cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Columbia Experience of 163 Patients with Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation for Refractory Cardiogenic Shock

s S39 on immune system function in relationship to INTERMACS class prior to MCSD-implantation is virtually non-existent. We hypothesized that preMCSD peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) gene expression profiling (GEP) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) identifies a subgroup of patients with higher risk of post MCSD MODS. Methods: PBMC samples from 8 AdHF patients (53±25 years old) undergoing MCSD implantation included in the prospective MultiOrgan Dysfunction Expression (MOD-E) profiling study between August 2012 2013. Obtained 1 day before surgery, and at days 1, 3, 5 and 8 postoperatively were collected for 3 INTERMACS level 3 patients (n= 3) and 5 patients (n= 5) INTERMACS level 1-2. Purified mRNA was subjected to whole-genome NGS analysis. Differentially expressed genes where identified by Two-way ANOVA and Benjamini-Hochberg correction. Only those with fold change of at least 1.5 were included in the analysis. Hierarchically clustering was used for visualization. Biological significance was assessed by gene ontology and pathway analysis. Results: Compared to INTERMACS level 3, patients in the higher risk categories had dramatic differences in their gene expression profiles before and across all 5 time points (Figure 1). Over 3100 different genes were identified and mechanistically linked to the systemic inflammatory response by their biological significance. Gene ontology and pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of immune related categories and pathways. Conclusion: In AdhF patient facing MCSD-implantation, NGS-based PBMC GEP correlates with clinical severity as assessed by INTERMACS class prior to as well as early after MCSD-implantation and may be further develop to assist in improved patient selection.
Constructing quantitative models using monotone relationships

Constructing quantitative models typically requires characterizing a system in terms of algebraic relationships and then using these relationships to compute quantitative values from numerical data. For real-life systems, such as computer operating systems, an algebraic characterization is often difficult, if not intractable. The paper proposes a statistical approach to constructing quantitative models using monotone relationships. Referred to as nonparametric interpolative-estimation for monotone functions (NIMF), our approach uses monotone relationships to search historical data for bounds that provide a desired level of statistical confidence. NIMF makes no assumption about the algebraic form of the monotone relationship, not even continuity. We present two examples of applying NIMF to computer measurements, and compare NIMF's confidence intervals with those of least-squares regression, a traditional technique that requires specifying an algebraic relationship. Our results suggest that when an algebraic characterization is not known with precision, using NIMF with an accurate monotone relationship can produce more accurate confidence intervals than employing least-squares regression with a polynomial approximation to the unknown algebraic relationship. >
Third-Wave Feminism and the Defense of “Choice”

How should feminist theorists respond when women who claim to be feminists make “choices” that seemingly prop up patriarchy, like posing for Playboy, eroticizing male dominance, or advocating wifely submission? This article argues that the conflict between the quest for gender equality and the desire for sexual pleasure has long been a challenge for feminism. In fact, the second-wave of the American feminist movement split over issues related to sexuality. Feminists found themselves on opposite sides of a series of contentious debates about issues such as pornography, sex work, and heterosexuality, with one side seeing evidence of gender oppression and the other opportunities for sexual pleasure and empowerment. Since the mid-1990s, however, a third wave of feminism has developed that seeks to reunite the ideals of gender equality and sexual freedom. Inclusive, pluralistic, and non-judgmental, third-wave feminism respects the right of women to decide for themselves how to negotiate the often contradictory desires for both gender equality and sexual pleasure. While this approach is sometimes caricatured as uncritically endorsing whatever a woman chooses to do as feminist, this essay argues that third-wave feminism actually exhibits not a thoughtless endorsement of “choice,” but rather a deep respect for pluralism and self-determination.
The elastic deformation of lubricated carbon fiber bundles - Comparison of theory and experiments

We review all available data for the deformation behavior of lubricated carbon fiber bundles and compare these data to a recently developed 3D theory (Cai and Gutowski, 1992). Most of the data, which is for transverse compression, exhibits very large scatter, but can be collapsed by shifting along the fiber volume fraction axis. It is hypothesized that the shifts represent different states for the fiber bundle, which can be represented in the model by a single variable, the available fiber volume fraction Va. It is then shown that all available aligned carbon fiber bundle data, including bulk compression, axial extension, and coupling behavior, can be fit to the modified model by only adjusting Va. In one case (the coupling behavior), the available fiber volume fraction was directly measured. Observations on how the state of the fiber bundle can be modified by the processing conditions are included. On the basis of this analysis, a simple, practical test to determine Va is proposed. 24 refs.
Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate and of Intestinal Microflora on Excretion of Endogenous Amino Acids by Poultry

The effects of dietary carbohydrate and of intestinal microflora on excretion of endogenous amino acids by poultry were investigated. Excretion of endogenous amino acids was compared among fasted roosters, intact roosters fed low- or high-fiber, N-free diets, and surgically-modified (SM) roosters fed a low-fiber, N-free diet. The low-fiber diet contained 50% corn starch, 45% glucose, and 5% cellulose, whereas the high-fiber diet contained 25% each of corn starch, glucose, and raw potato starch, 17.5% cellulose, and 7.5% pectin. Digesta were obtained from the terminal ileum of SM roosters to eliminate effects of the microflora in the large intestine and ceca. The roosters were force-fed 60 g of the appropriate diet (30 g at the initiation of the trial followed by an additional 30 g 6 hours later). Excreta or digesta and urine were collected quantitatively for 48 hr after the first force-feeding. Roosters fed the high-fiber diet excreted substantially more (P less than .05) amino acids than did fasted roosters or roosters fed a low-fiber diet. Excreta from roosters fed the high-fiber diet contained higher (P less than .05) levels of alanine and aspartic acid than excreta from fasted or digesta from SM roosters, indicating substantial microbial synthesis of amino acids in the gut. In contrast, amino acid composition of excreta from fasted and intact roosters fed the low-fiber diet was similar to that of digesta from SM roosters, suggesting less microbial influence. Excretion of glucosamine plus galactosamine by SM roosters was approximately twice that of intact roosters fed the same diet. Glycine was the most abundant amino acid in digesta of SM roosters. Results of this study indicate that dietary carbohydrate substantially affects excretion of endogenous amino acids by poultry and that fasted birds may not provide an accurate estimate of endogenous amino acid excretion for birds fed high-fiber feedstuffs in amino acid digestibility trials.
Terrorist Nuclear Weapon Construction: How Difficult?

The likelihood of a nuclear terrorist attack depends in part on the ability of terrorist groups to acquire, construct, and detonate a nuclear device. This article attempts to determine the difficulty of such an endeavor by examining the underlying physical facts about nuclear fission, nuclear materials, and nuclear weapons design. The facts bear out a simple conclusion: while the danger should not be exaggerated, a nuclear terrorist attack is potentially within the capabilities of a well-organized and sophisticated terrorist group. A nuclear attack might be one of the most difficult missions a terrorist group could hope to try, but if a highly capable group acquired a stolen nuclear bomb or enough nuclear material to make one, there can be few grounds for confidence that they would be unable to use it.
Relations in Practice: Sorting Through Practice Theories on Knowledge Sharing in Complex Organizations

We examine practice theories concerned with knowledge sharing in complex organizations to distinguish common trends and variations in this complex body of work. We suggest that an analytical framework highlighting the relational thinking in practice theories can serve as a tool to sort through the literature on knowledge sharing. First, we delineate a relational framework consisting of seven attributes associated with a practice theory. Second, we use this framework to analyze a narrow set of practice theories represented by three seminal works on communities of practice. Third, we compare and contrast the relational dynamics found in the three seminal works in regard to how they conceptualize knowledge sharing within and across communal boundaries.
Somatostatin and altered medium osmotic pressure elicit rapid changes in prolactin release from the rostral pars distalis of the tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, in vitro.

Prolactin (PRL) cells in the rostral pars distalis of the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus respond to somatostatin (SRIF) and reduced medium osmotic pressure within 10–20 min of exposure during perifusion incubation. Pieces of rostral pars distalis tissue were removed from freshwater-adapted tilapia and were preincubated in [3H]leucine in static culture (355 mOsmolal) for 48 hr. Following preincubation, they were placed in the perifusion apparatus and baseline release was established for 3 hr in hyperosmotic medium (355 mOsmolal). Exposure to hyposmotic medium (280 mOsmolal) resulted in a rapid and steep rise in the release of [3H]PRL, which remained elevated for more than 2 hr. When SRIF was added simultaneously with hyposmotic medium, the rise in PRL release normally initiated by reduced osmotic pressure was prevented. Somatostatin also quickly reduced release that had been previously elevated by exposure to hyposmotic medium. The time course of these changes suggests that SRIF and altered osmotic pressure act on PRL secretion in at least partial independence of effects which they may have on PRL synthesis in the tilapia pituitary.
Murine Cytomegalovirus with a Transposon Insertional Mutation at Open Reading Frame m155 Is Deficient in Growth and Virulence in Mice

A pool of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) mutants was previously generated by using a Tn3-based transposon mutagenesis approach (X. Zhan, M. Lee, J. Xiao, and F. Liu, J. Virol. 74:7411-7421, 2000). In this study, one of the MCMV mutants, Rvm155, which contained the transposon insertion in open reading frame m155, was characterized in vitro for its replication in tissue culture and in vivo for its growth and virulence in immunodeficient SCID mice. Compared to the wild-type strain and a rescued virus that restored the m155 region, the mutant is significantly deficient in growth in many organs of the infected animals. At 21 days postinfection the titers of Rvm155 in the salivary glands, lungs, spleens, livers, and kidneys of the intraperitoneally infected SCID mice were lower than the titers of the wild-type virus and the rescued virus by 50-, 1,000-, 500-, 100-, and 500-fold, respectively. Moreover, the viral mutant was attenuated in killing the SCID mice, as none of the SCID mice that were intraperitoneally infected with Rvm155 died until 38 days postinfection while all the animals infected with the wild-type and rescued viruses died at 27 days postinfection. Our results provide the first direct evidence that a disruption of m155 expression leads to attenuation of viral virulence and growth in animals. Moreover, these results suggest that m155 is a viral determinant for optimal MCMV growth and virulence in vivo.
The Role of Excess Magnesium Oxide or Lead Oxide in Determining the Microstructure and Properties of Lead Magnesium Niobate

Near-phase pure perovskite lead magnesium niobate (PMN) with MgO or PbO additives was produced by reacting PbO with MgNb2O6 at 800°C and sintering at 1200°C. Dense ceramics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and dielectric measurements. The microstructural studies showed that excess MgO exists as micrometer spherical particles either in the grain boundary as a discrete particle or in the perovskite grain as an inclusion. The pyrochlore phase exists in large isolated grains in the microstructure. The 10 mol% MgO excess composition had a peak dielectric constant of 19 500 at 100 Hz, which suggests very “clean” or uninhibiting grain boundaries. The excess addition of PbO did not improve the yield of perovskite PMN phase and decreased the dielectric constant. PMN grain boundaries are the dominant path of fracture. This paper, to a certain degree, explores the chemistry and characteristics of these grain boundaries.
Tracheation of abdominal ganglia and cerci in the house cricket Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera, Gryllidae).

Patterns of tracheation in the abdominal central nervous system and the cerci of Acheta domesticus are described from whole mounts, and light and electron microscopy. The tracheal supply of the ganglia is derived from ventral longitudinal tracheal trunks which have segmental connections to the spiracels. Each abdominal ganglion is served by a single pair of tracheal trunks, except the terminal ganglion, which has two pairs. Within the ganglia, tracheoles occur principally in association with glia-rich areas of the neuropile. We suggest that the respiratory exchange may be concentrated in the cell bodies of neurons and glia. Each cercus has a tracheal supply in paralle with a large air sac which, it is suggested, serves to lighten the cercus, functions as a resonator for sound reception, or facilitates tidal flow of hemolymph and postecdysial expansion of the cercus. No tracheae run continuously between ganglia or between the terminal ganglion and the cerci, and they do not appear to have a potential role as a contact guidance pathway for cercal nerve growth.
SEAR: a secure efficient ad hoc on demand routing protocol for wireless networks

Multi-hop routing is essential to the operation of wireless ad hoc networks. Unfortunately, it is very easy for an adversary to forge or modify routing messages to inflict severe damage on the underlying routing protocol. In this paper, we present SEAR, a Secure Efficient Ad hoc Routing protocol for ad hoc networks that is mainly based on efficient symmetric cryptography, with asymmetric cryptography used only for the distribution of initial key commitments. We show, through both theoretical examination and simulations, that SEAR provides better security with significantly less overhead than other existing secure AODV protocols.
Pathologic quiz case. Crystal deposition disease of the knee joint.

65-year-old woman presented with recurrent right knee pain. She had experienced similar persistent and debilitating symptoms 8 months earlier. Evaluation of arthrocentesis on 2 separate occasions was unremarkable. This was followed 5 months later by arthroscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right knee showed lowsignal-intensity lesions compatible with pigmented villonodular synovitis. Biopsy was performed. Gross examination revealed red to yellow-brown soft tissue fragments, measuring 7 cm in aggregate. Light microscopic examination of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), revealed hyperplastic synovium lined by a prominent synovial lining with focal edema and fibrosis (Figure 1). The fragments were edematous with focal fibrosis. Immediately beneath the synovial lining were scattered histiocytes and lymphocytes, with some histiocytes containing yellow-brown hemosiderin pigment. This pigment was also
Visual language and the GARDEN system

GARDEN is a system developed at Brown University for experimentation with large-scale graphical programming. It is designed to support a variety of graphical metaphors in a consistent framework. This paper describes the basic components of the GARDEN system and shows how they support a variety of visual languages.
Assessing the Value of Supply Chain Information Sharing in the New Millennium

Information sharing in supply chain management has been studied extensively during the past several years. Many scholars agree that shared information will lead to significant cost savings through inventory and batch size reductions, productivity gains, and other measurables. The purpose of this paper is to review the information sharing related studies in supply chain management research, identify core issues, and offer suggestions for future research. Fifty-five articles were collected from the premier refereed journals in the fields of Supply Chain Management and Operations Management. Classification of the articles based on four common information sharing themes is presented in the paper. A majority of the articles included in this review concentrate on an element of information sharing that leads to strategic changes at the manufacturers and suppliers. Potential future research ideas include additional empirical work and investigation into the “leakage effect”.
Stimulation latency and comparison of cycling regimens in women using sacral neuromodulation.

Aims In this two-part study, we sought to define how long sacral neuromodulation users with overactive bladder should trial a new setting before attributing symptoms to that setting. Subsequently, we evaluated patient preferences of variable stimulation regimens. Methods In the initial phase of this prospective pilot study, participants' devices were turned off and later reactivated; time to symptom recurrence and resolution were recorded. In phase two, participants trialed four settings in a masked fashion with random order. After unmasking, participants chose their preferred setting and were followed 1 year. Results Twelve subjects completed phase one. With the device off, the mean time to symptom recurrence was 11.25 days. Mean time to symptom regression following reactivation was 6.42 days. Combined, the 90th percentile was 15 days for symptoms to reflect the device's new setting. Among 23 women completing part two, the most popular setting at the time of unmasking was a 1-hr on, 2-hr off cycled setting chosen by 7 (30%) participants. According to published estimates of battery longevity, 14 (61%) participants chose a more energy-conserving setting at the time of unmasking. The mean difference in estimated battery longevity between the chosen and baseline regimens was 14.5 months. These gains diminished in the following year with clinical changes in device settings by patients and providers. Conclusions Sacral neuromodulation patients should allow a 2-week trial before attributing symptoms to a new setting. With additional information, many opt for energy-conserving settings. A 1-hr on, 2-hr off regimen warrants further study. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Advanced Topics in MCMC

The pace of research on MCMC methods is so quick that any survey of advanced topics is immediately obsolete. The highly eclectic and decidedly biased coverage in our final chapter begins with a discussion of Markov random fields. Our limited aims here are to prove the Hammersley-Clifford theorem and introduce the Swendsen-Wang algorithm, a clever form of slice sampling. In the Ising model, the Swendsen-Wang algorithm is much more efficient than standard Gibbs sampling.
The role of dynamic ligand exchange in the oxidation chemistry of cerium(III)

The CeIII/IV couple is useful for many applications in organic, inorganic, and materials chemistry. However, attaining a general method to access both oxidations states through reversible solution redox chemistry remains challenging. Herein we report the synthesis, characterization, and oxidation chemistry of the novel Ce/Li REMB heterochiral diastereomer, 1-Ce(het). The solution exchange processes of 1-RE(het) (RE = Ce and Yb) were investigated to estimate rates of ligand and cation exchange relevant in homochiral and heterochiral frameworks. A detailed mechanistic investigation following the solution dynamics of 1-Ce(het) revealed reactivity controlled both by ligand reorganization and redistribution processes. Ligand reorganization was responsible for the kinetics associated with the chemical oxidation reaction, whereas ligand redistribution and exchange dictated the isolated products.
Hypergolic Reaction of Dicyanamide-Based Fuels with Nitric Acid

Understanding the ignition reactions for hypergolic propellants is an important step in developing a complete reaction model that can be used in engine design and optimizing the composition of the fuel−oxidizer pair. To that end, an experimental study of the hypergolic reaction of sodium dicyanamide with nitric acid was conducted to investigate a recently proposed reaction mechanism for ignition of this family of ionic liquids. Sodium dicyanamide was used to simplify contributions to products from the cation of the fuel. Gas-phase reaction products were studied using microprobe sampling and mass spectrometric analysis. In addition, a chemical assay was used to test for the presence of dinitrobiuret, the key intermediate in the proposed mechanism. Most of the results from the study support the proposed mechanism, with the only exception being the lack of direct evidence for dinitrobiuret. Additional reactions for the ignition reaction scheme are proposed.
Breaking the "Glass Ceiling" in Broadcast Journalism

In terms of broadcast journalism, the Commonwealth of Virginia is quite noteworthy. Virginia produced the first African American and the first woman to rise to the highest levels of network broadcast journalism in the United States. Although Virginia is the birthplace of many journalists, few broadcasters hold the distinction of standing out as a great broadcast journalist on the national level. Two of these journalists are unique in Virginia and U.S. history. Each of them served as a trailblazer and helped to fracture the glass ceiling. They are Maxie “Max” Robinson and Katherine “Katie” Couric.
Accurate source-wavefield reconstruction for large-scale 3D reverse-time migration

SUMMARY 3D reverse-time migration using the cross-correlation imaging condition poses a challenge for the computer-memory requirement and computational complexity, because both the forwardpropagated source wavefield and the backward-propagated receiver wavefield should be accessible at the same time step. We develop a new wavefield reconstruction method to balance the computer-memory requirement and computational complexity of reverse-time migration. During the forward simulation of the source wavefield, we store the wavefield at only one or two layers of spatial grid points at/near the model boundaries, and reconstruct the back-propagated source wavefield in the imaging domain using a high-order wave-equation extrapolation scheme. One of conventional reverse-time migration methods uses boundary wavefields stored at multiple layers of spatial grid points. For a finite-difference scheme with the eighth or sixteenth order of accuracy in space, our new method uses only 37.5% of the computer memory required by this conventional method to store the boundary wavefields, and has the almost same accuracy as the latter. We validate our method using synthetic seismic reflection data. Our method produces 2D and 3D migration images of complex subsurface structures as accurate as those yielded using a reverse-time migration method that stores source wavefields at multiple boundary layers to maintain the spatial order of accuracy of the finitedifference scheme near the boundaries.
Feasibility of Canine Therapy Among Hospitalized Pre-Heart Transplant Patients.

Objectives Canine-assisted therapy (CAT) has been used in many settings with much success, yet no study has assessed its feasibility and receptiveness in hospitalized patients awaiting heart transplantation. Methods Patients admitted to our institution with a status I for heart transplantation during a 12-month period (April 2014-April 2015) were prospectively included in a feasibility pilot study. Patients were included if there was no history of transmittable disease or active infectious process and consented for study participation. Each patient was visited daily by a canine and quantitative and qualitative data regarding the visit were obtained. Results A total of 11 patients were included in the study. Most patients were men (n = 8, 72.7%) and the average age was 51.1 years. A total of 146 individual therapies took place, totaling 2718 minutes of CAT during the study period. Each patient had an average of 13.3 visits and each visit had an average duration of 14.7 minutes. Patient receptiveness, as measured by the CAT volunteer, averaged 9.9 (scale 0-10). No reports of infection transmission occurred. Conclusions Our study found that CAT among hospitalized pre-heart transplant patients is feasible and is a welcomed adjunct to usual medical care.
Decreased renal blood flow in the baboon during mild dynamic leg exercise

Twelve chair-restrained baboons (Papio cynocephalus) were conditioned with operant techniques and a food reward to perform 4 min of dynamic leg exercise. During the last minute of exercise, blood f...
A Late Archaic Period Dog Burial from the Tucson Basin, Arizona

ABSTRACTIn November 1998, the remains of the cranium of a large, mature dog (Canis familiaris) were found in a cultural deposit during archaeological testing at the Late Archaic Costello-King site (AZ AA: 12: 503 [ASM]) in the northern Tucson Basin. The depositional context suggests a deliberate burial, and crude damage to the occipital area of the cranium indicates that the skull had been severed from the body prior to interment. A conventional AMS radiocarbon date on the bone gelatin yielded a date of 2600±50 B.P., and a 13C of-10.0 %o obtained from the gelatin suggests a diet containing a significant C4 component. We discuss the remains in terms of Late Archaic/Early Formative period human utilization of domestic canids in southern Arizona, and how the 13C value might be used as a proxy measure for human diets of this time period.
Sets of Ordinal Numbers

An ordinal number is, by definition, a special kind of well ordered set; we proceed to examine its special properties.
The Developmental Challenges of Chronic Illness

Most families must face chronic illness in a family member at some time during the life cycle. Chronic illness is increasing in prevalence and has replaced acute illness as the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States (1). Half of all people over age 65 and one fourth of those between ages 45 and 65 are limited in their activities by at least one chronic condition (2). As the elderly population grows, this burden of chronic illness increases, and families must play an even greater role in their care. (See Chapter 13 on caring for the elderly.) The experience of chronic illness affects families in profound ways, and how well the family adapts to chronic illness can influence the course of the illness (3). This chapter presents a comprehensive psychoeducational approach to working with families with chronic physical illness, to assess their needs and assist them in coping with illness. (Other chapters deal with family-oriented approach to chronic mental illness including depression, Chapter 17, and alcohol abuse, Chapter 18.)
CMOS Low-Power Variable-Gain CMFB-Free Current Feedback Amplifier for Ultrasound Diagnostic Applications

A CMOS current feedback amplifier (CFA) for ultrasound diagnostic applications is proposed. Unlike traditional CFAs, this design employs a new symmetrical and compact architecture, without the use of common-mode feedback (CMFB) circuitry. The design proposes an active feedback technique to drastically enhance the gain-bandwidth independence. It is also the first CFA to adopt Miller compensation for better frequency response with smaller compensation capacitor. The proposed CFA was fabricated and tested with a standard 0.35 mum CMOS process with competitive performance to its Bipolar and BiCMOS counterparts. The active die area is 0.052 mm2. Experiment results show that the CFA exhibits a minimum bandwidth of 4.5 MHz with a variable gain range of 0 to 46 dB, and a power dissipation of 2.18 mW.
Trimethylamine- N -Oxide: Friend, Foe, or Simply Caught in the Cross-Fire?

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a gut-derived metabolite, has recently emerged as a candidate risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other adverse health outcomes. However, the relation between TMAO and chronic disease can be confounded by several factors, including kidney function, the gut microbiome, and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) genotype. Thus, whether TMAO is a causative agent in human disease development and progression, or simply a marker of an underlying pathology, remains inconclusive. Importantly, dietary sources of TMAO have beneficial health effects and provide nutrients that have critical roles in many biological functions. Pre-emptive dietary strategies to restrict TMAO-generating nutrients as a means to improve human health warrant careful consideration and may not be justified at this time.
Diverse Central Projection Patterns of Retinal Ganglion Cells.

Understanding how >30 types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the mouse retina each contribute to visual processing in the brain will require more tools that label and manipulate specific RGCs. We screened and analyzed retinal expression of Cre recombinase using 88 transgenic driver lines. In many lines, Cre was expressed in multiple RGC types and retinal cell classes, but several exhibited more selective expression. We comprehensively mapped central projections from RGCs labeled in 26 Cre lines using viral tracers, high-throughput imaging, and a data processing pipeline. We identified over 50 retinorecipient regions and present a quantitative retina-to-brain connectivity map, enabling comparisons of target-specificity across lines. Projections to two major central targets were notably correlated: RGCs projecting to the outer shell or core regions of the lateral geniculate projected to superficial or deep layers within the superior colliculus, respectively. Retinal images and projection data are available online at http://connectivity.brain-map.org.
Differential hemodynamic and respiratory responses to right and left cervical vagal nerve stimulation in rats.

Abstract Neuromodulation through vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is currently explored for a variety of clinical conditions. However, there are no established VNS parameters for animal models of human diseases, such as hypertension. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess hemodynamic and respiratory responses to right‐ or left‐sided cervical VNS in a hypertensive rat model. Anesthetized stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats were instrumented for arterial blood pressure and heart rate monitoring and left‐ or right‐sided VNS. Cervical VNS was applied through bipolar coil electrodes. Stimulation parameters tested were 3 V and 6 V, 2 Hz to 20 Hz stimulation frequency, and 50 μ sec to 20 msec pulse duration. Each combination of stimulation parameters was applied twice with altered polarity, that is, anode and cathode in the cranial and caudal position. Respiration rate was derived from systolic blood pressure fluctuations. In general, cervical VNS caused bradycardia, hypotension, and tachypnea. These responses were more pronounced with left‐sided than with right‐sided VNS and depended on the stimulation voltage, stimulation frequency, and pulse duration, but not on the polarity of stimulation. Furthermore, the results suggest that at low stimulation frequencies ( 0.5 msec) smaller B‐fibers are also recruited. In conclusion, in rats left‐sided cervical VNS causes greater cardio‐respiratory responses than right‐sided VNS and at lower stimulation frequencies (e.g., 5 Hz), longer pulse durations (>0.5 msec) seem to be required to consistently recruit B‐fibers in addition to A‐fibers.
Parenting Stress and Parental Efficacy

This chapter addresses the dynamic, reciprocal, and transactional relations between the experience of parenting stress and parent’s sense of self-efficacy. Taking a broad perspective on self-efficacy, we examine the complex links between parenting stress and parenting self-efficacy as predictor, mediator, and consequence of parenting stress. Although the evidence for adverse influence is compelling regardless of direction of effect, many questions and issues remain to be addressed in the way parenting stress processes operate within the family. Emphasis is placed on the need to consider parenting stress from more developmental and systemic perspectives, and a model is proposed to capture more of the systemic complexity involved. The chapter focuses on the mechanisms through which parenting stress may influence and be influenced by broader parenting perspectives, including coparenting processes and potential differences between mothers and fathers. Directions for future research are offered.
Neurosecretion -- comparative and evolutionary aspects.

Publisher Summary The rationale for the existence of neurosecretory phenomena and their place within the range of neurochemical mediation is inherent in their evolutionary history. The signs of neurosecretory activity—i.e., the specialization of certain neurons for the production of neurohormones—are found in all metazoans. These hormones are, thus, phylogenetically the oldest and also the only blood-borne messengers operating in the more primitive invertebrates, which lack regular glands of internal secretion. The recognition of neuronal types capable of several intermediate modes of neurochemical communication has removed the sharp dividing line between classical neurosecretory cells and conventional neurons, and the phenomenon of neurosecretion, once so difficult to assimilate, now blends into a spectrum of neurochemical activities. The conceptual model of the ancestral neuron, considered as the phylogenetic derivative of an undifferentiated and pluripotential epithelial cell, is that of a functionally versatile structure, equally endowed for the dispatch of long distance and localized chemical signals. The neurosecretory neuron has remained closer to the nerve cell precursor than has the conventional neuron with its specialization for synaptic transmission. In addition, the inherited capacity for secretory activity has been put to good use by neurosecretory neurons in various ways at every level of the evolutionary scale.
Stimulated scattering at mW power in thin nematic film for application in the visible-near IR spectral regime

Nematic liquid crystals (NLC) are quite transparent and they possess large birefringence throughout the visible-infrared regime. Because of the easy susceptibility of the crystalline axis to reorientation by an optical field, it is relatively easy to induce large refractive index changes in NLC using low power lasers. In this paper, we report stimulated scattering and bulk grating formation in aligned nematic film with unprecedented low threshold, and illustrate how the process could easily be realized throughout the visible to near infrared regime.
Who plays violent video games? An exploratory analysis of predictors of playing violent games

Abstract For roughly two decades, academics, politicians, and the media have debated the relationship between playing violent video games and engaging in violent acts. Despite the extensive attention paid to this possible outcome, no such spotlight has been placed on what leads to youth playing violent video games, which would provide the necessary context for potential later effects. The present study uses five datasets that include over 19,000 American youth in fifth through twelfth grades to provide an exploratory, inductive investigation into the predictors of playing violent video games. The results identify several themes of predictors of violent game play, including gender, family, health and nutrition, and various other social factors. These findings provide a foundation for future research to investigate and test these possible relationships.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: August 2017: The Association between Distal Findings and Proximal Colorectal Neoplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Continuing Medical Education Questions: August 2017: The Association between Distal Findings and Proximal Colorectal Neoplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Breaking into the vault: Privacy, security and forensic analysis of Android vault applications

Abstract In this work we share the first account for the forensic analysis, security and privacy of Android vault applications. Vaults are designed to be privacy enhancing as they allow users to hide personal data but may also be misused to hide incriminating files. Our work has already helped law enforcement in the state of Connecticut to reconstruct 66 incriminating images and 18 videos in a single criminal case. We present case studies and results from analyzing 18 Android vault applications (accounting for nearly 220 million downloads from the Google Play store) by reverse engineering them and examining the forensic artifacts they produce. Our results showed that 12 18 obfuscated their code and 5 18 applications used native libraries hindering the reverse engineering process of these applications. However, we still recovered data from the applications without root access to the Android device as we were able to ascertain hidden data on the device without rooting for 10 18 of the applications. 6 18 of the vault applications were found to not encrypt photos they stored, and 8 18 were found to not encrypt videos. 7 18 of the applications were found to store passwords in cleartext. We were able to also implement a swap attack on 5 18 applications where we achieved unauthorized access to the data by swapping the files that contained the password with a self-created one. In some cases, our findings illustrate unfavorable security implementations of privacy enhancing applications, but also showcase practical mechanisms for investigators to gain access to data of evidentiary value. In essence, we broke into the vaults.
Fresh produce and their soils accumulate cyanotoxins from irrigation water: Implications for public health and food security

Abstract Microcystin (MC), a hepatotoxin that can adversely affect human health, has become more prevalent in freshwater ecosystems worldwide, owing to an increase in toxic cyanobacteria blooms. While consumption of water and fish are well-documented exposure pathways of MCs to humans, less is known about the potential transfer to humans through consumption of vegetables that have been irrigated with MC-contaminated water. Likewise, the impact of MC on the performance of food crops is understudied. To help fill these information gaps, we conducted a controlled laboratory experiment in which we exposed lettuce, carrots, and green beans to environmentally relevant concentrations of MC-LR (0, 1, 5, and 10 μg/L) via two irrigation methods (drip and spray). We used ELISA and LC-MS/MS to quantify MC-LR concentrations and in different parts of the plant (edible vs. inedible fractions), measured plant performance (e.g., size, mass, edible leaves, color), and calculated human exposure risk based on accumulation patterns. MC-LR accumulation was positively dose-dependent, with it being greater in the plants (2.2–209.2 μg/kg) than in soil (0–19.4 μg/kg). MC-LR accumulation varied among vegetable types, between plant parts, and between irrigation methods. MC-LR accumulation led to reduced crop growth and quality, with MC-LR persisting in the soil after harvest. Observed toxin accumulation patterns in edible fractions of plants also led to estimates of daily MC-LR intake that exceeded both the chronic reference dose (0.003 μg/kg of body weight) and total daily intake guidelines (0.04 μg/kg of body weight). Because the use of MC-contaminated water is common in many parts of the world, our collective findings highlight the need for guidelines concerning the use of MC-contaminated water in irrigation, as well as consumption of these crops.
Ultra-high fidelity radio frequency propagation modeling using distributed high performance graphical processing units: A simulator for multi-element non-stationary antenna systems

A newly-invented, distributed, high-performance graphical processing framework that simulates complex radio frequency (RF) propagation has been developed and demonstrated. The approach uses an advanced computer architecture and intensive multi-core system to enable highperformance data analysis at the fidelity necessary to design and develop modern sensor systems. This widely applicable simulation and modeling technology aids in the design and development of state-of-the-art systems with complex waveforms and more advanced downstream exploitation techniques, e.g., systems with arbitrary RF waveforms, higher RF bandwidths and increasing resolution. The recent breakthroughs in computing hardware, software, systems and applications has enabled these concepts to be tested and demonstrated in a large variety of environments and early in the design cycle. Improvements in simulation accuracies and simulation timescales have been made that immediately increase the value to the end user. A near-analytic RF propagation model increased the computational need by orders of magnitude. This model also increased required numerical precision. The new general purpose graphics processing units (GPGPUs) provided the capability to simulate the propagation effects and model it with the necessary information dependence, and floating point mathematics where performance matters. The relative performance improvement between the baseline MATLAB® parallelized simulation and the equivalent GPU based simulation using 12 NVIDIA Tesla K20m GPUs on the Offspring High-Performance Computer (HPC) using the AirWASP© framework decreased simulation and modeling from 16.5 days to less than 1 day.
Clinical Outcomes of Arthroscopic Primary Repair of Proximal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears Are Maintained at Mid-term Follow-up.

Purpose To assess the mid-term clinical outcomes in patients with proximal avulsion anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears undergoing arthroscopic primary repair with suture anchors. Methods The first 11 consecutive patients with proximal avulsion tears treated with arthroscopic primary repair were evaluated at mid-term (minimum 5-year) follow-up. Physical examination was performed; laxity examination consisting of the Lachman, pivot-shift, and anterior drawer tests was performed; and patients were asked to complete the Lysholm, modified Cincinnati, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaires. Results Of the 11 patients, 10 were seen at a mean follow-up of 6.0 ± 1.5 years (range, 4.8-9.2 years). One patient was lost to follow-up, in whom failure had already occurred at short-term follow-up. One additional patient underwent reoperation for a medial meniscus tear and also had a partial ACL tear; this patient was clinically stable at last follow-up. All patients had full range of motion. Nine patients had negative Lachman and negative pivot-shift examination findings (IKDC score of A), and 1 patient had a 1A Lachman result and 1+ pivot-shift result (IKDC score of B). The mean Lysholm score was 96.0 ± 4.5 (range, 88-100); modified Cincinnati score, 95.6 ± 7.4 (range, 80-100); Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, 95.4 ± 5.4 (range, 85-100); preinjury Tegner score, 7.2 ± 1.2 (range, 5-9); postoperative Tegner score, 6.6 ± 1.8 (range, 3-9); and IKDC subjective score, 92.3 ± 11.3 (range, 64-100). Conclusions The clinical outcomes of arthroscopic primary repair of proximal ACL tears with suture anchors are excellent and are maintained at mid-term follow-up in a carefully selected subset of patients with proximal tears and excellent tissue quality. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.
An assessment of Clinch River Breeder Reactor core disruptive accident energetics

A methodology is developed for the evaluation of the energetic consequences of postulated core disruptive accidents (CDAs), in liquid-metal fast breeder reactors. The methodology provides a framewo...
Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka’s Phenomenology of Creative Experience and the Critique of Reason

Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka’s Logos and Life, Book 1, Creative Experience and the Critique of Reason (Dordrecht and Boston: Kluwer Academic Publ., 1988) is a complex, long, subtle, difficult work of considerable significance. Its subject is human creativity or, more exactly, human life qua concretum in fieri, insofar as it is unifiable on the basis of its creative source and of freedom. Consistent with this, one finds that the author deals with the forming nexus of individuality in its manifold dimensions and relations.
Cinema Talent: Individual and Collective

Cinema is an unusual form of achievement in that it involves both (a) extensive collaborative effort and (b) considerable financial resources. A series of investigations examines the operation of both these characteristics in large samples of award-winning films. These empirical studies reveal the multidimensional complexity of cinematic products and indicate the dimensions that are most critical for understanding individual contributions to the collective products. Especially crucial are those who contribute to the dramatic qualities of film, especially the screenplay and direction. Hence, future research should focus on the factors that underlie giftedness and talent in screenwriters and directors.
BPR Methodologies: Methods and Tools

Hammer and Champy (1993) defined reengineering as “the fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of core business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in quality, cost, and cycle time.” Earlier literature on business process reengineering (BPR) focused only on the principles of BPR and provided us with cases of successful BPR projects [(Hammer, 1990); (Davenport and Short, 1990)] that address only the “what” and “why” questions (What is reengineering? Why is reengineering necessary?). However, no comprehensive and methodological approach to conducting BPR projects to answer the “how” question has been developed. Once many organizations have committed to initiating BPR projects, there is a great need to provide a “how-to” guide for managing them, giving rise to the development of BPR methodologies by many practitioners and academicians.
BARBED, BI-DIRECTIONAL SURGICAL SUTURES

ABSTRACT Surgical sutures are the most frequently used biomaterials for wound closure and tissue approximation. However, they rely on the surgeon's ability to tie secured knots, which is a challenging and time consuming process. Improper tying and handling can result in knot breakage or slippage, and potentially wound dehiscence. Further, the knot impedes wound healing, constricts blood flow, distorts tissue, and increases scar formation. To alleviate these problems, attempts have been made to design self-anchoring sutures. Recently, a novel knotless suture has been developed ( Figure 1 ) in which bi-directional barbs are introduced into an absorbable monofilament suture using micro-machining techniques. This paper describes the analytical characterization of the barb geometry, and the biomechanical performance of the suture, including in vitro and in vivo wound closure testing. The former employs specialized microscopy and image analysis techniques. The latter entails tensile strength testing and apposition of tissues with a variety of stitch techniques, in comparison to commercially available sutures. These results will form the basis for further research into barb/tissue interactions and optimization of barb geometry for specific surgical applications.