procedure allows for analysis of glucose as well as the sugar alcohols mannitol, arabitol, and glycerol. The reliability of the DART-MS method is confirmed by the absence of trehalose in a mutant strain of F. verticillioides lacking the gene for trehalose-6-phosphate synthase. The capabilities demonstrated here suggest that the DART-MS method, in conjunction with size-exclusion HPLC, is an effective approach for the analysis of saccharide biomarkers in fungi.
Vibrational spectroscopy results compared to biochemical analysis in mammalian cells

Biochemical analysis of cells in different proliferative stages was performed using IR spectrscopy. Independent biochemical analysis of glycogen oncentration gave results that are consistent with the IR reults, i.e. plateau phase cells have more glycogen.
INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS IS ABNORMAL IN CHILDREN WITH NON-COMPLEX CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE DESPITE SUCCESSFUL REPAIR

Children with complex cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) are known to be at risk for premature atherosclerosis. While little is known about the vascular status of children with repaired non-complex CHD. We have previously found evidence of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in such a
FUNCTIONS WITH ARBITRARILY SMALL PERIODS

(1980). Functions with Arbitrarily Small Periods. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 87, No. 10, pp. 816-816.
Interaction of Dietary Nutrient Concentration and Supplemental Copper on Chick Performance and Tissue Copper Concentrations

An experiment was conducted with 576 female Cobb feather-sexed chicks to study the influence of methionine (MET) and selected nutrient (SN) supplementation on the performance of chicks fed high Cu levels. Day-old chicks were allotted randomly to pens for the 22-day experiment. A 3 X 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used which included Cu at 0, 400, and 800 mg/kg, MET at 0 and .4%, and SN at 0 and 20%. A significant (P less than .001) Cu X MET X SN interaction was found for gain. Supplemental MET reversed the growth depression observed in birds fed 400 but not 800 mg/kg Cu. Additions of 400 and 800 mg/kg Cu to the basal diet depressed (P less than .001) feed consumption by 8.6 and 19.4%, respectively. Hepatic Cu concentrations increased linearly (P less than .001) with increasing dietary Cu and were not influenced (P greater than .10) by supplemental MET or SN. Liver weights increased linearly (P less than .001) with increasing dietary Cu and were higher (P less than .05) for chicks on diets supplemented with SN, but lower (P less than .05) for those with diets supplemented with MET. The interaction of MET X SN was significant (P less than .001) for serum Cu; chicks supplemented with SN in conjunction with MET had the lowest (P less than .05) serum Cu concentrations. Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) activity was not influenced (P greater than .10) by dietary Cu, but SN supplementation resulted in a 10% elevation (P less than .001) in SGOT activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is an abnormal communication between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. It occurs in 1 in 2,000 term births but it can be present in over 70% of infant born at or prior to 32 weeks.. There is a female predominance.
238 PARENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA EDUCATION RECEIVED PRIOR TO DISCHARGE AND AT THE FIRST CLINICAL VISIT.

Background The AAP recommends that hospitals provide discharge information for parents that includes an explanation of monitoring for jaundice. We hypothesized that parental education about jaundice differed from communication about simple tasks such as scheduling of follow-up appointments. The aim of this study was to evaluate parents9 recall of receiving written and oral information regarding hyperbilirubinemia. Methods The medical records of infants admitted for hyperbilirubinemia to a county hospital from June 2005 to June 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Hyperbilirubinemia risk factors, the parent9s perception of hyperbilirubinemia education received prior to discharge from the hospital and at the first clinical visit, and follow-up visits scheduled by the birth hospital were analyzed. Results Thirty-two infants were admitted into the hospital for phototherapy during the study period. Only 32% (8/25 with 7 no responses) of the parents recall receiving hyperbilirubinemia education while at the birth hospital compared with 62% (16/26 with 6 no responses) who reported receiving such an education when surveyed at the primary care provider9s office. In contrast, follow-up clinic appointments were made by the birth hospital 96% of the time (26/27 with 5 no responses). Conclusions The results show that parents do not recall receiving hyperbilirubinemia education. We speculate that inadequate teaching by physicians and nurses, parents not understanding the education that they receive, parents not reading the jaundice handouts given to them in their discharge packets, and a language barrier that impedes the parent9s understanding are potential reasons for the perceived lack of education. Hospitals successfully made follow-up visits indicating that some forms of communication in the discharge process were effective. More research is needed to determine the reason(s) for the parent9s perception of a lack of hyperbilirubinemia teaching.
Frequency of (n-3) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Consumption Induces Alterations in Tissue Lipid Composition and Eicosanoid Synthesis in CD-1 Mice

This study assessed the effect of frequency of consumption of a diet containing 10 g fat/100 g, with a (n-3):(n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio of 0.5, on tissue fatty acid composition and eicosanoid synthesis in CD-1 mice. With greater (n-3) PUFA consumption frequency, hepatic and peritoneal cell (n-3) PUFA levels changed to 14.4 +/- 1.3 and 12.4 +/- 0.9 mol/100 mol, respectively, from 2.4 +/- 0.3 and 1.9 +/- 0.3 mol/100 mol in control animals consuming a diet without (n-3) PUFA. Hepatic and peritoneal cell (n-6) PUFA levels were reduced to 6.4 +/- 0.5 and 7.6 +/- 0.5 mol/100 mol, respectively, with daily (n-3) PUFA consumption, compared with 23.6 +/- 0.7 and 17.9 +/- 0.7 mol/100 mol in control animals. Prostaglandin E, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and 4-series sulfidopeptide leukotriene biosyntheses reflected frequency of (n-3) PUFA consumption, with daily (n-3) PUFA consumption reducing prostaglandin E, consumption of (n-3) PUFA every other day reducing 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and (n-3) PUFA consumption every 3 d reducing leukotriene C4 and leukotriene E4. Leukotriene C5 and leukotriene E5 changed from undetectable in animals consuming the control diet to > 40% of total leukotriene production in animals consuming (n-3) PUFA daily. Daily to biweekly consumption of fish or fish oil [1.26-0.63 g/wk of (n-3) PUFA, 6-3% of energy] may be a means for changing eicosanoid production. Consumption of (n-3) PUFA less often than twice a week may not change eicosanoid synthesis.
Mismatch Repair Deficiency and Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade

: More than 1.6 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2016, resulting in more than 500,000 deaths. Although chemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment in advanced cancers, immunotherapy development, particularly with PD-1 inhibitors, has changed the face of treatment for a number of tumor types. One example is the subset of tumors characterized by mismatch repair deficiency and microsatellite instability that are highly sensitive to PD-1 blockade. Hereditary forms of cancer have been noted for more than a century, but the molecular changes underlying mismatch repair-deficient tumors and subsequent microsatellite unstable tumors was not known until the early 1990s. In this review article, we discuss the history and pathophysiology of mismatch repair, the process of testing for mismatch repair deficiency and microsatellite instability, and the role of immunotherapy in this subset of cancers. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Mismatch repair deficiency has contributed to our understanding of carcinogenesis for the past 2 decades and now identifies a subgroup of traditionally chemotherapy-insensitive solid tumors as sensitive to PD-1 blockade. This article seeks to educate oncologists regarding the nature of mismatch repair deficiency, its impact in multiple tumor types, and its implications for predicting the responsiveness of solid tumors to immune checkpoint blockade.
Interactions Between Internalizing Symptoms and Urgency in the Prediction of Alcohol Use and Expectancies Among Low-Income, Minority Early Adolescents

This study examined whether urgency, a disposition to rash action under conditions of strong emotion, moderates associations between internalizing symptoms and alcohol use and related expectancies. Data from the Camden Youth Development Study, a longitudinal, community-based study of early adolescents (N = 144, mean age at intake = 11.9 years; 65% Hispanic, 30% African-American; 50% male), were used. Self-report questionnaire measures of depressive symptoms, social and generalized anxiety symptoms, urgency, alcohol use, and alcohol expectancies were used. Mixed models were used to examine the effects of internalizing symptoms, urgency, and their interaction on alcohol use and expectancy trajectories over time. Depressive symptoms interacted with urgency such that youth with high levels of both tended to have elevated levels of global positive alcohol expectancies. Social anxiety symptoms interacted with urgency to be associated with increasing levels of social behavior alcohol expectancies such that youth with high levels of both tended to experience particular increases in these expectancies over time. Generalized anxiety was not found to be associated with alcohol-related constructs. Therefore, high levels of urgency combine with depressive and social anxiety symptoms to be associated with particularly increased risk for alcohol expectancies that are associated with later alcohol use and problems, indicating particular risk for youth with these combinations of personality traits and psychopathology symptoms.
Monozygotic twins discordant for the Russell‐Silver syndrome

Russell-Silver syndrome is a disorder of unknown cause. A number of familial cases have suggested autosomal dominant inheritance. We report on monozygotic twins discordant for the Russell-Silver syndrome. Our findings suggest that the cause of Russell-Silver syndrome is not explained entirely by genetic factors. The possible role of the intrauterine environment as an etiologic component of Russell-Silver syndrome is discussed.
Research Universities in Latin America: Public Policy and Political Constraints

The Latin American response to global academic competition has been much slower and subdued than in other emerging economies. League tables, where the region fares poorly, have been met with scorn and skepticism by academics and with ambivalence by governments, with limited receptivity in public opinion. Yet, the economies have grown rapidly and governments have increased spending in research and higher education during the last decade. This paper presents a comparative overview of public policy vis-a-vis the strengthening of research universities and their competitiveness in global markets, with a focus on the contrasting experience of Southern Cone countries (Brazil, Argentina, and Chile), discussing variations in academic resistance to increased differentiation and in the competition for prestige and resources, as well as in the internal segmentation of the academic profession.
Troubling Tradition, Community, and Self-Reliance: Reframing Expectations for Village Seed Banks

Summary Heralded by both food sovereignty activists and mainstream development practitioners, village seed banks are a rural development phenomenon rapidly gaining attention for their potential to support resilient agricultural systems. This paper presents a case study for examining the power of prevailing narratives of decentralized development to shape and ultimately constrain the operations of village seed banks in Telangana, India. This case demonstrates how visions of tradition, community, and self-reliance can serve to discount the materiality of seeds, the social complexity of village institutions, and even the voices of farmers. The goal of this research is not to criticize village seed banks, as they hold great potential, nor to vilify the narratives in question, but rather to encourage critical reflection on how the assumptions embedded in these narratives shape mechanisms for agricultural development. I argue for a shift away from framing tradition, community, and self-reliance as development solutions and propose an interrogative approach that turns these narratives into questions for engaging more effectively with rural livelihoods.
Understanding Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guidelines: An Introductory Approach

Abstract Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) is a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach to surgical care. The ERAS Society has issued recommendations for many surgical procedures that address best practices in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management. When implementing a new ERAS protocol, the length and detail of the recommendations can be overwhelming. In this study, the general principles of the ERAS guidelines are summarized and workload is distributed among the different members of the care team. This compartmentalized approach provides an easier way to involve key personnel in the ERAS process and assigns a role for everyone in making ERAS a success.
Ground squirrels (Rodentia, Sciuridae) of the late Cenozoic Meade Basin sequence: diversity and paleoecological implications

Abstract. The Meade Basin, SW Kansas, yields a rich vertebrate fossil record from the late Cenozoic. Here, we review fossil ground squirrels (Sciuridae) from the region as a contribution to the broader Meade Basin Rodent Project. We recognize 14 species in seven genera: two species of giant ground squirrels (Paenemarmota Hibbard and Schultz, 1948) from the early Pliocene, and at least 12 species in six extant genera (Ammospermophilus Merriam, 1892; Otospermophilus Brandt, 1844; Ictidomys Allen, 1877; Poliocitellus Howell, 1938; Urocitellus Obolenskij, 1927; Cynomys Rafinesque, 1817) from the Pliocene—Pleistocene sequence, including the first regional records of Ammospermophilus. Based on dental morphology and the ecology of modern congeners, we interpret faunal change through the sequence as primarily reflecting a shift from a Pliocene assemblage of “southwestern” taxa with granivorous/omnivorous diets (relatively low-crowned, transversely narrow cheek teeth) in warm and at least occasionally dry shrub or...
Patient-Reported Outcomes in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and MDS/MPN Overlap Syndromes: Stepping Onto the Stage with Changing Times

Quality of life (QOL) and symptom burden are important measures captured by patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Myelodysplastic and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative (MDS/MPN) neoplasm overlap syndromes are notable for significant morbidity and mortality, including a wide spectrum of physical and psychosocial effects. Thus, the development and application of PROs can provide meaningful information to facilitate communication and assist in follow up care. Disease-specific measures can more accurately reflect the full breadth of functional restrictions and symptoms. While traditional endpoints include remission, relapse, and survival rates, adoption of PROs in myeloid neoplasm clinical trials can facilitate drug approval. Integration of PROs in myeloid neoplasms is an important measure to capture QOL and symptoms, which can improve disease management.
An AI Planning Solution to Scenario Generation for Enterprise Risk Management

Scenario planning is a commonly used method by companies to develop their long-term plans. Scenario planning for risk management puts an added emphasis on identifying and managing emerging risk. While a variety of methods have been proposed for this purpose, we show that applying AI planning techniques to devise possible scenarios provides a unique advantage for scenario planning. Our system, the Scenario Planning Advisor (SPA), takes as input the relevant information from news and social media, representing key risk drivers, as well as the domain knowledge and generates scenarios that explain the key risk drivers and describe the alternative futures. To this end, we provide a characterization of the problem, knowledge engineering methodology, and transformation to planning. Furthermore, we describe the computation of the scenarios, lessons learned, and the feedback received from the pilot deployment of the SPA system in IBM.
OPTIMAL POSE SELECTION FOR IN-SITU FABRICATION OF PLANAR MECHANISMS

Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) techniques allow the insitu fabrication of fully-assembled devices with mating/tting parts. Recently, this technique of fabrication has been found to be useful for building integrated mechanisms in robotics, and a wide array of other similar applications are anticipated. An interesting issue that arises during the fabrication of such mechanisms is the determination of an optimal pose in which the mechanism should be built. For example, should the mechanism be built in a folded or stretched-out position? In conventional manufacturing these issues do not arise, as each individual link is typically manufactured separately and then the pieces are brought together during assembly. In this paper, we address the issue of nding a preferred (or optimal) pose for in-situ fabrication of planar mechanisms. There are many factors (e.g. achievable tolerances, non-interference, workspace size limitations, thermal considerations etc.) which can determine the suitability of a candidate build pose so that pre-specied task requirements are met. We limit our analysis to nding the optimal build conguration given achievable (in general, non-homogeneous, anisotropic) accuracy on joint position. For this treatment, we also make the simplifying assumption that the task requirements can be best satised by minimizing variability of link-lengths. Alternate task requirements, for example, maintaining end-point accuracy within a tolerance region, are being considered as part of ongoing work. We cast the problem of minimizing variability in link length as that of determining the relative position of two location tolerance regions for which the dierence between their extremal distances is at a minimum (i.e., as they undergo constrained relative motion
Patterns and Significance of Genetic Changes in Neuroblastomas

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews patterns and clinical and biological significance of genetic changes in neuroblastomas. Patterns based on cytogenetic, molecular, and flow-cytometric analysis that suggest that neuroblastomas can be assigned to three genetically distinct groups. The first comprises those with hyperdiploid or triploid modal karyotypes. The second group consists of tumors that are generally near-diploid or tetraploid modal chromosome number or DNA content. The third group consists of tumors that are also generally near-diploid or tetraploid, with chromosome lp deletion (LOH), with or without double minutes (dmins) or homogenous staining region (HSRs). Studies on the molecular and cytogenetic analysis of human neuroblastomas permit localization of one or more neuroblastoma-predisposition loci. Genetic markers provide a more objective means to classify tumors that may appear similar histologically. In addition, genetic analysis by karyotype, flow cytometry, and the determination of MYCN copy number provides information that has prognostic significance and can direct the most appropriate choice of treatment.
Nutrition, Behavior, and the Developmental Origins of the Metabolic Syndrome

It is clear that the modern epidemic of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and associated comorbidities is largely a product of our modern environment. Artificially high levels of sugars, fats, and processed foods, along with sedentary behavior constitute an “obesogenic” environment which makes us more susceptible to the metabolic syndrome today than our foraging ancestors were millennia ago. A number of comparative analyses relevant to the influence of behavior, diet, and nutrition on the metabolic syndrome are reviewed here, especially with regard to the developmental origins of the syndrome. It has become clear that early environmental conditions, particularly poor nutrition, have the ability to act as cues that program the phenotype in utero. It is thought that the fetus has an adaptive ability to perceive nutritional deprivation, and reprogram its metabolic systems for energy efficiency, as a predictive response to expected environmental scarcity. These metabolic alterations are thought to be beneficial in times of poor nutritional quality, but unfortunately have consistently been shown to result in adverse health outcomes and metabolic disease, when food is calorie dense and readily available. These early life changes are brought about by alterations in cellular proliferation and differentiation that are ultimately driven by neuroendocrine, cellular, and epigenetic adaptations to undernutrition. Besides the various metabolic changes, animals programmed for thrift have been shown to exhibit neurological changes resulting in hyperphagia, increased sedentariness, and volume reductions in the cerebral cortex. A great deal of evidence, including countless animal studies and a worldwide series of epidemiological investigations, has supported the close relationship between early nutritional status and susceptibility to the major risk factors (increased adiposity, hypertension, and insulin resistance) for the metabolic syndrome in later life. The perspectives originated by James Neel (the thrifty genotype hypothesis), and David Barker (the thrifty phenotype hypothesis) have remained important interpretations through which to view the nature of the genetic, structural, and adaptive facets of the programming of metabolic function. Moreover, these perspectives, and the integrative conceptualizations that they promote, have begun to provide valuable direction for research and health care.
Optimal Recovery from Disruptions in Water Distribution Networks

An optimization model is developed to guide recovery of a disrupted water distribution system. The model minimizes the total cost of recovery, including the disruption cost of unmet demand during the repair process and the repair cost itself. The optimization schedules repair tasks under precedence and resource constraints and contains an embedded flow problem that optimizes the distribution of water in each time period, given the state of the network. A simulated annealing algorithm is developed for scheduling the tasks, with the embedded flow problem solved using a generalized reduced gradient method. Experiments with a test water distribution system confirm the effectiveness of the model and provide insight regarding the effects of limited resources available for recovery and of the usefulness of having multiple modes for execution of specific tasks.
Human macrophage adhesion on fibronectin: The role of substratum and intracellular signalling kinases

Fibronectin and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)- and/or Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn (PHSRN)-containing oligopeptides were immobilized onto physicochemically distinct substrata: polyethyleneglycol-based networks or tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). The role of selected signalling kinases in the adhesion of human primary blood-derived macrophages on these modified substrata was investigated. We demonstrated that the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) or protein serine/threonine kinase (PSK) dependency and the PTK-PSK cross-talk compensation for macrophage adhesion varied dynamically with the substratum modification and the culture time. The inhibition of MAPK kinase (MAPKK) decreased macrophage adhesion on TCPS, whereas the inhibition of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3 kinase) decreased macrophage adhesion on networks at 24 h. The PI3 kinase-protein kinase C (PKC)-MAPK cascade was involved in macrophage adhesion on fibronectin-preadsorbed TCPS or networks but not on fibronectin-grafted networks. This fibronectin-mediated adhesion signalling involved both RGD and PHSRN sequences in a form of G(3)RGDG(6)PHSRNG on TCPS but not on networks. Furthermore, G(3)RGDG(6)PHSRNG grafted onto networks evoked unique signalling in macrophage adhesion from that preadsorbed onto networks. Thus, macrophage adhesion and the role of selected signalling kinases were modulated by the substratum and the ligand conjugation method.
The Role of Anaerobic Bacteria in the Pathogenesis of Urinary Tract Infections

Because of the rarity of anaerobic infections of the urinary tract and the difficulty of establishing these organisms as pathogens, anaerobic culture is not included as part of routine urine bacteriological examination. Pyuria was found during examination of a 41-year-old man with a chronic renal allograft rejection reaction. Aerobic urine cultures failed to yield any pathogens. Urine cytology demonstrated intracellular organisms that proved to be Fusobacterium nucleatum on anaerobic culture. The serotypically identical organism was isolated from a needle biopsy specimen of the renal allograft. In the presence of pyuria the finding of micro-organisms in the urine sediment that fail to grow on routine aerobic cultures should lead to examination for anaerobic bacterial infection of the urinary tract.
Cat scratch disease: Report of a case with hepatic lesions and a brief review of the literature

Abstract An unusual case of cat scratch disease with large hepatic defects is presented. We describe a previously healthy 16-yr-old black man presenting with a neck mass, hepatosplenomegaly, and systemic symptoms. Pathology of the neck mass revealed a lymph node with chronic inflammation and focal necrosis. An abnormal computed tomography scan showed large hepatic defects which were confirmed at peritoneoscopy; biopsy specimens are described. Routine and special stains for bacteria and fungi were all negative. Serologic studies were unremarkable but a cat scratch skin test was positive. Follow-up examinations revealed resolution of all findings. Cat scratch disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diseases causing lymphadenopathy, systemic symptoms, and hepatic fand splenic) defects.
Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy

Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy,(1,2) also known as IETS or tunneling spectroscopy, is a sensitive technique for measuring the vibrational spectra of molecules. At present, it is particularly well suited to measuring the vibrational spectra of a monolayer or submonolayer of molecules adsorbed on aluminum or magnesium oxide or on metal particles or metal complexes that are themselves supported on aluminum or magnesium oxide. In the future, it may be possible to extend it to a much wider range of systems with the use of mechanically adjusted tunnel junctions.
The Acquisition of Knowledge

I start with the assumption that ‘being’ is more fundamental than ‘knowing’. I might argue for instance that ‘Water is wet’ implies that there is water, wetness and connectedness, for if not then water could not be wet. And I would proceed to add that not only is ‘being’ more fundamental than ‘knowing’ but that ‘doing’ is, too. For there would have to be the experience of the wetness of water before anyone could say that ‘Water is known to be wet’.
Constitutive Equations for Elastic–Plastic Materials

While in the literature, there is ample exposure of elastic–plastic models formulated in the stress space, the dual formulations in the strain-rate space are less known. Chapter 2 presents the fundamental assumptions concerning the form of stress-based and strain-rate-based elastic–plastic models along with the corresponding numerical integration algorithms for solving boundary-value problems.
Impact of messages about scientific uncertainty on risk perceptions and intentions to use electronic vaping products.

Abstract Background The science surrounding e-cigarettes and other electronic vaping products (EVPs) is rapidly evolving, and the health effects of vaping are unclear. Little research has explored how individuals respond to information acknowledging scientific uncertainty. The aim of the present study was to understand the impact of messages about scientific uncertainty regarding the health effects of vaping on risk perceptions and behavioral intentions. Methods Adults in an online experiment (n = 2508) were randomly exposed to view either a control message (a short factual statement about EVPs) or an uncertainty message (the control message plus additional information describing why EVP-related research is limited or inconclusive). Participants rated the risks of vaping and their intentions to try or stop vaping. Results Individuals who viewed the uncertainty message rated vaping as less risky than those who viewed the control message. Message exposure did not impact intentions to try vaping soon or intentions to stop vaping in the next 6 months. Conclusions Acknowledging scientific uncertainty made EVP use seem less risky. Future research should explore possible drivers of this response, such as deeper message processing or emotional reactions. Researchers and practitioners designing public health campaigns about vaping might consider a cautious approach to presenting information about scientific uncertainty.
Hip Radiograph Findings in Patients Aged 40 Years and Under with Posterior Pelvic Pain.

Background Several sacroiliac joint (SIJ) provocative tests used to assess posterior pelvic pain involve moving and stressing the hip. It is unknown if there is a subgroup of patients with posterior pelvic pain who have underlying hip deformity that could potentially influence performance and interpretation of these tests. Objective To describe the prevalence of radiographic hip deformity and hip osteoarthritis in a group of adults 40 years old and under who met the clinical diagnostic criteria for treatment of posterior pelvic pain with an image guided intra-articular SIJ injection. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary university orthopedic department PATIENTS (OR PARTICIPANTS): One hundred and forty-eight patients were evaluated (83% (123/148) female; mean age 31.3 ± 6.2 years). All had completed a trial of comprehensive noninvasive treatment for posterior pelvic pain and had a minimum of three positive SIJ provocative tests on physical examination. Methods Retrospective review identified patients undergoing SIJ injection for pain recommended and performed by seven physiatrists between 2011 and 2017. Hip radiographs were read by a physician with expertise in hip measurements with previously demonstrated excellent intrarater reliability. Main outcome measurements Percentage of patients with hip deformity findings. Results No patients meeting the inclusion criteria had significant radiographic hip osteoarthritis (Tonnis ≥2 indicating moderate or greater radiographic hip osteoarthritis) and 4/148 (3%) were found to have mild radiographic hip osteoarthritis. Prearthritic hip disorders were identified in 123 (83%, 95% CI: 76, 89%) patients. For those patients with prearthritic hip disorders, measurements consistent with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) were seen in 61 (41%) patients, acetabular dysplasia in 49 (33%) patients, and acetabular retroversion in 85 (57%) patients. Acetabular retroversion was identified in 43% (crossover sign) and 39% (prominent ischial spine) of patients. Conclusions Approximately 57% of adult patients under the age of 40 years with the clinical symptom complex of SIJ pain were found to have radiographic acetabular retroversion. This is a higher percentage than the 5%-15% found in asymptomatic people in the current literature. Further study is needed to assess links between hip structure, hip motion, and links to pelvic pain including peri and intra-articular SIJ pain. Level of evidence III.
The Influence of Cyclic Tensile Strain on Multi-Compartment collagen-GAG Scaffolds for Tendon-Bone Junction Repair

Background: Orthopedic injuries often occur at the interface between soft tissues and bone. The tendon-bone junction (TBJ) is a classic example of such an interface. Current clinical strategies for TBJ injuries prioritize mechanical reattachment over regeneration of the native interface, resulting in poor outcomes. The need to promote regenerative healing of spatially-graded tissues inspires our effort to develop new tissue engineering technologies that replicate features of the spatially-graded extracellular matrix and strain profiles across the native TBJ. Materials and Methods: We recently described a biphasic collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffold containing distinct compartment with divergent mineral content and structural alignment (isotropic vs. anisotropic) linked by a continuous interface zone to mimic structural and compositional features of the native TBJ. Results: Here, we report application of cyclic tensile strain (CTS) to the scaffold via a bioreactor leads to non-uniform strain profiles across the spatially-graded scaffold. Further, combinations of CTS and matrix structural features promote rapid, spatially-distinct differentiation profiles of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) down multiple osteotendinous lineages. CTS preferentially upregulates MSC activity and tenogenic differentiation in the anisotropic region of the scaffold. This work demonstrates a tissue engineering approach that couples instructive biomaterials with cyclic tensile stimuli to promote regenerative healing of orthopedic interfaces.
An investigation of the theory of reasoned action concerning consumer acceptance of food irradiation

This research examined how attitudes and subjective norms influence behavioral intentions to eat irradiated food. This inquiry is important because, food irradiation is controversial and the public’s attitude toward it can influence the extent to which it is eventually adopted. The data received from the first, large-scale commercially funded market test of irradiated food in supermarkets located throughout Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been used for statistical analysis. The test was conducted by Huisken’s Meats, Inc. on spring of 2000. The data includes questionnaire responses of 225 participants. The data analysis of consumers’ opinions, concerning food irradiation, confirms the theory of reasoned action. However, the results show that subjective norms have a weak effect on intentions to eat irradiated food. Suggestions are offered for future research based upon the findings of this study.
Identifying Effective Project-Based Communication Indicators within Primary and Secondary Stakeholders in Construction Projects

AbstractEffective communication facilitates a project’s process and expedites the steps and tasks that are necessary for a successful completion. Ineffective communication acts against the normal p...