cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methods for Addressing Missing Data with Applications from ACS Exams

As part of the ACS Examinations Institute (ACS-EI) national norming process, student performance data sets are collected from professors at colleges and universities from around the United States. Because the data sets are collected on a volunteer basis, the ACS-EI often receives data sets with only students’ total scores and without the students’ responses to individual exam questions. Nonetheless, several national norming statistics require students’ item responses. This data return leads to missing data and potentially biased results when inferences are made based on that data set. This work uses student performance data sets from ACS-EI to consider how methods for replacing missing data, such as hot-deck imputation and simulating data, affect the nature of the analysis of quantitative data.
Pinning Design: The Curatorial Labor of Creative Professionals:

Pinterest is a site primarily used for sharing online content particularly images; as such, it is a unique platform through which to explore curatorial practices. Professional designers are a uniqu...
Gas generation by self-radiolysis of tritiated waste materials

Studies simulating the effect of self-radiolysis in disposal packages containing tritiated waste materials show hydrogen to be the dominant gas-phase product. Pressure buildup and gas composition over various tritiated octane and tritiated water samples are designed to give worst case results. One effect of tritium fixation agents is to reduce pressure buildup. The results show that development of explosive gas mixtures is unlikely and that maximum pressure buildup in typical Mound Facility waste packages can be expected to be <0.25 MPa.
Genetic effects on sleep/wake variation of seizures

Summary Objective There is a complex bidirectional relationship between sleep and epilepsy. Sleep/wake timing of seizures has been investigated for several individual seizure types and syndromes, but few large-scale studies of the timing of seizures exist in people with varied epilepsy types. In addition, the genetic contributions to seizure timing have not been well studied. Methods Sleep/wake timing of seizures was determined for 1,395 subjects in 546 families enrolled in the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project (EPGP). We examined seizure timing among subjects with different epilepsy types, seizure types, epilepsy syndromes, and localization. We also examined the familial aggregation of sleep/wake occurrence of seizures. Results Seizures in nonacquired focal epilepsy (NAFE) were more likely to occur during sleep than seizures in generalized epilepsy (GE), for both convulsive (odds ratio [OR] 5.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.59–7.52) and nonconvulsive seizures (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.48–7.21). Seizures occurring within 1 h of awakening were more likely to occur in patients with GE than with NAFE for both convulsive (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.54–3.39) and nonconvulsive (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.04–2.66) seizures. Frontal onset seizures were more likely than temporal onset seizures to occur during sleep. Sleep/wake timing of seizures in first-degree relatives predicted timing of seizures in the proband. Significance We found that sleep/wake timing of seizures is associated with both epilepsy syndrome and seizure type. In addition, we provide the first evidence for a genetic contribution to sleep/wake timing of seizures in a large group of individuals with common epilepsy syndromes.
Have Faith, Will Travel: Implementing Full Faith and Credit Under the 1994 Violence Against Women Act

ABSTRACT In this exploratory article we draw attention to the full faith and credit guarantees offered by the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). We begin by noting the significance of new interstate protections for battered women in light of the difficulties and dangers they face as they flee across state lines in search of safety. We argue that full faith and credit guarantees are a progressive development in the struggle against domestic violence. However, we acknowledge and examine a number of specific problems in implementing these guarantees. The article closes with some recommendations for future research into the implementation of interstate protections under VAWA.
Franklin Roosevelt and Indochina

THE response to political change and nationalism in Southeast Asia ranked among the important challenges encountered by the United States during World War II. The disruptions caused by the war forced America to define its interests in the struggles of Asian peoples to end European imperialism. The Japanese overthrew European predominance in Southeast Asia. Within Japanese-occupied Southeast Asia, French Indochina received the greatest American attention because President Franklin D. Roosevelt was determined to prevent resumption of French rule and to establish instead an international trusteeship which would lead to eventual independence. The trusteeship plan was Roosevelt's most conspicuous postwar goal for an area that had been part of a European empire. The pledge of the Atlantic Charter to recognize the rights of peoples to self-determination, augmented by occasional assurances that this applied to all areas of the world, stood as the basic policy on imperialism, but for most areas of the colonial world that policy remained a vague and platitudinous goal rather than a basis for specific policy and action. For example, in 1942 Roosevelt took an active interest in the impasse between the British government and the Indian National Congress, but he restricted his role to that of a concerned third party and avoided any direct intervention., Yet, in Indochina, which had its own complexities and about which Roosevelt, the state department, and the American public had scant knowledge, Roosevelt embraced a postwar plan. The Indochina policy resulted in large part from Roosevelt's attitude toward the French. The collapse of the French resistance against Germany in 1940
Wide Bandwidth Design of Ultra-Low Voltage Substrate-Removed Electro-optic Mach-Zehnder Intensity Modulators

Wide bandwidth design of recently demonstrated 0.3 V Vπ substrate removed electro-optic modulators is described. 30 GHz bandwidth with Vπ substantially lower than 1 V should be possible.
A Class of Convex Curves Related to the Conic Sections

(1951). A Class of Convex Curves Related to the Conic Sections. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 58, No. 10, pp. 671-674.
Effect of Amytal Anesthesia on Glucose Tolerance.

That amytal may have an effect on carbohydrate metabolism is indicated by the finding that dogs under amytal anesthesia exhibit a decreased capacity to assimilate injected glucose.1, 2 This problem can perhaps be more readily investigated by employing the “glucose tolerance test.” In our experiments this consisted in administering 2 gm. Pfanstiehl glucose per kilo body weight dissolved in 50 cc. water, followed by 100 cc. water. The changes in arterial (femoral) blood sugar were then followed at half hour intervals for 3 hours. In unanesthetized dogs the blood sugar rose to a maximum of some 300 mgm. within about one hour, and at the end of 3 hours had fallen to about 180 mgm.Out of 5 dogs under amytal which were given sugar by means of a stomach tube, 3 showed no rise in blood sugar, and the other 2 showed a rise of only 10 mgm. In our experiments amytal per se produced no change in blood sugar (cf. Page,3 Weiss4 and others). One of these dogs was killed at the close of the test and the pyloric sphincter...
Suryey on awareness rate of Brucellosis prevention knowledge and behavior prevalence among primary and secondary school students in breeding livestock's families in Western pastoral areas of Jilin province

Objective To study the awareness of Brucellosis prevention knowledge and prevalence of risk behaviors among the primary and secondary school students from breeding livestock's families in Western pastoral areas of Jilin province,and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of Brucellosis.Methods With application of multi-stage random sampling method,aquestionnaire survey which including Brucellosis prevention knowledge and risk behaviors was conducted among 209 primary and secondary school students in west part of Jilin province in2012.Results 105(50.97%)students had heard Brucellosis among 206 students,the older students knew more about Brucellosis than the younger(χ2=28.80,P=0.00).The M(Q)of the score of the Brucellosis-related knowledge was 8(6.00,9.00),the total passing rate was 28.64%.72(68.61%)students learned Brucellosis from village doctors and acquaintances,only 11(10.51%)students learned it from school;the contact rates of eight kinds of high-risk behaviors were helping feeding 21.84%(62/206),holding lamb 16.50%(58/206),cleaning sheepfold8.73%(26/206),vaccinating sheep 5.34%(17/206),milking 2.91%(6/206);cleaning apoblema 2.91%(6/206),slaughtering 2.42%(5/206)and delivering lamb 1.94%(4/206);there was no significant difference between the passing rate and the eight kinds of the basic protective behaviors except feeding(P0.05).Conclusion The level of Brucellosis prevention knowledge is low in Western pastoral areas of Jilin province,and there was a highrisk of contact behavior with sheep and low basic protection rate.It indicates that the education about prevention and control of Brucellosis in the students from breeding livestork's familes should be strengthened in order to prevent Brucellosis infection.
Using Tag-Return Models to Estimate the Number of Times Fish Are Captured in Fisheries with High Catch-and-Release Rates

AbstractExploitation rates are often estimated using tag-return studies. However, in fisheries with a catch-and-release component, exploitation rate or fishing mortality may not be the most important metric of interest. Instead, angler catch rates (e.g., fish caught per hour), total catch (including fish that are harvested or released), or the average number of times an individual fish is caught may be a better measure of fishery performance. However, if anglers remove tags from fish before release, then catch estimates will be negatively biased because tag removal will not be accounted for. In this study, maximum likelihood estimation methods were used to estimate catch in fisheries with high rates of catch and release. Right-censored models were used to accommodate tags that may or may not be removed by anglers. Model-derived maximum likelihood estimates of mean catch were relatively unbiased under two simulated fishery scenarios. There was a nonlinear, positive relationship between the percentage of ta...
Nitric oxide and cyclic GMP formation induced by interleukin 1β in islets of Langerhans. Evidence for an effector role of nitric oxide in islet dysfunction

Treatment of pancreatic islets with interleukin 1 (IL-1) results in a time-dependent inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion which has recently been demonstrated to be dependent on the metabolism of L-arginine to nitric oxide. In this report IL-1 beta is shown to induce the accumulation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in a time-dependent fashion that mimics the time-dependent inhibition of insulin secretion by IL-1 beta. The accumulation of cGMP is dependent on nitric oxide synthase activity, since NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) prevents IL-1 beta-induced cGMP accumulation. cGMP formation and nitrite production induced by IL-1 beta pretreatment of islets are also blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide. The formation of cGMP does not appear to mediate the inhibitory effects of IL-1 beta on insulin secretion since a concentration of cycloheximide (1 microM) that blocks IL-1 beta-induced inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and nitric oxide formation does not prevent cGMP accumulation, thus dissociating the two events. By using e.p.r. spectroscopy, IL-1 beta is shown to induce the formation of a g = 2.04 iron-nitrosyl feature in islets which is prevented by cycloheximide, demonstrating the requirement of protein synthesis for IL-1 beta-induced nitric oxide formation. Iron-nitrosyl complex-formation by islets confirms that IL-1 beta induces the generation of nitric oxide by islets, and provides evidence indicating that nitric oxide mediates destruction of iron-sulphur clusters of iron-containing enzymes. Consistent with the destruction of iron-sulphur centres is the finding that pretreatment of islets with IL-1 beta results in an approx. 60% inhibition of mitochondrial oxidation of D-glucose to CO2. Inhibition of islet glucose oxidation appears to be mediated by nitric oxide since both NMMA and cycloheximide prevent IL-1 beta-induced inhibition of glucose oxidation. These results show that IL-1 beta-induced nitric oxide formation parallels the ability of IL-1 beta to inhibit glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by islets, and that protein synthesis is required for IL-1 beta-induced nitric oxide formation. These results also suggest that nitric oxide mediates IL-1 beta-induced inhibitory effects on the pancreatic beta-cell by functioning as an effector molecule responsible for the destruction of iron-sulphur centres of iron-containing proteins, resulting in an impairment of mitochondrial function.
Modeling Imperfect Spatial Energy Markets

Coal, electricity, natural gas, and oil markets are imperfect spatial markets. In such markets, consumers, haulers, and/or producers possess market power which derives from the insulation that transport cost provides from competition with distant rivals. Policy analysis tools have been recently developed for simulating such markets. In this chapter, models for predicting prices in imperfect spatial markets are summarized and their application to energy problems is critiqued. It is concluded that much research remains to be done, and that regional scientists, geographers, operations researchers, and economists all must contribute.
Candidal endocarditis presenting with bilateral lower limb ischemia.

The incidence of fungal endocarditis is increasing. While the pathogenic mechanisms are not fully understood, infection is associated with underlying heart disease and is most often attributable to Candida species. Candidal endocarditis complications include heart damage, inflammation, and emboli with resulting ischemia and tissue death. Candidal endocarditis is difficult to diagnose as blood cultures are often negative. Treatment includes surgical intervention and antifungal therapy. This case study describes a 41-year-old female complaining of acute onset of pain with numbness and tingling in both lower extremities. Prior history was significant for mycotic valve aneurysm and replacement secondary to culture-negative endocarditis. Evidence of limb-threatening ischemia led to a bilateral thrombectomy. During the thrombectomy white debris, later identified as Candida albicans, was encountered. A transesophogeal echocardiogram revealed a pedunculated mass which was determined to be the source of infection. The patient was placed on micafungin and voriconazole and discharged with a diagnosis of C. albicans fungal infection with descending aorta fungal mass. This case study illustrates an unusual presentation of candidal endocarditis with discussion of disease epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. ABBREVIATIONS:Spp. - species, KOH - Potassium Hydroxide, PNA FISH - peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization, DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis, WBC - White Blood Cell
Abstract 73: Effect Of A Lifestyle Improvement Program Using Cardiac Rehabilitation Resources On Metabolic Syndrome Components

Objective We studied the effect of a lifestyle therapy program using the resources already available in a cardiac rehabilitation setting for patients at risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods We created a six-week cardiometabolic program (CMP) using facilities and resources of a cardiac rehabilitation setting. The CMP included a minimum of 6 once-a-week 60 min sessions consisting of exercise training and nutrition instruction, in addition to 6 once-a-week 60 min group behavioral modification classes following the LEARN program. We also assessed the outcomes in 239 patients (pts) who had at either obesity or hyperglycemia: 58 pts had enrolled and completed the CMP, 58 pts had signed up for the CMP but either never attended or dropped out early (Control 1) and had follow-up data, and 123 pts had not signed up for the CMP but had been seen in the outpatient preventive cardiology practice at the Mayo Clinic (Control 2). We compared changes in components of the MetS from baseline to six weeks (for the CMP group) and at 6 months for all pts. Results Of 187 people who signed up for the CMP, only 62 completed the program and from those, 58 gave authorization to use their clinical data in research. Of the 125 that never attended or dropped out early, 58 had follow-up data. Clinical characteristics of the CMP, Control 1, and Control 2 groups and improvement in each of the outcome measures are shown in the Table. In the CMP group, there was a significant improvement at 6 weeks in waist circumference, weight, diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol. At 6 months the fasting glucose had also significantly improved. In contrast, improvements in Control 1 and Control 2 were modest at best. See Table. When comparing the 6 month changes in the CMP and Control 1, those in the CMP had more pronounced weight loss (-4.5±5 kg vs -0.14±6 kg, p<0.001); decrease in systolic blood pressure (-1.1±17 mmHg vs +9.6±20 mmHg, p=0.004); and decrease in diastolic blood pressure (-4.6±11 mmHg vs +3.4±15 mmHg, p=0.0017). Similarly, comparing CMP vs Control 2, a significantly greater drop in body weight (-4.5±5 kg vs -0.9±3 kg, p<0.001) and in diastolic blood pressure (-4.6±11 mmHg vs -0.7±9 mmHg, p=0.0202) was noted in the CMP. The change in the number of MetS components per patient dropped significantly, favoring the CMP group compared with the control groups. Conclusion A lifestyle therapy program for patients at risk for MetS can be implemented using existing resources of a cardiac rehabilitation program, although enrollment and completion rates are low. Such a program, however, is effective at improving cardiometabolic outcomes in individuals at risk for MetS. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Explaining Mainstream Success: Accounts From Black Men “in the Middle”

The bulk of sociological work examines African American men who are young, unemployed, and poorly educated. In contrast, we offer a nuanced look at Black men living and working in mainstream society—men in the American mainstream although not always identifying as middle class. From 25 in-depth interviews, our data show an apparent contradiction. We find that men account for their success through their individual choices and declared personal motivation to succeed. Yet, throughout their interviews, these men revealed ways they were exposed to critical interactions and opportunities to a larger social network that provided them with tools for mainstream success. In talking about their experiences, these men shared instances in which their racial identity was questioned.
Cephalexin-induced haemolytic anaemia: A case report.

SummaryWhat is known and objective Drug-induced haemolytic anaemia (DIHA) is a rare condition that has been associated with a multitude of medications. Although a few cephalosporins have been commonly implicated in DIHA, cephalexin has been reported in only a few cases. Case description We report a case of a 44-year-old woman who developed haemolytic anaemia after 5 days of therapy with cephalexin. What is new and conclusion Although DIHA is rare, it should not be overlooked in the differential diagnosis. This case adds to the limited number of reports of cephalexin-induced haemolytic anaemia.
Breast Cancer Suppression by Progesterone Receptors Is Mediated by Their Modulation of Estrogen Receptors and RNA Polymerase III

Greater than 50% of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers coexpress the progesterone receptor (PR), which can directly and globally modify ER action to attenuate tumor growth. However, whether this attenuation is mediated only through PR-ER interaction remains unknown. To address this question, we assessed tumor growth in ER/PR-positive patient-derived xenograft models of breast cancer, where both natural and synthetic progestins were found to antagonize the mitogenic effects of estrogens. Probing the genome-wide mechanisms by which this occurs, we documented that chronic progestin treatment blunted ER-mediated gene expression up to 2-fold at the level of mRNA transcripts. Unexpectedly, 50% of PR binding sites were co-occupied by ER, with a propensity for both receptors to coordinately gain or lose binding in the presence of progesterone. In the second group, PR but not ER was associated with a large fraction of RNA polymerase III-transcribed tRNA genes, independent of hormone treatment. Notably, we discovered that PR physically associated with the Pol III holoenzyme. Select pre-tRNAs and mature tRNAs with PR and POLR3A colocalized at their promoters were relatively decreased in estrogen + progestin-treated tumors. Our results illuminate how PR may indirectly impede ER action by reducing the bioavailability of translational molecules needed for tumor growth. Cancer Res; 77(18); 4934-46. ©2017 AACR.
Isolation of Primary Human Skeletal Muscle Cells

Primary myoblast culture is a valuable tool in research of muscle disease, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. This protocol describes techniques for dissociation of cells from human skeletal muscle biopsies and enrichment for a highly myogenic population by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). We also describe methods for assessing myogenicity and population expansion for subsequent in vitro study.
Explosive Blasts: A Primer on a Multidimensional Mechanism of Injury

Explosive blasts caused 78% of US battle injuries sustained in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. These multidimensional injuries can create multiple, complex injuries in the same patient, or a cohort of simultaneously injured patients, and oftentimes require multidisciplinary treatment. Injuries incurred from explosive blasts are categorized by four mechanisms of injury: Primary blast injuries are those resulting from the casualty’s exposure to the blast wave following a high-explosive detonation. Secondary blast injuries are caused by energized debris from the explosion striking the casualty and causing penetrating wounds and/or blunt injuries. Tertiary blast injuries result from the casualty being propelled by the force of the blast wind. Quaternary blast injuries include all other injuries, illnesses, or diseases related to the explosion and not included by the preceding three categories.
Official Dollarization: Current Experiences and Issues

Literature on official dollarization remains scant and new contributions are emerging only very recently, largely motivated by the emergence of the Euro and the Argentine and Ecuadorian dollarization projects (see, e.g., Borensztein and Berg 2000; Bogetic´ and Schuler 1999; Calvo 1999a, 1999b; Hanke and Schuler 1999; Hanke (2000); and Joint Economic Committee 2000). But the global trend towards greater dollarization and monetary unions suggests wider relevance of dollarized economies than was previously the case. This paper attempts to answer several basic questions about dollarization: What is the present incidence of officially dollarized economies, and what are some of their salient characteristics? What has been the experience of Panama, the largest and most well-known officially dollarized economy? What do we know about the economic costs and benefits ofofficial dollarization? What are the existing and prospective seigniorage sharing arrangements? What conditions may be conducive to official dollarization? What are the prospects for official dollarization in Argentina and other Western Hemisphere countries?
Jasmonic acid-induced plant defenses delay caterpillar developmental resistance to a baculovirus: Slow-growth, high-mortality hypothesis in plant–insect–pathogen interactions

Plants damaged by herbivore feeding can induce defensive responses that reduce herbivore growth. The slow-growth, high-mortality hypothesis postulates that these non-lethal plant defenses prolong the herbivore's period of susceptibility to natural enemies, such as predators and parasitoids. While many juvenile animals increase their disease resistance as they grow, direct tests of the slow-growth, high-mortality hypothesis in the context of plant-herbivore-pathogen interactions are lacking. Caterpillars increase their resistance to lethal baculoviruses as they develop within and across instars, a phenomenon termed developmental resistance. Progression of developmental resistance can occur through age-related increases in systemic immune functioning and/or midgut-based resistance. Here, we examined the slow-growth, high-mortality hypothesis in the context of developmental resistance of caterpillars to baculoviruses. Intra-stadial (within-instar) developmental resistance of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, to an oral inoculum of the baculovirus SfMNPV increased more rapidly with age when larvae were fed on non-induced foliage than foliage that was induced by jasmonic acid (a phytohormone that up-regulates plant anti-herbivore defenses). The degree of developmental resistance observed was attributable to larval weight at the time of virus inoculation. Thus, slower growth on induced plants prolonged the window of larval susceptibility to the baculovirus. Developmental resistance on induced and non-induced plants was absent when budded virus was injected intrahemocoelically bypassing the midgut, suggesting that developmental resistance was gut-based. Addition of fluorescent brightener, which weakens midgut-based resistance mechanisms to oral virus challenge, abolished developmental resistance. These results highlight the impact of plant defenses on herbivore growth rate and consequences for disease risk.
Implementation and operation of incident learning across a newly-created health system.

PURPOSE The purpose of this work is to describe our experience launching an expanded incident learning system for patient safety and quality that takes into account aspects beyond therapeutic dose delivery, specifically imaging/simulation incidents, medical care incidents, and operational issues. METHODS Our ILS was designed for a newly created health system comprised of a midsized academic hospital and two smaller community hospitals. The main design goal was to create a highly sensitive system to capture as much information throughout the department as possible. Reports were classified according to incidents and near misses involving therapeutic radiation, imaging/simulation, and patient care (not involving radiation), unsafe conditions, operational issues, and accolades/suggestions. Reports were analyzed according to impact on various steps in the process of care. Actions made in response to reports were assessed and characterized by intervention reliability. RESULTS A total of 1125 reports were submitted in the first 23 months. For all three departments, therapeutic radiation incidents and near misses consisted of less than one-third of all reports submitted. For the midsized academic department, operational issues and unsafe conditions comprised the largest percentage of reports (70%). Although the majority of reports impacted steps related to the technical aspects of treatment (simulation, planning, and treatment delivery), 20% impacted other steps such as scheduling or clinic visits. More than 160 actions were performed in response to reports. Of these actions, 63 were quality improvement interventions to improve practices, while 97 were learning actions for raising awareness. CONCLUSIONS We have developed an ILS that identifies issues related to the entire process of care delivery in radiation oncology, as evidenced by frequent and varied reported events. By identifying a broad spectrum of issues in a department, opportunities for improvement can be identified.
Postictal clinical and electroencephalographic activity following intracranially recorded bilateral tonic-clonic seizures.

OBJECTIVE The dynamics of the postictal period, which may demonstrate such dramatic clinical phenomena as focal neurological deficits, prolonged coma and immobility, and even sudden death, are poorly understood. We sought to classify and characterize postictal phases of bilateral tonic-clonic seizures based on electroencephalographic (EEG) criteria and associated clinical features. METHODS We performed a detailed electroclinical evaluation of the postictal period in a series of 31 bilateral tonic-clonic seizures in 16 patients undergoing epilepsy surgery evaluations for focal pharmacoresistant epilepsy with intracranial electrodes and time-locked video. RESULTS The postictal EEG demonstrated three clearly differentiated phases as follows: attenuation, a burst-attenuation pattern, and a return to continuous background, with abrupt, synchronized transitions between phases. Postictal attenuation was common, occurring in 84% of seizures in 94% of patients in this study. There was increased power in gamma frequencies (>25 Hz) during postictal attenuation periods relative to preictal baseline in 88% of seizures demonstrating the attenuation pattern (n = 25 seizures, P 90% of channels in 13 seizures (52%) and <10% of channels in three seizures (12%). Postictal immobility was seen in 87% of seizures, with either a flaccid (58%) or rigid/dystonic (29%) appearance. Clinical motor manifestations, including focal dystonic posturing, automatisms, head and eye deviation, and myoclonic jerking, continued or emerged within the first minute following seizure termination in 48% of seizures, regardless of EEG appearance. SIGNIFICANCE Intracranial postictal attenuation, which may be diffuse or focal, is so common that it should be regarded as a ubiquitous feature of bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, rather than an unusual event. The prominence of high-frequency activity coupled with emerging clinical features, including rigid immobility and semiologies such as automatisms, during the postictal period supports the presence of ongoing seizure-related neuronal activity in unrecorded brain regions.
Opportunities and challenges in designing radiation-balanced fiber lasers and amplifiers (Conference Presentation)

Recent advances in power scaling of fiber lasers and amplifiers are hampered by the transverse mode instability, which deteriorates the output laser beam quality: the main cause is the overheating of the optical fibers. Radiative cooling has been suggested as a potentially viable heat removal scheme: the rare-earth-doped optical fiber is pumped at the pump wavelength, which is higher than the mean fluorescence wavelength of the active ions; therefore, the anti-Stokes fluorescence removes some and ideally most of the excess heat. In practice, the pump absorption cross section is considerably lower than its peak value, because the pump wavelength must be sufficiently longer than the mean fluorescence wavelength for efficient radiative cooling. Therefore, the design of such lasers and amplifiers must naturally depart from the conventional designs. I will focus on general scaling laws that govern the design of radiation-balanced fiber amplifiers and lasers. In particular, I will show that the undesirable parasitic absorption can make conventional designs unrealistic or at best irrelevant. In other words, a sufficiently large (and realistic) value of parasitic absorption can totally dominate the thermal balance, because its contribution scales linearly with the power, while the radiative cooling saturates at high power values. I will show that in conventional designs, radiation balancing can only be achieved at power values sufficiently low that may not even warrant any sophisticated cooling effort. However, there exist unconventional design strategies that make radiation balancing relevant even at high powers and I will explore such designs and their consequences.
The (Unfulfilled) Fintech Potential

Despite the high expectations of technology to come to consumers’ aid, detailed by academics, technological experts, and government officials, the largest Fintech companies that impact consumers' financial choices have made only limited progress in resolving market failures that are derived from consumers’ bounded rationality, information, and attention. Analyzing the design of leading credit card comparison websites, financial management tools, and mobile wallets, the paper demonstrates that notwithstanding the significant benefits of such products, they don't fulfill the potential ascribed to them. Even though the relevant technologies and information are available, Fintech intermediaries simply don’t take on such roles, the solutions envisioned aren't coming into fruition, and in some cases, the design of these products even exacerbates existing market failures. There are several possible explanations for why such services, despite their potential benefits, aren’t appearing as significant participants in financial markets. First and foremost, just as bounded rationality distorts consumers’ demand for financial products, it also limits their ability to demand products that help them overcome those same biases. Second, consumers prefer to receive free services, which often entail lowering the quality of the services they receive, while forcing companies to profit from back-end services. When companies design their services as a two-sided platform, they under-price the services offered to consumers, often providing them for free, while transferring such costs to other participants on the platform, such as retail businesses or credit card companies, which may lead to conflicting interests. Finally, such services may be impacted by the power and influence of existing incumbents, specifically banks and credit card networks. Despite these challenges, there are several ways that markets can develop to fulfill the potential for enhanced products that resolve behavioral market failures. Policy interventions that look to antitrust and competition considerations, as well as the imposition of existing fiduciary duties or regulations promoting fairness and prohibiting misleading practices, can go a long way in driving out certain problematic practices. Additionally, market actors whose interests are aligned with those of consumers, such as employers and wealth managers, can help create the market demand needed to fund services that fulfill the Fintech potential.
Stereospecific solid state sodium borohydride reductions of cage dikotenes

Abstract Solid state reductions of carbonyl groups in three cage diketones, 1a-1c, have been performed by using sodium borohydride, and the results thereby obtained have been compared with the corresponding reductions performed in ethanol solution. In each case, the solid state reduction proceeds stereospecifically; hydride transfer occurs exclusively at the exo face of the carbonyl group. In contrast, the corresponding homogeneous (solution-phase) reductions display only moderate stereoselectivity.
On Dropping Needles and WiFi Link Crossing

In a general simulation of random walking (with the angle of motion picked uniformly), it can be seen that the probability of crossing a WiFi TX-RX link is directly proportional to the per-step distance and inversely proportional to the lateral dimension of the room. The asymptotic value of the said crossing probability is derived using Perron-Frobenius theory to determine the limit distribution of the said Markov model. Surprisingly, we can establish a bijection to a scenario explored nearly 300 years ago by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon to get the result. Furthermore we can use the generalizations of the latter problem to ascertain some interesting observations about the original one.
Counter-Effects of Ethnic and Racial Identity (ERI) as a Buffer against Perceived Racial Discrimination among Asian Immigrants

This study explores the moderating role of Ethnic and Racial Identity (ERI) in the relations between perceived racial discrimination and Asian immigrants’ psychological distress. Using survey data ...
An Exploratory Study on Small Business Website Creation and Usage

This study aims at exploring the factors related to the implementation of E-commerce websites by small business owners. While large organizations often consider E-commerce as a fundamental piece of their business strategy, small businesses place varying degrees of importance on E-commerce as a strategic tool to business success. Through a survey of small businesses, this study examines the creation and usage of E-commerce websites for small businesses. For companies with only a web presence, as well as for companies with an E-commerce website, the top two reasons for an E-commerce website identified by respondents of this study are to increase the profits of the company and to increase the market share. The study also found that factors such as lack of management support and costs greater than benefits were not detrimental to the decision to implement an E-commerce solution. Additional factors motivating small businesses to create and use E-commerce websites include the ability to better respond to customer demands and increased profits as a result of having E-commerce websites. This study contributes to the E-commerce literature by highlighting motivations of small business owners as they consider implementing E-commerce solutions.
Wrist and Hand

This chapter deals with injuries of the wrist and hand. Various types of fractures and other injuries are presented. MR is discussed where it significantly adds to evaluation of these injuries.
Assessing variation in the costs of care among patients awaiting liver transplantation

Previous economic analyses of liver transplantation have focused on the cost of the transplant and subsequent care. Accurate characterization of the pretransplant costs, indexed to severity of illness, is needed to assess the economic burden of liver disease. A novel data set linking Medicare claims with transplant registry data for 15 710 liver transplant recipients was used to determine average monthly waitlist spending (N = 249 434 waitlist months) using multivariable linear regression models to adjust for recipient characteristics including Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Characteristics associated with higher spending included older age, female gender, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes, hypertension and increasing MELD score (p < 0.05 for all). Spending increased exponentially with severity of illness: expected monthly spending at a MELD score of 30 was 10 times higher than at MELD of 20 ($22 685 vs. $2030). Monthly spending within MELD strata also varied geographically. For candidates with a MELD score of 35, spending varied from $19 548 (region 10) to $36 099 (region 7). Regional variation in waitlist costs may reflect the impact of longer waiting times on greater pretransplant hospitalization rates among high MELD score patients. Reducing the number of high MELD waitlist patients through improved medical management and novel organ allocation systems could decrease total spending for end-stage liver care.
Waves and Instabilities in Dusty Plasmas

This review article is divided into five parts. The Introduction contains some examples of dusty plasmas in the Universe and in the laboratory. This is followed by a brief section describing the mechanisms by which dust particles acquire an electrical charge in plasmas. The next section provides theoretical background for understanding the effect of dust on waves and instabilities in dusty plasmas. A description of some of the experimental studies of waves in dusty plasmas is then given. A few concluding remarks are then made.
Digital Portfolios in Teacher Education

Abstract Digital portfolios can be powerful tools for facilitating reflective practice when based on sound developmental principles and adequately supported by mentoring, peer review, and other effective practices. This article explores the use of the digital portfolio to promote reflection by practitioners and suggests strategies that can be employed by teacher educators to maximize the benefits of these constructivist tools for learning, reflection, and assessment.
Human Rights Violations, Umbrella Concepts, and Empirical Analysis

In this research note, the authors seek to demonstrate conceptually and empirically that the unidimensional treatment of human rights violations, which is the standard approach found in the literature, confounds two important underlying components of the concept. They argue that the disaggregation of umbrella concepts like human rights violations is an important step in the research process and that it offers significant theoretical and empirical benefits. The specific implications of this conceptual argument for the measurement of human rights violations are drawn out through an empirical analysis of the standard composite scale in terms of its two underlying components. Future research needs to recognize the distortions and information loss produced by unidimensional treatment of the concept and the benefits of disaggregating human rights violations into its important components.
Informed Consent for Neonatal Circumcision: An Ethical and Legal Conundrum

A comprehensive examination of the law and ethics relating to whether states should permit routine infant male circumcision, primarily through the lens of requirements for informed consent.
Measuring cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance: a comparison of the heartsaver checklist to manikin strip

Abstract Both checklists and recording manikin strips (strips) are used for evaluation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performance. To examine their relationship, we simultaneously evaluated single rescuer CPR of 255 subjects using both checklists and strips. For Group I ( N = 192; general public tested in Heartsaver course) we compared the total number of initial ventilations and compressions judged to be correct by checklists with those judged to be correct by strips. For Group II ( N = 63; physicians, nurses, general public tested in retention studies) we compared each subjects checklist with their own strip for evaluation of correct ventilations and compressions. In Group I, CPR was judged to be correct two to four times more frequently by checklists than by strips. In Group II, all correlations were poor. The most common disagreements were with performances evaluated as correct by checklist but not by strip. Therefore, the current checklist may be a poor instrument for measuring CPR. More accurate evaluation should improve learning and therefore improve outcome following cardiac arrest.
Defensive Pessimism, Anxiety, and the Complexity of Evaluating Self‐Regulation

Defensive pessimism is a motivated cognitive strategy that helps people manage their anxiety and pursue their goals. Individuals who use defensive pessimism set low expectations, and play through extensive mental simulations of possible outcomes as they prepare for goal-relevant tasks and situations. Research on a variety of phenomena, from self-handicapping to stereotype threat, demonstrates the potential effectiveness of defensive pessimism as a self-regulation strategy. Review of this research provides an illustration of the complexity of self-regulation efforts, because understanding how and why defensive pessimism works requires an integrated understanding the role of traits, motivations, and self structures within the individual, the resultant goals toward which strategies are directed, and the particular constraints of different situations and cultural contexts.
Acute sex hormone suppression reduces skeletal muscle sympathetic nerve activity

Objectives Comparisons of sympathetic nervous system activity (SNA) between young and older women have produced equivocal results, in part due to inadequate control for potential differences in sex hormone concentrations, age, and body composition. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a short-term reduction in sex hormones on tonic skeletal muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), an indirect measure of whole body SNA, using an experimental model of sex hormone deficiency in young women. We also assessed the independent effects of estradiol and progesterone add-back therapy on MSNA.
333 REVERSAL OF PHENOBARBITAL (PB) INDUCED ALTERATION IN SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION BY CYCLOHEXIMIDE AND HYDROXY UREA

Previously we reported that PB administration during late pregnancy caused defects in sexual maturation of female offspring (delayed vaginal opening, irregular cycle and infertility). To elucidate the mechanism of these effects, inhibitors of protein RNA and DNA synthesis were studied. Time pregnant rats (S-D,CD strain) 5 per group, were injected, SC with different agents from 17-20 days of gestation. Results show that cycloheximide (CY), a protein synthesis inhibitor, and hydroxyurea (OH-u), a DNA synthesis inhibitor, when combined with PB significantly reduced reproductive dysfunction. However, α-amantinin (α-Am), an RNA synthesis inhibitor, failed to protect the offspring from PB induced malformations. No inhibitor alone had any effect on reproductive function. Results suggest that prenatal PB produces its effect via new protein synthesis.
Thinking Outside the Box: Rectilinear Shapes Selectively Activate Scene-Selective Cortex

Fifteen years ago, an intriguing area was found in human visual cortex. This area (the parahippocampal place area [PPA]) was initially interpreted as responding selectively to images of places. However, subsequent studies reported that PPA also responds strongly to a much wider range of image categories, including inanimate objects, tools, spatial context, landmarks, objectively large objects, indoor scenes, and/or isolated buildings. Here, we hypothesized that PPA responds selectively to a lower-level stimulus property (rectilinear features), which are common to many of the above higher-order categories. Using a novel wavelet image filter, we first demonstrated that rectangular features are common in these diverse stimulus categories. Then we tested whether PPA is selectively activated by rectangular features in six independent fMRI experiments using progressively simplified stimuli, from complex real-world images, through 3D/2D computer-generated shapes, through simple line stimuli. We found that PPA was consistently activated by rectilinear features, compared with curved and nonrectangular features. This rectilinear preference was (1) comparable in amplitude and selectivity, relative to the preference for category (scenes vs faces), (2) independent of known biases for specific orientations and spatial frequency, and (3) not predictable from V1 activity. Two additional scene-responsive areas were sensitive to a subset of rectilinear features. Thus, rectilinear selectivity may serve as a crucial building block for category-selective responses in PPA and functionally related areas.
Extractant effects on some properties of rhodopsin

Abstract The photosensitivity, thermal stability and rate of metarhodopsin II production of rhodopsin solubilized in five commonly used extracting agents have been determined and compared with rod outer segment suspensions. An effect of extracting agent on photosensitivity was found, indicating that the electronic interactions of the chromophore and protein are sensitive to the micellar environment. Both the rate of thermal decay and metarhodopsin II production were found to be a function of the detergent. Only digitonin gave rates which were comparable to those seen in rod outer segment suspensions.