cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Manifestations Like Multiple Sclerosis in a Paitent with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjögren's Syndrome

Demyelinating syndrome can rarely occur in Sjogren's syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis. We describe a patient of Sjogren's syndrome with multiple sclerosis-like features whose rheumatoid arthritis has been managed for 3 years. The patient presented paraparesis and urinary retention, and improved with high-dose corticosteroid therapy.
A useful and challenging take-home examination: characterization of an imaginary semiconductor sample

A take-home examination required students in a semiconductor device physics course to clarify their understanding of the properties of semiconductors. Students were given numerical values of measurements "made" on an imaginary semiconductor and then asked to determine the semiconductor's physical characteristics. >
Independent mediation of unconditioned motor behavior by striatal D1 and D2 receptors in rats depleted of dopamine as neonates

The effects of systemic administration of DA receptor antagonists suggest that unconditioned motor behavior in rats depleted of DA as neonates continues to be dependent upon dopaminergic transmission, yet the specific contribution of D1 and D2 receptors to these behaviors has been altered. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether these depletion-induced receptor changes are occurring at the level of striatal DA terminals and their targets. The ability of bilateral intrastriatal injections (0.5 microliter) of DA receptor antagonists to induce motoric deficits was determined in adult rats treated with vehicle or 6-OHDA (100 micrograms, intraventricular) on postnatal day 3. Administration of the D1-like antagonist SCH 23390 (0.5-2.0 micrograms) or the D2-like antagonist clebopride (1.0-4.0 micrograms) induced dose-dependent akinesia, catalepsy, and somatosensory neglect in vehicle-treated controls. In contrast, neither antagonist produced deficits in rats depleted of forebrain DA as neonates. However, combined administration of SCH 23390 + clebopride induced similar akinesia, catalepsy, and somatosensory neglect in both controls and DA depleted animals. Animals depleted of DA were more sensitive than controls to the low doses of this combined D1 + D2 antagonism. These results demonstrate that activation of striatal DA receptors remains necessary for unconditioned motor behavior in rats depleted of DA as neonates. However, the specific contributions of D1- and D2-like receptors to these behaviors differ between intact animals and those depleted of DA as neonates. The ability of endogenous DA acting at either D1 or D2 receptors to support spontaneous motor behavior in rats depleted of DA as neonates may contribute to their relative sparing from parkinsonian deficits.
Eye–head coordination in the guinea pig I. Responses to passive whole-body rotations

Vestibular reflexes act to stabilize the head and eyes in space during locomotion. Head stability is essential for postural control, whereas retinal image stability enhances visual acuity and may be essential for an animal to distinguish self-motion from that of an object in the environment. Guinea pig eye and head movements were measured during passive whole-body rotation in order to assess the efficacy of vestibular reflexes. The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) produced compensatory eye movements with a latency of ~7 ms that compensated for 46% of head movement in the dark and only slightly more in the light (54%). Head movements, in response to abrupt body rotations, also contributed to retinal stability (21% in the dark; 25% in the light) but exhibited significant variability. Although compensatory eye velocity produced by the VOR was well correlated with head-in-space velocity, compensatory head-on-body speed and direction were variable and poorly correlated with body speed. The compensatory head movements appeared to be determined by passive biomechanical (e.g., inertial effects, initial tonus) and active mechanisms (the vestibulo-collic reflex or VCR). Chemically induced, bilateral lesions of the peripheral vestibular system abolished both compensatory head and eye movement responses.
Butyric acid esterification kinetics over Amberlyst solid acid catalysts: the effect of alcohol carbon chain length.

Abstract The liquid phase esterification of butyric acid with a series of linear and branched alcohols is examined. Four strong cation exchange resins, Amberlyst™ 15, Amberlyst™ 36, Amberlyst™ BD 20, and Amberlyst™ 70, were used along with para-toluenesulfonic acid as a homogeneous catalyst. The effect of increasing alcohol carbon chain length and branching on esterification rate at 60 °C is presented. For all catalysts, the decrease in turnover frequency (TOF) with increasing carbon chain length of the alcohol is described in terms of steric hindrance, alcohol polarity, and hydroxyl group concentration. The kinetics of butyric acid esterification with 2-ethylhexanol using Amberlyst™ 70 catalyst is described with an activity-based, pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model that includes autocatalysis by butyric acid.
Distribution functions for energetic oxygen atoms in the earth's lower atmosphere

Direct photolysis of O3 and quenching of O(1D) by N2 provide abundant sources of fast oxygen atoms for earth's lower atmosphere. The concentration of atoms with energy above 0.7 eV may exceed the concentration of O(1D) for all altitudes below 18 km, and these atoms may play an important role in lower-atmospheric chemistry. Distribution functions for O(3P) are given for the energy interval 0.1-1.3 eV and a range of altitudes from 0 to 62 km.
Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with pH-Sensitive Nanovalves for Delivery of Moxifloxacin Provide Improved Treatment of Lethal Pneumonic Tularemia.

We have optimized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) functionalized with pH-sensitive nanovalves for the delivery of the broad spectrum fluoroquinolone moxifloxacin (MXF) and demonstrated its efficacy in treating Francisella tularensis infections both in vitro and in vivo. We compared two different nanovalve systems, positive and negative charge modifications of the mesopores, and different loading conditions—varying pH, cargo concentration, and duration of loading–and identified conditions that maximize both the uptake and release capacity of MXF by MSNs. We have demonstrated in macrophage cell culture that the MSN-MXF delivery platform is highly effective in killing F. tularensis in infected macrophages, and in a mouse model of lethal pneumonic tularemia, we have shown that the drug-loaded MSNs are much more effective in killing F. tularensis than an equivalent amount of free MXF.
Some cultural and ultrastructural aspects of Smittium culisetae (Trichomycetes) from mosquito larvae.

Smittium culisetae, isolated from the hindgut of a mosquito larva, grew in a liquid tryptone-glucose medium over a range of temperatures from 5 to 32 C. The maximum rates of growth were in the rang...
Observations on the Removal of Sugar From the Mouth and the Crop of the Chicken

Abstract THE digestive tract of the fowl from oral cavity to duodenum is considered to be of no consequence insofar as quantitative absorption of the products of digestion is concerned. The specific function of the crop has been described largely in terms of storage. Recent studies on taste preference by Kare and Medway (1959) indicate that the fowl would actively reject xylose solutions whereas they would indifferently accept similar concentrations of common sugars such as glucose or sucrose. The mechanism for this discrimination is largely, if not entirely, in the realm of conjecture. In addition to the obvious consideration of a taste preference, there is the possibility of the rejection being related to physiological utilization. A study of where and to what degree the sugars are removed from the digestive tract might suggest a basis for the discrimination among sugars. The gastrointestinal absorption of sugars has been investigated by many workers …
Vortices in cubic noncentrosymmetric superconductors

The absence of inversion symmetry in noncentrosymmetric superconductors leads to magnetoelectric effects that do not exist in centrosymmetric superconductors. One manifestation of this is in the vortex structure in materials with a cubic point group $O$, such as occurs in the superconductors Li${}_{2}$Pt${}_{3}$B or Mo${}_{3}$Al${}_{2}$C. In particular, a current is predicted to flow parallel to the applied magnetic field in such a vortex. Here we present both analytical and numerical solutions of the Ginzburg-Landau equations that reveal the spatial structure of this current both for a single vortex and in the vortex lattice phase near the upper critical field.
Glucocorticoids increase fatty-acid synthase mRNA stability in fetal rat lung

Fatty-acid synthase (FAS) is a critical enzyme in surfactant biosynthesis. In fetal lung, glucocorticoids increase synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, the principal lipid component of surfactant, and there is evidence that this effect is mediated by increased expression of the FAS gene. Dexamethasone increases FAS activity, mass, mRNA content, and rate of transcription in cultured explants of fetal rat lung. As previous experiments with actinomycin D suggested that dexamethasone may also increase FAS mRNA content by a posttranscriptional mechanism, we examined the effect of the hormone on FAS mRNA stability. Explants of 19-day fetal rat lungs were cultured for 44 h with and without 100 nM dexamethasone. Some explants were harvested at that point, and others were cultured further with 60 microM 5,6-dichlororibofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), an inhibitor of transcription. RNA was then extracted, and FAS mRNA levels were measured by Northern analysis, mRNA stability was assessed by comparing the amount remaining after culture with DRB with the initial level before addition of the inhibitor. The apparent half-life of FAS mRNA was 4 h in control explants cultured without hormone. FAS mRNA stability was increased 84% in the explants cultured with dexamethasone for 44 h and by 40% in those cultured with the hormone for 5 h. We conclude that glucocorticoids enhance expression of the FAS gene in fetal lung by increasing mRNA stability in addition to stimulating transcription.
Maxillofacial osteotomies for patients with cleft lip and palate.

Dentoskeletal deformities are common in patients with cleft lip and palate. Their correction is more complicated than in noncleft patients because of soft tissue deficiencies, previous surgical scarring, osseous defects, and special velopharyngeal considerations. This article identifies those malocclusions in cleft patients that require the intervention of a surgeon, establishes the timing of intervention, reviews available operations, and discusses therapeutic outcomes.
WE‐G‐209‐03: PET

Digital radiography, CT, PET, and MR are complicated imaging modalities which are composed of many hardware and software components. These components work together in a highly coordinated chain of events with the intent to produce high quality images. Acquisition, processing and reconstruction of data must occur in a precise way for optimum image quality to be achieved. Any error or unexpected event in the entire process can produce unwanted pixel intensities in the final images which may contribute to visible image artifacts. The diagnostic imaging physicist is uniquely qualified to investigate and contribute to resolution of image artifacts. This course will teach the participant to identify common artifacts found clinically in digital radiography, CT, PET, and MR, to determine the causes of artifacts, and to make recommendations for how to resolve artifacts. Learning Objectives: 1.Identify common artifacts found clinically in digital radiography, CT, PET and MR. 2.Determine causes of various clinical artifacts from digital radiography, CT, PET and MR. 3.Describe how to resolve various clinical artifacts from digital radiography, CT, PET and MR.
19th c. Olivier String Models at Cornell University: Ruled Surfaces in Gear Design

This paper describes a newly discovered collection of 19th c. Olivier string models for descriptive geometry at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. String models illustrating concepts of descriptive geometry were employed in the 19th and early 20th centuries as teaching and visualization aids for engineering, architecture and mathematics. The carefully crafted “Olivier models” are composed of finished wooden bases, brass armatures and colored threads and have an inherent beauty. They illustrate a variety of ruled surfaces—cylinders, hyperboloids, cones, conoids, planes and hyperbolic paraboloids (hypars)—and their intersections. The models not only served to enhance mathematical and drawing skills but also inspired designers and artists. Such inspiration is evident for both the design of mechanisms for machines and for the creation of 20th century sculpture. It is believed the models were copied after the historic original Olivier Models at Union College circa 1884.
Ignore, Avoid, Abandon, and Embrace: What Drives Firm Responses to Environmental Regulation?

A regulator’s ability to incentivize environmental improvement among firms is a vital lever in achieving long-term sustainability. However, firms can and do respond to environmental regulation in a variety of ways: complying with its intent; avoiding the regulation by offshoring or by abandoning the market; or ignoring the regulation by continuing with entrenched business practices. The path a profit-maximizing firm will choose depends, in part, on the expected cost of noncompliance, which is a product of the regulator’s stated penalty, the likelihood that noncompliant practices are detected, and the likelihood that detected violations are punished. The form of regulatory regime and three important cost thresholds also drive firm response. In this chapter, through examples of regulatory failures and successes, we develop a framework for understanding how these thresholds interact with the type of regulatory regime being considered and the expected cost of noncompliance to determine whether profit-maximizing firms ignore, avoid, or embrace environmental regulation.
Consultation to Complex Organizations in Transition

The previous chapter described ways in which contemporary complex organizations manage—and mismanage—the tasks of transition. In these organizations, the leader struggles to reconcile role demands that are often inherently at odds. When aware that the organization is losing its competitive edge, the leader must unsteady the organization by confronting its people with the reality of inescapable change demands. He must also ensure that stabilizers are provided to steady the organization as it changes course. Principles have been established to guide the leader—and his consultant—in processes that can balance these unsteadying and steadying roles. I have argued that motivation during change is sustained when people understand the change imperatives facing the organization, appreciate their meaning, accept their implications, participate in response strategies, and have some freedom to negotiate aspects of their roles in the changing structure. Appropriate strategies for adaptive action are derived from careful psychological cost accounting.
Activity correlation spectroscopy: a novel method for inferring social relationships from activity data

Inferring social relationships among individuals is a difficult problem, typically requiring either intrusive measurements (e.g., surveys) or convenience samples (e.g., ties captured by online social networking systems). Automatically collected activity data from mobile devices or similar sources provide a promising alternative for inexpensive and unobtrusive detection of interpersonal relationships. Here, we introduce a new method—activity correlation spectroscopy—for inferring relationships by exploiting the spectral and distributional structure of activity correlation within dyads. Unlike existing techniques, our approach can be employed with minimal, individual-level (i.e., non-relational), and non-identifying data that are easily collected using commodity hardware. We demonstrate our methodology via an application to detection of friendship and group co-membership using mobile device and survey data from the MIT Reality Mining study (Eagle et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci 106:15274–15278, 2009).
When Nationality Becomes a “Negative Condition” for Politics: Gamaliel Churata’s Contribution to Bolivian Political Theory

In La Paz, and five years after the Bolivian National Revolution (1952), Gamaliel Churata published a book that made him among the most controversial figures of Latin American literature: El pez de oro: Retablos del Laykhakuy. In that book, Churata addressed, among many other things, the challenges that the “grandes mayorias” posed to the construction of a “revolutionary nationality.” He stated that when “political unity is fictitious, nationality will also be fictitious,” concluding that those fictitious nationalities belong to a “negative condition of nationality.” Monasterios’ chapter discusses the critical potential that these reflections had (and still have) to articulate critical thinking in Bolivia and to discern the making of a “nationality” which circumvents the dangers of a “negative condition of politics.”
‘MigrateR’: extending model‐driven methods for classifying and quantifying animal movement behavior

To be useful, definitions of animal movement behavior (e.g. migration) should be quantitatively rigorous, flexible enough to accommodate variation in species biology (e.g. latitudinal vs elevational movement) and sufficiently general to allow comparison among different species. Recent studies have applied a model‐driven approach to classifying and quantifying animal movement from global positioning system (GPS) location data. We improve upon these methods by 1) revising model structure to provide a simple biologically‐defensible basis to reduce misclassification; 2) introducing a data‐efficient tool that can be used to quantify and circumvent model sensitivity to starting location; and 3) illustrating how existing models can be adapted to describe short‐distance migration, using elevational migration as an example. These improvements are included in ‘migrateR’, an open source R package that expands and automates model‐driven classification and quantification of animal movement behavior. We demonstrate the software and these improved methods using GPS‐collar location data from a long‐distance migrant, elk Cervus elaphus, and a short‐distance elevational migrant, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis sierrae. We provide in‐text example code and a supplementary script illustrating how default options can be revised to meet several common challenges in fitting movement models.
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair with Parallel Graft Technique or CHIMPS

While any combination of CHIMPS is possible, this chapter details the use of chimney or snorkel technique for the renal arteries in combination with an EVAR to help understand the principles and basic steps of this technique. Some of the basic definitions and principles are covered that are applicable to all situations. This chapter describes indications, essential steps, variations, and complications of this procedure. It provides a detailed template operative note for the procedure.
Political Economy of Industrial Development in Vietnam’s Telecommunications Industry: A Rent Management Analysis

Abstract This article contributes to the current debate in economics on the uses and benefits of rents and rent seeking. On the one hand, public choice and neoliberal scholars highlight the redistributive and damaging aspects of rent seeking, thus rendering the policy suggestion to completely eradicate rents and rent seeking in an economy. On the other hand, institutional and development economists point out the inherent theoretical inconsistencies shown in the earlier models, and suggest that certain types of rent and rent seeking could be growth-enhancing. Using the Developmental Rent Management Analysis, this article assesses the industrial development of the telecommunications industry in Vietnam using two case studies. Qualitative research points out a number of rent management factors contributing both to the industry’s failure before the early 2000s and its subsequent success thereafter. The successful development of the telecommunications industry was fundamentally based on (i) favorable political...
An initiative to improve primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults with type II diabetes based on the ACC/AHA (2013) and ADA (2016) guidelines

Purpose This project was designed to increase family practice clinicians’ adherence to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (2013) and American Diabetes Association (ADA, 2016) clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 40- to 75-year-old adults with type II diabetes (DMII) through interactive education, an electronic alert, and quality improvement sessions on the treatment and management of cholesterol in a family practice primary care setting. Data sources A pre- and postretrospective chart review of 159 charts from a family practice clinic was conducted. Included in the chart review were 40- to 75-year-olds with a diagnosis of DMII. Conclusions Three outcomes were analyzed. Assessment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease risk score increased from 0% to 76.7% (X2 (1, 159) = 93.46, p < .001), diet and exercise counseling documentation increased from 85% to 100%, and statin therapy application increased from 55.1% to 72.2% (X2 (1, 159) = 11.55, p = .003) in eligible adults 40–75 years-old with DMII. Implications for practice This initiative helps to build the body of evidence regarding useful interventions to improve primary prevention of CVD by improving clinician adherence to the clinical care guidelines for 40- to 75-year-old adults with DMII.
The Management of Recurrent Rectal Prolapse

The ideal surgical procedure for full-thickness rectal prolapse should be one of minimal morbidity, effective in improving symptoms, and durable over time with a low risk of recurrence. Unfortunately, as evident from the myriad number of surgical options for prolapse, it is not surprising that recurrence continues to plague the colorectal surgeon. Recurrence rates vary widely in the literature (older reports as high as 50%), and the variation is widely perceived to reflect the different technical aspects involved with each procedure [1]. Some authors suggest, however, that surgical technique does not fully account for the variation in recurrence rates, especially among abdominal approaches [2]. Instead, differences are more likely explained by nonuniform definitions of recurrent prolapse and varying lengths of follow-up [3]. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that recurrence following an abdominal repair (0–10%) is less common than after a perineal approach (0–25%) [4]–[7].
Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder. Type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune destruction of the pancreas, making patients dependent on exogenous insulin; during pregnancy these patients are at increased risk for diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is caused by decreased insulin sensitivity and often they can be managed with oral agents; these patients are generally older and more likely to be obese. Pregnancy outcomes for women with pregestational diabetes are improved with glucose monitoring and control [1].
Taylor and Polanyi on Moral Sources and Social Systems

This chapter turns more directly to political philosophy. D.M. Yeager notes a divergence between Polanyi and Taylor’s philosophical anthropology and their concomitant understanding of the political structures needed to preserve liberal democracy. While Polanyi trusts more the spontaneous formation of coalition, Taylor sees that individual desires can act as a centrifugal force that tears at social cohesion. Yeager shows how Polanyi’s insights and Taylor’s can balance and complement each other, and how, for both, moral values are at the core of social theory.
Sympathetic arousal as a marker of chronicity in childhood stuttering.

Purpose: This study investigated whether sympathetic activity during a stressful speaking task was an early marker for stuttering chronicity.Method: Participants were 9 children with persisting stu...
A sulfonated reversible thermal gel for the spatiotemporal control of VEGF delivery to promote therapeutic angiogenesis

Despite medical and surgical advancements for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, mortality and morbidity remain high. Therapeutic angiogenesis has been one approach to address the major clinical need for a more effective treatment to restoring blood flow in ischemic organs and tissues, but current progress in angiogenic drug delivery is inadequate at providing sufficient bioavailability without causing safety concerns. An injectable sulfonated reversible thermal gel composed of a polyurea conjugated with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and sulfonate groups has been developed for the delivery of angiogenic factors. The thermal gel allowed for the spatiotemporal control of vascular endothelial growth factor release with a decreased initial burst release and reduced release rate in vitro. A subcutaneous injection mouse model was used to evaluate efficacious vascularization and assess the inflammatory response due to a foreign body. Thermal gel injections showed substantial vascularization properties by inducing vessel formation, recruitment and differentiation of vascular endothelial cells, and vessel stabilization by perivascular cells, while infiltrating macrophages due to the thermal gel injections decreased over time. These results demonstrated effective localization and delivery of angiogenic factors for therapeutic angiogenesis. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 3053-3064, 2018.
Clinical and Neurophysiological Changes after Targeted Intrathecal Injections of Bone Marrow Stem Cells in a C3 Tetraplegic Subject

High-level quadriplegia is a devastating condition with limited treatment options. Bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSCs) are reported to have immunomodulatory and neurotrophic effects in spinal cord injury (SCI). We report a subject with complete C2 SCI who received three anatomically targeted intrathecal infusions of BMSCs under a single-patient expanded access investigational new drug (IND). She underwent intensive physical therapy and was followed for >2 years. At end-point, her American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade improved from A to B, and she recovered focal pressure touch sensation over several body areas. We conducted serial neurophysiological testing to monitor changes in residual connectivity. Motor, sensory, and autonomic system testing included motor evoked potentials (MEPs), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), electromyography (EMG) recordings, F waves, galvanic skin responses, and tilt-table responses. The quality and magnitude of voluntary EMG activations increased over time, but remained below the threshold of clinically obvious movement. Unexpectedly, at 14 months post-injury, deep inspiratory maneuvers triggered respiratory-like EMG bursting in the biceps and several other muscles. This finding means that connections between respiratory neurons and motor neurons were newly established, or unmasked. We also report serial analysis of MRI, International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNCSCI), pulmonary function, pain scores, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokines, and bladder assessment. As a single case, the linkage of the clinical and neurophysiological changes to either natural history or to the BMSC infusions cannot be resolved. Nevertheless, such detailed neurophysiological assessment of high cervical SCI patients is rarely performed. Our findings indicate that electrophysiology studies are sensitive to define both residual connectivity and new plasticity.
Evaluation of Information Sources in Plastic Surgery Decision-making.

Background Today, patients can access a myriad of information sources regarding plastic surgery procedures prior to meeting with a surgeon. Despite their widespread use, the role of these sources in a patient’s decision-making remains undefined. We hypothesized that the physician remains the key information source for patients making surgical decisions in plastic surgery, but that other sources may deliver important insights and prove helpful to varying degrees. We also explored motivations for this outside information search and any differences in perceived value among patients. Methods We administered a survey regarding various information sources to our breast reconstruction, reduction, and abdominoplasty patients. Responses were compared between surgery groups and demographic groups. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of patient characteristics on helpfulness rank of different sources. Results Survey results were obtained from 58 patients, of whom 10 (17.2%) had abdominoplasty, 35 (60.3%) breast reconstruction, and 13 (22.4%) breast reduction. The most popular information sources prior to the first surgical appointment were Internet searches (56.9%) and family/friends/other patients (39.7%). After the initial appointment, the most useful sources were plastic surgeons (84.5%), and the Internet (36.2%). Most patients (73.5%) still sought outside information after their appointment. On a Likert-type scale of helpfulness, plastic surgeons ranked 4.28/5, followed by the web-based patient education platform, 3.73 and the Internet, 3.6. A total of 63% of participants listed plastic surgeons as their single most important source of information. In ordinal logistic regression analysis, non-white race was significantly associated with higher rank of surgeon helpfulness (p < 0.05). Relative to low-income patients, income $50-100k (p < 0.05) and $100k+ (p < 0.05) were associated with lower rank of surgeon helpfulness. Conclusions Most patients seek outside information prior to visiting with a surgeon from the Internet, social media, or family and friends. Patients consider plastic surgeons their most valuable information source overall, though still in need of supplementation for varying reasons. Additionally, certain demographic differences affect patient perception of information sources, and this is an important factor for surgeons to consider as they approach educating patients.
Pressure and Coercion

Exploring the situations and experiences that influence the motivation and decision making of a living organ donor candidate is an essential part of understanding his unique journey toward living donation. While donor candidates may share similar experiences and situations, whether and how they perceive the influence is variable and requires careful discussion between donor candidate and the living donor advocate (LDA). Some of these influences may appear to be part of a foundation of appropriate motivation and decision making. Others may instead be viewed by the donor candidate or by the ILDA as exerting great force and creating untoward pressure. In some instances, a donor candidate may be coerced into considering donation as she/he may believe that something she/he values is being threatened, either directly or indirectly, and that donation is necessary in order to retain that valued item, tangible or otherwise. This chapter will discuss situational, familial, spiritual, cultural, provider/process, and other influences that may be impacting the living donor candidate, potentially creating pressure, and it will offer discussion of assessment and intervention strategies.
Defining and enforcing privacy in data sharing

Recent advances in processing and storing information has led to an explosion of data collection. Many organizations like the Census, hospitals and even search engine companies collect, analyze and distribute personal information in return for useful services. However, the collected data track entire public and private lives of individuals, thus resulting in an immense privacy risk of unauthorized disclosure. This dissertation presents novel conceptual and practical tools to ensure privacy of individuals while enabling the dissemination of valuable data about humans to improve their lives. Our contributions include novel formal definitions of the privacy risk arising from unauthorized disclosure, and practical algorithms for enforcing these definitions of privacy. We consider two distinct settings of data dissemination that require different notions of privacy. In the first part of this dissertation, we consider a setting where no sensitive information should be disclosed. We consider the problem of deciding whether answering a query on a relational database leads to any disclosure of sensitive information. This problem was shown to be intractable; we propose practical algorithms for a reasonably large set of query classes. In the second part of the dissertation, we consider the problem of publishing "anonymous" aggregate information about populations of individuals while preserving the privacy of individual-specific information. We present a novel framework for reasoning about the privacy risk in this setting. We also propose the first formal privacy definition and practical algorithms for publishing "anonymous" data that provably guarantees privacy of the individuals contributing to the data while releasing useful aggregate information. We also present a case study of applying formal privacy definitions to a real Census data publishing application.
Probing Surface Defects of InP Quantum Dots Using Phosphorus Kα and Kβ X-ray Emission Spectroscopy

Synthetic efforts to prepare indium phosphide (InP) quantum dots (QDs) have historically generated emissive materials with lower than unity quantum yields. This property has been attributed to structural and electronic defects associated with the InP core as well as the chemistry of the shell materials used to overcoat and passivate the InP surface. Consequently, the uniformity of the core–shell interface plays a critical role. Using X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) performed with a recently developed benchtop spectrometer, we studied the evolution of oxidized phosphorus species arising across a series of common, but chemically distinct, synthetic methods for InP QD particle growth and subsequent ZnE (E = S or Se) shell deposition. XES afforded us the ability to measure the speciation of phosphorus reliably, quantitatively, and more efficiently (with respect to both the quantity of material required and the speed of the measurement) than with traditional techniques, i.e., X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy...
Holocaust History, Far-Right Parties, and Antisemitic Incidents

In many countries in Europe, acts motivated by antisemitism, including the desecration of Jewish tombs or simple assaults on Jewish individuals, occur with varying levels of frequency. Using new event data on antisemitic incidents, this paper analyzes two factors that influence antisemitic incidents in Eastern Europe. In particular, we analyze a country’s Holocaust history and the presence of nationalist far-right parties in legislatures as factors that influence the likelihood that a country experiences an antisemitic incident. We posit that both a high proportion of Jews murdered in the Holocaust and the presence of nationalist far-right parties in parliament will increase the likelihood of an antisemitic event in a given year. We find strong evidence that a country’s Holocaust history is a powerful predictor of antisemitic incidents in Eastern Europe, but that the presence of nationalist far-right parties in parliament, contrary to our expectations, has no effect on the likelihood of antisemitic incidents. Thus, our findings suggest that the destruction of a country’s Jewish community during the Holocaust is a better predictor of antisemitic events than the presence of far-right political parties. At a pragmatic level, we are cautiously optimistic that our results suggest that the rise in political participation of far-right parties across Europe does not increase the likelihood of antisemitic events. Nonetheless, scholars should continue to explore the causes of antisemitic incidents in Europe in order to identify what causes its fluctuations.
Lateral impacts correlate with falx cerebri displacement and corpus callosum trauma in sports-related concussions

Corpus callosum trauma has long been implicated in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), yet the mechanism by which forces penetrate this structure is unknown. We investigated the hypothesis that coronal and horizontal rotations produce motion of the falx cerebri that damages the corpus callosum. We analyzed previously published head kinematics of 115 sports impacts (2 diagnosed mTBI) measured with instrumented mouthguards and used finite element (FE) simulations to correlate falx displacement with corpus callosum deformation. Peak coronal accelerations were larger in impacts with mTBI (8592 rad/s2 avg.) than those without (1412 rad/s2 avg.). From FE simulations, coronal acceleration was strongly correlated with deep lateral motion of the falx center (r = 0.85), while horizontal acceleration was correlated with deep lateral motion of the falx periphery (r > 0.78). Larger lateral displacement at the falx center and periphery was correlated with higher tract-oriented strains in the corpus callosum body (r = 0.91) and genu/splenium (r > 0.72), respectively. The relationship between the corpus callosum and falx was unique: removing the falx from the FE model halved peak strains in the corpus callosum from 35% to 17%. Consistent with model results, we found indications of corpus callosum trauma in diffusion tensor imaging of the mTBI athletes. For a measured alteration of consciousness, depressed fractional anisotropy and increased mean diffusivity indicated possible damage to the mid-posterior corpus callosum. Our results suggest that the corpus callosum may be sensitive to coronal and horizontal rotations because they drive lateral motion of a relatively stiff membrane, the falx, in the direction of commissural fibers below.
A Semantic Approach for Automating Knowledge in Policies of Cyber Insurance Services

With the rapid adoption of web services, the need to protect against various threats has become imperative for organizations operating in cyberspace. Organizations are increasingly opting to get financial cover in the event of losses due to a security incident. This helps them safeguard against the threat posed to third-party services that the organization uses. It is in the organization's interest to understand the insurance requirements and procure all necessary direct and liability coverages. This helps transfer some risks to the insurance providers. However, cyber insurance policies often list details about coverages and exclusions using legalese that can be difficult to comprehend. Currently, it takes a significant manual effort to parse and extract knowledgeable rules from these lengthy and complicated policy documents. We have developed a semantically rich machine processable framework to automatically analyze cyber insurance policy and populate a knowledge graph that efficiently captures various inclusion and exclusion terms and rules embedded in the policy. In this paper, we describe this framework that has been built using technologies from AI, including Semantic Web, Modal/ Deontic Logic, and Natural Language Processing. We have validated our approach using industry standards proposed by the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and applying it against publicly available policies of 7 cyber insurance vendors. Our system will enable cyber insurance seekers to automatically analyze various policy documents and make a well-informed decision by identifying its inclusions and exclusions.
Teaching Entrepreneurship and Innovation to University Students

This paper summarizes the findings from a 7-year study, where an innovation and entrepreneurship course was developed by a cohort of engineering professors for engineering majors—with the task of building student interest and skills in innovation and entrepreneurship. The article outlines the what, why, and how, and presents the findings from a pre–post course inventory administered to the students over the 7-year period.
The Nature of Math Anxiety in Adults: Prevalence and Correlates

It is important to understand the nature of math anxiety in the general adult population, as the importance of math skills does not end when one leaves school. To this end, we present a well-powered, preregistered study of English-speaking U.S. adults describing the nature of math anxiety in this population. 1000 participants were recruited online. Math anxiety was approximately normally distributed, with the mean between “some” and “moderate”. Math anxiety was significantly negatively correlated with probability knowledge and math fluency, and significantly positively correlated with general anxiety and test anxiety. Women reported higher math anxiety than did men. Participants who had completed graduate school or had a STEM career had significantly lower levels of math anxiety than did those with less education, or non-STEM careers. Thus, we see evidence for math anxiety in U.S. adults and that it correlates with factors also reported in previous studies using younger and student populations.
Abstract 4831: Using reporter-based bioassays and engineered TNFalpha and VEGF+ target cells to measure Fc-mediated ADCC and CDC activity of anti-TNFá and anti-VEGF therapeutic antibodies

Fc receptor-mediated effects contribute to the therapeutic response in terms of efficacy and safety of anti-TNF antibodies. Measurement of Fc-mediated antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) during antibody drug discovery and development is not only important for antibodies that harness ADCC and/or CDC as their primary mechanism of action (e.g. rituximab, trastuzumab), but also for antibodies designed to target and block soluble ligands such as TNFα and VEGF. We previously reported the development of a cell-based reporter bioassay platform which has been used to measure ADCC and ADCP mediated through FcgRI, FcgRIIa and FcgRIIIa. These reporter bioassays exhibit the specificity, accuracy, precision, and robustness necessary for qualification according to ICH guidelines and have been used extensively to characterize and measure the potency of antibody-based biologics drugs that target cell surface immune receptors. In the current study, we sought to evaluate Fc-mediated ADCC and CDC activities of therapeutic antibodies designed to target and block soluble ligands including TNFa and VEGF. To measure ADCC activity of anti-TNFa and anti-VEGF blocking antibodies, we developed engineered target cells that express either membrane-bound TNFα or VEGF. When used as target cells with reporter-based effector cells expressing a relevant FcgR, ADCC activity of adalimumab (anti-TNFa) and bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) was detected in a specific and dose-dependent manner. Similarly, when used in a luminescence-based CDC assay, the engineered target cells elicited an appropriate FcgR-mediated response. The assay signals demonstrated IgG isotype specificity as IgG4 variants showed minimal activity in both ADCC and CDC assays. Our results demonstrate that the combined use of cell-based reporter bioassays with target cells engineered to express membrane-bound soluble ligands can provide a simple, specific, and quantitative platform to measure Fc-mediated effector functions of therapeutic antibodies targeting soluble ligands. Citation Format: Denise Garvin, Jamison Grailer, Rich Moravec, Jim Hartnett, Chris Heid, Frank Fan, Mei Cong, Jey Cheng. Using reporter-based bioassays and engineered TNFalpha and VEGF+ target cells to measure Fc-mediated ADCC and CDC activity of anti-TNFa and anti-VEGF therapeutic antibodies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4831.
Isolating the Effects of Web Page Visual Appearance on the Perceived Credibility of Online News among College Students

Online news sources have transformed civic discourse, and much has been made of their credibility. Although web page credibility has been investigated generally, most work has focused on the credibility of web page content. In this work, we study the isolated appearance of news-like web pages. Specifically, we report on a laboratory experiment involving 31 college students rating the perceived credibility of news-like web pages devoid of meaningful content. These pages contain only "lorem ipsum" text, indistinct videos and images, non-functional links, and various font settings. Our findings show that perceived credibility is indeed affected by some purely presentational factors. Specifically, video presence increased credibility, while large fonts and having no images reduced credibility. Having a few, but not too many, images increased credibility for short articles, especially in the presence of large fonts. We also conducted follow-up interviews, which revealed that participants noticed images, videos, and font sizes when making credibility judgments, corroborating our quantitative experimental results.
The study of hexanoate-based protic ionic liquids used as lubricants in steel-steel contact

Abstract Three novel hexanoate-based protic ionic liquids with different ammonium cations (2-hydroxyethylammonium 2-ethylhexanoate, 2-hydroxymethylammonium 2-ethylhexancate, and 2-hydroxydimethylammonium 2-ethylhexanoate) were synthesized, characterized, and studied as neat lubricants under a steel-steel sliding contact mode. The ionic liquid with the 2-hydroxyethylammonium cation presented the highest values of density, viscosity, contact angle and thermal stability. The high value of viscosity and contact angle in the 2-hydroxyethylammonium salt can be attributed to hydrogen bonding. The three protic ionic liquids, especially 2-hydroxyethylammonium 2-ethylhexanocate and 2-hydroxymethylammonium 2-ethylhexanocate, outperformed other studied lubricants showing lower and stable friction coefficient. The improved lubrication performance is attributed to the strong physical adsorption of the ionic liquids on the steel-steel surfaces to form ordered lubrication layers due to the electrostatic interaction. In addition, the formation of carbon- and oxygen-enriched layers on worn steel surfaces helped to reduce friction. The formation of this tribolayer may be due to the high contact temperature and pressure conditions that promote the reaction of the active elements of steel and functional groups ionic liquids.
Increasing Agricultural Income and Access to Financial Services through Mobile Technology in Africa: Evidence from Malawi

In most of the developing world, mobile technology facilitates access to financial services. This chapter provides new evidence on the effect of mobile phone ownership on loan acquisition and agricultural incomes. Data from Malawi’s Integrated Household Survey (IHS) and the logit model are used for the empirical analysis. The results reveal that the higher the number of mobile phones per household, the more likely they are to have a loan, notably in urban areas where mobile technology is more available. Those without a mobile phone are nearly three times more likely to have an informal loan than a formal one. A higher chance of having a non-zero amount of agricultural income is found among households with at least one phone and those with a loan. Finally, female-headed households have a higher likelihood of having no agricultural income and no mobile phone. The results imply that financial inclusion through the improvements in technology can lead households from informal into the formal financial sector, but rural and female-headed households require more attention in terms of outreach policies.