cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is There a Relationship Between the Concentration of Same-Sex Couples and Tobacco Retailer Density?

Background: Tobacco use is markedly higher among lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations than heterosexuals. Higher density of tobacco retailers is found in neighborhoods with lower income and more racial/ethnic minorities. Same-sex couples tend to live in similar neighborhoods, but the association of this demographic with tobacco retailer density has not been examined. Methods: For a national sample of 97 US counties, we calculated the number of tobacco retailers per 1000 persons and rates of same-sex couples per 1000 households in each census tract (n = 17 941). Using spatial regression, we examined the association of these variables in sex-stratified models, including neighborhood demographics and other environmental characteristics to examine confounding. Results: Results from spatial regression show that higher rates of both female and male same-sex couples were associated with a higher density of tobacco retailers. However the magnitude of this association was small. For female couples, the association was not significant after controlling for area-level characteristics, such as percent black, percent Hispanic, median household income, the presence of interstate highways, and urbanicity, which are neighborhood correlates of higher tobacco retailer density. For male couples, the association persisted after control for these characteristics. Conclusion: Same-sex couples reside in areas with higher tobacco retailer density, and for men, this association was not explained by neighborhood confounders, such as racial/ethnic composition and income. While lesbian, gay, and bisexual disparities in tobacco use may be influenced by neighborhood environment, the magnitude of the association suggests other explanations of these disparities remain important areas of research.
Quantum Gravity at a Lifshitz Point

We present a candidate quantum field theory of gravity with dynamical critical exponent equal to $z=3$ in the UV. (As in condensed-matter systems, $z$ measures the degree of anisotropy between space and time.) This theory, which at short distances describes interacting nonrelativistic gravitons, is power-counting renormalizable in $3+1$ dimensions. When restricted to satisfy the condition of detailed balance, this theory is intimately related to topologically massive gravity in three dimensions, and the geometry of the Cotton tensor. At long distances, this theory flows naturally to the relativistic value $z=1$, and could therefore serve as a possible candidate for a UV completion of Einstein's general relativity or an infrared modification thereof. The effective speed of light, the Newton constant and the cosmological constant all emerge from relevant deformations of the deeply nonrelativistic $z=3$ theory at short distances.
Spectroscopic elucidation of a new heme/copper dioxygen structure type: implications for O···O bond rupture in cytochrome c oxidase.

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) catalyzes the four electron reduction of dioxygen to form water in the terminal step of the electron transport chain.[1] Dioxygen binds to a unique heme-copper bimetallic active site, wherein the copper is ligated ~5 A above the heme by three His residues.[2–3] One of these ligating His residues is covalently crosslinked to a nearby Tyr residue. The crosslinked Tyr is thought to participate in catalysis by providing the fourth electron needed to cleave the O-O bond in a net H• abstraction.[4] This hypothesis stems from the observation of an intermediate state (PM) in CcO that occurs after O-O bond cleavage, which is suggested to contain a tyrosyl radical based on chemical and spectral evidence.[5–8] The only observable enzymatic dioxygen intermediate before O-O bond rupture has been assigned as a ferric-superoxo species (A),[9–10] leading some to suggest this species is directly responsible for the net H• abstraction from the Tyr.[11–12] We and others favor an alternative mechanistic scenario, in which an unobserved peroxo intermediate functions as the active oxidant.[13–15] A putative peroxo moiety would take advantage of the His-Tyr crosslink and the copper ion as a pathway to access the fourth electron necessary for cleavage of its O-O bond. However, heme-peroxo-copper adducts are generally unreactive towards phenols, motivating efforts towards understanding factors required for O-O bond rupture by heme-copper sites. Recently, we reported preliminary evidence that the reaction of a heme-peroxo-copper adduct {[F8Fe]-O2-[CuAN]}+ (1, F8 = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-porphyrinate, AN = bis(3-(dimethylamino)-propyl)-amine) with a coordinating base DCHIm (DCHIm = 1,5-dicyclohexylimidazole) results in formation of a discrete complex (2) that has enhanced reactivity towards phenols.[16] Herein we report the molecular and electronic structure of 2, which is an example of a heme-peroxo-copper complex in which the electronic state of the heme fragment is low-spin (LS).[17] Concomitant with the change in spin of the heme fragment from high-spin (HS) to LS upon conversion from 1 to 2, the Fe-O2-Cu core undergoes a change from µ-η2:η2 (“side-on”) in 1 to µ-1,2 (“end-on”) in 2 (Scheme 1). This novel bridging mode has not been observed previously in heme-copper model complexes, but it has been proposed in recent crystallographic studies on resting CcO.[18–20] However, comparison of the spectral features of resting CcO to those described herein for 2 reveal inconsistencies suggesting a reevaluation of the bridging mode of the peroxo group in resting CcO and providing insight into the electronic structure requirements for O-O bond cleavage.
Child Abuse and Abortion Availability

"Unwanted" children may be more subject to child abuse and neglect by their parents or care-takers than are desired children, in part because such children may be born and raised in less favorable circumstances that foster maltreatment. In addition, parents may be more likely to maltreat unwanted children; sociological and medical studies suggest a link between unplanned births and subsequent child abuse (Susan J. Zuravin, 1987). Child abuse and neglect may be linked to abortion availability if reduced access to abortion providers leads to more births of unwanted or unplanned children and to maltreatment of some of these children, a possibility investigated in this paper. A variety of evidence suggests that abortion availability affects fertility behavior and child outcomes. Increased abortion availability leads to lower birth rates and higher abortion rates (see e.g., Phillip Levine et al., 1999). In addi- tion, abortion legalization appears to have led to an improvement in the average living condi- tions of children by reducing the number of children who would have lived in single-parent families, lived in poverty, received welfare, and died as infants (Jonathan Gruber et al., 1999). The improvement in child outcomes appears to be primarily due to changes in the composition of women who give birth, with the largest fertility declines occurring among young, unmarried, or nonwhite women. Such nonrandom selection may lead to less maltreatment of children if abortion access reduces births among groups where maltreatment is more prevalent. Alternatively, abortion availability may reduce the number of unwanted children born to all women, leading to lower rates of child abuse and neglect. We use data on the number of reports of child abuse and child neglect to examine the rela- tionship between abortion legalization, post- legalization restrictions on abortions, and child maltreatment rates. The results suggest that le- galization lowered total reported rates of child maltreatment. The effect of Medicaid funding restrictions, parental involvement laws, and mandatory waiting periods is unclear in our results.
c-Myc proteolysis by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway: stabilization of c-Myc in Burkitt's lymphoma cells.

The c-Myc oncoprotein is a transcription factor which is a critical regulator of cellular proliferation. Deregulated expression of c-Myc is associated with many human cancers, including Burkitt’s lymphoma. The c-Myc protein is normally degraded very rapidly with a half-life of 20 to 30 min. Here we demonstrate that proteolysis of c-Myc in vivo is mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Inhibition of proteasome activity blocks c-Myc degradation, and c-Myc is a substrate for ubiquitination in vivo. Furthermore, an increase in c-Myc stability occurs in mitotic cells and is associated with inhibited c-Myc ubiquitination. Deletion analysis was used to identify regions of the c-Myc protein which are required for rapid proteolysis. We found that a centrally located PEST sequence, amino acids 226 to 270, is necessary for rapid c-Myc degradation, but not for ubiquitination. Also, N-terminal sequences, located within the first 158 amino acids of c-Myc, are necessary for both efficient c-Myc ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. We found that c-Myc is significantly stabilized (two- to sixfold) in many Burkitt’s lymphoma-derived cell lines, suggesting that aberrant c-Myc proteolysis may play a role in the pathogenesis of Burkitt’s lymphoma. Finally, mutation of Thr-58, a major phosphorylation site in c-Myc and a mutational hot spot in Burkitt’s lymphoma, increases c-Myc stability; however, mutation of c-Myc is not essential for stabilization in Burkitt’s lymphoma cells.
Socioeconomic Dimensions of Reconquista and Jihad in Morocco: Portuguese Dukkala and the Sa did sus 1450–1557

Among the results of recent scholarly interest in the “World-Systems” perspective has been a revival of the debate concerning the origins of capitalism and the modern world economy. Despite the fact that the World-Systems approach at times seems as Eurocentric as some of the theories it purports to oppose, since the origins and “core” developments of both mercantilism and capitalism are considered to have been uniquely rooted in the socioeconomic experience of early modern Europe, it nonetheless offers historians the promise of studying social structural and economic changes in non-Western societies without recourse to the value judgments and prejudices implicit in models of development that employ such terms as “traditional society,” “underdevelopment,” or “modernization.” By demonstrating that market and productive forces external to a particular regional economy and social system can intrude upon that system, dominate it, and eventually stimulate its transformation, thus creating wider changes in intrasocietal social relations, the World-Systems model has the potential of offering a conceptual point of departure of great value to students of social change in regions other than Europe during the early modern era.
Interactive Effects of Fire and Nonnative Plants on Small Mammals in Grasslands

ABSTRACT Invasions by nonnative plants have changed the structure of many terrestrial ecosystems and altered important ecological processes such as fire, the dominant driver in grassland ecosystems. Reestablishing fire has been proposed as a mechanism to restore dominance of native plants in grasslands invaded by nonnative plants, yet fire may function differently in these altered systems, potentially affecting animals in novel ways. To assess whether invasions by nonnative plants alter the effects of fire on animals, we performed a manipulative experiment in semi-desert grasslands of southeastern Arizona that have been invaded by a perennial, nonnative grass from Africa, Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana). We applied fire to 36 of 54 1-ha plots established along an invasion gradient where dominance of E. lehmanniana ranged from 0% to 91% of total live plant biomass. Over the 5-year period from 2000 to 2004, we used mark-recapture methods to assess how population and community attributes of small ...
Response to inspiratory resistive loading during sleep in normal children and children with obstructive apnea.

The response to inspiratory resistance loading (IRL) of the upper airway during sleep in children is not known. We, therefore, evaluated the arousal responses to IRL during sleep in children with t...
Membrane Immunology and Permeability Functions

A considerable amount of information on the immunochemical structure and genetics of membrane surface antigens has now accumulated. It is generally established that the distribution of membrane antigens is asymmetric, i. e., that the vast majority of antigens are localized at the outer surface of the plasma membrane. Certain antigens may reside only in the protein portion of the outer membrane. However, most antigens have been structurally related to the carbohydrate moieties of membrane glycolipids or transmembranous glycoproteins, and thus are primary integral membrane constituents, as opposed to a few secondary antigens adsorbed to the surface at some time of the cell’s life cycle. The bulk of these carbohydrate antigens are blood group or transplantation antigens representing genetically and clinically important individual and species specificities. It is not the intention of this chapter to review the structural and genetic details of these antigens, since numerous experts in the field have done this over the past years.(1–8)
From Cross-Functional to Rank-Spanning Radical New Product Development: An Analysis with Recommendations

While CEOs say that innovation is an important source of future growth for their companies, they devote more than twice as much time to financial planning as they do to new product development. Yet, in an environment typified by increased competition, change, and uncertainty, is it surprising if senior executives do not clearly understand what their roles should be in this process? While there is no one best way to organize new product development, firms do employ many of the same mechanisms. More significant however, is that the use of these mechanisms, and consequently, senior management’s involvement, is often markedly different based on how far-reaching of an innovation is being developed. In this paper, we contend that management’s role in radical new product development is to be fully engaged as part of a rank-spanning NPD team. Under this structure, management’s responsibilities include: 1. Designing an environment conducive to radical innovation. 2. Deciding which projects get done. 3. Nurturing the fledgling initiatives to ensure that those that are chosen are implemented well and with the appropriate amount of oversight. In addition,we provide details for each of managements’ responsibilities, and examples to demonstrate how leaders can integrate rank-spanning teams into their organization’s new product development efforts.
Simulation and Identification of Vowels Based on a Time-Varying Model of the Vocal Tract Area Function

In their purest form, vowels can be conceived as being produced with static configurations of the vocal tract shape. Laboratory measurements of both acoustic and articulatory characteristics of vowels are typically performed with this assumption. In the case of natural, connected speech, however, the vocal tract shape undergoes nearly continuous change thus a true “static” configuration is rarely produced. Listeners are able to identify vowels in this time-varying situation, often with greater accuracy than for a vowel deliberately produced without any vocal tract change. This chapter examines the time-varying changes of the vocal tract shape that produce vowel inherent spectral change. Specifically, a model of the vocal tract area function is used to investigate how time-dependent formant frequencies originate from movement of the vocal tract.
Centralized-Sanctioning and Legitimate Authority in Public Goods Provision: Evidence from a 'Lab-in-The-Field' Experiment in Uganda

This paper uses an innovative methodological framework, which combines "lab-in-the-field" experiments with observational data on 1,543 producers from 50 Ugandan farmer associations, to address the debate on the role sanctioning plays in fostering public goods provision. The experimental setup allows us to attest the positive impact of centralized-sanctioning institutions on cooperative behavior as well as to demonstrate that the size of this effect depends on the process by which these institutions are established: we show that elected leaders have greater legitimacy than randomly selected ones, elicit greater compliance, and lead to higher public goods provision. To assess the external validity of our findings, we relate our subjects’ behavior in the experiment to their level of cooperation in the farmer organization and show that farmers' deference to authority in the controlled setting predicts cooperative behavior in their natural environment, in which they face a similar social dilemma.
Utility of clinical markers to identify patients with high risk cervical dysplasia and cancer

10055 Background: The natural history of cervical neoplasias appears unpredictable with 1/3 to 1/2 of CIN lesions regressing without intervention; therapeutic targeting aids in screening and select...
"My First Thought was Croutons": Perceptions of Cigarettes and Cigarette Smoke Constituents Among Adult Smokers and Nonsmokers.

Introduction Understanding what people think about harmful and potentially harmful constituents in cigarettes and cigarette smoke has new urgency given legislation requiring US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to disclose constituent information. Our study sought to obtain qualitative information on what people think about these constituents and the language they use to talk about them. Methods We conducted six focus groups in 2014 with 40 adults in North Carolina. Open-ended questions focused on cigarette and cigarette smoke constituents in general and on the 18 constituents on the FDA's abbreviated list. We coded the transcripts for emergent themes, and all four coders discussed themes until we reached consensus. Results Participants knew that cigarette smoke contains chemicals but did not know how many chemicals nor what those chemicals are, beyond tar and nicotine. Dangers of constituents mentioned included "chemicals," physical disease, and addiction. Participants incorrectly believed harmful constituents came primarily from tobacco companies' additives. For unfamiliar constituents, people tried to make associations based on similar-sounding words. Recognizable constituents that participants associated with health harms most discouraged them from wanting to smoke. Most participants wanted to know health harms associated with constituents and what else the chemicals were in. Conclusions Participants showed enthusiasm for learning more information about constituents, and also showed substantial misunderstandings about the source of harmful constituents. Our findings contribute to the limited body of research on adults' knowledge and perceptions of cigarette smoke constituents and can aid the FDA as it plans to disclose constituent information to the public. Implications Our study provides information about adults' understanding of cigarette smoke constituents and what adults would like to know about these constituents. This information can help communication campaigns describe cigarette smoke constituents in a way that discourages people from wanting to smoke.
Arterial switch operation in patients with Taussig - Bing anomaly - our experience in coronary anatomy and staged repair

A variety of definitive operations have been used to manage patients with Taussig Bing anomaly. But arterial switch operation and closure of the VSD is the most widely used procedure.
Analysis on Epidemiological Characteristics of Measles and Its Prevention and Control Measures in Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture from 2005 to 2010

Objective To investigate the epidemiological features of measles and its countermeasures in Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture during the period of 2005～2010,and to provide the evidence for further control and elimination of measles. Methods Descriptive epidemiology method was used in this study.And the Microsoft Excel was employed to analyze the data. Results There were 1,696 measles cases reported in Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture from 2005 to 2010,with the annual average incidence rate of 11.41/100,000.Seasonality feature in the measles outbreaks had been observed,which prevailed mainly in late spring and early summer,especially from March to July.And the peak time of measles outbreaks was from April to May.There were statistically significant differences in the measles cases between male and female,and the ratio of male to female was 1.58:1.Most of the measles patients were children under 7 years old.The number of measles patients aged 8 months showed an increasing trend year by year.57.72% of the measles patients were scattered children. Conclusions The key measures of controlling and eliminating measles are as follows: improving the timeliness rate of immune response and the immunization coverage rate of measles vaccine,reducing susceptible crowd,and timely conducting mass immunization campaign and complementary vaccination.
A formalism for PLAN – a big data personal learning assistant for university students

Big Data-based methods of learning analytics are increasingly relied on by institutions of higher learning in order to increase student retention by identifying at risk students who are in need of an intervention to allow them to continue on in their educational endeavors. It is well known that e-Learning students are even more at risk of failing out of university than are traditional students, so Big Data learning analytics are even more appropriate in this context. In this paper, we present our approach to this problem. We wish to place control of a student’s learning process in his own hands, rather than that of the learning institution in order to decouple the student from the institution since the goals and motivations of these two may not be completely aligned. In this way, we empower the student by giving him control of the personal learning system which employs Big Data techniques to generate recommendations on how to reach a set of learner-specific learning goals. We present the formalism which underlies our system, the architecture which implements the system, scenarios for system use, a survey of related works and thoughts on how the system will be implemented in a prototype in the future.
Political economy of child nutrition policy: A qualitative study of India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme

In this paper, we adapt and apply Kingdon’s theory of agenda setting to explore how the issue of child nutrition and reform of India’s longstanding Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme—a key policy intervention to address child nutrition—failed to sustain the attention of national policymakers in recent years. We find that although favourable factors were operating in the problem, policy and politics streams to promote policy reform, these were not sufficient to harness the potential opportunity for reform, with several missed opportunities to move the reform process forward. The analysis suggests that more attention to the political economy of the policy process may help to enhance the political feasibility of future policy reform efforts for ICDS policy, and may have lessons for complementary policy reform efforts to improve child nutrition in India.
Accelerometry as a measure of subject compliance in unilateral lower limb suspension.

Introduction Human unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS) is a commonly used model to study the effects of disuse and unweighting of human skeletal muscle. ULLS requires subjects to ambulate on crutches with an elevated shoe on the weight-bearing limb or a strap on the unloaded limb for prolonged periods of time (i.e., 4-5 wk). Ensuring compliance during ULLS participation is critical to the integrity of the study. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of an accelerometer to detect steps taken while walking and to measure the effectiveness of an accelerometer to monitor compliance during ULLS. Methods There were 10 subjects (26.2 +/- 3.6 yr; 170.9 +/- 6.9 cm; 68.0 +/- 9.6 kg) who participated in two conditions: normal walking and ULLS (left leg was unweighted via an elevated shoe on the contralateral limb) at various speeds. Additionally, subjects completed an obstacle course to simulate daily activities. During these activities, subjects wore a planar accelerometer on their left ankle to measure acceleration. The mean peak axial acceleration (MPAA) of the leg in the swing phase of walking was determined by the accelerometer and a step was detected during ULLS if the MPAA was greater than or equal to the minimum MPAA observed during walking. From this, the sensitivity of the accelerometer was determined. During ULLS, the number of steps detected by the accelerometer with an MPAA--the minimum MPAA during walking was computed and the specificity of the accelerometer was determined. Results The sensitivity of the accelerometer during walking was 96% and the specificity during ULLS was 97%. Conclusion An accelerometer is an accurate tool to quantify the number of steps taken during walking and it may be used to measure subject compliance during ULLS.
Urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infection exists when bacteria are present in urine in the bladder. Significant bacteriuria ( ≥105 organisms/ml of urine) defines the numbers of bacteria in midstream clean voided urine that exceed the numbers usually caused by contamination from the anterior urethra. Urinary tract infections can be categorized anatomically into lower tract infection (i.e. involving the bladder) and upper tract infection (infection in the kidney). Cystitis refers to lower tract infection associated with symptoms of frequency, urgency and/or dysuria. One third of patients with cystitis have asymptomatic upper tract infection. The urethral syndrome refers to symptoms of dysuria, frequency, and/or urgency associated with ≤105 bacteria per ml of urine. One third of patients with this syndrome have lower tract bacterial infection with bacteria in the bladder as demonstrated by suprapubic bladder aspiration. Acute pyelonephritis refers to upper tract infection associated with symptoms of fever and flank pain. Symptoms of lower tract infection frequently accompany pyelonephritis. Most urinary tract infection is asymptomatic, i.e. asymptomatic bacteriuria. One third of patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria havex upper tract infection.
Approaches to Discovering More Effective Treatments for Prostate Cancer Early Diagnosis and Screening

The ideal screening test for early detection of carcinoma of the prostate would be non-invasive and preferable could be performed on readily available biological fluids, e.g., serum, urine, prostatic fluid. When considering an ideal test it is also important to study it in a correct statistical manner and not only calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the study but also the positive and negative predictive values. These terms will be discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs. Finally, progressive or potentially progressive disease must be identified and differentiated from non-progressive or non-lethal disease. Obviously patients in the former category would be treated differently than those in the latter group.
MtDNA Sequence of MDS Patients Treated with CoQ10.

Abstract We conducted a pilot study to test the efficacy of coQ10 in improving the cytopenias of MDS patients with low to intermediate risk MDS. Almost every patient experienced a reduction in fatigue and improvement in life quality. Among 25 evaluable patients, 7 responded according to the International Working Group (IWG) criteria. Responses included two trilineage and 1 monolineage response, two cytogenetic responses, and two patients showed a change in FAB type from CMMoL to RA and RARS. CoQ10 is an important coenzyme that has been shown to be involved in protection against oxidative stress, inhibition of apoptosis, and generation of ATP. Mutations in mitochondrial DNA have previously been found in MDS patients. We hypothesized that acquired mutations in the mitochondrial genome may relate to the efficacy of coQ10 treatment. We therefore sequenced the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) of 9 patients, including 4 responders and 5 nonresponders, and 2 normal samples to determine if differences in the frequency or location of mtDNA mutations could be correlated to response. Whole genomic DNA was isolated from bone marrow monocytes and the mtDNA was PCR amplified in 40 overlapping segments. The PCR products were then sequenced and compared to a mitochondrial genome database ( www.mitomap.org ) to identify mutations. This technique will not detect mutations present in only a small subset of DNA copies. However, mutations present in a majority of mtDNA that may directly contribute to the expansion of the MDS clone will be identified. Interestingly, although mutations were observed, no differences were found that distinguished responders from nonresponders. We conclude from this analysis that the clinical benefit to MDS patients is not related to specific mutations in the mitochondrial genome. Clinical response may instead be related to other pleiotropic effects of coQ10, such as inhibition of apoptosis.
EarthTones: Chemical Sensing Powders to Detect and Display Environmental Hazards through Color Variation

We present EarthTones, cosmetic-inspired wearable chemical sensing powders to detect and display harmful environmental factors through color change. We seek to create an analog display experience through chemical reactions that overcome current constraints of rigid, battery-laden wearable displays. We designed three unique chemical changing powders to reflect elevated levels of carbon monoxide (CO), ultraviolet (UV) rays, and ozone (O3). The powders achieve color changes distinguishable to the human eye, while maintaining an aesthetic appeal to the wearer. Our technical evaluations confirmed the performance of the powders to detect and display elevated levels. An 18-person exploratory study provided insight to the perceptions, possibilities, and challenges of a powder form factor for wearable environmental visualization. Through this paper, we intend to enable the use of colorimetric chemical displays for HCI researchers and designers. More generally, we seek to encourage the research and use of chemical-based sensors and interdisciplinary research in HCI.
Eating in the absence of hunger is related to loss-of-control eating, hedonic hunger, and short-term weight gain in normal-weight women.

Abstract Eating beyond physiological need contributes to obesity onset. Measuring this behavior could help identify those at risk for weight gain. This study measured eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) and its relationship with weight change and self-report measures related to appetite and eating behavior. EAH was assessed in 46 lean young women (69% pre-selected for weight gain proneness) after lunch and defined as the number of calories subsequently consumed from snacks. Participants also completed questionnaires, and their body weights were measured regularly over the next year. Participants consumed a mean 188 calories (±140) during the EAH test. Caloric intake during the EAH test was associated with hedonic hunger (p
Peculiarities of near-room-temperature thermal-emission measurements using FTIR spectroscopy

We investigated the impact of multi-source background emission on thermal-emission measurements using FTIR spectroscopy. We found that a backward-emitting background in the interferometer can lead to partial or total cancellation of the measured thermal emission.
Results of Percutaneous Balloon Compression in Trigeminal Pain Syndromes

Objective To investigate initial pain relief and subsequent recurrence after percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) and describe its association with the nature of trigeminal pain, previous procedures, or other clinical factors. Methods A total of 222 patients with medically refractory trigeminal pain treated with PBC at Mayo Clinic Florida between 1998 and 2017 were enrolled into this study. Patients were divided into those with typical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and those with atypical trigeminal pain. The postprocedural rate of pain recurrence and associations between patient characteristics and recurrence were studied. Results One hundred fifty-two patients had TN and 70 patients had atypical pain. At the last follow-up, 158 patients had excellent pain relief, 37 had good pain relief, 11 had fair pain relief, and 16 had poor pain relief. The median duration of follow-up was 31.1 months. Patients with atypical pain were less likely to have an excellent result compared with patients with typical pain (61.4% vs. 82.9%; P Conclusions Our study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of PBC, with 88% of patients pain-free at last follow-up. Patients with atypical pain have worse outcomes, and patients with previous procedures have a higher risk of recurrence. Repeat surgery does not decrease efficacy. We recommend conservative parameter selection at the initial procedure.
Shades of Green

A schism seems to be emerging between two camps: the dark greens and the bright greens. The dark green ENGOs seek radical social change to solve environmental problems, often by confronting corporations. The bright green ENGOs work within the present system, often in close alliance with corporations, to solve environmental problems. What many in the movement, and society as whole, fail to fully grasp is the extent to which the environmental movement is a complex and interconnected network, one that includes corporations as an integral part. The reality is that the network of the environmental movement in its relationship with corporations has formed in an organic and uncoordinated way, with many ENGOs challenging and competing with each other rather than working in a more concerted fashion. This dynamics seems particularly acute in Washington. But if we can look at this movement through a new lens – a network lens – we can begin to see ways in which to understand the diversity of ways in which corporations and ENGOs engage. By developing a clear “map” of the composite landscape of the environmental movement, NGO managers will be better able to consider their role and place within the overall network. And the corporate manager can better understand where and how they can access it. With this kind of imagery developed, more structured and effective coordination and collaboration becomes possible.
Frequentist Statistical Inference

Abstract The relative-frequency view of probability leads to statistical inferences using hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Parametric tests target inference on distribution parameters, whereas nonparametric tests may relate to any sample statistic of interest. Special problems arise for correlated data, and for multiple simultaneous inferences (“field significance”).
Childhood Sexual Abuse and Risk for Adult Psychopathology

The study of the prevalence, characteristics, and potential consequences of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has increased substantially since the 1970s. Earlier clinical and general population studies consistently found significant correlations between a history of CSA and adult psychological problems, but these studies lacked adequate methologies for determining if CSA caused adult problems. More recent studies have used prospective and multivariate designs in order to examine the effects of CSA on diagnosed adult phsychological disorders while controlling for other important variables, including early family environment factors. Results from these studies indicate that although CSA independently predicts the eoccurrence of ligetime psychological disorders in women and men, both the risk for CSA and the CSA–adult psychopahtology relationship is strongly influenced by aspects of the family environment. Also, it appears that more severe forms of CSA (e.g., involving intercourse) are most strongly related to risk for adult psychopathology. Future CSA research should include the use of standard definitions of CSA, the inclusion of more men, and designs that test how family environment and psychological responses to CSA interact to influence subsequent psychological outcomes.
Unexpected Inferior Vena Caval Thrombus

The patient was undergoing a routine left radical nephrectomy through an 11th rib flank approach. Preoperative CT revealed a 7-cm central solid renal mass without renal vein or nodal involvement. MRI confirmed the CT and the inferior vena cava (IVC) was normal without tumor involvement.
MODELING EDDY CURRENT CRACK SIGNALS OF DIFFERENTIAL AND REFLECTION PROBES

The efforts of past several years have resulted in development of an eddy current model [1–8], using the boundary element method (BEM). As of last year, the BEM algorithm based on the Hertz potential approach [1–3] was shown to be effective in dealing with complex part and probe geometry [4–6], and particularly in modeling crack signals [7–9]. Previously, the modeling capabilities were demonstrated mostly with absolute probes. This year, the focus has been shifted toward on crack signals of differential and reflection probes.
Peptidomimetic inhibitors of L-plastin reduce the resorptive activity of osteoclast but not the bone forming activity of osteoblasts in vitro

Sealing ring formation is a requirement for osteoclast function. We have recently identified the role of an actin-bundling protein L-plastin in the assembly of nascent sealing zones (NSZs) at the early phase of sealing ring formation in osteoclasts. TNF-α signaling regulates this actin assembly by the phosphorylation of L-plastin on serine -5 and -7 residues at the amino-terminal end. These NSZs function as a core for integrin localization and coordinating integrin signaling required for maturation into fully functional sealing rings. Our goal is to elucidate the essential function of L-plastin phosphorylation in actin bundling, a process required for NSZs formation. The present study was undertaken to determine whether targeting serine phosphorylation of cellular L-plastin would be the appropriate approach to attenuate the formation of NSZs. Our approach is to use TAT-fused small molecular weight amino-terminal L-plastin peptides (10 amino acids) containing phospho- Ser-5 and Ser-7. We used peptides unsubstituted (P1) and substituted (P2- P4) at serine-to-alanine residues. Immunoblotting, actin staining, and dentine resorption analyses were done to determine cellular L-plastin phosphorylation, NSZ or sealing ring formation, and osteoclast function, respectively. Immunoblotting for bone formation markers, Alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase activity assay have been done to determine the effect of peptides on the mineralization process mediated by osteoblasts. Transduction of unsubstituted (P1) and substituted peptides at either Serine 5 or Serine 7 with Alanine (P3 and P4) demonstrated variable inhibitory effects on the phosphorylation of cellular L-plastin protein. Peptide P1 reduces the following processes substantially: 1) cellular L-plastin phosphorylation; 2) formation of nascent sealing zones and sealing rings; 3) bone resorption. Substitution of both Serine-5 and -7 with Alanine (P2) had no effects on the inhibitory activities described above. Furthermore, either the L-plastin (P1-P5) or (P6) control peptides had a little or no impact on the a) assembly/disassembly of podosomes and migration of osteoclasts; b) mineralization process mediated by osteoblasts in vitro. Small molecular weight peptidomimetics of L-plastin inhibits bone resorption by osteoclasts via attenuation of NSZ and sealing ring formation but not bone formation by osteoblasts in vitro. The L-plastin may be a valuable therapeutic target to treat and prevent diseases associated with bone loss without affecting bone formation.
SIGIR Community Survey on Preprint Services

Recently, there has been a growing number of questions about the relationship between preprints and double-blind peer-review at the SIGIR conference. These questions come from authors who wish to post papers which are under review to preprint servers such as arXiv.org, as well as reviewers who become aware of author identities through such postings, and are subsequently, unsure of how to proceed in a double-blind review process. A review of current conference publication guidelines was conducted, along with a survey of SIGIR community members to gain insight about their behaviors, practices and opinions. The paper presents results of this survey, as well as recommendations about submission and review policies for the SIGIR conference.
Identifying natural and anthropogenic variability of uranium at the well scale, Homestake Superfund site, near Milan, New Mexico, USA

The San Mateo Creek Basin in New Mexico, USA is located within the Grants Mineral Belt-an area with numerous uranium (U) ore deposits, mines, and milling operations. Six monitoring wells set in an alluvial aquifer near the Homestake Mining Co. Superfund site in the lower San Mateo Creek Basin were logged with a suite of borehole geophysical tools including spectral gamma-ray (SGR), vertically profiled with passive samplers for U and selenium (Se) concentrations, and purged sampled for same constituents. The integrated approach allowed for an assessment on the role of heterogeneity (both physical and chemical) in determining U concentrations in groundwater. Uranium, as measured with SGR logging, is ubiquitous in the alluvial aquifer and the underlying Chinle Group. Aqueous U concentrations appear to be inversely related to thorium (Th) concentrations, as measured by the SGR log, indicating the possibility that U is bound in or adsorbed to clays in the aquifer. The stratigraphy of the alluvium likely plays a role in elevated concentrations of aqueous U. Interbedded clay and sand layers allow for the mobilization of U in oxic sandy layers from U adsorbed in sediments in reduced clay layers. The stratigraphy also plays a role in the degree of mixing of groundwater in the formation and well. Mixing can obscure the ability to identify U sources. Mixing is exacerbated by the relatively long screens (> 20 ft long or > 6.1 m) of the monitoring wells.
Quantifying the stratigraphic and spatial facies distribution in an ancient mixed-influence delta

Abstract Analysis of the sedimentology and stratigraphic architecture of tightly spaced three dimensional outcrops reveals that the Turonian (Upper Cretaceous) Wall Creek Member of the Frontier Formation in the western Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA, is not composed of one continuous coarsening upward succession but of a complex stacked delta system containing three distinct sequences (S1–S3), each with a unique facies distribution and architectural heterogeneity. The basal sequence S1 consists of a fluvial dominated delta with two distinct lobes. These lobes are spatially constrained to the northeastern study area and show a rapid facies transition from trough crossbedded mouthbar deposits to lower delta front turbidites. Low angle clinoforms suggest a low accommodation setting with main sediment transport to the south. The middle S2 sequence is common throughout the study area and contains an abundance of storm-derived deposits, including hummocky cross stratification, suggesting the transition to a wave and storm-dominated delta setting. Sediment transport is largely to the south controlled by wind induced shear stresses. Lastly, heterolithic trough crossbedded sandstones with flaser bedding and abundant thin mudstones and rip-up clasts are characteristic for sequence S3. These deposits are interpreted as tidal bars in a tidal influenced delta. Quantitative evaluation of facies in the Wall Creek Member sequences shows that the dimensions and connectivity (baffle or barrier competence) of fine-grained thin beds varies systematically within the three delta types. The S1 fluvial delta is largely composed of laterally continuous delta front turbidites with continuous fine-grained thin beds (mean length 21.1 m or 69.2 ft, max length 83.9 m or 275.2 ft) separating individual sandstone beds. Conversely, abundant bioturbation and intense scouring by storms results in high amalgamation of sandy beds in sequence S2 and a limited length of fine-grained thin beds (mean 8.5 m or 27.9 ft) in the wave-dominated delta sequence. Tidally influenced deposits of sequence S3 are largely composed of heterolithic trough crossbedded sandstones and mudstones with low bioturbation, resulting in intermediate length fine-grained thin bed deposits (mean 12.1m or 39.7 ft).
Integrated traditional and additive manufacturing production profitability model

Abstract Production decision-makers now have a choice of production technologies. Decision-makers are familiar with “Traditional Manufacturing” (TM) technologies. In favorable circumstances, emerging “Additive Manufacturing” (AM) technology now offers more flexibility to modify the manufacturing environment and improve production logistics efficiency to enhance profits over a production schedule. This paper presents research, process methodologies, and a practical approach to the profit-based economic decision-modelling for production planning in a manufacturing environment resourced with both TM and AM technologies. The research identifies a framework for production leaders and managers to implement efficiency measures while adapting or refining AM production in an existing TM production environment. The paper also outlines opportunities for future research toward the objective of optimizing production technology assignments within a mixed-resource manufacturing environment.
Fluoroscopy reduction during device implantation by using three‐dimensional navigation. A single‐center experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The use of nonfluoroscopic three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping (3DM) systems reduces radiation exposure during ablation procedures. In this study, we sought to determine the value of 3DM during routine device implant procedures. METHODS Seventy nonselected patients underwent implantation of a single chamber, dual chamber, or biventricular device guided by Ensite (Abbott Laboratories) to limit fluoroscopy use and compared with 70 consecutive patients, who underwent matching procedures with standard fluoroscopy use (FL) in the period immediately preceding the use of 3DM. The venous anatomy, right atrium, and ventricle and coronary sinus were mapped with 0.035 inch J-wire, quadripolar catheter, and/or angioplasty wire. The leads were advanced under real-time visualization in Ensite. RESULTS 3DM reduced both fluoroscopy time and dose. Median fluoroscopy time for FL vs 3DM was 5.5 minutes (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.8-8.1) vs 0.9 minutes (IQR: 0.6-1.9) (P < .001) for single chamber devices, 6.3 minutes (IQR: 5.1-7.9) vs 3.3 minutes (IQR: 1.9-4) (P < .001) for dual-chamber devices, and 28.6 minutes (IQR: 19.6-36.2) to 14.7 minutes (IQR: 10.4-22.3) (P = .009) for biventricular devices, respectively. The median air kerma for FL vs 3DM was 15.4 mGy (IQR: 8.1-30.2) vs 4 mGy (IQR: 1.8-8) (P < .001) for single chamber devices, 16 mGy (IQR: 12-18.5) to 9.4 mGy (IQR: 7.5-11.3) (P = .001) for dual-chamber devices, and 324 mGy (IQR: 143-668.7) to 115 mGy (IQR:77-204) (P = .014) for biventricular devices, respectively. There were no procedural complications. At 3-month follow-up, there was no difference in voltage threshold measurements between the groups. CONCLUSION The use of 3DM leads to significantly reduced fluoroscopy time and fluoroscopy dose during routine device implantation.