cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geographic Distribution of Disruptions in Weighted Complex Networks: An Agent-Based Model of the U.S. Air Transportation Network.

International networks, although highly efficient, may produce surprising threshold effects that shift costs to geographically distant locations. International utility, transportation, and information networks facilitate the efficient flow of information, energy, goods and people. These networks exhibit a scale-free network structure with a few large “hubs”. Yet their efficiency belies their lack of robustness. Because such networks transcend national boundaries, furthermore, disruptions to the network in one geographic region may have profound economic and national security costs for countries in another region. To illustrate how complex networks may transmit costs among countries, this paper builds an agent-based model (ABM) of the international air transportation system. The ABM employs a genetic algorithm to identify “small” disruptions that produce cascading network failures. The study makes two contributions. First, it demonstrates how some complex networks evolve into network structures that trade off robustness for efficiency. Second, it illustrates how researchers can combine agent-based modeling, evolutionary computation, and network analysis to simulate differing failure modes for global networks. This convergence of simulation methodologies characterizes the emerging field of computational social science.
The Significant Impact of Different Insurance Enrollment Criteria on the HEDIS Chlamydia Screening Measure for Young Women Enrolled in Medicaid and Commercial Insurance Plans.

Objective The impact of length of enrollment in a health plan on eligibility of women under the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) chlamydia screening measure is not fully understood. We assessed the representativeness of the measure among the proportion of women aged 15 to 24 years with a gap in coverage for Medicaid and commercial health insurance. Methods Truven Health Marketscan Medicaid and commercial health insurance data from 2006 to 2012 were used to make comparisons between proportions of women with a gap in coverage to those enrolled in insurance plans for different numbers of months. Results Approximately 48% of Medicaid-insured women and 31% of commercially insured women had an at least 2-month gap that disqualified them from eligibility for inclusion in the HEDIS chlamydia screening measure. Extending eligibility to women with at least 6 months of coverage, regardless of gap, would increase the proportion of insured women included in the HEDIS measure to 76% (from 52%) for Medicaid and 83% (from 69%) for commercial insurance, without much effect on chlamydia testing rate. This would make the measure more representative of all insured women. Conclusions The large proportion of young women who had a 2-month or greater gap in coverage in Medicaid had a significant impact on the overall representativeness of the current HEDIS chlamydia screening measure.
Overview of Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli are a recently described class of diarrheagenic E. coli . The most prominent member of this group, serotype O157:H7, is a well-recognized cause of hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. This serious human pathogen has caused numerous outbreaks in the developed world and has contaminated such widely disparate foods as ground beef, apple cider, and lettuce. Serotypes other than O157:H7 have also been found to cause sporadic enteric disease and several outbreaks have been recently described. The non-O157 SLTEC are more frequently present in food animals and foods of animal origin than serotype O157:H7. Particular non-O157 serotypes (such as O26) have a definite association with HUS. Surveillance data from several regions suggests that there may be important differences in the distribution of serotypes causing HUS in different geographic areas. While more than 100 serotypes of E. coli have been identified as possessing one or more SLT genes, far fewer than that number have been convincingly associated with human illness. Current research needs to determine those additional virulence traits which confer pathogenicity on organisms possessing the SLT gene. Equally important will be to ascertain the relative contribution of different serotypes to human disease in order to develop sound, scientifically based, control strategies.
Signal-to-noise ratio improvements in laser flow diagnostics using time-resolved image averaging and high dynamic range imaging

Two alternative image readout approaches are demonstrated to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in temporally resolved laser-based imaging experiments of turbulent phenomena. The first method exploits the temporal decay characteristics of the phosphor screens of image intensifiers when coupled to an interline-transfer CCD camera operated in double-frame mode. Specifically, the light emitted by the phosphor screen, which has a finite decay constant, is equally distributed and recorded over the two sequential frames of the detector so that an averaged image can be reconstructed. The characterization of both detector and image intensifier showed that the technique preserves the correct quantitative information, and its applicability to reactive flows was verified using planar Rayleigh scattering and tested with the acquisition of images of both steady and turbulent partially premixed methane/air flames. The comparison between conventional Rayleigh results and the averaged ones showed that the SNR of the averaged image is higher than the conventional one; with the setup used in this work, the gain in SNR was seen to approach 30 %, for both the steady and turbulent cases. The second technique uses the two-frame readout of an interline-transfer CCD to increase the image SNR based on high dynamic range imaging, and it was tested in an unsteady non-reactive flow of Freon-12 injected in air. The result showed a 15 % increase in the SNR of the low-pixel-count regions of an image, when compared to the pixels of a conventionally averaged one.
Prox-1 University-Class Mission to Demonstrate Automated Proximity Operations

The Georgia Institute of Technology Prox-1 mission will demonstrate automated trajectory control in low Earth orbit relative to the deployed LightSail 2 CubeSat for an on-orbit inspection application. Passive thermal imaging provides the basis for a relative navigation system used to provide state estimation and optical tracking of LightSail 2. Automated maneuver planning and execution uses a guidance algorithm based upon relative orbital elements, with persistent collision avoidance using an artificial potential function. Simulation of the closed-loop guidance, navigation, and control system shows that the system is capable of performing automated station-keeping and relative orbit transfers for close-proximity operations. Funded by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research/U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory through the University Nanosatellite Program-7, Prox-1 is scheduled to launch in September 2016 as a secondary payload on the Space Test Program-2 launch.
Assessment of Healthcare Decision-making Capacity

It is often necessary for neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, and other healthcare professionals to assess an individual's capacity to consent to treatment related to healthcare. This task can be challenging and requires a delicate balance of both respect for individuals' autonomy, as well as the protection of individuals with diminished capacity to make an autonomous decision. The purpose of the present review is to provide an overview of the conceptual model of decisional capacity as well as a brief summary of some of the currently available instruments designed to help evaluate medical decision making. In addition, current empirical literature on the relationship between neuropsychological abilities and decision-making capacity is discussed and a brief set of recommendations is provided to further aid clinicians or consultants when they are required to complete the ethically important but difficult task of making determinations about healthcare decision-making capacity.
Biliary System and Gallbladder

The gallbladder should fill with radioactive bile and appear “hot”; it is often the “hottest” finding in the field-of-view. When superiorly displaced, the “hot” gallbladder can create a processing artifact on the reconstructed SPECT MPI. The degree of gallbladder visualization can vary between rest and stress imaging on both 1-day and 2-day protocols and is dependent on the fasting state of the patient. The gallbladder is usually well-distended in the fasting state; a contracted gallbladder is considered abnormal. Non-visualization of the gallbladder, if not surgically absent, or a distended “cold” gallbladder signifies underlying gallbladder disease; such findings warrant clinical correlation and communication with the referring physician. Radioactivity in the small intestine excludes high-grade or complete common bile duct obstruction.
The primacy question in Merleau-Ponty’s existential phenomenology

This paper takes up the question as to what has primacy within Merleau-Ponty’s existential phenomenology as a way to provide insight into the relation between empirical science and transcendental philosophy within his account of embodiment. Contending that this primacy necessarily pertains to methodology, I show how Kurt Goldstein’s conception of biology provided Merleau-Ponty with a scientific model for approaching human existence holistically in which primacy pertains to the transcendental practice of productive imagination that generates the eidetic organismic Gestalt in terms of which sense is made of empirical facts. Considering the analogous role played by imagination in Merleau-Ponty’s account of perceptual synthesis in the form of what he called projection, I argue that his account of embodiment is, parallel to Goldstein, grounded methodologically on the projection of an organismic Gestalt, and that as a form of operative-intentional praxis projection is the site of primacy in his phenomenology overall. In terms of the relation between natural science and transcendental philosophy in Merleau-Ponty’s account of embodiment, while the theoretical dimension of the latter—the eidetic apriority of the organismic Gestalt—is coupled dialectically with empirical facts on an epistemically coeval basis, these are jointly subordinated to the normative commitments implied by the imaginative projection of that Gestalt. The primacy of the latter is transcendental but in a distinctly practical sense, such that any substantive discrepancy between natural science and Merleau-Pontian phenomenology reflects metaphilosophical, not theoretical, disagreement.
Wideband dual-polarized bi-static simultaneous transmit and receive antenna system

A wideband dual-polarized bi-static simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) antenna system utilizing quad-ridge horns is introduced. To enable dual-polarized capability, orthomode transducer (OMT) is designed and integrated with both antennas. Over the 6.5–18.5GHz range, the fabricated STAR antenna system achieves return loss >10dB, isolation >45dB in free space and >52dB when antennas are flush mounted on a finite size ground plane.
Design, synthesis, activity and properties of selective inhibitors of focal adhesion kinase.

5711 Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that localizes to focal adhesion plaques and is phosphorylated in response to integrin β1, β3, β5 binding to cellular ligands. FAK is the kinase signal transducer for integrins which when constitutively active inhibits anoikis allowing anchorage independent cell growth. The continuing growing body of FAK biology suggests that FAK is an important target for anticancer chemotherapy and necessitated the need to further investigate the development of FAK inhibitors. We previously reported that PF-941222, a 2,4-dianilino pyrimidine and related analogs demonstrated potent FAK kinase and cell activity and that these molecules have potential for further lead optimization (2005 AACR NCI EORTC, Philadelphia, PA). Chemistry efforts reported herein focused on increasing analog selectivity for FAK and improving ADME while maintaining or improving potency. SAR efforts focused on the C-2 indole, C-4 linker, C-4 aryl ring coupled with replacement of the aryl ring with heteroaryl rings combined with additional functional group(s) and the C-5 position. At the pyrimidine C-2 position, the indole was replaced with other heteroaromatic rings that were additionally substituted with groups to improve binding interactions with the Arg and Glu at the periphery of the ATP pocket. At the C-4 position, the 2-amino pyridine was replaced with different anilines, heteroaryl amines, aryl/heteroaryl methylamines and aryl/heteroaryl 2-phenyl ethylamines. Additional functional group(s) on the aryl/heteroaryl ring further optimized inhibitor binding interactions with FAK in the ribose phosphate binding region in the ATP pocket. Detailed SAR studies allowed us to obtain >100 fold selectivity for FAK over other structurally related kinases including PYK-2 as well as all other kinases with closely related sequence homology. The pyrimidine C-5 position interacts with a flexible lipophilic pocket. We undertook SAR studies at C-5 to determine the impact of replacing the bromine of PF-941222 with other groups. A seemingly minor modification to the C-5 position had a pronounced effect on kinase activity. In summary, detailed SAR studies were executed at the pyrimidine C-2, C-4 and C-5 positions of PF-941222. Taking all the SAR together, novel analogs have been produced that are potent inhibitors of FAK [kinase (1–10 nM), cell (10–100 nM)] and are >100X selective against other related kinases. A number of these potent and selective inhibitors have been co-crystallized with FAK. Subsets of these analogs demonstrated excellent in vitro selectivity against all CYPs screened with a low susceptibility to microsome and hepatocyte clearance and are suitable for further in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Design, synthesis, inhibitor kinase and cell activity, kinase selectivity profile, ADME as well as inhibitor chemical structure and inhibitor-FAK co-crystal structure data will be presented.
Development of Relative Disparity Sensitivity in Human Visual Cortex

Stereopsis is the primary cue underlying our ability to make fine depth judgments. In adults, depth discriminations are supported largely by relative rather than absolute binocular disparity, and depth is perceived primarily for horizontal rather than vertical disparities. Although human infants begin to exhibit disparity-specific responses between 3 and 5 months of age, it is not known how relative disparity mechanisms develop. Here we show that the specialization for relative disparity is highly immature in 4- to 6-month-old infants but is adult-like in 4- to 7-year-old children. Disparity-tuning functions for horizontal and vertical disparities were measured using the visual evoked potential. Infant relative disparity thresholds, unlike those of adults, were equal for vertical and horizontal disparities. Their horizontal disparity thresholds were a factor of ∼10 higher than adults, but their vertical disparity thresholds differed by a factor of only ∼4. Horizontal relative disparity thresholds for 4- to 7-year-old children were comparable with those of adults at ∼0.5 arcmin. To test whether infant immaturity was due to spatial limitations or insensitivity to interocular correlation, highly suprathreshold horizontal and vertical disparities were presented in alternate regions of the display, and the interocular correlation of the interdigitated regions was varied from 0% to 100%. This manipulation regulated the availability of coarse-scale relative disparity cues. Adult and infant responses both increased with increasing interocular correlation by similar magnitudes, but adult responses increased much more for horizontal disparities, further evidence for qualitatively immature stereopsis based on relative disparity at 4–6 months of age. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Stereopsis, our ability to sense depth from horizontal image disparity, is among the finest spatial discriminations made by the primate visual system. Fine stereoscopic depth discriminations depend critically on comparisons of disparity relationships in the image that are supported by relative disparity cues rather than the estimation of single, absolute disparities. Very young human and macaque infants are sensitive to absolute disparity, but no previous study has specifically studied the development of relative disparity sensitivity, a hallmark feature of adult stereopsis. Here, using high-density EEG recordings, we show that 4- to 6-month-old infants display both quantitative and qualitative response immaturities for relative disparity information. Relative disparity responses are adult-like no later than 4–7 years of age.
Managing bowel and bladder impairments in sacral chordoma patients: a case-based approach.

Chordomas are primary bone tumors that occur in the axial spine and most commonly in the sacrum. Because of their location, chordomas can affect bowel and bladder continence resulting in either an upper or a lower motor neuron functional pattern. We present two cases describing chordoma’s impact on bowel and bladder function and the management plan used for improvement. The accurate identification of an upper or lower motor neuron pattern in the setting of chordoma aims to significantly improve management of bowel and bladder impairment.
The Fictitious Liberal Divide

The main question dividing classical and high liberals is about how economic rights rank compared to other rights and public goals. That is, the question is about what can or cannot outweigh such rights. High liberals argue that economic rights can be outweighed by any legitimate state interest, such that they are prima facie rights. Neoclassical liberals, conversely, have recently sought to elevate economic rights to basic rights, which could then only be outweighed by other basic rights. This paper shows where the real debate should be for classical liberals, challenging Samuel Freeman’s widely held distinction between classical and high liberalism. Economic rights are prima facie for all liberals in that they can be outweighed by, say, considerations of utility or social justice. Although neoclassical liberals are correct to say that such rights are much more important than high liberals normally recognize, it does not follow that economic rights are basic.
Airborne Remote Sensing of Surface Velocities in a Tidal River

The global optimal solution (GOS) has proven to be very accurate for deriving water surface velocities from contemporaneous image pairs, but previous studies have used shore-based radars or satellite measurements with resolutions on the order of a kilometer or tens of meters to establish this. In contrast, the objective of this paper is to derive a GOS velocity field from infrared (IR) (3–5 $\mu \text{m}$ ) images having a 1-m pixel size. Because IR images can frequently exhibit a low signal-to-noise ratio, a newly developed GOS technique with a local similarity metric is used to retrieve velocities from such low-contrast data sets. To demonstrate the utility of this new method, we use airborne data collected in the tidal Potomac River over 11 days and spatially varying flood, ebb, and slack conditions. The resulting GOS-derived velocity estimates are compared against acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements taken simultaneously with the airborne collections. Velocity magnitudes and directions are found to have GOS versus ADCP correlations of 0.93 and 0.99, respectively. This high correlation suggests that the GOS technique may be applicable to a variety of lower contrast imagery that can now be collected by a low-altitude remotely controlled aircraft.
Using enterprise models for managing large-scale business transformations and enterprise integration

Re-engineering the enterprise that includes both business processes and supporting IT infrastructure is becoming the solution of choice for many industrial organizations to satisfy the need for achieving new levels of competitiveness through innovative use of information technology. In this chapter we present an enterprise modeling method and management process used for transforming a major supply-chain management organization3 with the goal to improve the agility of the enterprise. This included: • Corporate restructuring. • Redefining business operating model and processes. • Re-engineering the majority of the information technology systems in order to support new business organization and processes.
MINLP Model and Algorithms for Optimal Design of Large-Scale Supply Chain with Multi-Echelon Inventory and Risk Pooling Under Demand Uncertainty

Abstract We address the optimal design of a multi-echelon supply chain and the associated inventory systems in the presence of uncertain customer demands. By using the guaranteed service approach to model the multi-echelon stochastic inventory system, we develop an optimization model for simultaneously optimizing the transportation, inventory and network structure of a multi-echelon supply chain. We formulate this problem as an MINLP with a nonconvex objective function including bilinear, trilinear and square root terms. By exploiting the properties of the basic model, we reformulate the problem as a separable concave minimization program. A spatial decomposition algorithm based on Lagrangean relaxation and piecewise linear approximation is proposed to obtain near global optimal solutions with reasonable computational expense. Examples for industrial gas supply chains with up to 5 plants, 50 potential distribution centers and 100 markets are presented.
Electrically-conductive asphalt mastic: Temperature dependence and heating efficiency

Abstract Asphalt mastic, a pitch-matrix composite, consists of bitumen and mineral fillers (very fine aggregates), that fills the voids created by coarser aggregates in asphalt concrete. In this study, asphalt mastic was modified with carbon fiber (CF) and graphite powder (GP) to produce single-phase (containing only CF) and two-phase (containing both CF and GP) electrically-conductive asphalt mastic (ECAM) for anti-icing and deicing applications. Volume resistivities of ECAMs were measured at two different temperatures and the influence of temperature on electrical conductivity was evaluated, revealing that reduction in temperature enhances the ECAM's electrical conductivity. After analyzing the volume resistivity data for both single-phase and two-phase ECAM specimens, heat generation efficiency of single-phase ECAM was investigated at a conductive material dosage slightly higher than the optimum. The heat generation efficiency was evaluated at a below-freezing temperature by performing active infrared thermography (IRT). Based on the active IRT analysis results, it was found that single-phase ECAM at the selected CF content is capable of generating enough heat for melting ice and snow or preventing accumulation of snow and formation of ice.
Role of p53 in the chronic pulmonary immune response to tangled or rod-like multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

The fiber-like shape of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is reminiscent of asbestos, suggesting they pose similar health hazards when inhaled, including pulmonary fibrosis and mesothelioma. M...
Knowledge of Late Effects Risks and Healthcare Responsibility in Adolescents and Young Adults Treated for Childhood Cancer

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the level and predictors of knowledge of late effects risks from childhood cancer treatment in adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors. METHODS Seventy-three AYAs, aged 14-21, completed measures of knowledge of late effect risks, executive functioning, and responsibility for health self-management. Sixty-seven parents of these AYA survivors (91.7%) also participated. RESULTS Survivors demonstrated poor knowledge of their unique risks for treatment-related late effects, with a mean accurate knowledge score of 54.29% (SD = 24.19%). The number of late effects for which survivors were at risk was negatively correlated with risk knowledge (r = -.34, p < .01). Survivors' executive functioning was not related to risk knowledge. In regression analyses, survivor age positively predicted accurate knowledge of late effects risks, and the number of late effects risk was a negative predictor. In separate models, survivor self-report of AYA responsibility for health self-management did not predict knowledge (R2 = .39, F = 10.86, p < .01), but parent proxy-report was a significant positive predictor (R2 = .38, F = 9.62, p < .01). Parental involvement was not a significant predictor in either model. CONCLUSION There are significant knowledge gaps among AYA survivors of childhood cancer, which appear to be related to younger AYA age and lower levels of AYA responsibility for health self-management. Additional intervention is critical to increase AYA knowledge of their risk for late effects in order to promote continued engagement in long-term follow-up care and surveillance across the lifespan.
Performance of blockchain technology on DoD tactical networks

The benefits of blockchain technology are evident in the banking industry as the underlying technology for cryptocurrencies. Recently, research has been focused on novel, non-cryptocurrency uses of blockchain for other industries such as national defense. Application of these technologies in military use cases requires special consideration of the limitations inherent to tactical military operations, namely the network communication technologies. In this work we explore the performance of blockchain technologies on network environments representative of those available in Department of Defense (DoD) tactical operations. Our experimentation with the Ethereum blockchain on a mobile network emulation reveals a series of verbose blockchain network communication protocols as well as a heavy reliance on Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) for block transfer and synchronization that may limit the effectiveness of blockchain on current DoD mobile ad hoc networks.
Front-line work and interpretive labor in an Angolan development program

This paper ethnographically examines the in-country workforce of a decentralization program in postwar Angola. I compare the everyday activities of rank-and-file field staff to the policy prescript...
Prevalence of atopy and staphylococcal superantigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and total serum IgE in primary cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphoma.

The prevalence of atopy was investigated in 20 patients with Sezary syndrome (SS), 20 patients with plaque phase mycosis fungoides (MF), 9 patients with primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (pcMZL) and 8 patients with primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (pcFCL) with the Phadiatop multi-allergen test. The relationship among serologic atopy, IgE reactivity against Staphyloccocal enterotoxin superantigens, and serum total IgE (IgE-t) levels and their prognostic implications in SS was investigated. Phadiatop test was positive in 45%, 15%, 33% and 0% of samples of SS, MF, pcMZL and pcFCL, respectively. IgE-t levels were also increased in SS, pcMZL and marginally MF. No correlation was found with patients' history of atopic disorders. Staphylococcal superantigen-specific IgE ≥ 0.35 kUa/L, most often against toxic shock syndrome toxin-1, was detected in 40% of Sezary samples followed by MF (20%). In the absence of serologic atopy (negative Phadiatop test), IgE-t levels for patients with SS and MF were not significantly higher than controls whereas the levels for pcMZL remained high. Furthermore, even with a negative Phadiatop test, IgE-t values were higher in sera of patients with SSAg-IgE ≥ 0.35 kUa/L vis-a-vis 122 kU/L or eosinophils > 500/µL had no impact on survival of patients with SS. These results indicate that a pathogenic link may exist between an atopic diathesis and development of SS and possibly pcMZL.
Increased Transcription of the Phosphate-Specific Transport System of Escherichia coli O157:H7 after Exposure to Sodium Benzoate

Sodium benzoate is a widely used food antimicrobial in drinks and fruit juices. A microarray study was conducted to determine the transcriptional response of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to 0.5% (wt/vol) sodium benzoate. E. coli O157:H7 grown in 150 ml of Luria-Bertani broth was exposed to 0% (control) and 0.5% sodium benzoate. Each treatment was duplicated and sampled at 0 (immediately after exposure), 5, 15, 30, and 60 min. Total RNA was extracted and analyzed with E. coli 2.0 Gene Chips. Significant ontology categories affected by sodium benzoate exposure were determined with JProGO software. The phosphate-specific transport (Pst) system transports inorganic phosphate into bacterial cells, under phosphate-limited conditions. The Pst system was found to be highly upregulated. Increased expression of the Pst system was observed after the short 5 min of exposure to sodium benzoate; pstS, pstA, pstB, and pstC genes were upregulated more than twofold (linear scale) at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min. Increased expression of several other efflux systems, such as AcrAB-TolC, was also observed. The Pst system may act as an efflux pump under these stress-adapted conditions, as well as increase transport of phosphorus to aid in DNA, RNA, ATP, and phospholipid production. Understanding adaptations of Escherichia coli O157:H7 under antimicrobial exposure is essential to better understand and implement methods to inhibit or control its survival in foods.
Team approach in the management of revision surgery to correct bilateral temporomandibular joint replacements.

This case report describes the successful second surgical treatment of a 26-year-old white female patient with a retrognathic mandible and previous bilateral total joint prostheses placement. The p...
Re-defining “Philosophical Analysis”: Not Descriptive Analysis, or Conservatism, but Pragmatic Revisionism

This chapter considers the question “How should the word ‘racism’ be used?” The author argues that answering this question requires that philosophical theory starts from a substantive value. One such value has been explicitly proposed by some and widely presupposed by others. This is the norm that commonsense thinking about racism must be preserved by an adequate philosophical definition of “racism.” Call this the presumption of conservatism. The author develops a framework for assessing this presumption and considers the work of Lawrence Blum, Joshua Glasgow, Jorge Garcia, Tommie Shelby, and others. Because the moral status of ordinary usage is problematic, prescriptive theory ought to adopt a pragmatic revisionist approach to racism. Such an approach is not one that aims at revising ordinary usage per se, but one that aims at meeting some alternative end. (Pragmatic revisionism is methodologically revisionist in that it is open to recommending substantive revisions as a byproduct of achieving other ends.)
Low Back Pain and Substance Use: Diagnostic and Administrative Coding for Opioid Use and Dependence Increased in U.S. Older Adults with Low Back Pain

Objective Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of pain and disability. Substance use complicates the management of LBP, and potential risks increase with aging. Despite implications for an aging, diverse U.S. population, substance use and LBP comorbidity remain poorly defined. The objective of this study was to characterize LBP and substance use diagnoses in older U.S. adults by age, gender, and race. Design Cross-sectional study of a random national sample. Subjects Older adults including 1,477,594 U.S. Medicare Part B beneficiaries. Methods Bayesian analysis of 37,634,210 claims, with 10,775,869 administrative and 92,903,649 diagnostic code assignments. Results LBP was diagnosed in 14.8±0.06% of those more than 65 years of age, more in females than in males (15.8±0.08% vs. 13.4±0.09%), and slightly less in those more than 85 years of age (13.3±0.2%). Substance use diagnosis varied by substance: nicotine, 9.6±0.02%; opioid, 2.8±0.01%; and alcohol, 1.3±0.01%. Substance use diagnosis declined with advancing age cohort. Opioid use diagnosis was markedly higher for those in whom LBP was diagnosed (10.5%) than for those not diagnosed with LBP (1.5%). Most older adults (54.9%) with an opioid diagnosis were diagnosed with LBP. Gender differences were modest. Relative rates of substance use diagnoses in LBP were modest for nicotine and alcohol. Conclusions Older adults with LBP have high relative rates of opioid diagnoses, irrespective of gender or age. Most older adults with opioid-related diagnoses have LBP, compared with a minority of those not opioid diagnosed. In caring for older adults with LBP or opioid-related diagnoses, health systems must anticipate complexity and support clinicians, patients, and caregivers in managing pain comorbidities. Older adults may benefit from proactive incorporation of non-opioid pain treatments. Further study is needed.
Stopping-power ratios for electron beams used in total skin electron therapy.

PURPOSE The electron beams for total skin electron therapy (TSET) are often degraded by a scatter plate in addition to extended distances. For electron dosimetry, both the AAPM TG-51 and IAEA TRS-398 recommend the use of two formulas developed by Burns et al [Med. Phys. 23, 489-501 (1996)] to estimate the water-to-air stopping-power ratios (SPRs). Both formulas are based on a fit to SPRs calculated for standard electron beams. This study aims to find: (1) if the formulas are applicable to beams used in TSET and (2) the impact of the ICRU report 90 recommendations on the SPRs for these beams. METHODS The EGSnrc Monte Carlo code system is used to generate 6 MeV high dose rate total skin electron (HDTSe) beams used in TSET. The simulated beams are used to calculate dose distributions and SPRs as a function of depth in a water phantom. The fitted SPRs using the empirical formulas are compared with MC-calculated SPRs. RESULTS The electron beam quality specifier, the depth in water at which the absorbed dose falls to 50% of its maximum value, R50 , decreases approximately 1 mm for each additional 100-cm extended distance ranging from 2.24 cm at SSD = 100 to 1.72 cm at SSD = 700 cm. For beams passing through a scatter plate, R50 is 1.76 cm (1.14) at SSD = 300 and 1.48 cm (0.85 cm) at SSD = 600 cm with an Acrylic plate thickness of 3 mm (9 mm), respectively. The discrepancy between fitted and MC-calculated SPRs at dref as a function of R50 is <0.8%, and in many cases <0.4%. The difference between fitted and MC-calculated SPRs as a function of depth and R50 is within 1% at depths <0.8R50 for beams with R50 ≥ 1.14 cm. The ICRU-90 recommendations decrease SPRs by 0.3%-0.4% compared to the use of data recommended in ICRU-37. CONCLUSION The formulas used by the major protocols are accurate enough for clinical beams used in TSET and the error caused using the formulas is <1% to estimate SPRs as a function of depth and R50 for depths <0.8R50 for beams used in TSET with R50 ≥ 1.14 cm. The impact of the ICRU-90 recommendations shows a decrease of SPRs by a fraction of a percent for beams used in TSET.
Molecular dynamics simulations of allosteric motions and competitive inhibition of the Zika virus helicase.

Abstract The 2015 Zika outbreak sparked major global concern and emphasized the reality and dangers still posed by mosquito borne pathogens. While efforts have been made to develop a vaccine and other therapeutics, there is still a great demand for antiviral drugs targeting Zika and other flaviviruses. The non-structural protein 3 (NS3) helicase is a vital component of the viral replication complex, tasked with unwinding the viral dsRNA molecule into single strands. Given this critical function, the Zika virus helicase is a potential therapeutic target and the focus of many ongoing research efforts. Using a combination of drug docking and molecular dynamics simulations, we have identified a list of competitive helicase inhibitors targeting the ATP hydrolysis site and have discovered a potential allosteric site capable of distorting both of the protein's active sites.
The role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of acute soft tissue injuries

Abstract Objective: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used to hasten the return of injured athletes to competition after injury. Evidence demonstrates that while NSAIDs may speed recovery after acute soft tissue injuries, long-term healing may be compromised. This review aims to assess the effects of NSAIDs on inflammation and healing associated with acute soft tissue injury. Data Sources: CINAHL (1982 to 1997), SPORT Discus (1977 to 1997), and MEDLINE (1993 to 1997) were searched using the keywords “NSAIDs,” “musculoskeletal,” “acute,” “sprain,” and “`strain.” Data Synthesis: NSAIDs exhibit anti-inflammatory effects via prostaglandin inhibition, neutrophil migration suppression, and oxygen free-radical inhibition. Retardation of inflammatory processes after acute injury may limit the area of secondary tissue damage but may also retard healing. Animal models have demonstrated short-term benefits with NSAIDs after acute injury, along with long-term adverse effects on tissue structure and function. NSAIDs have exhibited few benefits in the treatment of delayed-onset muscle soreness. Clinical trials of NSAIDs in the treatment of acute soft tissue injuries have shown conflicting results and have been highly criticized. Conclusions/Recommendations: Based on the research literature, the short-term benefits of NSAIDs in the treatment of acute soft tissue injuries must be weighed against the potential long-term adverse effects on tissue healing, structure, and function.
Youth, ‘tradition’ and peace building: mobilising for just governance in rural South Africa

Structural violence remains widespread in post-apartheid South Africa as governance, opportunity and well-being are still sharply inflected by place, by race and by class. Most rural black South Africans are subject to state-recognised traditional leaders and institutions imbricated in past violence, suffer from inadequate and inequitable basic service provision, and have little access to economic opportunity. This article enriches our understanding of the everyday politics of peace by examining a youth-led mobilisation in the rural traditional community of Supingstad. Modelling new ways of interacting and confronting the fears that prevented many from participating in public life, youth activists sought to build a better, more democratic, collective life; to improve public service provision; to generate economic development and to practice the open and accountable governance they desired. This local initiative to address the multiple forms of violence to which South Africans are still subject exemplifies...
Fully automated, high‐precision instrumentation for the isotopic analysis of tropospheric N2O using continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry

RATIONALE Measurements of the isotopic composition of nitrous oxide in the troposphere have the potential to bring new information about the uncertain N2O budget, which mole fraction data alone have not been able to resolve. Characterizing the expected subtle variations in tropospheric N2O isotopic composition demands high-precision and high-frequency measurements. To enable useful observations of N2O isotopic composition in tropospheric air to reduce N2O source and sink uncertainty, it was necessary to develop a high-precision measurement system with fully automated capabilities for autonomous deployment at remote research stations. METHODS A fully automated pre-concentration system for high-precision measurements of N2O isotopic composition (δ(15)N(β) , δ(15)N(α), δ(18)O) in tropospheric air has been developed which combines a custom liquid-cryogen-free cryo-trapping system and gas chromatograph interfaced to a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) system. A quadrupole mass spectrometer was coupled in parallel to the IRMS system during development to evaluate peak interference. Multi-port inlet and fully-automated capabilities allow streamlined analyses between in situ air inlet, air standards, flask air sample, or other gas source in exactly replicated analysis sequences. RESULTS The system has the highest precision to date for (15)N site-specific composition results (δ(15) N(α) ±0.11‰, δ(15)N(β) ±0.14‰ (1σ)), attributed mostly to uniformity of analytical cycles and particular attention to fluorocarbon interference noted for (15)N site-specific measurements by IRMS. Air measurements demonstrated the fully automated capacity and performance. CONCLUSIONS The system makes substantial headway in measurement precision, possibly defining the limits of IRMS measurement capabilities in low concentration N2O air samples, with fully automated capabilities to enable high-frequency in situ measurements.
Improvements in microchannel plate operating characteristics

Studies have been carried out to overcome two disadvantages of multichannel plates (MCPs): (1) saturation effects in the count rate at high incident particle/photon fluxes, which may be further complicated by the presence of fusion neutron/gamma radiation, and (2) extraneous noise generated by gyroelectrons originating from the negatively biased input surface of the MCP when the detector is operated in an external magnetic field (B=100 G), which is parallel to the input surface of the plate. A hot MCP is presently under investigation. This detector supports an increased strip current, which is expected to yield at least an order of magnitude improvement in count rate before saturation occurs. Initial attempts to eliminate the spurious noise problems due to gyroelectrons were focused on shielding the MCP from external magnetic fields by enclosing the detector in a soft iron shield. The current concept entails a method to ground the input surface of the MCP and bias the exit anode pad (previously at ground potential) to +2100 V. This method requires capacitive coupling of the anode pad to the signal processing electronics. >
Packaging technology for imager using through-hole interconnections in Si substrate

For high-density packaging of ICs or other devices, it is one of the essential technologies to form through-hole interconnections in a Si substrate that electric circuits are built on in advance. We have developed a fabrication technology of wafer-level-packaging (WLP) for imagers, using the through-hole interconnections from the backside of the Si substrate to the top. The package consists of a glass cap protecting an image sensing area on the top side, the through-hole interconnections as leads, the copper re-routing and solder bumps on the backside. All processes of the packaging were done at wafer level. This paper describes the fabrication process and evaluation results of the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the WLP for imagers.
STUDIES IN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT XII. Physical Growth of North American Negro Children

Physical measurements were obtained from 2,632 healthy North American Negro children of low income families. Their ages ranged from 3 months to 17 years. Comparison with similar studies revealed the height and weight of the Negro children to be similar to those of North American Caucasian children. However, the head circumference and stem length were found to be consistently smaller than Caucasian children. At 1 year of age the weight, head, and chest circumferences of Negro infants of this study were significantly smaller than the same measurements previously reported for infants of the same race from middle income families in the city. Comparison is also made with studies on Negro children in West Africa and Jamaica.
Efficient resource scheduling for a secondary network in shared spectrum

With limited opportunities to open up new unencumbered bands to mobile wireless services, interest in enhancing methods for sharing of spectrum between services is high. For example, the band 1695–1710 MHz is expected to be made available to 3GPP Long-Term Evolution cellular network uplinks by sharing with incumbent meteorological satellite services already in the band. The LTE networks are to be operated in a manner that ensures no loss of incumbent capability by adhering to protection requirements such as a limit on the aggregate interference power at fixed incumbent earth station locations. In this paper, we consider this specific spectrum sharing scenario as motivation and formulate an optimization framework for power control and time-frequency resource scheduling on the LTE uplink with an aggregate interference constraint. We design and propose a novel algorithm inspired by numerical solution and analysis of the optimization problem. Using theory and simulation, we show that our algorithm significantly outperforms more simplistic approaches, well approximates the optimal solution, and is of sufficient scope and complexity for practical implementation, even in relatively large LTE networks. Algorithms of this kind are necessary for mobile wireless networks to make the most of constrained spectrum resources in shared bands.
Differential Roles of Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor- and Insulin Receptor-mediated Signaling in the Phenotypes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases are common findings in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) expression is frequently induced in HCC, and serum IGF2 levels correlate with the presence of extrahepatic metastases. Yet, the role of IGF-induced signaling in the dissemination of HCC remains unclear. We have previously observed elevated IGF2 levels in tumors with metastatic potential in an HCC mouse model. Here, we demonstrate that inhibition of IGF2, or its receptor IGF1R, impairs the migration and invasion activities of murine HCC cells. Furthermore, inhibition of IGF1R also impairs the ability of HCC cells to colonize the lungs after introduction into the circulation through the tail vein but does not impair subcutaneous tumor growth. Collectively, these findings suggest that IGF1R-mediated signaling plays a causative role in tumor dissemination but is not required for tumor growth per se. Although previous studies indicate that IGF ligands can signal through IGF1R/insulin receptor (IR) heterodimers, and IR-A homodimers, we demonstrate that the IR is not required for invasion and metastasis by HCC cells. Finally, we identify matrix metalloproteinase 2 as a mediator of the invasive phenotype downstream of IGF1R-induced signaling. Thus, our studies demonstrate the importance of IGF2-induced signaling in the dissemination of HCC cells.
Sites of resistance: the politics of embodiment in Lauretta Ngcobo's 'And They Didn't Die'

(2007). Sites of Resistance: The Politics of Embodiment in Lauretta Ngcobo’s And They Didn’t Die. Journal of the African Literature Association: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 98-112.