cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microrisks for Medical Decision Analysis

Many would agree on the need to inform patients about the risks of medical conditions or treatments and to consider those risks in making medical decisions. The question is how to describe the risks and how to balance them with other factors in arriving at a decision. In this article, we present the thesis that part of the answer lies in defining an appropriate scale for risks that are often quite small. We propose that a convenient unit in which to measure most medical risks is the microprobability, a probability of 1 in 1 million. When the risk consequence is death, we can define a micromort as one microprobability of death. Medical risks can be placed in perspective by noting that we live in a society where people face about 270 micromorts per year from interactions with motor vehicles.Continuing risks or hazards, such as are posed by following unhealthful practices or by the side-effects of drugs, can be described in the same micromort framework. If the consequence is not death, but some other serious consequence like blindness or amputation, the microrisk structure can be used to characterize the probability of disability.Once the risks are described in the microrisk form, they can be evaluated in terms of the patient's willingness-to-pay to avoid them. The suggested procedure is illustrated in the case of a woman facing a cranial arteriogram of a suspected arterio-venous malformation. Generic curves allow such analyses to be performed approximately in terms of the patient's sex, age, and economic situation. More detailed analyses can be performed if desired.Microrisk analysis is based on the proposition that precision in language permits the soundness of thought that produces clarity of action and peace of mind.
Coregulation of multiple signaling mechanisms in pp60v-Src-induced closure of Cx43 gap junction channels.

Attenuation in gap junctional coupling has consistently been associated with induction of rapid or synchronous cell division in normal and pathological conditions. In the case of the v-src oncogene, gating of Cx43 gap junction channels has been linked to both direct phosphorylation of tyrosines (Y247 and 265) and phosphorylation of the serine targets of Erk1/2 (S255, 279 and 282) on the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain of Cx43. However, only the latter has been associated with acute, rather than chronic, gating of the channels immediately after v-src expression, a process that is mediated through a “ball-and-chain” mechanism. In this study we show that, while ERK1/2 is necessary for acute closure of gap junction channels, it is not sufficient. Rather, multiple pathways converge to regulate Cx43 coupling in response to expression of v-src, including parallel signaling through PKC and MEK1/2, with additional positive and negative regulatory effects mediated by PI3 kinase, distinguished by the involvement of Akt.
Decision Table Based Analysis of Trading Models

This paper presents a decision table based methodology to analyze trading models. There are many trading systems available but mostly do not work. Ninety percent of traders lose money including those using professionally developed systems. The same system that works for one trader may not work for the other. Where is the problem? The problem is in execution. The success of a system depends upon the person using it. The market movement is very complex and it is driven by many factors. It is not possible to fully automate a system. Human interaction is necessary and that is where the problem comes. Trading is a game of fear and greed. Every trader is different because people manage the emotions of fear and greed differently. The best way to succeed in trading is to use a system developed especially for the user. This paper shows how to develop such a system. The paper starts with an overview of a trading system and then develops use case models based on the user requirements. It introduces three technical indicators. The information about the system is stored in decision tables which help to program and execute the trading logic. The model tells when to buy and when to sell. It discusses trade management as well as risk management. It is dynamic and it can be adapted to individual needs and risk levels. It can be implemented using MS Excel and Visual Basic.
A 18mW, 3.3dB NF, 60GHz LNA in 32nm SOI CMOS technology with autonomic NF calibration

A self-healing mmWave SoC integrating an 8052 microcontroller with 12kB of memory, an ADC, a temperature sensor, and a 3-stage cascode 60GHz LNA, implemented in a 32nm SOI CMOS technology exhibits a peak gain of 21dB, an average 3.3dB NF from 53 to 62GHz and 18mW power consumption. An indirect NF sensing algorithm was implemented on the integrated uC, which enables an adaptive biasing algorithm to reduce the 60GHz NF sigma and LNA power consumption by 37 and 40%, respectively, across P,V,T.
Introduction, Legal Education and Legal Reform in South Asia

On January 6, 2013, the AALS Section on Graduate Programs for Non-US Lawyers and the Section on Law and South Asian Studies presented a joint panel on the topic of “Legal Education and Legal Reform in South Asia.” The result is the following three papers that explore the various dimensions of legal education in Pakistan and India. The fourth piece, on Thailand, offers comparative insights from a neighboring country. This unique symposium is valuable both for scholars who are developing a comparative perspective on legal education and for law school administrators who are involved with overseas legal education programs. These papers address many of the issues confronting legal education globally. Professor Osama Siddique’s article draws on Max Weber’s distinction between legal education as craft and legal education as science. The first emphasizes transmitting practical legal skills through practitioners; the second, understanding legal doctrines and institutions in a systematic way. Professor Siddique argues that legal reform in Pakistan has suffered from an overemphasis on law as craft with the result that education has been monopolized by the entrenched bar. He suggests that India might offer an alternative model of legal education. The articles by Professor Priya Gupta (with her co-authors, Kudrat Dev, Meher Dev and Kirti Rana) and Professor Deepa Badrinarayana present the case for the Indian model. Professor Gupta describes the growth of the new Jindal Law School, especially the development of clinical legal education. Professor Badrinarayana shares her experiences at the National Law School University of India in Bangalore, established in the late 1980’s by the Indian government as part of a network of national law schools to reshape legal education. Finally, Professor Lisa Bliss’ article offers perspectives from Thailand as a U.S. academic working to develop overseas legal education programs. As we rethink legal education in the United States, overseas programs and graduate programs for non-U.S. lawyers provide models for expanding
Between Elation and Sorrow: Aesthetic Experience in the Western European Novel

Aesthetic experience as a way in which human beings relate to the world through sensory perception has been defined in various ways throughout the history of philosophical aesthetics.1 Regardless of its definition, nobody would deny that it is inextricably woven into our daily lives. Ornaments on buildings or furniture, interior decorating, styling and design, fashions in clothing, jewelry, make-up, pictures on our walls, the background music of movies or documentary films are only a few examples among many.
The impact of turbulence on the effectiveness and efficiency of software development teams in small organizations: Research Sections

This article presents an agent-based simulation study that explores the effects of team behavior on the efficiency and effectiveness of software development organizations that pursue incremental and iterative processes such as the Rational Unified Process (RUP). The conceptual model underlying the simulation framework is based on the fundamental tenets of organization theory. We present the simulation framework Team-RUP and use it to examine (a) which team archetypes and associated organizational cooperation mechanisms are effective in incremental and iterative software development strategies such as the RUP and (b) the extent of the impact of turbulence (i.e. change in requirements and employee turnover) on the effectiveness of software development under various team archetypes in small organizations. Using the model, we observe that ‘agility’ via incremental and iterative development strategy is a valid and useful counterbalance to the inevitable change involved in most software projects. Also, we observe that the autonomous and concurrent team archetypes are better suited for large, rather than small, enterprises. We believe that the findings reported in this study form the basis for future hypotheses that will facilitate further empirical studies on software team behavior. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dual Roles of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury: Cell Replacement Therapy and as a Model System to Understand Axonal Repair

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are pluripotent cells that differentiate into cells of mesodermal origin and transdifferentiate into ectodermal and endodermal cell types. MSC can transdifferentiate with high efficiency to functional neurons, microglia and oligodendrocytes. MSC and neurons can respond to environmental cues such as cytokines, which also affect the development to neural cells. Since cytokines and other inflammatory mediators are also expected at sites of spinal cord injury (SCI), simple implantation of MSC and/or their differentiated cells might be premature unless the basic science precedes translational science. This is particularly true since an individual’s immune response might be unique. Similar argument could be made for embryonic stem cells (ESC). The unstable behavior of ESC to form tumors, as well as rapid generation of mixed cell types makes MSC desirable stem cells for translational science. This review discusses varied interdisciplinary approaches by which MSC can be applied to SCI repair, including bioengineering approach. The mechanism by which microenvironmental factors such as inflammatory mediators can affect stem cell therapies is also discussed. In addition to the potential of direct application of stem cells or their differentiated cells, MSC can be used as models to understand axonal repair, which could lead to the development of new drugs for SCI. The model could test novel factors to repair neurons. Any identified factor could be delivered directly or by gene therapy. The co-culture method is significant to long-term investigation for rapid screening of compounds, with simultaneous understanding of repair mechanisms of axotomized neurons. The model could be translated in parallel with other stem cell therapies for SCI repair. We also discuss the potential of stem cell therapies for other neurodegenerative diseases.
MARKET MAVENSHIP AS AN INFLUENCER OF SERVICE QUALITY EVALUATION

As an initial step in studying individual characteristics as influencers of service quality evaluation, this research focuses on market mavenship as one attribute of consumers. Respondents in the study included 403 undergraduate marketing students at two universities who were asked to complete evaluations of consumption experiences. Results suggest that market mavenship is positively correlated to cognitive innovativeness, assertiveness, value consciousness, and opinion leadership. These qualities support the development of increased information, greater accuracy in service expectations and performance appraisal, and less variability in service quality rating on SERVQUAL-type scales. Reduced variability was observed in both experience-based and credence-based service settings.The authors gratefully acknowledge partial funding received through the Agribusiness Institute at Mississippi State University which helped make this project possible.
Patterns of homicide among the elderly.

Forty-five homicide offenders aged 55 and older are analyzed in the contexts of their deadly acts. Analyses include demographic and social characteristics of offenders and victims, demographic and social relationships between offenders and victims, circumstances of offense, and arrest disposition. Where feasible, comparisons are made with age-general populations of homicide offenders. Explanatory insights based on the "routine activity approach are offered. Language: en
APPARENT LACK OF INTERACTION BETWEEN DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE (DMSO) AND A VARIETY OF DRUGS.

SummaryThe lethality of a number of drugs dissolved in DMSO or saline has been compared. In no case was there a significant increase in drug lethality when administered with DMSO. Preliminary tests failed to indicate that DMSO possesses local anesthetic or analgetic action. DMSO also failed to alter the CSF or tissue penetration of PAH. DMSO appears to be a very good solvent with little or no effect on pharmacological action.
MoO3 back contact for CuInSe2-based thin film solar cells

MoO3 films with a high work function (5.5 eV), high transparency, and a wide bandgap (3.0 - 3.4 eV) are a potential candidate for the primary back contact of Cu(InGa)Se2 thin film solar cells. This may be advantageous to form an ohmic contacts in superstrate devices where the back contact is deposited after the Cu(InGa)Se2 layer and MoSe2 layer doesn’t form during Cu(InGa)Se2 deposition, as is the case for substrate devices. In addition, the MoO3 may be incorporated in a transparent back contact in tandem or bifacial cells. In this study, MoO3 films for use as a back contact for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin film solar cells were prepared by reactive rf sputtering with O2/(O2+Ar) = 35%. The effect of post processing on the structural properties of the deposited films were investigated using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Annealing resulted in crystallization of the films to the α-MoO3 phase at 400°C. Increasing the oxygen partial pressure had no significant effect on optical transmittance of the films, and bandgaps in the range of 2.6-2.9 eV and 3.1-3.4 eV were obtained for the as deposited and annealed films, respectively. Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin film solar cells prepared using an as-deposited Mo-MoO3 back contact yielded an efficiency of 14% with VOC = 647 mV, JSC = 28.4 mA/cm 2 , and FF. = 78.1%. Cells with ITO-MoO3 back contact showed an efficiency of ~12% with VOC = 642 (mV), JSC = 26.8 (mA), and FF. = 69.2%. The efficiency of cells with an annealed MoO3 back contact was limited to 4%, showing a blocking diode behavior in the forward bias J-V curve. This may be caused by the presence of a barrier between the valence bands of the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and MoO3, due to the wider bandgap of the annealed MoO3 films. SEM cross section studies showed uniform coverage of the as-deposited MoO3 layer and rough interface for the annealed MoO3 film. The preferred structural orientation of the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 absorber layer was also altered by the MoO3 film and less-oriented films were observed for both cases.
Afflictive Apparitions: The Folk Catholic Imaginary in Philippine Cinema

AbstractThe amusing aphorism that the Philippines is “a product of 300 years in a Spanish convent and 40 years of Hollywood” evokes audiovisual validation in the enduring presence of a Filipino religious film genre that represents what I would term as the “folk Catholic imaginary,” a furious postcolonial syncretism of Roman Catholic piety and primal, pre-Hispanic religious practice. Filipino religious films keep open the portal between the this-worldly and the other-wordly, notwithstanding the ingression of what Charles Taylor terms as the “buffered self” (largely coming from “enlightened” Western thought) that summarily dismisses religiosity as belonging to the archaic, pre-enlightened world of enchantment where angels/demons and humans made strange bedfellows. Catholic religious iconography has been vividly portrayed as at once being definitively material and audaciously metaphysical, holding both in creative tension so that it is never a question of an either/or, but a both/and. Within the interpretive...
Influence of Metabolizable Energy Feeding Sequence and Dietary Protein on Performance and Selected Carcass Traits of Tom Turkeys

Abstract Two identically designed experiments were done to determine the effects of reducing dietary MEn concentration during late growth and of dietary protein concentration on performance and selected carcass traits of turkey toms. A complete factorial arrangement of three MEn feeding sequences and four dietary protein concentrations was used. The MEn feeding sequences were 102% of MEn concentrations listed by NRC (1984), from 1 to 119 days of age (M), 102% MEn for 1 to 42 days followed by 108% MEn from 42 to 119 days (M-H), and the same as the M-H sequence except the 102% MEn diets were fed from 105 to 119 days (M-H-M). The four dietary protein concentrations were 93, 100, and 107%, of NRC recommended protein concentrations, in which essential amino acid (EAA) levels met or exceeded NRC recommendations, and 107% of NRC, in which the EAA concentrations were at least 107% of NRC recommendations. Feeding diets of the M-H and M-H-M MEn sequence improved feed efficiency (P ≤ .01) in both experiments as compared with the M sequence. Toms fed the M-H or M-H-M sequences in Experiment 1, but not in Experiment 2, were heavier at the finish than those fed the M sequence. Body fat of toms was increased (P
The Safe and Effective Use of Allograft Tissue—An Update:

The use of allograft tissue in orthopaedic surgery has increased tremendously over the last several years. Tissue availability, reduced surgical times, and lack of donor site morbidity are attractive characteristics to surgeons and patients alike. Although complications, such as disease transmission, are relatively uncommon when using allograft tissue, they do occur. This article will review the literature concerning the safe and effective use of allograft tissue, as well as present four case reports of Clostridium septicum infection caused by implantation of contaminated allograft tissue.
Novel Single Puncture Approach for Simplicity 3 Sacral Plexus Radiofrequency Ablation: Technical Note.

UNLABELLED Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the lateral sacral plexus has been used for the treatment of sacroiliac joint pain including as an adjunct to other palliative therapies for the treatment of painful osseous metastasis. The treatment goal is targeted ablation of the dorsal lateral branches of S1-S4. Though several techniques have been described, the Simplicity III (Neurotherm, Middleton, MA) system allows for ablation to be achieved with a single RF probe by utilizing a multi-electrode curved RF probe to create a continuous ablation line across all sacral nerves. In the standard approach, there is sequential introduction of a spinal needle along the desired ablation tract for local anesthesia followed by separate placement of the ablation probe. Though fluoroscopic guidance is utilized, multiple needle passes increase the risk of complication such as bowel perforation or probe insertion through a neural foramen. It may also extend procedure time and increase radiation dose. We illustrate a technique for Simplicity III RF ablation of the dorsal sacral plexus using a modified Seldinger approach for treatment of a patient with sacroiliac joint pain due to osseous renal cell carcinoma metastasis. The desired ablation tract is initially anesthetized via a hollow micropuncture needle. The needle is then exchanged for a peelaway sheath. The RF probe is inserted through the peelaway sheath thus ensuring the probe is placed precisely along the previously anesthetized tract allowing the procedure to be completed using a single percutaneous puncture. We believe that this approach decreases the risks of bowel perforation, patient discomfort as a result of multiple percutaneous punctures, and procedure time. KEY WORDS Simplicity 3, sacral plexus ablation, image-guided approach, modified Seldinger, chronic sacral pain, thin wall introducer needle.
Audiovisual Services and Broadcasting

This chapter examines the emerging industry and policy issues for television or audiovisual services in India. It examines the main goals and objectives of Indian policies for audiovisual media, the means used to achieve these goals beginning in the early 1980s, and developments to the early 1990s. These historical policies are related to some recent trends and policy issues in India's communications policies, and the numerous changes which affected the broadcasting environment in India after 1991. These include the introduction of domestic and foreign satellite services, cable television distribution networks, greater advertising revenues, and shifts in Doordarshan programming policies
Comparison of Inferior Vena Cava Filters Placed at the Bedside via Intravenous Ultrasound Guidance Versus Fluoroscopic Guidance.

Background IVCFs are usually placed under fluoroscopic guidance in dedicated angiography suites. Bedside placement of inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) is possible in patients not suitable for transportation, but data regarding their use are limited. The objective of this study is to compare utilization, procedural outcomes, complications, and long-term patient outcomes associated with bedside placement of IVCFs using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and fluoroscopic placement of IVCF. Methods All patients receiving IVCF between January 2009 and December 2011 at a tertiary care institution were retrospectively identified. Data regarding patient characteristics, IVCF indications, complications, and outcomes were collected, and comparisons were made between patients receiving fluoroscopic-guided and IVUS-guided bedside IVCF. Results There were 117 bedside and 571 fluoroscopic-guided IVCF placed during this period. Patients receiving bedside IVCF were younger (50.8 vs. 60.7 years, P Conclusions Bedside placement of IVUS-guided IVCF is safe, but with higher procedural complications when compared with fluoroscopic placement. Long-term indwelling complications are similar between IVCF placed via bedside IVUS guidance and fluoroscopic approach.
Effect of alkaline exchange polymerized ionic liquid block copolymer ionomers on the kinetics of fuel cell half reactions

Abstract Rotating disk electrode (RDE) half-cell experiments were used to determine the impact of a hydroxide-conducting polymerized ionic liquid block copolymer (PILBCP) ionomer on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) activity of a commercial Pt/C catalyst at three PILBCP loadings (23, 41, and 57 wt.% total solids). Increasing loadings of PILBCP resulted in reduced surface coverage of both the hydrogen (H UPD ) and hydroxide/oxide (OH ad /O ad ) as evidenced by the cyclic voltammograms due to both a physical blocking of surface catalytic sites and a water/ion diffusional resistance imparted by the presence of the film. With the maximum loading of 57 wt.% PILBCP, a decrease of 88% for the kinetic current density (J k ) and 42% for the diffusion limited current (I d ) in the ORR and a decrease of 29% for the I d in the HOR compared to bare Pt/C nanoparticles was observed. Similar trends were observed with 60 wt.% Nafion on Pt/C nanoparticles. These results indicate that while substantial, the detrimental effects of PILBCP ionomers on the half-cell reaction kinetics are no worse than those observed with the Nafion ionomer. AEMFC performance optimization for polymers with sufficient hydroxide conductivities should focus on AEM ionomer integration strategies with the goal of optimizing the triple phase boundary and limiting the interfacial resistance between the AEM and the corresponding ionomer in the catalyst layer.
Numerical investigation of circular turbulent jets in shallow water

AbstractKnowledge of turbulent jets in shallow water depths is of utmost importance to adequately characterize municipal and industrial discharges. Propagation and dilution of such discharges are i...
Friendship, temperance and the probable: Erasmus, sermo rhetoric, and the early modern English civic state

The essay explores Erasmus9 development of a fourth category of rhetoric, the familiar, in its work as a rhetoric of the absent audience in both personal and sociopolitical contexts, and as a rhetoric resonant with early modern theories of friendship and temperance. The discussion is set against a background of Caxton9s printing of the translation of Cicero9s De Amicitia , because Erasmus casts friendship as the context for appropriate communication between people from quite different education and training, along with the probable rhetoric that enables appropriate persuasion. The probable rhetorical stance of temperate friendship proposes a foundation for a common weal 1 based on a co-extensive sense of selfhood. This focus suggests that the familiar rhetoric set out in Erasmus9 De Conscribendis epistolis draws on Cicero9s rhetoric of sermo 2 at the heart of friendship. 3 It explores the effects of the rhetorical stance of probable rhetoric, both for personal and social writing, and for political action, and looks at the impact of sermo rhetoric on ideas of identity and civic politics in an age of burgeoning circulation of books (both script and print). The essay concludes with three post-Erasmian case studies in English rhetoric [Elyot, Wilson, Lever] that use probable rhetoric to document approaches to individual and civic agency and which offer insights into the Western neoliberal state rhetorical structures of today.
Inferring Shallow Subsurface Density Structure from Surface and Underground Gravity Measurements: Calibrating Models for Relatively Undeformed Volcanic Strata at the Jemez Volcanic Field, New Mexico, USA

Imaging shallow subsurface density structure is an important goal in a variety of applications, from hydrogeology to seismic and volcanic hazard assessment. We assess the effectiveness of surface and subsurface gravity measurements in estimating the density structure of a well-characterized rock volume: the mesa (a small, flat-topped plateau) upon which the town of Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA is located. Our gravity measurements were made on the mesa surface above a horizontal tunnel and underground, within the tunnel. We demonstrate that, in the absence of other geophysical data such as seismic data or muon attenuation, subsurface (tunnel) gravity measurements are critical to accurately recovering geologic structure. Without the tunnel data, our resolution is limited to roughly the surface gravity station spacing, but by including the tunnel data we can resolve structure to a depth of ~ 10 times the surface gravity station spacing. Densities were obtained using both forward modeling and a Bayesian inverse modeling approach, incorporating relevant constraints from geologic observations. We find that Bayesian inversion, with geologically relevant prior, is a superior approach to the forward models in terms of both robustness and efficiency and correctly predicts the orientation and elevation of important geologic features.
Preservice Teachers Had The Most to Say

Preservice teachers are so often disparaged in journal articles and the popular media, it is a great wonder that they continue to aspire to become teachers. A common quote critical of preservice teachers is often taken from the Education Testing Service (ETS) report on “Teacher Quality.” It highlights that preservice teachers who seek elementary, physical, or special education certifications have “relatively weak SAT scores and GPAs” and poor Praxis II passing rates (ETS, 2007, p.4). The “Praxis II test is used to measure knowledge of content, pedagogy, and content-specific pedagogy and is used to satisfy state licensure requirements.
BIOTECHNOLOGY: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

In recent years there has been a noteable increased interest in biotechnology. This paper will first review and highlight some of the past achievements as well as the present status of the biotechnology industry. More specifically, the developments in recombinant DNA will be addressed. In addition, the application of biocatalysts will also be examined. Lastly, the utilization and the potential of renewable resources as a raw material for chemicals production will be presented.
Elimination of the Exculpatory Insanity Rule: A Modern Societal Need

The author argues that on rational, humanitarian, professional, societal, and constitutional grounds, the insanity defense as currently employed in the United States should be abolished. This comprehensive article discusses the constitutionality of abolition, alternatives to the insanity defense, and much more.
Ice Shelves: A Review

Ice shelves form where ice flows off the Antarctic ice sheet onto the sea to produce rather flat slabs of floating ice which, for the theoretician, are the simplest of all large ice masses. Boundary conditions are well defined, conditions change very slowly over distances that are large compared with ice thickness, and horizontal velocities are independent of depth. Unconfined ice shelves can be used as giant creep machines to investigate the ice flow law at low stresses. Further inland, where movement is hampered by obstructions such as grounded ice rises and by shear between the ice shelf and its sides, the ice shelf transmits a backpressure which tends to restrict drainage from the ice sheets that feed it. Wastage from ice shelves is principally by calving and by bottom melting. There has been no direct measurement of bottom-melting rates, but indirect evidence suggests that, near the seaward edges of ice shelves, bottom-melting rates may exceed one metre per year, with significant melting within about 100 km of the ice front. Further inland there may be bottom freezing, and analysis of cores taken from the Amery Ice Shelf indicate that bottom-freezing rates average 0.5 m a–1 over a distance of 200 km. Such high freezing-rates are probably exceptional, and, beneath the Ross Ice Shelf, freezing appears to be insignificant even at a distance of 400 km from the ice front. Because of their accessibility ice shelves have been studied in considerable detail, but many problems remain. In particular we need to improve our understanding of basal flux, ice-shelf dynamics near the grounding line, the calving of icebergs, and the state of equilibrium of ice rises. In addition there is a clear need for basic data from the Filchner-Ronne ice shelf.
Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation Masquerading as an Epidural Hematoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Case A 50-year-old man developed acute back and bilateral leg pain after minor trauma. Laboratory tests and routine radiographs were unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 5 × 15 × 42-mm longitudinally oriented mass behind the L2-L3 interspace that obliterated the subarachnoid space and displaced the nerve roots. The mass was isointense on T1-weighted imaging and showed mixed low and high signals on T2-weighted imaging. Based on the clinical history and the imaging findings, a provisional diagnosis of spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) was made. A laminectomy was performed at L2-L3; intraoperatively, a large disc herniation was found at L2-L3, with no evidence of hematoma. Conclusion MRI findings of SEH and disc herniation have been well described in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the third report of intraoperatively confirmed disc herniation with MRI findings suggestive of SEH These discordant MRI and intraoperative findings illustrate that an SEH and a disc herniation may not always be distinguishable on MRI and may require surgical confirmation.
Basal Cyclorrhapha in Amber from the Cretaceous and Tertiary(Insecta: Diptera), and Their Relationships: Brachycera in Cretaceous Amber Part IX

Diverse new basal (aschizan) Cyclorrhapha fossilized in amber are described from the Tertiary and Cretaceous, and their relationships are examined with character-based phylogenetic hypotheses for each family or family group. There are 18 new species in 15 genera (11 of them new) and four families plus the Syrphoidea. Fossils are from the Early Cretaceous of Lebanon, Late Cretaceous of New Jersey (United States) and Alberta (Canada), Eocene of the eastern Baltic coast, and Miocene of the Dominican Republic, but predominantly from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar. Stem-group Lonchopteroidea are Alonchoptera lebanica, n. gen., n.sp., and Lonchopterites burmensis, n. sp. Platypezidae include the stem groups Burmapeza radicis, n. gen., n. sp., Canadopeza biacrosticha, n. gen., n. sp., and Calvopeza divergens, n. gen., n. sp. An unnamed Microsania sp. is the first definitive Platypezidae in Baltic amber; Lebanopeza azari, n. gen., n. sp., is a stem group to the Microsaniinae and Melanderomyiinae. Chandleromyia anomala, n. gen., n. sp., is an anomalously derived Platypezinae from the Cretaceous, and two new species of the diverse Recent genus Lindneromyia are in Dominican amber (L. neomedialis and L. dominicana). Fossils of the relict family Ironomyiidae (with 3 living species from eastern Australia) include two stem-group genera with two new species each, all in Burmese amber: Palaeopetia dorsalis and P. terminus, Proironia (n. gen.) gibbera and P. burmitica. All other species of Palaeopetia are compression fossils from the Cretaceous of Asia and Eurasia. For Phoridae, a new defining feature is a stridulatum on the procoxa and profemur in both sexes, occuring in most fossil taxa where observable. New sciadocerines include Eosciadocera pauciseta, n. sp., a very large species in Baltic amber, and two stem groups in Burmese amber, Prophora dimorion, n. gen., n. sp., and a very small, undescribed taxon. Archiphora pria Grimaldi and Cumming in Turonian-aged New Jersey amber is transferred to Hennigophora Brown, based on evidence from a new specimen. Prioriphorinae (not taxonomically treated here) is a paraphyletic, Cretaceous grade to the very diverse, crown-group radiation of Euphorida that occurred in the Cenozoic. Two syrphoids occur in Burmese amber: Prosyrphus thompsoni, n. gen., n. sp. (an apparent stem group to the Syrphidae), and Aschizomyia burmensis, n. gen., n. sp. (with more ambiguous affinities). Several immatures of undetermined family are reported, one a probable phorid larva. No definitive Schizophora are yet known from the Cretaceous.
Behavior of valvular interstitial cells on trilayered nanofibrous substrate mimicking morphologies of heart valve leaflet

Heart valve tissue engineering could be an alternative to the current bioprosthetic heart valve that faces limitations especially in pediatric patients. However, heart valve tissue engineering has remained challenging because leaflets - the primary component of a heart valve - have three layers with three diverse orientations - circumferential, random and radial, respectively. In order to mimic the orientations, we first designed three novel collectors to fabricate three nanofibrous layers with those orientations from a polymeric biomaterial in an electrospinning system. Then, we devised a novel direct electrospinning technique to develop a unified trilayered nanofibrous (TN) substrate comprising those oriented layers. The TN substrate supported the growth and orientations of seeded porcine valvular interstitial cells (PVICs) and their deposited collagen fibrils. After one month culture, the obtained trilayered tissue construct (TC) exhibited increased tensile properties over its TN substrate. Most importantly, the developed TC did not show any sign of shrinkage. Gene expression pattern of the PVICs indicated the developing stage of the TC. Their protein expression pattern was quite similar to that of leaflets. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This manuscript talks about development of a novel trilayered nanofibrous substrate mimicking the morphologies of a heart valve leaflet. It also describes culturing of valvular interstitial cells that reside in a leaflet, in the substrate and compares the behavior of the cultured cells with that in native leaflets in terms cell morphology, protein deposition and its orientation, and molecular signature. This study builds the groundwork for our future trilayered, tissue-engineered leaflet development. This research article would be of great interest to investigators and researchers in the field of cardiovascular tissue engineering especially in cardiac valve tissue engineering through biomaterial-based tissue engineering.
Semi-supervised Network Alignment

As mentioned before, in the real-world online social networks, the anchor links are extremely difficult to label manually. The training set we can obtain is usually of a small size compared with the network scale, and most of the potential anchor links are unlabeled actually. For instance, given the Facebook and Twitter networks containing millions or billions of users, identifying a very small training set merely with hundreds of correct anchor links is however not an easy task. Therefore, it is not realistic to achieve a large set of labeled anchor links as required by the supervised network alignment models introduced in Chap. 4. On the other hand, completely ignoring the (small) set of labeled anchor links, just like the unsupervised network alignment models introduced in Chap. 5, may also create lots of problems, since these labeled anchor links can provide important signals for the network alignment model building.
A generalization of the Gaussian formula and a q-analog of Fleckʼs congruence

The q-binomial coefficients are the polynomial cousins of the traditional binomial coefficients, and a number of identities for binomial coefficients can be translated into this polynomial setting. For instance, the familiar vanishing of the alternating sum across row n∈Z+ of Pascalʼs triangle is captured by the so-called Gaussian formula, which states that ∑m=0n(−1)m(nm)q is 0 if n is odd, and is equal to ∏kodd(1−qk) if n is even. In this paper, we find a q-binomial congruence which synthesizes this result and Fleckʼs congruence for binomial coefficients, which asserts that for n,p∈Z+, with p a prime, ∑m≡j(modp)(−1)m(nm)≡0(modp⌊n−1p−1⌋).
Quantification and discovery of PCR inhibitors found in food matrices commonly associated with foodborne viruses

Abstract Human norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness globally. Detection and quantification of norovirus commonly involves the use of reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); however, the presence of inhibitory compounds in foods limit detection and accurate quantification. Although some studies have been done on PCR inhibitors from foods, many of them are over a decade old and do not investigate inhibition in contemporary one-step RT-qPCR-based detection chemistries. The purpose of this work was to quantify the degree of inhibition that occurs from inhibitory compounds found in produce (pectin) and mollusks (hemocyanin, glycogen)—foods commonly associated with norovirus outbreaks. RT-qPCR reactions containing different amounts of genomic bacteriophage MS2 RNA, a norovirus surrogate, were spiked with different concentrations of pectin (0.0625%–0.25% w/V), glycogen (1.25%–10%), and hemocyanin (0.0625%–0.25%). Past research has implicated glycogen as an inhibitory compound in oysters; however, even high levels of glycogen (10%) had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on amplification. Conversely, both pectin and hemocyanin caused complete inhibition at 0.25%, with no significant inhibition observed at 0.0625% (P
The Present, Past and Future of Orthodontic Research

Abstract The objective of this paper is to evaluate past and present research efforts, and provide directions for future orthodontic research initiatives. Bibliometric indices show that the highest quality and most impactful research is currently being conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil and Italy. While the quality of orthodontic research has improved substantially over time, more and higher quality randomized controlled trials need to be conducted. Research efforts must be devoted toward developing evidence-based standards of care, which are necessary to protect the orthodontic profession from incursions by charlatans and outside entities. Future research in the areas of genetics, technology, artificial intelligence and craniofacial orthopedics offer great opportunities to advance the profession, individualize treatments and make them more effective and efficient.
The Institutional Effects of Leadership: The United States General Accounting Office and Its Audit Report Review Process

In accounting research, the role of organizational leaders has been underrepresented. The limited research dealing with leadership issues has focused on the impact of leadership on micro activities such as performance evaluation, budget satisfaction, and audit team performance. The impact of leadership on the structure of accounting and audit systems and organizations has been ignored. This paper focuses on the impact that past Comptrollers General have had on the working and structure of one federal audit agency, the United States General Accounting Office (GAO). In addition, it also focuses on the influence of the two most recent Comptrollers General on one important audit related activity, i.e., the audit report review process. Using qualitative field research methods, this paper documents how the organizational leadership impacts its long-term audit practices and thereby influences auditing, especially in the public sector.
Cooperative Heterobimetallic Substrate Activation Enhances Catalytic Activity and Amplifies Regioselectivity in 1,4-Hydroboration of Pyridines

Regioselective 1,4-hydroboration of pyridine derivatives and quinoline with pinacolborane is catalyzed efficiently by the heterobinuclear catalyst, (IPr)CuFeCp(CO)2, at only 2 mol % loading, provid...
Source Note: The Textual Record of Climate Change at Sea

AbstractAnthropogenic climate change is today transforming Earth’s oceans with alarming speed, imperiling the fate of all of us on land. Preindustrial and overwhelmingly natural climate changes wer...
A Systematic Review on Barriers to Palliative Care in Oncology

The number of people with cancer and the need for palliative care among this population is increasing in the United States. Despite this growing need, several barriers exist to the utilization of p...
Preoperative risk factors for postoperative cardiac arrest following primary total hip and knee arthroplasty: A large database study.

Abstract Background Cardiac arrest (CA) has been identified as a potential complication following Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) and Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). This retrospective, case-controlled study aims to identify risk factors in order to improve the management of patients undergoing THA or TKA with known preoperative comorbidities. Methods CPT codes were used to investigate the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database for patients who underwent THA or TKA from 2010 to 2017. Patients were classified as having cardiac arrest (CA) by the NSQIP guidelines. Patient samples with all possible covariates were included for the multivariate logistic regression analysis and assessed for independent association. Results Patients receiving perioperative transfusion, experiencing dyspnea with moderate exertion, dyspnea at rest, patients currently on dialysis, and patients aged ≥72 are all independently associated with increased rates of cardiac arrest (CA) following THA. Patients receiving perioperative transfusion, patients with anemia, bleeding disorders, dyspnea with moderate exertion, cardiac comorbidities, pulmonary comorbidities, and patients aged ≥73 are all associated with increased rates of cardiac arrest (CA) following TKA. Conclusion Patients with the identified risk factors are at a greater risk of suffering cardiac arrest within 30 days following THA and TKA. It is imperative that we recognize which risk factors may precipitate CA in THA and TKA recipients so that prophylactic management can be employed. Furthermore, management guidelines should be updated for patients at high risk of CA following THA and TKA to prevent this complication.
On Corporate Income Taxes, Employment, and Wages

The passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 has resulted in debate on whether the decline in personal and corporate income tax rates will increase employment, income, and wages.
Pelvic Mass: Role of Imaging in the Diagnosis and Management

The differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass found on clinical examination or on an imaging study varies depending on the age and menstrual status of the patient and the clinical presentation. The most commonly encountered pelvic mass in the gynecological patient arises from the uterus, fallopian tubes, or the ovaries. The most common cause of a pelvic mass is of uterine origin, a leiomyoma being the most common underlying cause of the uterine enlargement. The imaging features and the differential diagnostic considerations in diagnosing uterine, adnexal, and non-ovarian masses are described. Less common causes of pelvic masses include those arising from the gastrointestinal tract. Ultrasonography is the modality of choice in the initial assessment of a pelvic mass and often the only modality that is needed to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and consequently for appropriate management of the pelvic mass. A final section of the chapter describes the imaging differential diagnosis of pelvic masses with a focus on the supplemental role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in characterizing the nature of the pelvic mass. The current role of CT and MRI in the staging of gynecological malignancies is also presented.
Neutronic Performance of a Compact 10 MWe Nuclear Reactor with Low Enrichment (ThxU1−x)N Fuel

Recent interest in compact nuclear reactors for applications in space or in remote locations drives innovation in nuclear fuel design, especially non-oxide ceramic nuclear fuels. This work details neutronic modeling designed to support the development of a new nuclear fuel concept based on a mixture of thorium and uranium nitride. A Monte Carlo N-Particle Version 6.2 (MCNP-6) model of a compact 10 MWe reactor design which incorporates (ThxU1−x)N fuel is presented. In this context, a “compact” reactor is a completely assembled reactor which may be emptied of coolant and transported by specialized commercial vehicle, deployed by a C130J aircraft, or launched into space. Core geometry, reflector barrels, and the heat exchange zones are designed to support reduction of overall reactor volume of core components while maintaining criticality with a fixed total fuel mass of 4500 kg. Dense mixed nitrides of thorium nitride (ThN) additions in uranium nitride (UN) in 5 wt.% increments between $$0.05 \le x \le 0.5$$ have been considered for calculation of $$k_{\infty }$$ and $$k_{{{\text{effective}}}}$$ . ThN additions in UN results in a slight increase in the magnitude of the temperature coefficient of reactivity, which is negative by design. The isotopic distribution of the principal actinide inventory as a function of burnup, time, and initial fuel composition is presented and discussed within the context of the proliferation risk of this core design.