cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the longitudinal component of the Green's function dyadic

Discussion of the divergenceless property of the right-hand side of the dyadic-wave equation for the Green's dyad has centered on the inconsistency of expanding the Green's dyad only in terms of transverse-wave functions. By including the longitudinal functions in the Ohm-Rayleigh expansion of the dyad, a simple closed form expression for the longitudinal component is derived which yields the expected singular quasi-static field. The result is verified in a coordinate independent manner with the aid of the Helmholtz theorem.
Pressure-Induced Phonon Frequency Shifts Measured by Raman Scattering

Pressure shifts of long-wavelength LO and TO phonons of a number of diamond-, zinc-blende-, and wurtzite-type crystals as functions of hydrostatic pressure have been investigated by Raman-scattering measurements. The measured Gr\"uneisen parameters appear to correlate with ionicity. The ${E}_{2}$ modes of CdS and ZnO have also been studied.
Experimental evaluation of magnetorheological dampers for semi-active tuned vibration absorbers

The main purpose of this study is to experimentally evaluate the dynamic performance of a semi-active Tuned Vibration Absorber (TVA) with a Magneto-Rheological (MR) damper. To this end, a test apparatus was built to represent a two-degree-of-freedom primary structure model coupled with a MR TVA. The primary structure mass, which is modeled with steel plates, was excited by a hydraulic actuator through four air springs. The air springs represent the stiffness of the primary structure and offer the ability to change the stiffness. The semi-active TVA consists of a steel plate, a MR damper, and four coil springs for physical representation of the mass, the damping element, and the stiffness of the TVA, respectively. Mounted on top of the primary structure, the TVA is connected to the primary structure plates by hardened linear bearing shafts. A series of transducers along with a data acquisition system was used to collect sensory information and implement real time control of the MR TVA. Using this test rig setup, a parametric study was performed to analyze the dynamics of the semi-active TVA and to compare the performance of the semi-active TVA with a passive TVA. Displacement based on-off groundhook (on-off DBG) control was used as the control policy for the semi-active TVA. In the parametric study, the effects of on/off-state damping of the MR damper were investigated and compared with a passive TVA to analyze the relative benefits of a semi-active TVA. When damping increased in the passive TVA, the two resonant peaks merge into one peak, and the peak grows. This indicates that the primary structure and TVA are linked together, disabling the TVA, and it eventually magnifies the vibrations. For a semi-active TVA, however, the two resonant peaks decrease as on-state damping increases (keeping low off-state damping), indicating reduction of vibrations. It is shown that semi-active TVAs outperform passive TVAs in reducing the peak transmissibility, implying that semi-active TVAs are more effective in reducing the vibrations of the primary structure.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dexterous manipulation planning and execution of an enveloped slippery workpiece

When robotic hands or arms are capable of enveloping the workpieces that they manipulate, envelopment of the workpiece ensures grasp maintenance even if the object experiences significant external forces in directions unknown prior to grasp synthesis. The enveloping mechanism is useful in low-friction and microgravity environments. First-order stability cells are defined. They are used to plan a planar, whole-arm, manipulation task of a slippery workpiece. For most, but not all, of the plan, the workpiece is enveloped. Experimental results are presented. >
Thermal-aware sampling in architectural simulation

Thermal behavior of modern processors is a first-order design constraint. However, accurate estimation of thermal behavior is time consuming, and techniques for accelerating performance simulations often yield inaccurate results when directly applied to thermal simulation, or do not reduce the thermal computation at all. This paper is the first to propose thermal sampling techniques. It can be integrated with existing phase-based and statistical-based architectural simulator sampling. The resulting simulator can perform accurate performance, power, and thermal characterization at close to 30 MIPS, on average, instead of 5 MIPS for the fastest sampling technique without thermal-aware sampling.
How hormones affect behavioral and neural development: Introduction to the special issue on “gonadal hormones and sex differences in behavior”

As the articles in this special issue demonstrate, gonadal hormones have powerful effects on the development of the brain and behavior in human beings, as in other species. Both androgens and estrogens affect behavior throughout development, from early prenatal life through adulthood, as demonstrated in studies with a variety of methods in several species. High levels of testosterone and other androgens that are present early in development are shown to facilitate the development of male‐typical characteristics, and to inhibit the development of female‐typical characteristics. Some of these effects are suggested to be mediated by the conversion of androgen to estradiol in the brain. Ovarian hormones are also shown to play an important role in the development and maintenance of female‐typical characteristics, and their effects on the brain appear to extend beyond the prenatal and early postnatal periods. Nevertheless, there are not simple relations between the amount of hormone present and behavior. Behavi...
Design of Circular Base Plates

Circular base plates are commonly used for pipe columns, such as pylons in cable-stayed bridges, lighting poles, and electric power line posts. Although the explicit solutions for rectangular base plates can be found in many textbooks and AISC design procedures for base plates, a complete design procedure for circular base plates under different loading conditions has not been documented except for a large eccentric load. In this paper, a complete allowable stress design procedure is presented for circular base plates with axial loads, small eccentric loads, and moderate eccentric loads. Several design examples are shown for different loading conditions.
Credibility and Outcome Expectancy in the Unified Protocol: Relationship to Outcomes:

The credibility of a treatment rationale consists of “how believable, convincing, and logical the treatment is” (Kazdin, 1979, p. 82), while outcome expectancy consists of patients' beliefs about h...
Observed and perceived environmental impacts of marine protected areas in two Southeast Asia sites

Integrated coastal management (ICM) commonly utilizes marine protected areas (MPAs) as a management tool. The study demonstrates that MPAs, embedded within an ICM framework, have had positive impacts on coral reefs in Mabini, the Philippines and within tourism-reserved zones of the Bunaken National Park (BNP), Indonesia. ICM has not been able to stem all coral reef degradation, particularly in community-managed no-take areas within BNP. Also, coral reefs surrounding one island within the BNP, but without ICM-inspired coral reef management, have surprisingly high coral cover and fish abundance and diversity. The perceptions of most local people, analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, generally agree with the field observations. However, differences between field observations and interview results are significant enough to warrant the use of both methods when attempting to measure environmental change and resource user's perceptions of these changes.
DataGuides: Enabling Query Formulation and Optimization in Semistructured Databases

In semistructured databases there is no schema fixed in advance. To provide the benefits of a schema in such environments, we introduce DataGuides: concise and accurate structural summaries of semistructured databases. DataGuides serve as dynamic schemas, generated from the database; they are useful for browsing database structure, formulating queries, storing information such as statistics and sample values, and enabling query optimization. This paper presents the theoretical foundations of DataGuides along with an algorithm for their creation and an overview of incremental maintenance. We provide performance results based on our implementation of DataGuides in the Lore DBMS for semistructured data. We also describe the use of DataGuides in Lore, both in the user interface to enable structure browsing and query formulation, and as a means of guiding the query processor and optimizing query execution.
Biological effects of dynamic shear stress in cardiovascular pathologies and devices

Altered and highly dynamic shear stress conditions have been implicated in endothelial dysfunction leading to cardiovascular disease, and in thromboembolic complications in prosthetic cardiovascular devices. In addition to vascular damage, the pathological flow patterns characterizing cardiovascular pathologies and blood flow in prosthetic devices induce shear activation and damage to blood constituents. Investigation of the specific and accentuated effects of such flow-induced perturbations on individual cell-types in vitro is critical for the optimization of device design, whereby specific design modifications can be made to minimize such perturbations. Such effects are also critical in understanding the development of cardiovascular disease. This review addresses limitations to replicate such dynamic flow conditions in vitro and also introduces the idea of modified in vitro devices, one of which is developed in the authors' laboratory, with dynamic capabilities to investigate the aforementioned effects in greater detail.
Direct and Indirect Regulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons by Estradiol

Estrogen signaling to GnRH neurons is critical for coordinating the preovulatory surge release of LH with follicular maturation. Until recently it was thought that estrogen signaled GnRH neurons only indirectly through numerous afferent systems. This minireview presents new evidence indicating that GnRH neurons are directly regulated by estradiol (E2), primarily through estrogen receptor (ER)-b, and indirectly through E2-sensitive neurons in the anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) region. The data described suggest that E2 generally represses GnRH gene expression but that this repression is transiently overcome by indirect E2-dependent signals relayed by AVPV neurons. We also present evidence that the AVPV neurons responsible for relaying E2 signals to GnRH neurons are multifunctional gamma aminobutyric acid-ergic/glutamatergic/neuropeptidergic neurons. estradiol, glutamate, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, neuroendocrinology
Endogenous pyrogen/interleukin-1 production in aged rats

Abstract The effect of aging on the ability of macrophages to produce endogenous pyrogen/interleukin-1 (EP/IL-1) was tested in 13 young adult (2–3 mo) and 13 aged (24–26 mo) Fischer rats using a febrile response assay. Peritoneal macrophages from aged rats produced EP/IL-1 as well as young adult rats. Decreased production of EP/IL-1 does not appear to explain the diminished febrile response seen in the elderly.
Catalyst technology development from macro-, micro- down to nano-scale

Catalyst and catalytic process technology has been an ever-growing field that involves chemical engineering, chemistry, and material science. A number of excellent review articles and books have been published on the subject. In this work, the author reviews the evolution and development of catalyst products with multi-scale methodology. The catalyst technologies are classified into three levels, macro-scale (reactor size), mini- and micro-scale (catalyst unit), and nano-scale (catalyst intrinsic structures). Innovation at different scales requires different sets of expertise, method, and knowledge. Specific examples of significant impact to practical application are used to illustrate technology development at each scale. The multi-scale analysis enables clear delineation of technology components and their relationship for a catalyst product and catalytic process. Manipulation of catalyst structures at nano-scale to increase intrinsic activity and/or selectivity is considered of large potential for future catalyst product development. Recent research results on Cu-CeO2 and Au-CeO2 composite catalysts for air pollution control and hydrogen production are used to show how novel catalytic properties can be discovered by unique combination of different but common materials at the nano-scale.
A high-rate long-range wireless transmission system for multichannel neural recording applications

We report a high-rate, low-power wireless transmission system (named HermesD) to aid the research in neural prosthetics for motor disabilities, by recording and transmitting neural activity from electrode arrays implanted in rhesus monkeys. This system supports the simultaneous transmission of 32 channels of broadband data sampled at 30 kSps, 12 bit/sample, using FSK modulation on a 3.95 GHz carrier, with a link range extending over 20 m. The channel rate is 24 Mbit/s and the bit stream includes synchronization and error detection mechanisms. The power consumption, approximately 142 mW, is low enough to allow the system to operate for about two days, using two 3.7 V / 1100 mAh Li-Ion battery packs. The transmitter was designed using off-the-shelf components and is small enough to fit on a printed circuit board with 20 cm2. The receiver is composed of several submodules in a bench-top configuration and interfaced to a computer for data storage and processing. This system can be easily scaled up in terms of the number of channels and data rate, being an appropriate test platform for a future 96-channel version of the system.
Encountering Everyday Perspectives on the American War

The shooting ended forty years ago but American scholars still fight over how to interpret the Vietnam War. Historians, especially, continue to debate the meaning, significance, and experience of t...
A phase II multicenter trial of paclitaxel and carboplatin in women with advanced or recurrent malignant mixed mullerian tumors (MMMT) of the uterus

5589 Background: Systemic therapy for advanced malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the uterus (MMMT) after surgery has been disappointing. Currently, the most common treatment regimen is ifosfamide and platinum. Moderate success has been documented using paclitaxel in MMMT of the ovary. The purpose of this study is to evaluate carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with advanced (IIIb-IVb) and recurrent MMMT of the uterus. Methods: A single arm, prospective, non-randomized phase II trial opened in October 2001. The planned sample size is 37 evaluable patients, with time to progression and response rate as the primary endpoints. Patients receive carboplatin (AUC 5) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) every 21 days. Patients treated adjuvantly receive a total of 6 cycles or until progression or toxicity. Patients with disease present at study entry are treated until progression or toxicity. Results: To date, 18 patients have been enrolled. Seven patients received adjuvant treatment and 11 patients had documented dise...
The Case | Diarrhea, weight loss, electrolyte abnormalities, and renal failure.

A 65-year-old Caucasian woman returned from a trip to Costa Rica with diarrhea and fatigue. While she believed these were acute symptoms, her husband noted she had diarrhea for 3 years, a 15-lb weight loss during the last year, and increasing fatigue and weakness for 6 months. She had a history of small intestine bacterial overgrowth but had not completed an antibiotic course. Otherwise, she had no medical history. Physical examination revealed a thin elderly appearing woman who was non-oliguric. Admission laboratory examinations revealed the following: sodium 142 mmol/l, potassium 2.4 mmol/l, bicarbonate 7 mmol/l, chloride 114 mmol/l, and creatinine 7.37 mg/dl. Arterial blood analysis revealed pH 7.21 and pCO2 15 mm Hg. Magnesium was 2.0 mg/dl. She was hypocalcemic with a total and ionized calcium level of o5.0 mg/dl and 2.92 mg/dl, respectively, an albumin level of 3.1 g/dl, and an intact parathyroid hormone level of 369 pg/ml. Her hemoglobin was 6.7 g/dl. Urinalysis was negative for proteinuria and hematuria. Microscopic examination of urine revealed no cells, casts, or crystals. 24-h urine showed 431 mg protein, o91 mg calcium (50–250 mg per 24 h), and 44.6 mg per 1.73 m oxalate (9.7–40.5 mg per 24 h), representing 69.8 g oxalate per g creatinine. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) demonstrated gastric wall thickening and renal parenchymal calcium deposition (Figure 1). Renal biopsy was performed. Unifying diagnosis was made with additional serum test and biopsy.
Pragmatism, Positivism, and the Conventionalistic Fallacy

Jules Coleman's "The practice of principle: in defense of a pragmatist approach to legal theory" (2001) asserts that law is a matter of social fact, and that this "social facts thesis" is central to the legal positivist tradition. This article argues that the social facts thesis, on the interpretation most naturally attributed to Coleman, is untenable, and it articulates the problem with the view in three related ways. First, it argues that the social facts thesis fails for reasons that are suggested by Dworkin's critique of Hart. Second, it explains why the problem with the social facts thesis in jurisprudence is related, in interesting ways, to Quine's critique of Carnap on the analytic/synthetic distinction in "Two Dogmas of Empiricism." Third, while some jurists have asserted that Hart's (and now Coleman's) analysis of law in terms of social facts involves the naturalistic fallacy, I shall offer a somewhat different view. I shall argue that what I call a "conventionalistic fallacy" saddles one plausible interpretation of Coleman's view, just as it did Hart's: it is the fallacy of inferring from the fact that a given rule of recognition is conventionally accepted by the legal officials of a particular legal community and the fact that a putative legal norm satisfies the rule of recognition, the legal conclusion that the putative legal norm is valid law. On the other hand, some version of a social facts thesis is tenable, I argue, and this version is enriched by Coleman's account, and is also consonant in some ways with Hart's aims. Yet this version of the social facts thesis eliminates central aspects of Coleman's positivism, and, indeed, appears to undercut his claim to being a positivist at all.
Performance in Internal Control Evaluation: The Importance of Documentation Format and Task-Specific Knowledge

SAS No. 78 requires that on every engagement auditors obtain a "sufficient understanding of internal control" to plan the audit and determine the nature, timing and extent of audit testing (AICPA 1995). Two formats that have been used by auditors in the past to document their understanding of internal control are the narrative and flowchart (Mock and Turner 1981; Cushing and Loebbecke 1986; Purvis 1989). The choice of documentation format is important because it may affect the way auditors encode (Plumlee 1985), retrieve, and evaluate information (Frederick 1992). The purpose of this study is to examine if documentation format (the internal control flowchart or narrative) affects the recall and evaluation of internal control information, and how task-specific knowledge mediates this effect. There were three major findings in this study. First, auditors who read a narrative and updated a flowchart outperformed those auditors who only read a narrative when evaluating internal control. Second, auditors who read a narrative and received an incomplete flowchart recalled less uncued information than those who only read a narrative, consistent with part-list interference. Third, higher levels of internal control knowledge were associated with better performance when evaluating control weaknesses, but not control strengths.
Morse potential-based model for contacting composite rough surfaces: Application to self-assembled monolayer junctions

This work formulates a rough surface contact model that accounts for adhesion through a Morse potential and plasticity through the Kogut-Etsion finite element-based approximation. Compared to the commonly used Lennard-Jones (LJ) potential, the Morse potential provides a more accurate and generalized description for modeling covalent materials and surface interactions. An extension of this contact model to describe composite layered surfaces is presented and implemented to study a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) grown on a gold substrate placed in contact with a second gold substrate. Based on a comparison with prior experimental measurements of the thermal conductance of this SAM junction [Majumdar et al., Nano Lett. 15, 2985–2991 (2015)], the more general Morse potential-based contact model provides a better prediction of the percentage contact area than an equivalent LJ potential-based model.
Studies in human myometrium during pregnancy. V. Myometrial tissue progesterone analyses by gas-liquid phase chromatography.

Abstract 1. 1. Using gas-liquid phase chromatography, a technique has been developed for measuring tissue progesterone levels. 2. 2. Because this procedure requires fewer preliminary steps in purification and extraction, the placental levels found have been approximately twice those previously reported, and human myometrium from the term or near-term pregnant uterus has been found to have a concentration of progesterone varying from 0.05 to 0.63 μg per gram wet weight tissue.
The development of high precision air-coupled ultrasonic level meter

Explain the measuring principle of air-coupled ultrasonic level meter;Analyze the biggest impactive factor which influences air-coupled ultrasonic level meter's measurement accuracy;It is due to the accuracy of acoustic velocity measurement;Presents a method to improve the measurement accuracy of acoustic velocity;And introduce the structure of instrument;The experiment proves that the accuracy of this instrument based on the method mentioned is better than the ordinary air-coupled ultrasonic level meter;
Curative Effect of Heparin in the Treatment of Children with Severe Pneumonia and Its Influence on Platelet Parameters and D-Dimer

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of heparin in the treatment of children with severe pneumonia and its influence on platelet parameters and D-Dimer.Methods Ninety-five children with severe pneumonia were divided randomly into treatment group(n=48)and control group(n=47),two groups received conventional treatment,moreover,the treatment group was treated with subcutaneously small dosage of heparin.Serum platelet parameters and D-Dimer were measured before and after treatment.Results The total effectiveness rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group(95.8% vs 76.6%,P0.01).Comparison with those before treatment,the platelet parameters in the treatment group improved obviously after treatment(P0.01),and there was significant difference as compared with control group(P0.01).The rate of increased D-Dimer in therapy group was significantly lower than that of control group after treatment(6.3% vs 51.1%,P0.01).Conclusion Heparin is an effective drug for the treatment of children with severe pneumonia,which can obviously improve blood hypercoagulable state.
New technique for repair of posterior left ventricular rupture

A case is presented of posterior left ventricular rupture occurring from resection of intramyocardial calcification during mitral valve replacement. The laceration was obvious on the operating table with discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass, but attempts at simple closure with buttressd sutures were unsuccessful. The ventricular defect was repaired by insertion of a low-porosity Dacron graft. A saphenous vein bypass graft was also placed between the aorta and circumflex coronary artery.
Production of Bacterial and Yeast Biomass in Ground Corn Cob and Ground Corn Stalk Media 1.

The production of biomass using ground corn cobs and ground corn stalks and a 1:1 (w/w) mixture of the two was studied using Cellulomonas uda in a monoculture and in mixture with Candida utilis . The addition of C. utilis improved the amino acid content of the biomass. With the combination of C. uda and C. utilis , there was more soluble protein in the growth medium. With the addition of C. utilis to the corn cob fermentation, the relative nutritive value increased from 45.7% with a monoculture to 72.6% with a mixed culture. The crude protein also increased from 13.5 g/100 g to 21.1 g/100 g. The ratio of enzyme activity with carboxymethyl cellulose to that of filter paper was about two at the 5th day of fermentation.
202Pb/202Tl: A PERMANENT RADIOACTIVITY REFERENCE AND MINIGENERATOR FOR 202Tl

Abstract In the production of 201 tl for nuclear medicine use, a number of lead isotopes are produced. The radionuclide 202 Pb with a half-life of 3 x 10 5 years is the only long-lived radioactive isotope produced. It decays with no gamma ray emission to form 202 Tl which has a half-life of 12.4 days and decays to stable 202 Hg with the accompanying emission of a single 439 KeV gamma ray. An equilibrium mixture of the radionuclides producing a constant radioactivity level results after 274 days and should be an excellent radioactivity reference. A second use for the long-lived radionuclide is as a source for no-carrier-added 202 Tl which may be separated in microcurie quantities from the parent by a single step continuous ether extraction. The 202 Tl is suitable for tracer studies, especially in environmental toxicological research.
The Beardsley Canal Site

ABSTRACTThe Beardsley Canal site, a Colonial period Hohokam site located along the lower Agua Fria River, north of Phoenix, Arizona is described. The implications of its situation in terms of the environmental zones involved arc explained. The usual architectural and artifactual summaries follow, with one section devoted to a thorough description of the ceramics, special emphasis being placed on the predominate plainware, Wingfield Plain.
A review of the epidemiologic aspects of embryo transfer from Brucella abortus -infected cows.

Abstract Available information on the epidemiologic aspects of embryo transfer from Brucella -infected cattle is reviewed to provide a knowledgeable perspective upon which the risk of transmission of this agent by the embryo can be assessed. Accumulated evidence indicates that exposure of preimplantation embryos to Brucella abortus in the uteri of superovulated, infected cows is unlikely. Further, it has been shown that embryo-washing procedures insure freedom from B. abortus even without antibiotics. The use of antibiotics with the proper cryoprotectant provides additional insurance that Brucella will not be transferred with frozen-thawed embryos. Four hundred fifteen (415) ova collected in 74 nonsurgical recoveries from Brucella -infected cows were culture-negative when examined for the presence of Brucella . After reviewing studies conducted on embryo transfer from Brucella abortus -infected cows, the authors conclude that B. abortus will not be transmitted when emphasis is placed on proper handling of embryos between collection from donors and transfer to recipients.
Common Core State Standards for ELA/Literacy and Next Generation Science Standards: Convergences and Discrepancies Using Argument as an Example

As the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English language arts (ELA)/literacy and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) highlight connections across subject areas, convergences and disc...
Axillary lymph node coverage with 3-dimensional tangential field irradiation and correlation with heart and lung dose.

Abstract Purpose The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial indicated no benefit from axillary lymph node (LN) dissection after a positive sentinel LN biopsy in patients receiving breast irradiation, suggesting that level I-II LNs were covered in tangential fields. Methods and materials We evaluated 50 computed tomography–based tangential breast plans and contoured level I-III axillary LNs using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group guidelines. The volumes of level I-III LN regions covered by 90% and 95% of the prescription dose (PD) were calculated and correlated with the V20 ipsilateral lung and mean heart dose. We calculated field length, distance from the humeral head, and separation. The Pearson correlation method and linear models were used in the correlative study. Results Level I LN mean and median volume (MMV) covered by 90% of the PD were 46.8% and 47.2%, respectively. MMV covered by 95% of the PD was 30.8% and 29.62%. Mean and median dose to level I LNs were 29.03 Gy and 30.13 Gy, respectively. The MMV of level II LNs covered by 90% of the PD was 2.49% and 0%. The mean and median dose to level II LNs were 6.09 Gy and 2.12 Gy, respectively. The MMV of level III LNs was 0% with a mean and median dose of 1.04 Gy and 0.92 Gy, respectively. There was a moderate correlation between the 95% prescription coverage of level I LNs and V20 ipsilateral lung and a smaller correlation between 95% prescription coverage of level I LNs and mean heart dose. Distance from the humeral head was inversely correlated with coverage of level I and II LNs and positively correlated with V20 lung. Conclusion In most patients,
Brains from 40 Million Years of Camelid History

The first word in the title of this symposium was a compulsory invitation to paleoneurology. Phylogeny is the science which traces the descent from each other of the organisms that lived in consecutive times of the Past. The documents of those histories are fossils. These do not include brains; but Prof. Spatz has just shown you that brain research is possible by means of a fossilized skull. An endocast of its brain cavity will reproduce the brain’s form. Such “fossil brains” — either artificial or natural endocasts: brain-shaped stones prepared out of skulls — have been studied since the beginning of the past century. Even before a report on horse brain evolution gave a new stimulus to research in paleoneurology, C. Judson Herrick could write that “The positive paleontological evidence regarding the phylogeny of the brain is more extensive and illuminating than is generally recognized.”
Drinking Water to Prevent Postvaccination Presyncope in Adolescents: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postvaccination syncope can cause injury. Drinking water prephlebotomy increases peripheral vascular tone, decreasing risk of blood-donation presyncope and syncope. This study evaluated whether drinking water prevaccination reduces postvaccination presyncope, a potential syncope precursor. METHODS: We conducted a randomized trial of subjects aged 11 to 21 years receiving ≥1 intramuscular vaccine in primary care clinics. Intervention subjects were encouraged to drink 500 mL of water, with vaccination recommended 10 to 60 minutes later. Control subjects received usual care. Presyncope symptoms were assessed with a 12-item survey during the 20-minutes postvaccination. Symptoms were classified with a primary cutoff sensitive for presyncope, and a secondary, more restrictive cutoff requiring greater symptoms. Results were adjusted for clustering by recruitment center. RESULTS: There were 906 subjects randomly assigned to the control group and 901 subjects randomly assigned to the intervention group. None had syncope. Presyncope occurred in 36.2% of subjects by using the primary definition, and in 8.0% of subjects by using the restrictive definition. There were no significant differences in presyncope by intervention group for the primary (1-sided test, P = .24) or restrictive outcome (1-sided test, P = .17). Among intervention subjects vaccinated within 10 to 60 minutes after drinking all 500 mL of water ( n = 519), no reduction in presyncope was observed for the primary or restrictive outcome (1-sided tests, P = .13, P = .17). In multivariable regression analysis, presyncope was associated with younger age, history of passing out or nearly passing out after a shot or blood draw, prevaccination anxiety, receiving >1 injected vaccine, and greater postvaccination pain. CONCLUSIONS: Drinking water before vaccination did not prevent postvaccination presyncope. Predictors of postvaccination presyncope suggest opportunities for presyncope and syncope prevention interventions.
Quantitative ultrasound spectroscopy to differentiate between hepatocellular carcinoma and at-risk liver parenchyma

Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is critically needed to improve patient survival. Ultrasound is the first-line technology to screen patients at increased risk but has low sensitivity and specify in particular in hepatic cirrhosis. Quantitative ultrasound spectroscopy (QUS) is a promising tool that may increase diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound by enabling quantitative assessment and computerized screening. This study aimed to perform a clinical assessment of QUS parameters for differentiating HCC lesion tissue from liver parenchyma.
Subgingival Microbiome Colonization and Cytokine Production during Early Dental Implant Healing

ABSTRACT Little is known about longitudinal development of the peri-implant subgingival microbiome and cytokine production as a new sulcus forms after dental implant placement. Therefore, the purpose of this observational study was to evaluate simultaneous longitudinal changes in the oral microbiome and cytokine production in the developing peri-implant sulcus compared to control natural teeth. Four and 12 weeks after implant placement and abutment connection, a dental implant and a natural tooth were sampled in 25 patients for subgingival plaque and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF [around teeth] and peri-implant crevicular fluid [PICF] around implants). DNA from plaque samples was extracted and sequenced using Illumina-based 16S rRNA sequencing. GCF and PICF samples were analyzed using a customized Milliplex human cytokine and chemokine magnetic bead panel. Beta diversity analysis revealed that natural teeth and implants had similar subgingival microbiomes, while teeth had greater alpha diversity than implants. At the genus level, however, few differences were noted between teeth and dental implants over 12 weeks. Specifically, Actinomyces and Selenomonas were significantly elevated around teeth versus dental implants at both 4 weeks and 12 weeks, while Corynebacterium and Campylobacter were significantly elevated only at 4 weeks around teeth. The only difference between PICF and GCF biomarkers was significantly elevated granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor levels around teeth versus dental implants at the 4-week visit. The subgingival microbiome and cytokine production were similar between teeth and implants during early healing, suggesting that these profiles are driven by the patient following dental implant placement and are not determined by anatomical niche. IMPORTANCE Dental implants are a common treatment option offered to patients for tooth replacement. However, little is known regarding initial colonization of the subgingival microbiome and simultaneous longitudinal cytokine production in humans during the early healing phase following implant placement. We report findings from an in vivo study that assessed initial colonization of the subgingival microbiome and concomitant early cytokine production in a newly formed anatomical space, namely, an implant sulcus. This approach may be useful in future interventional studies to influence dental implant success. Our data showed that the subgingival microbiome and cytokine profile were similar for control natural teeth and dental implants at both 4 and 12 weeks after implant placement. These data suggest that these profiles are driven by the patient and not by anatomical location (i.e., tooth versus dental implant).
Sofosbuvir + velpatasvir + voxilaprevir for the treatment of hepatitis C infection

Introduction: Hepatitis C is a disease with a significant global impact. Over the last several years, the treatment of the disease has been revolutionized. Therapy has transformed over the last sev...
Efficiency of Token-Passing MUTEX-Solutions - Some Experiments

A formerly developed approach for comparing the efficiency of asynchronous systems is applied to some token-passing systems (one of them presumably new) that solve the MUTEX-problem. While the original approach compares systems, we also quantify the efficiency by a number and used our tool FastAsy to assess the effects the number of users and the delay in their communication links have. Finally, some new results allowed us to prove correctness of the solutions with FastAsy.
Arterial Endovascular Interventions in Acute Mesenteric Ischemia

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a true medical emergency and requires a multi-disciplinary treatment approach. AMI occurs when there is a sudden decrease in blood flow resulting in hypoperfusion to the intestines and may lead to bowel infarction. There are many potential etiologies of AMI that include arterial embolus, arterial, or venous thrombosis; traumatic injury; aortic dissection; intestinal obstruction; non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia, and vasculitis. Given mortality rates that approach 90%, rapid diagnosis is essential to decrease risk of bowel infarction. While surgical management has traditionally been the treatment of choice, endovascular management is being used with increasing frequency. Further, utilizing endovascular treatment options together with surgical intervention has shown promising results. The endovascular approach to treatment of AMI will depend on the underlying etiology. In addition, the acuity of patient presentation, presence, or absence of bowel infarction; patient stability; and availability of a hybrid operating room will influence the treatment plan of a patient with AMI. Early diagnosis with advanced cross-sectional imaging along with assessment of the underlying risk factors will optimize chances of early intervention and improve patient outcomes.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by modifying phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, and phenotypes associated with virulence.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common opportunistic pathogen, is known to cause infections in a variety of compromised human tissues. An emerging mechanism for microbial survival is the incorporation of exogenous fatty acids to alter the cell’s membrane phospholipid profile. With these findings, we show that exogenous fatty acid exposure leads to changes in bacterial membrane phospholipid structure, membrane permeability, virulence phenotypes and consequent stress responses that may influence survival and persistence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thin-layer chromatography and ultra performance liquid chromatography / ESI-mass spectrometry indicated alteration of bacterial phospholipid profiles following growth in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (ranging in carbon length and unsaturation). The exogenously supplied fatty acids were incorporated into the major bacterial phospholipids phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The incorporation of fatty acids increased membrane permeability as judged by both accumulation and exclusion of ethidium bromide. Individual fatty acids were identified as modifying resistance to the cyclic peptide antibiotics polymyxin B and colistin, but not the beta-lactam imipenem. Biofilm formation was increased by several PUFAs and significant fluctuations in swimming motility were observed. Our results emphasize the relevance and complexity of exogenous fatty acids in the membrane physiology and pathobiology of a medically important pathogen. P. aeruginosa exhibits versatility with regard to utilization of and response to exogenous fatty acids, perhaps revealing potential strategies for prevention and control of infection.
Part III: Battlefields and Battle—Vionville-Gravelotte

Part III begins with Ruckert’s unforgettable description of crossing the previous day’s battlefield at Vionville. Mutilated men, dead and alive, lie gruesomely contorted amidst bloated horse corpses and masses of smashed equipment. They camp next to the battlefield, unsure when the fighting will resume. Searching for food, he and his comrades find some luxuries in the packs of the dead French soldiers. Ruckert tries to get a French cavalryman’s fancy helmet as a souvenir, but the head comes off with the helmet. At last his company is ordered into the fight. Within minutes, he is hideously wounded in the legs by shrapnel and bullets. A passing infantryman carries him to the edge of the woods, where he lies in a delirium hoping that a stray bullet will put him out of his misery. Late at night Prussian guardsmen find him and carry him to a dressing station.
Treety: A Data-driven Approach to Urban Canopy Development

Cities are facing increasingly significant sustainability issues in the face of growing populations and climate change. At the center of many cities plans to address sustainability issues, are plans for urban canopy development (i.e. increases the number of trees in cities). In this paper, we propose an approach to educate residents about the environmental and socio-economic benefits of trees in urban settings and incentivize tree growth in cities. In addition to environmental benefits, trees have been shown to have many significant socio-economic benefits (e.g. real estate values, pedestrian traffic, motor traffic, and many other aspects of urban life) [1], [2], [3]. Our approach can also be leveraged to encourage resident participation in city tree development programs, such as Free Tree Programs [4]. By quantifying and displaying tree environmental and economic benefits at the selected locations on an interactive map, citizens and policymakers can determine the best locations to plant trees in the city. The system aggregates data from the distributed city sensors to model tree benefits and provide an overall score which quantifies the benefit of planting a tree(s) at a given location(s). The system models tree benefits by taking historical data from the pedestrian, environmental, and traffic sensors to predict the potential impacts (e.g. carbon reduction, evapotranspiration, average pedestrian traffic, and average vehicular traffic, property values, ) of a tree(s) at a given location(s) [1], [2], [3], [5]. By using the system, citizens learn about the positive effects of having trees in their neighborhood and policy makers may also better conduct city planning and develop urban policies/strategies to maximize the impact of trees in their communities. Results show moderate to strong correlations between a sample of key socio-economic parameters and trees.
Robust Estimation Framework with Semantic Measurements

Conventional simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms rely on geometric measurements and require loop-closure detections to correct for drift accumulated over a vehicle trajectory. Semantic measurements can add measurement redundancy and provide an alternative form of loop closure. We propose two different estimation algorithms that incorporate semantic measurements provided by vision-based object classifiers. An a priori map of regions where the objects can be detected is assumed. The first estimation framework is posed as a maximum-likelihood problem, where the likelihood function for semantic measurements is derived from the confusion matrices of the object classifiers. The second estimation framework is comprised of two parts: 1) a continuous-state estimation formulation that includes semantic measurements as a form of state constraints and 2) a discrete-state estimation formulation used to compute the certainty of object detection measurements using a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). The advantages of incorporating semantic measurements in these frameworks are demonstrated in numerical simulations. In particular, the proposed estimation algorithms improve upon the robustness and accuracy of conventional SLAM algorithms.
Ability of positive and negative contrast computed tomographic peritoneography to delineate canine liver lobe fissures

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of contrast peritoneography in delineating liver lobe fissures by using computed tomography (CT). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross‐sectional study. ANIMALS: Canine cadavers (n = 10). METHODS: An abdominal CT image of each cadaver was obtained under three conditions: without peritoneal contrast (precontrast), after insufflation of the peritoneal cavity with CO₂ (negative contrast), and after intraperitoneal administration of iohexol (positive contrast). Images were reconstructed in three planes. Three reviewers independently scored each plane/contrast combination. Observers measured the length of each fissure in each plane. The measurable length of fissures was compared between techniques but was not compared with the actual length on cadavers. RESULTS: When assessment of all fissures was combined, measurements were obtained in 96 to 108 of 120 (80%‐90%) positive contrast studies, 56 to 96 of 120 (47%‐80%) negative contrast studies, and 12 to 32 of 120 (10%‐27%) precontrast CT images. All observers measured fissures in all planes that were approximately two times longer on positive compared with negative contrast studies and two times longer on negative contrast studies compared with CT images without contrast. Measurable fissure lengths were greater on positive contrast CT images (P < .0001) than on other CT images. CONCLUSION: Positive contrast CT peritoneography improved the delineation of hepatic interlobar fissures in normal canine cadavers. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results justify further studies to determine the ability to locate large hepatic masses in dogs with positive CT. Positive contrast CT peritoneography may assist treatment planning in dogs with large hepatic tumors.
A Loyalist Life:: John Bond of South Carolina and Nova Scotia

What do I think of myself now, with all my loyaltyl After the American Revolution, that question challenged former loyalists, both those who were trying to incorporate themselves into the new nation and, perhaps especially, those who had voluntarily or involuntarily left it. The upheaval and hardship of starting a new life, usually in an unfamiliar environment and often in the absence of one's family and friends, forced such questioning on exiles, whether they had owned thousands of acres, as Cary had, or had been landless, as was the subject of this work. Studying the migration of loyalists involves pursuing a range of linkages between their prewar and postwar experiences. On a personal level, could a loyalist look back at his opposition to the Revolution with self-confirming pride or only with regret? Did his postwar experiences confirm his decision to support the imperial tie, a decision commonly made in haste and distress and often inconsistently? Since such questions are weighed on the side of regret, at least immediately after the war, by the fact of displacement and exile, it is the exiled loyalists' entire lifetime which needs to be surveyed. The vast majority of those loyalists from the southern backcountry who found themselves in Nova Scotia at the end of the war had been small farmers before
Electrophysiological responses to sugars and amino acids in the nucleus of the solitary tract of type 1 taste receptor double-knockout mice.

The type 1 taste receptor (T1R) family is crucial for transducing sugars and amino acids, but there is evidence for T1R-independent mechanisms. In this study, single-unit recordings from the nucleu...
The Relationship between God’s Gender, Gender System Justification and Sexism

Behavioral scientists and feminist theologians have long theorized that religions that primarily conceptualize God (and other divine authority figures) as male can legitimatize the social and polit...
High-dose osimertinib for CNS progression in EGFR+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A multi-institutional experience.

9586Background: High-dose osimertinib 160 mg QD (osi160) has activity in osi-naive, EGFR+ NSCLC pts with CNS or leptomeningeal disease (LMD) per the BLOOM trial, but the role of dose-escalation for...