cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trimmed means for symptom trials with dropouts

Dropouts from randomized trials, often for lack of efficacy or toxicity, have usually been handled as 'missing data'. We suggest that they are instead complete observations, just not numeric ones. We propose an exact test of the hypothesis of no drug effect, taking all randomized patients into account, based on a readily interpretable statistic. The method also copes with a drug that is toxic in some patients but beneficial to others, a difficult problem for standard methods. A robust conclusion of efficacy can be drawn with no assumptions other than randomization. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Metabolic Alterations in Multiple Sclerosis

Alterations in regional cerebral metabolism have been demonstrated by in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of 8 children (7 - 16 years) with established multiple sclerosis at the Max-Planck-Institut fur biophysikalische Chemie, Postfach, and Abt.
Can archaeology tell us about the evolution of cognition and language

Abstract Archaeologists are often tempted to make their own contributions to the study of the evolution of cognition and language. At the same time many more researchers in other fields try to find in the archaeological literature the evidence that would disclose the steps in the evolution of these aspects of human nature. On one issue all scholars agree: The so-called Upper Paleolithic Revolution, since some 45,000 years ago, commonly characterized on the basis of Western European archaeological records, fossils and genetic evidence, is the expression of hominins like us. It is generally agreed, although not accepted by all, that due to gene flow and cultural transmissions modern humans came out of Africa and dispersed around the world. The question, however, is how much earlier were the origins of languages and cognition, and can we identify the material remains that reflect the phases that led to today's expressions, within the sequence from 3.3 or 2.6 Myr ago. This paper examines briefly the common stone tool making techniques that are still considered in the literature as a source for providing information about the evolution of cognition, along with very few comments on the pattern of seasonal/annual mobility of past groups of foragers. It reaches the conclusion that when we study not only the records of Europe, western Asia and Africa from a Western view point but also take into consideration the information from East Asia, we are forced to adopt a cautious attitude to the interpretations concerning the emergence of cognition and languages.
Same-Sex But Not the Same: Same-Sex Marriage in the US and France and the Universalist Narrative

More and more jurisdictions around the world are adopting, or considering the adoption of, legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. The dominant approach for analyzing these reforms has been universalist. According to this view, same-sex marriage represents a legal trend at the global level and will eventually become a global norm. This description lumps together different family law reforms and depicts them as contributing to a broader global convergionist dynamic. This article argues that universalism has theoretical and practical shortcomings, however. It tends to downplay the diversity of processes of legal change by isolating law from local cultural and political dynamics and, in so doing, obscures arguments and social dynamics that perpetuate the marginalization of gays and lesbians and their families. Using the pluralist sociolegal framework that sees law as a cultural and political artefact, this article compares two such legal reforms, one in the United States and one in France. It argues that four aspects distinguish these two reforms: the different roles played by rights and equality-based arguments, the divergent understandings of law in relation to gay and lesbian historical marginalization and social change, the focus of the debates (on the definition of marriage in the US and on filiation in France) and finally, the type of expertise underpinning the legal arguments. Pointing to these differences allows us to better appreciate the political, legal and cultural processes that underpin legal change and the obstacles to achieving equality for gays, lesbians and their families.
Expression of Metabolic Syndrome in Women with Severe Obesity.

Abstract Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) generally rises with increasing adiposity, but tends to plateau at the highest levels of body mass index (BMI) with some individuals, even with severe obesity, expressing few or no components of MetS. We examined factors associated with the expression of MetS in severely obese women participating in a large observational study. Methods: Anthropometrics, including Heath equation-adjusted bioimpedance-determined fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM), lipids and related laboratory measurements, resting energy expenditure (REE), and respiratory quotient (RQ), were studied in 949 women with severe obesity. Results: Even though the mean BMI was 45.7 kg/m2 and all participants met MetS criteria for increased waist circumference, 30% of subjects did not have MetS. Unadjusted FM (P = 0.0011), FFM (P < 0.0001), and REE (P < 0.0001) were greater in the women with MetS. Surprisingly, in multivariate logistic regression FFM was positively associated with...
Value Sensitive Design for Neurodiverse Teams in Higher Education

In a neurodiverse team, such as one comprised of students with autism and neurotypical students, social interaction and cognitive styles differ. We used a Value-Sensitive Design (VSD) approach to explore the role of technology in supporting the diverse values of neurodiverse teams. We conducted interviews with higher education disability services staff, followed by interviews with students with autism. We analyzed the students' values using the Q-Methodology. We found that key values of students with autism are: freedom from stigma, individual comfort, social comfort, social connection, and team cohesion. Through a VSD technical investigation, we found that current collaboration and affective technologies focus on supporting social connection and team cohesion. However, these technologies tend to not enable tailoring the user experience for the individual comfort that can benefit autistic users.
Callous--Unemotional Traits Moderate the Association between Children's Early Moral Understanding and Aggression: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study.

Drawing on the framework of social domain theory, this multi-method, multi-informant longitudinal study examined whether callous-unemotional (CU) tendencies moderated the association between U.S. 4 to 7 year olds' (n = 135; Mage = 5.65, 50% male; 75% White) ability to differentiate hypothetical, prototypical moral and conventional transgressions along theoretical criteria and teacher (n = 49) and parent (n = 128, 91% mothers) ratings of physical aggression. Deficits in domain distinction ability were associated with greater teacher-reported aggression both concurrently and 9 months later, but only for children high in CU traits. No main effects or interactions were found for parent reports. These findings build on a growing body of research demonstrating that children who use aggression in a deliberate and callous manner show deficits in their basic understanding of moral norms. (PsycINFO Database Record
Intermediate Phase in the Uranium-Zirconium System

The U-Zr system has been studied with particular regard to the existence, stability, and mechanism of formation of the intermediate o phase. This phase has been identified as a stable phase existing in the region of 50 pet Zr, which forms by the ordering of the y body-centered-cubic alloy on cooling. A phase diagram consistent with the information obtained in this study is presented.
An empirical examination of cultural biases in interpersonal economic exchange

Economic trade between individuals, supported by an array of global electronic marketplaces, comprises an ever-growing proportion of the global economy. Prominent online companies like eBay, Amazon and Freelancer.com regularly afford individuals the opportunity to engage others the world over. Importantly, however, such trade has may introduce new hurdles. Though technology reduces the role of distance, it does very little to mitigate cultural differences. As such, in this study, we seek to identify and quantify the effects of cultural differences on economic exchange between individuals. We focus upon the world’s largest micro-lending website, employing an aggregate dataset that incorporates three million loans. Referring to theories of bounded rationality and cyber-balkanization, we demonstrate that lenders prefer culturally similar borrowers. Further, we find that lenders only appear to concern themselves with cultural differences insofar as they are aware of those differences, as the preference for similar borrowers is much stronger in local lending.
Presentation Address for the Fourth Fritz London Award

It is my very pleasant duty this afternoon to make the presentation of the Fourth Fritz London Award to Dr. David Shoenberg, for outstanding accomplishment in the field of low temperature physics. In doing this I am acting on behalf of the Fourth Fritz London Award Committee. The members of this committee are Dean Henry Boorse of Barnard College, also Professor of Physics, Columbia University; Dr. D. W. Osborne of the Argonne National Laboratory; Dr. Paul Marcus of the International Business Machines Corp.; Dr. James Nicol of Cryonetics Corporation ; with myself as chairman. Furthermore, I am acting on the behalf of this Ninth International Conference on Low Temperature Physics, Batelle Memorial Institute, and the Ohio State University. I am also acting on behalf of the Arthur D. Little Foundation which, through its outstanding generosity and public spirit, has sponsored the three previous awards and is also the sponsor of this Fourth Fritz London Award.
MAGIC Database and interfaces: an integrated package for gene discovery and expression: Conference Reviews

The rapidly increasing rate at which biological data is being produced requires a corresponding growth in relational databases and associated tools that can help laboratories contend with that data. With this need in mind, we describe here a Modular Approach to a Genomic, Integrated and Comprehensive (MAGIC) Database. This Oracle 9i database derives from an initial focus in our laboratory on gene discovery via production and analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs), and subsequently on gene expression as assessed by both EST clustering and microarrays. The MAGIC Gene Discovery portion of the database focuses on information derived from DNA sequences and on its biological relevance. In addition to MAGIC SEQ-LIMS, which is designed to support activities in the laboratory, it contains several additional subschemas. The latter include MAGIC Admin for database administration, MAGIC Sequence for sequence processing as well as sequence and clone attributes, MAGIC Cluster for the results of EST clustering, MAGIC Polymorphism in support of microsatellite and single-nucleotide-polymorphism discovery, and MAGIC Annotation for electronic annotation by BLAST and BLAT. The MAGIC Microarray portion is a MIAME-compliant database with two components at present. These are MAGIC Array-LIMS, which makes possible remote entry of all information into the database, and MAGIC Array Analysis, which provides data mining and visualization. Because all aspects of interaction with the MAGIC Database are via a web browser, it is ideally suited not only for individual research laboratories but also for core facilities that serve clients at any distance. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanisms of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Despite significant advances in understanding the pathophysiology of acute coronary insufficiency, myocardial infarction remains a serious health problem for Western society and accounts for approximately one fourth of all deaths in the United States. The most common underlying mechanism is coronary thrombosis superimposed on an atherosclerotic plaque which has been disrupted. Non atherosclerotic mechanisms of infarction account for a minority of clinical events and are of varied etiology (Table 1) (1). Conceptually, these can be considered as those disease processes which lead to luminal obstruction with subsequent ischemia and those which do not involve intrinsic compromise of the lumen. The former group includes entities such as vasculitis and storage disorders which cause diffuse or focal obstruction, while the latter group includes sudden coronary embolus, myocardial oxygen supply-demand mismatch without obstructive coronary disease, hyperviscosity and hypercoagulability states, and trauma. The emphasis of this chapter will be on the events preceding and following the rupture of an atherosclerotic coronary plaque.
The mTORC1 component RPTOR is required for maintenance of the foundational spermatogonial stem cell pool in mice

The self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation of the spermatogonial populations must be finely coordinated in the mammalian testis, as dysregulation of these processes can lead to subfertility, infertility, or the formation of tumors. There are wide gaps in our understanding of how these spermatogonial populations are formed and maintained, and our laboratory has focused on identifying the molecular and cellular pathways that direct their development. Others and we have shown, using a combination of pharmacologic inhibitors and genetic models, that activation of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) is important for spermatogonial differentiation in vivo. Here, we extend those studies to directly test the germ cell-autonomous requirement for mTORC1 in spermatogonial differentiation. We created germ cell conditional knockout mice for "regulatory associated protein of MTOR, complex 1" (Rptor), which encodes an essential component of mTORC1. While germ cell KO mice were viable and healthy, they had smaller testes than littermate controls, and no sperm were present in their cauda epididymides. We found that an initial cohort of Rptor KO spermatogonia proliferated, differentiated, and entered meiosis (which they were unable to complete). However, no self-renewing spermatogonia were formed, and thus the entire germline was lost by adulthood, resulting in Sertoli cell-only testes. These results reveal the cell autonomous requirement for RPTOR in the formation or maintenance of the foundational self-renewing spermatogonial stem cell pool in the mouse testis and underscore complex roles for mTORC1 and its constituent proteins in male germ cell development.
Action potential shortening rescues atrial calcium alternans.

Key points Cardiac alternans refers to a beat-to-beat alternation in contraction, action potential (AP) morphology and Ca2+ transient (CaT) amplitude, and represents a risk factor for cardiac arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation. We developed strategies to pharmacologically manipulate the AP waveform with the goal to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of CaT and contraction alternans in atrial tissue. With combined patch-clamp and intracellular Ca2+ measurements we investigated the effect of specific ion channel inhibitors and activators on alternans. In single rabbit atrial myocytes, suppression of Ca2+ -activated Cl- channels eliminated AP duration alternans, but prolonged the AP and failed to eliminate CaT alternans. In contrast, activation of K+ currents (IKs and IKr ) shortened the AP and eliminated both AP duration and CaT alternans. As demonstrated also at the whole heart level, activation of K+ conductances represents a promising strategy to suppress alternans, and thus reducing a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Abstract At the cellular level alternans is observed as beat-to-beat alternations in contraction, action potential (AP) morphology and magnitude of the Ca2+ transient (CaT). Alternans is a well-established risk factor for cardiac arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation. This study investigates whether pharmacological manipulation of AP morphology is a viable strategy to reduce the risk of arrhythmogenic CaT alternans. Pacing-induced AP and CaT alternans were studied in rabbit atrial myocytes using combined Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiological measurements. Increased AP duration (APD) and beat-to-beat alternations in AP morphology lowered the pacing frequency threshold and increased the degree of CaT alternans. Inhibition of Ca2+ -activated Cl- channels reduced beat-to-beat AP alternations, but prolonged APD and failed to suppress CaT alternans. In contrast, AP shortening induced by activators of two K+ channels (ML277 for Kv7.1 and NS1643 for Kv11.1) abolished both APD and CaT alternans in field-stimulated and current-clamped myocytes. K+ channel activators had no effect on the degree of Ca2+ alternans in AP voltage-clamped cells, confirming that suppression of Ca2+ alternans was caused by the changes in AP morphology. Finally, activation of Kv11.1 channel significantly attenuated or even abolished atrial T-wave alternans in isolated Langendorff perfused hearts. In summary, AP shortening suppressed or completely eliminated both CaT and APD alternans in single atrial myocytes and atrial T-wave alternans at the whole heart level. Therefore, we suggest that AP shortening is a potential intervention to avert development of alternans with important ramifications for arrhythmia prevention and therapy.
Effect of statins on the association between high temperature and all-cause mortality in a socioeconomically disadvantaged population: a cohort study.

High temperature increases all-cause mortality. Thermoregulatory ability is impaired in persons with elevated serum cholesterol, but can be improved by the administration of statins, even in the short-term. We investigated whether the impact of high temperature (≥24 °C) on all-cause mortality among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults with a current or past indication for a statin is attenuated by current use of a statin with temperature dependence, by using claims data from five US Medicaid programs supplemented with Medicare claims for dual-enrollees and meteorological data from 1999–2010. We identified 3,508,948 persons (3,181,752 person-years) in a 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort. The incidence rate of all-cause mortality (deaths per 1,000 person-years) was 21.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.6 to 22.3) in current statin users and 30.1 (95% CI: 30.2 to 30.6) in former users. The adjusted odds ratios of mortality for current vs. former statin use were statistically significantly lower than 1.0, suggesting a protective effect of current statin use, on days with high temperature, with either daily average temperature or daily maximum temperature, and declined as daily average temperature increased from 29 °C and daily maximum temperature increased from 34 °C. These results were robust to the adjustment for daily relative humidity.
Bringing an Historic Collection into the Modern Era: Curating the J. K. Underwood Seed Collection at the University of Tennessee Herbarium (TENN)

Abstract The University of Tennessee Herbarium (TENN) presents a case study for modernizing an historic seed collection. TENN staff recently rediscovered the J. K. Underwood Seed Collection (ca. 19...
Length of time on dialysis prior to renal transplantation is a critical factor affecting patient survival after allografting.

Within the past year at our transplant center we have had the experience of performing renal allografts in two patients older than 65 years, each of whom had been on hemodialysis more than 10 years. Both resulted in patient mortality within 90 days of transplant (one due to myocardial infarction, the other due to visceral ischemia with infarction). This prompted us to review retrospectively our own data (n = 204) and the national (UNOS) data (n = 10 971) regarding transplant outcome, patient age, and length of time on dialysis prior to renal transplantation. This review revealed that patient mortality after transplant increased with the length of end-stage renal disease (dialysis, regardless of type) independent of age, the greatest mortality occurring within the first 6 months of transplant (and not thereafter); graft survival was similar for all age cohorts analyzed. Our review of the literature reveals a paucity of articles pertaining to post-transplant mortality and length of time on dialysis prior to transplant. Our results indicate the following possible conclusions. (1) The length of time of end-stage renal disease therapy prior to renal transplantation is a significant and independent risk factor for post-transplant mortality. Higher priority should be given to this factor when formulating strategies for allocation of scarce resources. Patients on dialysis for extended periods of time who are elderly may be at particularly high risk. (4) Patients being considered for renal transplant should be informed of their individual risk factors for mortality post-transplant based on length of ESRD therapy. (5) Renal transplantation should be considered as early as possible in patients with ESRD (or imminent ESRD).
Inhibition of the Self-Assembly of Aβ and of Tau by Polyphenols: Mechanistic Studies.

The amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and tau protein are thought to play key neuropathogenic roles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Both Aβ and tau self-assemble to form the two major pathological hallmarks of AD: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, respectively. In this review, we show that naturally occurring polyphenols abundant in fruits, vegetables, red wine, and tea possess the ability to target pathways associated with the formation of assemblies of Aβ and tau. Polyphenols modulate the enzymatic processing of the amyloid-β precursor protein and inhibit toxic Aβ oligomerization by enhancing the clearance of Aβ42 monomer, modulating monomer–monomer interactions and remodeling oligomers to non-toxic forms. Additionally, polyphenols modulate tau hyperphosphorylation and inhibit tau β-sheet formation. The anti-Aβ-self-assembly and anti-tau-self-assembly effects of polyphenols increase their potential as preventive or therapeutic agents against AD, a complex disease that involves many pathological mechanisms.
Online Cyber Deception System Using Partially Observable Monte-Carlo Planning Framework

Cyber deception is an approach where the network administrators can deploy a network of decoy assets with the aim to expend adversaries’ resources and time and gather information about the adversaries’ strategies, tactics, capabilities, and intent. The key challenge in this cyber deception approach is the design and placement of network decoys to ensure maximal information uncertainty for the attackers. State-of-the-art approaches to address this design and placement problem assume a static environment and apriori strategies taken by the attacker. In this paper, we propose the design and placement of network decoys considering scenarios where defender’s action influence an attacker to change its strategies and tactics dynamically while maintaining the trade-off between availability and security. The defender maintains a belief consisting of security state and the resultant actions are modeled as Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP). Our simulation results illustrate the defender’s increasing ability to influence the attacker’s attack path to comprise of fake nodes and networks.
Haptics for Accessibility in Hardware for Rehabilitation

As haptic interfaces become more widely integrated into rehabilitative therapy, the issue of accessibility of haptic information delivery remains a significant challenge to pursue. This chapter explores the latest research related to the task of making motor task information accessible through haptics in hardware (in combination with software) for physical rehabilitation. The concept of accessibility is first defined within the scope of rehabilitative interfaces is discussed. A literature review is presented which features highlights of related work within several categories of haptic information communication, including environmental augmentation, motion progression, postural correction, and guidance of pacing. A person-centric approach featuring haptic information delivery in autonomous at-home training is detailed in this chapter, including findings related to the proposed system and their implications for accessibility. Finally, methods for evaluation of these interfaces and fading of haptic feedback as user skill improves are discussed with directions for future research.
OOD Case Study: Graphical-Based User Interface

Options for a graphical-based user interface are discussed for both the Address Book Application (ABA) and Personal Finances case studies. These user interface designs are evaluated using the HCI criteria described in Chap. 17.
Failed back surgery syndrome.

Abstract The failed back or postlaminectomy syndrome is obviously multidimensional. Failure of therapy may result from structural abnormalities in the back, psychosocial influences, or a combination of both. The causes of back pain are largely unknown. Correlations with diagnostic studies are uncertain. The lack of precise diagnoses is reflected in a multiplicity of nonspecific treatments, mostly of unproven value. Our current disability-litigation system adds greatly to the problem. Patients are rewarded for nonfunction. Some physicians become advocates for patients, others for insurance carriers and employers. Decisions concerning appropriate treatment are often made by patients, attorneys, the disability determination system, employers, and judges for extraneous reasons, which include financial gain or personal bias and often reflect lack of current information. Even when correct decisions are made, there is a lack of adequate programs for diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of these individuals. The failed back syndrome is not likely to disappear quickly. Large numbers of these patients require care. The best available evaluation includes thorough, but not overly minute investigation using the best current imaging techniques. These studies combined with the history and physical examination should provide a reasonably accurate assessment of the patient's condition. Concomitant evaluation of psychosocial issues is mandatory, and those who treat these patients without understanding the importance of the various comorbidities discussed are likely to be detrimental. Reparative surgery has real, but limited use. Nerve root compression and instability are the only two conditions demonstrated to be correctable at the present time. However, even when a potentially remediable lesion is found, these patients should undergo a reasonable attempt at physical rehabilitation with attention to both local factors and general function. The best data available today suggest that most of the patients suffering from failed back syndrome are incapacitated by psychiatric, psychologic, and social/vocational factors, which relate to the back complaint only indirectly. Those currently suffering from this problem can be best treated by comprehensive programs that address these complex psychosocial issues. New additions to this category can be reduced by rigorous attention to physical abnormalities, so that surgery is undertaken only for clear indications, and appreciation of the importance of the psychologic aspects of disability from low back pain. The smaller group suffering principally from physical abnormalities can be improved by reparative surgery or pain-relieving procedures if intensive conservative rehabilitation efforts fail. All surgical procedures fail occasionally, and as long as there is a need for reparative surgery, some patients will fail to benefit or be worsened by the procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
CHAPTER 9 – POLAR COMMUNICATIONS

The problem of polar communications has revolved mainly about communications affected by aurorae, or communications from middle to high latitudes. However, these aspects merely represent but two views of a larger problem that contains four subdivisions prescribed by geography: (a) intrapolar; (b) auroral zone; (c) polar-middle latitude; and (d) interpolar. Interest in the first topic is recent. It is concerned with communications within either the Arctic or Antarctic polar cap regions. The second includes propagational difficulties arising from auroral absorption even when the terminals are well outside the polar regions. The third considers communications (not contained within (b)) between one terminal equatorwards of the two auroral zones and a second terminal within either polar cap region. The fourth category, with which this paper is concerned, encompasses communications from one polar cap region to the other. Present studies indicate that h.f. radio wave propagation between the two polar cap regions is possible. Over a typical Arctic—Antarctic circuit the operating frequency could be constant throughout the day. On some occasions, m.u.f.'s for a pole-to-pole circuit exceeded those for an equator-to-pole circuit. A short duration experiment between the Arctic and Antarctic showed that interpolar communications may occur, even during instances of h.f. absorption at lower latitudes. Results from the limited tests implied that h.f. interpolar propagation may be exploited for communications by allowing a middle latitude station to contact one polar region which then may contact the opposite polar site. Today, where problems of polar logistics and energy sources are readily solved, interpolar circuits may play an important role in relaying traffic from polar regions to middle latitudes.
Wind tunnel and flight performance of the YF-12 inlet system

The steady-state internal performance from 1/3-scale and full-scale wind tunnel models of the YF-12 inlet system is compared with results from flight tests. All systems were thoroughly instrumented for static and total pressure measurements. Results obtained included the inlet mass flows, surface pressure distribution, boundary layer profiles, and detailed total pressure measurements at the engine face. Inlet performance is compared at Mach numbers 2.1 and 2.8 and at several Reynolds numbers over a wide range of inlet operating conditions. Analysis generally shows good agreement in the results between the three systems when inlet conditions are closely matched.
Evaluation of Additively Manufactured Single-Pass and Two-Pass Enhanced Microchannel Heat Sinks

Additive manufacturing is proving to be a viable manufacturing technique to fabricate complex structures as it opens up the design space by providing improved design freedom and reduced geometric restrictions. Further, it assures to provide benefit to the heat exchanger industry which relies on novel geometric features to enhance performance and efficiency. This paper explores the heat transfer and pressure drop performance of additively manufactured microchannel heat sinks. Two types of microchannel heat sinks were tested, namely, single-pass and two-pass microchannels with heat flux provided on the bottom wall. Additionally, the microchannel geometry was enhanced by incorporating periodic secondary flow passages with an aim to enhance fluid mixing and disrupt boundary layer development. The enhanced microchannel configurations featured the oblique fin and trapezoidal fin heat sinks. Enhanced microchannels showed superior performance both thermally and hydraulically with 100% increase in heat transfer performance with negligible gain in pressure drop over the baseline straight microchannel geometry. Moreover, the performance gain was more evident for the single-pass microchannels than the two-pass configuration, which showed tremendously high pressure drop due to increase in flow length. Results showed 30% reduction in the overall thermal resistance for a constant pressure drop for the enhanced microchannels in the single pass configuration.
Smartphone Usage by Expert Blind Users

People with vision impairments access smartphones with the help of screen reader apps such as TalkBack for Android and VoiceOver for iPhone. Prior research has mostly focused on understanding touchscreen phone adoption and typing performance of novice blind users by logging their real-world smartphone usage. Understanding smartphone usage pattern and practices of expert users can help in developing tools and tutorials for transitioning novice and intermediate users to expert users. In this work, we logged smartphone usage data of eight expert Android smartphone users with visual impairments for four weeks, and then interviewed them. This paper presents a detailed analysis that uncovered novel usage patterns, such as extensive usage of directional gestures, reliance on voice and external keyboard for text input, and repurposed explore by touch for single-tap. We conclude with design recommendations to inform the future of mobile accessibility, including hardware guidelines and rethinking accessible software design.
Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance for detection of COVID-19 at a residential private college

Many colleges and universities utilized wastewater surveillance testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA as a tool to help monitor and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic on campuses across the United States during the 2020-2021 academic year. We sought to assess the efficacy of one such program by analyzing wastewater RNA load data in relation to SARS-CoV-2 cases identified through individual surveillance testing. Almost 80% of the cases on campus were associated with positive wastewater tests, resulting in an overall positive predictive value of [~]79% (Chi square 48.1, Df = 1, p < 0.001). However, half of the positive wastewater samples occurred in the two weeks following the return of a student to the residence hall following isolation, and therefore were not useful in predicting new infections. When these samples were excluded, the positive predictive value of a positive wastewater sample was [~]54%. Overall, we conclude that the continued shedding of viral RNA by patients past the time of potential transmission confounds the identification of new cases using wastewater surveillance, and decreases its effectiveness in managing SARS-CoV-2 infections on a residential college campus.
Study on the Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Obstetric Hypertension with Sequence Pattern Mining Algorithm.

Aiming at the difficulty in setting the support threshold for sequential pattern mining algorithms and improving the effectiveness of the support threshold setting without the guidance of domain experts' experience, an improved SPADE (sequential pattern discovery using equivalence classes) algorithm is proposed. By analyzing the relationship between the number of frequent sequences and the support threshold, the support threshold is dynamically selected. Using the electronic medical record data from a medical centre, the time-series relationship of the drugs taken by hypertension patients was extracted as the drug sequence dataset. By determining the optimal support threshold of the dataset, the frequent sequence set is mined, and the sequence rules are generated from the obtained regular sequences to visualize the sequence rules. The sequence rules of medication for hypertensive patients were combined with the patients' physical indicators for the recommendation. For patients with obstetric hypertension, a combination of nifedipine and captopril is recommended. Through the comparison of the observation group and control group, we study the curative effect of various drugs. The results showed that the total effective rate of the observation group was about 96.6%; compared with the control group, the result indicated that the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The comparison of blood pressure levels between the two groups after treatment also showed that the results of the observation group were ideal (P < 0.05). In addition, the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage and perinatal complications in the observation group was also significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Therefore, the combination of medication for pregnancy hypertension syndrome can effectively improve the treatment effect of the disease and reduce the rate of postpartum haemorrhage and the incidence of perinatal complications.
Application of quantitative methods for oligopoly market analysis

Oligopoly market is characterized by the production of homogenous commodities with very similar attributes. The market can be segmented into groups of producers - oligopolists by means of cluster analysis. Regression analysis makes possible to derive cost functions for production of this commodity at every oligopoly firm and a uniform price function for all oligopolists. These functions enable to express the profit of every oligopolist in relationship not only on his output, but also on outputs of the other oligopolists. Determination of an optimal output for every oligopolist is equivalent with finding its equilibrium strategy in the game with the payoff function that represents its profit and with the strategy space that is limited by minimal and maximal output of the oligopolist. Under the assumption, that the price function and cost functions are linear, equilibrium strategies of all oligopolists can be established by quadratic programming methods. The mentioned possibilities for an application of quantitative methods in the analysis of the oligopolistic market structure are illustrated in this paper by a simple example.
The Inductive System: A New Tool in Civil Engineering

An inductive system is a computer program that uses learning from examples to conduct a qualitative data analysis: the extraction of decision rules from examples, determination of redundant attributes, and the analysis of relationships between different groups of attributes. Five potential civil engineering applications of inductive systems are discussed in this paper, including the extraction of decision rules from examples, problem-solving, shallow modelling, learning about a domain, and learning expert systems. Examples of individual applications are given. These were obtained using a class of experimental inductive systems based on the theory of rough sets.
Robot-Mediated Imitation Skill Training for Children With Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacts 1 in 68 children in the U.S., with tremendous individual and societal costs. Technology-aided intervention, more specifically robotic intervention, has gained momentum in recent years due to the inherent affinity of many children with ASD towards technology. In this paper we present a novel robot-mediated intervention system for imitation skill learning, which is considered a core deficit area for children with ASD. The Robot-mediated Imitation Skill Training Architecture (RISTA) is designed in such a manner that it can operate either completely autonomously or in coordination with a human therapist depending on the intervention need. Experimental results are presented from small user studies validating system functionality, assessing user tolerance, and documenting subject performance. Preliminary results show that this novel robotic system draws more attention from the children with ASD and teaches gestures more effectively as compared to a human therapist. While no broad generalized conclusions can be made about the effectiveness of RISTA based on our small user studies, initial results are encouraging and justify further exploration in the future.
Thumbs and anemia.

There have been nine cases reported of children with triphalangeal thumbs and congenital RBC aplasia.1-8 The first such case was included in the review of 30 patients with congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia in 1961 by Diamond et al.1 (This anemia had been described in 1938 in a brief report by Diamond and Blackfan.2 It was thereafter called the Diamond-Blackfan syndrome by some and congenital hypoplastic anemia by others.) The other cases of triphalangeal thumbs were reported individually, as if a new syndrome had been found, which recently was called the Aase syndrome.3 As a matter of fact, a review of 200 cases of congenital hypoplastic anemia in the literature has revealed 17 patients with associated thumb abnormalities.
The Influence of Advertising on Alcohol Consumption: A Literature Review and An Econometric Analysis of Four European Nations

Econometric and laboratory research in the US, Canada and the UK have not revealed advertising to have a significant effect on alcohol consumption. The same is true of survey research, which confirms the powerful role of social factors such as the attitudes and behaviour of parents and peers. We present an econometric analysis of the alcoholic beverage markets of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden (where alcohol advertising has been prohibited since 1979), as well as a new analysis of the UK market. The results provide further support for the view that advertising does not have a substantial effect on alcohol sales. The data also show that social forces other than prices and income were bringing about a strong reduction in demand for alcoholic beverages during the 1970s and 1980s, and that advertising did nothing to ward off this trend.
Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program: a dissemination and effectiveness study.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program as presented by the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter, in Orange County, California. Methods Participants with arthritis (n = 141) enrolled in the program between October 1999 and May 2001. All materials were in Spanish. Written pretest, 6-week posttest, and 6-month followup tests measured pain rating, self-report joint counts, function (modified Health Assessment Questionnaire [mHAQ]), self efficacy, self-care behavior, and arthritis knowledge. Results Mean age was 51 years, 92% were female, 84% were born in Mexico, 55% had sixth grade education or less, and 60% had no medical insurance. Of the 141 participants, 118 completed 6-month followup testing. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant improvement from pretest to 6-month followup in pain (6.0 versus 3.4); self efficacy (5.5 versus 8.4), self-care behavior (1.7 versus 4.9), arthritis knowledge (1.6 versus 4.5), and general health (2.1 versus 2.5), all at P < 0.001. Small improvement was reported in mHAQ (0.56 versus 0.50; P = 0.024). Conclusion The Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program was successfully disseminated. Significant improvements in self efficacy and in arthritis symptoms were maintained at the 6-month followup.
Assessing the profitability of growth by acquisition: A ‘premium recapture’ approach

Abstract This paper makes a case that because of the large premiums paid over the last 20 years by companies undertaking growth by acquisition, this growth probably has been unprofitable. The case has three parts. The first develops a model designed to show for any premium paid for any acquiree the performance improvement required to recapture this premium and create value for the acquiring company. The second part reports the distribution of premiums paid for a large sample of acquirees and uses this model to determine the specific performance improvements necessary to bring about value creation for the new parents of the acquirees. The third part uses historical rate of return data to show that for typical acquirees these improvements call for levels of performance that are difficult to attain and sustain in U.S. industrial markets.
Quantitative Measurement of Cell Adhesion Using Centrifugal Force

In order to study the biophysical forces involved in cell-substrate (or cell-cell) adhesion, it is necessary to measure the strength of adhesion. Two questions can be addressed using the centrifugal cell adhesion assay provided in this unit: what is the ligand-receptor affinity for cells adhering at 4 degrees C and what is the strength of the ATP-dependent processes that strengthen adhesion at 37 degrees C. In both cases, the strength of adhesion is measured as the resistance to disruption in the presence of a measured centrifugal force.
Experimental and Analytical Analysis of Mechanical Response and Deformation Mode Selection in Balsa Wood

This study investigates the influence of relative density and strain rate on the compressive response of balsa wood as a sandwich core material commonly used in naval structures. Compressive strength, plateau stress and densification strain of balsa wood along the grain direction is investigated over its entire density spectrum ranging from 55 to 380kg/m3 at both quasi-static (10−3 s−3) and dynamic (103 s−3) strain rates using a modified Kolsky (split Hopkinson) bar. Scanning electron microscopy is used on recovered specimens subjected to controlled loading histories to identify the failure mode selection as a function of density and strain rate. The results indicate that compressive strength of balsa wood increases with relative density though the rate of increase is significantly larger at high strain rates. The failure of low-density specimens is governed by elastic and/or plastic buckling, while kink band formation and end-cap collapse dominate in higher density balsa specimens. Based on the experimental results and observations, several analytical models are proposed to predict the quasi-static compressive strength of balsa wood under uniaxial loading conditions. Results also show that the initial failure stress is very sensitive to the rate of loading, and the degree of dynamic strength enhancement is different for buckling and kink band modes. Kinematics of deformation of the observed failure modes and associated micro-inertial effects are modeled to explain this different behavior. Specific energy dissipation capacity of balsa wood was computed and is found to be comparable with those of fiber-reinforced polymer composites.
Salt Mineralogy of Las Vegas Wash, Nevada

Las Vegas Wash drains the Las Vegas Basin in Nevada by capturing a series of tributaries and ending in Lake Mead and is being developed into an urban wetland. The soils are part of the Land series and contain high concentrations of pedogenic salts because of local sulfate-rich parent materials and high evapotranspiration rates. These salts cause damage to property, affect plant communities in the wetlands, and contribute to salinity in the Colorado River System. To gain a better understanding of these salts, two soil profiles were described. Whole soil samples were analyzed for ammonium acetate‐extractable and water-soluble elemental analyses, cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, electrical conductivity, and particle size. Salt minerals were analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Results of XRD analyses indicate hexahydrite, bloedite, mirabilite, gypsum, thenardite,halite,vivianite,and sepiolite.SEM/EDS analyses found bloedite, eugsterite, halite, hexahydrite, gypsum, thenardite, and possibly kainite. Gypsum occurs at the surface and in all subsurface horizons. The more soluble salts occur at the surface and in two subsurface horizons. This study documents the third occurrence of eugsterite in the USA and is the first study to document salts other than gypsum forming snowball morphology. We interpret the subsurface zones of soluble salts to represent relict water tables where capillary action, combined with subsurface evaporation, has concentrated Na-Mg sulfates and halite. These relict water tables may represent previous highlevel water tables that were lowered because of increased urbanization resulting in flooding, erosion, and incision of the Las Vegas Wash.
A Conceptual Design for an Imploding-Liner Fusion Reactor

A conceptual design is presented for a fusion reactor based on the compression of a magnetically-confined plasma by a rotationally-stabilized liquid lithium liner, imploded non-destructively by high pressure helium. The energy of the fusion α-particles is recovered in the expansion and compensates for the resistive losses in the liner, making the compression-expansion cycle self-sustaining. The liner acts as the confining magnet, the tritium breeding blanket, and the heat transfer medium, as well as serving as a continuously-replaceable “first wall.” The result is a fusion reactor whose engineering power density is, potentially, ~3 times greater than that of a tokamak.