cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MR of the temporal bone.

MR imaging continues to make remarkable advances, often beyond our wildest dreams. As these advances occur, I am reminded continually of the importance of technology in determining how we practice medical imaging. It is obvious that most of the pertinent anatomy and diseases of the nervous system as well of those of the head and neck region primarily involve soft tissues. Only rarely do neurologic diseases emanate from bone; the major exception is diseases of the vertebral column that impinge on the spinal cord and nerve roots . Although some bony lesions occur in the head and neck, most diseases in this area arise in soft tissue, with the most common bony involvement being extension to bone of primary soft-tissue malignancies. Despite this overwhelming importance of the soft tissues , most of the history of imaging the nervous system and the head and neck is dominated by bone imaging. This has been determined by technology, not by biomedical need. The earliest "modern" imaging technique-X-rays-provides detailed information about bone and calcified tissues but reveals little about soft tissues. Even advances in X-ray technique, such as pluridirectional tomography, allowed us to see only bone and calcium better. Because the soft tissues of primary interest could not be imaged directly by using conventional X-ray techniques, a variety of manipulations of soft-tissue contrast were devised. Pneumoencephalography, angiography, and soft-tissue pneumography were efforts to change the radiodensity of the soft tissues or to insinuate air between soft-tissue structures and thereby outline their interfaces. Despite extensive time, effort, and radiologic sophistication , imaging of the nervous system and the head and neck was quite primitive until the 1970s. 17
232Th(n,γ) Cross Section from 2.6 to 800 keV

Neutron capture by isotopically purified 232Th was measured at the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator. The pulse-height weighting method was used with small liquid scintillators to measure the p...
Toward automated face detection in thermal and polarimetric thermal imagery

Visible spectrum face detection algorithms perform pretty reliably under controlled lighting conditions. However, variations in illumination and application of cosmetics can distort the features used by common face detectors, thereby degrade their detection performance. Thermal and polarimetric thermal facial imaging are relatively invariant to illumination and robust to the application of makeup, due to their measurement of emitted radiation instead of reflected light signals. The objective of this work is to evaluate a government off-the-shelf wavelet based naive-Bayes face detection algorithm and a commercial off-the-shelf Viola-Jones cascade face detection algorithm on face imagery acquired in different spectral bands. New classifiers were trained using the Viola-Jones cascade object detection framework with preprocessed facial imagery. Preprocessing using Difference of Gaussians (DoG) filtering reduces the modality gap between facial signatures across the different spectral bands, thus enabling more correlated histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) features to be extracted from the preprocessed thermal and visible face images. Since the availability of training data is much more limited in the thermal spectrum than in the visible spectrum, it is not feasible to train a robust multi-modal face detector using thermal imagery alone. A large training dataset was constituted with DoG filtered visible and thermal imagery, which was subsequently used to generate a custom trained Viola-Jones detector. A 40% increase in face detection rate was achieved on a testing dataset, as compared to the performance of a pre-trained/baseline face detector. Insights gained in this research are valuable in the development of more robust multi-modal face detectors.
The association between clinician-based common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) and patient-reported outcomes (PRO): a systematic review

Symptomatic adverse events (AEs) are monitored by clinicians as part of all US-based clinical trials in cancer via the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) for the purposes of ensuring patient safety. Recently, there has been a charge toward capturing the patient perspective for those AEs amenable to patient self-reporting via patient-reported outcomes (PRO). The aim of this review was to summarize the empirically reported association between analogous CTCAE and PRO ratings. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases through July 2015. From a total of 5658 articles retrieved, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria. Across studies, patients were of mixed cancer types, including anal, breast, cervical, chronic myeloid leukemia, endometrial, hematological, lung, ovarian, pelvic, pharyngeal, prostate, and rectal. Given this mixture, the AEs captured were variable, with many common across studies (e.g., dyspnea, fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, pain, vomiting), as well as several that were disease-specific (e.g., erectile dysfunction, hemoptysis). Overall, the quantified association between CTCAE and PRO ratings fell in the fair to moderate range and had a large variation across the majority of studies (n = 21). The range of measures used and symptoms captured varied greatly across the reviewed studies. Regardless of concordance metric employed, reported agreement between CTCAE and PRO ratings was moderate at best. To assist with reconciliation and interpretation of these differences toward ultimately improving patient care, an important next step is to explore approaches to integrate PROs with clinician reporting of AEs.
An Analysis of the Influence of Demographic Characteristics on Consumers’ Attitudes Toward Physicians Who Advertise Their Professional Services

This study revealed that both older and younger consumers generally favor physician advertising, although relatively few wished to see more advertising by physicians. Also, it was found that lower income consumers thought that physician advertising would be useful to inform potential patients about services and specialties while lower educated consumers were more receptive and believing toward physician advertisements.
Pathogenesis of Human Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Insights from the Rabbit Model

This work examines the pathogenesis of human pulmonary tuberculosis in all of its stages, with a primary focus on the rabbit model. Tuberculosis in the rabbit most closely resembles that found in humans, including caseous necrosis, liquefaction, and cavity formation with bronchial spread of the disease. Other animal models-mouse, guinea pig, and monkey-are compared with the rabbit and human models. Authored by a noted and experienced expert in the field, Pathogenesis of Human Pulmonary Tuberculosis reviews the interplay of the delayed-type hypersensitivity and cell-mediated immunity, clearly showing how both are needed to control the growth of the tubercle bacillus and how antibodies contribute to these cellular immune responses. The pathology and structure of tuberculous lesions are thoroughly investigated. Other significant topics discussed include the histochemistry of macrophage activation; the roles of various cytokines; the effects of glucocorticoids, estrogens, thyroid hormones, and irradiation on the disease; and principles of immunization against tuberculosis, including vaccine development. The final chapter describes many areas in which future research could contribute to our knowledge, treatment, and control of this disease. The text is complemented by high-quality illustrations of both human and rabbit disease. Pathogenesis of Human Pulmonary Tuberculosis updates and revises the ground-breaking work of Max B. Lurie, summarizing the combined 80 years of research by Drs. Lurie and Dannenberg. The book offers a comprehensive resource for clinicians, public health investigators, and laboratory researchers in tuberculosis and immunology. Electronic Only, 453 pages, illustrations, glossary, index.
Kinematics of Origami Structures with Smooth Folds

A kinematic model for origami with creased folds was presented in Chap. 2 and most existing models for origami also assume that folds are straight creases. However, such previous models are not intended for origami structures having non-negligible fold thickness or maximum fold curvature constraints based on material or structural limitations. In this chapter, we develop a model that captures the kinematic response of sheets having realistic folds of non-zero surface area and exhibiting higher-order geometric continuity, referred to as smooth folds. The geometry of smooth folds and the constraints on their associated kinematic variables are presented. We also address the implementation of the model in a computational environment and provide various representative examples.
NHPP models for categorized software defects: Research Articles

We develop NHPP models to characterize categorized event data, with application to modelling the discovery process for categorized software defects. Conditioning on the total number of defects, multivariate models are proposed for modelling the defects by type. A latent vector autoregressive structure is used to characterize dependencies among the different types. We show how Bayesian inference can be achieved via MCMC procedures, with a posterior prediction-based L-measure used for model selection. The results are illustrated for defects of different types found during the System Test phase of a large operating system software development project. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The lived experiences of college students with a learning disability and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The body of research concerning college students with disabilities is sparse relative to the percentage of disabled college students who attend college. Further, the majority of existing research fails to capture the student voice and the lived experiences of the students themselves. This dissertation explores the experiences of college students with learning disabilities (LD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), examines the experiences that are particularly formative in their development and self-awareness as learners, and considers the role of disability in how the students think of themselves as learners. Using a qualitative, phenomenological research framework, this study uses in-depth individual interviews to collect data from participants at multiple postsecondary institutions in the Midwest. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Four themes emerged as central to their experiences as college students: a) constructing and reframing knowledge about their disability, b) self-assessment through observation and comparing themselves to others, c) identifying allies and resources, and d) moving toward increased learner autonomy. This study provides numerous opportunities for future research related to the topic and findings. The findings from this study may also provide context and insights for both secondary and postsecondary institutions and parents or families of students with disabilities as well as the students themselves.
Biochar and manure amendments impact soil nutrients and microbial enzymatic activities in a semi-arid irrigated maize cropping system

Abstract To mitigate negative impacts on crop yield from water-saving limited irrigation, we tested the effect of two organic amendments on soil moisture and nutrients. In an experimental maize field in northern Colorado, we tilled in conventional steer manure (30 Mg ha−1) and fast-pyrolysis pine-wood biochar (30 Mg ha−1). We quantified impacts on gravimetric soil moisture, total carbon and nitrogen, mineral nitrogen, available phosphorus, microbial biomass, and seven extracellular enzymatic activities (EEAs). Compared to the control, manure amendments increased gravimetric soil moisture by approximately 15%, total nitrogen by 10%, available phosphorus by 45%, and microbial biomass carbon by 15% (p d -cellobiohydrolase, and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase and significantly decreased β-1,4-glucosidase and phosphatase activities (p
Endometrial Cancer Among Asian Americans

Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs. While the incidence rates of endometrial cancer in Asian Americans are lower relative to non-Hispanic whites, their rates are increasing steadily. Between 1990 and 2008, all Asian groups in the United States (USA) have experienced a statistically significant annual increase in endometrial cancer incidence. Migrant studies showed that US-born Asians had higher endometrial cancer incidence than among their Asian-born counterparts suggesting that environmental exposures in Asian Americans may explain these observed increases. In this chapter, we discuss the epidemiology of endometrial cancer including tumor characteristics, risk factors (lifestyle and genetics), and survivorship in Asian-American women.
Integrated photonics for MWP

We address microwave signal generation utilizing the heterogeneous photonic integration platform, highlight the benefits of such approach and show preliminary results from a heterogeneously integrated photonic microwave signal generator. We address in detail narrow-linewidth tunable lasers as one of key components.
Understanding Ephemeral State of Relevance

Despite its dynamic nature, relevance is often measured in a context-independent manner in information retrieval practice. We look into this discrepancy. We propose a contextual relevance/usefulness measurement called ephemeral state of relevance (ESR), which is defined as the amount of useful information a user acquired from a clicked result as assessed just after examining the result during an interactive search session. We collect ESR and context-independent usefulness judgments through a laboratory user study and compare the two. We examine factors related to both judgments and examine their differences. Our study demonstrates a few advantages of ESR: it captures users' real-time state of mind and perceptions; it measures how much useful information the user is able to acquire from a result rather than how much there is in the result; it better reflects users' needs and criteria of useful results during a session, highlighting novelty as a salient factor. However, we also find that users may not be able to correctly assess the credibility of information during a session, which may reduce the reliability of the collected ESR judgments. We evaluate ESR, context-independent usefulness judgments, and TREC-style topical relevance judgments by correlating with user experience in a session. The results demonstrate that switching the judgment criterion from topical relevance to usefulness is fruitful, but moving from context-independent judgments to contextual ones has only limited advantages with respect to its cost and complexity. Our study enriches current understanding on the dynamics of relevance in a search session and identifies both opportunities and challenges for collecting contextual relevance judgments.
Constructability Assessment Model for Commercial Building Designs in the United States

AbstractAt the early design stage of construction projects, designers often rely on rules of thumb to make critical decisions about the geometry, construction systems, and materials of their design...
Measures Matter: The Local Exposure/Isolation (LEx/Is) Metrics and Relationships between Local-Level Segregation and Breast Cancer Survival

Background: The Black-to-White disparity in breast cancer survival is increasing, and racial residential segregation is a potential driver for this trend. However, study findings have been mixed, and no study has comprehensively compared the effectiveness of different local-level segregation metrics in explaining cancer survival.Methods: We proposed a set of new local segregation metrics named local exposure and isolation (LEx/Is) and compared our new local isolation metric with two related metrics, the location quotient (LQ) and the index of concentration at extremes (ICE), across the 102 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. Then, using case data from the Milwaukee, WI, metropolitan area, we used proportional hazards models to explore associations between segregation and breast cancer survival.Results: Across the 102 metropolitan areas, the new local isolation metric was less skewed than the LQ or ICE. Across all races, Hispanic isolation was associated with poorer all-cause survival, and Hispanic LQ and Hispanic-White ICE were found to be associated with poorer survival for both breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. For Black patients, Black LQ was associated with lower all-cause mortality and Black local isolation was associated with reduced all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality. ICE was found to suffer from high multicollinearity.Conclusions: Local segregation is associated with breast cancer survival, but associations varied based on patient race and metric employed.Impact: We highlight how selection of a segregation measure can alter study findings. These relationships need to be validated in other geographic areas. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(4); 516-24. ©2017 AACRSee all the articles in this CEBP Focus section, "Geospatial Approaches to Cancer Control and Population Sciences."
Feature Based Machining Analysis and Cost Estimation for the Manufacture of Complex Geometries in Concurrent Engineering

This paper describes the feature based evaluation of product designs based on machinability and the estimation of costs. The concepts related to the designation of features in products is described. The differing modes of approach are examined for simple parts and parts with complex geometries. The methodologies for performing machining analysis and cost estimation are described.
Effect of pre-ozonation on nanofiltration membrane fouling during water reuse applications

Abstract The selection of appropriate purification technologies for the potable reuse of municipal wastewater effluent is an important component of water resource management. In this study, a fully automated high-pressure bench-scale membrane system was used to investigate the impact of pre-ozonation of wastewater effluent on nanofiltration (NF) fouling during reuse applications. A commercial polyamide NF membrane was employed to evaluate the impact of pre-ozonation on fouling and determine an effective specific ozone dose. The results indicated that pre-ozonation of sequencing batch reactor membrane bioreactor (SBMBR) effluent with a relatively low specific ozone dose (0.2 mg O3/mg DOC) could effectively mitigate a significant portion of fouling on the membrane compared to filtration without pre-ozonation. However, increasing the specific ozone dose to 0.4 mg O3/mg DOC did not provide a significant additional benefit. The dissolved organic carbon removal performance of the NF membrane did not show a substantial change when pre-ozonation was applied and remained relatively constant which may be due to the relatively low applied specific ozone dose. Organic fouling was suspected to be the main fouling mechanism during SBMBR filtration with NF membrane.
Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detector Technologies for Particle Identification in the Electron-Ion Collider Experiments

In the proposed Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) experiments, particle identification (PID) of the final state hadrons in the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering allows the measurement of flavor-de...
Haematometrocolpos and acute pelvic pain associated with cyclic uterine bleeding: OHVIRA syndrome

Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis syndrome is a complex urogenital malformation usually presenting with obstructed menses and pelvic pain during female adolescence. The diagnosis can be established preoperatively with relative certainty by MRI or ultrasonography, and outcomes are usually satisfactory following surgical resection of the septal portion of the obstructed hemivagina. Such cases are best managed in referral centres with expertise in anatomical disorders of the female genital tract.
Observation of a structural gradient in Winsor-III microemulsion systems

We demonstrate here for the first time via small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) that the middle, bicontinuous microemulsion (BμE) phase of Winsor-III systems undergoes a gradual change of structure and composition in the vertical direction, contrary to the commonly held belief of uniform structure and composition. A vertical stage was deployed to enable precise alignment of a custom-designed rectangular cell containing the WIII system with respect to the neutron beam, allowing for several different vertical positions to be analyzed. For the water/AOT/CK-2,13 (two-tailed alkyl ethoxylate containing a 1,3-dioxolane linkage)/heptane Winsor-III system, the quasi-periodic repeat distance (d) and correlation length (ξ), obtained from the Teubner–Strey model applied to the SANS data, decreased and the surface area per volume of the surfactant monolayer (via Porod analysis) increased in the downward direction, trends that reflect an increase of surfactant concentration, consistent with the ultralow interfacial tension that often occurs for the lower liquid–liquid interface of many WIII systems. The water/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/1-pentanol/dodecane system shared the same trend with regard to d as observed for AOT/CK-2,13. In contrast, for SDS/pentanol, ξ increased and the amphiphilicity factor (fa) decreased in the downward direction, trends consistent with a decrease of cosurfactant (pentanol) concentration in the downward direction. Non-uniformity in the vertical direction has implications in the transport of solutes between WIII phases during the extractive purification of proteins or the removal of heavy metals and pollutants from wastewater, or the deposition of BμEs onto hydrophilic vs. hydrophobic surfaces as thin coatings.
A Citizen Court in the Recombinant DNA debate.

Where does the balance lie between freedom of inquiry and the public's role in science policy? An unprecedented interaction took place in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Der innere, Aufbau der Sekundärwandschichten pflanzlicher Zellwände

Nach vollendetem Strechungswachstum werden die Zellwande durch Anlagerung neuen Wandbaustoffs verstarkt. Die Verdickung geschicht in mehreren Schichten, namlich den wahren des. Tages abgelagerten Zelluloselamellen und den nachts entstehenden Zwischenschichten. Die Zelluloselamelie besteht aus einzelnen Fibrillen. Durch vorsichtige Aufquellung freigelegter Zelluloselanmellen von Baumwollbaaren konnte gezeigt werden, das die Fibrillen aus reihenformig angeordneten Bausteinen aufgebaut sind. Auf photographischen Aufnahmen in ultraviolettem Licht knnnte die. Longe dieser Bausterine oder Micellarpakete zur 0,25 μ bei 0,2 μ Breite ausgemessen werden.
Problems in Capital Budgeting and the 'Discounted Payback Plus' Solution

Capital budgeting techniques that use discounted cash flow analysis are widely recommended in the financial literature and frequently used by business. However, there is accumulating evidence that companies are reluctant to commit funds to long-term projects. The most likely explanation is that actual experience has resulted in disappointing returns, often below a company's cost of capital. No capital budgeting technique currently in use applies probabilities to future inflow estimates, to adjust the financial analysis to previous experience with the requesting business unit. The 'discounted payback plus' technique recommended in this paper may be a reasonable alternative approach to the analysis of a capital budgeting project, yielding more conservative results based on the expected value of cash inflows beyond the point of payback.
Trigger warnings as an interpersonal emotion-regulation tool: Avoidance, attention, and affect depend on beliefs

Abstract Trigger warnings-warnings of anticipated negative affect in response to distressing content-are increasingly common and debated, but no empirical research has tested their effects on anticipated affect, emotion-regulation behavior, or experienced affect. The present research explores trigger warnings as an interpersonal emotion-regulation strategy, introducing a temporal dimension to interpersonal emotion-regulation by regulating others' future, anticipated emotions. In a descriptive survey, Study 1 demonstrated that anticipated anxiety for warned-of content predicts intentions to avoid information. Furthermore, beliefs about trigger warnings as protective (versus coddling) best predicted anticipated anxiety for warned-of content and subsequent intentions to avoid. In Study 2, participants had higher anticipated negative affect for videos with trigger warnings, compared to those without, and this mediated increased avoidance for warned-of videos. In Study 3, trigger warnings preceding essays increased anticipated negative affect and attentional-regulation strategies, but reduced experiences of negative affect. Across studies, believing that trigger warnings are protective (versus coddling) increased their effect on anticipated negative affect, but weakened their effect on experienced negative affect. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Domesticated Proboscidea parviflora: a potential oilseed crop for arid lands

Wild and domesticated Proboscidea parviflora were evaluated as oilseed crops for arid lands through chemical and biological analyses. Domesticated plants grown in the Sonoran desert bore seed containing 35–40 per cent oil and 23–27 per cent protein. Yield per ha was estimated at 1000 kg of oil and 675 kg of protein, quantities which compare favourably with other crops. An ephemeral life cycle and certain characteristics of the fruit and seed allow this plant to grow in xeric habitats unsuitable for many other plants. Several Proboscidea species hybridize with P. parviflora and could be used in future crop breeding. Rapid germination and higher oil and protein content of seed make the domesticated P. parviflora superior to the wild form as a crop. Domesticated P. parviflora thus shows promise as an oilseed crop for the Sonoran Desert and possibly for other arid regions.
Usefulness of Malignancy as a Predictor of WorseIn-Hospital Outcomes in Patients With Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy often associated with physical or emotional stress. Association with cancer has been reported, however, in-hospital outcomes in TC patients with history of malignancy have not been fully characterized. We conducted a retrospective chart review of hospitalized patients with diagnosis of TC between January 2006 and January 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the previous history of malignancy. Presenting symptoms, cardiac imaging and short-term events including in-hospital complications and mortality, were compared. Of 318 patients with TC, 81 (25.4%) had a previous diagnosis of cancer. Mean age was 67.5 (SD 12.6), 151 (47.5%) were African American, 122 (38.4%) Caucasian, and 10 (3.1%) of other ethnicities. Patients with history of malignancy were older (70.0 [SD 10.6] vs 66.6 [SD 13.1] years, p = 0.03), had higher heart rate on presentation (93 [SD 19] vs 87 [SD 25] beats/minute, p = 0.03), higher prevalence of severely decreased cardiac function (left ventricular ejection fraction
Intraarticular Glucocorticoid Injection as Second-line Treatment for Lyme Arthritis in Children

Objective. To determine whether second-line intraarticular glucocorticoid (IAGC) injection improves outcomes in children with persistently active Lyme arthritis after initial antibiotics. Methods. We conducted an observational comparative effectiveness study through chart review within 3 pediatric rheumatology centers with distinct clinical approaches to second-line treatment of Lyme arthritis. We primarily compared children receiving second-line IAGC to children receiving a second course of antibiotics alone. We evaluated the risk of developing antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis (ARLA) using logistic regression and the time to clinical resolution of Lyme arthritis using Cox regression. Results. Of 112 children with persistently active Lyme arthritis after first-line antibiotics, 18 children received second-line IAGC (13 with concomitant oral antibiotics). Compared to children receiving second-line oral antibiotics alone, children treated with IAGC had similar baseline characteristics but lower rates of ARLA (17% vs 44%; OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.95; p = 0.04) and faster rates of clinical resolution (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–3.9; p = 0.01). Children in IAGC and oral antibiotic cohorts did not differ in treatment-associated adverse events. Among children receiving second-line IAGC, outcomes appeared similar irrespective of use of concomitant antibiotics. Outcomes were also similar between intravenous (IV) and oral antibiotic-treated cohorts, but older children seemed to respond more favorably to IV therapy. IV antibiotics were also associated with higher rates of toxicity. Conclusion. IAGC injection appears to be an effective and safe second-line strategy for persistent Lyme arthritis in children, associated with rapid clinical resolution and reduced need for additional treatment.
Behavioral and magnetoencephalographic correlates of plasticity in the adult human brain

Recent behavioral and physiological evidence suggests that even brief sensory deprivation can lead to the rapid emergence of new and functionally effective neural connections in the adult human brain.
Is Transdermal Multivitamin Patch Effective in Gastric Bypass Patients

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) patients are recommended to take multiple oral vitamin supplements daily. Transdermal multivitamin patches are being advertised as an alternative for use in bariatric patients with no data to support their efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate response to daily transdermal use of multivitamin patch after LRYGB and to compare them with a control group of similar patients who used oral supplements. A retrospective review was carried out on patients who had LRYGB at a community hospital from February 2015 to February 2019. Patients who had completed preoperative and annual postoperative bariatric laboratory tests were included. They were divided into patch and pill (control) group. Seventeen patients were included in the patch and 27 in the pill group. Patients in each group used either patch or pills for 12 months and they were 1 year post LRYGB. Fourteen patients (82.35%) in patch group and 11 patients (40.74%) in pill group had at least 1 deficiency at annual postoperative blood work (P = .0116). Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 81% patients in patch group vs 36% in the pill group (P = .0092). Statistically significant lower postoperative serum concentrations of vitamin D, B1, and B12 were seen in the patch group. Multivitamin patch users are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency and lower serum concentration of various vitamins and minerals. Future large studies are needed on the efficacy of multivitamin patches before they can be recommended to bariatric patient population.
A 60 GS/s 8-b DAC with > 29.5dB SINAD up to Nyquist frequency in 7nm FinFET CMOS

CMOS FinFET is a leading technology choice for state-of-the-art DSP ASICs, where achieving a high signal to noise and distortion ratio (SINAD) in the transmitter DAC becomes one of the analog design challenges. This paper presents a 60 GS/s 8-b DAC in 7nm FinFET CMOS with SINAD close to 30 dB up to the Nyquist frequency.
3DIGARS-PSP: A Novel Statistical Energy Function and Effective Conformational Search Strategy based ab initio Protein Structure Prediction

To solve protein structure prediction (PSP) problems computationally, a plethora of template-based methods exist. However, there are very few ab initio models for PSP. Template-based modeling relies on the existing structures and therefore is not effective for non-homologous sequence-based structure prediction. Thus, ab initio modeling is indispensable in such cases, even though it is a challenging optimization problem. To cope, we utilize an effective energy function (called 3DIGARS) and an advanced search algorithm (called KGA) based ab initio PSP, called 3DIGARS-PSP. To address critical search, the proposed genetic algorithm deploys two effective operators: angle rotation and segment translation. Further, propensities of torsion angle and secondary structure distribution have been utilized to guide the conformation search. Crucial features, such as sequence-specific accessibility, hydrophobic-hydrophilic properties and torsion angles of protein residues are mined to formulate an optimized energy function, which is then combined with the advanced sampling algorithm to explore critical conformational space. Consequently, 3DIGARS-PSP performed well compared to the state-of-the-art method for a set of low TMscore models from CASP data.
Microstructure/mechanical property relationships for various thermal treatments of Al-Cu-Mg-X PM aluminum alloys

The thermal response and aging behavior of three 2XXX-series powder metallurgy aluminum alloys have been investigated, using Rockwell B hardness measurements, optical and electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive chemical analysis, in order to correlate microstructure with measured mechanical properties. Results of the thermal response study indicated that an increased solution heat treatment temperature was effective in resolutionizing large primary constituents in the alloy bearing more copper but had no apparent effect on the microconstituents of the other two. Aging studies conducted at room temperature and at 120, 150, and 180 C for times ranging up to 60 days indicated that classic aging response curves, as determined by hardness measurements, occurred at lower aging temperatures than were previously studied for these alloys, as well as at lower aging temperatures than are commonly used for ingot metallurgy alloys of similar compositions. Microstructural examination and fracture surface analysis of peak-aged tension specimens indicated that the highest tensile strengths are associated with extremely fine and homogeneous distributions of theta-prime or S-prime phases combined with low levels of both large constituent particles and dispersoids. Examination of the results suggest that refined solution heat treatments and lower aging temperatures may be necessary to achieve optimum mechanical properties for these 2XXX series alloys.
Sustained Activation of AMPK Enhances Differentiation of Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes via Sirtuin Activation

Recent studies suggest that metabolic regulation may improve differentiation of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master regulator of metabolic activities. We investigated whether AMPK participates in iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte differentiation. We observed that AMPK phosphorylation at Thr172 increased at day 9 but then decreased after day 11 of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of AMPK with compound C significantly reduced mRNA and protein expression of cardiac troponins TNNT2 and TNNI3. Moreover, sustained AMPK activation using AICAR from days 9 to 14 of differentiation increased mRNA and protein expression of both TNNT2 and TNNI3. AICAR decreased acetylation of histone 3 at Lys9 and 56 and histone 4 at Lys16 (known target sites for nuclear-localized sirtuins [SIRT1, SIRT6]), suggesting that AMPK activation enhances sirtuin activity. Sustained AMPK activation during days 9-14 of differentiation induces sirtuin-mediated histone deacetylation and may enhance cardiomyocyte differentiation from iPSCs.
A guarded light pipe for direct visualization during primary scleral buckling on the Ngenuity platform.

Visualization during scleral buckling is traditionally achieved via indirect ophthalmoscopy. Recent advances have utilized the surgical microscope and a 25 gauge cannula-based endoillumination system, also known as a Chandelier lighting system. This report details an improved approach using a guarded 25 or 27 gauge light pipe and the Ngenuity digital three dimensional platform. A standard Alcon light pipe is modified with a silicone guard to expose only 5 mm of the tip of the light pipe. The guard is created from the silicone that is already opened to secure the ends of the encircling band most often employed sleeve (e.g. 70, 270). This guarded light pipe is then inserted into the cannula as an alternative to a Chandelier lighting system. This is a technical report of a surgical visualization technique using a three dimensional digital visualization platform with a modified handheld vitrectomy light pipe. The utilization of a guarded light pipe for visualization during primary scleral buckling is a promising, effective, and efficient technique. The three dimensional digital display allows for better educational impact and surgical communication with trainees and ancillary members of the surgical team.
Pregnant Violence in Post-3.11 Fiction

This essay explores the violence and the threat of violence associated with pregnancy in Japanese fiction after the triple disasters—the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown—of March 11, 2011. There is hardly a female character in this fiction that is not confronted with questions about pregnancy and childbirth. The queries are surely motivated by genuine concern about the humans involved, but they are just as often about control, about a woman’s body as a public item, about responsibility to the child, and then to society at large. Childbearing in a disaster zone is profoundly anxiety-producing; but it is also worth examining how quickly childbirth, and then women’s bodies, become at times metaphor and at times synecdoche, for the trauma and fears of the entire society, in these works. In this article I consider Sono Shion’s Kibō no kuni , Kanehara Hitomi’s Motazaru mono , Taguchi Randi’s Zōn ni te , Kimura Yūsuke’s Seichi Cs , and Furukawa Hideo’s Uma tachi yo, sore demo muku de .
Prenatal Depression Severity and Postpartum Care Utilization in a Medicaid Population

Background: Postpartum visits are a necessary continuum of medical care for women who are diagnosed with depression during pregnancy. However, postpartum care utilization is typically lower in popu...
Does Reasoning Matter? The Impact of Opinion Content on Supreme Court Legitimacy

Is Supreme Court legitimacy affected by the way justices explain their decisions to the public? Existing work shows a link between legitimacy and case outcomes, but overlooks the impact of opinion content. Using an experimental design, I measure the effect of three different types of arguments on public support for the Court. The results suggest that the rationales used by justices in their opinions can affect institutional legitimacy, but to a lesser degree than conventional wisdom suggests. Implications of these findings are discussed and areas in need of follow-up work are identified.
Maculopathy caused by pentosan polysulfate.

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder disorder causing pelvic pain and urinary frequency or urgency, with an estimated prevalence of 2.7%–6.5% among adult women.[1][1] Pentosan polysulfate may buffer the bladder epithelium against irritants and is the only oral medication approved by Health
Towards Verifying SHA256 in OpenSSL with the Software Analysis Workbench

The Software Analysis Workbench (SAW) is a verification tool that has shown promise in verifying cryptographic implementations in C and Java as evidenced by the verification of Amazon’s s2n HMAC. That result uses an idealized abstraction for SHA256 to simplify the proof obligations. The OpenSSL SHA256 implementation supported by s2n presents verification problems for SAW because some functions do not complete SAW’s symbolic execution or verification in the backend Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) solvers. Fortunately, SAW provides a compositional framework to reduce the proof complexity, replacing function calls with overrides which are nothing more than contracts stating the input to output relation of the functions. This paper illustrates the SAW compositional framework applied to the OpenSSL SHA256 implementation. It shows a refactoring of the implementation that manages symbolic variables to work with the symbolic execution engine and lends itself to overrides while preserving its connection to the original source. Early results suggest the approach effective in applying SAW to legacy cryptographic implementations that are critical to the security of almost all existing applications.
Prevalence and outcomes of sepsis in HIV versus non-HIV patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A nationwide analysis.

e19567Background: With the advent combined anti-retroviral therapy (ART), the survival of people living with HIV has improved, thereby increasing their prevalence, while concurrently decreasing the...
Health monitoring of steel box girder bridges using non-contact sensors

Abstract This study investigates the behavior of simple and continuous span steel box girder bridges after various damage scenarios, including bracing failure and girder fracture, and develops a non-contact bridge health monitoring technique based on the bridge dynamic responses. A series of field tests were conducted to study the feasibility of using non-contact sensors to capture the bridge dynamic responses. Moreover, detailed finite element models of the bridges were developed and validated using the field test and available experimental test results and were used to investigate the bridge failure mechanisms, maximum load-carrying capacity, alternative load paths, and dynamic responses. The bridge dynamic analysis after damage showed that bridge frequencies are sufficiently sensitive for identifying partial or full-depth girder fracture in the simple span bridges. However, these significant damages may cause very small changes in the natural frequencies of continuous span bridges. The results show a significant change in the mode shapes after damage in both simple and continuous span bridges. The mode shapes are sensitive enough to detect damage at the inflicted locations, in most cases with better resolution when compared to the frequency changes. The comparison of the intact and damaged bridge mode shapes indicates that damage at different locations along the bridge has different amplitude changes in the mode shape that could be used to localize the damage. Moreover, the analyses show that either the individual modal sensitivities or combined sensitivities are indicative for most locations throughout the span. The results also indicate a clear pattern of changes in the frequency and mode shape for each damage scenario that can be used to detect the damage type, severity, and location along the bridge.
Automatic Domain Model Migration to Manage Metamodel Evolution

Metamodel evolution is a significant problem in domain specific software development for several reasons. Domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) are likely to evolve much more frequently than programming languages and commonly used software formalisms, often resulting in a large number of valuable instance models that are no longer compliant with the metamodel. In this paper, we present the Model Change Language (MCL), aimed at satisfying these requirements.
Teaching fundamental business concepts to computer science and information technology students through enterprise resource planning and a simulation game

This paper details the development of an elective undergraduate course Fundamentals of Business IS which presents fundamental business concepts to Computer Science and Information Technology students. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and an ERP simulation game is used to build student interest and illustrate class concepts. While the concepts covered in this course may be common in Information Systems programs (typically spread among several courses) such content is atypical in Computer Science and Information Technology instruction. The creation of a single course that brings together relevant material and presents it to students in the manner described here has proven extremely effective in early application. The use of ERP simulation is particularly relevant as it uses a familiar environment and an exciting presentation method to bridge the gap between computing and business application. The course development process, background, and implementation details are presented in this paper.
Flow visualization of heated CO2 gas using thermal imaging

Walk-through portal detection systems are being developed to screen passengers for the presence of explosives in support of homeland security. These portals utilize a series of air-jets to remove the explosive particles for detection using ion mobility spectrometry. In this work, we describe the use of a thermal imager to visualize the flow from the nozzles with heated, pure CO 2 gas for enhanced emission. The thermal imaging is performed using an LN 2 -cooled, InSb focal-plane array with a germanium lens. Since CO 2 gas at 300 K has a strong absorption centered at 4.3 μm which is isolated from other absorbing gases, a spectral filter centered at 4.4425 μm with a full-width half maximum bandwidth of 0.18 μm was used to detect the CO 2 emission. To increase the radiance from the gas, pure, heated CO 2 was ejected from the nozzle. The concentration of CO 2 in standard atmosphere is < 0.05 %, and thus the atmosphere is effectively transparent under laboratory conditions. As the temperature of the CO 2 is increased above room temperature, the emission increases according to Planck radiance law and also broadens to longer wavelengths, thus enhancing the collected signals. The thermal images were corrected for both spatial uniformity of responsivity and detector linearity with constant and variable-integration times using a large-area variable-temperature blackbody with known emissivity and temperatures. The correction algorithm using the blackbody at many different temperatures will be described. Corrected, thermal videos under both laminar and turbulent flow conditions are shown. Fine details such as residual CO 2 swirls cooled slightly below the ambient background are visible because of improved non-uniformity correction enabled by a differential imaging extension of the algorithm.
Second order statistics based blind channel equalization with correlated sources

In this paper the blind equalization method of Tong, Xu and Kailath, which was derived under the assumption of a white transmitted sequence, is generalized in order to include correlated sources. The resulting algorithm can be applied to arbitrarily colored sources, assuming that the source second-order statistics are known. Because it makes explicit use of this information, the new algorithm is expected to outperform subspace based methods which neither require nor exploit such knowledge. This is verified via simulations.