cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ironmodel: robust performance models in the wild

Traditional performance models are too brittle to be relied on for continuous capacity planning and performance debugging in many computer systems. Simply put, a brittle model is often inaccurate and incorrect. We find two types of reasons why a model's prediction might diverge from the reality: (1) the underlying system might be misconfigured or buggy or (2) the model's assumptions might be incorrect. The extra effort of manually finding and fixing the source of these discrepancies, continuously, in both the system and model, is one reason why many system designers and administrators avoid using mathematical models altogether. Instead, they opt for simple, but often inaccurate, "rules-of-thumb".This paper describes IRONModel, a robust performance modeling architecture. Through studying performance anomalies encountered in an experimental cluster-based storage system, we analyze why and how models and actual system implementations get out-of-sync. Lessons learned from that study are incorporated into IRONModel. IRONModel leverages the redundancy of high-level system specifications described through models and low-level system implementation to localize many types of system-model inconsistencies. IRONModel can guide designers to the potential source of the discrepancy, and, if appropriate, can semi-automatically evolve the models to handle unanticipated inputs.
Automated pointing of cardiac imaging catheters

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheters enable high-quality ultrasound imaging within the heart, but their use in guiding procedures is limited due to the difficulty of manually pointing them at structures of interest. This paper presents the design and testing of a catheter steering model for robotic control of commercial ICE catheters. The four actuated degrees of freedom (4-DOF) are two catheter handle knobs to produce bi-directional bending in combination with rotation and translation of the handle. An extra degree of freedom in the system allows the imaging plane (dependent on orientation) to be directed at an object of interest. A closed form solution for forward and inverse kinematics enables control of the catheter tip position and the imaging plane orientation. The proposed algorithms were validated with a robotic test bed using electromagnetic sensor tracking of the catheter tip. The ability to automatically acquire imaging targets in the heart may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of intracardiac catheter interventions by allowing visualization of soft tissue structures that are not visible using standard fluoroscopic guidance. Although the system has been developed and tested for manipulating ICE catheters, the methods described here are applicable to any long thin tendon-driven tool (with single or bi-directional bending) requiring accurate tip position and orientation control.
Endothelial cell responses to atheroprone flow are driven by two separate flow components: low time-average shear stress and fluid flow reversal.

To simulate the effects of shear stress in regions of the vasculature prone to developing atherosclerosis, we subjected human umbilical vein endothelial cells to reversing shear stress to mimic the...
The effect of spatial resolution on satellite aerosol optical depth retrieval

We use data from the Multispectral Thermal Imager (MTI) to evaluate the effects of spatial resolution on the accuracy of aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval. Our results show that increasing the pixel size by itself has little effect on AOD retrieval accuracy at our chosen study site. However, increased pixel size does increase the error in AOD retrieval as a result of clouds. High-resolution sensors like MTI are able to avoid most clouds, but as the pixel size increases, subpixel clouds avoid the cloud mask, creep into selected pixels, and add a positive bias to the retrieved value of AOD. In accompanying work, we show that increasing pixel size has a small but noticeable impact on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the 2.2-/spl mu/m reflectance, both used in the retrieval algorithm. We also examine the uniformity of the aerosol layer and show that the AOD varies by less than 0.02 in optical depth units over a 2.3/spl times/3.8 km/sup 2/ area. An analysis of the temporal variability of Aerosol Robotic Network-retrieved AOD shows a standard deviation of 0.02 on partly cloudy days and 0.004 on clear days.
Speaking candidly: how managers’ political stances affect consumers’ brand attitudes

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate how consumers react to corporate managers publicly espousing an ideological belief regarding a social issue. In particular, this paper investigates anger derived by consumers as a mediator explaining why consumer attitudes change. Design/methodology/approach – An experiment was used to present respondents with a scenario about managers espousing specific ideological beliefs. All independent and dependent variables were measured. Variable relationships were analyzed utilizing general linear models to understand direct effects and bootstrapping to understand mediation. Findings – When made public, managers’ stances can make multiple, possibly competing, ideologies salient to consumers. Consumer reaction to a stance is most positive when held ideological beliefs are competing and consumers anchor on one ideology in agreement with the manager’s stance, leading to less anger and enhanced brand attitudes. When competing beliefs exist, consumers minimize the importance of...
Tendon basic science: Development, repair, regeneration, and healing

Tendinopathy and tendon rupture are common and disabling musculoskeletal conditions. Despite the prevalence of these injuries, a limited number of investigators are conducting fundamental, basic science studies focused on understanding processes governing tendinopathies and tendon healing. Development of effective therapeutics is hindered by the lack of fundamental guiding data on the biology of tendon development, signal transduction, mechanotransduction, and basic mechanisms underlying tendon pathogenesis and healing. To propel much needed progress, the New Frontiers in Tendon Research Conference, co-sponsored by NIAMS/NIH, the Orthopaedic Research Society, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, was held to promote exchange of ideas between tendon researchers and basic science experts from outside the tendon field. Discussed research areas that are underdeveloped and represent major hurdles to the progress of the field will be presented in this review. To address some of these outstanding questions, conference discussions and breakout sessions focused on six topic areas (Cell Biology and Mechanics, Functional Extracellular Matrix, Development, Mechano-biology, Scarless Healing, and Mechanisms of Injury and Repair), which are reviewed in this special issue and briefly presented in this review. Review articles in this special issue summarize the progress in the field and identify essential new research directions.
Cuticular hydrocarbons and wax esters of the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor: Ontogenetic, reproductive, and nutritional effects.

Hydrocarbon and wax ester components of cuticular lipids of the braconid parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor Say reared at 25 degrees C on larvae of a pyralid moth have been identified by GC-MS and analyzed with respect to adult age, mating status, and diet. The hydrocarbons range in carbon number from C(21) to C(45) and consist of a homologous series of n-alkanes, 11-, 13-, and 15-methyl alkanes, 13,17-dimethyl alkanes, and Z-5, Z-7, and Z-9-alkenes. The wax esters found in the cuticular lipid fraction are a series of homologous compounds with the acid portion being short chain, unbranched, even carbon number acids from C(8) to C(20) (predominately C(8) to C(16)). The alcohol portions of the esters are secondary alcohols with carbon number from C(22) to C(25) (predominately C(23) and C(25)) with the hydroxyl function located at C(6), C(7), C(8), and C(9). Gender, age, and nutritional states were significant factors for variation in several of the individual esters, but mating status did not affect wax ester composition. Ontogenetic examinations indicated that prepupal, and early pupal cuticular lipids contain only hydrocarbons. Low levels of wax esters are detectable in late stage pupae, and somewhat greater quantities of wax esters are present on newly eclosed adults. When pharate adults emerge from the cocoon, however, their cuticular lipids consist of approximately equal amounts of hydrocarbons and wax esters, and 6d post emergence from the cocoon, wax esters are the predominant lipid component.
The impact of cancer prevention guideline adherence on overall mortality in a high-risk cohort of women from the New York site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends at least 150 min of moderate intensity physical activity per week, alcohol intake of ≤1 drink per day, and maintaining a body mass index (BMI) of <25 kg/m2 for breast cancer prevention. Adherence to these guidelines has been linked to lower overall mortality in average-risk populations, it is not known if mortality reduction extends to women at higher risk given their family history of breast cancer. We followed 2,905 women from a high-risk Breast Cancer Family Registry in New York, of which 77 % were white non-Hispanic and 23 % were Hispanic. We collected information on BMI, physical activity, and alcohol intake at baseline and prospectively followed our cohort for outcomes based on questionnaires and National Death Index linkage. We used Cox regression to examine the relation between adherence to ACS guidelines and overall mortality and examined effect modification by race, age, and BRCA status. There were 312 deaths after an average of 9.2 ± 4.1 years of follow-up. Adherence to all three ACS recommendations was associated with 44–53 % lower mortality in women unaffected with breast cancer at baseline [Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.56, 95 % CI (0.33–0.93)] and in women affected with breast cancer at baseline [HR 0.47, 95 % CI (0.30–0.74)]. These associations remained after stratification by age, race, and BRCA status {e.g., BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 carriers [HR 0.39, 95 % CI (0.16–0.97)]}. These results support that women at high risk, similar to women at average risk, may also have substantial benefits from maintaining the ACS guidelines.
Dispatch from the (un)civil memory wars

Over the last few years, our society has been immersed in a motley collection of “Memory Wars,” as they were called in a lengthy review of several books on recovered memory published in Scientific American (Schacter, 1995). The “memory war” theme was also used to title an editorial that appeared in Psychology Today magazine (Neimark, 1996). The editorialist wrote: “You’d think that memory would be the stuff of dry academia, but it turns out to be one of the most illuminating and terrifying stories of our time” (p. 6). And the “war” theme appeared in the title of a book that reprinted a sizzling pair of essays published previously in the New York Review of Books by Berkeley professor and Freud scholar, Frederick Crews (1995). In those essays, Crews identified a number of beliefs about human nature that he felt have been propagated by leaders of a well-meaning, but misguided, movement: that repression is the normal human response to trauma; that experiences in infancy produce long-term memories that can be accurately retrieved decades later; that adult psychological difficulties can be reliably ascribed to certain forgotten events in early childhood and not others; that sexual traumas are incomparably more susceptible to repression and the formation of neurosis than any other kind; that symptoms are themselves “memories” that can yield up the story of their origin; that dream interpretation, too, can disclose the repressed past; that memory retrieval is necessary for symptom removal; and that psychotherapists can confidently trace their clinical findings to the patient’s unconscious without allowing for the contaminating influence of their own diagnostic system, imparted directly or through suggestion (274).
Outcome measures for individuals with stroke: process and recommendations from the American Physical Therapy Association neurology section task force.

Background and Purpose. The use of standardized outcome measures (OMs) can support clinicians’ development of appropriate care plans, guide educators in curricular decisions, and enhance the methodological quality and generalizability of clinical trials. The purposes of this case report are: (1) to describe a framework and process for assessing psychometrics and clinical utility of OMs used poststroke; (2) to describe a consensus process used to develop recommendations for stroke-related OMs in clinical practice, research, and professional (entry-level) physical therapist education; (3) to present examples demonstrating how the recommendations have been utilized to date; and (4) to make suggestions for future efforts. Case Description. A task force of 7 physical therapists with diverse clinical and research expertise in stroke rehabilitation used a 3-stage, modified Delphi consensus process to develop recommendations on OM use. An evidence-based systematic review template and a 4-point rating scheme were used to make recommendations on OM use by care setting and patient acuity, for research, and for inclusion in professional education. Outcomes. An initial list of 77 OMs was developed based on input from numerous professional sources. Screening measures and duplicate measures were eliminated. Fifty-six OMs received full review. Measures spanned the constructs of body structure/function (21), activity (28), and participation (14). Fourteen measures received a rating of “highly recommend.” Discussion. Use of highly recommended OMs may provide a common set of tools enabling comparisons across patients, interventions, settings, and studies. The use of a clearly defined, comprehensive assessment template may facilitate the pooling of data on OMs and contribute to best practice guidelines. Educational recommendations may inform curricular decisions.
Digital Piracy, Self-Control Theory, and Rational Choice: An Examination of the Role of Value

To date, several researchers have shown that attitudes, low self-control, social learning theory and deterrence theory to explain digital piracy. However, no study examined whether rational choice theory mediated the link between low self-control and digital piracy. Further, no study in digital piracy or criminological literature had considered the role of value in such an examination. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to contribute to the literature by examining the links between low self-control, rational choice, value, and digital piracy. This study built on the mediating model presented by Piquero and Tibbetts (1996). That is, this study assumed that rational choice theory mediated the link between low self-control and digital piracy. Further, this study assumed that some situational factors would mediate the effect of other situational factors
The Human Polyomavirus, JCV, Uses Serotonin Receptors to Infect Cells

The human polyomavirus, JCV, causes the fatal demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in immunocompromised patients. We found that the serotonergic receptor 5HT2AR could act as the cellular receptor for JCV on human glial cells. The 5HT2A receptor antagonists inhibited JCV infection, and monoclonal antibodies directed at 5HT2A receptors blocked infection of glial cells by JCV, but not by SV40. Transfection of 5HT2A receptor-negative HeLa cells with a 5HT2A receptor rescued virus infection, and this infection was blocked by antibody to the 5HT2A receptor. A tagged 5HT2A receptor colocalized with labeled JCV in an endosomal compartment following internalization. Serotonin receptor antagonists may thus be useful in the treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
The Ran GTPase Regulates Kinetochore Function

The Ran GTPase is required for nuclear assembly, nuclear transport, spindle assembly, and mitotic regulation. While the first three processes are relatively well understood, details of Ran's role in mitotic progression remain obscure. We have found that elevated levels of Ran's exchange factor (RCC1) abrogate the spindle assembly checkpoint in Xenopus egg extracts, restore APC/C activity, and disrupt the kinetochore localization of checkpoint regulators, including Mad2, CENP-E, Bub1, and Bub3. Depletion of Ran's GTPase activating protein (RanGAP1) and its accessory factor (RanBP1) similarly abrogates checkpoint arrest. By contrast, the addition of RanGAP1 and RanBP1 to extracts with exogenous RCC1 restores the spindle checkpoint. Together, these observations suggest that the spindle checkpoint is directly responsive to Ran-GTP levels. Finally, we observe a clear wave of RCC1 association to mitotic chromosomes at the metaphase-anaphase transition in normal cycling extracts, suggesting that this mechanism has an important role in unperturbed cell cycles.
Zwitterion-dianion complexes and anion-anion clusters with negative dissociation energies.

Clusters of oxalate and malonate dianions with glycine in its zwitterionic form were found by ab initio and density functional theory calculations. Proton transfer is impeded by an electrostatic barrier, but the resulting anion−anion pairs form complexes despite having negative dissociation energies. A variety of X-/Y- species with exothermic dissociation energies ranging from 10 to 141 kcal mol-1, but large enough barriers to be experimentally produced, are reported. These dianions may represent an unrecognized control element in nature and provide a unique opportunity to probe electrostatic effects and a wealth of novel clusters.
Delamination of urea-kaolinite complex by using intercalation procedures

Kaolinite was delaminated by using a urea-kaolinite complex via grinding. Grinding for 5 h, using a mechanical mortar, markedly increased the specific surface area of the kaolinate complex, which was mixed with 30 wt% urea, from 18 m2/g to 116 m2/g. Scanning electron microscopy of this sample indicated that the kaolinite particles were delaminated into very thin kaolinite particles.
Transarterial balloon assisted Onyx embolization of pericallosal arteriovenous malformations

Summary Preliminary experience using a balloon assisted technique (BAT) for embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVM) is reported. Two patients with large pericallosal AVMs were successfully embolized with Onyx under Scepter C balloon catheter flow arrest. Clinical presentation One patient presented with a large intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. The second patient presented with a long history of seizures and a small intracerebral hemorrhage. Both patients demonstrated extensive interhemispheric AVMs with multiple arterial feeders, predominantly from the pericallosal arteries. Intervention A Marathon microcatheter was navigated into the target arterial feeders and a Scepter C occlusion balloon catheter was inflated immediately proximal. Under flow arrest, Onyx was injected via the microcatheter with excellent nidal penetration. In both cases, there was complete angiographic obliteration of the treated component of the AVM. Conclusions Onyx embolization under balloon catheter flow arrest allows for greater nidal penetration of embolic material and improved reflux control. The technique is limited by the current deliverability of balloon catheters and the potential risk for earlier embolization of dangerous anastomosis.
Two-dimensional string theory and the topological torus

Abstract We analyze topological string theory on a two-dimensional torus, focusing on symmetries in the matter sector. Even before coupling to gravity, the topological torus has an infinite number of point-like physical observables, which give rise via the BRST descent equations to an infinite symmetry algebra of the model. The point-like observables of ghost-number zero form a topological ground ring, whose generators span a spacetime manifold; the symmetry algebra represents all (ground ring valued) diffeomorphisms of the spacetime. At nonzero ghost numbers, the topological ground ring is extended to a surprising, the spacetime manifold becomes a supermanifold, and the symmetry algebra preserves a symplectic form on it. In a decompactified limit of cylindrical target topology, we find a nilpotent charge which behaves like a spacetime topological BRST operator. After coupling to topological gravity, this model might represent a topological phase of c = 1 string theory. We also point out some analogies to two-dimensional superstrings with the chiral GSO projection, and to string theory with c = −2.
Interorganizational Influences on the Founding of African American Organizations, 1955-1985

This paper examines the relationship between traditions of social action and patterns of organizational development, using data on the formation of national African American protest, advocacy, and service organizations between 1955 and 1985. Following research in organizational ecology, Poisson regression is used to examine the association between organizational density and organizational formation across strategic forms. The results provide some support for the idea that interorganizational influences are important in shaping the contours of the African American social movement industry. Outside funding, internal organizational capacities and protest levels also play a significant role.
The Lasting Impacts of Offline Periods in Lime Dosed Streams: A Case Study in Raccoon Creek, Ohio

Hewett Fork in Raccoon Creek, Ohio was a large source of acid mine drainage (AMD) to the main stem of Raccoon Creek, impacting the biological community for several kilometers. To reduce this impact, the AMD treatment was implemented in the Hewett Fork subwatershed to treat water from the largest mine drainage source in the watershed near the village of Carbondale. From prior to installation of wetland treatment in 2000 and installation of the lime doser in 2004, the pH of the mine discharge has been raised from about 4 to about 9, which greatly improved biological communities in Hewett Fork and Raccoon Creek. During the summer of 2010, the doser was off-line for approximately 2 weeks. While the chemistry of Hewett Fork showed little lasting change due to non-treatment, biological surveys show the effect of temporary non-treatment. In the year and a half since the doser was off-line, surveys have shown that the fish community was seriously impacted due to non-treatment and it has not yet recovered; the macroinvertebrate community, on the other hand, showed little impact due to non-treatment, and has shown no lasting effect of non-treatment.
Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Improve the Stratification of Ischemic Stroke Risk in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background and Purpose— Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of vascular disease, and increased levels of the inflammatory biomarkers, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have been shown to be associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke. Methods— In a prospective case-cohort (n=949) study in 12 762 apparently healthy, middle-aged men and women in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, we first examined whether Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP levels improved the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) for 5-year ischemic stroke risk. We then examined how Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP levels altered classification of individuals into low-, intermediate-, or high-risk categories compared with traditional risk factors. Results— In a model using traditional risk factors alone, the AUC adjusted for optimism was 0.732, whereas adding hs-CRP improved the AUC to 0.743, and adding Lp-PLA2 significantly improved the...
"Over-the-wire" inversion saphenectomy: a simple, minimally invasive vein harvesting technique for arterial bypass.

l l Purpose: To examine the feasibility and clinical outcome of a novel, minimally invasive technique for harvesting the great saphenous vein (GSV) for use in peripheral arterial bypass surgery. Methods: Between May 2001 through March 2003, 27 patients (15 men; mean age 71610 years) underwent extremity bypass procedures for limb salvage (88%) or disabling clau- dication (12%) using the inversion technique to harvest the GSV. The veins were turned ''inside out'' using a unique catheter and guidewire system. With the endothelial surface exposed, valve leaflets were excised, and adherent thrombus was washed away. Veins were inverted again to turn the endothelial surface back inside the lumen for use as a bypass conduit. Results: Inversion vein harvesting and arterial bypass were completed in 24 (89%) of 27 patients; 2 patients were treated with synthetic grafts because of small GSVs. Another patient was found after vein harvesting to have inadequate arterial outflow despite a good quality conduit. The average vein length was 45610 cm; a mean 461 incisions were made, including those for arterial exposure. Incisions made to divide vein tributaries averaged 2 cm in length. Duration of vein harvesting was 25 minutes (range 5-80). Wound compli- cations were minor (2 hematomas, 2 cases of erythema, 2 seromas). Of 6 grafts that oc- cluded after 30 days, 5 involved small-diameter vein grafts (,3.5 mm). At a mean 12 months, primary and assisted primary graft patency rates were 88% (14/16) and 94% (15/ 16), respectively, for grafts with minimum diameters $4 mm versus 38% (3/8) primary patency for veins , 4m m (n58, p,0.001). The limb salvage rate was 92% (22/24). Conclusions: Over-the-wire inversion saphenectomy is a simple and reliable minimally invasive technique for arterial bypass. Incisions are small and cosmetically superior to those of the traditional long incision method. One-year follow-up suggests that grafts har- vested by inversion technique have excellent durability when the minimum vein diameter is $4 mm, as determined by preoperative vein mapping. J Endovasc Ther 2005;12:394-400
The design of a bloom filter hardware accelerator for ultra low power systems

Battery-powered embedded systems require low energy usage to extend system lifetime. These systems must power many components for long periods of time and are particularly sensitive to energy use. Recent techniques for reducing energy consumption in wireless sensor networks, such as aggregation, require additional computation to reduce energy intensive radio transmissions. Larger demands on the processor will require more computational energy, but traditional energy reduction approaches, such as multi-core scaling with reduced frequency and voltage may prove heavy handed and ineffective for motes (sensor network nodes). Instead, application-specific hardware design (ASHD) architectures can reduce computational energy consumption by processing operations common to specific applications more efficiently than a general purpose processor. By the nature of their deeply embedded operation, motes support a limited set of applications, and thus the conventional general purpose computing paradigm may not be well-suited to mote operation. This paper examines the design considerations of a hardware accelerator for compressed Bloom filters, a data structure for efficiently storing set membership. We evaluate our ASHD design for three representative wireless sensor network applications and demonstrate that ASHD design reduces network latency by 59% and computational energy by 98%, showing the need for architecting processors for ASHD accelerators.
Immediate and Enduring Effects of Neonatal Isolation on Maternal Behavior in Rats

Previously, we showed that neonatal isolation (1-hr isolation/day from dam, litter, and nest on PND 2-9) facilitates cocaine self-administration and increases extracellular dopamine responses in ventral striatum after stimulant administration in adulthood. Recent studies suggest that enduring alterations in neurobehavioral responses associated with early life manipulations reflect changes in maternal behavior. Thus, we sought to determine if neonatal isolation alters maternal care and if dams with neonatal isolation experience as pups showed differential maternal care towards their pups. In Experiment 1, litters were assigned to one of three conditions: neonatal isolation, handled (5-min separation of dam from litter), or non-handled (no separation). Maternal behaviors were rated on PND 2-9 for 60-min immediately following reunion of mother and litter. In Experiment 2, female rats with or without neonatal isolation experience were assigned to either the neonatal isolation or non-handled litter condition and maternal behaviors rated. Dams of isolated and handled litters spent more time licking pups and less time picking up pups to put outside the nest than dams of non-handled litters. Further, dams of isolated and handled vs non-handled litters showed less non-maternal behaviors of burrowing and grooming. Neonatal isolation-experienced dams with isolated litters failed to increase pup-licking and decrease non-maternal behaviors. Rather, these dams picked up pups to place outside the nest more than non-handled-experienced dams. Neonatal isolation alters maternal behavior that, in turn, may shape neurobehavioral responses of offspring including effects on maternal care. Such changes may reflect epigenetic effects resulting from changes in maternal behavior.
Hemorrhoids: associated pathologic conditions in a family practice population.

Background: Hemorrhoidal disease is an affliction that in referral populations coexists with other significant anorectal diseases. Published texts recommend aggressive procedures to diagnose associated pathologic conditions and as an aid for planning the extirpation of these diseases. Procrastination in management is said to be characteristic of both patient and primary care physician. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether patients with hemorrhoids in the general population are truly at high risk for significant anorectal disease. Methods: Charts of 173 patients with hemorrhoids from a nonselected population were reviewed for treatment management, associated anorectal disease, and sequelae. Results: A small subpopulation of persons aged more than 55 years was identified who may be at higher risk for colon polyps. Anoscopy, barium enema, fecal occult blood testing, and complete blood counts had very low yields. These findings differ significantly from data collected on highly selected populations that suggest hemorrhoids rarely exist alone. Conclusions: It appears that family physicians have not been cavalier in their attitudes toward and management of this common ailment. Clinical investigation of hemorrhoids should be initiated based on clinical impression from evaluating symptoms and signs combined with age-specific screening recommendations.
Dismiss Those Sixth-Grade Hobgoblins

Legal writers may have internalized false rules about writing. For example, they may believe the myths that a sentence cannot begin with a conjunction, that it is incorrect to split a compound verb or an infinitive, that a word should not be repeated in the same sentence or paragraph, and that one-sentence paragraphs are always incorrect. Writers should dismiss these hobgoblins when they are obstacles to writing clear, idiomatic English.
Experience Shapes the Development of Neural Substrates of Face Processing in Human Ventral Temporal Cortex

In adult humans, the ventral temporal cortex (VTC) represents faces in a reproducible topology. However, it is unknown what role visual experience plays in the development of this topology. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging in children and adults, we found a sequential development, in which the topology of face-selective activations across the VTC was matured by age 7, but the spatial extent and degree of face selectivity continued to develop past age 7 into adulthood. Importantly, own- and other-age faces were differentially represented, both in the distributed multivoxel patterns across the VTC, and also in the magnitude of responses of face-selective regions. These results provide strong evidence that experience shapes cortical representations of faces during development from childhood to adulthood. Our findings have important implications for the role of experience and age in shaping the neural substrates of face processing in the human VTC.
One Small Step for the Gram Stain, One Giant Leap for Clinical Microbiology

The Gram stain is one of the most commonly performed tests in the clinical microbiology laboratory, yet it is poorly controlled and lacks standardization. It was once the best rapid test in microbiology, but it is no longer trusted by many clinicians. The publication by Samuel et al. (J. Clin. Microbiol. 54:1442-1447, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JCM.03066-15) is a start for those who want to evaluate and improve Gram stain performance. In an age of emerging rapid molecular results, is the Gram stain still relevant? How should clinical microbiologists respond to the call to reduce Gram stain error rates?
Simulation of Interactions and Management of Parasitoids in a Multiple Host System

Parasitoids are always of major concern in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. However, their use as a control option is handicapped by our lack of understanding of their total life support systems. Because of this, pest managers have, in most cases, only been able to work “around” natural enemies in space and time as opposed to explicitly manipulating their numbers. Manipulation or management of parasitoids is difficult particularly for polyphagous species and for those species whose hosts exhibit a large amount of phenotypic variability. The objectives of this study were to determine the potential effects that phenotypic variability and system complexity can have on parasitism and to suggest ways in which these factors could be used in IPM programs using parasitoids. Data were collected from a natural system composed of the eastern tent caterpillar (ETC), fall webworm (FWW), and a parasitoid ( Hyposoter fugitivus fugitivus (Say)) common to both defoliators. Interactions between the ETC, FWW, and H. f. fugitivus were examined using a simulation model describing the population dynamics of each species. The model was validated using field data including: temporal occurrence, larval population maturity, survival patterns, yearly population trends, and trends in parasitization rates. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated how site-specific conditions, regional host crop and non-host crop mixes, and host population variability could be used in the development and implementation of management programs for parasitoids and pests.
Structural Chemistry and Properties of Metal Oxalates Containing a Long-Spanning Dipyridyl Ligand: Chain, Interpenetrated Diamondoid, Threaded-Loop Layer, and Self-Penetrated Topologies

Hydrothermal reaction of metal oxalate (ox) salts and bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine (bpmp) afforded a series of coordination polymers that were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. {[Cd(H2O)4(bpmp)](ox)}n (1) and {[Co(H2O)4(bpmp)](ox)}n (2) show isostructural cationic one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer chain motifs with unligated ox anions. A higher temperature polymorph of 2, {[Co(ox)(bpmp)]·3H2O}n (3), possesses a system of threefold interpenetrated three-dimensional (3D) diamondoid nets. {[Mn(H2O)4(bpmp)] [Mn2(ox)3]·5H2O}n (4) manifests a unique 1D + 2D → 3D polyrotaxane coordination polymer structure with 1D cationic [Mn(H2O)4(bpmp)]n chains threaded through apertures coursing through parallel stacks of anionic [Mn2(ox)3]n two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal layers. {[Cu2(ox)2(bpmp)]·6H2O}n (5) possesses 2D [Cu2(ox)2]n layers pillared by bpmp ligands into a 3D [Cu2(ox)2(bpmp)]n coordination polymer network with an unprecedented 4,4-connected self-penetrated (5383)2(5482) ...
Immune-related response evaluations during immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy: establishing a "common language" for the new arena of cancer treatment.

The recent study by Hodi et al. published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has evaluated unconventional response patterns during PD-1 inhibitor therapy using immune-related response criteria (irRC) in comparison with RECIST1.1, which constitutes an important step to further understand immune-related response phenomena. This commentary discusses the key observations in the study in terms of their implications and pitfalls, and describes unmet needs that remain to be addressed. The article also emphasizes the important role of tumor response criteria as a “common language” to describe the results of cancer treatment, and discusses future directions for further advances of the field of immuno-oncology.
Compomer materials and secondary caries formation.

Purpose To evaluate the role of compomers in secondary caries formation in vitro. Materials and methods 36 human teeth with caries-free enamel (coronal) and root surfaces underwent a fluoride-free prophylaxis. Class V cavities were prepared in buccal and lingual coronal and root surfaces. The teeth were divided into two groups with 3 treatment subdivisions [12 teeth per restorative material (6 with coronal restorations and 6 with root surface restorations)]). The preparations were restored with: (1) filled composite (Filtek Z250 with Single Bond), (2) fluoride-releasing compomer [Hytac with Prompt L-Pop (fluoride-releasing water-based adhesive)]; or (3) fluoride-releasing compomer [Dyract AP with Prime & Bond NT (fluoride-releasing acetone-based adhesive)]. 24 cavities (6 teeth with 2 cavities/tooth) were available with each treatment. The teeth were thermocycled (500 cycles at 5-50 degrees C) in synthetic saliva prior to artificial caries formation. After lesion formation, 5 longitudinal sections were taken from each specimen for polarized light evaluation. Mean surface lesion depths and wall lesion frequencies were determined. Results The Filtek Z250 group had significantly (P 0.05, ANOVA, DMR).
Hourly administration of GnRH to prepubertal gilts: endocrine and ovulatory responses from 70 to 190 days of age.

This study investigated the responsiveness of the pituitary-ovarian axis of prepubertal gilts to hourly injections (i.v.) with GnRH. Six gilts each at 70, 100, 150, and 190 d of age were assigned either to treatment with GnRH or saline. Treatments were given until gilts showed estrus or for 7 d, whichever came first. Hourly pulsing with GnRH resulted in gradually increasing concentrations of estradiol-17 beta (E2), a preovulatory surge of LH, and subsequently increased progesterone (P4) concentrations. The increase in serum P4 was preceded by ovulation and corpora lutea (CL) formation in two gilts 70 d of age and all older gilts. The interval (h) from start of GnRH treatment to peak E2 (88 +/- 3), peak LH (103 +/- 3), and concentrations of P4 greater than or equal to 1 ng/mL (144 +/- 4) did not differ (P greater than .50) for 18 gilts between 100 and 190 d of age. In two ovulating, 70-d-old gilts, the interval from onset of GnRH treatment to peak E2 (171 +/- 6), peak LH (186 +/- 0), and P4 greater than or equal to 1 ng/mL (216 +/- 4) was lengthened (P less than .001). Peak concentrations of E2 (pg/mL) were higher (P less than .01) at 190 d (48 +/- 2) and 150 d (49 +/- 2) than at younger ages and lower (P less than .01) in gilts 70 d of age (31 +/- 1) than in gilts 100 d of age (41 +/- 2). Peak LH (nanograms/milliliter) was higher (P less than .01) in gilts 100 d of age (12.7 +/- 6) than in older gilts. Concentrations of P4 were similar (P greater than .20) for all ovulating gilts. The number of CL (12.7 +/- .7) did not differ (P greater than .20) for 18 gilts 100 d of age or older but was higher (P less than .01) than that (4.5 +/- 1.1) for two gilts 70 d of age. Corresponding endocrine responses or ovulations were not observed in four 70-d-old gilts treated with GnRH or in gilts given saline. These findings indicate that the functional integration of the pituitary-ovarian axis is completed between 70 and 100 d of age. Hourly treatment with GnRH is an adequate stimulus to induce ovulation in prepubertal gilts as early as 70 d of age. Also, the number of follicles reaching ovulatory competency was similar (P greater than .20) in gilts between 100 and 190 d of age, when GnRH was given on a BW basis.
Studying (and Understanding) Stepfamilies

How have stepfamilies and stepfamily scholarship changed over time? Stepfamilies are an international phenomenon. Historically, there have always been stepfamilies, but until about 50 years ago, they were formed primarily after death of a spouse/parent, and so went largely unnoticed by social scientists. Stepfamilies were discovered by scholars when divorce became the primary precursor to stepfamily creation. Stepfamilies are structurally diverse and much more complex than nuclear families, which has created many challenges for those wanting to understand stepfamily functioning, including stepfamily members themselves. In this chapter, we define stepfamilies, explore their structural diversity, and examine the development of stepfamily scholarship over the past 50 years.
Limitations of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Guidelines for Prediction of Limited Life Expectancy in Men with Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: National Comprehensive Cancer Network prostate cancer guidelines for the prediction of life expectancy recommend subtracting 50% of life table predicted longevity for those in the lowest quartile of health. However, it is unclear how to identify these men and if their survival is uniform.Materials and Methods: We sampled records of 1,482 men diagnosed with prostate cancer from 1998 to 2004 at 2 VA hospitals. We identified men in the lowest quartile of health by age using Charlson scores, calculated their NCCN predicted life expectancy, and compared this with observed median survival in aggregate and across comorbidity subgroups.Results: Men with Charlson scores of 2+ (age less than 75 years) and 3+ (age 75 years or older) comprised the lowest quartile of health. Among those younger than 65, 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79 and 80 years or older, observed survival vs NCCN predicted life expectancy in years was similar at 10.4 vs 11.1, 10.0 vs 7.8, 6.2 vs 6.4, 4.4 vs 4.9 and 3.7 vs 3.3, respectively. Y...
Beer and Libraries? Challenging the Community’s View of the Public Library

When you think about beer, you might not think about your local library. You almost certainly are not going to think about the Aspen Institute’s 2014 report, Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries. Nevertheless, these three things—beer, libraries, Rising to the Challenge—all came together in a digital collection created by Multnomah County Library called Portland Brew Stories. The Portland Brew Stories project was a community-focused effort to gather and share images and other primary documents that celebrate beer culture in Portland and Multnomah County. Planning began in 2014, the bulk of the project work took place in 2015, and the collection went live to the public in February 2016. This article provides a broad description of how the Portland Brew Stories collection was conceived and created, based on conversations with library staff who were involved and my own experiences with the project. Successes are identified and advice is presented for libraries who want to embark on a similar digital project within their community. Finally, the article reflects briefly on how this project embodies the ideas and strategies in Rising to the Challenge.
Review of Emerging Strategies for Supporting Student Learning: A Practical Guide for Librarians and Educators

Column description. Books reviewed in the Professional Reading column will fit one or more of the following topics: reference and research services, user education, information literacy, personnel management in public services, relevant technology topics, access services, online searching techniques, and marketing/outreach, including services to distance learners. Interested reviewers can contact Todd Bruns.
Sequential deposition of patterned porous polymers using poly(dimethylsiloxane) masks

Abstract The deposition of porous polymer membranes was patterned using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) masks. The porous polymer was deposited by introducing the monomer and initiator sequentially to allow for the temperature, pressure, and duration of each step to be controlled independently. The porosity and thickness of the membranes was controlled by varying the substrate temperature during monomer deposition. The addition of a cross-linker during polymerization allowed for the fabrication of robust free-standing shaped hydrophilic membranes that are insoluble in aqueous solutions. Our ability to control the shape, thickness, porosity, and functionality of the porous membranes allows for the design of new surfaces for a variety of applications in sensors, filtration, and microfluidics.
A global review of enhanced geothermal system (EGS)

Abstract The goal of this study is to review 18 significant enhanced geothermal system (EGS) sites and technologies that have been applied in the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Australia and the USA. The results of earlier cases indicate that the site characteristics, such as a transtensional type setting, are a key factor of successful EGS development. This study also introduces the Enhanced Geothermal Innovative Network for Europe (ENGINE), which focuses on developing high-temperature instruments for the characterization and exploitation of supercritical geothermal reservoirs, as well as the geothermal engineering integrating mitigation of induced seismicity in reservoirs (GEISER). The energy reserves in the upper 10 km of the earth's crust are approximately 1.3 × 1027 J, which could supply the global energy use for approximately 217 million years. The exploitable geothermal potential can reach 1200 GWe based on an estimated probability of 70%. In 2050, there will be more than 70 GWe of EGS based on an estimated probability of 85%. In view of the immature technologies for EGS, the US has funded a total of 0.22 billion USD from 2007 to 2013 to develop innovative exploration, reservoir stimulation, and sustainable reservoir technologies and economic analysis models for the commercialization of EGS. The crucial issue in Taiwan's geothermal development is the enhancement of the poor productivity of geothermal production wells. Based on foreign experience, increasing the productivity by adding reinjection wells in traditional hydrothermal fields should be a feasible approach for the development of EGS in Taiwan. The study suggests that Taiwan should establish a geothermal exploration database. In addition, the enhancement of geothermal production by developing reservoir simulation and reservoir maintenance technologies will lead to cost reductions. Finally, promoting traditional hydrothermal geothermal power plants to drive EGS development will allow for the stable expansion of Taiwan's geothermal industry.
Plastic bronchitis resulting in complete bronchial obstruction in an otherwise healthy child

Abstract Plastic Bronchitis is a rare condition in the pediatric population in which large casts fill the bronchi leading to airway obstruction. The classification scheme proposed by Seear divides the bronchial casts into inflammatory and acellular types. Inflammatory casts are most commonly seen with primary lung diseases, while acellular casts are frequently seen in children with congenital heart disease. Here, we present the case of a previously healthy child that presented with complete bronchial obstruction from plastic bronchitis requiring endoscopic removal.