cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
21 EVALUATION OF SEMEN EXTENDERS FOR SHORT-TERM STORAGE OF RAM SEMEN AT 4°C

Preliminary studies found that progressive motility of ram sperm declined ~75% when stored at 4°C for 24 h, and continued to decline over time when using extenders supplemented with 5% egg yolk. The current study evaluated the effects of different combinations of extenders, ethylene glycol (EG), egg yolk, and penicillamine, hypotaurine, and epinephrine on ram sperm progressive motility during storage. Semen collected from 3 Katahdin and 2 Suffolk rams by electroejaculation was distributed across treatment combinations consisting of either TRIS citrate or milk extender supplemented with 5 or 20% (v/v) egg yolk, ± 1% ethylene glycol (EG) and ± 20 µM penicillamine, 10 µM hypotaurine and 2 µM epinephrine (PHE). For each semen collection, TRIS citrate extender was prepared from a 4× solution so that the TRIS, citric acid and fructose concentration were constant at 300, 94.7, 27.8 mM, respectively, regardless of semen dilution factor. A 4× milk extender was also used so that the extender contained 10% (w/v) milk powder, regardless of semen dilution factor. Both extenders were supplemented with 50 µg mL−1 of gentamicin. Semen was diluted in extender to a final concentration of 300 million sperm/mL in 1.5-mL tubes, and cooled to 4°C over a 2- to 3-h period. Semen was evaluated initially and daily for 3 days, using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Repeated-measures data were analysed using the mixed model (JMP 12.0 software; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) for main effects of extender, supplements, and their interactions. Nonsignificant interactions were removed from the model before reanalysis. Data are presented as LSMeans ± standard errors. Initially, sperm progressive motility averaged 41 ± 6.2% across treatments. After an initial decline, overall progressive motility did not change (P > 0.05) significantly (mean of 22.3 ± 1.6 and 23.05 ± 1.3% at 48 and 72 h, respectively). Over time and across treatment combinations, mean progressive motility was maintained to a greater extent (P < 0.01) by milk than TRIS-based extender (28.2 ± 1.1 v. 18.9 ± 1.1%, respectively). Across extenders, progressive motility of sperm was similar (P = 0.50) for 5 and 20% egg yolk (22.2 ± 1.4 v. 24.4 ± 1.4). Addition of 1% EG increased (P < 0.01) progressive motility (25.8 ± 1.05 v. 21.3 ± 1.05). Addition of PHE also increased (P < 0.01) progressive motility from 20.9 ± 1.04 to 26.3 ± 1.04%. There was an interaction between EG and % egg yolk, primarily due to an effect on sperm stored in TRIS citrate extender. Addition of 1% EG to extender containing 5% egg yolk improved (P < 0.01) progressive motility from 18.5 ± 1.5 to 26.9 ± 1.5%). Addition of 1% EG to TRIS citrate extender also increased (P < 0.05) progressive motility, from 14.6 ± 1.5 to 23.2 ± 1.5%. Results indicate that milk extender supplemented with 1% EG, PHE, and either 5 or 20% egg yolk is capable of maintaining progressive motility of ram semen at ~60% of its initial value when stored at 4°C for up to 72 h. Additional studies are needed to evaluate pregnancy rate after insemination of ewes with stored semen.
Lectures on the Kerr/CFT Correspondence

We give a short introduction, beginning with the Kerr geometry itself, to the basic results, motivation, open problems and future directions of the Kerr/CFT correspondence.
An Automated Reference Frame Selection (ARFS) Algorithm for Cone Imaging with Adaptive Optics Scanning Light Ophthalmoscopy

Purpose To develop an automated reference frame selection (ARFS) algorithm to replace the subjective approach of manually selecting reference frames for processing adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) videos of cone photoreceptors. Methods Relative distortion was measured within individual frames before conducting image-based motion tracking and sorting of frames into distinct spatial clusters. AOSLO images from nine healthy subjects were processed using ARFS and human-derived reference frames, then aligned to undistorted AO-flood images by nonlinear registration and the registration transformations were compared. The frequency at which humans selected reference frames that were rejected by ARFS was calculated in 35 datasets from healthy subjects, and subjects with achromatopsia, albinism, or retinitis pigmentosa. The level of distortion in this set of human-derived reference frames was assessed. Results The average transformation vector magnitude required for registration of AOSLO images to AO-flood images was significantly reduced from 3.33 ± 1.61 pixels when using manual reference frame selection to 2.75 ± 1.60 pixels (mean ± SD) when using ARFS (P = 0.0016). Between 5.16% and 39.22% of human-derived frames were rejected by ARFS. Only 2.71% to 7.73% of human-derived frames were ranked in the top 5% of least distorted frames. Conclusion ARFS outperforms expert observers in selecting minimally distorted reference frames in AOSLO image sequences. The low success rate in human frame choice illustrates the difficulty in subjectively assessing image distortion. Translational relevance Manual reference frame selection represented a significant barrier to a fully automated image-processing pipeline (including montaging, cone identification, and metric extraction). The approach presented here will aid in the clinical translation of AOSLO imaging.
A Critique of Bohr’s Local Realism

It is still commonplace to see Bohr as a positivistically inspired instrumentalist who treated the formulae of QT (Quantum Theory) as empty of any real content, as mere symbolic instruments for predicting the values of a range of empirical quantities, such as scattering cross-sections and spectral line densities. In particular, it is usual to contrast Bohr’s attitude with a‘realist’ approach which takes the formulae of QT as not only meaningful but also literally true descriptions of the way things really are. Thus Feyerabend writes in his exposition of Bohr’s views: At the same time we must deny the universal validity of the superposition principle [which here does duty for all the quantum theoretic formalism] and must admit that it is but a (very useful) instrument of prediction. (Feyerabend, 1981, 258)1
Static and Dynamic Behavior of a Biological Mechanotransducer

Abstract The static and dynamic behavior of the three compartments in which a mechanoreceptor can be conceptually subdivided were investigated in the stretch receptor organ of Crustacea. These three compartments are: (a) a mechanical filter, (b) a transducer; and (c) an encoder. These systems are postulated to be in series which is confirmed by the analysis. The transfer function of each compartment is given. The results indicate (a) the static behavior is linear over the entire functional range of the system. (b) The main limitation to linear behavior under dynamic conditions is due to the transduction processes which introduce a differentiation operation. To account for these findings it is suggested that while under static conditions the voltage output of the transducer results from a linear change of resistance of the cell membrane, the voltage output under dynamic conditions involves an additional process which is a function of pressure changes.
Invariant-region-preserving DG methods for multi-dimensional hyperbolic conservation law systems, with an application to compressible Euler equations

Abstract An invariant-region-preserving (IRP) limiter for multi-dimensional hyperbolic conservation law systems is introduced, as long as the system admits a global invariant region which is a convex set in the phase space. It is shown that the order of approximation accuracy is not destroyed by the IRP limiter, provided the cell average is away from the boundary of the convex set. Moreover, this limiter is explicit, and easy for computer implementation. A generic algorithm incorporating the IRP limiter is presented for high order finite volume type schemes. For arbitrarily high order discontinuous Galerkin (DG) schemes to hyperbolic conservation law systems, sufficient conditions are obtained for cell averages to remain in the invariant region provided the projected one-dimensional system shares the same invariant region as the full multi-dimensional hyperbolic system does. The general results are then applied to both one and two dimensional compressible Euler equations so to obtain high order IRP DG schemes. Numerical experiments are provided to validate the proven properties of the IRP limiter and the performance of IRP DG schemes for compressible Euler equations.
Functional Annotation of Plant Genomes

The recent introduction of highly-efficient next-generation sequencing platforms (Roche 454, Illumina, PacBio, Life Technologies SOLiD, etc.) has lead to an increased number of sequenced plant genomes.
Aotus trivirgatus trivirgatus (Owl monkey)

This plate replaces the former Folio 298 of 1971. Since that time new studies have clarified taxonomic and karyotypic differences in A. t. trivirgatus and A. t. griseimembra (Folio 445). In A. t. t. all studies have shown a constant karyotype as shown in this plate. The negatives were kindly made available by Dr. R. A. Brumback and have been published before (Ref. 7). The marker chromosome (last autosome) and sex chromosomes of the two species are similar. Other elements differ markedly. Some chromosomes in the second row have large short arms but are here regarded as subtelocentrics.
Experimental Methods for Study of Variation

Sociolinguistic research methodology revolves around the Observer's Paradox: the goal is to observe the way people speak and understand language when they are not aware of being observed. Experimental methods may attempt to achieve highly accurate observations of less than natural speech or may attempt to achieve less accurate observations of very naturalistic language use. The inherent tradeoffs are discussed primarily as they relate to the areas of recording techniques, perception studies, and real vs. apparent time studies. Grammaticality judgment and survey technique are also briefly addressed.
The Paradoxical Role of Proteasomes in Prion Disorders

At this point, there are more questions than answers with regard to the pathophysiology of prion disorders. Although it is clear that host PrPC is required for the development of disease, the precise mechanism by which PrPC is converted to PrPSc or the biochemical pathways leading to neuronal damage remain unclear. Several triggers of prion-associated neuropathology have been proposed, including toxicity by PrPSc deposits, inherent toxicity of cytosolic PrP, initiation of pathogenic signals by C-transmembrane PrP, activation of the caspase pathway by PrPSc or PrPC, interference in transcription by association of PrPSc with chromatin in the nucleus, and several other equally important mechanisms supported by experimental evidence. In some instances, impaired proteasomal function contributes to the disease process, in others it does not. Converging evidence suggests that prion disorders are not the result of protein aggregation alone, but a combination of aberrant PrP metabolism and a failure of the cellular quality control mechanisms to cope. Thus, mis-metabolism of PrP and its eventual aggregation, and an overwhelmed chaperone and proteasomal response may precipitate these disorders. Such conditions have a greater propensity to occur with advanced age, explaining the late onset of these disorders despite the presence of germ-line mutations in certain instances. Accumulation of misfolded PrP may result in further deterioration of proteasomal function and an autocatalytic accumulation of misfolded forms. Although the cell death pathways activated by the culmination of these events are not entirely clear, research in the development of strategies that optimize or enhance the cellular quality control mechanisms including proteasomal function may help in the prevention of prion disorders
Estimating the CDF and Statistical Functionals

The first inference problem we will consider is nonparametric estimation of the CDF F. Then we will estimate statistical functionals, which are functions of CDF, such as the mean, the variance, and the correlation. The nonparametric method for estimating functionals is called the plug-in method.
Statistical interpretation of light anomalous diffraction by small particles and its applications in bio-agent detection and monitoring

Light scattering by small particles is one of the most powerful techniques for probing the properties of particulate systems and has numerous applications in particle characterization and remote sensing of, for example, clouds and aerosols, interplanetary dust, marine environment, bacteria, biological cells and tissues. This subject, governed by Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory of light, developed in the later nineteenth century, was first summarized in van de Hulst’s classic 1957 work [1], since Lorentz [2], Mie [3], Rayleigh [4] and Tyndall [5] laid the foundations of light scattering. The field is yet vigorous and ever expanding, documented by the current interest and the increasing number of publications. Light scattering by small particles is actively being pursued, especially for non-spherical particles (see, for example, the review volume edited by Mishchenko, Hovenier and Travis [6]). Alongside the availability of computational capability and the advance of numerical methods based on an exact theory, approximate theories of light scattering are still attractive in providing both simpler alternatives and much more direct physical interpretations. Approximation theories are appealing in inverse problems such as remote sensing where the error introduced by the approximate theory can be negligible compared to that introduced by a priori assumptions. Approximation theories are sometimes also mandatory in cases (for example, computation of the optical efficiencies of particles of large size parameters and aspect ratios) where the exact numerical methods such as the T-matrix method [7] fail due to the limitation of current computational resources and floating point accuracy.
Survival for HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with surgical versus non-surgical treatment approach: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract The optimal management of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with primary surgical versus non-surgical treatment is unclear. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature and compare survival for primary surgical versus non-surgical treatment of HPV-positive OPSCC. We performed a comprehensive literature search of multiple electronic databases for relevant articles up to February, 2017. Studies reporting mortality or hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS) in primary HPV-positive OPSCC patients were eligible. Seventy-three articles were eligible, of which 66 included single-modality (19 surgical, 47 non-surgical), and 7 included both surgical and non-surgical modalities. There were no randomized studies comparing outcomes between both modalities. In a meta-analysis of both-modality studies, OS with surgical treatment was not significantly different from non-surgical treatment (pooled HR 1.12; 95% CI: 0.35, 3.57). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 82.4%). Among single-modality studies, the mortality rate was lower with surgical [pooled proportion 0.15 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.21)] versus non-surgical treatment [0.20 (95% CI:0.15, 0.24)]. In a subgroup analysis, OS was higher for HPV-positive versus HPV-negative OPSCC, irrespective of the treatment modality. We conclude that there is an absence of high-quality studies that compare survival for HPV-positive OPSCC treated with primary surgical versus non-surgical approach. The available data suggest no statistical or clinically meaningful difference in survival between the two approaches. HPV-positivity was a key prognostic factor irrespective of treatment modality. Further high-quality studies with consistent data reporting are needed to inform the choice for optimal treatment modality for HPV-positive OPSCC.
New People in New Worlds: Networks, the New Capitalism and Schools

We are living amidst major changes, changes creating new ways with words, new literacies, and new forms of learning. These changes are creating, as well, new relationships and alignments within, between, and among the spheres of family, school, business and science. This chapter seeks to place language, literacy, and learning in the broad context of these new alignments, alignments from which new ‘kinds of people’ are emerging. These issues are, as well, the backdrop against which the Multiliteracies Project has been carrying out its discussions and from which it is making its proposals.
SiC Device Junction Temperature Online Monitoring

This paper presents a SiC device junction temperature monitoring method. The device internal gate resistance has a consistent temperature dependence. With different junction temperature conditions, the equivalent gate loop impedance will be different and change the gate driver currents. Through proper signal processing, this gate loop current peak value can be captured and utilized as the junction temperature indicator. The concept and feasibility was verified through both simulation and experimental results.
THE ROMANTIC SOCIALIST ORIGINS OF HUMANITARIANISM

“Humanitarian” (humanitaire) came into use in French contemporaneously with the emergence of romantic socialism, and in the context of the rebuilding of post-revolutionary French society and its overseas empire beginning in the 1830s. This article excavates this early idea of humanitarianism, documenting an alternative genealogy for the term and its significance that has been overlooked by scholars of both socialism and humanitarianism. This humanitarianism identified a collective humanity as the source of its own salvation, rather than an external, well-meaning benefactor. Unlike liberal models of advocacy, which invoked individualized actors and recipients of their care, socialists privileged solidarity within their community and rejected the foundational logic of liberal individualism. In tracing this history, this article considers its importance for contemporary debates about humanitarianism’s imperial power dynamics.
Tissue-engineered skin. Current status in wound healing.

Tissue-engineered skin is a significant advance in the field of wound healing and was developed due to limitations associated with the use of autografts. These limitations include the creation of a donor site which is at risk of developing pain, scarring, infection and/or slow healing. A number of products are commercially available and many others are in development. Cultured epidermal autografts can provide permanent coverage of large area from a skin biopsy. However, 3 weeks are needed for graft cultivation. Cultured epidermal allografts are available immediately and no biopsy is necessary. They can be cryopreserved and banked, but are not currently commercially available. A nonliving allogeneic acellular dermal matrix with intact basement membrane complex (Alloderm®) is immunologically inert. It prepares the wound bed for grafting allowing improved cultured allograft ‘take’ and provides an intact basement membrane. A nonliving extracellular matrix of collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate with silicone backing (Integra®) serves to generate neodermis. A collagen and glycosaminoglycan dermal matrix inoculated with autologous fibroblasts and keratinocytes has been investigated but is not commercially available. It requires 3 to 4 weeks for cultivation. Dermagraft® consists of living allogeneic dermal fibroblasts grown on degradable scaffold. It has good resistance to tearing. An extracellular matrix generated by allogeneic human dermal fibroblasts (TransCyte™) serves as a matrix for neodermis generation. Apligraf® is a living allogeneic bilayered construct containing keratinocytes, fibroblasts and bovine type I collagen. It can be used on an outpatient basis and avoids the need for a donor site wound. Another living skin equivalent, composite cultured skin (OrCel™), consists of allogeneic fibroblasts and keratinocytes seeded on opposite sides of bilayered matrix of bovine collagen. There are limited clinical data available for this product, but large clinical trials are ongoing. Limited data are also available for 2 types of dressing material derived from pigs: porcine small intestinal submucosa acellular collagen matrix (Oasis™) and an acellular xenogeneic collagen matrix (E-Z-Derm™). Both products have a long shelf life. Other novel skin substitutes are being investigated. The potential risks and benefits of using tissue-engineered skin need to be further evaluated in clinical trials but it is obvious that they offer a new option for the treatment of wounds.
Turbulent Combustion Modelling

Turbulent combustion, or, more generally, turbulent reacting flows, is a phenomenon of importance in both nature and technology. For example, in nature, forest fires are an important aspect of the evolution of a forest ecosystem (see figure 8.1). In another example, the dispersion of man-made pollutants into the atmosphere and oceans, and subsequent chemical reaction with ambient chemical species, often have important consequences, for example in the generation of greenhouse gases or in the reduction of ozone in the polar stratospheres. In technology, turbulent combustion is important in a wide range of processes, ranging from the behavior of various propulsion systems, to energy generation and materials processing.
Autoreactive Cloned T Cell Lines in Murine Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Cloned T cell lines expressing either CD4 or CD8 have been isolated from the islets of acutely diabetic NOD mice. These cloned T cell lines respond by proliferating specifically to islets from mice bearing MHC gene products of the NOD strain. Adoptive transfer of cloned T cell lines into irradiated recipients shows intense insulitis and occasional frank diabetes in recipients of both CD4+ and CD8+ cloned T cell lines, but only mild insulitis and no overt disease in recipients of either CD4 or CD8 cloned T cell lines alone. This experimental system will be used to probe three areas of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: first, what is the pathogenesis of s cell destruction in IDDM. Second, what it the exact nature of the ligand recognized on s cells by CD4+ and CD8+ cloned T cells. Third, what is the nature of the autoreactive T cell receptor, and are T cells mediating islet destruction in NOD mice homogeneous, oligoclonal, or highly variable in the expression of cell surface T cell receptors.
On the Design of Trustworthy Compute Frameworks for Self-organizing Digital Institutions

This paper provides an overview of the Open Mustard Seed OMS project that seeks to develop a social interaction platform to facilitate group affiliations based on Reed's Lawi¾ź[1]. Reed posits that the value of a network soars when users are given the tools for free and responsible association for common purposes. The OMS as tool for common association supports the ability for people to form self-organizing groups following the notion of the data commons put forward by Elinor Ostromi¾ź[2]. The data commons in OMS consists of various personal data which the owner has agreed to contribute into what Ostrom calls the common-pool resource, and which is to be managed by the self-organized group or institution. This paper discusses some design considerations of the OMS platform from the perspective of the privacy and security of the personal data that participate in the common-pool resource. The technical core value of the OMS lies in its construction of the Trusted Compute Cells, which are intended to be recombinable and embeddable units of logic, computation and storage.
Identity Affirmation and Mental Health among Sexual Minorities: A Raised-Mormon Sample

How can someone successfully integrate a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity and a Mormon identity? Using a sample of 530 LGB-identified individuals raised in the Later-Day Saints (LDS) church...
A Novel Approach to Implement Low-Cost AMI Functionality using Delay-Tolerant Communication

This paper presents the design and implementation of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) platform based on a Bluetooth and a delay tolerant network (DTN) architecture, which has virtually zero cost of communication. The platform is ultra-low-cost, secure, and globally compliant making it suitable for deployment in emerging markets for rural electrification, offering ‘pay-as-you-go (PAYGO)’ billing, remote disconnect and advanced functions such as power factor correction. Intelligence embedded in the edge devices can execute certain control actions autonomously, based on locally measured parameters. The devices are capable of duplex communication, relaying data to the cloud and executing cloud-driven control commands. The cloud-based analytics engine also provides additional value streams that can be unlocked by electric utilities. The AMI platform is suitable for providing higher, event driven visibility into the distribution network. The smart meter itself requires minimal country-specific certification, and is easy to install in the field, making the platform well suited for global deployment.
BIGHand - A bilateral, integrated, and gamified handgrip stroke rehabilitation system for independent at-home exercise: demo abstract

Effective home rehabilitation is important for recovery of hand grip ability in post-stroke individuals. This paper presents BIGHand, a bilateral, integrated, and gamified handgrip stroke rehabilitation system for independent at-home exercise. BIGHand consists of affordable sensor-integrated hardware (Vernier hand dynamometers, Arduino Uno, interface shield) used to obtain real-time grip force data, and a set of exergames designed as parts of an interactive structural rehabilitation program. This program pairs targeted difficulty progression with user-ability scaled controls to create an adaptive, challenging, and enticing rehabilitation environment. This training prepares users for the many activities of daily living (ADLs) by targeting strength, bilateral coordination, hand-eye coordination, speed, endurance, precision, and dynamic grip force adjustment. Multiple measures are taken to engage, motivate, and guide users through the at-home rehabilitation process, including "smart" post-game feedback and in-game goals. A demo video is available at https://youtu.be/zrLVkZZ4Ukc.
Onset of Regular Cannabis Use and Young Adult Insomnia: An Analysis of Shared Genetic Liability

STUDY OBJECTIVES Estimate the genetic and environmental influences on the relationship between onset of regular cannabis use and young adult insomnia. METHODS In a population-based twin cohort of 1882 twins (56% female, mean age = 22.99, SD = 2.97) we explored the genetic/environmental etiology of the relationship between onset of regular cannabis use and insomnia-related outcomes via multivariate twin models. RESULTS Controlling for sex, current depression symptoms, and prior diagnosis of an anxiety or depression disorder, adult twins who reported early onset for regular cannabis use (age 17 or younger) were more likely to have insomnia (β = 0.07, p = 0.024) and insomnia with short sleep on weekdays (β = 0.08, p = 0.003) as young adults. We found significant genetic contributions for the onset of regular cannabis use (a2 = 76%, p < 0.001), insomnia (a2 = 44%, p < 0.001), and insomnia with short sleep on weekdays (a2 = 37%, p < 0.001). We found significant genetic correlations between onset of regular use and both insomnia (rA = 0.20, p = 0.047) and insomnia with short sleep on weekdays (rA = 0.25, p = 0.008) but no significant environmental associations between these traits. CONCLUSIONS We found common genetic liabilities for early onset of regular cannabis use and insomnia, implying pleiotropic influences of genes on both traits.
Revisits, readmissions, and outcomes for pediatric traumatic brain injury in California, 2005-2014

Long-term outcomes related to emergency department revisit, hospital readmission, and all-cause mortality, have not been well characterized across the spectrum of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). We evaluated emergency department visit outcomes up to 1 year after pediatric TBI, in comparison to a referent group of trauma patients without TBI. We performed a longitudinal, retrospective study of all pediatric trauma patients who presented to emergency departments and hospitals in California from 2005 to 2014. We compared emergency department visits, dispositions, revisits, readmissions, and mortality in pediatric trauma patients with a TBI diagnosis to those without TBI (Other Trauma patients). We identified 208,222 pediatric patients with an index diagnosis of TBI and 1,314,064 patients with an index diagnosis of Other Trauma. Population growth adjusted TBI visits increased by 5.6% while those for Other Trauma decreased by 40.7%. The majority of patients were discharged from the emergency department on their first visit (93.2% for traumatic brain injury vs. 96.5% for Other Trauma). A greater proportion of TBI patients revisited the emergency department (33.4% vs. 3.0%) or were readmitted to the hospital (0.9% vs. 0.04%) at least once within a year of discharge. The health burden within a year after a pediatric TBI visit is considerable and is greater than that of non-TBI trauma. These data suggest that outpatient strategies to monitor for short-term and longer-term sequelae after pediatric TBI are needed to improve patient outcomes, lessen the burden on families, and more appropriately allocate resources in the healthcare system.
Regulating the Sharing Economy: Self-Governance, Efficiency & Values

This article analyzes the ways in which digital platforms such as Uber and Airbnb shape the costs of the three stages of pre-deal, deal-making, and post-deal: 1) search costs; 2) bargaining and decision costs; and 3) policing and enforcement costs. The article shows how platforms – based on digital large scale multi-sided networks and sophisticated algorithmic pricing may impact the relevant transactions costs at all three stages. It then suggests that regulators must consider the comparative advantages as well as risks that come from the platform delivery as well as the possibility that certain traditional regulations may be updated by platform innovations. With examples from dominant sharing economy companies and considering various regulatory challenges ranging from zoning to permitting and licensing to employment protection and consumer safety, the article aims to provide a framework for regulators and policymakers considering the regulation of new digital business models.
Psychomotor therapy as a treatment of chronic spinal pain: A qualitative study.

Abstract Objective Psychomotor therapy is an innovative complementary approach that enhances the mind-body connection. It could have a positive effect on chronic pain syndromes but has not yet been specifically studied for spinal pain. We thus aimed to explore the experiences of chronic spinal pain patients with psychomotor therapy. Design We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. 17 patients with chronic spinal pain were recruited from a multidisciplinary spinal pain program in a rehabilitation hospital in Switzerland. Participants received psychomotor therapy as part of this care. All interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was performed. Setting Division of General Medical Rehabilitation, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. Results Four themes emerged from thematic analysis: 1) Connecting body and mind; 2) Passive individualized care; 3) Effect on mobility and well-being versus pain; and 4) Need for further care. Participants particularly appreciated the person-centered approach, relaxation and link between body and mind in the psychomotor therapy sessions. They shared positive effects of psychomotor therapy on mobility, kinesiophobia and overall well-being, rather than on pain. Finally, they would have liked more follow-up care at the end of the program. Conclusions Experiences reported by patients in this study suggest that psychomotor therapy could be a promising complementary therapy for chronic spinal pain within a biopsychosocial approach. To better understand the benefits of psychomotor therapy for chronic spinal pain, further research is needed and should consider patient-reported outcome measures such as well-being, fear-avoidance belief and disability.
Dynamic SPECT/CT HIDA imaging, an improved technique for quantitative Liver function ?

367 Introduction: Functional evaluation of the liver is an important tool for the optimal management of patients with a diseased liver. Many different clinical and imaging methods are available. including Childs pugh score, ICG and MRI. However , only a few are available to provide both global and regional quantification as do Nuclear medicine techniques. In counties where TC-GSA is available this has been shown to be useful technique, however it is not universally available and dynamic planar TC- HIDA with delayed SPECT has shown to be an acceptable replacement. Unfortunately Tc-HIDA, as opposed to Tc-GSA, is excreted during the delayed SPECT phase of imaging, limiting the accuracy of the study for segmental function. A new emerging technique is Dynamic SPECT/CT. This consists of continuously acquiring SPECT data and then using the CT anatomical data for attenuation corrected post processing and quantification. It been employed mainly for improved cardiac evaluation, but has the potential to help with many different organ systems. Due to the relative constant Liver extraction rate of HIDA between 1 and 5 minutes a physiologic window is available for dynamic SPECT/CT acquisition. We are planning to develop both the acquisition and post processing aspects of this technique to address the limitations of the early excretion of Tc-HIDA by assessing both the global and regional function during the early post injection phase, avoiding the delayed excretory phase and utilizing voxel based attenuation corrected quantification. We hope this will then provide an improved, more accurate assessment of liver function similar to that of Tc-GSA in countries where this is not available. Materials and Results: 15 adult subjects, (9 F,6 M), age 19-65 (mean 44), all underwent HIDA scans for routine clinical indications. Acquisition: Dynamic SPECT /CT : 3 full rotation of 120 step, 3 degrees per step. 1 sec per step. Acquisition frames are rearranged to form a constant revolution direction. Processing: OSEM Iterative reconstruction with attenuation correction is performed on each SPECT set. Sum of the reconstructed sets is used to segments the organs along the registered and fused CT. The summed NM image has better statistics (ease of segmentation) and covers the full dynamic interval. Counts are measured from each segmented VOI (Liver lobes, Heart) from each SPECT set. (time slot) Time Activity Curves are drawn for the organs and the user is prompted to select the portion of the curve showing linear blood excretion into the liver. Results: Liver clearance index (% extraction per minute): In subjects with known liver disease ranged from 0.83-6.4 (3.6), normal livers 2.55-9.27 (4.79). Discussion: The new Technique showed different result distribution than expected based on prior planar experience and further studies are planned to perform both planar and dynamic SPECT/CT. However, we believe that further development of this new exciting technique will bring incremental improvement in quantification and time reduction in nuclear medicine studies.
Below-ground respiratory responses of sugar maple and red maple saplings to atmospheric CO2 enrichment and elevated air temperature

The research described in this paper represents a part of a much broader research project with the general objective of describing the effects of elevated [CO2] and temperature on tree growth, physiological processes, and ecosystem-level processes. The specific objective of this research was to examine the below-ground respiratory responses of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) seedlings to elevated atmospheric [CO2] and temperature. Red maple and sugar maple seedlings were planted in the ground in each of 12 open-top chambers and exposed from 1994 through 1997 to ambient air or air enriched with 30 Pa CO2,< in combination with ambient or elevated (+4 °C) air temperatures. Carbon dioxide efflux was measured around the base of the seedlings and from root-exclusion zones at intervals during 1995 and 1996 and early 1997. The CO2 efflux rates averaged 0.4 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1 in the root-exclusion zones and 0.75 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1 around the base of the seedlings. Mineral soil respiration in root-exclusion zones averaged 12% higher in the high temperature treatments than at ambient temperature, but was not affected by CO2 treatments. The fraction of total efflux attributable to root + rhizosphere respiration ranged from 14 to 61% in measurements made around red maple plants, and from 35 to 62% around sugar maple plants. Root respiration rates ranged from 0 to 0.94 μmol CO2 s-1 m-2 of soil surface in red maple and from 0 to 1.02 in sugar maple. In both 1995 and 1996 root respiration rates of red maple were highest in high-CO2 treatments and lowest in high temperature treatments. Specific red maple root respiration rates of excised roots from near the soil surface in 1996 were also highest under CO2 enrichment and lowest in high temperature treatments. In sugar maple the highest rates of CO2 efflux were from around the base of plants exposed to both high temperature and high-CO2, even though specific respiration rates were< lowest for this species under the high temperature and CO2 enrichment regime. In both species, patterns of response to treatments were similar in root respiration and root mass, indicating that the root respiration responses were due in part to differences in root mass. The results underscore the need for separating the processes occurring in the roots from those in the forest floor and mineral soil in order to increase our understanding of the effects of global climate change on carbon sequestration and cycling in the below-ground systems of forests.
BUSINESS CYCLE AND OPTIMAL TIMING FOR INVESTMENT

The objective of this paper is to determine which point of the business cycle offers investors the best reward to risk ratio in the stock market. Expected reward is defined as expected return in excess of the risk free rate, whereas risk is defined as the standard deviation of return. Thus, the expected reward to risk ratio is measured by expected return in excess of risk free rate relative to the standard deviation of return. Expected return in excess of the risk free rate and standard deviation of return are generated on a continuum of time periods and the GDP growth rate. The point where the expected reward to risk ratio peaks, would signify the best time for investment. Being able to identify this point could help investors in deciding the best time to invest as well as help firms in choosing a favorable time for raising equity capital. While most people think that the best time to invest is near the bottom, it is not clear whether the best time for investing is before, at, or after the economic trough. The interesting finding in our model is that the best time is after the point of the economic trough.
Superatoms and their assemblies based on alkali and super-alkali motifs

It is shown that chosen stable clusters can mimic the chemical behavior of atoms in the periodic table and hence can be regarded as superatoms forming a third dimension of the periodic table. The review discusses the developments leading to the superatom concept and our recent studies on superhalogens and superalkalis. It is shown that molecules and assemblies with novel electronic and chemical features can be synthesized by assembling superhalogens with alkalis and superalkalis. The paper reviews these developments and presents a summary and future prospects.
Modeling regulatory networks at Virginia Tech.

The life of a cell is governed by the physicochemical properties of a complex network of interacting macromolecules (primarily genes and proteins). Hence, a full scientific understanding of and rational engineering approach to cell physiology require accurate mathematical models of the spatial and temporal dynamics of these macromolecular assemblies, especially the networks involved in integrating signals and regulating cellular responses. The Virginia Tech Consortium is involved in three specific goals of DARPA's computational biology program (Bio-COMP): to create effective software tools for modeling gene-protein-metabolite networks, to employ these tools in creating a new generation of realistic models, and to test and refine these models by well-conceived experimental studies. The special emphasis of this group is to understand the mechanisms of cell cycle control in eukaryotes (yeast cells and frog eggs). The software tools developed at Virginia Tech are designed to meet general requirements of model...
Use of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Special Patient Populations with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Review of the Literature and Application to Clinical Practice

Atrial fibrillation is a commonly encountered arrhythmia associated with increased risk for thromboembolic events. Anticoagulation is necessary to decrease the risk of ischemic stroke. Traditionally, warfarin has been the only oral pharmacotherapeutic option for long-term anticoagulation in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Recently, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC), including dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban, have become available as alternatives for warfarin in the prevention of stroke in patients with NVAF. Recently published atrial fibrillation guidelines contain new recommendations for risk stratification tools in determining the need for anticoagulant therapy and incorporate NOAC pharmacotherapy options for stroke prevention in patients with NVAF. NOACs offer several advantages over warfarin, including the elimination of routine laboratory monitoring, fewer drug and food interactions, and rapid therapeutic onset and offset. However, the lack of antidote in the case of serious bleeding and lack of data for long-term use in patient populations at risk for bleeding is problematic. Older adults are at high risk for thromboembolic and bleeding events as a result of anticoagulation and require special consideration when selecting anticoagulant therapy. The risk of drug accumulation and bleeding is concerning in the presence of renal impairment. The objective of this review is to provide the clinician with an update on the use of NOACs for NVAF, focusing on older adults and patients with renal impairment in light of recently published atrial fibrillation guidelines. Available data on using NOACs in coronary artery stenting, cardioversion, and ablation are also reviewed.
The Myth of Original Existence

The myth of original existence is a story told by many readers of Hume.1 According to it, the author of the Treatise argues that no passion is unreasonable or contrary to reason on the grounds that passions have no ingredient ideas, and, having no ingredient ideas, are in no position to disagree with or be contrary to the product of reason, belief. While Hume doesn't actually say that passions contain no ideas to provide them with their objects, he does say that "a passion is an original existence... and contains not any representative quality, which renders it a copy of any other existence" (T 2.3.3.5; SBN 415).21 shall refer to the uninterpreted argument in this passage as The Argument. My question is whether the originality of a passion at T 2.3.3.5 is its lack of intentional or representational content, as many authors, even those most sympathetic to Hume, suppose.3 Annette Barer concedes the standard reading of The Argument but dismisses it so read as silly because it is inconsistent with the explanatory role played by the intentional content of the passions in the rest of the Treatise. Moreover, since she regards the argument as dialectically inept, because question begging, and in any case not central to Hume's real concerns, she sees no great philosophical loss in removing it from play. Rachel Cohon,4 however, also representing the standard interpretative tradition, argues that the loss of the argument deprives Hume of his best argument against his rationalist opponents. She sums up the interpretative dilemma this way. (i) Read Hume as committed to The Argument on the standard interpretation and acquiesce in the traditional ascription to Hume of an atomist theory of the passions according to which, at best, the representational content of a passion is completely external to it and, at worst, is not representational content
Secretory Patterns of Biotin in Human Milk

The objective of this study was to determine whether the biotin content of human milk varies importantly with time of day, degree of breast emptying, breast side, and postpartum interval and thereby to provide a basis for designing a sampling scheme likely to produce more accurate estimates of the biotine intakes of breastfed infants
Magnesium Alloy Development for Automotive Applications

This paper summarizes the development of new cast and wrought magnesium alloys using computational thermodynamics tools and experimental approach. The Mg-Al-Ca alloys show excellent creep resistance due to the formation of high-temperature (Mg,Al)2Ca phase. The Mg-Al-Sn alloys are designed for mechanical properties and corrosion resistance through the optimization of Mg17Al12 and Mg2Sn phases in the microstructure. In the Mg-Zn-Ce system, Zn provides strength through solid solution strengthening while Ce increases the ductility via improved texture. Mg-Nd-Zn is a heat-treatable alloy system based on the precipitation hardening of Mg12Nd phase.
Volatile leaf oil analysis in chemosystematic studies of North American conifers

Abstract The chemosystematic results based on leaf oil analysis of northern North American conifers of the families Pinaceae and Cupressaceae are summarized and discussed in relation to known botanical relationships and other chemosystematic approaches. Quantitative leaf oil analysis provides excellent data for use at the species and subspecies taxonomic levels.
A Transient Heating Technique for the Measurement of Thermal Properties of Perfused Biological Tissue

Knowledge of tissue thermal transport properties is imperative for any therapeutic medical tool which employs the localized application of heat to perfused biological tissue. In this study, several techniques are proposed to measure local tissue thermal diffusion by heating with a focused ultrasound field. Transient as well as near steady-state heat inputs are discussed and examined for their suitability as a measurement technique for either tissue thermal diffusivity or perfusion rate. It is shown that steady-state methods are better suited for the measurement of perfusion; however the uncertainty in the perfusion measurement is directly related to knowledge of the tissue's intrinsic thermal diffusivity. Results are presented for a transient thermal pulse technique for the measurement of the thermal diffusivity of perfused and nonperfused tissues, in vitro and in vivo. Measurements conducted in plexiglas, animal muscle, kidney and brain concur with tabulated values and show a scatter from 5-15 percent from the mean; measurements made in perfused muscle and brain compare well with the nonperfused values. An estimate of the error introduced by the effect of perfusion shows that except for highly perfused kidney tissue the effect of perfusion is less than the experimental scatter. This validation of the tissue heat transfer model will allow its eventual extension to the simultaneous measurement of local tissue thermal diffusivity and perfusion.
The Color of Fabrics: Effect of Yarn Separation

Abstract Earlier calculations permitting the prediction of the color of fabrics from the optical and geometric properties of the substrate and the continuous medium have been extended to account for the effect of yarn separation. The reflectance of low reflectance yarn increases while that of high reflectance yarn decreases as the separation of yarn decreases.