cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intracoronary Vasodilators for the No-Reflow Phenomenon

Objective: To review the literature relating to the use of intracoronary vasodilators to prevent and/or treat the no-reflow phenomenon in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data Sources: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1966-March 2008) and Science Citation Index (1945-March 2008) using the search terms vasodilators, no-reflow, and intracoronary. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English-language clinical trials and case series were selected from articles retrieved. References of reviewed articles were examined for additional sources. Studies relating to the use of intracoronary vasodilators in the prevention and / or treatment of no-reflow in PCI were evaluated for safety and efficacy data. Articles relating to agents not available in the US were excluded. Data Synthesis: Evidence of intracoronary adenosine's utility in no-reflow treatment is limited. Its use in no-reflow prevention was associated with outcomes ranging from no difference to nearly an 88% reduction in no-reflow development; the drug was generally well tolerated. No-reflow treatment with intracoronary verapamil improved flow in 87-100% of cases. Preventive trials with verapamil failed to demonstrate efficacy. Atrioventricular block requiring treatment was the most commonly reported adverse event with intracoronary verapamil. Literature on intracoronary diltiazem and intracoronary nicardipine is limited. Both agents produced greater than 95% efficacy in no-reflow treatment, while prevention studies found no-reflow developing in less than 4% of patients. Although adverse event reporting was limited, hemodynamic instability was noted in patients receiving diltiazem. Response rates ranged from 73% to 100% when intracoronary nitroprusside was studied as treatment for no-reflow associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Systemic hypotension was noted with nitroprusside administration. Conclusions: The available data are predominately from case series and retrospective reviews. Prevention of no-reflow with intracoronary vasodilators in elective PCI is not warranted. Nitroprusside should be considered first-line treatment in no-reflow associated with AMI.
The argument of The reputation as the seventh main factor of productivity

The reputation relation is to acculturate the big production to relate to in the most basic society,is the whole foundation of society rely for existence and development.Without reputation,there's no commutation market and the order of production.The reputation has the important meaning in perfectly and make stronger modern market economy,but the reputation is not yet got wide for cognition and value.This text turns into through right content and histories of describe the productivity main factors,analyzing to constitute six important main factors of the productivity and the reputation is the productivity main factor to a blade sword function of the society economy,putting forward the reputation to be the standpoint that the productivity is the seventh main factor currently.
Determination of lead in drinking water by flame atomic absorption spectrometry with separation and enrichment by m-PMMA microspheres

[Objective]To establish a determination method of lead in drinking water by flame atomic absorption spectrometry(FAAS).[Methods]The measurement related condition of instrument,condition for adsorption and enrichment,operational approach,linear range,minimum detection limit,precision and accuracy were investigated.[Results]While samples were enriched 10 times with m-PMMA microspheres,the minimum detection limit of this method was 7.2 μg/L,the recovery was 93.8%-106.0%,and RSD was 2.6%.[Conclusion]The method is simple,rapid and sensitive,with good precision,high accuracy and strong anti-interference ability,which can be used in determination of lead in drinking water.
A Comparison of Word Association Reactions of Adolescents and Adults

As mentioned in the Introduction a group-test method was used, and on the front page of a mimeographed test booklet the following instructions were given: On the next two pages a number of words are mentioned. Will you please read these, one by one, and write beside each word the first word that comes to your mind immediately after reading the word. Don’t think or reason about it, just put down the first word that comes to your mind, whatever it is.
Sales Resistance: A Classification Framework

In the adaptive selling tradition of Weitz (1978,1979) a rich literature stream has developed where the scope of inquiry in understanding salesperson performance is investigated at the individual sales encounter level. A key aspect of this contingency framework deals with understanding the moderating nature of situational characteristics surrounding the sales call that lead to success in each encounter.
Elevated Temperature Digital Image Correlation Using High Magnification Optical Microscopy

Full-field thermally-induced strain measurement of small areas or structures is desirable for applications such as microelectronics, but is difficult to achieve at microscopic scales. This data can be used to evaluate product reliability, validate finite element models, and perform failure analysis. Digital image correlation is an ideal technique for these applications, but its feasibility has not yet been demonstrated. Two primary challenges present themselves: thermal expansion of the specimen and hardware push the viewing surface out of the small focal range of the lens, and speckle fields of sufficiently small size are difficult to prepare. In addition, the close proximity of the microscope lens to the specimen can cause the lens to be heated to harmful temperatures. This paper presents a method for successfully performing two-dimensional digital image correlation measurements over a range of temperatures though and throughout a large range of optical magnifications. Test apparatus has been designed to effectively eliminate out-of-plane thermal expansion and heating of the lens. Specimen preparation techniques provide a sufficient high-contrast surface features for strain and displacement calculations. The apparatus design and specimen preparation methods are described, and examples are presented to demonstrate capability. This provides a means to measure full-field two-dimensional strain of microscopic features over a range of temperatures using common laboratory equipment.
Software Defined Elastic Optical Networks for Cloud Computing

This article discusses prospects and challenges of software defined elastic optical networking for grid and cloud computing environments. We exploit OpenFlow-based unified network control and management for both intra- and inter-data- center networks embedded in the cloud. The intra-data-center network is a fiber-rich environment. Therefore, we assume a flattened optical switching architecture using arrayed waveguide grating routers with fixed spectrum grid. For the inter-data-center network, spectral resources are more precious between the distributed long-haul fiber connections. Therefore, we assume elastic optical networks with flexible grid to achieve high spectral efficiency. This article discusses the elasticity of the multi-data-center cloud computing environment, which includes both fixed-grid and flexible-grid optical networks, and introduces a unified, software defined network control plane based on OpenFlow technologies.
Precision Measurement of Time-Reversal Symmetry Violation with Laser-Cooled Polyatomic Molecules

Precision searches for time-reversal symmetry violating interactions in polar molecules are extremely sensitive probes of high energy physics beyond the standard model. To extend the reach of these probes into the PeV regime, long coherence times and large count rates are necessary. Recent advances in laser cooling of polar molecules offer one important tool—optical trapping. However, the types of molecules that have been laser cooled so far do not have the highly desirable combination of features for new physics searches, such as the ability to fully polarize and the existence of internal comagnetometer states. We show that by utilizing the internal degrees of freedom present only in molecules with at least three atoms, these features can be attained simultaneously with molecules that have simple structure and are amenable to laser cooling and trapping.
Comparison of ventilatory measures and 20 km time trial performance

Performance threshold measures are used to predict cycling performance. Previous research has focused on long time trials (≥ 40 km) using power at ventilatory threshold and respiratory threshold to estimate time trial performance. As intensity greatly differs during shorter time trails applying findings from longer time trials may not be appropriate. The use of heart rate measures to determine 20 km time trial performance has yet to be examined. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of heart rate measures at ventilatory threshold (VE/VO2 Plotted and VT determined by software) and respiratory threshold (RER of 0.95, 1.00, and 1.05) to predict 20 km time trial performance. Eighteen cyclists completed a VO2max protocol and two 20 km time trials. Average heart rates from 20 km time trials were compared with heart rates from performance threshold measures (VT plotted, VT software, and an RER at 0.95, 1.00, and 1.05) using repeated measures ANOVA. Significance was set a priori at P ≤ 0.05. The only measure not found to be significantly different in relation to time trial performance was HR at an RER of 1.00 (166.61±12.70 bpm vs. 165.89 ± 9.56 bpm, p = .671). VT plotting and VT determined by software were found to underestimate time trial performance by 3% and 8% respectively. From these findings it is recommended to use heart rate at a RER of 1.00 in order to determine 20 km time trial intensity.
Constructing the Knowledge Base for Cognitive IT Service Management

The increasing complexity of IT environments dictates the usage of intelligent automation driven by cognitive technologies, aiming at providing higher quality and more complex services. Inspired by cognitive computing, an integrated framework is proposed for a problem resolution. In order to improve the efficiency of the problem resolution process, it is crucial to formalize problem records and discover relationships between elements of the records, records overall and other technical information. In the proposed framework, the domain knowledge is modeled using ontology. The key contribution of the framework is a novel domain specific approach for extracting useful phrases, that enables an automation improvement through resolution recommendation utilizing the ontology modeling technique. The effectiveness and efficiency of our framework are evaluated by an extensive empirical study of a large scale real ticket data.
Addressing Comorbidities When Treating Anxious Youth

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent among youth, with comorbid diagnoses being the norm, not the exception. Few guidelines exist regarding the best approach to treating anxious youth with comorb...
Numerical relativity in spherical coordinates with the Einstein Toolkit

Numerical relativity codes that do not make assumptions on spatial symmetries most commonly adopt Cartesian coordinates. While these coordinates have many attractive features, spherical coordinates are much better suited to take advantage of approximate symmetries in a number of astrophysical objects, including single stars, black holes and accretion disks. While the appearance of coordinate singularities often spoils numerical relativity simulations in spherical coordinates, especially in the absence of any symmetry assumptions, it has recently been demonstrated that these problems can be avoided if the coordinate singularities are handled analytically. This is possible with the help of a reference-metric version of the Baumgarte-Shapiro-Shibata-Nakamura formulation together with a proper rescaling of tensorial quantities. In this paper we report on an implementation of this formalism in the Einstein Toolkit. We adapt the Einstein Toolkit infrastructure, originally designed for Cartesian coordinates, to handle spherical coordinates, by providing appropriate boundary conditions at both inner and outer boundaries. We perform numerical simulations for a disturbed Kerr black hole, extract the gravitational wave signal, and demonstrate that the noise in these signals is orders of magnitude smaller when computed on spherical grids rather than Cartesian grids. With the public release of our new Einstein Toolkit thorns, our methods for numerical relativity in spherical coordinates will become available to the entire numerical relativity community.
Perceptual knowledge derailed

The tracking theory treats knowledge as counterfactual covariation of belief and truth through a sphere of possibilities. I argue that the tracking theory cannot respect perceptual knowledge, because perceptual belief covaries with truth through a discontinuous scatter of possibilities. Perceptual knowledge is subject to inner derailing: there is an inner hollow of perceptual incompetence through which the differences are too small to track. Perceptual knowledge is subject to outer derailing: there are outlying islands of perceptual competence that extend well past skeptical sinkholes.
Portable Wireless High Power Air-coupled GPR System for Highway Inspection

A FCC compliant 1GHz portable wireless high power air-coupled ground penetrating radar (GPR) system has been successfully designed and implemented with the sponsorship of Texas Department of Transportation, United State. The differential transmitting pulses have 1ns pulse width and ±30V amplitude. The GPR receiver uses differential sequential sampling architecture and has 60dB dynamic range. With its high transmitting power and low-noise system design, the detecting depth of this air-coupled GPR can reach 2 meters in asphalt. The GPR data acquisition and processing software is developed. Lab tests and pavement tests were made to verify the performance. A high way survey was executed on HW69 at in Paris District northeast of Dallas, TX. The first layer dielectric constant and thickness, and other layer feature were measured. Accuracy of the GPR measurement is within -3% to +4%, comparing with the sample cores measurement.
Carcass characteristics, the calpain proteinase system, and aged tenderness of Angus and Brahman crossbred steers.

We used 69 steers of varying percentage Brahman (B) breeding (0% B, n = 11; 25% B, n = 13; 37% B, n = 10; 50% B, n = 12; 75% B, n = 12; 100% B, n = 11) to study the relationship between carcass traits, the calpain proteinase system, and aged meat tenderness in intermediate B crosses. Calpains and calpastatin activities were determined on fresh longissimus muscle samples using anion-exchange chromatography. The USDA yield and quality grade data (24 h) were collected for each carcass. Longissimus steaks were removed and aged for 5 or 14 d for determination of shear force and 5 d for sensory panel evaluation. Even though some yield grade factors were affected by the percentage of B breeding, USDA yield grades did not differ (P > .15) between breed types. Marbling score and USDA quality grade decreased linearly (P < .01) with increasing percentage of B breeding. Shear force after 5 and 14 d of aging was higher (P < .05) in the 100% B steers than in all other breed types, which were not significantly different. Sensory panel tenderness and connective tissue scores decreased linearly (P < .05) with increasing B breeding. A quadratic effect was also noted for tenderness and connective tissue scores; 37% B steers received the highest scores. A similar response was found in mu-calpain activities; the 37% B steers had the highest activities. Conversely, calpastatin activity increased linearly (P < .01) with increasing percentage B breeding. These data show strong linear relationships between calpastatin activity (positive), marbling score (negative), and percentage B breeding, suggesting a possible combined effect of these traits on aged tenderness of intermediate Brahman crosses.
The Approximation of Simple Singularities

Many physical problems can be formulated as a parameter dependent nonlinear operator equation $$ f(z,\lambda ) = 0,f:D \subset Z \times R \to Y $$ (1.1) where Z and Y are Banach spaces and D is an open set in Z × R. Even if the original problem does not contain any explicit “control” parameters such as λ in (1.1), it may be advantageous to relax some physical constant, e.g., viscosity, or introduce an artificial parameter. By then analyzing (1.1) for certain critical or special values of λ, one may be able to characterize the full solution set $$ {M_\lambda } \equiv \{ z \in Z:f(z,\lambda ) = 0\} $$ for any given value of λ. Whenever the Frechet derivative fz has range all of Y, the slices Mλ form locally smooth manifolds of dimension $$ i \equiv null({f_z}) - def({f_z}) $$ and vary smoothly in λ. Here i denotes the general Fredholm index of fz, which we assume to be constant and nonnegative in the domain D. Of particular interest is the square case i= 0, in which the solutions z = z(λ) ∈ Mλ are locally unique and differentiable in λ as long as fz(z(λ),λ) possesses a bounded inverse. This observation is the basis of continuation or homotopy methods [14].
Injectable anesthetic agents and techniques in ruminants and swine.

This article reviews the use of injectable anesthetic agents in cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. Emphasis is placed on short-term general anesthesia. Methods and drugs employed for continuous intravenous infusion are discussed. Capture drugs for feral animals are briefly reviewed, as is electroimmobilization.
Preoperative antibiotics and cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection: A cohort study in veterans.

BACKGROUND Cefazolin is used as standard preoperative prophylaxis for a variety of surgical procedures that involve the skin. In contrast, vancomycin is recommended for a minority of patients, specifically those with an IgE-mediated allergy to beta-lactams and considered in patients with known colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or at high risk for such. Vancomycin, however, has been overprescribed, has nephrotoxicity risk, and may be less effective due to its inferior coverage of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and lack of Gram-negative coverage. This study was performed to assess whether vancomycin use was associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection (CIEDI) as compared to that of cefazolin or other antistaphylococcal beta-lactam antibiotics. METHODS The VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure database, which included all veterans who underwent CIED placement or revision between 2008 and 2015, was used. A logistic regression model was constructed to estimate the adjusted odds of CIEDI. RESULTS Overall, 10,454 CIED procedures were included, and 98% of them were performed in men with a mean age of 71 ± 12 years. The logistic regression analysis showed that vancomycin use alone or in combination with other antibiotics was associated with an increased risk of CIEDI (odds ratio 2.99 [1.76-5.06], P-value < 0.001), after controlling for other effects. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that among patients who received surgical site infection prophylaxis for CIED placement or revision, there was: (1) an unanticipated high rate of vancomycin use, and (2) a threefold increase in the incidence of subsequent CIEDI among vancomycin recipient.
Patients are the best judges: Evaluating quality of life in CNS tumor care

Health-related quality of life (hrQOL) is an often-neglected aspect of care in neurologic disease,1 and all the more so in the management of CNS cancers.2 Knowledge about pathologic grade, extent of tumor burden, and anatomic location may provide little comfort for patients who are coping with diagnoses that cause anxiety, pain, sleep problems, and social isolation. Physician-reported outcomes may focus on physical health with less ability to discern psychosocial dysfunction resulting from the condition. In contrast, patient reported outcomes (PROs) measure quality of life in domains that matter most to patients.
Biomechanical Properties of Posterior Meniscal Root Repairs: A Systematic Review

Purpose To systematically review the literature regarding the biomechanical properties of various meniscal root repair techniques. Methods A systematic review of multiple databases was performed. The inclusion criteria included English language, studies relevant to meniscal root repairs, studies comparing 2 or more different discrete techniques, posterior root repairs, controlled laboratory studies, and human cadaveric or animal studies. Abstracts, case reports, cohort studies, case-control studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and studies of meniscal body repairs were excluded. Results Seventeen controlled laboratory studies were included for final analysis. There is no consensus on biomechanical superiority between transtibial pullout repair (TPR) and suture anchor repair. For TPR, there is no significant difference between 1 and 2 tibial tunnels. Nonanatomic repairs result in significantly lower joint surface contact areas and higher contact pressures, but suture placement farther from the root results in higher maximum load to failure. Two-suture repair has a greater maximum load to failure than 1-suture repair. Use of more than 2 sutures has diminishing returns. The modified Mason-Allen suture configuration is superior to a simple suture configuration, but there is no consensus regarding the superiority or feasibility of more complex sutures. There is no consensus on the superiority of a single suture material or shape. Conclusions Anatomic meniscal root repairs with either TPR or suture anchor repair have better joint surface contact pressures and contact surface areas than nonanatomic repairs. The use of 2 sutures results in better fixation than 1 suture. There is evidence that the modified Mason-Allen suture configuration is superior to a simple suture configuration in a TPR, although the benefits of more complicated configurations are unclear. Clinical Relevance This study suggests that, in general, more complex sutures exhibit higher maximum loads. Increasing the number of sutures to up to 2 of the same configuration also increases the maximum load.
Marginal Regression For Multitask Learning

Variable selection is an important and practical problem that arises in analysis of many high-dimensional datasets. Convex optimization procedures that arise from relaxing the NP-hard subset selection procedure, e.g., the Lasso or Dantzig selector, have become the focus of intense theoretical investigations. Although many efficient algorithms exist that solve these problems, finding a solution when the number of variables is large, e.g., several hundreds of thousands in problems arising in genome-wide association analysis, is still computationally challenging. A practical solution for these high-dimensional problems is marginal regression, where the output is regressed on each variable separately. We investigate theoretical properties of marginal regression in a multitask framework. Our contribution include: i) sharp analysis for marginal regression in a single task setting with random design, ii) sufficient conditions for the multitask screening to select the relevant variables, iii) a lower bound on the Hamming distance convergence for multitask variable selection problems. A simulation study further demonstrates the performance of marginal regression.
Genome-wide association study of the seed transmission rate of soybean mosaic virus and associated traits using two diverse population panels

Genome-wide association analyses identified candidates for genes involved in restricting virus movement into embryonic tissues, suppressing virus-induced seed coat mottling and preserving yield in soybean plants infected with soybean mosaic virus. Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) causes significant reductions in soybean yield and seed quality. Because seedborne infections can serve as primary sources of inoculum for SMV infections, resistance to SMV seed transmission provides a means to limit the impacts of SMV. In this study, two diverse population panels, Pop1 and Pop2, composed of 409 and 199 soybean plant introductions, respectively, were evaluated for SMV seed transmission rate, seed coat mottling, and seed yield from SMV-infected plants. The phenotypic data and genotypic data from the SoySNP50K dataset were analyzed using GAPIT and rrBLUP. For SMV seed transmission rate, a single locus was identified on chromosome 9 in Pop1. For SMV-induced seed coat mottling, loci were identified on chromosome 9 in Pop1 and on chromosome 3 in Pop2. For seed yield from SMV-infected plants, a single locus was identified on chromosome 3 in Pop2 that was within the map interval of a previously described quantitative trait locus for seed number. The high linkage disequilibrium regions surrounding the markers on chromosomes 3 and 9 contained a predicted nonsense-mediated RNA decay gene, multiple pectin methylesterase inhibitor genes (involved in restricting virus movement), two chalcone synthase genes, and a homolog of the yeast Rtf1 gene (involved in RNA-mediated transcriptional gene silencing). The results of this study provided additional insight into the genetic architecture of these three important traits, suggested candidate genes for downstream functional validation, and suggested that genomic prediction would outperform marker-assisted selection for two of the four trait–marker associations.
Asymptomatic phaeochromocytoma in a patient with Holt-Oram syndrome: a case report

Background Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS) is a rare congenital disease that affects the heart and upper limbs. Phaeochromocytoma, a catecholamine-secreting tumour, is a rare neuroendocrine disorder. We present an interesting case presentation of these two rare disorders in a patient who was asymptomatic for phaeochromocytoma. Case summary A 28-year-old woman who was diagnosed at birth with HOS, presented to the hospital with heart failure. She has a past medical history of corrected cyanotic congenital heart disease. She presented with dyspnoea but she did not have headaches, tremors, or diaphoresis. Cardiac magnetic resonance scan was done to investigate the cause of her heart failure and revealed right ventricular systolic dysfunction and a suspicious adrenal lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging adrenal confirmed the presence of the adrenal lesion and concerns were raised for a possible phaeochromocytoma. Biochemical tests showed raised plasma free metanephrine levels. Gallium-68 DOTA positron emission tomography scan showed intense right adrenal gland uptake in keeping with diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma. Discussion Phaeochromocytoma appears to be more prevalent in patients who are in a chronic hypoxic state. This hypoxic state has been postulated to cause the proliferation of adrenal tissue and therefore the formation of phaeochromocytomas. The hypoxia-inducing factor, which is increased in patients with phaeochromocytoma, has been identified as one of the key factors driving this process as it modulates genes that regulate angiogenesis and proliferation. Congenital heart defects seen in HOS can progress to cyanotic heart disease if left uncorrected and may have been the driver for the development of phaeochromocytoma in our patient.
A Multisensor Data Fusion Approach for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) has been an emerging research topic in the fields of robotics, autonomous driving, and unmanned aerial vehicles over the past thirty years. State of the art SLAM research is often inaccessible for undergraduate student researchers due to expensive hardware and difficult software setup. We present a cost-friendly vehicle research platform and a robust implementation of SLAM. Our SLAM algorithm fuses visual stereo image and 2D light detection and ranging (Lidar) data and uses loop closure for accurate odometry estimation. Our algorithm is benchmarked against other popular SLAM algorithms using the publicly available KITTI dataset and shown to be very accurate. For educational purposes, we publicly share the models and code presented in this work*.
The q -Markov-WZ Method

Andrei Markov’s 1890 method for convergence-acceleration of series bears an amazing resemblance to WZ theory, as was recently pointed out by M. Kondratieva and S. Sadov. But Markov did not have Gosper and Zeilberger’s algorithms, and even if he did, he wouldn’t have had a computer to run them on. Nevertheless, his beautiful ad-hoc method, when coupled with WZ theory and Gosper’s algorithm, leads to a new class of identities and very fast convergence-acceleration formulas that can be applied toany infinite series of hypergeometric type.
Probabilistic Quantification of Power Distribution System Operational Resilience

High-impact, low-probability (HILP) events resulting from extreme weather conditions have a significant impact on the aging power distribution infrastructures. It is of growing concern to minimize the impacts of such catastrophic events on critical infrastructures by appropriately hardening the infrastructure and implementing new operational procedures. This calls for a quantitative assessment of distribution system resilience that can not only predict the impacts of the future events but also be used to evaluate different planning measures taken to minimize the impacts of extreme events. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic metric to quantify the operational resilience of the distribution grid. The metric is based on Conditional Value-at-Risk ( $CVaR$ ) measure where resilience is defined as the conditional expectation of loss of energy in MWh for events beyond a prespecified risk threshold. A simulation-based framework to evaluate the proposed metric for resilience under different weather scenarios is presented. The impacts of restorative actions, specifically using distributed generators and remote-controlled switches (RCS) and the impacts of infrastructure hardening on resilience metric is also investigated. Numerical simulations are performed on the IEEE 123-bus test system.
Introducing Graph Cumulants: What is the Kurtosis of your Social Network?

In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding and summarizing the structure of these networks becomes increasingly relevant. However, this task is nontrivial; proposed summary statistics are as diverse as the networks they describe, and a standardized hierarchy has not yet been established. In contrast, vector-valued random variables admit such a description in terms of their cumulants (e.g., mean, (co)variance, skew, kurtosis). Here, we introduce the natural analogue of cumulants for networks, building a hierarchical description based on correlations between an increasing number of connections, seamlessly incorporating additional information, such as directed edges, node attributes, and edge weights. These graph cumulants provide a principled and unifying framework for quantifying the propensity of a network to display any substructure of interest (such as cliques to measure clustering). Moreover, they give rise to a natural hierarchical family of maximum entropy models for networks (i.e., ERGMs) that do not suffer from the "degeneracy problem", a common practical pitfall of other ERGMs.
Effects of Reinforcement Parameters on Preference for an Increased Duration of Reinforcement in Pigeons

Pigeons were trained in a two-key, concurrent-chains choice procedure to investigate the effects of increased relative duration of reinforcement on preference. Throughout the study, the initial- and terminal-link schedules were equal for both choices. Across conditions, the duration of reinforcement in the terminal links was either equal or unequal. Equal durations were 3 s versus 3 s. Unequal durations were 3 s versus 6 s. Pigeons accessed the relatively longer duration of reinforcement via a food hopper elevated for one 6-s reinforcement interval or two successive 3-s reinforcement intervals separated by a 0.1-s blackout. The color of the light that illuminated the relatively longer duration was either the same as or different from the color of the light that illuminated the relatively shorter duration. A significantly greater mean preference ratio was recorded in conditions in which the hopper lights were different and when the 6-s reinforcement interval was presented as two successive 3-s hopper activations. The combination of the two procedures resulted in the greatest significant increase in preference. The differential hopper lights and multiple successive intervals of grain access facilitated the discrimination of the longer duration of reinforcement and allowed the hopper to replenish with grain, respectively. The combined arrangement of increased access to grain resulted in enhanced control of preference by the relative reinforcement duration.
The appendix is a valuable reconstructive tool for robotic surgical management of complex right ureteral stricture disease

Abstract Background Surgical reconstruction of ureteral strictures is contingent on etiology, location, length and diameter. For lengthy strictures not amenable to ureteroureterostomy or reimplantation, renal autotransplantation or ureteral replacement with ileum and buccal mucosa have been described. Use of appendix was described originally in 1912 [1] with limited small series describing laparoscopic and open approaches [ 2 , 3 ]. Objectives Demonstrate reconstruction of complex right ureteral stricture using appendiceal onlay and interposition. Methods A robotic platform was utilized to facilitate ureteral identification, characterize tissue perfusion, and identify stricture location. Patient A is a 62yo female with multiple sclerosis who sustained iatrogenic right ureter avulsion. Proximal ureter terminated at L3. Boari flap was inadvisable secondary to neurogenic bladder. Given the patient's inability to self-catheterize if she developed incomplete bladder emptying and the attendant morbidity and risk of a bowel anastomosis in a patient with neurogenic bowel, ileal interposition was not ideal. Therefore, a primary end-to end-anastomosis between proximal ureter and appendiceal flap was performed. Downward nephropexy and psoas hitch achieved a tension-free refluxing anastomosis between appendiceal flap and bladder dome. Patient B is a 48yo female status post radical hysterectomy complicated by ischemic ureteral injury. Ureteral stricture extended 5 cm at the level of the iliac bifurcation. To avoid further devascularization or inadvertent injury to iliac vasculature, the ureter was not mobilized posteriorly. Ventral ureterotomy was extended into healthy proximal and distal ureter. Ureteral plate was adequate (5 mm) with viable perfusion. The appendix was incised along its antimesenteric boarder and onlay flap was performed. Results Patients had an uncomplicated postoperative course with hospital stays of 2 and 4 days respectively. Stent was removed at 4 weeks and nephrostomy tube removed at 6 weeks. Functional imaging at last follow up demonstrated patent ureteral reconstruction. Conclusion In select patients with complex right ureteral stricture, robotic appendiceal reconstruction is a viable solution. Utilization of appendix may obviate need for complex bladder re-configuration or ileal interposition.
Antisense Antibacterial Compounds

Extensive antibiotic use combined with poor historical drug stewardship practices have created a medical crisis in which once treatable bacterial infections are now increasingly unmanageable. To combat this, new antibiotics will need to be developed and safeguarded. An emerging class of antibiotics based upon nuclease-stable antisense technologies has proven valuable in preclinical testing against a variety of bacterial pathogens. This review describes the current state of development of antisense-based antibiotics, the mechanisms thus far employed by these compounds, and possible future avenues of research.
Megabenthic assemblages in the lower bathyal (700-3000 m) on the New England and Corner Rise Seamounts, Northwest Atlantic

Abstract Using a combination of data obtained from high-definition still images, video, and specimens collected during human-occupied submersible and remotely-operated vehicle dives spanning the period 2003 to 2014, we provide the first detailed characterization of the megabenthic assemblages in the lower bathyal on the New England and Corner Rise Seamounts in the Northwest Atlantic. Over all, the New England Seamounts east from Retriever to Nashville have a more diverse megabenthic fauna than Corner Rise, but the lowest diversity was observed on the three seamounts located closest to the continental margin. The megabenthic assemblage structure varies both within and across seamounts, and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed groups dependent on location (as measured by longitude) and depth, with substrate composition an additional but less significant factor at the regional scale. We conclude that the megabenthos assemblages in the bathyal Northwest Atlantic are determined, at the regional scale, by the water masses in which they reside.
Competition and collaboration: Title IX Coordinators and the barriers to achieving educational equity:

How do compliance occupations successfully navigate complex institutional environments characterized by changing policy initiatives, managerial logics, unclear expectations, and competition from ot...
Role of Taxtation in the era of globalization.

Taxtation system is very important for this global world.we can not face economic problems with out good Taxtation system.
Erythrocyte-derived optical nano-vesicles as theranostic agents

We have engineered nano-vesicles, derived from erythrocytes, which can be doped with various near infrared (NIR) organic chromophores, including the FDA-approved indocyanine green (ICG). We refer to these vesicles as NIR erythrocyte-mimicking transducers (NETS) since in response to NIR photo-excitation they can generate heat or emit fluorescent light. Using biochemical methods based on reduction amination, we have functionalized the surface of NET with antibodies to target specific biomolecules. We present results that demonstrate the effectiveness of NETs in targeted imaging of cancer cells that over-express the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2).
The first-person perspective and other essays: Self-knowledge and “inner sense.” Lecture II: The broad perceptual model

Let me begin by presenting two opposed conceptions of the relationship between the realm of the mental and our knowledge of this realm, neither of which is the conception I shall be supporting. One I will call, with no pretension to scholarly accuracy, the Cartesian conception. According to this, the mind is transparent to itself. It is of the essence of mental entities, of whatever kind, to be conscious, where a mental entity's being conscious involves its revealing its existence and nature to its possessor in an immediate way. This conception involves a strong form of the doctrine that mental entities are “self-intimating,” and usually goes with a strong form of the view that judgments about one's own mental states are incorrigible or infallible, expressing a super-certain kind of knowledge which is suited for being the epistemological foundation for the rest of what we know. The other is the view that the existence of mental entities and mental facts is, logically speaking, as independent of our knowing about them introspectively, and of there being whatever means or mechanisms enable us to know about them introspectively, as the existence of physical entities and physical facts is of our knowing about them perceptually, or of there being the means or mechanisms that enable us to have perceptual knowledge of them. This is the view that implies that our introspective self-knowledge should be construed in terms of what in my first lecture I called the broad perceptual model.
Race and Medical Experimentation

While race/ethnicity clearly constitutes more of a social construct than a biological one, in sociological terms the reification of race has promoted its utilization in a variety of social arenas, including medicine. While often considered a scientific enterprise, it is important to remember that where science is a human enterprise, it is susceptible to social biases in the same way as other social institutions. In turn, medicine, at times, has been undergirded by questionable, and sometimes plainly false, knowledge. This entry examines the role of race in medical experimentation. Medical science long held that race was a significant biological reality. This, combined with the subjugated legal and moral status of certain race/ethnic groups, led to historical injustices in medical experimentation. Keywords: African American; anti-Semitism; bioethics; ethnocentrism
Adjuvant versus salvage radiation therapy for prostate cancer and the risk of death.

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To investigate whether salvage radiation therapy (RT) for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure can provide the same result as adjuvant RT, which decreases the risk of all-cause mortality (ACM) for men with positive margins (R1), or extra-capsular or seminal vesicle extension (pT3). METHODS We studied 1638 men at Duke University who underwent radical prostatectomy for unfavourable-risk prostate cancer and whose postoperative PSA was undetectable. Cox regression was used to evaluate whether salvage vs adjuvant RT in men with a rapid (<10 months) or slow (≥10 months) PSA doubling time (DT) was associated with the risk of ACM, adjusting for adverse features (pT3, R1, Gleason score 8–10), age, preoperative PSA level, comorbidity and hormonal therapy use. RESULTS Despite fewer men with two or more adverse features (61 vs 82%; P = 0.016), salvage for a rapid PSA DT vs adjuvant RT increased the risk of ACM [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 3.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.27–9.20; P = 0.015]. There was no difference (AHR = 1.39; 95% CI = 0.50–3.90; P = 0.53) in the risk of ACM among men who received salvage for a slow PSA DT or adjuvant RT. Nearly all (90%) men with a slow PSA DT had Gleason score ≤7 and the majority (59%) had at most pT3 or R1 disease. CONCLUSION Radiation therapy after PSA failure as compared with adjuvant RT was not associated with an increased risk of ACM in men with Gleason score ≤7 and pT3R0 or pT2R1 disease.
The gyrofrequency of a charged particle in a constant electromagnetic field

The gyration of a charged particle in constant, orthogonal electric and magnetic fields is derived in an entirely new way. We point out that what is traditionally taken to be the gyrofrequency is only the harmonic-argument of the velocity, which does not directly correspond to the actual gyrofrequency. The problem is to generalize the pure magnetic-field case in which Ω=−qB/αm to include the complex interaction between the gyration and the linear acceleration due to the electric field. We do this in an intrinsically Lorentz covariant manner by working directly in the Clifford algebra. The relativistic velocity obtained by this method agrees exactly with standard derivations and independently supports our expression for the gyration.
Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius

Foreword by Renilde Montessori 1. An Answer to the Crisis in Education 2. The Impact of Movement on Learning and Cognition 3. Choice and Perceived Control 4. Interest in Human Learning 5. Extrinsic Rewards and Motivation 6. Learning from Peers 7. Meaningful Contexts for Learning 8. Adult Interaction Styles and Child Outcomes 9. Order in Environment and Mind 10. Education for Children
Finite-element method in modeling geologic transport processes

Deterministic mathematical modeling of complex geologic transport processes may require the use of odd boundary shapes, time dependency, and two or three dimensions. Under these circumstances the governing transport equations must be solved by numerical methods. For a number of transport phenomena a general form of the convective-dispersion equation can be employed. The solution of this equation for complicated problems can be solved readily by the finite-element method. Using quadrilateral isoparametric elements or triangular elements and a computational algorithm based on Galerkin's procedure, solutions to unsteady heat flux from a dike and seawater intrusion in an aquifer have been obtained. These examples illustrate that the finite-element numerical procedure is well suited for solving boundary-value problems resulting from modeling of complex physical phenomena.
Comments on the Tests for 13-Year-Olds

1. There should be increased study of the means by which a greater proportion of graduation-age youth can attain a higher proficiency in mathematics. 2. There should be increased effort to find reasons for negative or declining attitudes and to find teaching procedures which seem to combat such attitudes. Such reasons and procedures should be publicized and included in teacher training and retraining programs. 3. There should be increased opportunities and financial support for in-service training for all school mathematics teachers in every type of community.
The fundamental group at infinity

Abstract Let G be a finitely presented infinite group which is semistable at infinity, let X be a finite complex whose fundamental group is G, and let ω be a base ray in the universal covering space X . The fundamental group at ∞ of G is the topological group π 1 e ( X , ω) ≡ lim {π 1 ( X − L)∣L ⊂ X is compact } . We prove the following analogue of Hopf's theorem on ends: π 1 e ( X ,ω) is trivial, or is infinite cyclic, or is freely generated by a non-discrete pointed compact metric space; or else the natural representation of G in the outer automorphisms of π 1 e ( X ,ω) has torsion kernel. A related manifold result is: Let G be torsion free (not necessarily finitely presented) and act as covering transformations on a connected manifold M so that the quotient of M by any infinite cyclic subgroup is non-compact; if M is semistable at ∞ then the natural representation of G in the mapping class group of M is faithful. The latter theorem has applications in 3-manifold topology.
The Eisenhower Administration and the Civil Rights Act of 1957

While the Civil Rights Rights Act of 1957 failed to provide adequate protection for black voters, its passage reflected the intensity with which President Eisenhower could function–contrary to popular and uninformed opinion–as a master politician. Despite his political skills, however, Eisenhower met his match in Majority leader Lyndon Johnson. The Texan's capable and forceful leadership was essential in securing passage of the Civil Rights Act. At the same time, Johnson was responsible for the elimination of the bill's most effective provisions. The watered-down version that was finally passed reflected Johnson's desires more than Eisenhower's wishes. Therefore, while the Eisenhower administration oversaw the passage of the first civil rights bill since Reconstruction, it was not until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that blacks could depend on effective federal enforcement of their right to vote.
Clinical ethics consultation: a need for evidence.

Many aspects of health care rest on an insufficient bedrock of evidence. Much of clinical practice involves choices between treatment options, but an absence of evidence to make a decision. This of...