cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gravity Mouse Design and Evaluation: Effects of Distracters and Taget Size:

Gravity mouse is a mouse interface that accelerates the cursor towards potential targets. Its design is based on the premise that as the cursor approaches a potential selection the system can be more certain of the selection. Usability studies with multiple buttons, target and distracter buttons, demonstrate a 100 ms reduction in selection time for 52×41 px buttons and a 130 ms reduction for 19×15 px buttons. Analysis of the results suggests that users resist the full benefit of gravity mouse. Gravity mouse's influence is adaptive and the paper discusses its potential application in intelligent user interfaces.
Dynamics of supply chain networks with corporate social responsibility through integrated environmental decision-making

In this paper, we develop a dynamic framework for the modeling and analysis of supply chain networks with corporate social responsibility through integrated environmental decision-making. Through a multilevel supply chain network, we model the multicriteria decision-making behavior of the various decision-makers (manufacturers, retailers, and consumers), which includes the maximization of profit, the minimization of emission (waste), and the minimization of risk. We explore the dynamic evolution of the product flows, the associated product prices, as well as the levels of social responsibility activities on the network until an equilibrium pattern is achieved. We provide some qualitative properties of the dynamic trajectories, under suitable assumptions, and propose a discrete-time algorithm which is then applied to track the evolution of the levels of social responsibility activities, product flows and prices over time. We illustrate the model and computational procedure with several numerical examples.
Carbon cycle: harvest of the century.

A century-long record of levels of inorganic carbon in the Mississippi, extracted from the water-treatment plants of New Orleans, documents the changes wrought by shifting agricultural practices in the river's basin.
Phosphomimetic Modulation of eNOS Improves Myocardial Reperfusion and Mimics Cardiac Postconditioning in Mice

Objective: Myocardial infarction resulting from ischemia-reperfusion injury can be reduced by cardiac postconditioning, in which blood flow is restored intermittently prior to full reperfusion. Although key molecular mechanisms and prosurvival pathways involved in postconditioning have been identified, a direct role for eNOS-derived NO in improving regional myocardial perfusion has not been shown. The objective of this study is to measure, with high temporal and spatial resolution, regional myocardial perfusion during ischemia-reperfusion and postconditioning, in order to determine the contribution of regional blood flow effects of NO to infarct size and protection. Methods and Results: We used myocardial contrast echocardiography to measure regional myocardial blood flow in mice over time. Reperfusion after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is improved by postconditioning, as well as by phosphomimetic eNOS modulation. Knock-in mice expressing a phosphomimetic S1176D form of eNOS showed improved myocardial reperfusion and significantly reduced infarct size. eNOS knock-out mice failed to show cardioprotection from postconditioning. The size of the no-reflow zone following ischemia-reperfusion is substantially reduced by postconditioning and by the phosphomimetic eNOS mutation. Conclusions and Significance: Using myocardial contrast echocardiography, we show that temporal dynamics of regional myocardial perfusion restoration contribute to reduced infarct size after postconditioning. eNOS has direct effects on myocardial blood flow following ischemia-reperfusion, with reduction in the size of the no-reflow zone. These results have important implications for ongoing clinical trials on cardioprotection, because the degree of protective benefit may be significantly influenced by the regional hemodynamic effects of eNOS-derived NO.
Origin and age of Adirondack anorthosites re-evaluated with Nd isotopes

We report the Sm-Nd systematics in seven whole-rock anorthosites, in plagioclase and garnet mineral separates from one anorthosite, and in five mangerite-norite-charnockite rocks from the Snowy Mountain dome in the south-central Adirondacks. The plagioclase, two garnet separates, and the whole-rock anorthosite define a four-point internal isochron of age 1,098 ± 7 (2σ) m.y. The six whole-rock anorthosites and the anorthositic gabbro in conjunction with the above internal isochron define a similar age of 1,095 ± 7 (2σ) m.y. and an initial 143Nd/144Nd ratio of 0.51135 ± 1 (2σ). This age of 1,100 m.y. is considered to be the time of crystallization of the anorthositic rocks. The initial Nd isotope ratio of the combined whole-rock and mineral isochron indicates an ϵNd value of +2.5, which suggests a light rare-earth-element-depleted source for the anorthositic parent magma in the upper mantle. The trace-element and isotopic data also support the view that gabbroic anorthosite is the parent magma for the anorthosites. Five whole-rock samples of norite-mangerite-charnockite, found in close association with the anorthosites, do not define a precise isochron. The initial ϵNd values of these rocks at 1,100 m.y. show a range from +2.7 to +5.1, which demonstrates that the anorthositic rocks and the mangerite-charnockite are not cogenetic. The isotopic data further demonstrate that the mangerite-charnockite rocks are mantle-derived meta-igneous rocks, and not of sedimentary derivation.
Reducing Adverse Selection through Customer Relationship Management

Abstract Adverse selection is an important problem for marketers. To reduce the chances of acquiring an unprofitable customer, companies may screen prospects who respond to a marketing offer. Prospects who respond are often not approved. At the same time, prospects who are likely to be approved are unlikely to respond to a given marketing offer. Using data from a firm's customer relationship management system, the authors show how to target prospects who are likely to respond and be approved. This approach increases the number of customers who are approved and reduces the number of applicants who may defect after being turned down. This method can be extended to new customer acquisition and more effective targeting of costly promotions to migrate customers to higher levels of lifetime value.
(f,g) invariant distributions, connections and pontryagin classes

The concept of (A,B) invariance in linear systems theory generalizes to two concepts for nonlinear systems, (f,g) invariance and local (f,g) invariance. The former implies the latter and the latter implies the former only locally. The topological obstruction to global (f,g) invariance are discussed.
Rationality as a goal of education

Those who believe education should involve more than learning facts often stress either (a) development or (b) thinking skills. A focus on development as a goal of education typically entails a conception of knowledge as organismic, holistic, and internally generated. In contrast, thinking skills programs commonly assume a mechanistic, reductionist perspective in which good thinking consists of some finite number of directly teachable skills. A conception of rationality as a goal of eduction is proposed that incorporates the complementary strengths and avoids the limitations of the developmental and thinking skills approaches. Rationality is defined as the self-reflective, intentional, and appropriate coordination and use of genuine reasons in generating and justifying beliefs and behavior. Philosophically, rationality is a justifiable goal of education, not only because it is a means to worthwhile ends but because it is an important end in itself and because it can be promoted via nonindoctrinative means. A psychological account of progressive rationality is provided that postulates continuing multiple interactions of (a) domain-specific developmental stages, (b) the learning of specific thinking skills, and (c) content-specific knowledge. Suggestions are made for fostering rationality at various educational levels. Finally, it is argued that the proposed conception of rationality as a goal of education complements and clarifies a variety of other educational goals.
Fluxless Flip-Chip Solder Joint Fabrication Using Electroplated Sn-Rich Sn&#8211;Au Structures

A fluxless flip-chip bonding process in hydrogen environment using newly developed Sn-rich Sn-Au electroplated multilayer solder bumps is presented. Cr/Au dual layer is employed as the plating seed layer and the underbump metallurgy (UBM). This UBM design, seldom used in the electronic industry, is explained in some details. To realize the fluxless possibility, proper intermetallic growth over the composite structure is needed. In this connection, we like to point out that it is much harder to achieve fluxless bonding using Sn-rich Sn-Au design than the familiar Au-rich 80Au20Sn eutectic design. This is so because Sn-rich Sn-Au alloys have numerous Sn atoms on the surface that can get oxidized easily while the Au-Sn eutectic alloy at thermal equilibrium consists of only Au5Sn and AuSn compounds. Intermetallic nucleation and growth mechanism of sequential electroplating of Au over thick Sn layer is studied with scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction method (XRD). It is found that Au-Sn intermetallic forms as Au is plated over the Sn layer and acts as a barrier that prevents the oxidation of the inner Sn layer, making fluxless possibility a reality. It is found that the SnAu intermetallic compounds are randomly distributed in the Sn rich joint making the joint strong. The resulting joints contain few voids as examined by an SEM and a scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) and have a remelting temperature of 217degC-222degC. The plated Sn-Au solder bumps on silicon with 50 mum in height are flip-chip bonded to borosilicate glass substrate. This new fluxless flip-chip bonding process is valuable in many applications where the use of flux is prohibited
The Emerging 360 Degree Model for Global Citizenship Education

Collaborative efforts in the health sciences and STEM fields offer tremendous opportunities for providing solutions to the global challenges of reducing poverty and improving health care. Global health care challenges necessitate the investigation of new interdisciplinary educational approaches for higher education. This article presents a formal approach for developing students into well-equipped global citizens, through the Emerging 360 Degree Model for Educating Socially Responsible Global Citizens. This model provides a framework for creating educational environments and academic coursework that promotes global citizenship education. Students’ knowledge, comprehension, and skills are addressed through in-class discussion and experiential international service-learning in a “ village network” setting. Post-trip reflection and presentations embedded in the model encourage students to explore deeper layers of meaning, and leadership and team influences propel students to engage as socially responsible global citizens. This article describes the Emerging 360 Degree Global Education Model and reports on initial findings of the impact of the educational approach on student learning. Qualitative and quantitative data from student surveys and reflective essays offer information on students’ growth in global citizenship understandings.
Separation of parallel encoded complex-valued slices (SPECS) from a single complex-valued aliased coil image.

Abstract Purpose Achieving a reduction in scan time with minimal inter-slice signal leakage is one of the significant obstacles in parallel MR imaging. In fMRI, multiband-imaging techniques accelerate data acquisition by simultaneously magnetizing the spatial frequency spectrum of multiple slices. The SPECS model eliminates the consequential inter-slice signal leakage from the slice unaliasing, while maintaining an optimal reduction in scan time and activation statistics in fMRI studies. Materials and methods When the combined k -space array is inverse Fourier reconstructed, the resulting aliased image is separated into the un-aliased slices through a least squares estimator. Without the additional spatial information from a phased array of receiver coils, slice separation in SPECS is accomplished with acquired aliased images in shifted FOV aliasing pattern, and a bootstrapping approach of incorporating reference calibration images in an orthogonal Hadamard pattern. Result The aliased slices are effectively separated with minimal expense to the spatial and temporal resolution. Functional activation is observed in the motor cortex, as the number of aliased slices is increased, in a bilateral finger tapping fMRI experiment. Conclusion The SPECS model incorporates calibration reference images together with coefficients of orthogonal polynomials into an un-aliasing estimator to achieve separated images, with virtually no residual artifacts and functional activation detection in separated images.
THE IDENTIFICATION OF CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH INITIATION OF PHARMACOLOGIC AND LIFESTYLE PREVENTIVE THERAPIES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Detection of coronary plaque by calcium scanning could serve as effective motivational tool for initiation of preventive therapies. We aimed to assess odds of initiation of primary prevention therapies in patients with non-zero vs zero coronary artery calcium (CAC) score on cardiac CT. PubMed,
Influence of Leaf Pubescence on Ovipositional Preference of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on Soybean

The influence of pubescence on oviposition site selection by Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring [also known as the B strain of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)] was studied in greenhouse and laboratory bioassays using soybean, Glycine max L., isolines varying for foliar pubescence. In choice tests, whiteflies laid significantly more eggs on the hirsute and pubescent isolines than on the glabrous isoline. In no-choice tests, the within-plant distribution of eggs laid on the 3 isolines differed and was related to trichome density. On glabrous soybean, more eggs were laid on the 2 oldest and 2 youngest leaves. On the 2 hairy isolines, more eggs were laid on the 3 oldest leaves and fewer eggs were laid on the younger leaves, which had the highest densities of trichomes. When whiteflies were confined in petri dish-clip cages attached to plants with a choice between 2 leaflets, either from 2 different isolines or within a single isoline, no preference for pubescent over glabrous soybean was seen nor did removal of hairs by shaving affect ovipositional preference. However, significantly more eggs were laid on hirsute soybean than on glabrous soybean in between isoline choice tests. In addition, shaved hirsute leaflets were less preferred for oviposition than hirsute leaflets in within-isoline choice tests. It is likely that the partial resistance of glabrous soybean observed in the field is caused, in part, by reduced ovipositional preference related to lack of foliar pubescence. However, the effect of trichomes on ovipositional preference is less pronounced when whiteflies are closely confined with host plants.
Should we still do the Ross operation in adults

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To update the long-term results of the Ross procedure in adults and to establish the current role of this operation for the management of aortic valve disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Early outcomes continue to be excellent. Follow-up beyond 10 years, however, demonstrates continued deterioration of the autografts and need for reoperation in a substantial percentage of patients, particularly those in whom the root replacement technique was used. SUMMARY: Until the long-term results of alternatives to the aortic root technique for implantation (i.e., subcoronary) become available, and until the long-term results with other techniques, such as implantation of the autograft root within a synthetic vascular graft, are known, the Ross procedure should not be routinely performed in adult patients.
Economic Operation Optimization of Smart Microgrid Based on Scenario Methodology

According to the characteristics of economic dispatch problem for smart microgrid with uncertainties related to the forecasted errors for renewable energy sources( RESs),a methodology based mixed 0-1 stochastic nonlinear programming was proposed. The roulette wheel mechanism( RWM) and Lattice Monte Carlo simulations( LMCS) were used to generate scenarios. By means of this strategy,the stochastic problem was converted to a number of deterministic problems with different probabilities. Meanwhile,branch and bound algorithm was employed to solve each of the deterministic problems. Consequently,the solutions obtained from the accepted scenarios were aggregated according to the probability to find the expected result of the investigated problem considering uncertainty. The validity of this optimization methodology was proved by the simulation results.
Low-dose cortisone for male infertility.

Thirty-eight males with idiopathic infertility were randomly treated with low-dose thyroid and low-dose cortisone. Pregnancy followed treatment with cortisone in 7 of 33 courses and followed treatment with thyroid in 4 of 30 courses (P=0.5, not significant [NS]). The mean pretreatment count in all patients was 12.3 million/ml. The mean post-treatment count with thyroid was 11.2 million/ml as compared with 13 million/ml for cortisone treatment (P=0.4, NS). Pretreatment motility was 45% as compared with 44% following thyroid treatment and 43% following cortisone treatment (P=0.7, NS). The pregnancy rate seemed to correlate with pretreatment counts rather than with the type of treatment. The efficacy of low-dose cortisone for idiopathic fertility would seem to be in question.
Spin-fluctuation-induced superconductivity in YBa2Cu

We show that, independent of the choice of values for the carrier concentration n and specific heat in the normal state, existing experiments on the superconducting properties of polycrystalline YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 6.9/ are consistent with calculations carried out in the clean limit. We find, for a wide choice of n, a substantial exchange enhancement of the Pauli susceptibility. For n 10/sup 22/ cm/sup -3/ antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations must be invoked if the pairing is of magnetic origin
European Political Cooperation and Public Opinion

West European leaders have repeatedly stressed that the European Community ‘must speak with a single voice’ in order to gain increasing strength. This cry for a single voice was especially likely to be raised during struggles with outside powers, as in 1971 and 1973 when devaluations of the US dollar were damaging EC trade with the United States; and during the recurring economic and political frictions between the EC member states and the United States during the 1980s. Similarly, interaction between the Community members eventually requires a common EC foreign policy.1
Regulatory evolution of Tbx5 and the origin of paired appendages

The diversification of paired appendages has been a major factor in the evolutionary radiation of vertebrates. Despite its importance, an understanding of the origin of paired appendages has remained elusive. To address this problem, we focused on T-box transcription factor 5 (Tbx5), a gene indispensable for pectoral appendage initiation and development. Comparison of gene expression in jawless and jawed vertebrates reveals that the Tbx5 expression in jawed vertebrates is derived in having an expression domain that extends caudal to the heart and gills. Chromatin profiling, phylogenetic footprinting, and functional assays enabled the identification of a Tbx5 fin enhancer associated with this apomorphic pattern of expression. Comparative functional analysis of reporter constructs reveals that this enhancer activity is evolutionarily conserved among jawed vertebrates and is able to rescue the finless phenotype of tbx5a mutant zebrafish. Taking paleontological evidence of early vertebrates into account, our results suggest that the gain of apomorphic patterns of Tbx5 expression and regulation likely contributed to the morphological transition from a finless to finned condition at the base of the vertebrate lineage.
Subsyndromal Unipolar and Bipolar Disorders II: Comparisons on Daily Stress Levels

We examined the stress patterns of individuals with cyclothymia, intermittent depression, and no affective disorder in a nonclinical sample. In a conceptual replication and extension of Goplerud and Depue (1985), participants completed a standardized measure of hassles and ratings of their most pleasant and unpleasant experiences each day for 28 days. Individuals with cyclothymia reported a higher number of daily stressors than either normal controls or individuals with intermittent depression. Individuals in both affective groups rated daily hassles as more stressful than controls. They also rated their most unpleasant daily experiences more negatively; however, objective ratings of unpleasant experiences did not corroborate these subjective impressions. The results are discussed in terms of possible cognitive diatheses and stress-generation mechanisms that may contribute to the chronicity of subsyndromal disorders and the development of major affective disorders.
The Diagnostic Value of Urinalysis in Hemodialysis Patients with Fever, Sepsis or Suspected Urinary Tract Infection.

Introduction The diagnostic validity of urinalysis in asymptomatic Hemodialysis (HD) patients is low and there is limited data on the diagnostic value of urinalysis in HD patients with fever, sepsis, or suspected Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Aim The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of pyuria, bacteriuria, Leukocyte Esterase (LE) and nitrite positivity in symptomatic, febrile or/and septic HD patients. Materials and methods A single-center, retrospective study was performed at New York University Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York City, USA, in order to investigate the diagnostic validity of pyuria, bacteriuria, LE and nitrite positivity in HD patients with admitting diagnosis of fever, sepsis or UTI from September 2008 to August 2015. Results A total of 275 HD patients were included in the study. There was significant association between pyuria of different cut-offs (>5,>10,>50 WBC/HPF) and urine culture positivity (p 10 WBC/HPF for positive urine culture with >100,000 CFU/mL was 86% and 35% respectively (p=0.025). Pyuria >50 WBC/HPF showed a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 58% (p=0.032). There was also association between bacteriuria, LE positivity and positive urine cultures but not with ≥100,000 CFU/mL. Conclusion Our study results suggest that urinalysis is not a reliable diagnostic tool in febrile and/or septic HD patients and a urine culture is needed. In such patients, physicians should also maintain a high level of clinical suspicion for other potential sources of infection, which may not be initially evident.
Phenanthroline-based metal-organic frameworks for Fe-catalyzed Csp3-H amination

We report here the synthesis of a robust and highly porous Fe-phenanthroline-based metal-organic framework (MOF) and its application in catalyzing challenging inter- and intramolecular C-H amination reactions. For the intermolecular amination reactions, a FeBr2-metalated MOF selectively functionalized secondary benzylic and allylic C-H bonds. The intramolecular amination reactions utilizing organic azides as the nitrene source required the reduction of the FeBr2-metalated MOF with NaBHEt3 to generate the active catalyst. For both reactions, Fe or Zr leaching was less than 0.1%, and MOFs could be recycled and reused with no loss in catalytic activity. Furthermore, MOF catalysts were significantly more active than the corresponding homogeneous analogs. This work demonstrates the great potential of MOFs in generating highly active, recyclable, and reusable earth abundant metal catalysts for challenging organic transformations.
Developing a Fluorescent Toolbox To Shed Light on the Mysteries of RNA

Technologies that detect and image RNA have illuminated the complex roles played by RNA, redefining the traditional and superficial role first outlined by the central dogma of biology. Because there is such a wide diversity of RNA structure arising from an assortment of functions within biology, a toolbox of approaches have emerged for investigation of this important class of biomolecules. These methods are necessary to detect and elucidate the localization and dynamics of specific RNAs and in doing so unlock our understanding of how RNA dysregulation leads to disease. Current methods for detecting and imaging RNA include in situ hybridization techniques, fluorescent aptamers, RNA binding proteins fused to fluorescent reporters, and covalent labeling strategies. Because of the inherent diversity of these methods, each approach comes with a set of strengths and limitations that leave room for future improvement. This perspective seeks to highlight the most recent advances and remaining challenges for the w...
Preoperative Valgus Alignment Does Not Predict Inferior Outcome of Total Knee Arthroplasty

Preoperative valgus deformity is present in an estimated 10–20% of patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR). The objective of this study was to compare the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores after TKR in a matched cohort of patients with preoperative valgus and varus deformities. This is a matched cohort study of 162 patients with varus native knees and 162 patients with valgus native knees who underwent TKR and were prospectively followed in our institutional registry. Patients matched were based on age, BMI, sex, and severity of preoperative knee deformity, which was classified as mild, moderate, severe varus or valgus, or no deformity. Outcomes were evaluated using the WOMAC preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. No significant difference was found between the matched varus and valgus cohorts in all WOMAC subdomain scores except for a marginally worse stiffness at 1 year in patients with valgus deformity (WOMAC stiffness, 75.1 varus vs. 70.1 valgus; P = 0.049). This is below the minimal clinically important difference for WOMAC scores. There was no significant difference in postoperative varus/valgus alignment between the two groups (P = 0.092) We found no clinically significant difference in any of the WOMAC domains in patients with preoperative varus deformity versus valgus deformity within the first year after TKR. These findings may allow surgeons to more appropriately counsel patients with osteoarthritis with valgus deformity that they can expect similar outcomes compared to patients with varus deformity.
Hyperintense Plaque on Intracranial Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Predictor of Artery-to-Artery Embolic Infarction.

Background and Purpose— The aim of the present study was to investigate atherosclerotic plaque characteristics in patients with artery-to-artery (A-to-A) embolic infarction by whole-brain high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Methods— Seventy-four patients (mean age, 54.7±12.1 years; 59 men) with recent stroke in the territory of middle cerebral artery because of intracranial atherosclerotic disease were prospectively enrolled. Whole-brain high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all the patients both precontrast and postcontrast administration by using a 3-dimensional T1-weighted vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging technique known as inversion-recovery prepared sampling perfection with application-optimized contrast using different flip angle evolutions. Patients were divided into A-to-A embolic infarction and non–A-to-A embolic infarction groups based on diffusion-weighted imaging findings. The characteristics of the intracranial atherosclerotic plaques were compared between groups. Results— A total of 74 intracranial atherosclerotic plaques were analyzed (36 in A-to-A embolism group and 38 in non–A-to-A embolism group). Hyperintense plaques (HIPs) were more frequently observed in A-to-A embolism group (75.0% versus 21.1%; P P =0.029). Logistic regression analysis showed that HIP was the most powerful independent predictor of A-to-A embolic infarction ( P Conclusions— A-to-A embolic infarction has distinct vulnerable plaque characteristics compared with non–A-to-A embolic infarction. HIP and plaque surface irregularity may predict A-to-A embolic infarction.
DNA sequencing of the small bowel adenocarcinomas to identify targetable ErbB2 mutations.

e15800Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare malignancy of the digestive tract with limited knowledge about its genetic alterations. Methods: Eighteen tumor and normal matched sampl...
Performance analysis of parallel/distributed particle filters

Simulation models are widely used to study various systems. However, many of them lack of accuracy without incorporating real time data from the system under study. Particle filters can be used to assimilate real time data into dynamic systems to improve state inferences. Parallel/distributed particle filters were introduced by deploying particles among multiple processing units (PUs) to improve the performance. In parallel/distributed particle filters, the resampling process needs particle exchanging among PUs, which affects the speedup factor of parallel computing. Therefore, efficient particle routing policies are necessary to improve the performance. In this paper, we analyze the performance of parallel/distributed particle filters with three different particle routing policies. The analysis is able to provide the guidelines in optimizing the resampling strategies and applications. The simulation and experimental results showed the relationship between the speedup factor and system inherent complexity, the dimension of particle, and the number of PUs.
SKELETAL REDUCTION OF EIGEN-VALUE PROBLEMS OVER THIN SOLIDS

Extant dimensional reduction methods for thin solids are largely restricted to 'regular' solids, such as plates and shells that permit a mid-surface plus thickness representation. In this paper, we propose a skeletal reduction that is mathemati- cally well-defined for all solids. The proposed method is illustrated and compared with the mid-surface based reduction using the Helmholtz eigen-value problem as a vehicle.
Singularity Theory and General Equilibrium

In Chap. 5 we introduce the fundamental result in singularity theory, that the set of singularity points of a smooth preference profile almost always has a particular geometric structure. We then go on to use this result to discuss the Debreu-Smale Theorem on the generic existence of regular economies. Section 5.4 uses an example of Scarf (Int. Econ. Rev. 1:157–172, 1960) to illustrate the idea of an excess demand function for an exchange economy. The example provides a general way to analyse a smooth adjustment process leading to a Walrasian equilibrium. Sections 5.5 and 5.6 introduce the more abstract topological ideas of structural stability and chaos in dynamical systems.
Resting-state brain oscillations predict trait-like cognitive styles.

Abstract Anecdotal reports suggest the existence of individual differences in peoples' cognitive styles for solving problems, in particular, the tendency to rely on insight (the "aha" phenomenon) versus deliberate analytical thought. We hypothesized that such stable individual differences exist and are associated with trait-like individual differences in resting-state brain activity. We tested this idea by recording participants' resting-state electroencephalograms (RS-EEGs) on 4 occasions over approximately 7 weeks and then tasking them with solving anagrams and compound remote associates problems that are solvable by either strategy. We found that peoples' tendency to solve problems consistently by insight or by analysis spans both tasks and time. Moreover, we discovered trait-like individual differences in the balance between frontal and posterior resting-state brain activity and in temporal-lobe hemispheric asymmetries that predict, at least weeks in advance, the tendency to solve by insight versus analysis. The discovery of an insight-analytic dimension of cognitive style and its neural basis in resting state brain activity suggests new avenues for the development of neuroscience-based methods for intellectual, educational, and vocational assessment.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Nonsurgical Patients with Metastatic Spinal Disease and Epidural Compression: A Retrospective Review

Background In the setting of spinal metastases with epidural cord compression, radiosurgery is often only considered when there is sufficient separation between the epidural disease and the spinal cord. However, in patients who are nonsurgical candidates or those who prefer nonoperative management, there may be a benefit from stereotactic body radiation therapy, even when the epidural target is closer than the traditionally referenced 3 mm distance from the spinal cord. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate our institution's experience in treating 20 such patients. Methods We reviewed records of all patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy for spinal metastases at our institution from January 2010 to January 2016, with follow-up through December 2016. The primary end point was local progression of disease. Local progression was defined as clear radiographic disease growth on follow-up imaging or worsening clinical symptoms in the absence of evidence for radiation myelopathy. Results Local control was obtained in 55% of patients meeting these criteria without a single case of radiation myelitis. Most patients with disease progression were able to undergo additional local treatment. Conclusions Although local control was less than expected when compared with spine radiosurgery with adequate separation between the target and spinal cord, this treatment appears to be a viable option in the nonsurgical candidate.
Development of methodology to document and code farm-related injuries and fatalities involving manure storage, handling and transport - with summary of 2017 incidents.

As part of ongoing surveillance of fatalities and injuries involving agricultural confined spaces by Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program, nearly 300 cases involving m...
A Revolucionista Ethic of Care: Four Mexicana Educators’ Subterraneous Social Justice Revolution of Fighting and Feeding:

This qualitative Testimonio study reveals an ethic of care particular to Mexican/Mexican American youth through pedagogy and Testimonios of four Mexican/Mexican American female educators along the ...
Envolvente arquitectónica: un espacio para la sostenibilidad

The article studies the architectural envelopes and their importance in urban and architectural sustainability. It briefly reviews the historical evolution that, thanks to the discovery of oil in the twentieth century, put aside the passive bioclimatic techniques that were developed by the vernacular architecture of all continents. The aim of the article is to highlight the importance of the architectural envelope in terms of the habitability, based on three variables: natural lighting, materials and energy efficiency. As a methodology a systematic review of two types of documents was made: i) those concerning the participation of architecture and the city in the phenomenon of global warming; and ii) those linked to the contemporary concept of architectural envelope. It is concluded that the envelope should be designed with rigor and detail, to contribute to the current mitigation objectives of global warming.
Pyrolytic carbon coating of fused quartz by vacuum vapor transport

Abstract Fused quartz has excellent thermal and chemical properties as crucible material for single crystal growth from melt, and its high purity and low cost makes it especially attractive for the growth of high-purity crystals. However, in the growth of certain types of crystals, a layer of pyrolytic carbon coating is needed between the melt and the quartz crucible. In this article, we describe a method for applying pyrolytic carbon coating by vacuum vapor transport. The method is shown to be effective in yielding relatively uniform coating on a wide range of crucible sizes and shapes. The resultant pyrolytic carbon coating is characterized by optical attenuation measurements. In each coating process, the thickness of coating is shown to approach a terminal value with an exponential tail as the duration of pyrolysis increases, and the average thickness roughly increases linearly with the ratio of the volume of available hexane vapor to the surface area of pyrolytic coating. Quartz crucibles coated by this process have been used to successfully grow up to 2-in-diameter NaI single crystals, and the surface quality of NaI crystal was found to improve as the thickness of coating increases.
Dosimetric Predictors of Cardiotoxicity in Thoracic Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer.

Abstract Background Higher cardiac radiotherapy (RT) doses when treating lung cancer are associated with worse overall survival (OS), although the direct association between cardiac dose and early cardiotoxicity is poorly understood. We hypothesized that RT doses to the heart and cardiac substructures are associated with under-reported early cardiotoxicity and worse OS. Patients and Methods We conducted an institutional retrospective review of lung cancer patients treated with conventionally fractionated RT from 2010 to 2015. Collected data included pre-RT cardiac risk factors, post-RT cardiotoxicities, and dose-volume parameters for cardiac substructures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of cardiotoxicity and OS. Results Seventy-six cases were evaluated with 1.2 years median follow-up. Cardiotoxicities included atrial arrhythmia (n = 5), pericardial effusion (n = 16), and valvular disease (n = 1). In univariate analysis, significant dose-volume predictors for cardiotoxicity included mean RT dose to structure of interest, volume of structure of interest receiving ≥30 Gy RT dose, and volume of structure of interest receiving ≥45 Gy RT dose (V45) to the atria, ventricles, and pericardium. Higher ventricular V45 was associated with post-RT cardiotoxicity in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; P = .027). Cardiotoxicity occurrence was a highly significant predictor of OS in multivariate analysis (HR, 12.7; P Conclusion Early cardiac events were relatively common after lung cancer RT and associated with multiple cardiac dose-volume parameters. Occurrence of early cardiotoxicity was strongly associated with worse OS. In practice, early cardiotoxicity is under-reported, supporting the need for more detailed cardiac evaluations in high-risk patients to detect and address early cardiotoxicity.
Machine Learning based Timeliness-Guaranteed and Energy-Efficient Task Assignment in Edge Computing Systems

The proliferation in the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques in edge computing systems have paved the way of using Intelligent Cognitive Assistants (ICA) for assisting people in working, learning, transportation, healthcare, and other activities. A challenge here is how to schedule application tasks between the three tiers in the edge computing system (i.e., remote cloud, fog and edge devices) according to several considered factors such as latency, energy, and bandwidth consumption. However, the state-of-the-art approaches for this challenge fall short in providing a schedule in real time for critical ICA tasks due to complex calculation phase. In this paper, we propose a novel ReInforcement Learning based Task Assignment approach, RILTA, that ensures the timeliness guaranteed execution of ICA tasks with high energy efficiency. We first formulate the task-scheduling problem in the edge computing systems considering timeliness and energy consumption in ICA applications. We then propose a heuristic for solving the problem and design the reinforcement model based on the output of the proposed heuristic. Our simulation results show that RILTA can reduce the task processing time and energy consumption with higher timeliness guarantee in comparison to other existing methods by 13 − 22% and 1 − 10% respectively.
Directed Evolution of Split APEX2 Peroxidase

APEX is an engineered peroxidase that catalyzes the oxidation of a wide range of substrates, facilitating its use in a variety of applications from subcellular staining for electron microscopy to proximity biotinylation for spatial proteomics and transcriptomics. To further advance the capabilities of APEX, we used directed evolution to engineer a split APEX tool (sAPEX). A total of 20 rounds of fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS)-based selections from yeast-displayed fragment libraries, using 3 different surface display configurations, produced a 200-amino-acid N-terminal fragment (with 9 mutations relative to APEX2) called “AP” and a 50-amino-acid C-terminal fragment called “EX”. AP and EX fragments were each inactive on their own but were reconstituted to give peroxidase activity when driven together by a molecular interaction. We demonstrate sAPEX reconstitution in the mammalian cytosol, on engineered RNA motifs within a non-coding RNA scaffold, and at mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum contact...
Comparison of management options for specific antibody deficiency

Background: Specific antibody deficiency is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by normal immunoglobulins with an inadequate response to polysaccharide antigen vaccination. This disease can result in recurrent infections, the most common being sinopulmonary infections. Treatment options include clinical observation, prophylactic antibiotic therapy, and immunoglobulin supplementation therapy, each with limited clinical data about their efficacy. Objective: This study aimed to identify whether there was a statistically significant difference in the rate of infections for patients who were managed with clinical observation, prophylactic antibiotics, or immunoglobulin supplementation therapy. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted. Patients were eligible for the study if they had normal immunoglobulin levels, an inadequate antibody response to polysaccharide antigen-based vaccination, and no other known causes of immunodeficiency. Results: A total of 26 patients with specific antibody deficiency were identified. Eleven patients were managed with immunoglobulin supplementation, ten with clinical observation, and five with prophylactic antibiotic therapy. The frequency of antibiotic prescriptions was assessed for the first year after intervention. A statistically significant rate of decreased antibiotic prescriptions after intervention was found for patients treated with immunoglobulin supplementation (n = 11; p = 0.0004) and for patients on prophylactic antibiotics (n = 5; p = 0.01). There was no statistical difference in antibiotic prescriptions for those patients treated with immunoglobulin supplementation versus prophylactic antibiotics (p = 0.21). Conclusion: Prophylactic antibiotics seemed to be equally effective as immunoglobin supplementation therapy for the treatment of specific antibody deficiency. Further studies are needed in this area.
35. Asymmetric Labial Hypertrophy in an Adolescent with History of Prepubertal Straddle Injury

Background Long term follow up of straddle injuries (SI) in prepubertal females is not well documented in current literature. It is unclear how these patients should be counseled about how prepubertal SI could affect pubertal development of genital structures. We present a case of post pubertal asymmetric right labial hypertrophy in a patient with prepubertal SI. Case Our patient initially presented at 8 years old (YO) to our emergency department (ED) after sustaining a SI from falling on a playground beam. Evaluation in the ED showed a hemostatic shallow right labial laceration at 9 o'clock. Repair was not indicated and she was discharged home. Follow up in the office 2 weeks later showed the area had healed well, no anatomic abnormalities noted. At 13 YO, she presented to the office for evaluation of abnormal right labia minora (LM), discovered after getting a hair tourniquet on the area. At her visit, she reported normal pubertal development and menarche at 12 YO. In addition to the hair tourniquet, she reported the area of abnormal tissue was causing discomfort, frequently catching on underwear and clothes. On physical exam, she was noted to have Tanner stage IV pubic hair. The bilateral labia majora were normal and symmetric. The left LM was normal in shape and appearance, and approximately 1 cm in length. The right LM was abnormal, having a pedunculated length of tissue measuring 6 cm in length and 1 cm in width, with the base of the LM extending from the clitoral hood to approximately 9 o'clock, below which there was no identifiable LM tissue. There was no visible scar in the area of her prior SI, however that was the location where the right LM tissue ended. The patient and her parents elected for surgical correction of the abnormal area. She underwent right labiaplasty, and the excess pedunculated right LM tissue was removed without complications. On post operative follow up, the area was well healed. Comments Most studies on prepubertal SI only include short term follow up, typically until healing of the injury has occurred. There is a paucity of data regarding long term outcomes. Though most SI are minor and will likely have no long term effect, our case demonstrates how even a seemingly minor prepubertal SI with no visible scarring in the area can lead to abnormal development of the genitalia with puberty.
Festín del horror: la comida siniestra en “Alta cocina”, de Amparo Dávila

An aspect of the work of Amparo Davila (Mexico 1928-2020) that has not been much studied is that which has to do with food horror, the representation of food as a source of abjection and terror. Amparo Davila's first book Tiempo destrozado (1959) includes two short stories in which food and the kitchen are codified in a gothic register: «Alta cocina» and the homonymous story «Tiempo destrozado». In these stories, food becomes strange and repulsive, undergoes disturbing metamorphoses and generates intellectual uncertainty about its nature. In this work I will focus on «Alta cocina», which is the text where the experience of gastronomic horror is most developed, to investigate the way in which the short story complicates the boundary between the human and the animal and calls into question the civilization /barbarism binary concept. Also, I will analyze the way in which a space historically associated with women such as the kitchen appears as dark, sinister and threatening.