cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Grading pelvic prolapse and pelvic floor relaxation using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging.

Objectives. With significant vaginal prolapse, it is often difficult to differentiate among cystocele, enterocele, and high rectocele by physical examination alone. Our group has previously demonstrated the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating pelvic prolapse. We describe a simple objective grading system for quantifying pelvic floor relaxation and prolapse. Methods. One hundred sixty-four consecutive women presenting with pelvic pain (n = 39) or organ prolapse (n = 125) underwent dynamic MRI. The “H-line” (levator hiatus) measures the distance from the pubis to the posterior anal canal. The “M-line” (muscular pelvic floor relaxation) measures the descent of the levator plate from the pubococcygeal line. The “O” classification (organ prolapse) characterizes the degree of visceral prolapse beyond the H-line. Results. The image acquisition time was 2.5 minutes per study. Each study cost $540. In the pain group, the H-line averaged 5.2 ± 1.1 cm versus 7.5 ± 1.5 cm in the prolapse group (P <0.001). The M-line averaged 1.9 ± 1.2 cm in the pain group versus 4.1 ± 1.5 cm in the prolapse group (P <0.001). Incidental pelvic pathologic features were commonly noted, including uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, hydroureter, urethral diverticula, and foreign body. Conclusions. The HMO classification provides a straightforward and reproducible method for staging and quantifying pelvic floor relaxation and visceral prolapse. Dynamic MRI requires no patient preparation and is ideal for the objective evaluation and follow-up of patients with pelvic prolapse and pelvic floor relaxation. MRI obviates the need for cystourethrography, pelvic ultrasound, or intravenous urography and has become the study of choice at our institution for evaluating the female pelvis.
S-(2-chloroethyl)glutathione-generated p53 mutation spectra are influenced by differential repair rates more than sites of initial dna damage.

Several steps occur between the reaction of a chemical with DNA and a mutation, and each may influence the resulting mutation spectrum, i.e. nucleotides at which the mutations occur. The half-mustard S-(2-bro-moethyl)glutathione is the reactive conjugate implicated in ethylene dibromide-induced mutagenesis attributed to the glutathione-dependent pathway. A human p53-driven Ade reporter system in yeast was used to study the factors involved in producing mutations. The synthetic analog S-(2-chloroethyl)glutathione was used to produce DNA damage; the damage to the p53 exons was analyzed using a new fluorescence-based modification of ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction and an automated sequencer. The mutation spectrum was strongly dominated by the G to A transition mutations seen in other organisms with S-(2-chloroethyl)glutathione or ethylene dibromide. The mutation spectrum clearly differed from the spontaneous spectrum or that derived from N-ethyl,N-nitrosourea. Distinct differences were seen between patterns of modification of p53 DNA exposed to the mutagen in vitro versus in vivo. In the four p53 exons in which mutants were analyzed, the major sites of mutation matched the sites with long half-lives of repair much better than the sites of initial damage. However, not all slowly repaired sites yielded mutations in part because of the lack of effect of mutations on phenotype. We conclude that the rate of DNA repair at individual nucleotides is a major factor in influencing the mutation spectra in this system. The results are consistent with a role of N7-guanyl adducts in mutagenesis.
THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT OUR DOORSTEP: POLITICAL AMBIGUITY AND SUCCESSFUL IMPROVISATION

In the spring of 1975, the United States was faced not only with military defeat in Vietnam, but also with the challenge of processing, caring for and eventually resettling more than 130,000 persons fleeing Vietnam. This paper presents a case study of the operation-“New Life” which evacuated these refugees and cared for them on Guam until they could be resettled. The account focuses on the logistic problems and pragmatic solutions reached in a situation where there existed a wide gap between public policy and i t s application. This discussion is especially instructive in light of the growing national and international problem of refugee relocation.
A Theory of Deep Stratification and Overturning Circulation in the Ocean

Abstract A simple theoretical model of the deep stratification and meridional overturning circulation in an idealized single-basin ocean with a circumpolar channel is presented. The theory includes the effects of wind, eddies, and diapycnal mixing; predicts the deep stratification in terms of the surface forcing and other problem parameters; makes no assumption of zero residual circulation; and consistently accounts for the interaction between the circumpolar channel and the rest of the ocean. The theory shows that dynamics of the overturning circulation can be characterized by two limiting regimes, corresponding to weak and strong diapycnal mixing. The transition between the two regimes is described by a nondimensional number characterizing the strength of the diffusion-driven compared to the wind-driven overturning circulation. In the limit of weak diapycnal mixing, deep stratification throughout the ocean is produced by the effects of wind and eddies in a circumpolar channel and maintained even in the ...
Effect of dietary vitamin E on apoptosis and proliferation of murine splenocytes

Abstract Vitamin E (Vit E) is one of the most potent natural lipophilic antioxidants shown to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells and influence apoptosis in in-vitro systems. In the present investigation, we studied the effect of dietary Vit E on splenocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis. Two-month old male ICR mice were fed an AIN tm 76 formula diet for three months with 10% (W/W) corn oil, supplemented with Vit E at normal (75 IU/kg) or higher (500 IU/kg) levels, or without Vit E as zero Vit E group. In vivo analysis revealed both serum lipid peroxides (MDA) and splenocyte peroxides (dichlorofluorescein staining) were found to be reduced with increased dietary Vit E levels in a dose-dependent manner; whereas, serum Vit E levels were found to be augmented with increased levels of dietary Vit E. Also, apoptosis and necrosis were measured in splenocytes incubated with and without 1 μM dexamethasone (DEX) in RPMI media for eight and 21 hours. Cells were stained with Annexin V and Propidium Iodide (PI), and both apoptotic and necrotic cells were analyzed simultaneously by a FACScan desktop flow cytometer using the Cell Quest Program. High and normal levels of Vit E increased necrosis by 29 and 18% in the cells placed in media, and 67 and 34% in cells incubated with DEX for eight hours, respectively, in comparison to that in the zero Vit E-fed group. However, in splenocytes from the high Vit E group apoptosis was decreased by 32 and 49.5% in cells incubated for eight hours in media alone or with DEX, respectively. Furthermore, in the high Vit E group necrosis was increased by 25% and apoptosis was decreased by 17% in cells incubated for 21 hr in media alone, compared to that of the zero Vit E group. In addition, proliferation of splenocytes, either stimulated or unstimulated with mitogens, was also found to be decreased with increasing levels of dietary Vit E. In conclusion, our results indicate that dietary Vit E appears to alter both cell proliferation and programmed cell death (apoptosis vs. necrosis), by lowering lipid peroxides.
Detection of a Weak Conjunction of Unstable Predicates in Dynamic Systems

A weak conjunctive predicate is a conjunction of local predicates that is evaluated under the Possibly modality. In this study, we have proposed a distributed on-line algorithm for detecting weak conjunctions of unstable predicates in dynamic systems. In the algorithm, a virtual network of a logical ring combined with computation trees is dynamically maintained using local variables to keep track of causality relationships between distributed events. The differential technique is exploited to minimize the size of detection related information. During the execution of the distributed computation, each process maintains a vector containing potential solutions. Detection will be announced when the global predicate is verified. This algorithm does not require extra messages except those for process termination. The detection of a solution may not be announced until the termination of the underlying distributed computation in the case where a process never communicates with others. At each process, storage need is proportional to the number of processes in the system. This demand will increase in some extreme cases, although they are very rare in practice.
Formulation and adjuvant effects on the absorption and translocation of 14 C-clethodim in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A new formulation of clethodim {(E,E)-()-2-(1-[([3-chloro-2-propenyl]oxy)imino]propyl)5-(2-[ethylthio]propyl)-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} is labeled for the control of grasses and volunteer grass crops, including glyphosate-resistant corn.The effects of the formulation (new: 0.12 kg L -1 and current: 0.24 kg L -1 ) and adjuvants (ammonium sulfate [AMS], crop oil concentrate [COC] or both) on the absorption and translocation of the 14 C-clethodim was determined at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment (HAT) in wheat under greenhouse conditions.The absorption of the 14 C-clethodim with the 0.12 kg L -1 formulation was higher than that with the 0.24 kg L -1 formulation,especially at 24 HAT and beyond,regardless of the presence or absence of an adjuvant.The addition of an adjuvant increased the absorption of the 14 C-clethodim with the 0.12 kg L -1 formulation at all harvest times, except at 72 HAT. However, there were no differences in the 14 C-clethodim absorption among the adjuvants added to the 0.12 kg L -1 formulation, except at 48 and 72 HAT. Most of the 14 C-clethodim remained in the treated leaf independent of the formulation or adjuvant.The formulation did not have an impact on the distribution of the absorbed 14 C-clethodim; however, the presence of an adjuvant increased the movement of the 14 C-clethodim out of the treated leaf. Most of the absorbed 14 C-clethodim remained in the treated leaf and a negligible amount translocated to the root.These results demonstrated the improved absorption of clethodim with a formulation containing half of the active ingredient (0.12 kg L -1 ) and the inclusion of both AMS
Continuity and Discontiuity in the Concept of Art

In 'Is Art Modern? Kristeller's "Modern System of the Arts" Reconsidered' (B JA, 49.1 (2009), pp. 1-24), James I. Porter sets out to discredit Kristeller's 'modern system of the arts' on the curious assumption that if Kristeller is right, one is somehow prohibited from investigating the ancients' understanding of aesthetics. Unfortunately, Porter's paper misrepresents Kristeller's central aim, misses the real shortcomings of Kristeller's essay, and often obscures substantive issues behind simplistic dichotomies. Because the unwary reader might be taken in by some of Porter's exaggerations and omissions, I will identify a few of these before addressing the issue of continuity and discontinuity in the concept of art, particularly with respect to the ancient world.
Correlates of virtual navigation performance in older adults.

Abstract Despite considerable evidence for deleterious effects of aging on place learning and memory, less is known about the trajectory and the putative neural mechanisms of these decrements. The virtual Morris water task (vMWT) is a human analog of a nonhuman spatial navigation task. The present study investigated longitudinal changes in place learning in 51 healthy, nondemented adults (age 30–83 years) who completed the vMWT and a neuropsychological battery at 2 time-points (interval = ∼8 years). We also assessed cross-sectional associations between vMWT and brain structure, biochemical integrity, and standardized neuropsychological measures in a subset of 22 individuals who underwent magnetic resonance imaging at follow-up. Despite no longitudinal decrement in vMWT performance, there were cross-sectional age differences on the vMWT favoring younger adults. Negative associations were observed between vMWT latency and gray matter volumes in the right hippocampus, bilateral thalamus, and right medial orbitofrontal cortex and between vMWT latency and white matter fractional anisotropy in the bilateral uncinate fasciculus. Collectively, these results suggest a pattern of differences in the structural integrity of regions supporting successful navigation even in the absence of longitudinal performance decrements.
Non-operative management: An evidence-based approach

Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation is a common problem encountered in both surgical and non-surgical practices. The decision between surgical and non-surgical management of this entity can be challenging for both the patient and the treating physician. A variety of non-surgical treatment options exist, many with poor evidence supporting their efficacy. Treatment algorithms are available to promote improved outcomes and cost-effectiveness and reduce unnecessary interventions. In the absence of progressive neurologic deficit or cauda equina syndrome, non-surgical treatments for symptomatic lumbar disc herniations are typically implemented for at least 6 weeks with good results. The following is an evidence-based review of the non-surgical management of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation.
Improving Group Capabilities of Self-Help Group Participants with Disabilities – A Mixed Methods Study of Community-Based Rehabilitation Approach in Rural India

People With Disabilities (PWD) are more likely to be multi-dimensionally poor in developing countries. In many countries, several efforts have been made through legislation to provide protections from social and economic discrimination for PWD and for enhancing their human capital through service delivery initiatives. Yet little is known on what works to enhance the capabilities of this group. In India, we evaluated a large-scale economic and social development program implemented by the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) in the rural areas of one of the southern states. The SERP program, with funding form World Bank, has been instrumental in organizing PWDs into self-help groups (SHGs), providing livelihood generation activities, rehabilitation and healthcare services. Currently, the program has mobilized over 220,000 PWD into SHGs and has federated these groups at multiple levels to provide a platform for program and policy-level advocacy. A multi-stage random sample survey of 900 people with disabilities were conducted in the rural Andhra Pradesh to study the impact of participation in SERP SHGs on improvement in empowerment, perceived community support, impact on multidimensional poverty measures, participation in government-funded programs and citizenship activities. Overall, we are able to demonstrate a significant improvement across all these outcomes for people with disabilities participating in SERP SHGs.
Trionfo e declino dei partiti politici negli Stati Uniti, 1860–1930 (Triumph and decline of political parties in the United States, 1860–1930). By Arnaldo Testi. (Turin: Otto, 2000. 208 pp. Paper, Lit 35,000, isbn 88-87503-05-2.) In Italian.

I saggi raccolti in questo volume esaminano le ragioni politiche, sociali e culturali del successo della "democrazia dei partiti" (o della "supremazia di partito", come dicevano i suoi avversari) negli Stati Uniti ottocenteschi e poi del suo lento disgregarsi dopo il 1900. Affrontano alcune questioni cruciali che hanno segnato le peculiarita della politica americana novecentesca rispetto all’Europa: perche i partiti americani sono deboli? Perche gli americani non votano? Perche negli Stati Uniti non c’e un partito socialista?
Epidemiologic characteristics of the flat adenoma of Muto. A prospective study.

The flat adenoma is an endoscopically visible lesion that histologically consists of adenomatous change near the luminal surface of colonic tubules. We have described three families with hereditary colon cancer with later age of onset than familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and with multiple proximal colonic flat adenomas. These families have been linked to the FAP locus on chromosome 5. Our aim was to determine whether the flat adenoma is pathognomonic of this hereditary flat adenoma syndrome (HFAS) or merely an atypical or early tubular adenoma with occurrence in patients other than those from colon cancer-prone families. Methods: We prospectively examined a population referred for colonoscopy within a one-year period. During colonoscopy, flat adenomas were specifically sought and all lesions were removed endoscopically and evaluated histologically. Members of known hereditary colon cancer families were excluded. Results: One hundred forty-eight patients underwent colonoscopy (64 men and 84 women). Median age was 61 years. Fifty-seven patients had 157 polyps. One hundred thirty-six polyps were reviewed histologically. Thirty-five (23.6 percent) of the referred patients had adenomas, of whom twelve patients had only flat adenomas while six had both flat and other adenomas (18=12 percent of 148). The associations between flat adenoma occurrence and various predictors (sex, race, prior colonic neoplasms, family history of cancer, synchronous adenomas) were similar to those seen with other adenomas. Flat adenomas were found in nearly equal proportions of patients under or over age 61 years (11 percent and 13 percent, respectively). Other adenomas were significantly more common in the older group (6 percentvs.25 percent;P<0.002 by Fisher's exact test). Conclusion: In a referral practice, the flat adenoma has the same prevalence and associated risk factors as other adenomas, except for younger age of onset. Our data suggest that the flat adenoma represents an early stage of adenoma development that is manifested in a subset of patients from the general population and that, as an isolated event, does not provide a marker for a hereditary colon cancer-prone syndrome.
Studies of the Parasites of the Alfalfa Weevil in Europe

The following is a brief account of a study of the parasites of the alfalfa weevil, Phytonomus posticus (Gyll.), made in Europe by the writer between August, 1921, and August, 1923. The 14 primary parasites encountered are listed and their habits and distribution briefly considered. As a result of this work the writer has come to believe that most of the more important parasites could withstand a climate similar to that of Utah, which is in the middle of the weevil-infested territory in the United States, that the apparent effect of the parasites upon the number of weevils in Europe is not a true measure of what their effect would be in this country, and that it is advisable to attempt the colonization of the more promising ones.
Smart Products, Smarter Services: Strategies for managing smart products and services

Smart products are here to stay. Some will enable ground-breaking business innovations, catapulting the companies that launch them into leadership in enormously profitable new market sectors. Others will disrupt traditional market leaders and open industry sectors to a rush of new entrants. A significant number will fail to attract any consumer following and fade from view. Whether or not a company aspires to create a transformational and market-leading new consumer solution, wants to avoid being blindsided by unexpected competition, or needs to understand the impact of embedded product intelligence for its industry and technology roadmap, smart products will play a prominent role in their future strategic options. There is no guaranteed formula for smart product success, but there are a lot of predictable pitfalls that managers can avoid through a better understanding of the dynamics of smart product ecosystems and embedded control. This chapter distills the lessons from smart product initiatives across industries to offer recommendations for analyzing the impact of smart products on industry sectors, for selecting a smart ecosystem model, and for developing corporate strategies that deliver visible customer value through smart product platforms and services. It concludes that smart products will succeed to the extent that they make the value of smart services enabled by a smart product platform highly visible and accessible to the consumer.
Automated Targeting for the MER Rovers

The Autonomous Exploration for Gathering Increased Science System (AEGIS) will soon provide automated targeting for remote sensing instruments on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission, which currently which currently has two rovers exploring the surface of Mars. Currently, targets for rover remote-sensing instruments, especially narrow field-of-view instruments (such as the MER Mini- TES spectrometer or the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Mission ChemCam Spectrometer), must be selected manually based on imagery already on the ground with the operations team. AEGIS enables the rover flight software to analyze imagery onboard in order to autonomously select and sequence targeted remote-sensing observations in an opportunistic fashion. In this paper, we first provide some background information on the larger autonomous science framework in which AEGIS was developed. We then describe how AEGIS was specifically developed and tested on the JPL FIDO rover. Finally we discuss how AEGIS will be uploaded and used on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission in early 2009.
Formation and characterization of metallic iron grains in coal-based reduction of oolitic iron ore

To reveal the formation and characteristics of metallic iron grains in coal-based reduction, oolitic iron ore was isothermally reduced in various reduction times at various reduction temperatures. The microstructure and size of the metallic iron phase were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and a Bgrimm process mineralogy analyzer. In the results, the reduced Fe separates from the ore and forms metallic iron protuberances, and then the subsequent reduced Fe diffuses to the protuberances and grows into metallic iron grains. Most of the metallic iron grains exist in the quasi-spherical shape and inlaid in the slag matrix. The cumulative frequency of metallic iron grain size is markedly influenced by both reduction time and temperature. With increasing reduction temperature and time, the grain size of metallic iron obviously increases. According to the classical grain growth equation, the growth kinetic parameters, i.e., time exponent, growth activation energy, and pre-exponential constant, are estimated to be 1.3759 ± 0.0374, 103.18 kJ·mol−1, and 922.05, respectively. Using these calculated parameters, a growth model is established to describe the growth behavior of metallic iron grains.
Stress across generations: A qualitative study of stress, coping, and caregiving among Mexican immigrant mothers.

Objective: Hispanic immigrants represent the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority within the US, justifying increased attention to identify factors that influence declining immigrant health ...
Election 2016 Postscript: Blurred Realities and Why Liberals Lost

ABSTRACTTwo professors of social work debate the dynamics of the 2016 presidential election sharing opposing views of President Obama’s message integrity and the electorate’s search for a candidate more “real.”
Tablets, tabletops, and smartphones: cross-platform comparisons of children’s touchscreen interactions

The proliferation of smartphones and tablets has increased children’s access to and usage of touchscreen devices. Prior work on smartphones has shown that children’s touch interactions differ from adults’. However, larger screen devices like tablets and tabletops have not been studied at the same granularity for children as smaller devices. We present two studies: one of 13 children using tablets with pen and touch, and one of 18 children using a touchscreen tabletop device. Participants completed target touching and gesture drawing tasks. We found significant differences in performance by modality for tablet: children responded faster and slipped less with touch than pen. In the tabletop study, children responded more accurately to changing target locations (fewer holdovers), and were more accurate touching targets around the screen. Gesture recognition rates were consistent across devices. We provide design guidelines for children’s touchscreen interactions across screen sizes to inform the design of future touchscreen applications for children.
Human Sexual Behavior: A Comparison of College and Internet Surveys

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on retrieving data on human sexual behavior. Internet studies are capable of reaching large numbers of individuals at a low cost. Also Internet provides an environment where some individuals appear willing to divulge personal information to complete strangers and freely post their artistic or intellectual labors for the benefit of others in forms ranging from poetry to computer programs. This eliminates the social obstacles faced in data compilation. It has been suggested that individuals who feel separated from mainstream culture are increasingly using the Internet to share information and common experiences they may not otherwise disclose in public. Collection of Internet data shares many advantages with the more traditional method of participant recruitment using the convenient college student “subject pools”, where data collection can proceed rapidly and at low cost. Given the sensitive nature of questionnaire and the relatively nonspecific popular search terms needed to find it, scientists choose a passive server-based method of data collection.
Improving the capacity of Agricultural Higher Education Institutions to contribute to food security: the iAGRI experience and lessons learned

The Innovative Agricultural Research Initiative (iAGRI) is a long-term investment in agricultural higher education and research capacity in Tanzania funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and led by The Ohio State University in conjunction with five other U.S. land grant universities and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). Although University contributions to sustainable agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa have been well documented, for the past several decades, donors and national governments have neglected agricultural higher education institutions. The main goal of the iAGRI project is to improve food security and agricultural productivity in Tanzania by strengthening the training and collaborative research capacities of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MALF) and has four major objectives:1) implementing a program of collaborative agriculture research with SUA and MALF; 2) providing advanced degree training in agriculture for Tanzanian graduate students; 3) strengthening the capacity of SUA to develop and implement instructional, research and outreach programs; and 4) promoting cooperation between SUA, U.S. universities, and global south universities. The paper summarizes outcomes of the degree training, collaborative research and institutional strengthening efforts and innovative approaches to institutional capacity development (ICD). iAGRI granted scholarships to 139 Tanzanians to pursue graduate degrees in the agricultural sciences, with half studying at U.S. universities and half studying at RUFORUM affiliated universities in Africa and India. Nearly half of the candidates were women. Although human capacity development (HCD) is important, it is not a substitute for ICD. Approaches used to promote ICD are discussed including improved planning processes, organizational experiments, and promotion of innovations and linkages to the private sector.
Policies to support environmental risk management in investment decisions

Investors are increasingly requiring assessments of environmental risks arising from climate change, natural resource scarcity and pollution. Improved environmental risk management also lowers the total cost of capital of firms, thus making them more attractive to investors. We illustrate this relationship by demonstrating how greater environmental risk may increase a firm's after-tax cost of capital. However, better environmental risk management by firms requires a range of complementary policies. The rules governing the financial system should support investment decision-making that takes into account environmental sources of risk and opportunity. Central banks can advance this objective by establishing environmental risk management and reporting requirements and adjusting capital provisioning to account for underpriced environmental threats. There is also a need to develop international guidelines and common policy and legal frameworks to support and streamline such initiatives. Developing such a policy strategy is likely to produce a self-reinforcing gain to firms, investors and society.
Examination of the perceived agility and balance during a reactive agility task

In vehicle dynamics, it is commonly understood that there is an inverse relationship between stability and maneuverability. However, animal studies have found that stability and maneuverability can coincide. In this study, we examine humans running a reactive agility obstacle and consider the relationship between observational perceived agility and balance, as well as the relationship between quantified surrogates of agility and balance. Recreational athletes (n = 18) completed the agility task while wearing inertial measurement units (IMUs) on their body. The task was also video-recorded. An observational study was completed by a separate group of adults (n = 33) that were asked to view the videos and score each athlete on a Likert scale for balance and for agility. The data from the body-worn IMUs were used to estimate quantified surrogate measures for agility and balance, and to assess if the relationship between the quantified agility and balance was in the same direction as the perceived relationship from the Likert scale responses. Results indicate that athletes that were given a higher Likert agility score were also given a higher balance score (rs = 0.75,p < 0.001). Quantitative surrogates of agility and balance also showed this same relationship. Additional insights on technique for this reactive agility task were informed by the quantitative surrogates. We observed the importance of stepping technique in achieving the faster completion times. The fast performing athletes spent a greater proportion of the task in double support and lower overall time in single support indicating increased periods of static stability. The fast performing athletes did not have a higher body speed, but performed the task with a more efficient technique, using foot placement to enable heading changes, and thus may have had a more efficient path. Similar to animal studies, people use technique to enable agile strategies while also enabling increased balance across the task.
Environmental enrichment during rearing alters corticosterone levels, thymocyte numbers, and aggression in female BALB/c mice.

The goal of environmental enrichment for laboratory animals is to improve welfare, but some enrichment practices may affect research in unintended ways or even be harmful to the animals themselves. We previously found that mice raised at a commercial vendor then given multiple enrichment devices upon arrival at our facilities experienced thymic atrophy and greater variation in measured parameters than did their unenriched counterparts, suggesting that enrichment conditions affected corticosteroid expression in mice. The current study verified and expanded these results, examining 120 female BALB/c mice raised with or without nesting material at a commercial vendor (n = 60 per group) and allocated (n = 20 per group) to receive no enrichment, nesting material, or ‘superenrichment’ on arrival at our facilities. Nesting material provided prior to weaning was associated with higher levels of urinary corticosteroid, whereas superenrichment and nesting material during the adult period both led to increased thymic atrophy. Paradoxically, mice that never received enrichment, despite having the lowest corticosterone levels and least thymic atrophy, had increased tail wounds resulting from aggressive interactions. Therefore, enrichment devices that are as seemingly innocuous as nesting material, even if only provided in the preweaning period, may lead to significant, lasting changes in behavioral, physical, or immunologic measures with the potential to alter research outcomes.
Robust and Fast Extraction of 3D Symmetric Tensor Field Topology

3D symmetric tensor fields appear in many science and engineering fields, and topology-driven analysis is important in many of these application domains, such as solid mechanics and fluid dynamics. Degenerate curves and neutral surfaces are important topological features in 3D symmetric tensor fields. Existing methods to extract degenerate curves and neutral surfaces often miss parts of the curves and surfaces, respectively. Moreover, these methods are computationally expensive due to the lack of knowledge of structures of degenerate curves and neutral surfaces. In this paper, we provide theoretical analysis on the geometric and topological structures of degenerate curves and neutral surfaces of 3D linear tensor fields. These structures lead to parameterizations for degenerate curves and neutral surfaces that can not only provide more robust extraction of these features but also incur less computational cost. We demonstrate the benefits of our approach by applying our degenerate curve and neutral surface detection techniques to solid mechanics simulation data sets.
A Multi-Informant Study of the Role of Household Disorder in Low Self-Control:

The current study expands upon Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990) General Theory of Crime by examining associations between multiple forms of household disorder and low self-control, as well as the p...
Non-invasive Classification of Sleep Stages with a Hydraulic Bed Sensor Using Deep Learning

The quality of sleep has a significant impact on health and life. This study adopts the structure of hierarchical classification to develop an automatic sleep stage classification system using ballistocardiogram (BCG) signals. A leave-one-subject-out cross validation (LOSO-CS) procedure is used for testing classification performance. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Deep Neural Networks DNNs are complementary in their modeling capabilities; while CNNs have the advantage of reducing frequency variations, LSTMs are good at temporal modeling. A transfer learning (TL) technique is used to pre-train our CNN model on posture data and then fine-tune it on the sleep stage data. We used a ballistocardiography (BCG) bed sensor to collect both posture and sleep stage data to provide a non-invasive, in-home monitoring system that tracks changes in health of the subjects over time. Polysomnography (PSG) data from a sleep lab was used as the ground truth for sleep stages, with the emphasis on three sleep stages, specifically, awake, rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep (NREM). Our results show an accuracy of 95.3%, 84% and 93.1% for awake, REM and NREM respectively on a group of patients from the sleep lab.
Improving Resource Utilization and Outcomes Using a Minimally Invasive Pilonidal Protocol.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resource utilization and outcome of a minimally invasive pilonidal protocol (MIPP) versus surgical excision (SE) in adolescents with pilonidal disease. Methods Improved hygiene, laser epilation (LE), and sinusectomy were implemented as a minimally invasive pilonidal protocol (MIPP) in March 2016. Following IRB approval, 34 consecutive MIPP patients with moderate and severe disease were compared with a random sample of 17 SE patients treated prior to MIPP implementation. Number of visits, laser epilation (LE) treatments, care duration, operations, operating room (OR) time, charges, and condition at last visit were analyzed. Charges were standardized for 2018. Results No differences were found in age or body mass index between groups. SE patients underwent an average 1.6 excisions/patient (cumulative 2598 OR minutes) and no LE. MIPP patients underwent an average 1.4 sinusectomies and 3.5 LEs/patient. Six sinusectomies (0.17/patient) were performed in OR (cumulative 258 OR minutes). No differences in number of visits or care duration were found between groups. At last follow-up, 82% of MIPP and 18% of SE patients were healed or asymptomatic (p Conclusion A minimally invasive pilonidal protocol reduces charges and improves outcome compared with surgical excision in adolescents. Level of evidence III. Type of study Retrospective comparative study.
Individual Plasmonic Nanostructures as Label Free Biosensors

This chapter reviews our work and that of other groups in the use of individual plasmonic nanostructures that are presented by a substrate for the label-free detection of biomolecular binding events. This class of single particle nanosensors is based on the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) behavior of noble metal nanostructures that enables optical transduction of binding events at their surface into an optical signal [1–5]. The LSPR peak location and intensity are sensitive to the local refractive index surrounding the nanoparticle, which is altered by the binding of biomolecular targets to receptor-functionalized nanostructures, and forms the basis of their utility as label-free biosensors [6].
A C-band Lithium Niobate MEMS Filter with 10% Fractional Bandwidth for 5G Front-ends

This paper presents a new class of micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) C-band filters for 5G front-ends. The filter is comprised of resonators based on the first-order asymmetric Lamb wave (A1) mode in thin-film lithium niobate. The fabricated filter has been demonstrated at 4.5 GHz with sharp roll-off, flat in-band group delay, and spurious-free response over a wide frequency range. Specifically, the filter shows a 3-dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 10%, an insertion loss (IL) of 1.7 dB, an out-of-band (OoB) rejection of -13 dB, and a compact footprint of 0.36 mm2. The demonstrations herein mark the largest fractional bandwidth (FBW) achieved for acoustic-only filters at 5G frequencies.
Native American tribal governments, cross-sectoral climate policy, and the role of intertribal networks

Complex policy problems such as climate change that spill over multiple issue areas or jurisdictions often require new policy approaches because sectoral (or territorial) policies are not designed to tackle the issue of policy spillovers. Yet, cross-sectoral policies upset the status quo and invite a political backlash from departments and individuals who fear erosion of their power, authority, budgets, or status. We offer one of the first studies to systematically examine conditions under which tribal governments develop cross-sectoral climate plans. Drawing on an original dataset of 239 tribes, our statistical analysis shows that tribal governments embedded in cross-tribal networks are more likely to develop cross-sectoral climate plans. While developing such policies is costly, the availability of monetary resources does not change tribes’ odds of developing cross-sectoral climate plans. Thus, the role of embeddedness in networks, as opposed to financial capacity, motivates tribes to adopt new policy approaches that are risky and yet more suitable to solve a problem with cross-sectoral spillovers.
Effect of Smoking on Short-term Postoperative Complications After Elective Upper Extremity Surgery.

Background: There is a paucity of literature exploring the impact of smoking on short-term complications, readmissions, and reoperations after elective upper extremity surgery using a large multice...
Determination of the N-H Bond Dissociation Free Energy in a Pyridine(diimine)molybdenum Complex Prepared by Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer.

The pyridine(diimine)molybdenum bis(imido) complex (iPrPDI)Mo(═NTol)2 (Tol = 4-methylphenyl) was synthesized by the addition of 2 equiv of 4-methylphenylazide to the corresponding molybdenum benzen...
Hydrothermal synthesis of carbon and sulfur mono-doped sodium tantalates

A set of experiments was conducted to synthesize doped and undoped sodium tantalates with carbon and sulfur in energy efficient single-step hydrothermal process. Undoped sodium tantalate nanocubes were synthesized at 140$^\circ$C and doped one at 180$^\circ$C for 12 hours in rich alkaline atmosphere. The sizes of undoped, carbon-doped, and sulfur-doped sodium tantalate nanocubes were 38 nm, 45 nm, and 40 nm, respectively. The morphological, elemental, compositional, structural, thermal, and photophysical properties of as-synthesized doped and undoped sodium tantalate (NaTaO$_3$) were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscope (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), and UV-vis spectrophotometer. The sulfur doped NaTaO$_3$ shows a higher photocatalytic activity in degradation of methylene blue than carbon doped and the undoped NaTaO$_3$. The band gaps of undoped NaTaO$_3$, carbon doped c-NaTaO$_3$, and sulfur doped s-NaTaO$_3$ were calculated to be 3.94 eV, 3.8 eV, and 3.52 eV, respectively using Tauc plot.
Slow Household Deleveraging

We use a model of precautionary savings with housing and mortgages to study the effects of a deleveraging shock on consumer spending. We focus on the deleveraging caused by a contraction in home values, and compute numerically the partial-equilibrium effect of the shock. Our simulations show that household deleveraging is associated with a long and protracted weakness in consumption. These effects appear even if we assume, realistically, that housing wealth is illiquid and mortgage debt is long term. We show that housing wealth matters for consumption decisions due to an insurance force: consumers know they can sell their house if they get hit by sufficiently negative shocks in the future. We also show that our slow deleveraging mechanism is amplified when incomes are affected by a weak aggregate consumption demand through general-equilibrium effects.
Omics in Systems Biology: Current Progress and Future Outlook.

Biological research has undergone tremendous changes over the past three decades. Research used to almost exclusively focus on a single aspect of a single molecule per experiment. Modern technologies have enabled thousands of molecules to be simultaneously analyzed and the way that these molecules influence each other to be discerned. The change has been so dramatic that it has given rise to a whole new descriptive suffix (i.e., omics) to describe these fields of study. While genomics was arguably the initial driver of this new trend, it quickly spread to other biological entities resulting in the creation of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc. The development of these "big four omics" created a wave of other omic fields, such as epigenomics, glycomics, lipidomics, microbiomics, and even foodomics; all with the purpose of comprehensively studying all the molecular entities or processes within their respective domain. The large number of omic fields that were invented even led to the term "panomics" as a way to classify them all under one category. Ultimately, all of these omic fields are setting the foundation for developing systems biology; in which the focus will be on determining the complex interactions that occur within biological systems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Genetic characterization of a Sorghum bicolor multiparent mapping population emphasizing carbon-partitioning dynamics.

Sorghum bicolor, a photosynthetically efficient C4 grass, represents an important source of grain, forage, fermentable sugars, and cellulosic fibers that can be utilized in myriad applications ranging from bioenergy to bioindustrial feedstocks. Sorghum's efficient fixation of carbon per unit time per unit area per unit input has led to its classification as a preferred biomass crop highlighted by its designation as an advanced biofuel by the U.S. Department of Energy. Due to its extensive genetic diversity and worldwide colonization, sorghum has considerable diversity for a range of phenotypes influencing productivity, composition, and sink/source dynamics. To dissect the genetic basis of these key traits, we present a sorghum carbon-partitioning nested association mapping population generated by crossing 11 diverse founder lines with Grassl as the single recurrent female. By exploiting existing variation among cellulosic, forage, sweet and grain sorghum carbon partitioning regimes, the sorghum carbon-partitioning nested association mapping population will allow the identification of important biomass-associated traits, elucidate the genetic architecture underlying carbon partitioning and improve our understanding of the genetic determinants affecting unique phenotypes within Poaceae. We contrast this nested association mapping population with an existing grain population generated using Tx430 as the recurrent female. Genotypic data are assessed for quality by examining variant density, nucleotide diversity, linkage decay, and is validated using pericarp and testa phenotypes to map known genes affecting these phenotypes. We release the 11-family nested association mapping population along with corresponding genomic data for use in genetic, genomic, and agronomic studies with a focus on carbon-partitioning regimes.
Full-time Workers Should Not Be Poor: The Living Wage Movement

If a person works full-time, she should not have to raise her family in poverty. There is a broad based living wage movement that is working to make fair wages a reality. IN dozens of places across the nation, local and state living wage campaigns have brought together community groups, labor organizations, and interfaith religious denominations. This article defines living wages, explains how local ordinances are crafted, and lists the many places where living wage campaigns have succeeded.
Re-imagining Indoor Space Utilization in the COVID-19 Pandemic with Smart Re-configurable Spaces (SReS)

The outbreak of COVID-19 has put various restrictions on human lifestyle. At the beginning of the outbreak, almost all public spaces were closed to minimize the spread of this virus. Even as public spaces open up, they have several restrictions. Such restrictions include limited occupancy in common rooms to ensure social distancing and this can lead to increased occupancy costs inside buildings. The strategy of “Design as a cure” has been long used by architects and urban planners to minimize the spread of infectious diseases in urban environments. Re-configuring the space layout and optimizing the heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) operations were some immediate solutions proposed by building designers to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection in buildings. This paper explores the use of smart re-configurable spaces (SReS) to improve the efficiency of indoor space utilization while maintaining a safe indoor environment. We used an existing smart building design framework to design SReS for a common area/lounge in one of the cadet resident halls at Virginia Tech. User requirements were measured by conducting an interview with the residential coordinator and focus groups among the cadets. The concept of generative design was used in Revit 2021 to design various layouts of the lounge. Towards the end, we create a layout for maximum occupancy and suggest various re-configuration strategies. Future work includes modeling and evaluating the human-building interaction of SReS in virtual reality (VR).