cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: ischemia is not the correct measure of benefit.

Many or even most patients with coronary disease and chronic stable angina will obtain complete relief of symptoms with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) [(1)][1]. When coupled with appropriate management of cardiovascular risk factors, PCI offers coronary patients the possibility of long
An Exploratory Study of Honor Crimes in the United States

There is a lack of research on honor crimes within the United States. We used an open source search methodology to identify the victim-offender relationship and motivations for this crime within the United States. Using data collected based on the protocol for the United States Extremist Crime Database (ECDB), we identified a total of 16 honor crimes with 40 victims that occurred between January 1st 1990 and December 31st 2014 in the United States. Based on our findings, the overarching motivations for honor crimes in the United States were the perpetrator’s former partner beginning the process of separation and the westernized behavior of the victim, typically the offender’s daughter or step-daughter. Honor crimes were not limited to current/former intimate partners or daughters, as they also included the death of extended family members (e.g. in-laws, nieces, and cousins). Policy implications and directions for future research on honor crimes are discussed.
Perspectives on fast-neutron mutagenesis of human lymphoblastoid cells

The effects of low-fluence exposures to (Pu, Be) neutrons (En = 4.2 MeV) have been studied in a sensitive human B-lymphoblastoid cell line, TK6. Mutations were scored for two genetic loci, hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (hgprt) and thymidine kinase (tk), as a function of dose and dose rate. For exposures limited to less than one cell cycle, the mutation frequency for the hgprt locus was 1.92 X 10(-7)/cGy. When exposures were protracted over multiple cell generations, mutation yields were increased to 6.07 X 10(-7)/cGy. Similar yields were obtained for the induction of tk-deficient mutants with a normal cell generation time (tk-ng) when exposures were carried out at very low dose rates over multiple cell generations. In the series of data presented here, the results obtained for short-duration neutron exposures are compared with data obtained for monoenergetic heavy charged particles of defined linear energy transfer (LET) produced at the BEVALAC accelerator at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. TK6 cells have been exposed to beams ranging in atomic number from 20Ne to 40Ar over an energy range from 330 to 670 MeV/amu. Mutation induction was evaluated for both loci for a subset of these beams. The results obtained with 20Ne ions of 425 MeV/amu (LET = 32 keV/microns) and 28Si ions of 670 MeV/amu (LET = 50 keV/microns) closely resemble the mutation yields obtained for brief exposures to (Pu, Be) neutrons. The nature of alterations in DNA structure induced within the tk locus of tk-ng mutants is reviewed for a series of neutron-induced mutants and a series of mutants induced by exposure to 40Ar ions (470 MeV/amu, LET = 95 keV/microns). The mutational spectra for these two types of mutants were similar and were dominated by allele loss mutations. Multilocus deletions inclusive of the c-erbA1 locus were common among tk-deficient mutants induced by these densely ionizing radiations. For the mutants induced by 40Ar ions, it is likely that the mutations were produced by the traversal of the chromosome by a single particle.
A note on the mode of infection in epidemic poliomyelitis

Both in experimental and human epidemic poliomyelitis the virus has been repeatedly demonstrated in the tonsils, in the nasal mucous membrane, and in nasal washings, both from fatal and acute cases. As the experimental disease can also be produced by intranasal swabbing with the active virus it seems probable that the nasal mucosa is one at least of the sources of the virus in the outside world and also the means of its entrance to the body. The marked viability of the virus under adverse conditions such as drying, low temperature, etc., must also be considered as making for a fairly well founded theory of the nasal route as one path of the virus to and from the body.The precise manner in which microorganisms enter the body through mucous membranes is difficult to establish. Because we can produce experimental poliomyelitis by the application of the active virus to the nasal mucous membrane, we have in this disease a means of determining whether the virus so applied first enters the blood stream and throu...
The effects of metyrapone and ACTH on the development of gluconeogenesis in the neonatal pig.

SummaryPigs taken by Caesarean delivery on either 111th or 112th day of gestation were assigned to three treatment groups, each receiving im injections. The control group (C) received saline injections; the cortisol-deficient group (M) received 5 mg/kg body weight of metyrapone, and the ACTH group (A) received 1 U/kg body weight of ACTH. Pigs in group M demonstrated hypoglycemia at ages 22, 30, and 38 hr. The metryapone-treated pigs had the lowest liver glycogen levels at ages 30 and 38 hr. Liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity increased 5-fold by 30 hr of age in groups C and A, and about 3-fold in group M. The development of liver serine dehydratase was dependent on an adequate level of plasma Cortisol. Liver and kidney fructose-1,6-diphosphatose, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were not drastically altered by the cortisol status of the neonatal pig. Gluconeogenesis from pyruvate and glycerol in kidney cortex slices from pigs in group M was consistently lower than both groups A an...
Tomato Pinworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Artificial Infestation: Effect on Foliar and Fruit Injury of Ground Tomatoes

Larvae of the tomato pinworm, Keiferia lycopersicella (Walsingham), were used to artificially infest tomato plants. Lowest percentage of fruit loss (9–10.5%) was obtained after an infestation of 1–4 larvae per plant compared with 19–40% with 8–14 larvae per plant. There was a better relationship between leaf injuries and damaged fruit in the lower canopy than in the upper canopy. A quadratic equation better represented the relationship between larval density and percent yield reduction than did the linear equation. Regression analysis indicated that percent yield reduction increased quadralically as number of larvae increased per plant.
Green Infrastructure, Grey Epistemologies, and the Urban Political Ecology of Pittsburgh's Water Governance

This paper explores Pittsburgh's water governance to consider the way divergent approaches to urban stormwater management reproduce existing urban metabolisms and belie more radical possibilities for the urban hydro-social cycle. Federal action has forced municipalities in the Pittsburgh metropolitan region to make changes to its urban water systems and develop a plan to comply with water quality regulations. Within Pittsburgh's water governance debates, compliance centers on various sets of technological strategies for defining and solving purportedly wicked urban environmental problems. Urban political ecology, here, is used to deconstruct the tensions and convergences between these different stormwater governance strategies. I argue that green infrastructure approaches (whose intentions are to expand practice and participation) are framed by dominant grey epistemological approaches. In this view, alternative and creative forms of greening the city may not necessarily represent a more democratic process, but instead reproduce uneven urban landscapes under greener cover.
Relationships of Smiling and Flirtation to Aggression and 2D:4D, a Prenatal Androgen Index

Smiling has been reported to be a signal of submission/lower status, or a sign of cooperation. In the present study, use of smiling and flirtation to "make people receptive to my ideas" was conceptualized as mild aggression, since it is mildly manipulative of the perception of others as to one's internal emotional status. For 91 participants (55 female, 36 male), use of smiling and flirtation to make others receptive to one's ideas were associated with relational aggression and a more male-typical (smaller) right 2D:4D finger length ratio. The only significant relationship in the male sample alone was the relationship between smiling and relational aggression. In the female sample alone, use of smiling and flirtation to "make people receptive to my ideas" was associated with a more male-typical 2D:4D finger length ratio pattern, and there was a trend for flirtation to be associated with greater physical aggression. Both 2D:4D and physical aggression have been associated with higher prenatal androgen level. It is concluded that deliberate smiling and flirtation are mild forms of relational aggression, and are related to prenatal androgenic activity in a manner similar to physical aggression. These findings are discussed in terms of the different evolutionary strategies of men and women to control their social environments.
Conservative treatment of endometriosis externa: the effects of danazol therapy *

This report presents the clinical responses of 39 women who underwent danazol treatment for conservative therapy of proven endometriosis. The patients were treated with 800mg of danazol daily for a mean duration of 7.3 months and were clinically reevaluated at 16.9 months (mean) following the end of treatment. Complete subjective pain relief was noted in 38 patients (97%) within 6 weeks of the onset of danazol therapy. One patient noted only partial amelioration of pain. Recurrence of pain was noted in 38% of all patients at a mean of 6.9 months following therapy. More advanced disease was associated with an increased likelihood and rapidity of recurrence. Twenty-nine of the women were infertile. After treatment, nine conceived (33%). However, when patients with infertility potentially due to other causes also present were excluded, the corrected pregnancy rate was 56%. The side effects of danazol therapy were minimal and cleared rapidly following termination of the drug. These results compare favorably with other study populations where recurrence of disease and corrected pregnancy rates were specifically considered.
Crafting Theology: Toward a Theory of Literacy Smiths

This ethnography focuses on the literacy practices of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waco (UUWaco), a liberal faith-based community whose congregation includes members with various religious beliefs. To learn about this community’s literacy practices, I collected discourse-based interviews and participant-observations. My findings suggest that since UUWaco members do not endorse one set creed, they create their own theologies while relying on what I have come to call “multi-religious literacy,” or in-depth understanding of multiple religions and religious texts, through which UUWaco members craft new, individualized theologies. Guided by Deborah Brandt’s “literacy sponsors” and Alanna Frost’s “literacy stewards,” I propose a new term to describe UUWaco members, “literacy smiths.” Literacy smiths are people who seek out a variety of literacy sponsors and then borrow aspects of these sponsors’ literacy practices to create new literacies unique to their own discourse community. This term provides a new lens through which scholars can view literacy practices in religious communities, classrooms, and workplaces.
Introduced Species, Disease Ecology, and Biodiversity-Disease Relationships.

Species introductions are a dominant component of biodiversity change but are not explicitly included in most discussions of biodiversity–disease relationships. This is a major oversight given the multitude of effects that introduced species have on both parasitism and native hosts. Drawing on both animal and plant systems, we review the competing mechanistic pathways by which biological introductions influence parasite diversity and prevalence. While some mechanisms – such as local changes in phylogenetic composition and global homogenization – have strong explanatory potential, the net effects of introduced species, especially at local scales, remain poorly understood. Integrative, community-scale studies that explicitly incorporate introduced species are needed to make effective predictions about the effects of realistic biodiversity change and conservation action on disease.
Distributed MIMO Underwater Systems: Receiver Design and Software-Defined Testbed Implementation

We design, implement, and evaluate an acoustic receiver structure for distributed multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) underwater systems that accounts for multiple carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) and multiple timing offsets (TOs) encountered in real deployments of underwater communication systems. We focus on challenging practical issues that arise in underwater acoustic sensor network setups where co-located multi-antenna sensor deployment is not feasible due to power, computation, and hardware limitations. In this paper, we utilize distributed underwater sensors to form virtual MIMO underwa- ter systems without requiring frequency or time synchronization. The proposed receiver consists of a bank of matched filters (one per effective CFO) at each receive antenna, followed by an information symbol detector. Each filter in the bank is sampled at the symbol rate with sampling timing selected according to the corresponding TO. We evaluate in real-time the performance of our algorithmic developments in a software-defined underwater testbed that utilizes in-house built software-defined acoustic modems (SDAMs). Experimental studies in both indoor, lab-controlled (tank) and outdoor (lake) real-world environments demonstrate superior bit-error-rate (BER) receiver performance compared to receiver designs that are not able to accommodate multiple CFOs and multiple TOs.
Faulty Foundings and Failed Reformers in Machiavelli's Florentine Histories

T his article argues against prevailing scholarly trends that the Florentine Histories continues to delineate the ways through which Niccolo Machiavelli, in The Prince and the Discourses, advised potential founders or reformers to exploit, for their own benefit and that of their patria, the inevitable social conflicts between elites and the people that arise in all polities. Machiavelli demonstrates that, in particular, Giano della Bella and Michele di Lando could and should have attempted to imitate exemplary ancient founders and reformers whom he praises in previous works, especially Moses, Romulus, and Brutus. Machiavelli implicitly criticizes Giano and Michele for failing to spiritedly invigorate new laws with necessary and salutary violence; for neglecting to effectively manage the “envy” of rival peers; for not resisting the allure of “middle ways” between difficult political choices; and for failing to militarily organize or mobilize the entirety of Florence's common people.
Three-Dimension-Printed Porous Poly(Propylene Fumarate) Scaffolds with Delayed rhBMP-2 Release for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Fixation

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures reconstructed with tendon grafts are commonly fixed with bioabsorbable implants, which are frequently complicated by incomplete bone filling upon degradation. Bone regeneration after ACL reconstruction could be enhanced by utilizing tissue engineering techniques and three-dimensional (3D) printing to create a porous bioabsorbable scaffold with delayed delivery of recombinant-human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2). The first aim of this study was to design a 3D poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) porous scaffold that maintained suitable pullout strength for future testing in a rabbit ACL reconstruction model. Our second aim was to determine the release kinetics of rhBMP-2 from PPF scaffolds that utilized both calcium-phosphate coatings and growth factor delivery on microspheres, both of which have been shown to decrease the initial burst release of rhBMP-2 and increase bone regeneration. To determine the degree of scaffold porosity that maintained suitable pullout strength, tapered scaffolds were fabricated with increasing porosity (0%, 20%, 35%, and 44%) and pullout testing was performed in a cadaveric rabbit ACL reconstruction model. Scaffolds were coated with carbonate hydroxyapatite (synthetic bone mineral [SBM]), and radiolabeled rhBMP-2 was delivered in four different experimental groups as follows: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres only, microspheres and collagen (50:50), collagen only, and saline solution only. rhBMP-2 release was measured at day 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32. The microsphere delivery groups had a smaller burst release and released a smaller percentage of rhBMP-2 over the 32 days than the collagen and saline only groups. In conclusion, a porous bioabsorbable scaffold with suitable strength for a rabbit ACL reconstruction was developed. Combining a synthetic bone mineral coating with microspheres had an additive effect, decreasing the initial burst release and cumulative release of rhBMP-2. Future studies need to evaluate this scaffold's fixation strength and bone filling capabilities in vivo compared to traditional bioabsorbable implants.
Safe Visual Data Exploration

Exploring data via visualization has become a popular way to understand complex data. Features or patterns in visualization can be perceived as relevant insights by users, even though they may actually arise from random noise. Moreover, interactive data exploration and visualization recommendation tools can examine a large number of observations, and therefore result in further increasing chance of spurious insights. Thus without proper statistical control, the risk of false discovery renders visual data exploration unsafe and makes users susceptible to questionable inference.To address these problems, we present QUDE, a visual data exploration system that interacts with users to formulate hypotheses based on visualizations and provides interactive control of false discoveries.
Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Endometrium: Evaluation of Prognostic Parameters in a Multi-institutional Cohort of 165 Cases

Objectives Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) comprises a rare yet an aggressive subtype, accounting for less than 5% of all uterine carcinomas. Several clinicopathologic features have been predictive of poor prognosis; however, data remain controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of a multi-institutional cohort of endometrial CCC in order to identify which, if any, have prognostic significance. Methods Retrospective review of endometrial CCC diagnosed between 1995 and 2012 at 3 institutions was conducted to evaluate clinicopathologic parameters: age, race, tumor size, stage, myometrial invasion (MI), lymphovascular invasion, lymph node and adnexal involvement, adjuvant therapy, and outcomes. Data were analyzed using Fisher exact, Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Results Patients’ ages ranged from 36 to 90 years (median, 67 years). The median tumor size was 3.6 cm. Inner-half MI was present in 44%, lymphovascular invasion in 34%, adnexal involvement in 16%, and lymph node metastasis in 30% of cases. Fifty-eight percent of the patients presented with early-stage disease. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 58%. Shorter disease-free interval (DFI) was significantly associated with older age at diagnosis (>70 years), advanced-stage disease, adnexal involvement, and deep MI (P = 0.005, P = 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy had a significantly worse DFI and 5-year OS (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). A significantly shorter 5-year OS was noted with advanced stage (III–IV) and presence of adnexal involvement (P = 0.001 and P = 0.021, respectively). On Cox regression analysis, advanced-stage disease, older age, and adnexal involvement were significant independent predictors of worse DFI (P = 0.001, P = 0.005, and P = 0.019, respectively), whereas inner-half MI was a significant independent predictor of longer DFI (P = 0.004). Adjuvant radiotherapy alone was a significant independent predictor of better 5-year OS (P = 0.012). Conclusions In our series of endometrial CCC, older age at diagnosis, advanced stage, deep MI, and adnexal involvement were independent poor prognostic factors. Adjuvant radiotherapy had a significant positive impact on 5-year OS.
Association of Hospital Market Concentration With Costs of Complex Hepatopancreaticobiliary Surgery.

Importance Trade-offs involved with market competition, overall costs to payers and consumers, and quality of care have not been well defined. Less competition within any given market may enable provider-driven increases in charges. Objective To examine the association between regional hospital market concentration and hospital charges for hepatopancreaticobiliary surgical procedures. Design, Setting, and Participants This study included all patients undergoing hepatic or pancreatic resection in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2011. Hospital market concentration was assessed using a variable-radius Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) in the 2003, 2006, and 2009 Hospital Market Structure files. Data were analyzed from November 19, 2016, through March 2, 2017. Interventions Hepatic or pancreatic resection. Main Outcomes and Measures Multivariable mixed-effects log-linear models were constructed to determine the association between HHI and total costs and charges for hepatic or pancreatic resection. Results Weighted totals of 38 711 patients undergoing pancreatic resection (50.8% men and 49.2% women; median age, 65 years [interquartile range, 55-73 years]) and 52 284 patients undergoing hepatic resection (46.8% men and 53.2% women; median age, 59 years [interquartile range, 49-69 years]) were identified. Higher institutional volume was associated with lower cost of pancreatic resection (−5.4%; 95% CI, −10.0% to −0.5%; P = .03) and higher cost of hepatic resection (13.4%; 95% CI, 8.2% to 18.8%; P P = .047) in unconcentrated hospital markets relative to moderately concentrated markets, although overall charges were 8.3% lower (95% CI, −14.0% to −2.3%; P = .008) in highly concentrated markets. For hepatic resections, hospitals in highly concentrated markets had 8.4% lower costs (95% CI, −13.0% to −3.6%; P = .001) compared with those in unconcentrated markets and charges that were 13.4% lower (95% CI, −19.3% to −7.1%; P P = .001) compared with unconcentrated markets. Conclusions and Relevance Higher market concentration was associated with lower overall charges and lower costs of pancreatic and hepatic surgery. For complex, highly specialized procedures, hospital market consolidation may represent the best value proposition: better quality of care with lower costs.
Bleeding Complications and Mortality in Neonates Receiving Therapeutic Hypothermia and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Objective The objective of this study was to compare complications and mortality in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) who did and did not receive therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Study Design The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry was queried from 2005 to 2013 to identified infants with HIE. Infants ≤30 days of age with HIE on respiratory ECMO were included. Fisher's exact test and the Wilcoxon's rank-sum test were used to compare neonates with and without TH. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of TH with complications and mortality. Results There were no difference between neonates with HIE who did (n = 78) and did not (n = 109) receive TH in demographics, severity of illness, complications, and mortality (p = 0.21). Conclusion No differences in complications or mortality in neonates with HIE and respiratory ECMO were observed between those who did and did not receive TH. We suggest that for neonates requiring respiratory ECMO who also have HIE, TH is not contraindicated.
Abstract 11944: Association of Heavy Alcohol Consumption With Risk of Heart Failure Stratified by Patient Characteristics

Introduction: While cardiac systolic dysfunction secondary to chronic abuse of alcohol is well described, some evidence suggests a cardiovascular benefit of moderate alcohol consumption. It remains unclear if heavy alcohol consumption predicts congestive heart failure (CHF) in the general population. In addition, the patient characteristics that might influence this relationship remain unknown. Methods and Results: We randomly selected 1 million adults from the California Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database (capturing all emergency department, ambulatory procedural, and inpatient healthcare encounters) from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009. After exclusions for missing demographic information (N=72,301, 7%) and prevalent CHF at study entry (N=69,512, 7%), 858,187 patients were included in the analysis. Analysis variables were defined using ICD-9 codes. During study follow-up, 4% (N=33,046) were coded with alcohol abuse and 12% (N=106,655) developed incident CHF. The mean age was 52 ± 21 years, 35% (N=299,884) were men, and 45% (N=384,204) were white. After adjustment for age, gender, race, hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, valvular heart disease, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and income, alcohol abuse was associated with a 70% increased risk of incident CHF (hazard ratio 1.69, 95%CI 1.49-1.91, P Figure ). Conclusions: Alcohol abuse was associated with incident CHF in this diverse, population-based cohort. Interaction analyses suggest that the mechanism linking alcohol abuse to development of heart failure may resemble those intrinsic to age related comorbidities and hypertension. Younger individuals and those without hypertension may be disproportionately prone to the myocardial toxic effects of alcohol.
The Introduction of Halogen

The introduction of halogen into organic molecules can be carried out by a variety of addition or substitution reactions. The classical methods for the addition of halogen to double bonds or the substitution of halogen for hydroxyl by hydrohalic acids are well known. Therefore, this chapter discusses the methods that are of interest because of their stereospecific outcome or because they may be used on sensitive substrates. Triphenylphosphine in refluxing carbon tetrachloride converts primary and secondary alcohols into the corresponding chlorides under very mild conditions with inversion of configuration. When carbon tetrabromide is used, alkyl bromide is formed. Carbon tetrachloride is dried over calcium chloride and distilled before use. Triphenylphosphine is dried by dissolving it in dry benzene, removing the solvent under vacuum, and storing over phosphorus pentoxide. A halogenating system is formed by the reaction of triphenylphosphine with molecular bromine or chlorine. The system is not as sensitive to moisture as the phosphine–carbon tetrahalide system, but it suffers from the disadvantage that hydrohalic acids are produced as the reaction proceeds.
Utility, Duty and Fairness

Publisher Summary This chapter describes some problems in the theory of collective action. Collective action can derive from a variety of motives, whether selfish or nonselfish, outcome-oriented or nonoutcome-oriented. This chapter considers three kinds of nonselfish motivations: (1) utility, (2) duty, and (3) fairness. The first is outcome-oriented, while two others are not concerned with the consequences of action. Action according to duty or norms of fairness often has good consequences. That nonconsequentialist action can have good consequences is a familiar theme from many contexts. This chapter discusses the structure of the standard collective action problem. It discusses the circumstances under which collective action might be forthcoming under the standard motivational assumptions of economic theory—rationality and selfishness. The chapter introduces utilitarian motives, including altruistic ones, as a first variety of nonselfish considerations. It also discusses the notion of duty or everyday Kantianism, that is, choosing the action that would lead to the best results if chosen by everyone. The norm of fairness, defined as an injunction to cooperate if and only if all or most others do, is also considered.
Rev. of American Autobiography after 9/11

Though the iconic Banksy painting of the twin towers of the World Trade Center adorns the cover of Megan Brown’s American Autobiography after 9/11, this book is not about 9/11, nor is it about the ...
Microcavity Emitters and Detectors

Modern crystal growth methods allow multilayer heterostructures to be incorporated in a variety of novel and useful devices. For example, the use of distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR’s) with high reflectivity designed for a specific wavelength has led to microcavities for both light emitters and detectors. This has revolutionized the design of semiconductor lasers, which now have resonant cavities on the order of a single wavelength of light. Photodetectors also have been changed by incorporating DBR’s to form microcavities for absorption. The resonant-cavity photodiode structure in effect decouples the quantum efficiency from the transit-time. It is also possible to introduce additional periodicities in the mirror design to achieve reflectivity at two (or four) separate wavelengths. These wavelength-selective mirrors should have a variety of applications in wavelength division multiplexing. Lasers and detectors employing resonant cavities on the wavelength scale will play an important role in a variety of future optoelectronic applications, and for optical interconnects. By using techniques such as selective oxidation of AlAs layers, it is possible to define cavities in the lateral plane as well as vertically between the DBR’s. As a result of these advances in the design of microcavities, new approaches to low-dimensional confinement of photons are possible, in analogy to the study of electron confinement.
Mesoscale eddy variability and its linkage to deep convection over the Bay of Bengal using satellite altimetric observations

Abstract In the Bay of Bengal (BoB), surface circulation is strongly influenced by the Indian Monsoon and notable local eddying that modulates the East India Coastal Current (EICC). In this study, we apply an eddy tracking algorithm to 25 years (1993-2018) of satellite altimetric observations to identify, analyze, and track mesoscale eddies in the BoB from their generation to dissipation. We compare the characteristics and trajectories of these eddies during the southwest (SW) and northeast (NE) monsoon seasons and during the pre- and post-SW monsoon periods to better understand the seasonality of the local eddy field. We find high eddy generation in the eastern BoB associated with instability induced by coastal Kelvin waves and the westward propagating Rossby waves, but we found the most robust eddies in the western BoB around the EICC. Ocean heat content (OHC) in the BoB was compared with warm-core eddies and we find that warm-core eddies drive changes in OHC. We also compared the eddy field during strong and weak SW monsoon forcing and with varying Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions, finding a statistically significant relationship with warm-core eddies and sea surface temperatures (SSTs; R2 = 91%) and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR; R2 = 88%) during periods of strong ENSO and IOD forcing. To understand the impact of these eddies on local atmospheric convection we found the composite surface structure of anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies of warm-core and cold-core SSTs, finding a close relationship between the eddy-composite SSTs and OLR.
Capacity Allocation of Game Tickets Using Dynamic Pricing

This study examines a pricing approach that is applicable in the field of online ticket sales for game tickets. The mathematical principle of dynamic programing is combined with empirical data analysis to determine demand functions for university football game tickets. Based on the calculated demand functions, the application of DP strategies is found to generate more revenues than a fixed price strategy. The other important result is the capacity distribution of tickets according to the football game intensity. Prior studies have shown that it is sometimes more profitable or football clubs to allocate a share of tickets to a retailer and earn a commission based on the sales, rather than selling the entire capacity of tickets by itself. This paper finds that in a high intensity game, where the demand is generally high, it is optimal for the club to sell all tickets by itself. Whereas, for less popular games, where there is considerable fluctuation in demand, the capacity allocation problem for maximized revenues from ticket sales, becomes a harder optimization challenge for the club. According to DP optimization, when the demand for tickets is relatively low, it is optimal for the club to retain 20–40% of the tickets and the rest of the capacity should be sold to online retailers. In the real world, this pricing technique has been used by football clubs and thus the secondary market online retailers like Ticketmaster and Vivid Seats have become popular in the last decade.
Rainbow Matching in Edge-Colored Graphs

A rainbow subgraph of an edge-colored graph is a subgraph whose edges have distinct colors. The color degree of a vertex $v$ is the number of different colors on edges incident to $v$. Wang and Li conjectured that for $k\geq 4$, every edge-colored graph with minimum color degree at least $k$ contains a rainbow matching of size at least $\left\lceil k/2 \right\rceil$. We prove the slightly weaker statement that a rainbow matching of size at least $\left\lfloor k/2 \right\rfloor$ is guaranteed. We also give sufficient conditions for a rainbow matching of size at least $\left\lceil k/2 \right\rceil$ that fail to hold only for finitely many exceptions (for each odd $k$).
The Ph.D. Panic: Examining the relationships among teaching anxiety, teaching self-efficacy, and coping in Biology graduate teaching assistants (GTAs)

Anxiety among graduate students in the United States has increased over the last several decades, affecting not only their overall mental health but also reducing retention in graduate programs. Teachers with high teaching anxiety can negatively impact student learning, yet the impacts of teaching anxiety on graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) is not well studied. Biology GTAs teach most introductory Biology labs and discussions nationally, thus broadly influencing the quality of undergraduate education. In Fall 2016, we investigated Biology GTA teaching anxiety at a large research-intensive southeastern university by (1) measuring teaching anxiety of Biology GTAs, and (2) exploring the relationships among teaching anxiety, self-efficacy, and coping. Using multiple linear regressions, we found that greater teaching self-efficacy is related to lower teaching anxiety in Biology GTAs ( R 2 adi =0.65, p
Crack initiation and propagation approaches to fatigue analysis

Commonly used analysis methods for predicting "uniaxial" crack initiation and propagation lives in notched structural components are summarized. Experimental trends in the crack initiation and propagation behavior of notched laboratory specimens are presented and discussed in terms of the influence of such factors as notch stress concentration and stress gradient, nature of the loading, residual stress, etc. Conditions for which fatigue life tends to be governed by crack growth considerations are identified. A criterion for nonpropagating cracks is examined. Examples showing how design factors influence the selection of crack initiation or propagation approaches are given. Potential advantages of a better understanding of small crack behavior at notches are noted.
Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes

Patient satisfaction evaluations of physician have become commonplace in the practice of medicine over the past decade. This chapter reviews the available literature on patient satisfaction scores and patient outcomes for women physicians.
HCompress: Hierarchical Data Compression for Multi-Tiered Storage Environments

Modern scientific applications read and write massive amounts of data through simulations, observations, and analysis. These applications spend the majority of their runtime in performing I/O. HPC storage solutions include fast node-local and shared storage resources to elevate applications from this bottleneck. Moreover, several middleware libraries (e.g., Hermes) are proposed to move data between these tiers transparently. Data reduction is another technique that reduces the amount of data produced and, hence, improve I/O performance. These two technologies, if used together, can benefit from each other. The effectiveness of data compression can be enhanced by selecting different compression algorithms according to the characteristics of the different tiers, and the multi-tiered hierarchy can benefit from extra capacity. In this paper, we design and implement HCompress, a hierarchical data compression library that can improve the application’s performance by harmoniously leveraging both multi-tiered storage and data compression. We have developed a novel compression selection algorithm that facilitates the optimal matching of compression libraries to the tiered storage. Our evaluation shows that HCompress can improve scientific application’s performance by 7x when compared to other state-of-the-art tiered storage solutions.
Perceived Barriers to Treatment in Persons Treated for Functional Gastrointestinal Disease with Constipation

Despite expanding treatment options, patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) frequently express concerns about problems with access to care. We hypothesized that health insurance coverage contributes to the perceived problems with care delivery. Using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, we examined a cohort of participants defined by the diagnosis code for FGID plus the recorded prescription for laxative therapy. Demographic data, healthcare utilization and cost, insurance coverage, comorbid conditions, and information about provider characteristics were extracted for the years 2005–2015. Age- and sex-matched controls were identified for each year included. Barriers to care were based on responses to questions about inability to receive timely care or medication. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of perceived barriers. The cohort was female predominant (67.8%; mean age: 58.8 ± 0.33 years) with 15.4% reporting problems with access to care. Limited insurance coverage was most commonly cited by respondents. Consistent with this result, uninsured persons were significantly more likely to report barriers to care, while the type of insurance for those covered did not independently predict access problems. In addition, comorbidity burden and provider-specific factors, such as available contact options or insufficient explanations, correlated with perceived barriers to care delivery. While the study design cannot establish causal links, persons with FGID commonly report access problems, which correlate with lack of health insurance and comorbidities. Providers can influence this perception by offering more flexible office hours and incorporating patient expectations related to treatment explanations and shared decision-making.
Physiologic assessment of coronary artery disease in the catheterization laboratory

Coronary artery disease is a progressive process adversely affecting the integrity of the coronary vasculature. In the past years, most studies have focused on the morphological changes leading to compromised coronary blood flow in atherosclerosis. In recent years however, it has become apparent that abnormal coronary vasomotor regulation may precede or accompany gross morphological changes in coronary atherosclerotic disease. In fact, the pathophysiology of angina pectoris in many patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis and minimally obstructive disease may involve abnormal coronary vasomotor regulation. This article will review the current knowledge of the physiologic assessment of both native coronary artery disease and the adequacy of percutaneous coronary interventions.
A distinct population of heterogeneously color-tuned neurons in macaque visual cortex

Color is a key feature of natural environments that higher mammals routinely use to detect food, avoid predators, and interpret social signals. The distribution of color signals in natural scenes is widely variable, ranging from uniform patches to highly nonuniform regions in which different colors lie in close proximity. Whether individual neurons are tuned to this high degree of variability of color signals is unknown. Here, we identified a distinct population of cells in macaque visual cortex (area V4) that have a heterogeneous receptive field (RF) structure in which individual subfields are tuned to different colors even though the full RF is only weakly tuned. This spatial heterogeneity in color tuning indicates a higher degree of complexity of color-encoding mechanisms in visual cortex than previously believed to efficiently extract chromatic information from the environment.
Macro Thermogravimetric Analyzers: Versatile and Underutilized Analytical Instruments

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is an analytical technique in which changes in physical and chemical properties of materials are measured as a function of temperature or time or both. TGA is commonly used to determine selected characteristics of materials that exhibit either mass loss, or gain, because of decomposition, oxidation, reduction, or loss of volatile material, such as moisture. Common applications of TGA are materials characterization through analysis of characteristic decomposition patterns and determination of combustible materials and combustion residues from a sample. Macro thermogravimetric analyzer (macro TGA) systems that use gram-size samples have been used for almost four decades for routine laboratory measurements, especially those measurements that monitor industrial processes. The larger sample sizes allow more accurate mass measurements for characterization of materials. Larger sample sizes also reduce the effects of uneven particle sizes and uneven distribution of properties between particles. Macro TGAs are automatic multi-sample analyzers with a multi-position sample carousel. Widespread use of these systems has led to the development of at least four ASTM International standard test methods that use macro TGAs. Other standard test methods using macro TGAs are in the process of being developed by ASTM International. Some other countries have developed, or are in the process of developing, standard test methods that use macro TGA instrumentation.
Artificial cephalopod organs for bio-inspired display: Progress in emulating nature

Cephalopods have inspired the development of many bio-inspired technologies. But how accurately can researchers model the optical features and functions of cephalopod skin without sacrificing speed or design? In ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Han et al. demonstrate one approach to tackle these challenges.
Investigation of Designs for a Stationary Adaptive Multi-Pinhole Brain SPECT Employing Flat-Square Detector Modules

An adaptive-stationary-modular multi-pinhole (MPH) brain SPECT, AdaptiSPECT-C is being developed by the University of Arizona and University of Massachusetts Medical School to meet static and dynamic brain SPECT imaging needs. Salient features of the ASC include the use of adjustable pinhole apertures to dynamically adapt to imaging task needs, improved light measuring around the edge of the scintillator crystal, plus motion tracking and correction with attenuation correction enabled by usage of depth-sensing (DS)-cameras. For a target system spatial resolution of 8 mm at the focal point of the apertures, selected to enable comparison to current 2-headed commercial (2HC) SPECT imaging, we report investigation of aperture layout designs for a system with 3 rings of 18.4 cm flat square detector modules. We investigated sensitivity at the focal point in comparison to 2HC for usage of 1 versus 5 apertures per module, and variation in the extent of truncation and multiplexing of the irradiation fields by adjustment of the aperture location between the detector and focal point. For a system with one aperture per module and minor truncation we determined a sensitivity of 2.7x that of 2HC; whereas, with use of 4 oblique apertures with minor truncation and moderate multiplexing we determined the sensitivity was 4.6x, and with all 5 apertures resulting in significant multiplexing the sensitivity was 5.7x. We also determined through simulation better visualization of the rods of a Derenzo phantom, and perfusion distribution of XCAT brain phantom with the 5 pinhole design, using solely the 4 oblique pinholes. We thus believe that this design with 5 pinholes per detector module is an excellent candidate for use in construction of the AdaptiSPECT-C system.
Interactive Computer Graphics as a Tool in Teaching Structural Analysis

Interactive graphics is, without a doubt, a useful tool in teaching computer-aided analysis courses. This does not only apply to the area of finite element analysis and structural design, but goes beyond that to any method providing results best understood in graphical form. The experience of using GIFTS in the finite element course has been gratifying and the intention is continue continuee its usage in the future. It is not only helpful in teaching the course but also provides valuable feedback to the program designer. Valuable systematic studies of the behavior of finite element models can be achieved by the combined ingenuity of the students, the capabilities of the program, and the hardware on which it is run.
The pathogenesis of pancreatic islet cell hyperplasia and insulin insensitivity in obesity.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the pathogenesis of pancreatic islet cell hyperplasia and insulin insensitivity in obesity. It discusses the factors influencing the function of the pancreatic islets and the effectiveness of insulin action during the evolution and maintenance of the obese state. The characteristic morphologic alterations of the pancreatic islets in obesity appear to evolve from a multiplicity of factors. In the homozygous obese mouse (ob/ob), increased islet cell insulin biosynthesis as reflected in endogenous hyperinsulinism is seen as early as 5 weeks of age, a time at which there is not yet a significant increase in body weight. Increased adiposity without obesity exists during the very early period of hyperinsulinism. The hyperinsulinism cannot be a compensatory response to peripheral insulin insensitivity. In parallel with selective pancreatic islet hyperplasia in obesity, one finds the progressive development of peripheral insulin insensitivity. Islet hyperplasia proceeds and may, in fact, be responsible for the generation of insulin insensitivity. Hence, the degree of endogenous hyperinsulinism in an individual (considered to be an indirect measure of pancreatic islet hyperplasia) would better correlate with the degree of tissue insulin unresponsiveness than other parameters, that is, degree of overweight, fat cell size, triglyceride content, etc.