cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On variable-length-to-block coding

Variable-length-to-block codes are a generalization of run-length codes. A coding theorem is first proved. When the codes are used to transmit information from fixed-rate sources through fixed-rate noiseless channels, buffer overflow results. The latter phenomenon is an important consideration in the retrieval of compressed data from storage. The probability of buffer overflow decreases exponentially with buffer length and we determine the relation between rate and exponent size for memoryless sources. We obtain codes that maximize the overflow exponent for any given transmission rate exceeding the source entropy and present asymptotically optimal coding algorithms whose complexity grows linearly with codeword length. It turns out that the optimum error exponents of variable-length-to-block coding are identical with those of block-to-variable-length coding and are related in an interesting way to Renyi's generalized entropy function.
Comparison of inverse planning simulated annealing and geometrical optimization for prostate high-dose-rate brachytherapy

PURPOSE: An inverse planning simulated annealing (IPSA) algorithm for optimization of high- dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy has been previously described. In this study, IPSA is compared with geometrical optimization (GO) for prostate brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using CT data collected from 10 patients, treatment plans were prepared using GO and IPSA. The clinical target volume (CTV) and critical organs (CO) including bladder, rectum, and urethra were contoured using Plato Version 14.2.1 (Nucletron Corp., Veenendaal, The Netherlands). Implant catheters were digitized using the CT planning system. All dwell positions outside of the CTV were turned off. Two optimized plans were generated for each implant using GO and IPSA. The same set of dose constraints were used for all inverse planning calculations and no manual adjustment of the dwell weight was used. Two prescription methods were used. Using the first method, coverage was prioritized: the prescription dose was normalized to the isodose volume that covers 98% of the CTV (V100 98% of CTV). The dose volume histograms (DVH) of CO were generated for comparison. Using the second method, sparing was prioritized: the prescription dose was normalized such that no urethra volume received 150% of the prescription dose (V150-urethra 0 cc). The DVH of CTV and CO were generated, and the homogeneity index (HI) and conformal index (COIN) were calculated for comparison and compared using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. RESULTS: Using the coverage-prioritized method, the difference in V80-bladder dose was not statistically significant (p 0.09; median: IPSA 0.62 cc, GO 1.05 cc). The V80-rectum ranged from 0.20-4.8 cc, and 0.05-1.4 cc using GO and IPSA, respectively. IPSA's V80-rectum was significantly lower (p 0.005; median: IPSA 0.38 cc, GO 1.31 cc). V150-urethra ranged from 0.02-0.75 cc and 0.0-0.01 cc using GO and IPSA, respectively. The V150-urethra was significantly lower using IPSA (p 0.005; median: IPSA 0.00 cc, GO 0.33 cc). Using the sparing prioritized method, the V100-prostate ranged from 30-97% and 95-100% using GO and IPSA, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p 0.008). The HI and COIN were statistically higher using IPSA (p 0.005). CONCLUSION: Anatomy-based inverse optimization using IPSA is superior to dwell-position- based optimization using GO as it: (1) Improves target coverage and conformality while sparing normal structures, (2) Improves dose homogeneity within the target, and (3) Minimizes volume of non-contoured normal tissue irradiated. Routine application of three-dimensional brachytherapy planning and anatomy-based inverse dwell time optimization is recommended. 2004 American Brachytherapy Society. All rights reserved.
Quantification of the Pinhole Effect

Abstract Can the pinhole principle be practically applied to solving the problem of providing useful vision for aphakics without resorting to aphakic spectacles? The authors have experimentally quantified the pinhole effect and concluded that the pinhole, successfully produced by miotics in certain patients or by a thin, dyed contact lens, may have clinical value.
A Mathematical Model of Axon Guidance by Diffusible Factors

In the developing nervous system, gradients of target-derived diffusible factors play an important role in guiding axons to appropriate targets. In this paper, the shape that such a gradient might have is calculated as a function of distance from the target and the time since the start of factor production. Using estimates of the relevant parameter values from the experimental literature, the spatiotemporal domain in which a growth cone could detect such a gradient is derived. For large times, a value for the maximum guidance range of about 1 mm is obtained. This value fits well with experimental data. For smaller times, the analysis predicts that guidance over longer ranges may be possible. This prediction remains to be tested.
Genius Creativity and Eminence

Large bodies of literature have supported the necessity of gifted programs for either the intellectually superior or the creative-productive thinker, but few have actively sought to establish programs which systematically combine the two. A promising union of these two categories may identify a group previously ignored, but whose characteristics merit closer examination. This paper attempts to establish a theory of eminence based on the notion that the potential genius will very likely be found among this special group. While eminence is viewed as a rare ability which is to some extent predetermined, the capacity of society to significantly influence its fruition is regarded as dependent on its power or skill to increase individual faculty for creative behavior.
Resource management framework for multi-user wireless multimedia using the VCG mechanism

In this paper, we enable wireless stations (WSTAs) to proactively engage in the resource management game coordinated by a Central Spectrum Moderator (CSM). We model WSTAs as rational and selfish players competing for available wireless resources in the dynamic game. The CSM deploys a novel resource management scheme based on the Vickrey-Clarke-Groves mechanism to determine a) the amount of resource to be allocated to the various WSTAs and b) the cost associated to the allocated resources. The cost is introduced in order to discourage WSTAs from lying about their resource requirements. Each WSTA is allowed to play the resource management game by adapting its multimedia transmission strategy depending on the experienced channel conditions and derived video quality for resources. Our simulations show that using the VCG mechanism the WSTAs do not have any incentives to lie about their resource requirements as otherwise they will be severely penalized by a high cost.
Design considerations of a high power factor SEPIC converter for high brightness white LED lighting applications

A current-shaper SEPIC converter for high brightness LEDs is presented. Due to the recent advancement in the light emitting diode (LED) technology, high brightness white LED becomes feasible in residential, industry and commercial applications to replace the incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, and even compact fluorescent light bulbs. In these offline applications, high power factor, and low harmonics are of primary importance. It is also important to step up/down voltage with simple single-stage conversion for low cost and high efficiency. A SEPIC converter is particularly suitable for non-isolated application since it is single-stage, and can step up/down, and of high power factor as it is run in discontinue conduction mode. In this paper, we proposed a high power factor SEPIC converter for the high brightness LED lighting applications with universal input voltages and dimmable LED light. The condition of discontinuous conduction mode is given. The harmonics of the input line current is reduced and power factor is high because the input inductor current follows the input voltage. A current feedback loop is proposed to control the LED brightness. The gate drive signal of the switch is generated by comparing the saw-tooth carrier signal of the PWM controller with the current feedback signal. This circuit has the advantages of one stage of power conversion, no need to sense the input voltage, simple feedback control, voltage step-up and down, high power factor and dimmable LED current. It is particular suitable for the offline LED applications. The critical design constraints and equations for both the power stage and control loop are highlighted and detailed. A practical evaluation board is developed to verify the proposed design.
The relationship of hardiness and depression to disability in institutionalized older adults.

Disability is an often expensive and sometimes preventable consequence of chronic illness. This study explored the relationship of hardiness and depression to, disability in a sample (N = 58) of aged, institutionalized persons, controlling for length of stay (LOS) in the nursing home and physical health status. Using hierarchical regression analysis, LOS and physical health status accounted for 14.7% of the variance in disability (p = .01). Hardiness explained an additional 10.5% of the variance (p = .008). Depression accounted for an additional 7.4% (p = .02) of the variance in disability. The results of this study support the premise that psychological factors may increase a person's degree of disability beyond what might be expected from the physical illness or injury alone.
Dendritic dynamics in vivo change during neuronal maturation.

In vivo imaging of optic tectal neurons in the intact Xenopus tadpole permits direct observation of the structural dynamics that occur during dendritic arbor formation. Based on images of single DiI-labeled neurons collected at daily intervals over a period of 6 d, we divided tectal cell development into three phases according to the total length of the dendritic arbor. During phase 1, the cell differentiates from a neuroepithelial cell type and extends an axon out of the tectum. The total dendritic branch length (TDBL) is 400 micrometers, the dendritic arbor grows slowly and appears stable. Neurons at different positions along the rostrocaudal developmental axis of the tectum were imaged at 2 hr intervals over 6 hr and at 24 hr intervals over several days. Images collected at 2 hr intervals were analyzed to determine rates of branch additions and retractions. Morphologically complex, phase 3 neurons show half the rate of branch additions and retractions as phase 2 neurons. Therefore, rapidly growing neurons have dynamic dendritic arbors, and slower-growing neurons are structurally stable. The change in growth rate and dendritic arbor dynamics from phase 2 to phase 3 correlates with the developmental increase in synaptic strength in neurons located along the rostrocaudal tectal axis. The data are consistent with the idea that strong synaptic inputs stabilize dendritic arbor structures and that weaker synaptic inputs are permissive for a greater degree of dynamic rearrangements and a faster growth rate in the dendritic arbor.
Facilitating Information Acquisition for Over-the-Counter Drugs using Supplemental Labels

This study examined the effect of the presence and color of a supplemental cap label on medication information acquisition and container preference. Participants were 75 elders from a retirement community who were asked to examine one of five manipulated labels on a fictitious but realistic-appearing over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical product container and then to respond to questions concerning their knowledge about the medication. Later they were shown all five manipulated bottle labels and asked which they preferred in effectively communicating medication information. The five bottles differed in the use of labeled surface area and color. Two bottles, displaying labels only on the body of the bottle, served as controls. One control had only a front label, and the other control was conventionally labeled with printed information on the front, back and sides of the bottle. The three other bottles were identical to the conventionally labeled control bottle except they included a supplemental cap label ...
Blastomyces Tenosynovitis of the Foot and Ankle: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Deep fungal infection localized to the foot is not common, and when it occurs it often affects immunocompromised individuals. In this report, we describe the case of an adult diabetic patient who suffered with with Blastomycosis infection of the flexor digitorum longus and peroneal tendon sheaths. The condition was treated with systemic antifungal therapy and surgical debridement.
Binding of Thyroid Hormones by Nuclei of Cells from Bullfrog Tadpole Tail Fins1

The regression of the tadpole tail is under the direct control of the thyroid hormones and otters a unique system for the study of the action of these hormones. We have examined the binding of L-triiodothyronine (T3)an d L-thyroxine (T4 in vitro using tail fin bricks which included epidermal and connective cells. The binding of l25I-labeled hormones was followed in both nuclear and extranuclear fractions. High affinity and limited capacity sites for (T3) and T4 were observed only lor the nuclear fraction. Scatchard plots gave similar apparent dissociation constants for both hormones, about 10−10M. The maximum (number of binding sites per nucleus for T3 was about 1500 and for T4 about 800. There was no significant change in the chemical identity of [125I]T3 and [125I]T4 which was associated with binding n i the nuclei. Nuclear binding of [125I]T4 was inhibited competitively by both unlabeled T3 and T4 but unlabeled T3 displaced [125I]T3 significantly more than unlabeled (T4. Thus, both binding and competit...
Lipoxygenase Inhibitors Shift the Yeast/Mycelium Dimorphism in Ceratocystis ulmi

The yeast-mycelium dimorphism in Ceratocystis ulmi, the causative agent of Dutch elm disease, was switched by gossypol, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and propylgallate. In each case the mycelial form was converted to the yeast form. These compounds are recognized lipoxygenase inhibitors. Inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and thromboxane synthetase did not cause mycelia to shift to the yeast form. We suggest the following two-part hypothesis: (i) that lipoxygenase is a target for antifungal antibiotics and (ii) that many phytoalexins (antimicrobial compounds of plant origin) are targeted toward fungal lipoxygenases. In addition, in a study to determine potential lipoxygenase substrates, a fatty acid analysis indicated that C. ulmi conidiospores contained high levels of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids but no arachidonic acid.
The role of myosin heavy chain phosphorylation in Dictyostelium motility, chemotaxis and F-actin localization

To assess the role of myosin II heavy chain (MHC) phosphorylation in basic motility and natural chemotaxis, the Dictyostelium mhcA null mutant mhcA-, mhcA- cells rescued with a myosin II gene that mimics the constitutively unphosphorylated state (3XALA) and mhcA- cells rescued with a myosin II gene that mimics the constitutively phosphorylated state (3XASP), were analyzed in buffer and in response to the individual spatial, temporal and concentration components of a cAMP wave using computer-assisted methods. Each mutant strain exhibited unique defects in cell motility and chemotaxis. Although mhcA- cells could crawl with some polarity and showed chemotaxis with highly reduced efficiency in a spatial gradient of cAMP, they were very slow, far less polar and more three-dimensional than control cells. They were also incapable of responding to temporal gradients of cAMP, of chemotaxis in a natural wave of cAMP or streaming late in aggregation. 3XASP cells were faster and chemotactically more efficient than mhcA- cells, but still incapable of responding to temporal gradients of cAMP, chemotaxis in natural waves of cAMP or streaming late in aggregation. 3XALA cells were fast, were able to respond to temporal gradients of cAMP, and responded to natural waves of cAMP. However, they exhibited a 50% reduction in chemotactic efficiency, could not stream late in aggregation and could not enter the streams of control cells in mixed cultures. F-actin staining further revealed that while the presence of unphosphorylated MHC was essential for the increase in F-actin in the cytoplasm in response to the increasing temporal gradient of cAMP in the front of a natural wave, the actual dephosphorylation event was essential for the associated increase in cortical F-actin. The results of these studies indicate that MHC phosphorylation-dephosphorylation, like myosin II regulatory light chain phosphorylation-dephosphorylation, represents a potential downstream target of the regulatory cascades emanating from the different phases of the wave.
How Mantle Slabs Drive Plate Tectonics

The gravitational pull of subducted slabs is thought to drive the motions of Earth's tectonic plates, but the coupling between slabs and plates is not well established. If a slab is mechanically attached to a subducting plate, it can exert a direct pull on the plate. Alternatively, a detached slab may drive a plate by exciting flow in the mantle that exerts a shear traction on the base of the plate. From the geologic history of subduction, we estimated the relative importance of "pull" versus "suction" for the present-day plates. Observed plate motions are best predicted if slabs in the upper mantle are attached to plates and generate slab pull forces that account for about half of the total driving force on plates. Slabs in the lower mantle are supported by viscous mantle forces and drive plates through slab suction.
A Multiplier Approach for the Robust Design of Discrete-Time Control Systems with Real/Complex Uncertainties

A novel approach for the design of robust controllers for discrete-time uncertain systems using a multiplier approach is given. Our algorithm is based on a k"m/@m-synthesis type iteration involving a search for suitable multipliers and solving scaled H"~ optimization problems. The latter problems involve only the original plant data and the scalings are computed via standard spectral factorizations from the multiplier. The design is performed entirely in the discrete-time domain and the results can be used for multiobjective control design (Tchernychev and Sideris, 1997).
Family concepts in early learning and development standards

This exploratory study investigated the use of concepts related to families, parents, and the home in 51 state-level early learning and development standards documents. Guidelines from six national family involvement, engagement, and school-partnership models were used to create the Family Involvement Models Analysis Chart (FIMAC), which served as this study's analysis tool. Results showed that the vast majority of units examined did not align with family involvement guidelines from the six national models. In addition, the small percentage of units that aligned with national models – as well as the units related to family concepts that were not aligned with these models – tended to incorporate family concepts in the contextual narrative of the standards documents and not within the letter of the standards in their strict sense (the statements describing what students are supposed to know and be able to do). States desiring to implement early learning and development standards congruent with research-base...
Is ventricular arrhythmia a possible mediator of the association between aortic stenosis-related midwall fibrosis and mortality?

In 1954, Mitchell et al. ([1][1]) reported on 40 years of experience with clinical features of 533 cases of aortic stenosis managed at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital of Boston, Massachusetts. This patient series spanned the development of mercurial diuretics, surgical cure for aortic stenosis, and
Node capture games: a game theoretic approach to modeling and mitigating node capture attacks

Unattended wireless sensor networks are susceptible to node capture attacks, where the adversary physically compromises a node, creates functional copies (clones) of it and deploys such clones back into the network, in order to impact the network's functionality. In the absence of a centralized authority, distributed clone detection methods have been developed to mitigate this attack. In this paper, we show that the node capture attack and the network response can be modeled as a simultaneous, noncooperative, two-player game. In developing the game-theoretic framework, we consider a deterministic, linear dynamical model of the attack, as well as a general, stochastic model. For the deterministic model, we develop three games, all of which have quadratic utility for the valid network, whereas the adversary's utility depends on the assumptions about ist abilities. For the stochastic model, we develop a game with convex utility functions. For each game, we prove the existence of a pure strategy Nash Equilibrium and present an efficient way of solving the game. These equilibria can then be used in choosing the appropriate parameters for detecting and responding to the attack. Simulations are provided to illustrate our approach.
Gilmore v. United States: The Divorce

In United States v. Gilmore, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Mr. Gilmore's legal expenses pursuant to his divorce were nondeductible. The opinion mentioned in passing the wife's sensational and reputation-damaging charges of marital infidelity. The California Appellate Court noted that the case was ... one of the most sordid and revolting with which courts are required to deal. This article describes the Gilmore divorce in state court, with help from the breathless coverage of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Cervical Spine Injuries in Sports

The range of cervical spine injuries in young athletes covers a wide spectrum. With more mild injuries such as muscle strain or contusion, the athlete typically reports localized pain and stiffness lasting days to weeks with no neurologic symptoms. More severe injuries involving fracture or ligamentous disruption with nerve root or spinal cord injury can occur and require further evaluation, imaging, and treatment before considering return to competition. Although rare, cervical spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating in sports, often resulting in permanent impairment. As such, accurate on the field assessment of the athlete with suspected cervical injury, appropriate initial treatment and triage, and prompt definitive medical/surgical care are important. This chapter will review the evaluation and initial treatment of a young athlete with a cervical spine injury and discuss return-to-play considerations.
Integrative palliative care, advance directives, and hospital outcomes of critically ill older adults.

Objective:To examine the associations between palliative care types and hospital outcomes for patients who have or do not have advance directives.Method:Using administrative claims and clinical data for critically ill older adults (n = 1291), multivariable regressions examined the associations between palliative care types and hospital outcomes by advance directive status.Results:Integrative palliative care was associated with lower hospital costs, lower adjusted probability of in-hospital deaths, and higher adjusted probability of hospice discharges. There was no difference in hospital outcomes by palliative care types in those with advance directives.Conclusion:Significantly lower hospital costs and in-hospital deaths with higher hospice discharges were observed in integrative palliative care compared to consultative palliative care, but these findings were diminished with the presence of advance directives.
Characterization of Shell Material on Colloidal CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots

Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) coupled with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) was used to determine the distribution of ZnS shell material on colloidal core-shell CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). A sub-nm electron probe was placed at various locations on core-shell QDs to ascertain the chemical distribution of the shell material. While a definite shell of ZnS was detected surrounding the CdSe core, the integrated EELS signals from positions around the QD suggest the distribution of the shell material may not be uniform. A non-uniform shell implies a reduced quality of the QD surface passivation.
Gender and sexual health: Applying gender role theory to men and women’s intention to engage in sexual health information seeking behaviors

GENDER AND SEXUAL HEALTH: APPLYING GENDER ROLE THEORY TO MEN AND WOMEN’S INTENTION TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL HEALTH INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIORS By: Ariella R. Tabaac, B.A. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016 Director: Eric G. Benotsch, Ph.D Associate Professor of Psychology Director, Health Psychology Doctoral Training Program Department of Psychology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia May, 2016 The purpose of the present study is to examine the pathways between gender and behavioral intention to engage in sexual HISB through application of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). It was found that feminine and masculine gender role stress differentially influence perceived behavioral control and behavioral attitudes, and that intention to engage in HISB was higher among women than men. Attitudes and PBC significantly predicted behavioral intention in this model. Further, women in the sample were more likely to search for sexual health information, with online sources being the most frequently reported resource. Additionally, past HISB was a significant predictor of sexual health literacy, eHealth literacy, and sexual health knowledge. These findings indicate that gender role stress may play a role in the maintenance of attitudes and perceived behavioral control about sexual health information seeking behaviors, and that HISB in general is higher among women.
Epidemiological analysis on rubella from 2006 to 2013 in Baise city

Objective To investigate the epidemiological features of rubella from 2006 to 2013 in Baise,and to provide scientific basis in prevention and control of the disease. Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the rubella data collected from 2006 to 2013 in Baise. Results A total of 1 127 rubella cases were reported during this 8years period with an annual incidence of 3. 92 /105,the peak season of rubella was from Apr. to June.. The cases o ccurred in all region of Baise,45. 08% cases concentrated on persons of 10 to 19 years,including pupils,scattered children,and children in kindergarten. Conclusion The disease target had an increasing trend from children to adolescent and adult.Based on maintainning a high level of rubella vaccine inoculation in children,and timely to promote the use of rubella vaccine in youth,especially,for women of childbearing age,so as to improve the immunity to rubella virus,to reduce the incidence of rubella and the congenital rubella syndrome.
Effect of phosphates upon iron absorption studied in normal human subjects and in an experimental model using dialysis.

Phosphate compounds are among the factors considered to be most inhibitory to gastrointestinal iron absorption. In this paper the depressant action of phosphate salts and phosphate-containing foods on iron absorption was measured in vivo and compared to the interactions observed between iron and phosphate compounds under conditions similar to those in the gastrointestinal tract. Phosphoproteins or insoluble calcium phosphate bound iron more effectively than did soluble phosphate salts; in the presence of phosphoprotein, iron was not dissolved even at pH 1.3, approximately the acidity of fasting gastric juice, unless ascorbic acid was present. Evidence is present that phosphates act by accelerating the oxidation of ferrous iron to the ferric state and sequestering it as ferric phosphate, a form in which iron is not dialyzable at pH 6 to 7 even in the presence of ascorbic acid. The studies suggest that iron is absorbed only as the free ferrous ion or as low molecular weight complexes capable of passing through a membrane by simple diffusion. The pH of the lumen at the site of absorption is probably between 6 and 7.4. The mixture of foodstuffs encountered by iron in the lumen of both the stomach and upper small intestine is apparently of greater importance than the form in which iron is consumed. Some implications for oral iron therapy are presented.
Step-Edge Directed Metal Oxidation

Metal surface oxidation is governed by surface mass transport processes. Realistic surfaces have many defects such as step edges, which often dictate the oxide growth dynamics and result in novel oxide nanostructures. Here we present a comprehensive and systematic study of the oxidation of stepped (100), (110) and (111) Cu surfaces using a multiscale approach employing density functional theory (DFT) and reactive force field molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We show that the early stages of oxidation of these stepped surfaces can be qualitatively understood from the potential energy surface of single oxygen adatoms, namely, adsorption energies and Ehrlich-Schwobel barriers. These DFT predictions are then validated using classical MD simulations with a newly optimized ReaxFF force field. In turn, we show that the DFT results can be explained using a simple bond-counting argument that makes our results general and transferable to other metal surfaces.
Oregon’s Coordinated Care Organizations Increased Timely Prenatal Care Initiation And Decreased Disparities

Policies at the state and federal levels affect access to health services, including prenatal care. In 2012 the State of Oregon implemented a major reform of its Medicaid program. The new model, called a coordinated care organization (CCO), is designed to improve the coordination of care for Medicaid beneficiaries. This reform effort provides an ideal opportunity to evaluate the impact of broad financing and delivery reforms on prenatal care use. Using birth certificate data from Oregon and Washington State, we evaluated the effect of CCO implementation on the probability of early prenatal care initiation, prenatal care adequacy, and disparities in prenatal care use by type of insurance. Following CCO implementation, we found significant increases in early prenatal care initiation and a reduction in disparities across insurance types but no difference in overall prenatal care adequacy. Oregon's reforms could serve as a model for other Medicaid and commercial health plans seeking to improve prenatal care quality and reduce disparities.
At Stake with River Basin Development in Eastern Africa

River basin development in Africa has nearly unparalleled significance for the future of entire nations. Most major hydrodam projects undertaken in the continent have produced intense controversy, particularly over their socioeconomic and environmental impacts. In eastern Africa, river basin development is producing a major humanitarian and human rights crisis for a half million indigenous people in the border region of Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan. This crisis stems from developments in the Omo River basin of southwestern Ethiopia, with major international support. Construction of the Gibe III hydrodam—one of the world’s tallest—is primarily geared to the production of hydroelectricity for the benefit of commercial and financial interests within Ethiopia and energy export throughout eastern Africa, as well as to major irrigated commercial agricultural development along the Omo River. The crisis at hand is an international one, especially since the Omo River is a transboundary watercourse—flowing from the Ethiopian highlands to its terminus within Kenya at that nation’s Lake Turkana, where it provides most of the lake’s water. The combined hydrodam and large-scale irrigation agriculture development would cause radical reduction of both river flow volume and lake level—thus destroying pastoral, agropastoral and fishing livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of indigenous people dependent on these waters. Catastrophic level collapse of survival systems in the region would usher in major new inter-ethnic, cross-border armed conflict as communities are forced to fight over the region’s vanishing resources. Major human rights violations involving national governments and key international aid agencies are already underway.
Effects of Overground Locomotor Training on Walking Performance in Chronic Cervical Motor Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study

Abstract Objective To determine the effects of a novel overground locomotor training program on walking performance in people with chronic cervical motor incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Design Before-after pilot study. Setting Human performance research laboratory. Participants Adults (N=6, age >18y) with chronic cervical iSCI with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades C and D. Interventions Overground locomotor training included two 90-minute sessions per week for 12 to 15 weeks. Training sessions alternated between uniplanar and multiplanar stepping patterns. Each session was comprised of 5 segments: joint mobility, volitional muscle activation, task isolation, task integration, and activity rehearsal. Main Outcome Measures Overground walking speed, oxygen consumption ( V ˙ o 2 ), and carbon dioxide production ( V ˙ co 2 ). Results Overground locomotor training increased overground walking speed (.36±.20 vs .51±.24 m/s, P d =.68). Significant decreases in V ˙ o 2 (6.6±1.3 vs 5.7±1.4mL·kg·min, P =.038, d =.67) and V ˙ co 2 (753.1±125.5 vs 670.7±120.3mL/min, P =.036, d =.67) during self-selected constant work rate treadmill walking were also noted after training. Conclusions The overground locomotor training program used in this pilot study is feasible and improved both overground walking speed and walking economy in a small sample of people with chronic cervical iSCI. Future studies are necessary to establish the efficacy of this overground locomotor training program and to differentiate among potential mechanisms contributing to enhanced walking performance in people with iSCI after overground locomotor training.
Lotteries and the Law of Demand

In economies with nonconvexities consumers can increase their expected utility by consuming lotteries. Lotteries are probability distributions over bundles in the consumption set. Standard revealed preference logic can be applied to choices in lottery space, however the implications are not readily interpretable. In this paper, we formulate the law of demand for lottery economies in terms of commodity price changes and changes in demand for commodities. The finding is that the standard expression of the compensated law of demand necessarily holds in expectation only.
Student attitudes and behaviors as explanations for the Black-White suspension gap

Abstract Purpose Although studies have documented that Black students receive out-of-school suspensions (OSS) at much higher rates than White students, few studies have investigated possible explanations for this disparity. The differential involvement hypothesis suggests that disproportionate sanctioning may be a function of racial differences in student misbehavior or characteristics that predispose them to misbehavior. Method Suspension data, risk behaviors, and aggressive attitudes from self-report surveys were collected from a statewide sample of 38,398 students attending 236 racially-diverse high schools. A series of school fixed-effect logistic and linear regression models were used to test behavioral and attitudinal forms of the differential involvement hypothesis. Results Racial differences in self-reported suspension could not be explained by different behavioral reasons for suspension (such as fighting, threatening others, and substance possession), by involvement in high risk behaviors of fighting, bullying, carrying a weapon, consuming alcohol, or using marijuana, or by aggressive attitudes that lead to hostile behavior. Conclusions Overall, these findings do not support the differential involvement hypothesis and although they do not establish the presence of bias, they strengthen concern that racial disparities are likely the result of differential decisions by school authorities.
Estrogen Control of Vitellogenin Gene Transcription and mRNA Stability

We have analyzed the regulatory strategies used to achieve the massive, estrogen-mediated, induction of the mRNA coding for the egg yolk precursor protein, vitellogenin, in primary liver cultures of the amphibian Xenopus laevis. The induction of vitellogenin mRNA is achieved by three basic mechanisms: (a) an increase of at least several thousand fold in the absolute rate of vitellogenin gene transcription, which rises from undetectable levels to approximately 5 transcripts per gene per min., (b) an increase of approximately 20 fold in the absolute rate of total nuclear RNA synthesis, and (c) a selective stabilization of vitellogenin mRNA against cytoplasmic degradation. Vitellogenin mRNA is degraded with a half life of approximately 3 weeks in the presence of estrogen and exhibits a half life of 16 hours after estrogen is removed from the culture medium. The 30 fold increase in the stability of vitellogenin mRNA in the presence of estrogen is a specific, reversible cytoplasmic effect of the steroid hormone. Our measurements of the absolute rate of nuclear vitellogenin gene transcription and of the rate of appearance of the mRNA in the cytoplasm demonstrate that the average efficiency with which individual intervening sequences are excised from vitellogenin transcripts in vivo is at least 99%.
New targeted therapies for relapsed pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The improvement in outcomes for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the greatest success stories of modern oncology however the prognosis for patients who relapse remains dismal. Recent discoveries by high resolution genomic technologies have characterized the biology of relapsed leukemia, most notably pathways leading to the drug resistant phenotype. These observations open the possibility of targeting such pathways to prevent and/or treat relapse. Likewise, early experiences with new immunotherapeutic approaches have shown great promise.Areas covered: We performed a literature search on PubMed and recent meeting abstracts using the keywords below. We focused on the biology and clonal evolution of relapsed disease highlighting potential new targets of therapy. We further summarized the results of early trials of the three most prominent immunotherapy agents currently under investigation.Expert commentary: Discovery of targetable pathways that lead to drug resi...
A lightweight robotic ankle prosthesis with non-backdrivable cam-based transmission

Below-knee level amputation significantly impacts the ability of an individual to ambulate. Transtibial amputees are typically prescribed energetically passive ankle-foot prostheses that behave as a spring or controlled damper, and therefore cannot fully replace the function of the missing limb. More recently, fully-powered devices have been proposed to more closely match the power generation ability of intact limbs. However, these fully-powered devices are significantly heavier than passive devices, thus increasing the stress on the socket-residual limb interface. An alternative solution consists of using a motorized mechanism to actively reposition the foot during non-weight-bearing phases. By using this approach, the Ossur© PROPRIO FOOT® showed promising outcomes such as improved gait energetics at self-selected speed, symmetry, and comfort. However, this device cannot be used by many transtibial amputees due to large build height (180 mm). Moreover, its weight has been shown critical for socket suspension. To address these limitations, we propose a novel non-backdrivable cam-based transmission. Based on this novel transmission, we developed a compact, lightweight ankle foot prosthesis. Bench-top testing and preliminary experiments with an able-bodied subject show that the proposed design can actively reposition the foot in swing as necessary to increase foot clearance, while adapting the ankle position to the ground inclination in stance.
Analyzing Modular Robotic Systems

This paper surveys modular robot systems, which consist of multiple modules and aim to create versatile, robust, and low cost systems. The modularity allows these robots to self-assemble, self-reconfigure, self-repair, and self-replicate. Therefore, the surveyed research covered the previous characteristics along with evolutionary robotics and 3D printed robots. These fields are interdisciplinary, so we organize the implemented systems according to the main feature in each one. The primary motivation for this is to categorize modular robots according to their main function and to discover the similarities and differences of implementing each system.
Temperature-Dependent Thermal Conductivity Study of MAPbI3: Using Mild Aging To Reach a Thermal Percolation Threshold for Greatly Improved Heat Transport

We report the thermal conductivity in the range from 7 to 300 K for methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI3) perovskite in different stages of environmental degradation. The results showed that thermal conductivity of the degraded perovskite pellet quickly approached that of lead iodide rather than pure MAPbI3, even while X-ray diffraction data of the degraded perovskite showed mostly peaks of the perovskite phase, alongside minor peaks from impurity phases belonging to the precursors and to an intermediate phase. For reference, a sample of pure lead iodide was also prepared and analyzed in the same way, and to our knowledge, thermal conductivity for lead iodide in the 7–300 K temperature range has not yet been published. The combination of thermal conductivity and materials characterization provides more detailed knowledge of the composition and structural changes of aged MAPbI3 perovskite. Moreover, we demonstrate that a thermal percolation threshold can be achieved through mild aging while preserving mos...
How Is a History of the Sociology of Religion Possible?: Reflections on Roberto Cipriani's Sociology of Religion

The effort to write a history of the sociology of religion requires a delineation of the field. In turn, this requires a discrimination among the key ideas determining that field, including the notions of “religion,” “sociology,” the “sacred,” and a host of others. This is a prerequisite for sorting the various contributors and contributions to this field as well as determining the value of any such history to the future advance of the study of human consciousness and conduct, including “religion.” Cipriani's book is reviewed, and its strengths and weaknesses assayed, in light of these concerns. Several lacunae in the book are identified, such as the absence of any treatment of non-Western writers and its failure to substantially engage the work of women, including Jane Ellen Harrison's pioneering sociology of religion.
Adaptive Characteristic Length for L-SIAC Filtering of FEM Data

Treating discontinuities at element boundaries is a significant problem in understanding high-order FEM simulation data since the physics used to model the simulation is often continuous. Recently, the family of SIAC filters, especially the L-SIAC filter, has been gaining popularity for its use in postprocessing. The computational math community, with its focus on improving the theoretical aspects of the SIAC filter, has applied the filter only on simple, fairly uniform unstructured meshes, where the largest element in the mesh is less than or equal to twice the smallest element. In many engineering applications, the unstructured meshes have varying orders of mesh resolution, but there is no literature for adapting the characteristic length of the SIAC filter to address these real-world simulation data. The central contribution of this paper is an algorithm used to calculate the characteristic length dynamically at any point in the mesh. We demonstrate that our approach has a lower error and is computationally faster than using maximum edge length over the mesh.
Can the enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the characterization of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) provide insight into organ tropism in metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

3038Background: Liquid biopsy provides real-time data about prognosis and actionable mutations in MBC. The aim of this study was to explore the combination of ctDNA analysis and CTCs enumeration in...
Addressing the Co-morbidity of HIV, Substance Abuse and Trauma: Exploring an Integrated Intervention

Given the high incidence of comorbid conditions of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) among women living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there is a ...
A Halogen Bonding Perspective on Iodothyronine Deiodinase Activity

Iodothyronine deiodinases (Dios) are involved in the regioselective removal of iodine from thyroid hormones (THs). Deiodination is essential to maintain TH homeostasis, and disruption can have detrimental effects. Halogen bonding (XB) to the selenium of the selenocysteine (Sec) residue in the Dio active site has been proposed to contribute to the mechanism for iodine removal. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are known disruptors of various pathways of the endocrine system. Experimental evidence shows PBDEs and their hydroxylated metabolites (OH-BDEs) can inhibit Dio, while data regarding PCB inhibition are limited. These xenobiotics could inhibit Dio activity by competitively binding to the active site Sec through XB to prevent deiodination. XB interactions calculated using density functional theory (DFT) of THs, PBDEs, and PCBs to a methyl selenolate (MeSe-) arrange XB strengths in the order THs > PBDEs > PCBs in agreement with known XB trends. THs have the lowest energy C-X*-type unoccupied orbitals and overlap with the Se lp donor leads to high donor-acceptor energies and the greatest activation of the C-X bond. The higher energy C-Br* and C-Cl* orbitals similarly result in weaker donor-acceptor complexes and less activation of the C-X bond. Comparison of the I···Se interactions for the TH group suggest that a threshold XB strength may be required for dehalogenation. Only highly brominated PBDEs have binding energies in the same range as THs, suggesting that these compounds may inhibit Dio and undergo debromination. While these small models provide insight on the I···Se XB interaction itself, interactions with other active site residues are governed by regioselective preferences observed in Dios.