cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anti-Disruption Statutory Construction

During his first ten years on the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Roberts has adopted a pragmatic approach to statutory interpretation that appears to place a higher priority on avoiding disruptive consequences than on any particular interpretive methodology. Prepared for the symposium, “Ten Years the Chief: Examining a Decade of John Roberts on the Supreme Court,” at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, this brief essay argues that the Chief Justice’s approach to statutory interpretation exhibits a “Burkean minimalism” that seeks to reduce seismic effect of the Court’s decisions. In particular, the Chief Justice is drawn toward statutory interpretations that avoid constitutional questions and preserve legislative enactments against constitutional challenge. Avoiding disruption is not an unyielding imperative, as the Chief Justice is sometimes willing to join broad judgments with significant effects. Nonetheless, avoiding disruption appears to be a priority for the Chief Justice when deciding cases, and interpreting statutes in particular.
RF amplifiers based on vacuum microelectronic technology

It is noted that the advent of practical high-performance gated vacuum emitters would have a strong impact on RF source technology. Gated emitters, typified by the field emitter array (FEA), combining the advantages of electron transport in vacuum with those of solid-state microfabrication, would enable the development of new classes of density modulated RF sources. These devices may offer the system designer distinct advantages with respect to specific power, efficiency, thermal management, and cost. Although recent advances serve to highlight the potential for the development of FEA-based sources, serious technical obstacles must be addressed before a new RF source technology becomes available. The authors consider these issues and opportunities within the context of present technology and illustrate the range of possible new device types with reference to specific technical issues. >
Approximating snowflake metrics by trees

Abstract Tree metrics are encountered throughout pure and applied mathematics. Their simple structure makes them a convenient choice of metric in many applications from machine learning and computer science. At the same time, there is an elegant theory of harmonic analysis with respect to tree metrics that parallels the classical theory. A basic question in this field, which is of both theoretical and practical interest, is how to design efficient algorithms for building trees with good metric properties. In particular, given a finite metric space, we seek a random family of dominating tree metrics approximating the underlying metric in expectation. For general metrics, this problem has been solved: on the one hand, there are finite metric spaces that cannot be approximated by trees without incurring a distortion logarithmic in the size of the space, while the tree construction of Fakcharoenphol, Rao, and Talwar (FRT, 2003) shows how to achieve such a logarithmic error for arbitrary metrics. Since a distortion that grows even logarithmically with the size of the set may be too large for practical use in many settings, one naturally asks if there is a more restricted class of metrics where one can do better. The main result of this paper is that certain random family of trees already studied in the computer science literature, including the FRT trees, can be used to approximate snowflake metrics (metrics raised to a power less than 1) with expected distortion bounded by its doubling dimension and the degree of snowflaking. We also show that without snowflaking, the metric distortion can be bounded by a term logarithmic in the distance being approximated and linear in the dimension. We also present an optimal algorithm for building a single FRT tree, whose running time is bounded independently of all problem parameters other than the number of points. We conclude by demonstrating our theoretical results on a numerical example, and applying them to the approximation of the Earth Mover's Distance between probability distributions.
Intramuscular hemangioma with extensive ossification: Unique radiographic and histologic features

Intramuscular hemangioma is a benign tumor representing 0.8% of all hemangiomas. Rarely intramuscular hemangioma presents with massive ossification in the mass that can be misleading and cause misdiagnoses, and unnecessary workups. We describe a case of intramuscular hemangioma with massive ossification in the left thigh of a 54-year-old man presented with pressure symptoms while exercising.
Differences in intraoperative hemodynamics between spinal and general anesthesia in infants undergoing pyloromyotomy.

Background Hypotension and bradycardia are known side effects of spinal anesthesia in pregnant women undergoing cesarean section and adults undergoing other surgical procedures. Whether children experience similar hemodynamic changes is unclear. Aims The purpose of this study is to evaluate hemodynamic effects of spinal anesthesia compared to general anesthesia in a cohort of healthy infants. Methods The University of Vermont Medical Center almost exclusively used spinal anesthesia for infant pyloromyotomy surgery between 2008 and 2013, while Columbia University Medical Center relied on general anesthesia. The primary outcome assessed was the percentage change in intraoperative heart rate and blood pressure (systolic [SBP] and mean [MAP] blood pressure) from baseline. Analysis was performed using t-tests for continuous variables, followed by linear regression to account for differences in demographic and clinical covariates. Results The study sample consisted of 51 infants with spinal anesthesia at the University of Vermont and 52 infants with general anesthesia at Columbia University. The decrease from baseline for mean intraoperative SBP was −8.2 ± 16.8% for spinal anesthesia and −24.2 ± 17.2% for general anesthesia (difference between means: 16.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 9.5–22.9]), while the decrease from baseline for mean intraoperative MAP was −16.3 ± 19.9% for spinal anesthesia and −24.6 ± 19.3% for general anesthesia (difference between means: 8.4% [95% CI, 0.8–16]). Spinal anesthesia patients also had smaller drops in minimum intraoperative MAP and SBP. These blood pressure differences persisted even after adjusting for covariates. No differences in heart rate were seen between spinal and general anesthesia. Discussion Our findings show that spinal anesthesia performed in healthy infants undergoing pyloromyotomy results in reduced intraoperative blood pressure changes from baseline, significantly higher blood pressure readings, and no increased bradycardia compared to general anesthesia. Further research is needed to assess whether any clinical impact of these hemodynamic differences between spinal and general anesthesia exists.
Cash is King: Flows, Balances, and Buffer Days Evidence from 600,000 Small Businesses

In Cash is King: Flows, Balances, and Buffer Days, we explore the financial lives of small business through the lens of cash inflows, outflows and account balances. Using a new data asset constructed from over 470 million transactions conducted by 597,000 small businesses from February to October 2015, our analysis shows that half of all small businesses hold a cash buffer large enough to support 27 days of their typical outflows. Our findings are fivefold. First, the median small business has average daily cash outflows of $374 and average daily cash inflows of $381, with wide variation across and within industries. Second, the median small business holds an average daily cash balance of $12,100, with wide variation across and within industries. Third, the median small business holds 27 cash buffer days in reserve. Fourth, small businesses in labor-intensive or low-wage industries hold fewer cash buffer days than those in capital-intensive or high-wage industries. Fifth, small business cash buffer days vary across metropolitan areas, but no clear pattern emerges from this variance. We hope this report draws attention to cash balances as an important issue, helps people better understand differences among small businesses, and helps in the development of smarter programs, products, and policies that enable small businesses to flourish.
GUCY2C Signaling Opposes the Acute Radiation-Induced GI Syndrome

High doses of ionizing radiation induce acute damage to epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, mediating toxicities restricting the therapeutic efficacy of radiation in cancer and morbidity and mortality in nuclear disasters. No approved prophylaxis or therapy exists for these toxicities, in part reflecting an incomplete understanding of mechanisms contributing to the acute radiation-induced GI syndrome (RIGS). Guanylate cyclase C (GUCY2C) and its hormones guanylin and uroguanylin have recently emerged as one paracrine axis defending intestinal mucosal integrity against mutational, chemical, and inflammatory injury. Here, we reveal a role for the GUCY2C paracrine axis in compensatory mechanisms opposing RIGS. Eliminating GUCY2C signaling exacerbated RIGS, amplifying radiation-induced mortality, weight loss, mucosal bleeding, debilitation, and intestinal dysfunction. Durable expression of GUCY2C, guanylin, and uroguanylin mRNA and protein by intestinal epithelial cells was preserved following lethal irradiation inducing RIGS. Oral delivery of the heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), an exogenous GUCY2C ligand, opposed RIGS, a process requiring p53 activation mediated by dissociation from MDM2. In turn, p53 activation prevented cell death by selectively limiting mitotic catastrophe, but not apoptosis. These studies reveal a role for the GUCY2C paracrine hormone axis as a novel compensatory mechanism opposing RIGS, and they highlight the potential of oral GUCY2C agonists (Linzess; Trulance) to prevent and treat RIGS in cancer therapy and nuclear disasters. Cancer Res; 77(18); 5095-106. ©2017 AACR.
Velocity reconstruction with nonconvex optimization for low-velocity-encoding phase-contrast MRI.

Purpose To introduce and demonstrate a nonconvex optimization method for reconstructing velocity data from low-velocity-encoding (Venc ) phase-contrast MRI data. Theory and methods Solving for velocity values from phase-contrast MRI data was formulated as a nonconvex optimization problem. Weighting was added to account for intravoxel dephasing, and a Laplacian-based regularization was used to account for residual velocity aliasing. The reconstruction was tested with two low-Venc schemes: dual-Venc and a multidirectional high-moment encoding. The reconstruction method was tested in a digital simulation, in flow phantoms, and in healthy volunteers (N = 5). Results The nonconvex-optimization reconstruction velocity error was lower than the conventional reconstruction in simulations (4.6 versus 3.0 cm/s for multidirectional high moment, 8.3 versus 3.8 cm/s for dual-Venc ) and in flow phantoms (23.9 versus 5.9 cm/s for multidirectional high moment, 15.2 versus 6.4 cm/s for dual-Venc ). Qualitative assessment of velocity fields in all experiments, including healthy volunteers, showed decreased apparent noise in the velocity fields and fewer phase wraps. No additional velocity bias in measured velocities was seen in volunteers with the proposed method. Conclusions The proposed nonconvex-optimization reconstruction method incorporates additional information to solve for velocities when using any type of low-Venc (high-moment) acquisition. The method reduces the amount of residual phase aliasing, and decreases velocity errors that result from intravoxel dephasing. These improvements allow for more robust acquisitions, and for Venc to be lowered 2 to 4 times relative to conventional acquisitions, thereby increasing the velocity-to-noise ratio. Magn Reson Med, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Magn Reson Med 80:42-52, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Linearized dynamics of shearing deformation perturbing rest in viscoelastic materials

Abstract : This paper extends the authors earlier work on the propagation of jumps in velocity and displacement for shearing deformations imposed impulsively at the boundary of viscoelastic fluids and solids obeying constitutive equations in integral form with arbitrary kernels of fading memory type.
Design, Synthesis, and Application of Chiral C2‐Symmetric Spiroketal‐Containing Ligands in Transition‐Metal Catalysis

We present an expedient and economical route to a new spiroketal-based C2 -symmetric chiral scaffold, termed SPIROL. Based on this spirocyclic scaffold, several chiral ligands were generated. These ligands were successfully employed in an array of stereoselective transformations, including in iridium-catalyzed hydroarylations (up to 95 % ee), palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations (up to 97 % ee), intermolecular palladium-catalyzed Heck couplings (up to 94 % ee), and rhodium-catalyzed dehydroalanine hydrogenation (up to 93 % ee).
Beyond Direct Reference: Comparing the Present to the Past Promotes Abstract Processing

A primary way that people make sense of their experience is by comparing various objects within their immediate environment to each other and to previously encountered objects. The objects involved in a comparison can be stimuli that are present within one's immediate environment, or mental representations of previously encountered stimuli that are now absent from one's immediate environment. In this research, we propose that the comparison process unfolds differently depending on whether an individual is comparing stimuli that are simultaneously present within a given context or is comparing a target stimulus to a stored representation of a previously encountered source stimulus. Across two studies, we found that people engage in more abstract processing when comparing a present stimulus to a previously encountered source than when comparing two simultaneously present stimuli. We discuss the implications of these findings for the role of abstraction in comparison and memory-based reasoning. (PsycINFO Database Record
ANALYSIS OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS ON VAPOR­ GROWN CARBON FIBERS

The ability to grow carbon fibers by pyrolysis of gas phase hydrocarbons in the presence of catalytic iron particles holds the promise of new technologies for low-cost production of novel fibers with improved mechanical properties for use in existing or new manufacturing applications. As part of a research effort to investigate methods for producing vapor-grown carbon fibers, a series of fiber samples were analyzed for their content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) which are an undesirable by-product of many industrial pyrolysis processes. Adsorbed hydrocarbons were extracted and analyzed by both capillary gas chromatography (GC/FID & GC/MS) and the Ames bacterial mutation assay. PAH compounds were readily detected in most carbon fiber extracts. The highest concentrations (1% – 5% sample mass) were detected on fibers produced by a continuous flow-through reactor. Much lower concentrations (<0.2%) were found on fibers produced by batch processes. Most prominent PAH components, containing 2–6 aromatic rings, were identified with available reference compounds. Use of an aluminum-clad column also permitted analysis of high-molecular-weight-PAH (C26–C34) which contributed from 1% to 80% of the total PAH in various samples. Distinctly different patterns of PAH isomer distribution were found in these samples which can be correlated with changes in the proportionate contributions of individual PAH compounds to the mutagenic activity of the total extract. The extent of exposure to PAH from handling fibers and the likely significance of an association between genotoxic chemicals and potentially respirable fibers require further consideration, but these results have demonstrated the importance of continuing efforts to minimize production of PAH and their retention on vapor-grown carbon fibers.
Generalized Multi-Carrier CDMA for MUI/ISI-Resilient Uplink Transmissions Irrespective of Frequency-Selective Multipath

Relying on symbol blocking and judicious design of user codes, this paper develops a Generalized Multicarrier (GMC) quasi-synchronous CDMA system capable of multiuser interference (MUI) elimination and inter symbol interference (ISI) suppression, irrespective of the wireless frequency selective channels encountered in the uplink. As the term reveals, GMC-CDMA provides a unifying framework for multicaxrier (MC) CDMA systems and as this paper shows, it offers flexibility in full load (maximum number of users allowed by the available bandwidth) and in reduced load settings. A blind channel estimation algorithm is also derived. Analytic evaluation and simulations illustrate that GMC-CDMA outperforms competing MC-CDMA alternatives especially in the presence of uplink multipath channels.
Development of Conjugate Addition of Lithium Dialkylcuprates to Thiochromones: Synthesis of 2-Alkylthiochroman-4-ones and Additional Synthetic Applications

Lithium dialkylcuprates undergo conjugate addition to thiochromones to afford 2-alkylthiochroman-4-ones in good yields. This approach provide an efficient and general synthetic approach to privileged sulfur-containing structural motifs and valuable precursors for many pharmaceuticals, starting from common substrates-thiochromones. Good yields of 2-alkyl-substituted thiochroman-4-ones are attained with lithium dialkylcuprates, lithium alkylcyanocuprates or substoichiometric amount of copper salts. The use of commercially available inexpensive alkyllithium reagents will expedite the synthesis of a large library of 2-alkyl substituted thiochroman-4-ones for additional synthetic applications.
Correction: Review of electrical energy storage technologies, materials and systems: challenges and prospects for large-scale grid storage

Correction for ‘Review of electrical energy storage technologies, materials and systems: challenges and prospects for large-scale grid storage’ by Turgut M. Gur, Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8ee01419a.
TCT-133 Thirty-Day Readmissions After Medical vs. Endovascular Therapy for Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis: Insights from the National Readmissions Database

Multiple randomized trials have failed to demonstrate an incremental benefit of renal artery stenting (RAS) over medical therapy alone (MT) for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). However, patients with ARAS and acute coronary syndromes (ACS), decompensated heart failure (CHF), and/or
Cigarette price, smoking behaviors, and lung cancer mortality in Indiana.

6559Background: Increasing tobacco costs have been proven to be one of the most effective interventions of decreasing tobacco use. The relationship between tobacco cost and lung cancer mortality ha...
Design Proposal for Synthetic Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Pipes Using Finite Element Analysis

Synthetic fibers have been used recently to minimize the use of steel reinforcement cages in concrete pipes. Several studies have been conducted to determine the optimum fiber dosage complying with ASTM C76, Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe, strength requirements. There is still need for a comprehensive design method covering a wide range of pipe diameters. The objective of this study was to develop design tables for synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete pipe similar to those proposed in the ASTM C76 standard. The finite element model of the three-edge bearing test was calibrated and validated using the experimental results from previous work by the authors. The linear and nonlinear behavior of the synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete material was characterized using the concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model. For input data representing concrete material properties, compression strength, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity were determined for five fiber dosages: 0, 4.75, 6, 7, and 9 kg/m3. Based on the experimental results, a new modified compression model was adopted to represent the compression behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete in the finite element models. Also, the tension behavior was defined using a model proposed by past research. A parametric study was conducted on four parameters: pipe diameter, pipe wall thickness, fiber dosage, and steel cage area. The parametric study results were summarized in tables that can be used as a reference for a new synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete pipe standard.
Play space assessment: a pilot case study using the theoretical integration and application matrix

Play is part of childhood. Play is also part of development. Theoretical frameworks serve to provide scientific research-based support for grounded educational design and practice of play spaces is...
1920 A theory of density-dependent population growth is formulated

Abstract Raymond Pearl and Lowell Reed (1920) derived a simple, two-parameter model to describe population growth. Their model is called the logistic equation and has been used extensively in ecological and evolutionary theory as a simple description of density-dependent population growth.
Thermitic Thermodynamics: A Computational Survey and Comprehensive Interpretation of Over 800 Combinations of Metals, Metalloids, and Oxides

Thermites, which are generally considered to be reactive mixtures of powdered metals and metal oxides, are an important subset of energetic materials. The underlying thermodynamic properties of a given mixture dictate whether it may undergo a self-sustaining reaction, liberating heat in the process. Thermodynamic information in the existing scientific literature regarding thermitic combinations is scattered and incomplete. Currently, a comprehensive overview of this nature would be of great use to those working in the areas of pyrotechnics, pyrometallurgy, high-temperature chemistry, and materials science. Thermitic Thermodynamics solves this problem by describing the results of calculations on over 800 combinations of metal, metalloid, and metal oxide reactants. Other features include: A first-of-its-kind adiabatic survey of binary thermitic reactions Provides an overview of key trends in exothermic metal-metal oxide reactivity Describes the role of non-oxide product formation in thermitic systems Explains how to interpret the results of thermochemical calculations effectively An invaluable resource, this book provides an accessible introduction for students and is also an enduring guide for professionals.
Aberrant static and dynamic functional patterns of frontoparietal control network in antipsychotic-naïve first-episode psychosis subjects.

Psychotic disorders are disabling clinical syndromes characterized by widespread alterations in cortical information processing. Disruption of frontoparietal network (FPN) connectivity has emerged as a common footprint across the psychosis spectrum. Our goal was to characterize the static and dynamic resting-state functional connectivity (FC) of the FPN in antipsychotic-naive first-episode psychosis (FEP) subjects. We compared the static FC of the FPN in 40 FEP and 40 healthy control (HC) subjects, matched on age, sex, and socioeconomic status. To study the dynamic FC, we measured quasiperiodic patterns (QPPs) that consist of infraslow spatioemporal patterns embedded in the blood oxygen level-dependent signal that repeats over time, exhibiting alternation of high and low activity. Relative to HC, we found functional hypoconnectivity between the right middle frontal gyrus and the right middle temporal gyrus, as well as the left inferior temporal gyrus and the left inferior parietal gyrus in FEP (p < .05, false discovery rate corrected). The correlation of the QPP with all functional scans was significantly stronger for FEP compared to HC, suggesting a greater impact of the QPPs to intrinsic brain activity in psychotic population. Regressing the QPP from the functional scans erased all significant group differences in static FC, suggesting that abnormal connectivity in FEP could result from altered QPP. Our study supports that alterations of cortical information processing are not a function of psychotic chronicity or antipsychotic medication exposure and may be regarded as trait specific. In addition, static connectivity abnormality may be partly related to altered brain network temporal dynamics.
Chapter 4 – Synaptic Development

Synapses are specialized sites of communication between neurons and their targets. The presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments must be properly aligned and maintained in order for the optimal functioning of the nervous system. Synaptogenesis consists of four major steps: (1) neurite elongation and guidance (in which axons and dendrites of partner neurons grow into apposition with each other); (2) synaptic differentiation (in which the appropriate transmission machinery is assembled); (3) synaptic refinement (in which functional connections are maintained and extraneous connections eliminated); and (4) synaptic maturation and maintenance (an ongoing process through age that ensures the stability of the brain). Disruption at any phase leads to synaptic defects that can have neurological/psychiatric consequences. The general process of synaptic development is largely conserved across species. Here, we highlight what is known about mammalian synaptogenesis, and how failures in synaptic development can result in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Environmental Management in Proactive Commercial Firms: Lessons for Central Logistics Activities in the Department of Defense

Abstract : Central logistics activities in the Department of Defense (DoD) face environmental performance challenges very similar to those faced by industrial activities in the private sector. The regulatory environment is becoming more demanding as regulations grow in complexity, and in addition, persistent demands to reduce the size of the DoD "infrastructure" (however that is defined) have focused attention on any costs associated with that infrastructure, including the costs of meeting environmental goals. Like many of its innovative commercial counterparts, the DoD has sought to take a proactive approach to environmental concerns. Rather than simply reacting to regulators' demands at the "end of the pipe," DoD policymakers have sought policies that are more positive and constructive. These policies try to motivate personnel to adjust environmentally relevant processes in ways that enhance the DoD's ability to pursue its core military mission while maintaining its standing as an environmentally responsible public agency that sets a good example for others in government and the private sector. But like many of their commercial counterparts, high-level decisionmak- ers in the DoD have found it difficult to implement proactive policies in ways that affect decisions made throughout the organization. The Office of the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security asked RAND to study how commercial firms recognized as having the best environmental management practices in the country have implemented those practices. Lessons from these firms should help the DoD improve its own implementation of a proactive approach to environmental management. This report addresses commercial implementation of environmental management practices that are relevant to the DoD's central logistics activities.
Targeting Treatment of Gastroparesis: Use of Clinical Tests to Guide Treatments

Gastroparesis presents with nausea, vomiting, and other upper gut symptoms, and is diagnosed by confirming delayed gastric emptying. A related condition, chronic unexplained nausea and vomiting, has similar symptoms but with normal emptying. Both conditions are managed using therapies with diverse mechanisms of action. Even though prokinetic treatments are proposed to improve gastroparesis by accelerating gastric emptying, there is limited evidence that they provide benefit by virtue of transit stimulating effects. Other tests can delineate alterations in other gut sensorimotor parameters in patients with suspected gastroparesis, but their relation to symptoms and their capability to guide treatment are largely unproved.
Sustainable design of fully recyclable all solid-state batteries

A scalable battery recycling strategy to recover and regenerate solid electrolytes and cathode materials in spent all solid-state batteries, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gases. With the rapidly increasing ubiquity of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), sustainable battery recycling is a matter of growing urgency. The major challenge faced in LIB sustainability lies with the fact that the current LIBs are not designed for recycling, making it difficult to engineer recycling approaches that avoid breaking batteries down into their raw materials. Thus, it is prudent to explore new approaches to both fabricate and recycle next-generation batteries before they enter the market. Here, we developed a sustainable design and scalable recycling strategy for next-generation all solid-state batteries (ASSBs). We use the EverBatt model to analyze the relative energy consumption and environmental impact compared to conventional recycling methods. We demonstrate efficient separation and recovery of spent solid electrolytes and electrodes from a lithium metal ASSB and directly regenerate them into usable formats without damaging their core chemical structure. The recycled materials are then reconstituted to fabricate new batteries, achieving similar performance as pristine ASSBs, completing the cycle. This work demonstrates the first fully recycled ASSB and provides critical design consideration for future sustainable batteries.
Prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has a domain-specific impact on bilingual language control.

Researchers debate whether domain-general cognitive control supports bilingual language control through brain regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a method to alter brain activity, which can lead to causal attribution of task performance to regional brain activity. The current study examined whether the DLPFC enables domain-general control for between-language switching and nonlinguistic switching and whether the control enabled by DLPFC differs between bilinguals and monolinguals. tDCS was applied to the DLPFC of bilingual and monolingual young adults before they performed linguistic and nonlinguistic switching measures. For bilinguals, left DLPFC stimulation selectively worsened nonlinguistic switching, but not within-language switching. Left DLPFC stimulation also resulted in higher overall accuracy on bilingual picture-naming. These findings suggest that language control and cognitive control are distinct processes in relation to the left DLPFC. The left DLPFC may aid bilingual language control, but stimulating it does not benefit nonlinguistic control. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Changing the Stories We Tell Ourselves: Diverse Realities and Perspectives on Ubuntu in Eastern Cape, South Africa

In multicultural southern Africa, Ubuntu perspectives are multiple and as diverse as the people, their cultures, and their experiences in this locality. This diversity of lived experiences and perspectives presents a conundrum for how one might capture the multiple questions, realities, and perspectives of Ubuntu as a social construct. Further, questions remain about how to authentically represent a region deeply sculpted by coloniality, racialization, and the historical privileging of knowledge production. Drawing from lived experiences and the awareness of the sociopolitical context shaping perspectives of Ubuntu, the chapter highlights the multidimensional meanings of Ubuntu. For example, Ubuntu as the continued fight against racial oppressions, Ubuntu as the eradication of violence at intrapersonal, interpersonal, structural, and cultural levels.
High-power short duration vs. conventional radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims We sought to compare the effectiveness and safety of high-power short-duration (HPSD) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with conventional RFA in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and results MEDLINE, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched until 15 May 2020 for relevant studies comparing HPSD vs. conventional RFA in patients undergoing initial catheter ablation for AF. A total of 15 studies involving 3718 adult patients were included in our meta-analysis (2357 in HPSD RFA and 1361 in conventional RFA). Freedom from atrial arrhythmia was higher in HPSD RFA when compared with conventional RFA [odds ratio (OR) 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-1.90; P = 0.009]. Acute PV reconnection was lower (OR 0.56, P = 0.005) and first-pass isolation was higher (OR 3.58, P Conclusion High-power short-duration RFA was associated with better procedural effectiveness when compared with conventional RFA with comparable safety and shorter procedural duration.
Improving the efficiency of sediment charcoal image analysis

Imaging of charcoal particles extracted from lake sediments provides an important way to understand past fire regimes. Imaging of large numbers of particles can be time consuming. In this note we e...
Recovering from substance use disorders during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods longitudinal study of women in Kansas City.

Abstract Aims During the early months of the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak, women suffered disproportionate burdens of pandemic-related psychological and economic distress. We aimed to describe the experiences of women in substance use disorder (SUD) recovery programs by (1) exploring the pandemic's impact on their lives, sobriety, and recovery capital and (2) tracking COVID-19 perceptions and preventative behaviors. Methods We conducted monthly semistructured interviews with women in residential and outpatient SUD recovery programs in Kansas City in April, May, and June 2020. Participants described the pandemic's impact on their life and sobriety and completed survey items on factors related to COVID-19 preventative behaviors. We interpreted qualitative themes longitudinally alongside quantitative data. Results In 64 interviews, participants (n = 24) described reduced access to recovery capital, or resources that support sobriety, such as social relationships, housing, employment, and health care. Most experienced negative impacts on their lives and feelings of stability in March and April but maintained sobriety. Four women described relapse, all attributed to pandemic stressors. Participants described relief related to societal re-opening in May and June, and increased engagement with their communities, despite rising infection rates. Conclusions For women recovering from SUDs during COVID-19, securing recovery capital often meant assuming greater COVID-19 risk. As substance use appeared to have increased during the pandemic and COVID-19 transmission continues, public health planning must prioritize adequate and safe access to recovery capital and timely distribution of vaccines to people struggling with SUDs.
Ozone exposure during early pregnancy and preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Exposure to ozone has been linked to reproductive outcomes, including preterm birth. In this systematic review, we summarize published epidemiologic cohort and case-control studies examining ozone exposures (estimated on a continuous scale) in early pregnancy (1st and 2nd trimesters (T1, T2)) and preterm birth using ratio measures, and perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the potential relationship between them. Studies were identified by searching PubMed and Web of Science, screened according to predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, and evaluated for study quality. We extracted study data including effect estimates, confidence limits, study location, study years, ozone exposure assessment method, and mean or median ozone concentrations. Nineteen studies were identified and included, of which 18 examined T1 exposure (17 reported effect estimates), and 15 examined T2 exposure. Random effects meta-analysis was performed in the metafor package, R 3.5.3. The pooled OR (95% CI) for a 10 ppb increase in ozone exposure in T1 was 1.06 (1.03, 1.10) with a 95% prediction interval of 0.95, 1.19; for T2 it was 1.05 (1.02, 1.08) with a 95% prediction interval of 0.95, 1.16. Effect estimates for both exposure periods showed high heterogeneity. In meta-regression analyses of study characteristics, study location (continent) explained some (~20%) heterogeneity for T1 exposure studies, but no characteristic explained a substantial amount of heterogeneity for T2 exposure studies. Increased ozone exposure during early pregnancy is associated with preterm birth across studies.
How Harms Can Be Better than Benefits: Reply to Carlson, Johansson, and Risberg

I respond here to an argument given recently in this journal by Erik Carlson, Jens Johansson, and Olle Risberg. The authors object to the counterfactual comparative account of harm. They argue that...
A Variation-aware Hold Time Fixing Methodology for Single Flux Quantum Logic Circuits

Single flux quantum (SFQ) logic is a promising technology to replace complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor logic for future exa-scale supercomputing but requires the development of reliable EDA t...
Acute Psychosis Following Corticosteroid Administration.

Glucocorticoids are commonly used to treat endocrine as well as non-endocrine disorders. Unfortunately, these agents are associated with multiple adverse effects affecting various organ systems. A 55-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension with no past psychiatric history was admitted to the hospital for acute hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. The patient did not exhibit any psychiatric symptoms during the initial admission. However, she was re-admitted three days after the initial discharge, presenting with acute psychosis following the intravenous dexamethasone administration for seven days. Neuropsychiatric effects of glucocorticoids include depression, mania, agitation, mood lability, anxiety, insomnia, catatonia, depersonalization, delirium, dementia, and psychosis. Clinicians should be aware of the acute neuropsychiatric side effects of corticosteroids and evaluate patients for delirium if clinically indicated. Further research is needed to identify the pathophysiology and predisposing factors contributing to neuropsychiatric side effects of corticosteroid administration. The use of atypical antipsychotics in the management of these sequelae needs to be explored as well.
Signaling Sympathy: Rule-Making as a Discovery Procedure in the Theory of Moral Sentiments

In The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam Smith delineates between general rules of conduct and morality that are precise and accurate, and rules that are loose, vague, and indeterminate. In a loose, vague, and indeterminate way, Smith’s characterization of the rules of conduct and morality may have anticipated the Hayekian knowledge problem, and his “undefinability” may have anticipated the idea of undecidability that characterizes Godel’s Incompleteness Theorem in that Smith anticipates the idea that a complex-enough system cannot be reduced to a simpler model without destroying key characteristics of the system. Thus, any attempt to codify the general rules of conduct and morality will result in a lower level of overall coordination of the social system than allowing the general rules to emerge through a rules-discovery process on the individual level.
Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Adult Bone Marrow and Umbilical Cord Blood and Their Potential to Differentiate into Osteoblasts

1 6 INTRODUCTION 1 8 Isolating a Homogeneous MSC Population from Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) and Adult Bone Marrow (ABM) 19 Purpose of Present Study 20 MATERIALS AND METHODS 21 Cells and Cell Culture 21 Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Bone Marrow 21 Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Umbilical Cord Blood 22 MSC Expansion Media 22 Flow Cytometry 23 RESULTS 27 Isolation and Morphological Analysis of ABM-Derived and UCB-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells 27 DISCUSSION 39 CHAPTER 3 . BIODEVELOPMENT OF OSTEOBLASTS FROM MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS DERIVED FROM ADULT BONE MARROW AND UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD 44 ABSTRACT 44 INTRODUCTION -46 Brief Insight In Bone Biology 46 Osteoblast Precursor Cells 48 Molecular Regulation of Osteogenic Differentiation 49 Osteoblast-Specific Transcription Factors 50 Purpose of Present Study 51 MATERIALS AND METHODS -52 Culture and Propagation of MSCs in the Undifferentiated State 52 Stimulation of Osteogenic Differentiation 52 Von Kossa Staining 53 Immunohistochernistry 53 Isolation of RNA and DNA Removal 54 Real Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis 55 RESULTS 56 Immunohistochemical Staining 56 Detection of Osteogenic Marker Expression by RT-PCR Analysis 57 Osteogenic Differentiation of ABM-Derived and UCB-Derived MSCs 59 DISCUSSION 72 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS -76 REFERENCES -77 VITA 83
The People's Republic of Kampuchea 1979 - 1989: A Draconian Savior?

Arguably, January 7, 1979 has been the most controversial date in Cambodian history for Cambodian politicians and civilians alike. To some, the date signifies the liberation of Cambodian people from the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime which had killed approximately 2 million people between 1975 and 1979. To others, however, the date marks the invasion of Vietnamese army into Cambodia, after which the country was to be under Vietnamese occupation for a whole decade before their final withdrawal in September 1989. This thesis joins this debate, but it does so by going beyond the simplified political rhetoric of "liberation" vs. "invasion," and exploring the complexities of Cambodian society under the Vietnamese-backed People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK). Chapter 1 of the thesis deals with the historiography of the PRK. Chapter 2 looks at the re-emergence of urban life, market economy, as well as social and political rights under the PRK. Chapter 3 examines the people’s lives in the rural areas, collectivization efforts by the PRK, military and labor conscription, and their impacts on Cambodian society during the 1980s, as well as their legacy for contemporary Cambodia.
The Neuroeconomics Of Motherhood: The Costs and Benefits of Maternal Investment

As maternal mammals entered the evolutionary scene, the unique responses of nursing conjoined with maternal care, audiovocal communication for maintaining mother–offspring contact, and play behavior became staples of the mammalian behavioral repertoire. The consideration of neuroeconomics and neural areas devoted to adaptive choices suggests that another unique aspect, that is, contextually appropriate efficient problem solving is also linked to the onset of maternal mammalian behavior. Thus, the earliest explorations of economic theories may have been conducted in the brains of these early mammals. This chapter provides convincing evidence that the maternal mammal offers unique opportunities to explore the dynamic mechanisms underlying altered response strategies in specific situations. As the female becomes pregnant, her “genetic stock” increases, which alters the ultimate consequences of her responses. Accordingly, adaptive responses have been observed in females with maternal experience. Although researchers have yet to investigate the effect of maternal experience on specific parietal areas such as the lateral intraparietal area implicated in primate decision making (i.e., the neuroeconomics of choice), it would be interesting to investigate this area in parous animals. Additionally, further investigations of enhanced neural networks accompanying each full maternal experience in the form of neural growth factors, morphological differences, increased synapses, more complex networking of dendritic and/or axonal processes, or even more elaborate scaffolding of glial cells will help to explain the cumulative benefits of each maternal experience. As the gains and costs of mammalian response options are continually calculated, at some point the costs outweigh the gains of providing nurturing responses toward the offspring—learning more about these parenting response thresholds will also offer insights into the neuroeconomics of the parental brain.
Revocation techniques for Java concurrency: Research Articles

This paper proposes two approaches to managing concurrency in Java using a guarded region abstraction. Both approaches use revocation of such regions—the ability to undo their effects automatically and transparently. These new techniques alleviate many of the constraints that inhibit construction of transparently scalable and robust concurrent applications. The first solution, revocable monitors, augments existing mutual exclusion monitors with the ability to dynamically resolve priority inversion and deadlock, by reverting program execution to a consistent state when such situations are detected, while preserving Java semantics. The second technique, transactional monitors, extends the functionality of revocable monitors by implementing guarded regions as lightweight transactions that can be executed concurrently (or in parallel on multiprocessor platforms). The presentation includes discussion of design and implementation issues for both schemes, as well as a detailed performance study to compare their behavior with the traditional, state-of-the-art implementation of Java monitors based on mutual exclusion. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perioperative continuous cerebrospinal fluid pressure monitoring in patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

Background Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is an inciting factor for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and can be measured by CSF pressure (CSFP) monitoring. Current CSFP literature is limited to the assessments of opening pressure. This study reinvestigates a previously discussed monitoring approach that evaluates continuous CSFP parameters, physiologic measurements, and treatment outcomes in patients undergoing endoscopic repair of spontaneous CSF leaks. Methods Retrospective review of patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal repair of spontaneous CSF leaks. All participants had a lumbar catheter placed for 24-hour continuous preoperative pressure monitoring, and 24 hours of continuous monitoring starting 48 hours after repair. In addition to patient characteristics, mean and peak CSFP, pulse waveform amplitudes (PWAs), and related parameters were calculated. Results Twenty-five patients underwent monitoring between 2004 and 2013, with a mean follow-up of 526 days. The mean age was 49.2 years, the mean body mass index (BMI) 38.5, and 8 of 25 (32%) had obstructive sleep apnea. Although mean CSFP and PWA decreased after the repair, mean peak CSFP increased by 1.56 cmH2O (1.15 mmHg). Six patients (24%) had elevation in their CSFP >25 cmH2O (18.4 mmHg) for a minimum of 4% of the recording time. Based on their continuous pressure monitoring data, 9 patients (36%) underwent treatment for high ICP, either with acetazolamide or a ventricular shunt. There were no CSF leak recurrences. Conclusion Continuous perioperative CSFP monitoring provides valuable insight into multiple physiologic parameters. Systematic continuous CSFP monitoring can identify individuals in need of ICP-lowering therapy, possibly improving the outcomes in CSF leak repair surgeries.