cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Substance and Risk of Student Rampage Threats

In the wake of numerous highly publicized multiple-victim shooting sprees which occurred at the close of the 20th century in mostly rural and suburban American public schools, academics, politicians, and media figures weighed in on what should be done to prevent similar events from occurring in the future. One such commentator, Kay Hymowitz, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, wrote an impassioned essay in favor of emergent zero tolerance policies which automatically mandate strict penalties for student misbehavior such as making threats or bringing weapons to school, regardless of individual or situational circumstances. Hymowitz (2005: 24) stated that such policies: have been criticized for resulting in severe penalties for seemingly minor offenses, such as offhand comments about violence, violent drawings, or playful simulations of violent acts. However, the policies have headed off potentially catastrophic shootings and bombings nationwide. Because it is impossible to discern a teenager’s true intentions, any hint of potential violence must be taken seriously in order to protect the safety of other students.
Abstract CT301: Phase I study of SurVaxM in patients with survivin-expressing recurrent malignant gliomas

Background: Recent studies using SurVaxM, a survivin based multi-epitope cryptic peptide mimic, show specific CD8+ T cell responses and specific CD4+ T cell stimulation. Currently SurVaxM has completed a phase I clinical trial designed to study its safety, tolerability and immunological effects in patients with survivin-positive recurrent malignant gliomas. Survivin is an intracellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) that mediates a number of anti-apoptotic and oncogenic effects and is highly expressed in malignant gliomas and other cancers. The vaccine is immunogenic in humans with HLA-A*02, HLA-A*03, HLA-A*24 and other haplotypes and pre-clinical studies demonstrate potent and specific cytokine-supported antitumor CTL responses. Methods: Nine patients with survivin-positive, recurrent malignant gliomas and either HLA-A*02 or HLA-A*03 haplotypes received a series of 4 subcutaneous injections of SurVaxM at 2 week intervals. MRIs were performed at baseline, week 8, and at subsequent intervals. Results: SurVaxM was well tolerated with no SAE related to vaccine administration. Most AE were grade 1, including 6 of 9 patients with grade 1 localized erythema at the injection site. Three patients reported grades 1 or 2 fatigue, 2/9 experienced myalgia, possibly related to the study drug. Grade 1 lymphopenia was seen in 3/9 patients and grade 1 or 2 leukopenia was recorded in 3 patients. The only grade 3 AE, a seizure, was not related to the vaccine. The majority of patients developed specific cellular and humoral immune responses to survivin and 3 of 8 patients (all with recurrent glioblastoma), who are evaluable for clinical response, had stable disease after 17-26 months of ongoing follow-up. Five others have had progressive disease, although 4 of these maintained stable disease for 8-14 months. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the safety and tolerability of SurVaxM in patients with recurrent or progressive malignant glioma following failure of standard therapy. SurVaxM proved to be immunogenic in most patients. By activating multiple CD8+ CTL responses and CD4+ helper support, SurVaxM has a significant theoretical advantage as an active specific immunogen compared with survivin vaccines using a single class I-restricted peptide, or ones that incorporate generic helper peptides, which produce non-specific helper support. Early indicators point to a strong rationale for continued study. A phase II clinical trial of SurVaxM is planned. Citation Format: Michael J. Ciesielski, Laszlo Mechtler, Kathleen Mogensen, Jingxin Qiu, Manmeet Ahluwalia, Kelvin Lee, Alex Adjei, Robert Fenstermaker. Phase I study of SurVaxM in patients with survivin-expressing recurrent malignant gliomas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr CT301. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-CT301
Hemostasis During Ovarian Cystectomy: Systematic Review of the Impact of Suturing Versus Surgical Energy on Ovarian Function

This systematic review compares the effect of suturing and surgical energy used for hemostasis during ovarian cystectomies on ovarian function. A search of Scopus, Embase, and PubMed databases was conducted through December 1, 2016 for prospective, retrospective, and randomized controlled trials that analyzed ovarian function after ovarian cystectomies where hemostasis was obtained using suturing versus surgical energy. Of the 25 studies identified, 12 with a total of 1133 subjects met the criteria and were included in this review. Analysis of the pooled data strongly supports the use of suturing rather than surgical energy (bipolar or ultrasonic coagulation) for hemostasis, because it provides improved preservation of ovarian function at the time of cystectomy. Four of 8 ovarian reserve markers (anti-Mullerian hormone, antral follicle count, peak systolic velocity, and ovarian volume) demonstrated a positive association using suturing, whereas the remainder of ovarian markers showed a positive trend toward suturing or noninferiority to bipolar energy. In conclusion, suturing for hemostasis after ovarian cystectomy is superior to surgical energy in preserving ovarian function. Further studies are needed to assess whether this difference is clinically relevant in regards to fertility and premature ovarian failure. (USPSTF Level II-1 Evidence).
Assessing the Corrosion of Multi-Phase Mg-Al Alloys with High Al Content by Electrochemical Impedance, Mass Loss, Hydrogen Collection, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry Solution Analysis

The corrosion behavior for several die-cast Mg-Al alloys (AM50, AM50, and AZ91) was compared to commercial purity Mg and AZ31B-H24 utilizing simultaneous measurement of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), hydrogen gas collection over a 24 h immersion period, gravimetric mass loss, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) solution analysis of the total Mg concentration released. Tests were conducted in three electrolytes, unbuffered 0.6 M NaCl, 0.1 M tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), and 0.6 M NaCl buffered with TRIS to a pH of 7. EIS derived polarization resistance was monitored periodically, as determined from EIS circuit modeling using data collected to 0.001 Hz, and considering the pseudo-inductive low-frequency impedance time constant. EIS derived corrosion rates and oxidation charge density were similar to charge density determined from cumulative mass loss, ICP-OES solution analysis, and the volume of hydrogen collected for the die-cast AM50, AM60, and A...
Disseminated adenovirus infection causing severe ARDS

A previously healthy young man with a rare genetic condition presented with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to pneumonia with septic shock. He did not improve with conventional therapy for his known causal organism thus prompting further workup. He was found to be profoundly immunosuppressed raising our suspicion for atypical organisms. A bronchoalveolar lavage sample was positive via PCR for adenovirus which we suspect exacerbated a pre-existing bacterial pneumonia and led to a severe and non-responsive respiratory failure. His serum adenovirus load was markedly elevated. Treatment was started once the diagnosis of disseminated adenovirus infection was made; however, at that time patient was suffering from refractory hypoxaemia, respiratory acidosis, right heart failure and septic shock. Despite maximal supportive measures our patient ultimately expired over the course of 6 days.
Recurrent expert networks

Research has shown that computational techniques such as neural networks often provide classification abilities that are more accurate than methods which rely on explicit knowledge acquisition alone (BenDavid & Mandel 1995). On the other hand, because no “reason” for a particular classification can be given when a computational technique has been used, human experts tend to be skeptical of such systems. As a result, many researchers have developed tools, called hybrid systems, which combine the pattern recognition capabilities and parallel processing of neural systems while retaining the domain knowledge encoded in expert systems (Medsker 1994). Because the widely known “knowledge acquisition bottleneck” makes explicit knowledge acquisition tools (such as expert systems) expensive to create, Kuncicky, Hruska and Lather (Kuncicky, Hruska, & Lather 1992) have developed expert networks, which eliminate the need for the expert to associate a certainty factor with each rule. Instead, the expert system rules, acquired from the human expert, are translated into the topology of a computational network, called an expert network. The individual nodes in an expert network are not all identical but instead have functionalities that match the part of the knowledge base which they encode. For example, a node which encodes an AND between two pieces of knowledge in the knowledge base might take the minimum of its inputs and if that minimum is above a certain threshold, outputs that minimum (Lather & Nguyen 1994). The certainty factors correspond to the trainable weights between the nodes. Example data are presented to the network and the weights are learned via a backpropagation-like algorithm (Lather, Hruska, & Kuncicky 1992). The topologies and learning algorithms developed for expert networks thus far have been strictly feed-forward. Some classification tasks, however, will be difficult to complete using a strictly feed-forward architecture. In particular, the solution to many problems requires that “state” information be maintained. State information is the context in which the problem is currently being solved. The context of a problem solution will change as the solution proceeds. Certain sets of rules need only be considered in certain contexts. For example, if the problem is to read email, the state must include
The clock gene period differentially regulates sleep and memory in Drosophila

Circadian regulation is a conserved phenomenon across the animal kingdom, and its disruption can have severe behavioral and physiological consequences. Core circadian clock proteins are likewise well conserved from Drosophila to humans. While the molecular clock interactions that regulate circadian rhythms have been extensively described, additional roles for clock genes during complex behaviors are less understood. Here, we show that mutations in the clock gene period result in differential time-of-day effects on acquisition and long-term memory of aversive olfactory conditioning. Sleep is also altered in period mutants: while its overall levels don't correlate with memory, sleep plasticity in different genotypes correlates with immediate performance after training. We further describe distinct anatomical bases for Period function by manipulating Period activity in restricted brain cells and testing the effects on specific aspects of memory and sleep. In the null mutant background, different features of sleep and memory are affected when we reintroduce a form of the period gene in glia, lateral neurons, and the fan-shaped body. Our results indicate that the role of the clock gene period may be separable in specific aspects of sleep or memory; further studies into the molecular mechanisms of these processes suggest independent neural circuits and molecular cascades that mediate connections between the distinct phenomena.
Cumulus cloud synthetic rendering techniques and their evaluations

Three new techniques for synthesizing realistic renderings of cumulus clouds are introduced and evaluated. The techniques utilize variations of the Perlin Noise and Koch fractals to achieve a reasonable cloud-like shape and texture. To evaluate the quality of renderings produced by the techniques, three classes of texture features are considered using cluster quality measures. Rendering quality is also evaluated versus real images using shape and texture features.
A Study of E-government and Political Indicators in Developing Nations with and Without Access-to-Information Laws

This study examines a number of measurements of e-government, political openness, and level of development in developing nations with and without access-to-information laws (N = 150). With nearly every e-government measurement and both political openness measurements, developing nations with access-to-information laws had, on average, the strongest scores. Nations considering the legislation followed with the second strongest scores. When level of development was factored in, the e-government measurement strength was still higher, on average, in the countries with access-to-information legislation, but the differences were not as great.
1/f Noise in Rayleigh Wave Resonators and Delay Lines

Flicker or 1/f noise has been observed in many different physical systems, and Rayleigh wave devices are no exception. Flicker noise has been reported for both Rayleigh wave delay lines and resonators [1,2] as well as bulk acoustic wave (BAW) devices [3,4]. Though the ultimate source of the 1/f noise is not yet understood, some less fundamental questions are now beginning to be answered. For resonators, these questions involve the influence of Q, device frequency and one port versus two port design on 1/f noise levels. For delay lines the parameters under question are delay time and device frequency. In both cases fabrication and enviromental parameters may also influence the 1/f noise levels.
Effects of Microstructure on Compressive Fatigue of Composite Restorative Materials

Particulate reinforced polymer matrix composites are widely used in dentistry as esthetic restorative materials. Although the normally measured mechanical and physical properties of this class of materials approach the properties of dental amalgam (1) composite restorative materials exhibit limited durability in clinical service. Compared to amalgam restorations, composites undergo loss of material through wear processes and exhibit breakdown at the interfacial region between the restoration and tooth structure.
Variation in the use of minimally invasive bariatric surgery.

Abstract Background Obesity is a significant public health problem in the United States. Despite the known benefits of bariatric surgery, most patients eligible for bariatric surgery do not receive it. Access to minimally invasive bariatric surgery (MIS), the surgical gold standard, may be a limitation. Objectives We investigated geographic variation in the utilization of laparoscopy for bariatric surgical procedures. Methods We utilized a unique 3-state inpatient database. Adult patients receiving initial bariatric surgery were included. Patients were divided into hospital service areas (HSAs). Rates of MIS utilization in each HSA were calculated. HSAs were divided into quintiles of utilization. Patient and hospital characteristics were compared across quintiles. Results Over the 5-year study period, 127,008 patients received bariatric surgery. MIS technology was available in all HSAs. MIS was performed in 88.4% of procedures and was performed in 70.6% of patients in the lowest quintile compared with 97.0% in the highest ( P Conclusion Variation in the performance of MIS bariatric surgical procedures exists. These differences can likely be attributed to physician preference or patient population. Obesity rates are elevated in rural areas. The implementation of MIS bariatric surgery programs in rural areas may improve the treatment of obesity and downstream co-morbidities in these populations.
Feasibility of integrated, multilevel care for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): A scoping review

Background Integrated cardiovascular disease (CVD) and HIV (CVD-HIV) care interventions are being adopted to tackle the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) but there is a paucity of studies on the feasibility of these interventions in LMICs. This scoping review aims to present evidence of the feasibility of integrated CVD-HIV care in LMICs, and the alignment of feasibility reporting in LMICs with the existing implementation science methodology. Methods A systematic search of published articles including systematic and narrative reviews that reported on integrated CVD-HIV care was conducted, using multiple search engines including PubMed/Medline, Global Health, and Web of Science. We examined the articles for evidence of feasibility reporting. Adopting the definition of Proctor and colleagues (2011), feasibility was defined as the extent to which an intervention was plausible in a given agency or setting. Evidence from the articles was synthesized by level of integration, the chronic care continuum, and stages of intervention development. Results Twenty studies, reported in 18 articles and 3 conferences abstracts, reported on feasibility of integrated CVD-HIV care interventions. These studies were conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and South America. Four of these studies were conducted as feasibility studies. Eighty percent of the studies reported feasibility, using descriptive sentences that included words synonymous with feasibility terminologies in existing definition recommended by Proctor and colleagues. There was also an overlap in the use of descriptive phrases for feasibility amongst the selected studies. Conclusions Integrating CVD and HIV care is feasible in LMICs, although methodology for reporting feasibility is inconsistent. Assessing feasibility based on settings and integration goals will provide a unique perspective of the implementation landscape in LMICs. There is a need for consistency in measures in order to accurately assess the feasibility of integrated CVD-HIV care in LMICs.
Preparation of YBCO Thin Film by Laser Evaporation over Large Area

We examined large area deposition of YBCO (YBa2Cu3O7−x) superconducting thin film by excimer laser evaporation. Substrate-target distance dependence of thickness uniformity and film composition was investigated, and by the use of substrate rotation YBCO thin film with thickness uniformity within ±5% and 1-2-3 stoichiometric composition was achieved over 30mm by 30mm MgO substrate.
Sleep—an Essential Component of Obesity Screening and Counseling: A Policy Analysis of the Affordable Care Act:

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has provided access to health care for millions of people in the United States. One of the most beneficial aspects of the PPACA is the obesity screening and counseling provision. Currently, it is estimated that over 39% of US adults are obese. Research has linked sleep disturbances to obesity and obesity-related behaviors. The purpose of this article is to advocate for evidence-based care through the inclusion of sleep disturbance screening and management under the PPACA obesity screening and counseling provision. An in-depth policy analysis of the PPACA was conducted to examine the feasibility of adding sleep screenings to the obesity screening and counseling provision available under current law. Findings suggest that the adoption of this policy would require stakeholder advocacy and educational reform. Implementation of the policy would require additional economic investments, but the long-term savings could be significant. A campaign to raise awareness regarding the association between sleep disturbance and obesity among the public and health care professionals would be essential. Policy implementation would require interprofessional collaboration when performing sleep disordered screening and management. Preventative health care for individuals who have not previously accessed the health care system has the potential to socially and economically benefit society if policies provide for evidence-based care. Sleep screening and counseling is essential under the PPACA to adequately address the US obesity crisis.
Nonsurgical Treatments for Infraorbital Rejuvenation: A Review

BACKGROUNDTear trough and infraorbital region changes are one of the first signs recognizable aging. This is a common consultation for cosmetic dermatologists and there are many treatment options available.OBJECTIVEThis article provides a review of the anatomy and changes that occur in the infraorbi
Discovering and deciphering relationships across disparate data modalities

If you want to estimate whether height is related to weight in humans, what would you do? You could measure the height and weight of a large number of people, and then run a statistical test. Such ‘independence tests’ can be thought of as a screening procedure: if the two properties (height and weight) are not related, then there is no point in proceeding with further analyses. In the last 100 years different independence tests have been developed. However, classical approaches often fail to accurately discern relationships in the large, complex datasets typical of modern biomedical research. For example, connectomics datasets include tens or hundreds of thousands of connections between neurons that collectively underlie how the brain performs certain tasks. Discovering and deciphering relationships from these data is currently the largest barrier to progress in these fields. Another drawback to currently used methods of independence testing is that they act as a ‘black box’, giving an answer without making it clear how it was calculated. This can make it difficult for researchers to reproduce their findings – a key part of confirming a scientific discovery. Vogelstein et al. therefore sought to develop a method of performing independence tests on large datasets that can easily be both applied and interpreted by practicing scientists. The method developed by Vogelstein et al., called Multiscale Graph Correlation (MGC, pronounced ‘magic’), combines recent developments in hypothesis testing, machine learning, and data science. The result is that MGC typically requires between one half to one third as big a sample size as previously proposed methods for analyzing large, complex datasets. Moreover, MGC also indicates the nature of the relationship between different properties; for example, whether it is a linear relationship or not. Testing MGC on real biological data, including a cancer dataset and a human brain imaging dataset, revealed that it is more effective at finding possible relationships than other commonly used independence methods. MGC was also the only method that explained how it found those relationships. MGC will enable relationships to be found in data across many fields of inquiry – and not only in biology. Scientists, policy analysts, data journalists, and corporate data scientists could all use MGC to learn about the relationships present in their data. To that extent, Vogelstein et al. have made the code open source in MATLAB, R, and Python.
A multi-institutional study of inquiry-based lab activities using the Augmented Reality Sandbox: impacts on undergraduate student learning

ABSTRACTWe developed and tested different pedagogical treatments using an Augmented Reality (AR) Sandbox to teach introductory geoscience students about reading topographic maps at five institution...
Impact of staff turnover during cardiac surgical procedures

Abstract Objective The impact of staff turnover during cardiac procedures is unknown. Accurate inventory of sharps (needles/blades) requires attention by surgical teams, and sharp count errors result in delays, can lead to retained foreign objects, and may signify communication breakdown. We hypothesized that increased team turnover raises the likelihood of sharp count errors and may negatively affect patient outcomes. Methods All cardiac operations performed at our institution from May 2011 to March 2016 were reviewed for sharp count errors from a prospectively maintained database. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Results Among 7264 consecutive cardiac operations, sharp count errors occurred in 723 cases (10%). There were no retained sharps detected by x-ray in our series. Sharp count errors were lower on first start cases (7.7% vs 10.7%, P Conclusions Sharp count errors are more prevalent with increased team turnover and during non–first start cases or weekends. Sharp count errors may be a surrogate marker for other errors and thus increased mortality. Reducing intraoperative team turnover or optimizing hand-offs may reduce sharp count errors.
The City Is Burning! Street Economies and the Juxtacity of Kigali, Rwanda

This article is about the juxtaposition—or side-by-side coexistence—of divergent economic, political, and city building processes in Kigali, Rwanda. I focus on abazunguzayi, nomadic merchants whose public presence in Kigali’s streets are seen as antithetical to the global city aesthetics that urban managers wish to stamp on Kigali as its future image. I argue that abazunguzayi shift the weight of authority from formalized sources to the streets by leveraging an internal contradiction of transforming Kigali’s surface into an optimally controlled high-tech city with world-class infrastructure municipal aspirations to produce Kigali’s future as a hub of high-end tourism and international conferences ironically depend on the very subjects and practices that are considered antithetical to that future. I argue that this is occurring for two reasons. First, Kigali’s street economy is embedded in the daily operations of the city. Abazunguzayi run discount economies that the city’s low-paid workforce depends on to reproduce their labor. This includes the labor that is necessary to build the envisioned new Kigali. Second, while everyone participates in the street economy, women abazunguzayi pose a specific problem for city authorities. As crackdowns on the street trade are becoming more violent and visibly target women, city authorities undermine the national project to promote “women’s empowerment” as an element of Rwanda’s world-class brand.
Quantum-correlated photon-pair generation via cascaded nonlinearity in an ultra-compact lithium-niobate nano-waveguide.

We generate quantum-correlated photon pairs using cascaded χ(2):χ(2) traveling-wave interactions for second-harmonic generation (SHG) and spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in a single periodically-poled thin-film lithium-niobate (TFLN) waveguide. When pulse-pumped at 50 MHz, a 4-mm-long poled region with nearly 300%/Wcm2 SHG peak efficiency yields a generated photon-pair probability of 7±0.2 × 10−4 with corresponding coincidence-to-accidental ratio (CAR) of 13.6±0.7. The CAR is found to be limited by Stokes/anti-Stokes Raman-scattering noise generated primarily in the waveguide. A Raman peak of photon counts at 250 cm−1 Stokes shift from the fundamental-pump wavenumber suggests most of the noise that limits the CAR originates within the lithium niobate material of the waveguide.
Extending FreeCompilerCamp.org as an Online Self-Learning Platform for Compiler Development

Compilers and compiler-based tools have become increasingly critical for optimizing high-performance computing workloads; however, compiler development remains difficult and time consuming due to the complex nature of compilers. FreeCompilerCamp.org is an online training framework for compiler development that allows users to complete hands-on tutorials with a Linux environment that is directly embedded in the web browser. It provides an effective and convenient training platform for both new and experienced compiler developers. In this paper, we present our enhancements to the framework to support self-evaluation and learning outcome feedback for trainees. We extend FreeCompilerCamp to support a fully contained self-learning environment with exercises and examinations providing immediate and automatic feedback via server-side grading. We achieve this through two forms of evaluation: openbook practicals and closed-book exams. To facilitate learning, we design several new tutorials and improve the framework to support both CPU and GPU servers and docker images, optimize resource utilization, and enhance usability. Our extended platform, FreeCompilerCamp v1.1, follows the same extensibility design goals as the original to allow for new practicals and exams, providing an effective method to reduce the barrier of entry to compiler development.
A Cadaveric Anatomical Study of the Relationship between Proximal Tibial Slope and Coronal Plane Deformity.

Medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA) are commonly used to characterize the geometry of proximal tibia and are important considerations in lower extremity realignment procedures and total knee arthroplasty. This study utilized a large cadaveric collection to explore relationships between tibial slope and coronal plane deformity of the tibia. We utilized 462 well-preserved skeletons (924 tibiae), excluding any with fracture or obvious rheumatologic or infectious findings. Custom cards were made with different sized arcs on the bottom surface, so that they could rest on the anterior and posterior aspects of the medial and lateral tibial plateaus of each bone to measure PPTA. Previously measured MPTA values for the same bones were also utilized. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine relationship between MPTA and medial and lateral PPTAs. The mean age was 56 ± 10 years, with 13% female and 31% African American (remainder Caucasian). The mean MPTA was 87.2 ± 2.4 degrees. The mean medial plateau PPTA was 81.5 ± 3.8 degrees and mean lateral plateau PPTA was 81.3 ± 3.7 degrees. Regression analysis found that MPTA was significantly associated with both medial and lateral PPTAs (standardized betas 0.197 and 0.146, respectively, p < 0.0005 for both). There was a significant correlation between lateral and medial PPTAs (r = 0.435, p = 0.03). The clinical significance of these findings warrants further investigation and emphasizes the importance of carefully assessing the sagittal plane when planning reconstruction of a tibia with varus or valgus deformity, particularly high tibial osteotomies.
Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University: How Community Voices Offer New Perspectives

This case study discusses the development of a community-engaged undergraduate history course on the 1960s at Johns Hopkins University. It speaks to the specific limitations of contingent faculty and the challenges of bridging historically deep divides between a predominantly White institution (PWI) and many surrounding communities. It focuses on structural and individual support, the partners’ needs and priorities, students’ potential, and the ways elevating community voices can change the narratives about U.S. cities, their past and present.
Access Complications and Management

The transradial arterial approach (TRA) has an established history of increased patient satisfaction and decreased complication rates for coronary procedures compared with the transfemoral arterial approach (TFA). Led by its well-documented safety profile in cardiac interventions, the TRA has become more widely adopted among the IR community for noncoronary interventions over the last decade. However, it is important for operators to remember that the TRA is not entirely benign and possesses its own set of complications and obstacles. Complications associated with the TRA include radial artery spasm, radial artery occlusion, access-site hematomas, and various vascular, neurologic, and device-related injuries. While the majority of TRA complications are not clinically dramatic, some require dedicated management, and many can be prevented with the appropriate patient selection and technique.
New Directions in the American Presidency

1. Introduction: Studying the Presidency Lori Cox Han 2. The Presidency and the Constitution David Gray Adler 3. Presidential Campaigns and Elections Randall E. Adkins 4. The Public Presidency: Communications and Media Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha 5. The Presidency and Public Opinion Diane J. Heith 6. The Presidency and Congress Brandon Rottinghaus 7. The Presidency and the Courts Nancy Kassop 8. White House Staff Justin S. Vaughn and Jose D. Villalobos 9. The Presidency and the Executive Branch Matthew J. Dickinson 10. The Presidency and Domestic Policy David Shafie 11. The Presidency and Foreign Policy Meena Bose
Foodborne Gastroenteritis Caused by Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia

Among the gram-negative rods that cause foodborne gastroenteritis, the most important are members of the genus Salmonella. This syndrome, along with those caused by Shigella and Escherichia coli, are discussed in this chapter. The general incidence of some of these organisms in a variety of foods is discussed in Chapter 4.
Participant perceptions of consensus-based, marine mammal take reduction planning

Abstract This study employs Structural Equation Models (SEMs) to systematically analyze the components of a multi-stakeholder negotiation in an applied setting. It characterizes participant perceptions of a multi-stakeholder, consensus-based negotiation process used to reduce harmful interactions between marine mammals and fishing gear in U.S. waters (marine mammal Take Reduction Teams). From April to July 2013, 234 current and former participants of eight Take Reduction Teams received a survey with 15 questions about the negotiation process, outputs (Take Reduction Plans), and outcomes. The SEMs depict relationships among the latent variables of social capital and shared learning, fairness, stakeholder satisfaction with the Take Reduction Plans, and their perceived outcomes. The SEMs also explain the influence of independent predictors of team identity and age, geographic region, and stakeholder affiliation on the latent variables. Results indicate that stakeholder views of fairness significantly influenced their satisfaction with the Take Reduction Plans, which in turn, significantly affected their opinions of the outcomes. While the majority of participants believed the plans were at least slightly successful at reducing marine mammal bycatch, this varied among teams and was significantly influenced by stakeholder affiliation, region, and Take Reduction Team age.
Therapist facilitative interpersonal skills and training status: A randomized clinical trial on alliance and outcome

Objectives: Therapist effects, independent of the treatment provided, have emerged as a contributor to psychotherapy outcomes. However, past research largely has not identified which therapist factors might be contributing to these effects, though research on psychotherapy implicates relational characteristics. The present Randomized Clinical Trial tested the efficacy of therapists who were selected by their facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) and training status. Method: Sixtyfive clients were selected from 2713 undergraduates using a screening and clinical interview procedure. Twenty-three therapists met with 2 clients for 7 sessions and 20 participants served in a no-treatment control group. Results: Outcome and alliance differences for Training Status were negligible. High FIS therapists had greater pre–post client outcome, and higher rates of change across sessions, than low FIS therapists. All clients treated by therapists improved more than the silent control, but effects were greater with high FIS than low FIS therapists. From the first session, high FIS therapists also had higher alliances than low FIS therapists as well as significant improvements on client-rated alliance. Conclusions: Results were consistent with the hypothesis that therapists’ common relational skills are independent contributors to therapeutic alliance and outcome.
Noninvasive methods of measuring bone blood perfusion

Measurement of bone blood flow and perfusion characteristics in a noninvasive and serial manner would be advantageous in assessing revascularization after trauma and the possible risk of avascular necrosis. Many disease states, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and bone neoplasms, result in disturbed bone perfusion. A causal link between bone perfusion and remodeling has shown its importance in sustained healing and regrowth following injury. Measurement of perfusion and permeability within the bone was performed with small and macromolecular contrast media, using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in models of osteoarthritis and the femoral head. Bone blood flow and remodeling was estimated using (18)F-Fluoride positron emission tomography in fracture healing and osteoarthritis. Multimodality assessment of bone blood flow, permeability, and remodeling by using noninvasive imaging techniques may provide information essential in monitoring subsequent rates of healing and response to treatment as well as identifying candidates for additional therapeutic or surgical interventions.
Nanosilver preform assisted die attach for high temperature applications

Using sintered silver as a high temperature die attach material has recently evoked much interest. The emergence of pressureless sintering using a silver nanoparticle based paste, however, has been of particular importance. Despite its numerous advantages and favorable properties, the die attach procedure using nanosilver paste has its share of problems. A reliable and repeatable process producing a strong and consistent bond is required, especially if a need arises to integrate this technology into high volume production. In this paper, a technique has been explored in which preforms made of nanosilver particles have been fabricated and used for die attachment. The preforms can be tailored to produce custom bond line thicknesses and can be cut to fit die spanning a range of different sizes. The die shear strength of a 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm Si die has been found to be 3.75 times larger using the proposed technique as compared to the conventional nanosilver process.
Assessing Quantitative Literacy in Higher Education: An Overview of Existing Research and Assessments With Recommendations for Next‐Generation Assessment

Quantitative literacy has been recognized as an important skill in the higher education and workforce communities, focusing on problem solving, reasoning, and real-world application. As a result, there is a need by various stakeholders in higher education and workforce communities to evaluate whether college students receive sufficient training on quantitative skills throughout their postsecondary education. To determine the key aspects of quantitative literacy, the first part of this report provides a comprehensive review of the existing frameworks and definitions by national and international organizations, higher education institutions, and other key stakeholders. It also examines existing assessments and discusses challenges in assessing quantitative literacy. The second part of this report proposes an approach for developing a next-generation quantitative literacy assessment in higher education with an operational definition and key assessment considerations. This report has important implications for higher education institutions currently using or planning to develop or adopt assessments of quantitative literacy.
Dynamic Scheduling of Pigeons for Delay Constrained Applications

Information collection in the disaster area is an important application of pigeon networks - a special type of delay tolerant networks (DTN). The aim of this paper is to explore highly efficient dynamic scheduling strategies of pigeons for such applications. The upper bound of traffic that can be supported under the deadline constraints for the basic on-demand strategy is given through the analysis. Based on the analysis, a waiting based packing strategy is introduced. Although the latter strategy could not change the maximum traffic rate that a pigeon can support, it improves the efficiency of the pigeon largely. The analytical results are verified by the simulations.
Limbic, hypothalamic and periaqueductal gray circuitry and mechanisms controlling rage and vocalization in the cat

Abstract There are several forms of vocalization present in the cat which include meowing, howling, growling and hissing. The present chapter focuses on one type of vocalization, namely hissing, that occurs in response to a real or perceived threat as part of an overall behavioral pattern referred to as “defensive rage behavior.” Specific attention is given to analysis of the neural substrates and mechanisms by which this response is mediated. A distinction is made between two classes of structures: (1) those associated with the integration and expression of defensive rage behavior; and (2) those associated with the modulation of those structures from which this behavior is elicited. The first class includes the medial hypothalamus and midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG), and the second class includes limbic and related structures. The major focus considers the principal underlying neuroanatomical circuitry and neurochemical mechanisms associated with defensive rage. Integration of defensive rage takes place in the medial hypothalamus and a similar response mechanism is expressed in the dorsal PAG, which receives direct inputs from the medial hypothalamus. The vocalization component of the defensive rage response is mediated through descending fibers that supply the motor nuclei of cranial nerves V and VII. Potentiation or suppression of this behavior is modulated through limbic nuclei, which include the amygdala, septal area and prefrontal cortex that supply the medial hypothalamus and/or PAG. Neurotransmitters that facilitate defensive rage by acting within the medial hypothalamus or PAG include glutamate, substance P, catecho-lamines, serotonin (acting through 5-HT2 receptors), acetylcholine and cholecystokinin. Neurotransmitters that suppress this behavior include enkephalins, GABA and serotonin (acting through 5-HT1A receptors). In addition, recent evidence has shown that cytokines present in the medial hypothalamus and PAG, which include interleukin-1 and interleukin-2, act through classical neurotransmitters to powerfully modulate this response.
Optical Line Emission from IO

In early summer of 1972, we discovered an anomalous brightness in the spectrum of Io near the sodium D-lines. This effect is revealed to be time-varying emission by free sodium atoms on Io.
Tasidotin HCl (formerly ILX651), a tubulin-binding dolastatin-15 analog, demostrates a wide spectrum of In Vivo antitumor activity

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 5876 Tasidotin HCl is a synthetic pentapeptide derivative of dolastatin-15 with a unique mechanism of action that potentially differs from that of microtubulin stabilizers (taxanes and epothilones) and tubulin inhibitors (vinca alkaloids). Tasidotin HCl at low concentrations inhibits microtubule nucleation or elongation which is likely to disrupt mitotic spindle formation and mitosis. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the in vivo activity of Tasidotin HCl against a wide variety of human cancer cell lines, including Hep-3B hepatic, Caki-1 renal, A-673 rhabdomyosarcoma, H-Meso-1 mesothelioma, RL lymphoma, and RPMI-8226 multiple myeloma. Treatment was initiated when median SC tumor size was approximately 150-200 mm3. Tasidotin HCl was administered IP daily times 5 for 2 weeks dosing regimen at 125, 62.5, and 31.25 mg/kg/day for all of the tumor lines, except for RL and RPMI-8226 (only high dosage administered). Tasidotin HCl was well tolerated (≤20% body weight loss or toxic deaths) at the 125 mg/kg/day dosage for the Caki-1 tumor cell line, and at the 62.5 and 31.25 mg/kg/day dosages for the remaining tumor lines. Tasidotin HCl was very effective against the A-673 rhabdomyosarcoma and H-Meso-1 mesothelioma xenografts producing median tumor growth delays (T-C) of >76.5 and >20.4 days, respectively, at the 62.5 mg/kg/day dosage level. In the A-673 rhabdomyosarcoma study, there were ten complete regressions in animals that remained tumor free at the conclusion of the study. Tasidotin HCl was moderately effective against Caki-1 renal cell carcinoma and Hep-3B hepatocellular xenografts producing median tumor growth delays of 10.5 and 9.5 days, respectively, at the 62.5 mg/kg/day dosage level. Tasidotin HCl at a dosage of 125 mg/kg/day was very active against RL and RPMI-8226 tumor xenografts with tumor growth delays of 49.4 and 30.8 days and 6/10 and 4/10 complete responses in surviving mice, respectively. Due to numerous toxic deaths, the RL and RPMI-8226 studies are currently being repeated at lower dosage levels. These data indicate that Tasidotin HCl has good antitumor activity in vivo against a variety of different types of tumor cell lines.
Fs-laser induced optical changes in zinc aluminum phosphate glasses

The fs-laser induced refractive index change in zinc aluminum phosphate glasses and its underneath structural modifications have been investigated both at the surface and in bulk.
Professor Mirrlees' Contribution to Economic Policy

This paper looks at Professor Mirlees' important contribution to the theory and practice of project evaluation. Despite the apparent relevance of this work to practical policy making, the approach has had only limited application. The paper explores why the Little-Mirrlees' technique of project evaluation has been less widely used than was initially anticipated. Given this disappointing use, the paper argues that Professor Mirrlees' main contribution to economic policy lay in the powerful support his work gave to trade liberalization.
Characterization of celery hydrolytic enzymes induced in response to infection by Fusarium oxysporum

The induction of celery (Apium graveolens) chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases by infection with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii was characterized to evaluate the potential role of these enzymes as defence mechanisms in the celery-Fusarium system. Celery root chitinase activity was strongly induced (19- to 30-fold) following inoculation with compatible and incompatible races of F. oxysporum f. sp. apii . Six isoforms were observed, five of which were localized extracellularly. In contrast, β-1,3-glucanase increased at most two-fold, and there was only a single, intracellular isoform. Chitosan treatment of susceptible plants prior to infection with F. oxysporum f. sp. apii race 2 resulted in an induction of these enzymes comparable to what was observed by fungal infection, and a significant delay of disease symptoms. Isolated cell walls of the pathogen were hydrolysed by crude celery root extracts, but chitinase activity on fungal substrate appeared to be dependent on β-1,3-glucanase activity.
The 2MASS Point Source Processing Pipeline: Design and Prototype Results

The Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) will begin operations in the spring of 1997 (Skrutskie et al., this volume). The Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC) is tasked with processing ~30 GB of data that will be obtained each night by the northern and southern telescopes during the survey. The goal of this processing is to produce three primary data products: 1) the 2MASS Image Atlas that will contain ~ 106 512x1024 (1″/pix) images in J,H and K s , 2) the 2MASS Point Source Catalog containing accurate astrometry and photometry for ~ 108 point sources, and 3) the 2MASS Extended Source Catalog that will contain accurate positions, photometry and morphological information for ~ 106 small extended sources.