cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hemangiopericytoma of the navicular: a case report

Hemangiopericytoma is a tumor of vascular origin usually found in the soft tissue. Manifestation in bone is extremely rare and are most commonly located in the pelvis and the lower extremity. This is the first case of hemangiopericytoma in the bone of the foot known to the authors. This article shows the presenting findings and the surgical treatment. At 13 months after the final surgery, there was no evidence of tumor recurrence.
Power and pleasure in ethnographic home-work: producing a recognizable ethics

The author uses Michel Foucault's power/knowledge/pleasure combination to analyze the production of ethical practices in qualitative research. Through two data stories, the author recounts her own pleasurable acts while carrying out an ethnographic study in her hometown high school. The pleasures of conducting such home-work are analyzed to point out the ethics of constituting the experience of the self in qualitative research.
Strategic cost of diversification

This article proposes a new explanation for the large cross-sectional variation in the excess values of diversified firms. The model applies the idea of shareholders’ limited liability affecting firms’ output market strategies to the analysis of financial and operating choices of conglomerates. The inability of conglomerates to commit to unconstrained optimal operating strategies, following from the lack of flexibility in choosing their divisions’ capital structures, reduces their value. Thus, the model highlights a new type of inefficiency of the conglomerate organizational structure, which is suboptimal financing. The predictions of the model are generally supported by the data. (JEL G32, G34, L13)
Slotted Aloha and reservation Aloha protocols for very high-speed optical fiber local area networks using passive star topology

A number of cases of slotted Aloha protocols for high-speed optical fiber local area networks (LANs) are presented and analyzed. The results are compared to the cases of Slotted Aloha/Aloha schemes presented by I.M.I. Habab et al., (1987) and N. Mehravori (1990). The proposed schemes were found to offer better throughput and delay characteristics. These cases are also compared with Aloha/N-server and CSMA/N-server protocols presented by Habab and Mehravori. Some of the considered protocols offer better throughput when the data packet lengths are small. Two cases of reservation Aloha protocols are presented and analyzed. >
Oldest record of Stegodon (Mammalia: Proboscidea)

(1999). Oldest record of Stegodon (Mammalia: Proboscidea) Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 793-797.
TOOTH WEIGHTS OF JUVENILE MALE NORTHERN FUR SEALS, CALLORHINUS URSINUS

Tooth weight and body length of juvenile male northern fur seals, Callorhinus ursinus, collected on St. Paul Island, Alaska, from 1948 to 1984 were compared. The relationship between these variables was investigated for individual and combined age classes. A density-dependent increase in mean tooth weight occurred during a decline in fur seal abundance. Consistent, though poorly understood, differences in tooth weight were found among males associated with different rookeries (breeding grounds). Storing the teeth for long periods may affect the weights, but such effects, if any, are too small to account for the changes observed.
A simple reactive gasdynamic model for the computation of gas temperature and species concentrations behind reflected shock waves

A simple gasdynamic model, called CHEMSHOCK, has been developed to predict the temporal evolution of combustion gas temperature and species concentrations behind reflected shock waves with significant energy release. CHEMSHOCK provides a convenient simulation method to study various sized combustion mechanisms over a wide range of conditions. The model consists of two successive suboperations that are performed on a control mass during each infinitesimal time step: (1) first the gas mixture is allowed to combust at constant internal energy and volume; (2) then the gas is isentropically expanded (or compressed) at frozen composition to the measured pressure. The CHEMSHOCK model is first validated against results from a one-dimensional reacting computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code for a representative case of heptane/O2/Ar mixture using a reduced mechanism. CHEMSHOCK is found to accurately reproduce the results of the CFD calculation with significantly reduced computational time. The CHEMSHOCK simulation results are then compared to experimental results, for gas temperature and water vapor concentration, obtained using a novel laser sensor based on fixed-wavelength absorption of two H2O rovibrational transitions near 1.4 μm. Excellent agreement is found between CHEMSHOCK simulations and measurements in a progression of shock wave tests: (1) in H2O/Ar, with no energy release; (2) in H2/O2/Ar, with relatively small energy release; and (3) in heptane/O2/Ar, with large energy release. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 189–198, 2008
Predicting public approval of Supreme Court nominees: examining factors influe ncing mass public opinion of stealth nominees in the post-Bork

Conventional wisdom asserts that the American public is ignorant of the Supreme Court and thus, the opinions of average citizens are irrelevant, both in the confirmation debates regarding nominees to the Supreme Court and as a tool of political mobilization. In light of the Seventeenth Amendment’s direct election of the Senate and the Senate’s advice and consent role, mass public opinion is relevant regardless of the sophistication of their input. Moreover, mobilization of mass public approval or disapproval of nominees is a factor influencing the strategies of partisan politics in general. It is clear that the public is aware of Supreme Court nominees and they evaluate the nominees on two different bases. First, the public evaluates nominees based on an ideological model to the extent of the information the public possesses about the ideology of nominees. Second, the public assesses nominees on the basis of judicial qualification and suitability for the position of Supreme Court justice, what Gibson and Caldeira refer to as “Judiciousness.” This two part evaluation mirrors part of Abrahams’ model of executive decision making for Supreme Court nominations. Given that stealth nominees, herein defined as nominees with limited judicial records, by their nature provide little insight into their ideological beliefs, they do not provoke significant disapproval among the mass public on that basis. Provided they meet some minimum standard of judiciousness, approval of stealth nominees is not negatively affected by the lack of knowledge about the nominee’s ideology. Thus, in the cases examined herein presidents were able through the nomination of stealth candidates to avoid public disapproval their nominees to the Court.
Transcriptomic analysis of pathways regulated by toll-like receptor 4 in a murine model of chronic pulmonary inflammation and carcinogenesis

Therapeutic strategies exist for human pulmonary neoplasia, however due to the heterogeneity of the disease, most are not very effective. The innate immunity gene, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), protects against chronic pulmonary inflammation and tumorigenesis in mice, but the mechanism is unclear. This study was designed to identify TLR4-mediated gene expression pathways that may be used as prognostic indicators of susceptibility to lung tumorigenesis in mice and provide insight into the mechanism. Whole lung mRNA was isolated from C.C3H-Tlr4Lps-d(BALBLps-d; Tlr4 mutant) and BALB/c (Tlr4 normal) mice following butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)-treatment (four weekly ip. injections; 150-200 mg/kg/each; "promotion"). mRNA from micro-dissected tumors (adenomas) and adjacent uninvolved tissue from both strains were also compared 27 wks after a single carcinogen injection (3-methylcholanthrene (MCA), 10 μg/g; "control") or followed by BHT (6 weekly ip. injections; 125-200 mg/kg/each; "progression"). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analyzed for inflammatory cell content and total protein determination, a marker of lung hyperpermeability; inflammation was also assessed using immunohistochemical staining for macrophages (F4/80) and lymphocytes (CD3) in mice bearing tumors (progression). During promotion, the majority of genes identified in the BALBLps-dcompared to BALB/c mice (P < 0.05) were involved in epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling (e.g. epiregulin (Ereg)), secreted phosphoprotein 1(Spp1)), which can lead to cell growth and eventual tumor development. Inflammation was significantly higher in BALBLps-dcompared to BALB/c mice during progression, similar to the observed response during tumor promotion in these strains. Increases in genes involved in signaling through the EGFR pathway (e.g. Ereg, Spp1) were also observed during progression in addition to continued inflammation, chemotactic, and immune response gene expression in the BALBLps-dversus BALB/c mice (P < 0.05), which appears to provide more favorable conditions for cell growth and tumor development. In support of these findings, the BALB/c mice also had significantly reduced expression of many immune response and inflammatory genes in both the tumors and uninvolved tissue. This transcriptomic study determined the protective effect of TLR4 in lung carcinogenesis inhibition of multiple pathways including EGFR (e.g. Ereg), inflammatory response genes (e.g. Cxcl5), chemotaxis (e.g. Ccr1) and other cell proliferation genes (e.g. Arg1, Pthlh). Future studies will determine the utility of these pathways as indicators of immune system deficiencies and tumorigenesis.
Offending and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Criminal Justice A Conceptual Framework for Guiding Theory and Research and Informing Policy

Scholars and policy makers have expressed concern that observed minority differences in processing (e.g., arrest, detention, conviction) and sentencing stem not from the legal merits of cases but rather from intentional or unintentional discrimination. An additional concern is that there may be disparities in society that lead to offending differences among racial and ethnic groups, and that these differences may be amplified by disparities that minorities experience in and through the criminal justice system. In this article, we identify the dimensions along which information is needed to document minority disparities in criminal justice processing and sanctioning and to guide interventions to reduce them. We conclude that research to date has not systematically documented the true prevalence of minority disparities in criminal justice processing or sanctioning or the causes of them. We then argue that social structural disparities faced by minorities warrant comparable attention to that given to crimina...
The Allure of the Naza

“The Nazarene has told me that he will take care of my friends ... The little black man of Portobelo has told me that he will take care of my friends.” So sang the late, great Puertorican salsero Ismael Rivera, proclaiming the covenant that devotees of the Cristo Negro de Portobelo — the Black Christ of Portobelo, claim to have with a 17th century Spanish colonial religious statue that resides in the Iglesia de San Felipe in Portobelo.
American Exceptionalism and the Welfare State: The Revisionist Literature

Recent research has argued that the American welfare state is not necessarily smaller than the welfare state in other advanced industrial countries. Rather, it is organized on principles that make it seem smaller: Because it functions through tax expenditures and public–private partnerships, it is less visible than welfare states that operate on the principle of direct spending. This review summarizes the most important messages of this revisionist scholarship, particularly in how this form of welfare provision undermines support for the welfare state, increases the complexity and decreases the efficiency of the system, and hides regressive policies from public scrutiny. I then argue that although this work has taught us much about American politics, several gaps need to be addressed. First, the explanation of the origins of this state of affairs is incomplete and unconvincing. Second, while private welfare is an important part of the American experience, the scholarship on private welfare provision has n...
Empirically-based modelling approaches to the truck weigh-in-motion problem

The paper develops and compares a comprehensive range of configurations of empirical modeling techniques for solving the truck classification by weigh-in-motion problem. A review of existing artificial neural network approaches to the problem is followed by an in-depth comparison with support vector machines. Three main model formats are considered: (i) a monolithic structure with a one versus all strategy for selecting truck type; (ii) an array of sub-models each dedicated to one truck type with a one versus all truck type selection strategy; and (iii) an array of sub-models each dedicated to selecting between pairs of trucks. Overall, the SVM approach was found to outperform the ANN based models. The paper concludes with some suggestions for extending the work to a broader scope of problems.
Effect of different labor modes on the outcome of delivery——Attached clinical analysis of selection time artificial labor and natural labor

Objective:To discuss the effect of selection time artificial labor and natural labor on the outcome of delivery. Methods:Selected 162 primipara who deliveried in our hospital in 2006, gestational weeks aged from 37 to 41+6, divided them into selection time artificial labor group and natural labor group. Retrospectively analyzed their process , delivery style and postnatal complications. Compared the difference between two groups. Results: The time of the first stage of labor had no statistical difference between vaginal delivery of two groups, but the time of the second stage of labor had statistical difference. There also was no statistical difference about major complications such as postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal asphyxia between two groups. Uterine-incision delivery rate of selection time artificial labor group was 65.00% and the natural labor group was 34.31%,there was distinctly statistical difference(P0.01). Fetal distress was the mainly indicator of uterine-incision delivery in both groups,artificial labor group was 61.54% and natural labor group was 45.71%, there was distinctly statistical difference between them(P0.01). Conclusion:Selection time artificial labor can’t increase the rate of postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal asphyxia, but increase the rate of uterine-incision delivery. Neonatal asphyxia is the mainly indicator of uterine-incision delivery.
A Postpartum Sleep and Fatigue Intervention Feasibility Pilot Study

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and cost of a self-management intervention for postpartum fatigue and sleep in socioeconomically disadvantaged urban women. Helping U Get Sleep (HUGS) is a theory-guided intervention developed from the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory. Medicaid-enrolled participants in the United States were recruited from an inpatient postpartum unit. Treatment and attention control interventions were delivered (15 HUGS, 12 comparison) at a week 3 postpartum home visit and 4 follow-up phone calls. Over the 9-week protocol, the HUGS group demonstrated significant improvements in subjective fatigue and subjective sleep disturbance relative to the comparison group. The HUGS intervention was feasible and acceptable, delivered on average, in 100 min and costing US$79 per participant.
Advantage Austin II

During the coming weeks, volunteers will call on more than 800 businesses to participate in Advantage Austin II, a four-year program sponsored by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. While the business and civic reasons for participating are compelling, we offer additional support from the perspective of educators with a stake in this community.
Peru potato potential: Biodiversity conservation and value chain development

Although crop diversity has been identified as essential to enhance global food security and adapt to climate change, high loss of genetic resources is occurring due to agricultural industrialization and market requirements. Value chain development is an emerging market strategy that seeks to simultaneously achieve agrobiodiversity conservation and economic goals, though little empirical evidence exists regarding the extent to which value chains encourage biodiversity maintenance. This study considers the conservation of native potatoes among households in the highlands of Peru where value chain development is being pursued to create market niches for certain native potato varieties. Utilizing a mixed-methods case study approach, the findings of this study indicate that the conservers of native varieties are the households with more endowed resource bases as well as those that sell native varieties in value chains. However, the findings suggest that value chains themselves likely have only a marginal effect on conservation. Native potato conservation and potato production for value chains exist as two separate livelihood activities, and households with more resources are best positioned to engage in both. While value chains allow households to capitalize on the economic value of certain native varieties, the production of other native varieties allows households to fulfill cultural values. Based on these findings, this study concludes that value chain opportunities for native varieties should continue to be identified but they alone are not an adequate strategy to conserve agrobiodiversity. Therefore, in addition to value chain development, a full suite of conservation schemes should be implemented simultaneously.
Development of the Student Perceptions of Writing Feedback Scale

Students’ perceptions of feedback can impact other writing constructs, such as motivation, selfefficacy, self-regulation, and achievement (Ekholm, Zumbrunn, & Conklin, 2015; Magno & Amarles, 2011; Zumbrunn, Marrs, & Mewborn, 2016; Zumbrunn, 2013). The goal of this study was to develop a valid and reliable instrument for measuring students’ perceptions of writing feedback. Evidence for validity and reliability were gathered throughout the development of the Student Perceptions of Writing Feedback (PoWF) Scale, a self-report questionnaire that asks students how they perceive feedback they get on their writing from their teachers. Items on the PoWF reflected the extant literature on students’ feedback perceptions. The PoWF was administered to 275 secondary students attending a suburban, mid-Atlantic high school. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) yielded a four-factor structure of students’ feedback perceptions that accounted for 55 percent of the variance. Given the important role feedback may have in improving student writing, it is important to understand students’ perceptions of writing feedback, which is a relatively new construct. This measurement study was a critical first step toward a better understanding of students’ writing feedback perceptions as well as related theoretical implications.
The translational significance of the neurovascular unit

The mammalian brain is supplied with blood by specialized vasculature that is structurally and functionally distinct from that of the periphery. A defining feature of this vasculature is a physical blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB separates blood components from the brain microenvironment, regulating the entry and exit of ions, nutrients, macromolecules, and energy metabolites. Over the last two decades, physiological studies of cerebral blood flow dynamics have demonstrated that substantial intercellular communication occurs between cells of the vasculature and the neurons and glia that abut the vasculature. These findings suggest that the BBB does not function independently, but as a module within the greater context of a multicellular neurovascular unit (NVU) that includes neurons, astrocytes, pericytes, and microglia as well as the blood vessels themselves. Here, we describe the roles of these NVU components as well as how they act in concert to modify cerebrovascular function and permeability in health and in select diseases.
The utility of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the follow-up of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

8047 Background: The prognostic significance of high serum LDH is well established for both indolent and aggressive lymphomas at diagnosis. The performance characteristics of LDH in predicting relapse after treatment in patients (pts) with DLBCL has not been well studied. The determination of utility of LDH monitoring in pts with DLBCL would have widespread practice implications. Methods: We searched the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group database to identify pts with DLBCL who were treated with a rituximab-based regimen, from 2000 to 2010, and sustained a complete response (CR). For the pts who relapsed (RP), after sustaining a CR, we collected the LDH level at relapse and the LDH level 3 months prior (considered baseline). For pts who never relapsed (NR), we collected the last 2 LDH levels at follow-up; levels had to be at least 3 months apart. The relative increase of LDH was compared, to baseline, among RP vs. NR. Results: We identified 129 pts, 15 pts were excluded from the analysis as their LDH results w...
Heidegger, Art, and the Overcoming of Metaphysics

In this paper, I advance a new interpretation of Heidegger's reflections on art as we find them in his essay, ‘The Origin of the Work of Art’. I begin, in Section 1, by uncovering the fundamental concern that motivates Heidegger's essay. I show that Heidegger's reflections on art are part of his attempt to uncover a path beyond the history of metaphysics. I then suggest, in Section 2, that while Heidegger does think that art may allow for the overcoming of metaphysics, recent interpreters [Dreyfus (2005), Thomson (2011), and Young (2001)] have mistook the kind of art that Heidegger has in mind here. The kind of art that can allow for the overcoming of metaphysics, I argue, is not art that simply thematizes and/or reconfigures cultural worlds (as these interpreters have argued). It is instead what Heidegger calls ‘primal poesy’. After discussing the nature of primal poesy, I show in more detail how this kind of art may be capable of getting us beyond the history of metaphysics in Section 3. Finally, in Section 4, I reconsider the more common reading of ‘The Origin of the Work of Art’ in light of the interpretation I've offered in Sections 2 and 3.
Professors' Letter in Opposition to The 'Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act' (S. 754)

We are professors who research and/or teach about cyberlaw and cybersecurity, and write to express our concerns about S. 754, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (the “Act”). While recent amendments to CISA have attempted to address the significant privacy and surveillance concerns raised by the aforementioned technologists and others, the fundamental problem inherent in CISA remains. In sum, it will do little, if anything, to address the very real problem of flawed cybersecurity while creating conditions ripe for abuse. This is a classic “let’s do something” law. While we laud Congress for taking notice of the significant cybersecurity threats facing US corporations, we fear that CISA will weaken privacy and encourage governmental surveillance, with little upside for the public. Thus, CISA should be rejected.
Heterogeneous organization and connectivity of the chicken auditory thalamus (Gallus gallus).

The auditory ascending system contains parallel pathways in vertebrate brains. In chickens (Gallus gallus), three pathways arise from nucleus laminaris (NL), nucleus angularis (NA), and regio intermedius (RI) in the brainstem, innervating three subdivisions of the nucleus mesencephalicus lateralis pars dorsalis (MLd) in the midbrain. The current study reveals the segregation of these pathways in their subsequent projections to the nucleus ovoidalis (Ov) in the thalamus. Based on cytoarchitecture and myelin distribution, we identified seven Ov subregions, including five neuronal clusters within the Ov proper, the nucleus semilunaris parovoidalis (SPO), and the circum-ovoidalis (cOv). Immunocytochemistry further revealed that a ventromedial cluster of the Ov proper (Ovvm) contains unique cell types expressing α8 subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, while SPO and cOv are characterized with expression of calcitonin-gene-related peptide and cholecystokinin. Tract tracing studies demonstrated that Ovvm is a major target of the NL-recipient zone of MLd, while the RI-recipient zone of MLd predominantly projects to a ventrolateral cluster of the Ov proper. Afferent inputs to the remaining regions of the Ov proper mostly arise from the NA-recipient zone of MLd. SPO and cOv receive a projection from the surrounding areas of MLd, named the nucleus intercollicularis. Importantly, the Ov proper, SPO and cOv all project to the Field L2 in the forebrain, the avian auditory cortex. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the avian auditory thalamus is a structurally and functionally heterogeneous structure, implicating an important role in generating novel representations for specific acoustic features. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Measuring a critical stress for continuous prevention of marine biofouling accumulation with aeration

When cleaning the hull of a ship, significant shear stresses are needed to remove established biofouling organisms. Given that there exists a link between the amount of time that fouling accumulates and the stress required to remove it, it is not surprising that more frequent grooming requires less shear stress. Yet, it is unclear if there is a minimum stress needed to prevent the growth of macrofouling in the limit of continuous grooming. This manuscript shows that single bubble stream aeration provides continuous grooming and prevents biofouling accumulation in regions where the average wall stress exceeds ~0.01 Pa. This value was found by comparing observations of biofouling growth from field studies with complementary laboratory measurements that probe the associated flow fields. These results suggest that aeration and other continuous grooming systems must exceed a wall stress of 0.01 Pa to prevent macrofouling accumulation.
Exploring the astrophysics of dark atoms

A component of the dark matter could consist of two darkly charged particles with a large mass ratio and a massless force carrier. This ``atomic'' dark sector could behave much like the baryonic sector, cooling and fragmenting down to stellar-mass or smaller scales. Past studies have shown that cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure constraints rule out $\ensuremath{\gtrsim}5%$ of the dark matter to behave in this manner. However, we show that, even with percent level mass fractions, a dark atomic sector could affect some extragalactic and galactic observables. We track the cooling and merger history of an atomic dark component for much of the interesting parameter space. Unlike the baryons, where stellar feedback (driven by nuclear physics) delays the formation and growth of galaxies, cooling dark atomic gas typically results in disks forming earlier, leaving more time for their destruction via mergers. Rather than disks in Milky Way sized halos, we find the end product is typically spheroidal structures on galactic scales or dark atom fragments distributed on halo scales. This result contrasts with previous studies, which had assumed that the dark atoms would result in dark disks. Furthermore the dark atoms condense into dense clumps, analogous to how the baryons fragment on solar-mass scales. We estimate the size of these dark clumps, and use these estimates to show that viable atomic dark matter parameter space is ruled out by stellar microlensing, by the half-light radii of ultrafaint dwarf galaxies, and by Milky Way mass-to-light inferences.
Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Multiparametric MR Imaging to Predict Patient Survival

Changes in volumetric apparent diffusion coefficient, viable tumor volume, and viable tumor burden by venous phase MR imaging provide prognostic information among unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization.
Functional Imaging and Optogenetics in Drosophila

Understanding how activity patterns in specific neural circuits coordinate an animal's behavior remains a key area of neuroscience research. Genetic tools and a brain of tractable complexity make Drosophila a premier model organism for these studies. Here, we review the wealth of reagents available to map and manipulate neuronal activity with light.
Characterization of Split Fluorescent Protein Variants and Quantitative Analyses of Their Self-Assembly Process

Many biotechniques use complementary split-fluorescent protein (sFPs) fragments to visualize protein-protein interactions, image cells by ensemble or single molecule fluorescence microscopy, or assemble nanomaterials and protein superstructures. Yet, the reassembly mechanisms of sFPs, including fragment binding rates, folding, chromophore maturation and overall photophysics remain poorly characterized. Here, we evolved asymmetric and self-complementing green, yellow and cyan sFPs together with their full-length equivalents (flFPs) and described their biochemical and photophysical properties in vitro and in cells. While re-assembled sFPs have spectral properties similar to flFPs, they display slightly reduced quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes due to a less sturdy β-barrel structure. The complementation of recombinant sFPs expressed in vitro follows a conformational selection mechanism whereby the larger sFP fragments exist in a monomer-dimer equilibrium and only monomers are competent for fluorescence complementation. This bimolecular fragment interaction involves a slow and irreversible binding step, followed by chromophore maturation at a rate similar to that of flFPs. When expressed as fusion tags in cells, sFPs behave as monomers directly activated with synthetic complementary fragments. This study resulted in the development of sFP color variants having improved maturation kinetics, brightness, and photophysics for fluorescence microscopy imaging of cellular processes, including single molecule detection.
Determining factors of overweight and obesity in children at school age in Peru

Obesity in children at school age is an increasing problem in Peru. It concentrates in urban areas, mainly in Lima where one out of three children is overweight. An initial study in 80 schools in Lima showed that the lack of physical activity would have a greater impact on overweight and obesity in school children than the amount of food intake. More detailed studies are required. In spite of the limited information available regarding its determining factors, it is necessary to implement culturally-sensitive measures to fight this problem as part of the current nutritional policies, and prevent the problem from spreading, making sure the sustainability of the health system is not affected.
Ethernet bonding on a bare PC web server with dual NICs

Bare PC1applications run without the support of an operating system (OS) or kernel and include the necessary hardware interfaces and network device drivers with each application. We describe a novel implementation of Ethernet bonding on a bare PC Web server using dual NICs, where both NICs can send but only one NIC can receive. The split send-receive design is easily extended to more than two NICs and other send/receive NIC configurations. Conventional Ethernet bonding requires some form of OS or kernel support. In the bare PC implementation, OS overhead and OS-related vulnerabilities are eliminated. We describe the dual NIC bare server architecture and implementation, and present experimental results to measure server performance. The results confirm that client connection and response times are better than for a bare server with two cards that each receive and send. This implementation of Ethernet bonding on a bare PC Web server is the first step towards building secure bare PC servers that can optimize performance using multi-core processors and multiple NICs.
Earthly Reward to the Religious: Religiosity and the Cost of Public and Private Debt

We document that a firm’s culture, as influenced by its local religiosity, can affect its cost of capital. Firms headquartered in higher-religiosity counties have higher credit ratings and lower cost of debt. The impact of religiosity is stronger for firms with greater information asymmetry. Further, religiosity has explanatory power for the cost of bank loans (but not the cost of public bonds) above and beyond its impact through ratings. This supports the argument that banks have superior abilities in pricing soft information, such as corporate culture. Finally, the impact of religiosity is stronger when the lender is a small bank.
Loran-C Latitude-Longitude Conversion at Sea : Programming Considerations

To aid programmers of Loran-C latitude-longitude conversion, we : 1. Provide reference to the literature. 2. Compare digital “processings-noise” for several arc-length methods. 3. Discuss some practical aspects of overland signal propagation (ASF) modeling for offshore navigation. Comparisons are made of the precision of arc-length routines as computer precision is reduced. Overland propagation delays (ASF's) are discussed and illustrated with observations from offshore New England. Present practice of Loran-C error budget modeling is then reviewed with the suggestion that additional terms be considered in future modeling.
Effect of DNA hypomethylation on neural control of respiration: a genetic model.

DNA methylation represents one form of epigenetic factors that can influence gene activities without a change in DNA sequence1. In mammals, methylation of DNA occurs at the C5 position of the cytosine residues, primarily at the CpG dinucleotides. A family of DNA methyltransferases carries out the covalent reaction of cytosine methylation. The first methylase gene, Dnmtl, encodes a maintenance DNA methyltransferase (Dnmtl, EC 2.1.1.37) which preferentially methylates hemi-methylated DNA produced after DNA replication2. Two newly discovered methylase genes, Dnmt3a and 3b, are the de novo methyltransferases that can methylate native DNA substrates3,4. The essential role for these enzymes in establishing and maintaining DNA methylation has been demonstrated by targeted mutation of DNA methyltransferases in mice. Mutant mice lacking either Dnmtl or Dnmt3a and 3b exhibit significant demethylation in the genome, and die at embryonic day (E) 8-10 just after gastrulation4-6. These results indicate that DNA methylation is essential for mammalian embryonic development. At the cellular level, DNA hypomethylation also perturbs the events of genomic imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation, and suppression of endogenous retroviruses7-10
Meandering Flow and Lateral Dispersion

Until this point we have considered a process vessel with flow entering at one point and flow leaving at a second point, all at a steady rate: In the vessel the fluid can ideally flow in a variety of ways Plug flow Mixed flow Through a number of ideal mixed flow regions in series
Using the dynamic clamp technique to study frequency regulation of the pyloric rhythm

The stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of the spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus produces a triphasic pyloric rhythm which, in the behaving animal, is subject to changes in frequency duty cycle and phase relationships. The pyloric rhythm is driven by a pacemaker ensemble that includes two Pyloric Dilator (PD) neurons. The inhibitory synaptic connection from the Lateral Pyloric (LP) neuron to the PD neurons provides the sole feedback from the rest of the pyloric network to the pacemaker ensemble. This synaptic connection is therefore potentially involved in the regulation of the pyloric rhythm.
Phylogenetic analysis of skull shape evolution in marmotine squirrels using landmarks and thin-plate splines

Abstract Several studies have shown that the recently developed techniques of geometric morphometrics are extremely powerful descriptive tools. And yet, one potential use of the resulting descriptions, phylogenetic analysis, has generally been neglected. This neglect is understandable because prominent systematists as well as prominent morphometricians have objected to the use of morphometric data in phylogenetic systematics. We agree that some methods of morphometric analysis produce results that cannot be used in phylogenetic systematics, and that some methods of incorporating morphometric results into statements about character transformation are not appropriate. However, we do not agree that these objections to specific techniques support a blanket rejection of the use of morphometric data in systematic studies. In this paper, we review the principles of phylogenetic systematics and show that they are equally applicable to qualitative descriptions of triangles and to quantitative descriptions (shape coordinates of the apex) of those same shapes. Then we show how these principles would he applied to complex shapes like skulls of marmotine squirrels, and that the resulting analysis leads to legitimate hypotheses about marmotine phylogeny and the evolution of skull shape in these animals.
Ablation of GLRX in KRASG12D induced lung cancer elevates tumorigenesis and is associated with enhanced protein s-glutathionylation

Although oxidative stress has been linked to increased protein glutathionylation (PSSG), changes in PSSG status and/or glutaredoxin expression in lung diseases remain largely unexplored and have not been considered in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. S-glutathionylation, the covalent attachment of glutathione to reactive protein cysteine residues, is emerging as a regulatory mechanism whereby an oxidant signal is transduced into a biological response. Under physiological conditions, glutaredoxin-1 (GLRX) is able to de-glutathionylate proteins and re-establish the sulfhydryl group. The importance of this process was recently proven in a study from our laboratory that shows that exogenous GLRX has therapeutic potentials in treating lung fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate glutaredoxins in lung cancer. Analysis of glutaredoxin expression in the cancer genome atlas database (TCGA) revealed that GLRX2-3 and 5 are significantly increased in both adeno and squamous cell carcinoma compared to adjacent healthy control tissue. In contrast, GLRX expression levels are significantly decreased in both lung cancer types compared to adjacent tissue. Assessment of protein S-glutathionylation in 106 NSCLC tissue micro-arrays together with adjacent healthy tissue revealed that 48% were completely negative and 51% had high PSSG reactivity which was associated with a worse prognosis. To study the role of GLRX we utilized a mouse model of KRASG12D-induced lung cancer. Activation of mutant KRAS resulted in a significant increase of PSSG in the lung. Activation of the KRASG12D mutant in GLRX-/- mice presented an increase in tumor number and size and an enhanced PSSG in lungs compared to WT KRASG12D mice, which suggests a role of GLRX in lung tumorigenesis. Together, these data reveal a potential role of GLRX1 in regulating KRAS-induced lung tumorigenesis via protein S-glutathionylation and suggest a possible novel treatment strategy to halt progression of this debilitating disease.
Does use of total parenteral nutrition in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer impact hospice length of stay

58Background: The use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in metastatic cancer patients is controversial. The impact of TPN use on length of hospice stay in advanced cancer patients is unknown. We hypothesize that patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancers who receive TPN have a shorter median length of hospice stay as compared to the median hospice length of stay for cancer patients in the United States in 2014 (18 days). The primary objective of our retrospective, single-institution study is to determine the median hospice length of stay in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancers who received TPN. Methods: Records of all adult patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancers who received TPN at The Lifespan Cancer Institute from 2005 through 2014 were reviewed. The primary outcome was median hospice length of stay. Data analysis was conducted using Stata (Version 15.0, StataCorp, College station, Texas). Results: Seventy-nine patients were identified as having received TPN for metastat...
Do investors care about earnings quality? The case of Chinese reverse mergers

Abstract This study examines a panel of U.S.-listed Chinese reverse merger firms to address the question whether, and to what extent, earnings quality is valued by investors. Empirical evidence indicates that U.S.-listed Chinese reverse merger firms tend to have much lower earnings quality as compared to both U.S.-listed Chinese IPO firms and ADR firms, as measured by both the absolute value of discretionary accruals and the accruals quality. This fundamental difference, however, is reflected in neither firm valuation nor stock performance, suggesting that investors do not pay enough attention to the integrity of financial information of foreign listings in general and reverse merger firms in particular.
New Tests of Lorentz Invariance Following from Observations of the Highest Energy Cosmic Gamma Rays

We use the recent reanalysis of multi-TeV gamma-ray observations of Mrk 501 to constrain the Lorentz invariance breaking parameter involving the maximum electron velocity. Our limit is two orders of magnitude better than that obtained from the maximum observed cosmic-ray electron energy.
Selected peptide extension contacts hydrophobic patch on neighboring zinc finger and mediates dimerization on DNA.

Protein–protein interactions often play a crucial role in stabilizing protein–DNA complexes and thus facilitate site-specific DNA recognition. We have worked to incorporate such protein–protein contacts into our design and selection strategies for short peptide extensions that promote cooperative binding of zinc finger proteins to DNA. We have determined the crystal structure of one of these fusion protein–DNA complexes. The selected peptide extension was found to mediate dimerization by reaching across the dyad axis and contacting a hydrophobic patch on the surface of the zinc finger bound to the adjacent DNA site. The peptide–zinc finger protein interactions observed in this structure are similar to those of some homeodomain heterodimers. We also find that the region of the zinc finger surface contacted by the selected peptide extension corresponds to surfaces that also make key interactions in the zinc finger proteins GLI and SWI5.
“My World Has Expanded Even Though I'm Stuck at Home”: Experiences of Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Social Media

Purpose This study aimed to expand the current understanding of how persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS) use augmentative and alternative communication and social media to address thei...
Dr. Gross's Findings Supported

In his article "Growth of Hyperkinetic Children Taking Methylphenidate, Dextroamphetamine, or Imipramine/Desipramine" (Pediatrics 58:423, September 1976). Dr. Gross concludes that there is no stunting of growth from the longterm use of CNS stimulant medications in the treatment of hyperkinetic or minimal brain dysfunction syndromes. Since this report contradicts the results of retrospective studies by Safer et al.,1,2 it seems important to draw attention to additional evidence obtained in my patients that supports the findings of Dr. Gross.
Small Regulatory RNAs in Bacteria

Intergenic regions of bacteria contain small regulatory ribonucleic acid (sRNA) genes whose transcripts control expression of distal genes. These transcripts, referred to as sRNAs, primarily act at the level of translation where they bind messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) and inhibit or activate a target mRNA. Base pairing with mRNAs is generally imperfect and can include noncanonical base pairs. The RNA chaperone protein Hfq is involved in many RNA/RNA interactions and ribonucleases RNase E and RNase III have been implicated in destabilisation of target mRNAs. Many sRNAs can inhibit multiple mRNAs; however, some sRNAs bind proteins and can regulate transcription or translation indirectly. Some act like ‘sponges’ that bind and sequester proteins involved in global gene regulation. Many sRNA genes are activated by environmental stress factors, and the sRNA genes have complex upstream regulatory sites. Further insight into broad functions of sRNAs comes from human host cells infected by pathogenic bacteria, which reveals a role of sRNA in both virulence and response in human host cell molecular functions, for example changes in long noncoding RNAs and microRNAs. Bacterial regulatory RNAs are proving to be remarkable factors in both cell physiology and bacterial pathogenesis and these RNAs have opened a new world in molecular biology. Key Concepts Small regulatory RNA genes have been found in most bacterial species. sRNA transcripts are generally less than 200 nt. sRNAs can control gene expression at the level of translation or transcription. sRNAs respond to environmental or internal stress conditions. sRNAs generally form small and imperfect RNA/RNA base pairing with target mRNA; noncanonical base pairs can also be present. sRNAs can inhibit translational and/or induce degradation of target mRNA. Many sRNAs regulate multiple target mRNAs. sRNAs can indirectly regulate the expression of global genes, some by binding proteins that control gene expression. sRNAs can play a major role in bacterial pathogenicity and influence eukaryotic host molecular functions such as levels of host cell microRNA and long noncoding RNA. Keywords: small regulatory RNAs; control of gene regulation; RNA/RNA interactions; translational or transcriptional inhibition by sRNAs; sRNAs and pathogenicity
VoWF (Vo-IP over Wi-Fi)

Wireless telephony has become very popular in the past few years. However, the high costs of cellular systems make it necessary to find different technologies that can reduce the prices while keeping the efficiency and mobility. For this reason we explored the advantages and disadvantages of VoIP over Wi-Fi (VoWF), which means using wireless networks based on the IP protocol (like internet) to transmit voice. In this project we tested the performance of VoWF using Skype and X-Lite which are VoIP softwares and demonstrated to have similar behavior. We also used a software called WirelessMon that allowed us to monitor the status of the wireless network. Although VoWF has many advantages like low cost and easy implementation, we concluded that this technology is not ready to substitute cellular systems like GSM because it has three major problems which are: long handoff time, low range and low capacity. However VoWF can be a good complement for GSM.