cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a priority leaky bucket regulator for virtual path traffic in ATM networks

The proposed priority traffic regulator maintains a separate cell buffer for each traffic priority to be able to trade off cell delay and loss (or tagging) on the basis of the quality of service requirements for each priority class. A versatile Markovian point process model is adopted for both priority and low-priority sources. The joint buffer content distribution and cell loss probabilities of the two priority classes are obtained. The obtained results capture the effect of the shaper/policer and source parameters on the cell loss/delay performance, and may be used for design optimization.
Elevation of plasma cholecystokinin concentration following a meal is increased by gonadectomy in male cats.

Summary An overweight or obese body condition commonly develops after gonadectomy (GX) in domestic cats. The cause appears to be a rapid, quantal (approximately 12%), increase in food intake that is sustained and probably mediated by withdrawal of gonadal hormone. Recently, an interaction of gonadal hormone and cholecystokinin (CCK) effectiveness has been suggested. A reduction in the satiating potency of intestinal CCK was presently hypothesized to contribute to the disturbance of food intake control caused by GX in domestic cats. Pre- and post-prandial intestinal CCK secretion as indicated by plasma CCK concentrations were determined in 16 adult male cats (5.1 ± 0.1 kg) 8 weeks before and 57 weeks after eight of the cats were gonadectomized. During ad libitum intake of a commercial dry, expanded diet, body weight increased from 22% to 28% in gonadectomized cats and was unchanged in intact cats. Baseline CCK concentrations were not different between gonadectomized and intact cats. Amounts of diet ingested during CCK determinations were 15–19% of daily metabolizable energy requirement and were not different between gonadectomized and intact cats. The post-prandial area under the curve (AUC; 0–400 min) CCK concentration increased linearly with meal size (p < 0.01) and was not correlated with body weight. Area under the curve CCK concentration, when normalized for meal size, was 34% greater (p < 0.01) in gonadectomized cats than that in intact cats. The findings indicate GX increases meal-induced intestinal CCK secretion and therefore, do not support the study hypothesis. The findings indicate GX may slow digestion and absorption and attenuate inhibition of food intake by CCK.
Growth of an Industry: How U.S. Scientists and Clinicians Have Enabled Stem Cell Tourism

Direct consumer marketing for scientifically unproven “stem cell therapies” has accelerated in parallel with the pace of science-based progress in preclinical research laboratories. Murdoch and Sco...
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction and ureterohydronephrosis as the presenting manifestations of relapse in a lupus patient

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We present a 32-year old female with SLE for seven years. She was admitted with profound fatigue, frequent vomiting, colicky abdominal pain, diarrhoea and intermittent dysuria for the past 12 months. Imaging studies revealed dilated small and large bowel loops with thickened intestinal wall and multiple fluid levels. Urinary tract involvement was also demonstrated. The patient responded well to immunosuppressive treatment. IPO in the context of SLE has been described only in anecdotal case reports. Half of the cases developed this complication during the course of lupus as in the present case. Concomitant ureterohydronephrosis was present in approximately two-thirds of the cases. Early recognition of the syndrome is necessary for the institution of the appropriate medical treatment and prevention of inappropriate surgical intervention.
A Bilinear Model for Sparse Coding

Recent algorithms for sparse coding and independent component analysis (ICA) have demonstrated how localized features can be learned from natural images. However, these approaches do not take image transformations into account. As a result, they produce image codes that are redundant because the same feature is learned at multiple locations. We describe an algorithm for sparse coding based on a bilinear generative model of images. By explicitly modeling the interaction between image features and their transformations, the bilinear approach helps reduce redundancy in the image code and provides a basis for transformation-invariant vision. We present results demonstrating bilinear sparse coding of natural images. We also explore an extension of the model that can capture spatial relationships between the independent features of an object, thereby providing a new framework for parts-based object recognition.
AN EOCENE SHINISAURID (REPTILIA, SQUAMATA) FROM WYOMING, U.S.A.

A new fossil anguimorph from the Green River Formation of Wyoming represents the first fossil relative of the living Chinese crocodile lizard, Shinisaurus crocodilurus. Its discovery significantly shortens the missing lineage interval and greatly expands the geographic range of the group, previously known only from southern China and northern Vietnam. Although separated by great temporal and physical (geographic) expanses, the new taxon and Shinisaurus show extraordinary morphological similarity. These include characteristics that might otherwise be considered autapomorphies for Shinisaurus, such as a prefrontal contribution to the naris and a subpalpebral fossa. Re-analysis of anguimorph interrelationships yields the hypothesis that Shinisaurus and its ancient cousin represent a basal radiation of Platynota.
H-K-ATPase in distal renal tubular acidosis: urinary tract obstruction, lithium, and amiloride

In previous studies we suggested that urinary tract obstruction and chronic administration of lithium or amiloride were models of "voltage-dependent" distal renal tubular acidosis (DRTA). Subsequently, differences among these three models suggested that the pathogenesis was far more complex than we originally proposed. A recent study showed that H-adenosinetriphosphatase (H-ATPase) activity was decreased in all three experimental models. In the current experiments we examined the effect of 24-h unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and chronic administration of amiloride and lithium on collecting tubule H-K-ATPase, the other renal H-ATPase enzyme. In the obstructed kidney, cortical collecting tubule (CCT) H-K-ATPase activity was enhanced by 73 +/- 10.0%, whereas the enzyme activity in medullary collecting tubule (MCT) was decreased by 67 +/- 5.4%. In the normal contralateral kidney, activities of H-ATPase, H-K-ATPase, and Na-K-ATPase were increased by approximately 30% in both CCT and MCT. Following amiloride (3 mg.kg-1.day-1 x 3 days ip), rats had normal acid-base status, slight hyperkalemia, and markedly elevated plasma aldosterone levels. Both CCT and MCT H-K-ATPase activities in amiloride-treated rats were unchanged. After LiCl (4 meq.kg-1.day-1 x 3 days ip), rats developed mild metabolic acidosis and had normokalemia and normal aldosterone status. CCT H-K-ATPase activity in lithium-treated rats was decreased by 64 +/- 8.8%, whereas the enzyme activity in MCT remained unchanged. Lithium in vitro (30 meq/l) inhibited CCT, but not MCT, H-K-ATPase activity, whereas amiloride had no effect on the enzyme activity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with surgically altered upper gastrointestinal anatomy, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), can be more challenging compared to those with a normal anatomy. Detailed assessment of cross-sectional imaging features by the radiologist, especially the pancreaticobiliary anatomy, strictures, and stones, is very helpful to the endoscopist in planning the procedure. In addition, any information on enteral anastomoses (for e.g., gastrojejunal strictures and afferent limb obstruction) is also very useful. The endoscopist should review the operative note to understand the exact anatomy prior to procedure. RYGB, which is performed for medically complicated obesity, is the most commonly encountered altered anatomy ERCP procedure. Other situations include patients who have had a pancreaticoduodenectomy or a hepaticojejunostomy. Balloon-assisted deep enteroscopy (single and double-balloon enteroscopy) or rotational endoscopy is often used to traverse the length of the intestine to reach the papilla. In addition, ERCP in these patients is further challenging due to the oblique orientation of the papilla relative to the forward viewing endoscope and the limited enteroscopy-length therapeutic accessories that are currently available. Overall, reported therapeutic success is approximately 70-75% with a complication rate of 3-4%. Alternative approaches include percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, laparoscopy-assisted ERCP, or surgery. Given the complexity, ERCP in patients with surgically altered anatomy should be performed in close collaboration with body imagers, interventional radiology, and surgical services.
The Importance of Being Satisfied A Longitudinal Exploration of Police Contact, Procedural Injustice, and Subsequent Delinquency

Researchers have documented the negative consequences of police-initiated contact for youth including increased delinquency. The procedural justice framework suggests this delinquency amplification...
Structural characterization of GaN single crystal layers grown by vapor transport from a gallium oxide (Ga2O3) powder source

The sublimation growth technique is highly attractive as a commercially viable GaN substrate technology on account of its simplicity and relatively high growth rates. Sublimation growth of GaN using GaN powder source, however, is hampered by formation of liquid Ga in the source. To overcome this limitation, an oxide transport process using a mixture of gallium oxide (Ga2O3) powder and graphite powder as precursors with nitrogen gas as carrier and ammonia as the source of nitrogen has been developed. GaN layers grown by this process were studied by optical microscopy, synchrotron white beam x-ray topography (SWBXT) and high resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) to characterize their structural properties. Studies reveal that the GaN layers grown are single crystal but characterized by dislocation densities and impurities higher than those obtained using GaN powder source. Observed defect distribution is correlated with growth conditions to deduce optimal growth procedure.
Identifying the Factors Leading to Success: How an Innovative Science Curriculum Cultivates Student Motivation.

PlantingScience is an award-winning program recognized for its innovation and use of computer-supported scientist mentoring. Science learners work on inquiry-based experiments in their classrooms and communicate asynchronously with practicing plant scientist-mentors about the projects. The purpose of this study was to identify specific factors contributing to the program’s effectiveness in engaging students. Using multiple data sources, grounded theory (Strauss and Corbin in Basics of qualitative research. Sage, Newbury Park, 1990) was used to develop a conceptual model identifying the central phenomenon, causal conditions, intervening conditions, strategies, contexts, and student outcomes of the project. Student motivation was determined to be the central phenomenon explaining the success of the program, with student empowerment, online mentor interaction, and authenticity of the scientific experiences serving as causal conditions. Teachers contributed to student motivation by giving students more freedom, challenging students to take projects deeper, encouraging, and scaffolding. Scientists contributed to student motivation by providing explanations, asking questions, encouraging, and offering themselves as partners in the inquiry process. Several positive student outcomes of the program were uncovered and included increased positivity, greater willingness to take projects deeper, better understanding of scientific concepts, and greater commitments to collaboration. The findings of this study provide relevant information on how to develop curriculum, use technology, and train practitioners and mentors to utilize strategies and actions that improve learners’ motivation to engage in authentic science in the classroom.
The improvement of detection method of As-Ce catalysis spectrophotometry for urine iodine

Objective To establish a fast and convenient determination of urinary iodine method.Methods Use electrothermal constant temperature drying box digestion sample instead of electrothermal constant temperature digestion samplesin the arsenic-cerium catalytic spectrophotometry method,after digestion,add ammonium ceric sulfate to each tube in an interval of 30 seconds,after the reaction change the colorimetric time intervals from 30 s to 15 s or 20 s.Results The method linear was improved,and also the number of sample determination increased.Conclusion The improved method saves sample time;linearity,precision and accuracy are consistent with the experimental requirements,and this method is suitable for large quantities of samples test.
Macronutrient intakes of 10-year-old children, 1973 to 1982.

Diets of four groups of 10-year-old children (no. =871) from a biracial community were examined to document eating patterns and to note temporal trends in energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intakes. A 24-hour dietary recall method, incorporating numerous quality controls, was adapted for interviewing children. Protein provided 13%, fat 38%, and carbohydrate 49% of calories. Few racial differences in eating patterns were detected. Boys had higher energy intakes than girls, but after diets were adjusted per 1,000 kcal, no other sex differences in intake were found. Snacks yielded roughly one-third of daily energy intake, one-fifth of the day's protein, one-third of the fat, and two-fifths of the total carbohydrate intake. Density of macronutrients within the children's diets was consistent over time. Diets of children in the Bogalusa study typify the American eating pattern and are comparable with those found in major national surveys.
Diet, Obesity, and Political Involvement.

The views expressed are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board. Abstract: This essay is an opinion article addressed to the busy practitioner. It provides information on nutrition, diet, nutritional science, and obesity to serve as a reference in teaching his patients on these issues. It is composed by a gastroenterologist who has been engaged in clinical gastroenterology and nutrition, research, and teaching in an academic medical center for 35 years. It also relates the information to conclusions on reasonable involvement of the national government in these topics. Finally, its audience might include the interested, well-educated, lay public. Hence, excessive scientific parlance and referencing have been avoided.
A Consideration of Differences in the Grammar of the Mo Tzu “Essays” and “Dialogues”

(1977). A Consideration of Differences in the Grammar of the Mo Tzu “Essays” and “Dialogues”. Monumenta Serica: Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 248-267.
Intermittent idiopathic portal hypertension. A case report.

A patient with idiopathic portal hypertension is described in whom exacerbations and remissions were well documented by clinical, laboratory, and manometric techniques. As is typical of idiopathic portal hypertension, the liver histology was initially normal, but gradually deteriorated over an 18-month period of observation. Portal hemodynamic studies revealed a marked increase in portal and sinusoidal pressure, with a moderate presinusoidal component, reduced hepatic blood flow, and a widely dilated patent portal vein with esophageal varices, but with a decreased hepatic venous pattern. The various theories regarding the pathophysiology of this entity are discussed, and their validity is evaluated relative to the finding in this patient.
Effect of Sweeteners on the Renin-Angiotensin System in Rats

Jacob Ball, Dr. Theresa Salerno (Faculty Mentor) Department of Chemistry and Geology, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN 56001 jacob.ball-1@mnsu.edu Abstract Normal abundant dietary sugars such as fructose and glucose can contribute to hypertension and other health issues. To avoid these health complications, many individuals use artificial sweeteners. An equivalent intake of some artificial sweeteners also can lead to hypertension. However, Stevia, a sweetener that is isolated from a Paraguayan plant, was shown in relevant literature to decrease blood pressure in both rat specimens and humans. The general purpose of this research project was to study the effect of Stevia and glucose on the expression of two key components of the reninangiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS): prorenin receptor (PRR) and angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1). Increased expression of renin and angiotensin can lead to vasoconstriction and systemic hypertension. Their effects are mediated by their binding to PRR and AT1. Therefore, decreases in the expression of these receptor proteins can result in lowered blood pressure. Rats were fed diets supplemented with glucose, saccharin, or Stevia over a six-week period and the kidneys were obtained. qPCR designs were developed to measure the relative amounts of PRR receptor and AT1 receptor. The methods had efficiencies greater than 97% and gave reproducible results. Then the developed methods were used to measure the expression of AT1 and PRR in the different rat kidney samples. A general increase in the relative expression of both AT1 and PRR in the glucose diet was observed. However, this increase and all other differences in the test groups were not significantly different than the control group. These results suggest no differences in AT1 or PRR expression for different sweetener diets.
The Anatomy of an LBO: Leverage, Control and Value

In a typical leveraged buyout, there are three components. The acquirers borrow a significant portion of a publicly traded firm's value (leverage), take a key role in the management of the firm (control) and often take it off public markets (going private). None of these three components is new to markets and there can clearly be good reasons for each of them. Starting with traditional corporate finance first principles, we examine the conditions that are necessary for each component to make sense. Using the aborted Harman LBO, where KKR and Goldman were lead players, as a case study, we argue that choosing the wrong target for a leveraged buyout is a recipe for disaster even for the most reputed players in the business. In other words, no amount of deal expertise can overcome poor financial fundamentals. In closing, we argue that the three components in an LBO are separable and that bundling them together as essential pieces of every deal is a mistake.
Investigation of rope formation in gas–solid flows through a 90° pipe bend using high-speed video and CFD simulations

A study of rope formation in gas–solid flows through abrupt turns has been conducted. Experiments in which high-speed video was recorded and analyzed for solid concentration profiles were compared ...
Adaptive Wildcard Rule Cache Management for Software-Defined Networks

Software-Defined Networking enables flexible flow control by caching rules at OpenFlow switches. Wildcard rule caching enables management of traffic aggregates, reduces flow setup queries, and simplifies policy management. However, to guarantee correct packet matching, some rules that depend on the requested rule need to be cached as well, which leads to unnecessary flow table bloat and potential overflow. We have proposed a scheme called CAching rules in Buckets (CAB) to mitigate the dependency issue by partitioning the field space into buckets and caching rules associated with the requested buckets. In this paper, we propose the Adaptive Cache ManagEment (ACME) for CAB, which dynamically adjusts the sizes and shapes of buckets according to incoming traffic to achieve more efficient flow table utilization. The improvement also includes preloading rules that span a wide field space to reduce bandwidth usage in the control channel. We formalize the caching policies for CAB-ACME to guarantee the semantic correctness of packet classification. We evaluate the performance of CAB-ACME through software-based simulations and a prototype built with the OpenDaylight controller and hardware switches from multiple vendors. The results show that, compared with other rule caching schemes, CAB-ACME reduces the cache miss rate by one order of magnitude and the control channel bandwidth usage by a half. ACME also helps maintain a steadier performance under dynamic traffic changes compared with the baseline CAB design.
Coding Ants: Optimization of GPU code using ant colony optimization

Abstract This article proposes the Coding Ants framework, an approach for auto-tuning which uses ant colony optimization to find a sequence of code optimizations for GPU architectures. The proposed framework is built as an extension to the PPCG compiler, a source-to-source code generator based on the polyhedral model and specializing in the generation of CUDA code. As such, the Coding Ants framework is able to use the polyhedral abstraction to represent a large space of possible transformations. Several optimizations are also presented which have not been included in any previous GPU auto-tuning system. The proposed framework also extends the traditional ant colony optimization algorithm to include performance metrics as well as a regression tree analysis to segment the search space. We evaluate the framework on the PolyBench suite and compare the performance of three levels of optimization that transfer increasing control to the Coding Ants framework from the PPCG cost model.
Pulmonary Infections Caused by Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae is a gram-negative coccobacillus frequently present as part of the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract, but it may cause a wide variety of infections in children and adults. Under natural conditions, humans are the only known hosts of H. influenzae. Of fundamental importance to the understanding of infections caused by H. influenzae is the recognition that isolates may be nontypable (unencapsulated) or may elaborate one of six polysaccharide capsules designated types a through f. Encapsulated strains expressing type b capsular polysaccharide (a polymer of ribosylribitol phosphate) cause infections primarily in children younger than 6 years old and are responsible for most cases of systemic infection with H. influenzae. The most common systemic infection is meningitis, but epiglottitis, bacteremic cellulitis, septic arthritis, and pneumonia are also frequently seen. Nontypable H. influenzae are commonly resident flora in the pharynx of both children and adults. Although they are not usually the cause of infection with bacteremia, they are important etiologic agents of otitis media, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, and puerperal infection. Both encapsulated and unencapsulated H. influenzae may cause pulmonary infection.
Travel mood scale: Development and validation of a survey to measure mood during transportation

Abstract Research on the relationship between transportation and mood has relied primarily on paper diaries that ask participants about their general satisfaction and mood during transport over a given period of time (e.g., the past week). This approach is vulnerable to recall bias. Some researchers have used surveys for participants to complete immediately after a trip in order to reduce recall bias, but this approach requires participants to carry a paper survey while travelling. Advances in phone technology enables researchers to measure mood immediately after a trip, thereby reducing recall bias and participant inconvenience. We build on prior research by developing a mood scale for use in transportation studies that utilize smartphone applications. This article introduces the development of the Travel Mood Scale (TMS), which was administered along with the Satisfaction with Travel Scale (STS) to 738 college students. When rating their mood, participants were asked to consider their most recent trip. The TMS was shown to have adequate internal reliability and correlated highly with the STS, demonstrating convergent validity. Ordinary least squares regression models showed that transportation mode, trip purpose, activities completed during the trip, and participant gender were significantly related to mood for both the TMS and STS, thereby supporting construct validity of the TMS. Specifically, mood was more positive when participants used active travel, went on nonwork/noneducational trips, and talked to other people during the trip. Compared with males in the sample, females reported feeling less safe when traveling. The concise nature of the TMS provides easy integration with smartphone apps, thereby providing a promising tool for assessing mood in transportation research.
Interpreter traits and the relationship with technology and visibility

Abstract Research on technology and interpreting regularly investigates technology-mediated interpreting settings and contrasts various interpreting configurations to better understand how technology changes the interpreting task. This scholarship generally does not account for various personality or character attributes exhibited by interpreters, nor does it examine the actual adoption and usage of these tools. This article presents findings from a survey-based study that examines several interpreter-specific constructs, namely their self-perception of the interpreter’s role and communication apprehension, in conjunction with attitudes toward technology use and adoption. Findings suggest that community interpreters differ from their conference interpreting counterparts and that domain-specific differences emerge between medical and court interpreters with respect to their perceived role and their propensity to adopt new technologies.
The Relationship Between Pediatric Residents' Experiences Being Parented and Their Provision of Parenting Advice

Background: Factors surrounding pediatricians’ parenting advice and training on parenting during residency have not been well studied. The Resident Parenting Questionnaire was developed to assess a) the relationship between pediatric residents’ upbringing and their parenting advice style and b) factors associated with confidence and resource use when delivering parenting advice. Methods: 301 pediatric residents from 15 United States residency programs completed the Resident Parenting Questionnaire with upbringing and advice responses categorized using Baumrind’s parenting model (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive). Chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests, Bowker’s test of symmetry, and regression analyses assessed associations between residents’ upbringing, parenting advice style/content, and confidence in providing parenting advice. Results: Most participants indicated being raised authoritatively (68%) and giving authoritative parenting advice (83%), but advice differed based on how they perceived their upbringing (p<0.0001). Residents noting authoritative upbringing were more likely to give authoritative advice (85%) while others tended to give advice differing from upbringing (e.g. those perceiving authoritarian upbringing were more likely to give authoritative/permissive). Analyses suggest resident race, acculturation, future plans, and resident level are associated with parenting advice type. Confidence in giving parenting advice decreased significantly as patient age increased and increased with resident level advancement. Residents reported consulting attending physicians for parenting advice guidance more than any other evidence-based resources. Conclusion: Most pediatric residents appear to be aware of appropriate authoritative parenting advice regardless of upbringing, especially as they advance through residency. Residents may benefit from opportunities to reflect upon their upbringing, particularly if raised in authoritarian or permissive styles. Targeted training of residents on evidence-based parenting strategies, particularly for older pediatric patients, appears warranted.
Both increases and decreases in energy density lead to sustained changes in preschool children's energy intake over 5 days.

Abstract Background and objective To investigate preschool children's ability to self-regulate their energy intake, we assessed their response to increases or decreases in dietary energy density (ED) over 5 consecutive days, a period likely long enough for compensatory behavior. Methods Using a crossover design, over 3 periods we served the same 5 daily menus to 49 children aged 3–5 y in their childcare centers. During each 5-day period, 3 main dishes and 1 snack per day were systematically varied in ED, from baseline ED to either higher ED (increased by 20%) or lower ED (decreased by 20%). All of the served items were weighed to determine individual intakes. Results Modifying the ED of 4 dishes per day had a significant and sustained effect on preschool children's daily energy intake across 5 days. In the baseline condition, children's intakes were similar to daily energy needs (98 ± 2%), but serving higher-ED foods increased energy intake by 84 ± 16 kcal/d (to 105 ± 2% of needs) and serving lower-ED foods decreased energy intake by 72 ± 17 kcal/d (to 89 ± 2% of needs; both P Conclusions These findings counter the suggestion that preschool children's regulatory systems can be relied on to adjust intake in response to energy imbalances. Increasing or decreasing the ED of several foods per day leads to sustained changes in the energy intake of preschool children.
Excitotoxicity and Neurological Disorders: Involvement of Membrane Phospholipids

Excitatory amino acids and their receptors play an important role in membrane phospholipid metabolism. Persistent stimulation of excitatory amino acid receptors by glutamate may be involved in neurodegenerative diseases and brain and spinal cord trauma. The molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration induced by excitatory amino acids is, however, not known. Excitotoxin-induced calcium entry causes the stimulation of phospholipases and lipases. These enzymes act on neural membrane phospholipids and their stimulation results in accumulation of free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, eicosanoids, and lipid peroxides in neurodegenerative diseases and brain and spinal cord trauma. Other enzymes, such as protein kinase C and calcium-dependent proteases, may also contribute to the neuronal injury. Excitotoxin-induced alterations in membrane phospholipid metabolism in neurodegenerative diseases and neural trauma can be studied in animal and cell culture models. These models can be used to study the molecular mechanisms of the neurodegenerative processes and to screen the efficacy of therapeutic drugs.
Metrics to evaluate the performance of cancer center leadership.

10Background: Cancer centers are diverse health care organizations that involve clinicians and researchers focused on understanding, treating, and controlling cancer in the populations they serve. ...
The Boy Scouts’ Right to Discriminate

In James Dale v. Boy Scouts of America, the New Jersey Supreme Court decided that the Scouts could not exclude Mr. Dale from serving as an adult leader because he was gay. Then the U.S. Supreme Court in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale concluded in a 5–4 decision that the scout’s First Amendment grounded freedom of association allowed them to exclude Mr. Dale. We use the facts of the case and the decisions of both courts to examine the conflict between “Freedom of Association” and New Jersey’s contention that a compelling interest in weeding out discrimination gives it license to intrude into private conduct between individuals. We discuss the First Amendment questions of intimate association, expressive association, and freedom of speech. We question whether the perceived good or bad moral character of individuals should ever be a deciding factor in freedom of association cases. Could government, for example, compel one to associate with Mother Theresa just because she is a moral person? What if we prefer associating with friends who smoke cigarettes, eat fatty steaks, drink beer, gamble, and watch pornographic movies? As long as we do violence to no other person, what business is it of the government? We question whether the heavy hand of government should ever regulate freedom of association. We briefly allude to James Madison’s thoughts on compelling people to advocate ideas with which they disagree. We conclude with a discussion of the philosophical and economic effects of discrimination laws and with a radical proposal concerning the natural right of free association.
A Comparison of Gwet’s AC1 and Kappa When Calculating Inter-Rater Reliability Coefficients in a Teacher Evaluation Context

With increased emphasis on teacher quality in the Race to the Top federal grants program, rater agreement is an important topic in teacher evaluation. Variations of kappa have often been used to as...
Infectious Vasculitides of the Central Nervous System

To provide an approach to the evaluation and management of infectious vasculitides affecting the central nervous system (CNS). A growing number of infectious pathogens are associated with the development of cerebral vasculitis, though the pathophysiology is not well understood. Immunomodulatory drugs are being used as adjunctive therapies in specific conditions. A number of infectious diseases can affect CNS vasculature either as part of intracranial or systemic infection or due to involvement of the cerebrovasculature alone. Imaging is crucial to diagnosis. Serologic and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing are often helpful, but the sensitivities of many tests are poor. Current treatment of infectious vasculitis typically requires targeted antimicrobial therapy, though often with adjunctive use of steroids. Very limited evidence suggests a role for antiplatelets. Here, we characterize the broad spectrum of infectious etiologies of CNS vasculitis and treatment modalities.
Bridges to Sobriety: Testing the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mobile App Designed to Supplement an Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program

Adolescent substance use is a growing problem that causes a myriad of negative outcomes. Using substances during adolescence can lead to decreased executive functioning and is correlated with the top three causes of deaths for adolescents. Treatment options vary and the impact on outcomes are mixed, with engagement being of the most important indicators. Gaming is a popular activity among adolescents, and yet smartphone applications are relatively unexplored within substance use disorder treatment programs. This paper explores the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a mobile application as a supplement to existing adolescent substance use disorder treatment in a behavioral health agency in eastern Missouri. Feedback was received from staff and clients to assess feasibility and acceptability of implementation with barriers discussed. Results indicate there is promise with incorporation of smartphone-based applications into existing interventions and act as recommendations for other providers.
Expanding the teaching of single frequency vibration absorption to broadband attenuation using subordinate oscillator arrays via fettuccine pasta

Abstract Dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs) and tuned mass-dampers (TVAs) have wide-spread applications in the aerospace industry, the automotive sector, and in civil engineering structures. There are numerous designs of active and passive vibration attenuators or absorbers that isolate structural vibrations at or around the desired frequency. All these design approaches are fundamentally different ways to modify and tune the placement of the resonant frequencies of the host structure. The current work presents a novel method to passively attenuate vibration over a broad frequency bandwidth in the presence of uncertainty. An array of linear oscillators, also referred to as subordinate oscillator arrays (SOAs), are attached to a two-degrees-of-freedom structure to produce an attenuated broadband frequency response around a target frequency. SOAs can also be interpreted as an array of DVAs and in some categories, they can be considered as an approach to meta-structures. Another objective of the current work is to develop a hands-on approach to extend classroom teaching of vibration-attenuation using SOAs made out of fettuccine strands and modeling clay. The frequencies of the oscillators in the array are tuned by varying the length of each strand and the mass of the modeling clay attached to its tip. Uncertainty in dynamic properties of such oscillators often results in mistuned SOAs with non-uniform frequency response function. Therefore, designing and testing fettuccine-based SOAs allows students to handle cases when structural uncertainties arise in engineering systems. Additionally, some of the work in the field of meta-structures can be modeled and represented by SOAs and this will provide a straight forward way to teach students some of these contemporary concepts.
Comprehensive Hip Preservation: Correction of Adult Hip Dysplasia and Repair of High-Grade Cartilage Injury

Hip dysplasia is a major contributing factor to progressive cartilage injury in the adult hip which often leads to eventual joint replacement surgery at the time of joint failure. The abnormal alignment in adult hip dysplasia can be normalized with surgical correction, typically consisting of periacetabular osteotomy. In addition to alignment correction, there have been advances in the surgical treatment of articular cartilage injuries that may accompany such conditions as hip dysplasia. When treated prior to diffuse cartilage injury, multimodal surgical treatment in hip dysplasia is indicated in certain injury patterns to both correct malalignment and to repair high-grade cartilage injury.
Diameter Dependence of Water Filling in Lithographically Segmented Isolated Carbon Nanotubes.

Although the structure and properties of water under conditions of extreme confinement are fundamentally important for a variety of applications, they remain poorly understood, especially for dimen...
Long-term Stability of Urinary Biomarkers of Acute Kidney Injury in Children

Background Recent meta-analyses support the utility of urinary biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute kidney injury. It is critical to establish optimal sample handling conditions for short-term processing and long-term urinary storage prior to widespread clinical deployment and meaningful use in prospective clinical trials. Study Design Prospective study. Setting & Participants 80 children (median age, 1.1 [IQR, 0.5-4.2] years) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at our center. 50% of patients had acute kidney injury (defined as ≥50% increase in serum creatinine from baseline). Predictors We tested the effect on biomarker concentrations of short-term urine storage in ambient, refrigerator, and freezer conditions. We also tested the effects of multiple freeze-thaw cycles, as well as prolonged storage for 5 years. Outcomes Urine concentrations of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), and interleukin 18 (IL-18). Measurements All biomarkers were measured using commercially available kits. Results All 3 biomarkers were stable in urine stored at 4°C for 24 hours, but showed significant degradation (5.6%-10.1% from baseline) when stored at 25°C. All 3 biomarkers showed only a small although significant decrease in concentration (0.77%-2.9% from baseline) after 3 freeze-thaw cycles. Similarly, all 3 biomarkers displayed only a small but significant decrease in concentration (0.84%-3.2%) after storage for 5 years. Limitations Only the 3 most widely studied biomarkers were tested. Protease inhibitors were not evaluated. Conclusions Short-term storage of urine samples for measurement of NGAL, KIM-1, and IL-18 may be performed at 4°C for up to 24 hours, but not at room temperature. These urinary biomarkers are stable at −80°C for up to 5 years of storage. Our results are reassuring for the deployment of these assays as biomarkers in clinical practice, as well as in prospective clinical studies requiring long-term urine storage.
Historical overview and demographic analysis of human trafficking in the USA

This study examines factors associated with human trafficking in states of the USA. A better understanding of human trafficking can benefit anti-trafficking efforts of public administrators in governmental agencies, business organisations, and private citizens in non-governmental organisations. Findings indicate that locations with higher rates of corruption and higher population are associated with higher rates of human trafficking per capita. Anti-trafficking efforts, in the USA and other countries, could be more effective by focusing on such areas. In addition, a timeline is presented of key events in the history of slavery such as efforts by William Wilberforce that culminated with the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in the early 1800s to modern-day efforts by the Global Business Coalition Against Human Trafficking (gBCAT), Christian Solidarity International, Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAAST), International Justice Mission, Polaris Project, Salvation Army, and World Relief.
Preclinical Evaluation of B7-H3-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Purpose: The development of safe and effective chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has largely been limited by the concomitant expression of most AML-associated surface antigens on normal myeloid progenitors and by the potential prolonged disruption of normal hematopoiesis by the immunotargeting of these antigens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate B7-homolog 3 (B7-H3) as a potential target for AML-directed CAR T-cell therapy. B7-H3, a coreceptor belonging to the B7 family of immune checkpoint molecules, is overexpressed on the leukemic blasts of a significant subset of patients with AML and may overcome these limitations as a potential target antigen for AML-directed CAR-T therapy. Experimental Design: B7-H3 expression was evaluated on AML cell lines, primary AML blasts, and normal bone marrow progenitor populations. The antileukemia efficacy of B7-H3–specific CAR-T cells (B7-H3.CAR-T) was evaluated using in vitro coculture models and xenograft models of disseminated AML, including patient-derived xenograft models. The potential hematopoietic toxicity of B7-H3.CAR-Ts was evaluated in vitro using colony formation assays and in vivo in a humanized mouse model. Results: B7-H3 is expressed on monocytic AML cell lines and on primary AML blasts from patients with monocytic AML, but is not significantly expressed on normal bone marrow progenitor populations. B7-H3.CAR-Ts exhibit efficient antigen-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro and in xenograft models of AML, and are unlikely to cause unacceptable hematopoietic toxicity. Conclusions: B7-H3 is a promising target for AML-directed CAR-T therapy. B7-H3.CAR-Ts control AML and have a favorable safety profile in preclinical models.
Distributed Energy Trading in Smart Grid Over Directed Communication Network

This paper presents a distributed solution for energy trading in smart grid with voltage and congestion management. In the proposed approach, the energy trading is formulated with a distributed consensus algorithm to optimize both generation- and demand-side cost functions based on incremental cost. The proposed approach is designed for directed communication networks.
Leg Stiffness, Joint Stiffness, and Running-Related Injury: Evidence From a Prospective Cohort Study.

Background:The spring-like behavior of the leg and the joints of the lower body during running are thought to influence a wide range of physiologic and mechanical phenomena, including susceptibilit...
The interplay between dockless bikeshare and bus for small-size cities in the US: A case study of Ithaca

Abstract As another mode of shared transportation, bikeshare can substitute or complement public transit. Prior studies mainly relied on self-reported survey data or aggregated station-level data from docked bikeshare systems, and their conclusions and implications were focused on large cities. It is largely unknown how and to what extent a dockless bikeshare system complements or substitutes public transit, especially in small cities. This study was set to measure the interplay between Lime dockless bikeshare and bus service in Ithaca, NY – a typical small-size college town – and its environs. By joining about 3.42 million records of bus stop data and 102 thousand Lime bikeshare trip data from 2019, two types of Bikeshare-Bus-Linkage (BBL) trips were identified, namely (1) the first-mile trip where a user rides a Lime to board a bus, and (2) the last-mile trip where a user bikes to their destination after alighting a bus. BBL trips were identified using a spatiotemporal proximity framework based on two important parameters: the catchment radius and the time window between a bus stop event and a Lime trip. Different values were tested with a sensitivity analysis, and the parameters were finally set at 100 ft. and 5 min. As such, 3026 BBL trips were identified, which was 3% of total Lime ridership or 0.1% of total bus ridership. Our findings indicated that Lime provided useful first- and last-mile transfers to bus service for commuters. The complementary effect was particularly strong in the urban core and with transit development and employment land use areas. Moreover, in the morning peak, there were more first-mile trips from residential areas to bus stops in the urban core, while in the evening peak more last-mile trips started from bus stops in the urban core to residential areas. Based on the unique first-mile and last-mile trip patterns identified, policy implications and recommendations for bikeshare operators, local government, transit agencies, and transportation policymakers were discussed to better integrate bikeshare and public transit.
Sustainable Climate Change Adaptations in Developing Countries: A Case Study of the Turkish Cypriot Community’s Adoption of Pomegranate Farming

Climate change is a growing issue for developing countries, as they typically lack the technical and financial inputs to implement the necessary agricultural adaptations. These countries also suffer from the classic collective action problem; although they are able to identify the issue and a potential solution, their individual resources are not substantial enough to enact change. This article discusses north Cyprus’ 2006 adoption of pomegranate production and its relationship to climate-related agricultural concerns. We argue that the Turkish Cypriot community would not have been able to start an effective pomegranate agribusiness without third-party financial and technical assistance. As a post-conflict developing community, they lacked the resources necessary to collectivize on their own and initiate crop switching. Thus, Turkish Cypriot farmers needed external resources in order to launch a sustainable development project. The programme was a successful example of sustainable peacebuilding as it required local ownership.
Suspended photonic waveguide devices

This article describes recent research at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory that focuses on the use of micro- and nanomachining techniques for photonic waveguide devices. By selectively etching a sacrificial layer that the waveguide core is supported by, in whole or in part, the waveguide obtains enhanced properties and functionality, such as mechanical flexibility, index contrast, birefringence, and evanescent field depth. We describe how these properties enable unique waveguide applications in areas such as cavity optomechanics, displacement sensing, electro-optics, and nonlinear optics.