cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of Inelastic Mean Free Path by Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy in TEM: A Model Study Using Si and Ge

Although the inelastic mean free path for Si and Ge have been measured previously, reported experimental values for silicon range from 121 nm to 160 nm for 200 keV and a large collection angle. A key factor responsible for this uncertainty is the lack of an accurate measurement of the specimen thickness at the point at which the EELS spectra are obtained. In this research, we have evaluated a systematic methodology for determination of the specimen thickness. In the thickness measurement based on converging beam electron diffraction, CBED, instead of the classic “trial and error” straight-line-fitting method to either the maxima or minima, a non-linear least square fitting of the theoretical diffraction profile to the energy filtered two-beam CBED is used. The low-loss EELS spectrum is also obtained from the same location. The inelastic mean free path was determined using the measured thickness and EELS data. Furthermore, attempt is also made to obtain the dielectric function from the low-loss spectrum. The established method will be extended to other materials and the results will be compared with numerical simulations.
Informed consent for blood transfusion and the Joint Commission.

To the Editor In their interesting report, Friedman et al1 state that “informed consent for blood transfusion is a requirement of the Joint Commission.” This is not correct. The reference they cite in support of this statment2 includes the comment that “the final measures were recommended by the TAP (Technical Advisory Panel) in November 2010 and submitted to the National Quality Forum (NQF) for consideration of endorsement in December 2010. Although not endorsed for use at the …
Do Corporate Cash Holdings PredictStock Returns

Stockholders’ returns, in finance theory, are independent of a firm’s cash holdings. However, there is widespread belief among Wall Street practitioners that firms’ cash holdings do affect future returns. We examine the data to obtain answers to several questions that are germane to the investment community. For example, should investors pay attention to a firm’s cash holdings when they invest in stocks? For what kinds of firms are cash holdings particularly informative about future returns? Are there particular time periods when cash holdings have more predictive power? In this regard, we create a simple cash measure by scaling a firm’s cash holding by a measure of its investment opportunities and show that this cash measure has significant power in predicting future stock returns. We also show that this predictive power is stronger for small firms. Evidence from the period of the recent financial crisis indicates that firms’ cash holdings matter more during dramatic market upswings than during sharp-down markets.
Effects of Selective and Nonselective Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Antibiotic Efficacy of Experimental Group A Streptococcal Myonecrosis

The annual incidence of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections in the United States remains at 3.5/100 000 population per year, and mortality ranges between 30% and 60% (reviewed in [1]). In the approximately 50% of patients lacking an obvious portal of bacterial entry, deep-seeded necrotizing fasciitis/myonecrosis often develops at the site of minor, nonpenetrating trauma or muscle strain, which progresses rapidly to involve an entire extremity. Diagnosis of these “cryptic” infections is often delayed until after shock and organ failure are manifest, causing mortality in this group to approach 85% (reviewed in [1]). To alleviate pain after muscle injury, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently self-prescribed or given in emergency departments. Based on evidence that NSAIDs dysregulate production of the cytokines mediating septic shock, Stevens proposed that NSAIDs may predispose individuals to more severe GAS infection [2]. Since then, multiple retrospective and prospective clinical studies have sought to confirm or refute the NSAID/GAS association but have yielded conflicting results [3–6]. Our recent experimental studies have shown that the non-COX-selective NSAID ketorolac tromethamine (trade name, Toradol) greatly augments early GAS infection of injured muscle. Because NSAIDs exert their anti-inflammatory activity largely through their ability to inhibit 1 or both isoforms of cyclooxygenase (ie, COX-1 and -2) and because these enzymes are important in early skeletal muscle regeneration after injury [7] and during resolution of infection [7, 8], the present study elucidated the effects of selective and nonselective NSAIDs, alone and in combination with antibiotic therapy, on outcome of experimental GAS myonecrosis.
Galston on liberal virtues and the aims of civic education

This article examines Galston’s account of civic education in light of the understanding of liberal virtues that partially informs his educational recommendations. It argues that the main limitations of Galston’s account have their origin in a mistaken view of the traits of character that are essential to good citizens. Historical examples are presented in criticism of Galston’s pedagogy, and in support of the need to develop an alternative account of civic virtues that incorporates critical reflection as a core component. The article concludes that the reflective and deliberative capacities of citizens, rather than being a threat to the just functioning of social and political institutions, are one of their main sources of support.
Do dichogamy and herkogamy reduce sexual interference in a self‐incompatible species?

Summary 1. Dichogamy and herkogamy respectively represent the temporal and spatial separation of male and female reproductive functions. They are regarded as mechanisms to avoid selfing, to promote outcrossing and, particularly in self-incompatible plants, to reduce sexual interference. However, little is known about the extent to which these mechanisms reduce sexual interference, and whether this reduction impacts fitness. 2. We studied patterns of dichogamy and herkogamy, their influence on sexual interference, and the fitness outcome in self-incompatible Passiflora incarnata. We manipulated flowers to be adichogamous or unisexual to evaluate fruit production under increased and decreased sexual interference. 3. Incomplete protandry guaranteed that almost half of the pollen could be successfully exported without interfering with the stigmas, indicating dichogamy may facilitate male pollination success. We found no difference in pollen deposition between natural and emasculated flowers, suggesting that herkogamy does not decrease self pollination. Increased herkogamy resulted in reduced pollen deposition and lower probability of setting fruits, however, a higher seed number. No difference in female fitness was detected under experimentally increased or decreased sexual interference. 4. Taken together, our results suggest that dichogamy is mostly driven by the advantage to male fitness and herkogamy is chiefly determined by female fitness. The lack of difference in female fitness under varied levels of sexual interference indicates that male function is more likely to play a role in shaping floral traits that reduce sexual interference.
The Amino-terminal Domain of the E Subunit of Vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) Interacts with the H Subunit and Is Required for V-ATPase Function

Vacuolar H(+)-ATPases (V-ATPases) are highly conserved proton pumps that couple hydrolysis of cytosolic ATP to proton transport out of the cytosol. Although it is generally believed that V-ATPases transport protons by a rotary catalytic mechanism analogous to that used by F(1)F(0)-ATPases, the structure and subunit composition of the central or peripheral stalk of the multisubunit complex are not well understood. We searched for proteins that bind to the E subunit of V-ATPase using the yeast two-hybrid assay and identified the H subunit as an interacting partner. Physical association between the E and H subunits of V-ATPase was confirmed in vitro by precipitation assays. Deletion mapping analysis revealed that a 78-amino acid fragment at the amino terminus of the E subunit was sufficient for binding to the H subunit. Expression of the amino-terminal fragments of the E subunits from human and yeast as dominant-negative mutants resulted in dramatic decreases in bafilomycin A(1)-sensitive ATP hydrolysis and proton transport activities of V-ATPase. Our data demonstrate the physiological significance of the interaction between the E and H subunits of V-ATPase and extend previous studies on the arrangement of subunits on the peripheral stalk of V-ATPase.
Cas SCF/CI calculations on electronic states of Br2 and Br2+

Abstract MC SCF (complete active space SCF) followed by first-order configuration interaction (FOCI) calculations are carried out on sixteen electronic states of Br 2 and six electronic states of Br 2 + as a function of internuclear distance. Spin-orbit interaction was introduced for some of the electronic states using a relativistic configuration interaction scheme. Spectroscopic properties are calculated for bound electronic states. Our calculations enable confirmation of experimental assignment of a number of electronic spectra below 60000 cm −1 for Br 2 . These calculations also predict properties of a few electronic states which are yet to be observed. The calculations of Br 2 + enable reinterpretation of the photoelectron spectra of Br 2 and the assignment of the observed bands. Our relativistic CI calculations show that the 2 Π u ( 1 2 ) component of the first excited 2 Π u state undergoes avoided crossing with 4 Σ − u ( 1 2 ) state leading to substantially different vibrational frequency for this state in comparison with 2 Π u ( 3 2 ). Spectroscopic properties of six electronic states of Br 2 + are calculated which are yet to be observed.
Stability of Predictor-Based Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation over EPONs

We establish a system model to analyze the stability of the predictor-based dynamic bandwidth allocation (PDBA) scheme over Ethernet passive optical networks (EPONs). We prove that an EPON system with PDBA is stable by proper pole placement as the traffic changes dynamically. Our analysis suggests a straightforward framework for designing the DBA algorithm that enables EPONs with stability.
Structural fatigue prognosis using limited sensor data

In this paper, a general framework for concurrent structural fatigue prognosis using limited sensor data is developed. The Empirical Mode Decomposition method is employed to reconstruct the structural dynamical response for the critical spot susceptible to fatigue damage. The sensor data available at limited locations measured from the usage monitor system are decoupled into several Intrinsic Mode Functions using the Empirical Mode Decomposition method. Those IMFs are applied to extrapolate the dynamic response for the critical spot where the direct response measurements are unavailable. The extrapolated dynamic response time series for the critical spot is then integrated with a physical fatigue crack growth model for fatigue damage prognosis. The proposed procedure is demonstrated using a multi degree-of-freedom (MDOF) cantilever beam example. The proposed method has great potential for the real-time decision making in the vehicle health management framework due to its ability for the concurrent damage prognosis.
Oil Pollution Prevention and Enforcement Measures and their Effectiveness: A Survey of Empirical Research

This paper reviews the empirical research on the effectiveness of oil pollution prevention and enforcement measures in the United States. I consider both "prevention" or "monitoring" activities such as government inspections, and "enforcement" activities such as sanctions, remedial actions, and other mechanisms designed to punish and/or bring a firm into compliance to reduce the frequency and/or size of spills. Over the past 20 years, there have been a series of independent studies by academic researchers analyzing Coast Guard and oil spill data with the goal of determining the effectiveness of alternative monitoring, enforcement and penalty policies. While the overwhelming finding from these studies is that enforcement efforts reduce oil spills, questions abound about the proper mix of enforcement techniques and whether the costs of more enforcement would exceed the benefits.
Milk composition and volume during the onset of lactation in a diabetic mother

Milk volume and composition were examined in a diabetic mother on days 3-7 postpartum. By day 5 milk volume produced and concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, lactose, protein, calcium, magnesium, and citrate were within limits of a reference population. Fat content of the milk was slightly lower. Free fatty acids were 2% of total lipid on day 3 but increased to 23% on days 4-7, suggesting impaired esterification in the mammary gland. Total milk lipoprotein lipase increased approximately fourfold during days 4-5. Other changes were 1) low cholesterol content, only one-fifth of normal milk; 2) decreased medium-chain fatty acids, suggesting impairment of fatty acid synthesis in the mammary gland; 3) increased oleic acid; and 4) high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, suggesting increased chain elongation. These results suggest that diabetes produces changes in lipid metabolism in the mammary gland that alter the composition of milk produced by the diabetic mother.
Hemodynamic effects of pressures applied to the upper airway during sleep

The increase in systemic blood pressure after an obstructive apnea is due, in part, to sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction. We questioned whether upper airway (UA) receptors could contribute ...
Phase separation and permeability in polyisobutylene-based miktoarm star polymers

The phase behavior of (PS-PIB)2-s-PAA miktoarm star terpolymers with varying volume fractions of PAA was investigated directly by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering, and indirectly by thermogravimetric analysis and degree of water sorption. The microdomains of (PS-PIB)2-s-PAA demonstrate a unique and unexpected progression from highly ordered cylinders, to lower ordered spheres, to gyroid structures with increasing PAA content from 6.6 to 47 wt %. Interestingly, the phase behavior in the miktoarm star polymer system is significantly different from that reported previously for the linear counterpart of similar composition (PAA-PS-PIB-PS-PAA), where a steady progression from cylindrical to lamellar morphology was observed with increasing PAA content. At low PAA concentrations, the morphology is driven primarily by the relative solubility of the components, while at high PAA content the molecular architecture dominates. Thermal annealing demonstrated the thermodynamic stability of the morphologies, indicating the potential for design of novel microstructures for specific applications through precise control of architecture, composition, and interaction parameters of the components. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 916–925
The effect of Listeria monocytogenes on resistance to pneumococcal infection.

SummaryListeria infection has been shown to increase resistance of mice to pneumococcal challenge. This protection does not appear to be related to presence of circulating antibody. Enhancement of macrophage function is proposed as an explanation for the observed phenomenon.
NTCT-13VAGOGLOSSOPHARYNGEAL NEURALGIA PRESENTING AS FREQUENT SEIZURE-LIKE SPELLS IN A PATIENT WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER TREATED WITH HIGH CUMULATIVE RADIATION DOSE

A 62-year-old man presented with six months of numerous seizure-like events with a sequence of light-headedness, tonic extension of the right arm, loss of consciousness, urinary incontinence and convulsion. He had been diagnosed with laryngeal cancer five years prior, treated with definitive radiotherapy 72Gy in 36 fractions to the left glottis. He had local cancer recurrence three years later and was treated with additional surgeries including bilateral neck dissection and a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. The following year he required extensive surgery for local disease recurrence and additional reconstruction. He underwent a second course of radiation of 60Gy in 30 fractions with concomitant cisplatin as a radiosensitizer. He achieved complete disease remission, with symptoms related to radiation dermatitis, dysphagia, and left ear pain. More than 20 seizure-like spells were documented, beginning fourteen months after final treatment. Many episodes were heralded by acute jaw and throat pain. Physical examination revealed an iatrogenic left hypoglossal nerve deficit, soft palate scarring, and post-radiation changes to the free flap of the neck and throat. During target events, his heart rate was 20 beats per minute and mean arterial pressure was 40-45 mmHg. EEG, brain MRI, and transthoracic echocardiogram were normal. This phenomenology of seizure-like activity led us to consider the rare entity of radiation-related vagoglossopharyngeal neuralgia, given the very high cumulative local radiation dose. We treated him accordingly with midodrine and fludrocortisone after an incomplete response to atropine. Gabapentin, carbamazepine, and aggressive analgesia provided partial relief of his pain attacks. He remained syncope-free for four months and elected hospice at the time of cancer recurrence. There have been rare reported cases of cancer treatment-related glossopharyngeal neuralgia with convulsive syncope. Prompt diagnosis is necessary because it is a treatable life-threatening condition that could be confused for seizure presentation.
Issues in the pathology of the myelodysplastic syndromes.

The diagnosis and subclassification of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are usually straightforward if the criteria established by the French-American-British Cooperative Group are carefully followed. Some cases can be diagnostically challenging, however. This article discusses some of the special diagnostic problems such as hypocellular MDS, MDS with fibrosis, and cases that show morphologic overlap with myeloproliferative disorders and acute leukemia. Additional problems sometimes encountered in the diagnosis of MDS such as extramedullary disease, associated lymphoproliferative disease, and the 5qsyndrome are also reviewed.
Market Power, Exclusive Rights, and Substitution Effects in Sports

This articles argues that consumers of professional sports leagues are not always better off with more sellers because market power can be exerted in many ways. In the presence of one governing body, allowing individual firms to sell a product can be more harmful than a monopoly. Some recent antitrust lawsuits dealing with North American sports leagues have focused on collective sales through the league compared with competitive sales through teams. This paper gives examples where it is not clear that team sales are better than league sales. Furthermore, we argue that market power depends largely on fan substitution within and across leagues, including NCAA sports. We give a summary of recent research in the area of fan substitution, and suggest directions for future work on understanding substitutability and impacts on market power of professional and collegiate sports teams.
Kids and Condoms: Parental Involvement in School Condom-Distribution Programs

To counter the growing number of teenagers infected with the HIV virus, almost four hundred public junior high and high schools nationwide, including those in New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, have begun distributing condoms to students.' When the New York City public school system began its program in 1991, it neither required prior parental consent nor gave concerned parents a chance to "opt out."2 In Alfonso v Fernandez, a New York state appellate court ruled that such a program, by entirely bypassing parents, violated the parents' right to control the upbringing of their children.3 The court remarked that it would allow distribution if New York permitted parents to opt out of the program,4 but the court's opinion did not address the more stringent alternative of requiring prior parental consent. Since then, in Curtis v School Committee of Falmouth, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that parental involvement in such programs is not constitutionally required.5 Hence, it is unclear whether parental involvement in public-school condom-distribution programs is necessary, and if so, what form such involvement should take. This Comment argues that parental involvement is constitutionally mandated, and, further, that condom-distribution programs requiring prior parental consent are the only such programs adequately protective of parental rights to withstand constitutional scrutiny. The Supreme Court has long recognized that, under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment,6 parents have a
THE FIRST REPORT OF A MACROLOXOCERATINE CEPHALOPOD FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN MISSISSIPPIAN

The pseudorthoceratid subfamily Macroloxoceratinae Flower, 1957, comprises a rare group of nautiloid cephalopods homeomorphic with the Actinoceratida in the development of a siphonal canal system. With the exception of Macroloxoceras Flower, 1957, from the Upper Devonian of Colorado and New Mexico, this subfamily has previously been reported only from the Mississippian of Europe. A specimen described herein from the late Visean–?early Namurian Kennetcook Limestone of the Windsor Group of Nova Scotia, assigned to Campyloceras cf. C. unguis (Phillips, 1836), extends the range of the Macroloxoceratinae into the North American Mississippian. This discovery further provides new data on the complex siphonal morphology of this poorly known group of nautiloids, and supplements the recent documentation of the pseudorthoceratids in the Windsor Group cephalopod fauna (Edgecombe, 1987).
Can progression of odontogenic infections to cervical necrotizing soft tissue infections be predicted

Abstract The progression of odontogenic infections to necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) is unknown. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score is used to predict risk of NSTI. This study aimed to (1) estimate the frequency at which odontogenic infections progress to NSTIs, (2) measure the value of LRINEC in predicting progression to NSTI, and (3) estimate the charges associated with managing NSTIs. This retrospective cohort study enrolled all subjects admitted for the management of odontogenic infections from 2001 to 2013. The primary predictor was the LRINEC score. The primary outcome was NSTI. The secondary outcome was billing charges. Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses were performed, with significance set at a P -value of P =0.043). LRINEC parameters for the prediction of NSTIs had 60% sensitivity, 68.4% specificity, 20% positive predictive value, and 92.9% negative predictive value. The mean charge for NSTI was $319,337 and for odontogenic infections was $19,291 ( P =0.051). One percent of odontogenic infections progressed to NSTIs. The LRINEC score was not able to identify all NSTIs. NSTIs are 16 times more costly.
The Present State of Nineteenth-Century Studies in German Literature

(1941). The Present State of Nineteenth-Century Studies in German Literature. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 278-285.
Safety Considerations of Pharmacotherapy

Current pharmacologic treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is based on the intraocular administration of several medications. Injections into the vitreous have emerged as the preferred route of drug delivery for several reasons. Firstly, drug concentrations in the vitreous, retina, and choroid are higher after intravitreal injections than after any other route of administration. Secondly, the vitreous acts as a depot that slows drug elimination from the eye and prolongs its duration of action. Thirdly, the small volume of injected drug results in low serum concentrations and may minimize the likelihood of systemic adverse events.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder with autistic features caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), a transcriptional regulatory protein. RTT has attracted widespread attention not only because of the urgent need for treatments, but also because it has become a window into basic mechanisms underlying epigenetic regulation of neuronal genes, including BDNF. In addition, work in mouse models of the disease has demonstrated the possibility of symptom reversal upon restoration of normal gene function. This latter finding has resulted in a paradigm shift in RTT research and, indeed, in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders as a whole, and spurred the search for potential therapies for RTT and related syndromes. In this context, the discovery that expression of BDNF is dysregulated in RTT and mouse models of the disease has taken on particular importance. This chapter reviews the still evolving story of how MeCP2 might regulate expression of BDNF, the functional consequences of BDNF deficits in Mecp2 mutant mice, and progress in developing BDNF-targeted therapies for the treatment of RTT.
Two Studies of Females' Sexual Force Fantasies

Two studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that women with sexual fantasies involving force are interested in a more diverse range of sexual stimuli than women without force fantasies. In Ex...
Real-time in-situ monitoring of electrotherapy process using electric pulse-induced acoustic tomography (EpAT)

The use of electrical energy in applying reversible or irreversible electropermobilization for biomedical therapies is growing rapidly. This technique uses an ultra-short and high-voltage electric pulse (μs-to-nsEP) to improve the permeability of cell membranes, thus allowing drug delivery to the cytosol via nanopores in the membrane. Since the treatment subject varies in size, location, shape and tissue environment, it is necessary to visualize this mechanism by monitoring electric field distributions in real-time. Previous studies suggested various techniques for monitoring electroporation, however, none of these techniques are so far capable for real-time monitoring of the electric field. In this study, we propose an innovative real-time, monitoring technique of electric field distributions based on electric field-induced acoustic emissions. For the first time, we demonstrate the capability of an electric field that used in electrotherapy to induce acoustic waves, which can be suggested for realtime monitoring. We tested this technique by generating a variety of electric field distributions (μs-to-nsEP with intensity up to 120V/cm) to energize two electrodes in a bi-polar configuration (d1e100μm and d2e200μm). The electric field transmits a short burst of ultrasonic energy. We used ultrasonic receivers for collecting acoustic signals around the subject under test. Acoustic signals were collected through different intensities of electric field distributions and repositioning the electric field from the receiver in 3D structure. An electric field utilized in electrotherapy produces high resolution images that directly can improve the efficiency of electrotherapy treatments in real-time.
Percutaneous and Transjugular Kidney Biopsy

Percutaneous renal biopsy in selected patients can help establish an exact histological diagnosis of kidney disease and can help determine appropriate therapy. The most common complication of percutaneous renal biopsy is bleeding; however, in most patients, bleeding is slight and is of no clinical consequence. Severe bleeding is encountered in only 6 % of cases. Transjugular renal biopsy has been suggested as an alternative to percutaneous renal biopsy to decrease the risk of hemorrhage in high-risk patients. In appropriately selected patients, renal biopsy may affect patient care in up to 60 % of cases.
Measurement of Turbulence in Pressurized Pipe Flow Using Particle Image Velocimetry

Invasive mussel species can cause problems at a variety of water resource facilities by colonizing within piping systems, significantly reducing flow capacity. Exposing mussels to intense turbulence as they enter the system may be effective in reducing mussel settlement downstream. To quantify turbulence in a pressurized pipe, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements were made downstream of a newly developed pipe fitting designed to generate intense turbulence for mussel control. Two-dimensional (2D) velocity data were collected throughout the pipe profile at various distances downstream of the fitting and were analyzed to quantify hydrodynamic properties of the turbulent flow including dissipation rate and Kolmogorov length scale. Results indicate that the fitting generated sufficient turbulent energy to drive the microscale length down to scales expected to influence invasive mussel species (near 200 μm). Spectral analysis of spatial data also revealed that near the Kolmogorov scale, energy was increased by more than one order of magnitude for a mean pipe velocity of 0.914 m/s and just less than one order of magnitude for 1.83 m/s.
Comments on John Ladd’s ‘the Good Doctor and the Medical Care of Children’

John Ladd’s paper explores two important questions: What properly constitutes the principal aim of medicine and of the good doctor? Is there something about the medical care of patients, especially children, that requires special non-technical qualities? Frequently, answers to these questions focus on medical traditions. Ladd, however, turns to the domain of moral philosophy. I shall not iterate Ladd’s analyses and conclusions, but merely discuss a few issues which, I hope, will stimulate further reflections.
Strategy for creating rational fraction fits to stabilization graph data on metastable electronic states

Abstract An exactly soluble model of two diabatic electronic states interacting through a coupling of strength V is used to generate data for testing the rational fraction analytic continuation technique for determining the energies and widths of metastable states of anions. By making analytical connections between the coefficients in the rational fraction and the parameters of the model, we are able to suggest how to choose the orders of the polynomials and the range of the scaling parameter, Z, within which to compute the energies for a given precision. This analysis also allows us to specify the range of Z-values to use in constructing the rational fraction in a manner that allows determination of all parameters of the model for a given precision. The constraint on the Z-value ranges can be used as a guide for constructing rational fractions of data obtained in electronic structure calculations on actual resonance states.
Don’t cancel the surgery just yet! A case report of positive preoperative pregnancy test due to a soft tissue sarcoma production of ectopic beta human chorionic gonadotropin

Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare group of mesenchymal malignancies which can range from low to high grade. These tumors have different clinical, radiographic, and histopathological characteristics. Beta human chorionic gonadotropin is a naturally secreted hormone by placental syncytiotrophoblast cells during pregnancy. On very rare occasions, sarcomas can develop the ability to ectopically produce human chorionic gonadotropin. Very few cases exist in the literature of soft tissue sarcomas expressing this hormone. We report the case of a 55-year-old female who presented with a posterior thigh soft tissue sarcoma who on the day of surgical resection was found to have an unusually elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin. Positive immunohistochemical staining of the resected mass confirmed the sarcoma as the source of the beta human chorionic gonadotropin.
Environmental and morphologic controls on wave-induced dune response

Abstract The Pacific Northwest of the United States exhibits complex spatial patterns of storm-induced coastal foredune erosion. Using oceanographic and morphologic data from three field sites encompassing a range of subaqueous and subaerial coastal profile configurations, a relationship is found between morphologic characteristics and dune volume changes during storm events producing high water levels. The data suggest that dune erosion increases with increasing backshore beach slope and that, under particular oceanographic forcing conditions, wave-driven processes can grow the lower portion of dunes on low sloping, dissipative beaches. These observations of environmental and morphologic controls on storm-induced dune impacts are further explored using XBeach, a state of the art numerical model capable of simulating interactions between hydrodynamics and morphology. Consistent with the field data, model simulations indicate that wave-driven dune growth may occur on low sloping beaches in cases where the dynamic still water level (still water level plus wave setup) is lower than the dune toe. However, these accretional processes are restricted to events where limited incident wave energy impacts the dune. Cases with steep backshore beach slopes or dynamic still water levels exceeding the dune toe instead typically result in dune erosion. Additionally, the model simulations suggest that morphologic properties of the shelf, nearshore, and the dune itself influence storm-induced dune volume change. Therefore, morphologic features far from the dune face, including shelf geometries shaped in part by the regional historical sediment budget, may have important implications on the susceptibility of coastal foredunes systems to storm impacts.
DeviceMien: network device behavior modeling for identifying unknown IoT devices

With the explosion of IoT device use, networks are becoming more vulnerable to attack. Network administrators need better tools to verify and discover these devices in order to minimize attack risk. Existing tools provide rule-based assessment capabilities that cannot keep pace with the proliferation of devices. Current techniques demonstrate that given a rich set of labeled packet traces, one could design a pipeline that identifies all the devices in that trace with over 99% accuracy [30, 32]. However, it has also been observed [25], that such techniques are brittle when no labels are available. More perniciously, they provide false confidence scores about the label they do ascribe to a sample. This paper introduces a probabilistic framework for providing meaningful feedback in device identification, particularly when the device has not been previously observed. In our work, we use stacked autoencoders for automatically learning features from device traffic, learn the classes of traffic observed, and probabilistically model each device as a distribution of traffic classes. Our experiments show that we are able to identify previously seen devices after only 18.9 TCP-flow samples with 100% accuracy for devices where at least 50 samples are observed. We also show that we can distinguish between two broad classes of devices - IoT and Non-IoT - by examining the average number of flow classes observed over a set of samples. Our experiments show that we can infer the correct class of unseen devices with an over 82% average F1 score and 70% accuracy.
FishStore: Faster Ingestion with Subset Hashing

The last decade has witnessed a huge increase in data being ingested into the cloud, in forms such as JSON, CSV, and binary formats. Traditionally, data is either ingested into storage in raw form, indexed ad-hoc using range indices, or cooked into analytics-friendly columnar formats. None of these solutions is able to handle modern requirements on storage: making the data available immediately for ad-hoc and streaming queries while ingesting at extremely high throughputs. This paper builds on recent advances in parsing and indexing techniques to propose FishStore, a concurrent latch-free storage layer for data with flexible schema, based on multi-chain hash indexing of dynamically registered predicated subsets of data. We find predicated subset hashing to be a powerful primitive that supports a broad range of queries on ingested data and admits a high-performance concurrent implementation. Our detailed evaluation on real datasets and queries shows that FishStore can handle a wide range of workloads and can ingest and retrieve data at an order of magnitude lower cost than state-of-the-art alternatives.
On Being Black, Muslim, and a Refugee: Stories of Somalis in Chicago

Somali refugees are considered one of the largest African refugee populations in the United States and the fourth largest refugee population globally. Yet, there is limited scholarship on their ove...
The Known Simple Groups

In this chapter we give a brief account of the known simple groups. These include the trivial groups of prime order, the alternating groups of degree at least 5, the groups of Lie type, and the 26 sporadic groups. The groups of Lie type are analogues over finite fields of the complex Lie groups, and they constitute the broadest category of known simple groups. The finite case involves a few more “types” than in the complex case; in particular, the family of Suzuki groups and the two families of Ree have no direct complex analogues. The groups of Lie type will be described in Section 2.1, the balance of the chapter being devoted to the sporadic groups.
ESRA19-0604 Rescue of LPS-induced left ventricular dysfunction by intralipid is mediated by phosphorylation of stat3

Background and aims Intralipid (ILP) has been demonstrated in animal models and humans to mitigate the cardio-depressant effects of local anesthetics and I/R injury, possibly via restoration of metabolic dysfunction, activation of cardio-protective signaling and augmentation of contractility. Methods 8 adult female SD rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS (20 mg/kg). Echocardiography was performed on the rats at baseline prior to injection of LPS, and then at 6h post-LPS, in order to assess LV ejection fraction. Rats were randomly divided to receive either 20% ILP (n=4) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS; n=4) as a 5 ml/kg bolus followed by a 0.5 ml/kg/min infusion over 10 min and echocardiography was conducted at 1, 5 and 10 min to reassess LVEF. At 10 min, LV tissue was collected and Western blots were performed to assess for GSK and STAT3 phosphorylation. Values are expressed as mean±SEM. P Results Baseline LVEF in PBS and ILP before LPS were 75.7±1.1% and 74.2±1.2%, respectively. 6 h after LPS, LVEF was decreased (LVEF= 54.3±4.8% in PBS, and 46.0±2.5% in ILP; both p Conclusions Administration of ILP significantly improves LVF likely mediated via STAT3 phosphorylation.
Does Automatic Enrollment Increase Contributions to Supplement Retirement Programs by K-12 and University Employees?

This study examines the impact of the adoption of automatic enrollment provisions by schools and universities in the state of South Dakota for its supplemental retirement saving plan (SRP). In South Dakota, educational personnel are also covered by a defined benefit pension plan and by Social Security. Thus, career public employees in South Dakota can expect a life time annuity from these two programs of around 75 percent of their final salary. Prior to the introduction of automatic enrollment, the proportion of newly hired educators who were contributing to the SRP was less than two percent in their first year of employment. After the introduction of automatic enrollment, over 90 percent of newly hired workers who were auto enrolled were participating in the plan. Thus, auto enrollment is shown to have the same powerful impact on contributions to a retirement saving plan for educational employees even when they also can expect life annuities from a defined benefit pension plan.
Increasing the Impact of JMIR Journals in the Attention Economy.

The Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) has attained remarkable achievements in the past twenty years. By depth, JMIR has published the most impactful research in medical informatics and is top ranked in the field. By width, JMIR has spun off to about thirty sister journals to cover topics such as serious games, mobile health, public health, surveillance, and other medical areas. With ever-increasing data and research findings, academic publishers need to be competitive to win readers’ attention. While JMIR is well-positioned in the field, the journal will need more creative strategies to increase its attention base and maintain its leading position. Viable strategies include the creation of online collaborative spaces, the engagement of more diverse audience from less traditional channels, and partnerships with other publishers and academic institutes. Doing so could also enable JMIR researchers to turn research insights into practical strategies to improve personal health and medical services.
Chapter 8 – Cardiac Markers

There has been an evolution in cardiac markers for myocardial infarction. The role of troponin, CK, and LDH in acute coronary syndrome will be discussed. Cardiac markers for heart failure (such as BNP) will also be discussed.
Effects of Motivational Interviewing and Wearable Fitness Trackers on Motivation and Physical Activity: A Systematic Review.

Objective:To systematically review the impacts of Wearable Fitness Trackers (WFTs), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Self Determination Theory (SDT)–based interventions on physical activity (PA)...
Serious Illness Conversations With Outpatient Oncology Clinicians: Understanding the Patient Experience

PURPOSE:Guidelines recommend earlier advance care planning discussions focused on goals and values (serious illness communication) among oncology patients. We conducted a prospective, cross-section...
Rural Status of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies and Cancer Survivors

Background: Although equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) are rapidly increasing, as are cancer survival rates, little is known about the engagement of cancer survivors in EAAT. One may conceptualize equine or horse related activities as occurring in rural areas; however, the rural status of EAAT centers are not fully reported.Purpose: To explore the rural status of EAAT centers, and whether EAAT is provided for cancer survivors and the more common service for post-traumatic stress disorder at those centers.Method: A quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted of publicly available data after an exempt status decision of an Institutional Review Board. Services using EAAT for those with terminal illnesses, post-traumatic stress disorder and cancer survivors were examined. Rural status was evaluated for all organizational members (N = 784) of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.). Roy adaptation model was used as a theoretical framework in this project.Findings: All types of the organizational members, cluster in urban areas more than rural areas. Significant relationship (p = 0.039) was found between rural status and type of membership, where more urban than rural centers were premier accredited center members. Most of the contacted and responding centers stated that they do provided EAAT for cancer survivors (n = 204); however, only (n = 26) centers have programs specifically designed for cancer survivors.Conclusion: There are not only less EAAT rural than urban centers, but rural centers also tend to have lower quality level membership based on PATH Intl. standards. Although EAAT is provided for cancer survivors, identifying effective ways to provide EAAT and standardization of programs for cancer survivors is recommended. DOI: http://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v20i2.601
Aged Non-Human Primates as Models of β-Amyloidoses

Because of the biological proximity of nonhuman primates and humans, monkeys are useful in the study of significant features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (Price et al., 1994). Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta; life span 35–40 years) are the best available laboratory model of senile plaque formation, and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus; life span 25–30 years) are excellent models of cerebrovascular amyloidosis (Walker et al., 1988a,b; Price et al., 1994). Aged rhesus monkeys also show mild, but statistically significant, cognitive decline (Bachevalier et al., 1991; Rapp and Amaral, 1991; Voytko, 1993), neocortical atrophy (Brizzee et al., 1980), and regional cytological and neurochemical changes in brain (Wisniewski and Terry, 1973; Brizzee et al., 1980; Goldman-Rakic and Brown, 1981; Uemura, 1980; Beal et al., 1991; Wenk et al., 1991; Stroessner-Johnson et al., 1992; Amsten, 1993; Wagster, 1993). Other age-associated changes that closely mimic those in humans include degenerative changes in the musculoskeletal system (DeRousseau, 1986) and menopause in females (Walker, 1994). Even so, no aged monkey has yet been shown to develop AD, i.e., neither “dementia” nor neurofibrillary tangles have been demonstrated unequivocally in a nonhuman primate. However, β-amyloid (Aβ) is abundant in aged monkeys. Thus, primates are an advantageous model for studying the pathogenesis of senile plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid and for testing strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of β-amyloidoses.
6.10 – Fault Mechanics

The past 15 years have seen a revolution in fault mechanics. Before the 1990s, the field was limited to the Andersonian fault mechanics, which offered no mechanism for fault propagation and growth. Linear elastic fracture mechanics, which had been applied to calculating the stress fields around faults, also did not offer a mechanism for fault growth. The crack tip opening angle model, an elastic–plastic numerical model that allows for inelastic yielding in a volume surrounding the crack tip, is consistent with all observations concerning fault growth. It predicts the linear scaling between fault displacement and length and the observation that faults propagate by the breakdown of a brittle process zone that widens with fault length. The process zone consists primarily of intergranular dilatant microcracks that are oriented parallel to the maximum principal stress of the fault tip stress field and whose density increases exponentially as the fault is approached. These properties are consistent with theory and laboratory experiments. The theory is also consistent with the observation that fault tip displacement tapers are linear and scale-independent and increase with rock strength. Fault interactions through their stress fields are not understood except for the simple case of subparallel faults. These interactions result in the development of fault populations with well-defined statistical properties. These populations evolve with increasing brittle strain from power law to exponential size distributions and finally to evenly spaced system-size faults. Fault rocks and structures are described as a function of depth, from the upper schizosphere through the plastosphere. The strength of faults is shown to be consistent with Byerlee friction, and the weak San Andreas Fault hypothesis is critiqued.
Resistance to American foulbrood in honey bees: VI. Spore germination in larvae of different ages☆

Abstract Germination varied when a constant dosage of Bacillus larvae spores was put into the larval food of honey-bee larvae (Apis mellifera) of different ages. Larvae were fed spores at 3, 21, and 45 hours of age. Samples of larvae were taken and fixed in Carnoy's at 13, 16 1 2 –17 , 19, 22–22 1 2 , and 25 hours after spore feeding. Larval gut contents were smeared on slides and stained with carbol fuchsin, nigrosin, and methylene blue. Vegetative rods were counted under oil immersion in approximately 1% of the fields of the smear. A higher percentage of young spore-fed larvae showed vegetative stages than did the intermediate or older larvae following approximately the same elapsed time for spore germination. Larvae were sampled and fixed at 7 hours after spore-feeding to compare time of ingestion of the spores in the differentaged larvae. Spores were found in a higher percentage of intermediate and older larvae than in younger larvae.