cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel technique for effectively determining SiGe film growth rates

SiGe BiCMOS is forecasted to become the technology of choice to address the exploding wireless telecommunications market. Introduction of small amounts of Ge in the base of a bipolar transistor results in significant improvements in all major figures-of-merit. As well as Ge concentration and doping level control in the base region, it is very important to develop an effective way to control the growth rate in the same region. In this paper, we report a novel epitaxial growth technique for determining blanket SiGe epitaxy film growth. An ASM Epsilon/spl trade/ 2000 single wafer epitaxy reactor is used for this study. This technique is proven to be fast reliable and cost effective. We also discuss the differences between SiGe films and Si films. The benefits of growing an intrinsic "seed layer" and the substrate effect on the seed layer are also discussed.
To Understand Coral Disease, Look at Coral Cells

Diseases threaten corals globally, but 40 years on their causes remain mostly unknown. We hypothesize that inconsistent application of a complete diagnostic approach to coral disease has contributed to this slow progress. We quantified methods used to investigate coral disease in 492 papers published between 1965 and 2013. Field surveys were used in 65% of the papers, followed by biodetection (43%), laboratory trials (20%), microscopic pathology (21%), and field trials (9%). Of the microscopic pathology efforts, 57% involved standard histopathology at the light microscopic level (12% of the total investigations), with the remainder dedicated to electron or fluorescence microscopy. Most (74%) biodetection efforts focused on culture or molecular characterization of bacteria or fungi from corals. Molecular and immunological tools have been used to incriminate infectious agents (mainly bacteria) as the cause of coral diseases without relating the agent to specific changes in cell and tissue pathology. Of 19 papers that declared an infectious agent as a cause of disease in corals, only one (5%) used microscopic pathology, and none fulfilled all of the criteria required to satisfy Koch’s postulates as applied to animal diseases currently. Vertebrate diseases of skin and mucosal surfaces present challenges similar to corals when trying to identify a pathogen from a vast array of environmental microbes, and diagnostic approaches regularly used in these cases might provide a model for investigating coral diseases. We hope this review will encourage specialists of disease in domestic animals, wildlife, fish, shellfish, and humans to contribute to the emerging field of coral disease.
Anatomical defects in a case of trisomy 13 with a D/D translocation

Gross morphological defects and variations in a cytogenetically confirmed case of trisomy 13 with t (D/D) are described comprehensively for the first time. The subject, a female neonate, exhibited the following clinical features: microcephaly, sloping forehead, coloboma of the iris, bilateral cleft lip and palate, short neck, and postaxial extra digits on hands and feet. Visceral anomalies included: dextrocardia; hypertrophied right ventricle; common atrium; hypertrophied sinus venosus; persistent left superior vena cava; a large, patent ductus arteriosus interventricular septal defect; Meckel diverticulum; common mesentary; omphalocele; accessory renal arteries and veins; bicornuate uterus; bilateral agenesis of the olfactory bulb; partial holoprosencephaly; and the ulnar nerve passed anterior to the medial epicondyle, bilaterally. Supernumerary muscles included: pectorodorsalis ("achselbogen"); chondroepitrochlearis; sternochondroscapularis; accessory heads of biceps brachii; and radiocarpus. The following muscles were absent: stylohyoideus; pectoralis minor (left); subclavius; palmaris longus and brevis; plantaris; and peroneus tertius. The following muscles exhibited unusual variations: digastricus; mylohyoideus; pectoralis major; and extensor indicis. These findings are compared and contrasted with those recently reported in primary trisomy 13 and 18 and with a case of trisomy 13 with a D/G translocation.
Architectural niche organization by LHX2 is linked to hair follicle stem cell function.

In adult skin, self-renewing, undifferentiated hair follicle stem cells (HF-SCs) reside within a specialized niche, where they spend prolonged times as a single layer of polarized, quiescent epithelial cells. When sufficient activating signals accumulate, HF-SCs become mobilized to fuel tissue regeneration and hair growth. Here, we show that architectural organization of the HF-SC niche by transcription factor LHX2 plays a critical role in HF-SC behavior. Using genome-wide chromatin and transcriptional profiling of HF-SCs in vivo, we show that LHX2 directly transactivates genes that orchestrate cytoskeletal dynamics and adhesion. Conditional ablation of LHX2 results in gross cellular disorganization and HF-SC polarization within the niche. LHX2 loss leads to a failure to maintain HF-SC quiescence and hair anchoring, as well as progressive transformation of the niche into a sebaceous gland. These findings suggest that niche organization underlies the requirement for LHX2 in hair follicle structure and function.
Allothrombium mitchelli (Acari: Trombidiidae) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Incidence, Seasonality, and Predation on Beech Scale (Homoptera: Eriococcidae)

Abstract American beech gaps in the southern Appalachian mountains are currently threatened by an insect-mediated disease complex known as beech bark disease. Cryptococcus fagisuga Lindinger, or beech scale, a major component of beech bark disease, wounds trees through feeding on vascular tissue through the outer cambium. This feeding method leaves numerous wounds and provides entryways for infection by fungal pathogens. Allothrombium mitchelli Davis, a large red velvet mite, was found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where it was observed to feed on beech scale. First-instar larvae of A. mitchelli are quiescent, and deutonymphs are the only mobile immature stage. A. mitchelli probably has one generation per year with adult population peaks in late spring and early fall; deutonymph populations also peaked in early fall within the areas studied. Both adults and deutonymphs feed on beech scale. In 1996, mites were found on 22.1% of beech trees (n = 453) in selected plots; incidence was greatest a...
What Supports the Marie Byrd Land Dome? An Evaluation of Potential Uplift Mechanisms in a Continental Rift System

Volcanism in the Marie Byrd Land (MBL) volcanic province is related to the growth of an 1200 × 500 km structural dome that lies on the Amundsen Sea coast. Spatial and temporal patterns of volcanic activity suggest that dome uplift began around 29–25 Ma and has continued to the present. Uplift has been accompanied by sometimes voluminous basaltic and felsic volcanism and the development of horst and graben structure, with a maximum of ∼3 km of uplift. Estimates of crustal thickness, based on models of gravity data and surface wave dispersion studies, have not resolved questions about the origin of uplift. Mantle plume activity has been proposed; but more detailed tomographic imaging of the mantle, together with seismic determinations of crustal thickness, and the thickness and distribution of sub-ice volcanic rock, are needed to test this, and to answer other petrologic and tectonic questions discussed below.
Towards Robot Moderators: Understanding Goal-Directed Multi-Party Interactions.

Introduction Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) is a growing field dedicated to developing models and algorithms that enable robots to help people achieve goals through social interaction (?). Prior work in this field has focused on one-on-one interactions, but there is interest in extending this work to multi-party interactions. We contribute to the study of multiparty SAR by defining the role of moderator, an agent that is responsible for directing an interaction, but is not necessarily directly participating in the task. We present a computational formalization of the task of moderation as the process by which a goal-directed multi-party interaction is regulated via manipulation of interaction resources, including both physical resources, such as an object or a tool, and social resources, such as the conversational floor or participants’ attention. Finally, we present preliminary results of an analysis of self-moderated multi-party human-human interaction that support several of the underlying assumptions of this formalization.
Blends of Dissimilar Rubbers—Cure-Rate Incompatibility

Abstract The mechanical properties of a vulcanizate of a blend which comprises both a high-diene rubber such as NR and an ozone-resisting concentration (at least 30 to 40 wt.% of the polymers) of EPDM can be greatly improved if the EPDM is chemically modified by the action of maleic anhydride. The effect of the EPDM modification of the vulcanizate properties is to give increased tensile strength, improved fatigue resistance, and reduced hysteresis and set. The excellent ozone resistance which results from the presence of about 30 to 40% unmodified EPDM is also obtained when the modified EPDM is used. Good results are obtained when only 1 to 2% (as a wt.% of EPDM) of maleic anhydride is used in the modification of the EPDM. Good results are obtained when only part of the EPDM is modified by the action of maleic anhydride. However, best results are obtained when all of the EPDM is treated with maleic anhydride. The ozone-resisting effect provided by the incorporation of a para-phenylenediamine antidegradant...
Points the Way: Family Life Education in School and Community

(1953). Points the Way: Family Life Education in School and Community. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 219-220.
Characterization of Serum Complement Activity in Three Species of Crocodilians from Southeast Mexico

Aims: To characterize the serum complement innate immune system in three species of crocodilians native to southeast Mexico. Methodology: Plasma collected from three wild crocodilian species native to southeast Mexico were exposed to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) to measure hemolysis, which is used as an indication of serum complement immune activity. Results: Incubation of different volumes of plasma from Crocodylus acutus, Crocodylus moreletii, and Caiman crocodilus resulted in a volume-dependent increase in SRBC hemolysis. However, while maximum hemolysis for C. acutus and C. moreletii were both approximately five-fold higher than that of Ca. crocodilus. A kinetic study revealed that the hemolysis was rapid, with near-maximum activity recorded at 30 min for C. acutus and C. moreletii. However, Ca. crocodilus activity exhibited a significant increase (P<.5) only between one and two hours. A thermal analysis showed that the SRBC hemolysis was maximal at temperatures to which these species thermoregulate. The thermal profiles were similar for all three species, although the activity was lower for Ca. crocodilus Original Research Article International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review, 4(4): 295-305, 2014 296 (P<.01). The SRBC hemolysis was strongly inhibited by mild heat treatment (56°C,30 min) and also by EDTA, indicating that the hemolytic activity was probably due to the presence of crocodilian serum complement activity. The EDTA-inhibited activity was restored by the addition, of a 20mM excess of Caor Mg, but not FeorCu, thus exhibiting the specific need for CaorMg. Conclusions: The serum complement activities of C. acutus and C. moreletii are much higher (P<.01) than Ca. crocodilus, which may be related to the maximum sizes and increased aggressive natures of C. acutus and C. moreletii.
Effectiveness and Flight of Small Insects

Force-generation mechanics of bristle-winged insects in flight are examined in terms of effectiveness. A means of generating useful sustaining and propelling forces through a differential drag scheme based on varying stroke velocities is hypothesized and examined by mathematical and experimental modeling. It is shown that a reasonable level of effectiveness may be generated by the proposed variable velocity stroke.
FDTD study of current distributions in frequency selective surfaces in the infrared

Frequency selective surfaces (FSS) are periodic arrays of apertures in a conducting sheet or conducting patches on a dielectric substrate. Such structures have been used at microwave wavelengths for many years to selectively reflect or transmit a desired range or band of frequencies. As technology progresses, these structures are finding more and more applications in infrared and optical wavelengths.
The improvement of determination method for tin content in filter membrane

Objective:To establish a convenient and accurate way of tin determination in filter membrane by improving sample pretreatment part in GBZ/T 160.22-2004.Methods: Digesting filter membrane by heating 2 ml concentrated hydrochloric acid on heat-plate at 70℃~90℃ rather than using concentrated sulphuric acid and nitric acid.Results: The recovery rate before improvement was 47.6%,and after improvement it was more than 97%.Conclusion: The recovery rate of it is much higher than it was before,and it becomes more convenient for time saving on digestion.
The Effects of Supports on Properties of Ni-B、Ni-P Amorphous Alloy Catalyst

The characteristics of the typical Ni-B﹑Ni-P amorphous alloys catalysts were introduced in this paper.The effects of supports,including Al2O3,SiO2,natural clay,CNTs on thermal stability and catalytic properties were compared.
Galvanic Corrosion Behavior of 13Cr-N80 Steel Couples in NaCl Solution with Different Concentrations

The corrosion behavior of super 13Cr-N80 steel couples in NaCl solution with different concentrations was investigated by electrochemical method.Corrosion morphologies and products of the couple were analyzed with SEM,EDS and XRD.The results showed that,in different concentrations of NaCl solution,distinct potential difference was found between 13Cr and N80,together with different levels of galvanic corrosion.As anode,N80 was accelerated to corroded,however,13Cr was protected as cathode when coupled.The super 13Cr-N80 steel couples could not be used without protection of N80.With the increasing of concentration of NaCl solution,corrosion current density of the super 13Cr-N80 steel couples reduced as well as the reduction of corrosion degree of N80,corrosion products of which was Fe3O4.
Effects of stimulus presentation level on stop consonant identification in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether varying the presentation level of stop consonant stimuli resulted in similar phonetic boundary shifts for listeners with normal and impaired hearing. Sixteen normal-hearing and 16 hearing-impaired listeners categorized synthetic speech stimuli as /b/, /d/, or /g/. The onset frequency of F2 varied from 900 to 2300 Hz (100-Hz steps), and the presentation level varied from 92 to 62 dB SPL (10-dB steps) for each stimulus presentation. Hearing-impaired listeners had significantly more missing boundary values than normal-hearing listeners; however, the correlation between the number of missing boundary values and hearing sensitivity was not significant . Comparison of boundary shift with level demonstrated that hearingimpaired listeners had a smaller boundary shift with increasing level than normal-hearing listeners . The amount of boundary shift was not correlated with audibility . The results of the current study suggest that increasing the presentation level of a signal does not result in performance similar to that of listeners with normal hearing.
Fear conditioning selectively disrupts noradrenergic facilitation of GABAergic inhibition in the basolateral amygdala.

Inappropriate fear memory formation is symptomatic of many psychopathologies, and delineating the neurobiology of non-pathological fear learning may provide critical insight into treating these disorders. Fear memory formation is associated with decreased inhibitory signaling in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), and disrupted noradrenergic signaling may contribute to this decrease. BLA noradrenergic neurotransmission has been implicated in fear memory formation, and distinct adrenoreceptor (AR) subtypes modulate excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in this region. For example, α1-ARs promote GABA release from local inhibitory interneurons, while β3-ARs potentiate neurotransmission at lateral paracapsular (LPC) GABAergic synapses. Conversely, β1/2-ARs amplify excitatory signaling at glutamatergic synapses in the BLA. As increased BLA excitability promotes fear memory formation, we hypothesized that fear learning shifts the balanced regional effects of noradrenergic signaling toward excitation. To test this hypothesis, we used the fear-potentiated startle paradigm in combination with whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology to examine the effects of AR activation on BLA synaptic transmission following fear conditioning in male Long-Evans rats. We first demonstrated that inhibitory neurotransmission is decreased at both local and LPC synapses following fear conditioning. We next measured noradrenergic facilitation of BLA inhibitory signaling at local and LPC synapses using α1-and β3-AR agonists (1 μM A61603 and 10 μM BRL37344), and found that the ability of these agents to facilitate inhibitory neurotransmission is disrupted following fear conditioning. Conversely, we found that fear learning does not disrupt noradrenergic modulation of glutamatergic signaling via a β1/2-AR agonist (1 μM isoproterenol). Taken together, these studies suggest that fear learning increases BLA excitability by selectively disrupting the inhibitory effects of noradrenaline.
Collimator optimization in SPECT using different tasks involving detection and localization

We use task-driven measures of image quality to optimize collimator properties in SPECT. We apply ideal observers to the following tasks: detection and localization, detection with signal location known, detection with signal location unknown and detection performance averaged over known signal locations. The ideal observer yields the best performance amongst other observers for the chosen task. The ideal observer is applied to the raw data, the sinogram, rather than the reconstructed image. We consider an ideal observer for the task of joint-detection and localization and compare its performance to that of the other three tasks on a family of collimators indexed by a resolution/sensitivity parameter. We compare this performance curve to that obtained using a detection only signal-known-exactly (SKE) and a SKEV task in which SKE performance is averaged over location. We also compare this performance curve to that obtained using detection-only task in which the signal location is unknown. It is interesting to compare the respective performance vs resolution/sensitivity parameter curves. The ideal LROC observer results in a sharply peaked curve, preferring one collimator, and the SKE and SKEV curves result in broad flat curves much less sensitive to the resolution/sensitivity parameter. The ideal collimator selected by the more realistic detection+location task differs from these selected by the other three tasks. We conclude that for the object class of this experiment, the ideal detection and localization observer should be used since it represents a more realistic task and leads to a different collimator.
Assessing potential bias in the determination of rotational correlation times of proteins by NMR relaxation.

The various factors that influence the reliable and efficient determination of the correlation time describing molecular reorientation of proteins by NMR relaxation methods are examined. Nuclear Overhauser effects, spin-lattice, and spin-spin relaxation parameters of 15N NMR relaxation in ubiquitin have been determined at 17.6, 14.1, 11.7 and 9.4 Tesla. This unusually broad set of relaxation parameters has allowed the examination of the influence of chemical shift anisotropy, the functional form of the model-free spectral density, and the reliability of determined spin- spin relaxation parameters on the characterization of global tumbling of the protein. Treating the 15N chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) as an adjustable parameter, a consensus value of −170 ± 15ppm for the breadth of the chemical shift tensor and a global isotropic correlation time of 4.1ns are found when using the model-free spectral density to fit T1 and NOE data from all fields. The inclusion of T2 relaxation parameters in the determination of the global correlation time results in its increase to 4.6ns. This apparent inconsistency may explain a large portion of the discrepancy often found between NMR- and fluorescence-derived τm values for proteins. The near identity of observed T2 and T1ρ values suggests that contributions from slow motions are not the origin of the apparent inconsistency with obtained T1 and NOE data. Various considerations suggest that the origin of this apparent discrepancy may reside in a contribution to the spectral density at zero frequency that is not represented by the simple model-free formalism in addition to the usual experimental difficulties associated with the measurement of these relaxation parameters. Finally, an axially symmetric diffusion tensor for ubiquitin is obtained using exclusively T1 and NOE data. A recommendation is reached on the types and combinations of relaxation data that can be used to reliably determine τm values. It is also noted that the reliable determination of τm values from 15N T1 and NOE relaxation parameters will become increasingly difficult as τm increases.
Pediatric Abdominal Tumors: Wilms Tumor

■ The clinical presentation of Wilms tumor is usually by palpation of a non-tender abdominal mass but can be nonspecific and sometimes confusing (strong evidence).
Prognostic Indication of Sarcopenia for Wound Complication After Total Laryngectomy.

Importance Postoperative wound complications after total laryngectomy (TL) increase hospital stay, costs, and delay adjuvant therapy when indicated. Recently, sarcopenia has been identified as a predictor of postoperative complications in patients undergoing major surgery but has not been assessed in head and neck surgery patients. Objective To determine the incidence of sarcopenia in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) undergoing TL and evaluate its association with the development of postoperative wound complications. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective medical chart review of 70 patients with SCC who underwent TL with cross-sectional abdominal imaging obtained preoperatively from 2004 to 2016 in a tertiary care hospital. Patients were determined to have sarcopenia present if the skeletal muscle index was calculated to be less than 38.5 cm2/m2for women and 52.4 cm2/m2for men. Demographic data included age, sex, smoking history, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, prior radiation history, tumor stage, body mass index (BMI), and preoperative albumin levels. Main Outcomes and Measures Measurements of abdominal wall and paraspinal musculature at the cross-sectional L3 vertebral body were performed, normalized for height, and compared with previously defined sex-specific cutoff values to identify sarcopenia. Postoperative complications including all complications, wound-related complications, and pharyngo-cutaneous fistula (PCF) were determined. Results Sarcopenia was identified preoperatively in 54 (77%) patients. There was not a significant difference between the sarcopenia group and the nonsarcopenia group for any data except BMI (Cohend = 1; 95% CI, 0.41-1.57) and preoperative albumin levels (Cohend = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.11-1.25). Of 70 patients, 13 (24%) in the sarcopenia group developed a PCF compared with 0 (0%) without sarcopenia (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.13-1.53). Similarly, 35 (50%) patients in the sarcopenia group developed a wound complication compared with 2 (13%) in the nonsarcopenia group (OR, 7.54; 95% CI, 1.56-36.4). On univariate analysis, sarcopenia was the only predictive factor of any complication (OR, 6.53; 95% CI, 1.84-23.23) and any wound complication (OR, 7.54; 95% CI, 1.56-36.4). On multivariable analysis of preoperative albumin levels and preoperative sarcopenia, only sarcopenia was a significant predictor for all complications (OR, 7.96; 95% CI, 1.39-45.29). Conclusions and Relevance Sarcopenia is an independent negative prognostic indicator for the development of all complications and wound complications after TL for the treatment of SCC.
STUDIES ON THE PNEUMONIC EXUDATE : III. THE PRESENCE IN THE PNEUMONIC EXUDATE OF A LARGE AMOUNT OF SPECIFIC ANTIGEN.

In lobar pneumonia due to the fixed types of pneumococci a specific precipitin reaction is obtained when the pneumonic exudate is mixed with the homologous antipneumococcic serum.
Endogenous borders and access to the sea

Abstract A longstanding literature suggests that being landlocked inhibits countries' development. Yet a corollary implication of the underlying theories supporting this conclusion is that having multiple neighbors should lessen the drawbacks of being landlocked – and this implication does not appear to be borne out in practice. This suggests that traditional claims about the causal effect of being landlocked may be overstated. Landlocked countries instead may tend towards worse developmental outcomes because of the very same political factors – such as rough terrain, hostile neighbors, or colonial heritage – that originally led them to be cut off from the ocean. Empirical tests confirm this idea: accounting for the political factors that associate with becoming landlocked greatly reduces the estimated statistical effect of being landlocked on development. Caution is warranted when blaming lack of ocean access for social, political, and economic outcomes of interest.
Tackling hearing loss to improve the care of older adults.

Many older adults have difficulty understanding speech in acute healthcare settings owing to hearing loss, but the effect on patient care is often overlooked, argue Jan Blustein and colleagues
Indirect Rotavirus Vaccine Effectiveness for the Prevention of Rotavirus Hospitalization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract. Two rotavirus vaccines, RotaTeq and Rotarix, are licensed for global use; however, the protection they confer to unvaccinated individuals through indirect effects remains unknown. We systematically reviewed the literature and quantified indirect rotavirus vaccine effectiveness (VE) for preventing rotavirus hospitalization in children aged less than 5 years. From 148 identified abstracts, 14 studies met our eligibility criteria. In our main analysis using a random-effects model, indirect rotavirus VE was 48% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39–55%). In a subgroup analysis by country income level, indirect VE was greater in high-income countries (52%; 95% CI: 43–60%) than in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (25%; 95% CI: 5–41%). In a sensitivity analysis using a quality-effects model, the indirect VE in LMICs was not statistically significant (25%; 95% CI: 0–44%). Our findings highlight the importance of increasing rotavirus vaccine coverage, particularly in LMICs where evidence for indirect VE is limited and rotavirus burden is high.
Frusemide and Lithium Toxicity

Lithium toxicity following frusemide administration is reported.The clinical features, possible causative mechanisms, and management of the intoxication are discussed.
Egypt: Scripts, Ancient

The script of ancient Egypt is hieroglyphic. Hieroglyphs are stylized and fairly realistic pictures of beings and objects. In some cursive types of hieroglyphic writing, the pictorial quality has become partly or wholly obscured. In this article, a brief sketch of the historical setting is followed by a description of the various ways in which hieroglyphs put language into writing as ideograms, phonograms, and determinatives. After imperfect attempts dating from approximately 3000 b.c.e. onward, full-fledged hieroglyphic writing emerged at approximately 2500 b.c.e. The hieroglyphic tradition strongly declines from the 2nd century c.e. onward and reaches extinction in the 6th or 7th century c.e. Hieroglyphic writing is one of only a handful of scripts that denote both the signifieds and the signifiers of the signs of which language is composed. A curious asymmetry between ideograms and phonograms is also highlighted.
Pediatric Medulloblastoma: Pituitary Adenylyl Cyclase Activating Peptide/Protein Kinase A Antagonism of Hedgehog Signaling

Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant pediatric brain tumor thought to commonly arise from cerebellar precursor cells that exhibit increased hedgehog signaling. Several treatment modalities, including surgical resection, radio- and chemo-therapy have enhanced the survival rates of individuals with medulloblastoma. However, significant adverse effects from some of these approaches in the developing brain necessitate the development of targeted molecular therapeutics that will minimize toxicity while maximizing tumor regression and eradication. Recent evidence suggests that the neuropeptide pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) – a neuropeptide highly expressed and implicated in the development of the cerebellum and other neural structures – may play an important role in the development of medulloblastoma. Via activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), PACAP negatively regulates the hedgehog pathway both in cerebellar development and medulloblastoma pathogenesis. The PACAP/PKA signaling pathway may therefore offer a novel therapeutic target to minimize the tumor burden in the pediatric population suffering from medulloblastoma.
Children in Isolation: The Solitary Confinement of Youth

Every day in prison settings around the world, young people are held in solitary confinement. They are alone for up to twenty-three hours a day in unfurnished cells. They do not see, have physical contact with, or speak to other people. The cells are small, often no larger than a horse’s stable, and are illuminated by artificial light. Food is passed through narrow openings in heavy metal doors. These adolescents are denied education, counseling, and other services that are necessary for their growth, rehabilitation and well-being. If a parent were to confine her child under similar conditions, it would be abuse; yet when the government does so, often for weeks and months without due process, it is condoned. The paradox of solitary confinement is that it is not reserved only for the most culpable offenders. Juvenile and immigration detention centers as well as adult jails and prisons place adolescents in isolation to protect them — arguably — from each other or from adults; when they are perceived to be a threat; and to punish them for misconduct and rule-breaking. These rationales for the solitary confinement of youth fail to recognize, however, that prolonged isolation harms young people in ways that are often more profound than its impact on adults. This Article is the first to provide a comprehensive comparative analysis of the solitary confinement of youth in the United States and across the globe. The Introduction describes a typical scenario under which an adolescent may be subjected to isolation and explores why the practice persists today despite widespread condemnation. Part I reviews the literature detailing the varieties of harm that young people suffer as a result of solitary confinement. Part II discusses the rationales that correctional facilities use to justify solitary confinement and the prevalence of the practice internationally. Part III analyzes the history of solitary confinement and the legal response within the U.S. and the international community. Part IV addresses strategies for reform, including legislation, federal regulations, and litigation; the adoption of best practice standards; and the role of the juvenile defender and other advocates for incarcerated youth. The Appendix presents the author’s original research documenting the current practices of the fifty-seven countries that legally condone or employ the solitary confinement of youth.
Is There a "Sex Effect" in 30-Day Outcomes After Elective Posterior Lumbar Fusions?

Background Sex has been known to significantly affect postoperative complications and length of stay after elective anterior cervical fusions. Current evidence on lumbar spine surgery is limited. Methods The 2012–2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried using Current Procedural Terminology codes 22612, 22630, and 22633 to identify patients undergoing posterior lumbar fusions. A total of 23,615 patients were included in the final cohort. Results Out of 23,615 patients, 10,810 (45.8%) were men and 12,805 (54.2%) were women. After controlling for demographic, comorbidities-specific, preoperative, and operative differences between the 2 groups, female sex was found to be an independent risk factor significantly associated with a length of stay longer than 3 days (odds ratio [OR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35–1.51; P Conclusions Contrary to literature on cervical fusions, we found that female sex was independently tied to an increased risk of adverse outcomes after elective posterior lumbar fusion. The results from the study suggest that women may benefit from close surveillance during the postoperative period to minimize risk of complications and subsequent resource utilization in this group.
The Concerns Surrounding Sexist Content in Digital Games

Digital games are a medium in which new forms of representations are possible and where new, imagined rules can be created and established. Unfortunately, many representations and rules within digital game worlds reinforce harmful sexist beliefs and attitudes belonging to the real social world. Male and female digital game characters are portrayed as sexist archetypes, and some games feature sexist themes and rulesets which depict women as objects. Yet the question remains if sexualized and sexist portrayals influence players of digital games. In this chapter, we will draw on social psychological theories as well as evidence from empirical research (e.g., Behm-Morawitz and Mastro, Sex Roles, 61(11–12):808–823, 2009; Fox and Bailenson, Sex Roles, 61(3–4):147–157, 2009; Fox et al. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3):930–938, 2013) to argue that critiques of sexist character portrayals have legitimacy and that this content may undesirably influence some players’ cognition, attitudes, and behaviors both during and after gameplay. We provide a dispassionate, evidence-supported argument that sexist content in games does contribute problematically to perceptions of women and their status in contemporary society. We also provide some suggestions for future research, such as asking scholars to carefully consider and distinguish sexist imagery from the game mechanics which may contribute to sexist thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors.
Design Roadmapping in an Uncertain World: Implementing a Customer-Experience-Focused Strategy:

Technology is rapidly changing, and customers are seeking not just products and services but experiences. Traditional approaches to strategic planning using product and technology roadmaps are no l...
Expanded Insights Into Mechanisms of Gene Expression and Disease Related Disruptions

Definitive molecular diagnoses in disorders apparently due to genetic or genomic defects are still lacking in a significant number of investigated cases, despite use of studies designed to discover defects in the protein coding regions of the genome. Increasingly studies are being designed to search for defects in the non-protein coding genome, and for alterations in gene expression. Here we review new insights into genomic elements involved in control of gene expression, including methods to analyze chromatin that is accessible for transcription factor binding, enhancers, chromatin looping, transcription, RNA binding proteins, and alternative splicing. We review new studies on levels of genome organization, including the occurrence of transcriptional domains and their boundary elements. Information is presented on specific malformation syndromes that arise due to structural genomic changes that impact the non-protein coding genome and sometimes impact specific transcriptional domains. We also review convergence of genome-wide association with studies of gene expression, discoveries related to expression quantitative trait loci and splicing quantitative trait loci and the relevance of these to specific complex common diseases. Aspects of epigenetic mechanisms and clinical applications of analyses of methylation signatures are also discussed.
PERCEPTION OF GRADUATING ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES, AND METABOLISM FELLOWS ON THE BENEFITS OF WEARING A CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITOR AND/OR INSULIN PUMP FOR THEIR EDUCATION.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To our knowledge, no prior research has explored the prevalence of wearing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and/or insulin pumps among in-training fellows and their perceptio...
Systematic review of lower urinary tract symptoms occurring with pelvic organ prolapse

Objective: To review lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which include a large variety of bladder complaints, in women with simultaneous pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: This article is a systematic review of the current literature on LUTS occurring simultaneously with POP following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Results: The prevalence of both conditions is high, but they occur more frequently together than can be explained by chance. It appears that POP is in some women causative of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, as in many women correction of the POP resolves the bladder symptoms and small studies of women with detrusor underactivity also demonstrate resolution of symptoms. The most plausible explanation for the relationship is that POP causes bladder outlet obstruction, which results in excess bladder irritability or poor contractility. However, not all women have resolution of their OAB symptoms and some women develop them de novo after POP repair, so this explanation requires more in depth study. Conclusions: Women with both LUTS and symptomatic POP should probably have their POP targeted, as its reduction either via surgery or pessary can correct the LUTS. However, no studies have addressed asymptomatic POP, so it is unclear if treating POP in these instances is of benefit. Abbreviations: BOO: bladder outlet obstruction; DO: detrusor overactivity; DU: detrusor underactivity; OAB: overactive bladder; PdetQmax: detrusor pressure at maximum urinary flow; POP: pelvic organ prolapse; PVR: post-void residual urine volume; RR: relative risk; SUFU: Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction; UDS: urodynamic studies; (S)(U)UI: (stress) (urgency) urinary incontinence.
LMI Stability-Constrained Identification for Composite Adaptive Internal Model Control

Internal model control (IMC), which explicitly incorporates a plant model and a plant inverse model as its components, has an intuitive control structure and simple tuning procedure. Within the IMC structure, we propose composite adaptive IMC (CAIMC) which simultaneously identifies the plant and the plant inverse to minimize modeling errors and further reduce the tracking error. In this paper, the design procedure of CAIMC is generalized to an $n$ -th-order SISO plant. The main challenge in the generalization is to find an identification algorithm for an $n$ -th order system that satisfies the stability constraint, while assuring closed-loop stability. In the literature, stability-constrained identification has been formulated as a convex programming problem by re-parameterizing the constraint as a linear matrix inequality, but boundedness and continuity of the estimated parameters, which are critical for closed-loop stability of an adaptive control algorithm, are not guaranteed. We propose a modified stability-constrained identification method with established boundedness and continuity properties. Closed-loop stability and asymptotic performance of CAIMC are then established under proper conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated with an example.
How Many Days Are Necessary to Represent an Infant's Typical Daily Leg Movement Behavior Using Wearable Sensors?

Background Characteristics of movement can differentiate infants with typical development and infants with or at risk of developmental disabilities. We used wearable sensors to measure infants' typical movement patterns in the natural environment. Objective Our objectives were to determine (1) how many days were sufficient to represent an infant's typical daily performance, and (2) if there was a difference in performance between weekdays and weekend days. Design This was a prospective, observational study. Methods We used wearable sensors to collect 7 consecutive days of data for leg movement activity, from 10 infants with typical development (1-5 months old). We identified each leg movement, and its average acceleration, peak acceleration, and duration. Bland-Altman plots were used to compare the standard (average of 7 days) with 6 options (1 day, the average of days 1 and 2, through the average of days 1 through 6). Additionally, the average of the first 2 weekdays was compared with the average of 2 weekend days. Results The absolute difference between the average of the first 2 days and the standards fell below 10% of the standards (movement rate = 8.5%; duration = 3.7%; average acceleration = 2.8%; peak acceleration = 3.8%, respectively). The mean absolute difference between weekdays and weekends for leg movement rate, duration, average acceleration, and peak acceleration was 11.6%, 3.7%, 7.2%, and 7.3% of the corresponding standard. Limitations The small sample size and age range limit extrapolation of the results. Conclusions Our results suggest the best option is to collect data for 2 consecutive days and that movement did not differ between weekdays and weekend days. Our results will inform the clinical measurement of full-day infant leg movement for neuromotor assessment and outcome purposes.
Comparing pathologic outcomes for robotic versus laparoscopic Surgery in rectal cancer resection: a propensity adjusted analysis of 7616 patients.

Margin negative resection of rectal cancer with minimally invasive techniques remains technically challenging. Robotic surgery has potential advantages over traditional laparoscopy. We hypothesize that the difference in the rate of negative margin status will be < 6% between laparoscopic and robotic approach. The National Cancer Database (2010–2014) was queried for adults with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation and curative resection to conduct an observational retrospective cohort study of a prospectively maintained database. Patients were grouped by either robotic (ROB) or laparoscopic (LAP) approach in an intent-to-treat analysis. Primary outcome was negative margin status, defined as a composite of circumferential resection margin and distal margin. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), readmission, 90-day mortality, and overall survival. 7616 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent minimally invasive resection were identified. 2472 (32%) underwent attempted robotic approach. The overall conversion rate was 13% and was increased in the laparoscopic group [LAP: 15% vs. ROB: 8%; OR 0.47; 95% CI (0.39, 0.57)]. Differences in margin negative resection rate were within the prespecified range of practical equivalence (LAP: 93% vs.: ROB 94%; 95% CI (0.69, 1.06); $$p_{\updelta}$$ = 1). For secondary outcomes, there was no difference in 30-day readmission [LAP: 9% vs.: ROB 8%; 95% CI (0.84, 1.24)] and 90-day mortality [LAP: 1% vs.: ROB 1%; 95% CI (0.38, 1.24)]. While the median LOS was 5 days in both groups, the mean LOS was 0.6 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.89) days shorter in the robotic group. This robust analysis supports either robotic or laparoscopic approach for resection of locally advanced rectal cancer from a margin perspective. Both have similar readmission and 5-year overall survival rates. Patients undergoing robotic surgery have a 0.6-day decrease in LOS and decreased conversion rate.
Police Response to Active Shooter Events: How Officers See Their Role:

“Active shooter” incidents and the police response to them receive considerable attention. There is a public expectation that officers should immediately enter active shooter events and engage the ...
270 : The cytokines IL-21 and GM-CSF have opposing regulatory roles in the apoptosis of conventional dendritic cells

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) has broad actions on T and B cells, but its actions in innate immunity are poorly understood. Here we show that IL-21 induced apoptosis of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) via STAT3 and Bim, and this was inhibited by granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). ChIP-Seq analysis revealed genome-wide binding competition between GM-CSF-induced STAT5 and IL-21-induced STAT3. Expression of IL-21 in vivo decreased cDC numbers, and this was prevented by GM-CSF. Moreover, repetitive α -galactosylceramide injection of mice induced IL-21 but decreased GM-CSF production by natural killer T (NKT) cells, correlating with decreased cDC numbers. Furthermore, IL-21 suppressed GM-CSF production in CD4 + T cells. Thus, IL-21 and GM-CSF exhibit cross-regulatory actions on gene regulation and apoptosis, regulating cDC numbers and thereby the magnitude of the immune response.
Cyber Threat Dictionary Using MITRE ATT&CK Matrix and NIST Cybersecurity Framework Mapping

Cyber-attack and defense frameworks offer numerous ways to protect systems and networks from threats. However, only a few of these numerous attack and defense frameworks provide countermeasures by linking multiple frameworks. Due to the lack of attack-defense mapped frameworks, a number of cyber security practitioners are often puzzled how to cope with cyber-attacks when it occurs. The objective of this paper is to present a tool called the "Cyber Threat Dictionary" to solve the problem. Cyber Threat Dictionary offers approaches and practical solutions to the threats by mapping MITRE ATT&CK Matrix to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. By providing immediate solutions to cyber security practitioners, Cyber Threat Dictionary enables effective responses against cyber-attacks.