cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coloron-assisted leptoquarks at the LHC

Abstract Recent searches for a first-generation leptoquark by the CMS collaboration have shown around 2.5σ deviations from Standard Model predictions in both the e e j j and e ν j j channels. Furthermore, the e e j j invariant mass distribution has another 2.8σ excess from the CMS right-handed W plus heavy neutrino search. We point out that additional leptoquark production from a heavy coloron decay can provide a good explanation for all three excesses. The coloron has a mass around 2.1 TeV and the leptoquark mass can vary from 550 GeV to 650 GeV. A key prediction of this model is an edge in the total m T distribution of e ν j j events at around 2.1 TeV.
IgG anti-50 kd lymphocyte membrane peptide antibody in patients with Sézary syndrome

Abstract Background: Recent evidence suggests that as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma progresses, cell-mediated immunity is reduced and humoral responses are augmented. Objective: The present study was designed to compare the IgG response in Sezary syndrome with that in mycosis fungoides. Methods: The IgG antilymphocyte response was studied in six patients with Sezary syndrome and in 11 patients with mycosis fungoides by means of immunoblot analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Results: An IgG antilymphocyte response to a 50 kd peptide was seen in five of the six patients with Sezary syndrome; however, none of the 11 patients with mycosis fungoides expressed this response. Conclusions: An enhanced IgG immune response to 50 kd lymphocyte peptide may be helpful in identifying disease progression in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Understanding strategic bidding in multi‐unit auctions: a case study of the Texas electricity spot market

We examine the bidding behavior of firms in the Texas electricity spot market, where bidders submit hourly supply schedules to sell power. We characterize an equilibrium model of bidding and use detailed firm-level data on bids and marginal costs to compare actual bidding behavior to theoretical benchmarks. Firms with large stakes in the market performed close to the theoretical benchmark of static profit maximization. However, smaller firms utilized excessively steep bid schedules significantly deviating from this benchmark. Further analysis suggests that payoff scale has an important effect on firms' willingness and ability to participate in complex, strategic market environments.
Application of antenna array processing to problems in image understanding

A unifying framework for solving several problems in image understanding is proposed based on the exploitation of subspace fitting techniques originally developed for antenna array processing applications. The SLIDE (subspace-based line detection) algorithm is a framework for introducing the concept of subspace fitting into problems in image understanding and computer vision. The basic formulation of SLIDE provides a solution to the problem of multiple line fitting in binary or grayscale images. However, as is shown, its modified versions can be applied to several other image analysis problems.
EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE ON OVARIAN MORPHOLOGY AND ON EMBRYONAL MORTALITY IN PREGNANT RATS, PIGS, AND SHEEP

Pregnant rats sheep and pigs were injected with progesterone on the assumption that exogenous progesterone may prevent embryonal mortality normally found in polytocous species. Embryonal survival was not affected by progesterone in rats but was significantly reduced in pigs and probably in sheep. Progesterone injected into rats throughout the period of gestation had no effect on the weight of the ovaries or on the macroscopic or microscopic morphology of the corpora lutea. In contrast progesterone injected at rates higher than 1.6 mg/day/kg of body weight into pigs either completely prevented the formation of corpora lutea or had distinctly luteolytic effects if injected into pigs with fully formed corpora lutea. In sheep in which injection of progesterone (Delalutin) was delayed until 25 days after conception all levels of progesterone were found to cause decreased ovarian weights and a decreased weight of luteal tissue. The remnants of luteal tissue found in pigs or sheep following progesterone treatment were histologically similar to normal corpora lutea. The mechanisms of action of progesterone are unknown as are the reasons for the differences in the effects produced in rats and in sheep and pigs.(AUTHORS MODIFIED)
Muscle Impairments and Behavioral Factors Mediate Functional Limitations and Disability Following Stroke

Background and Purpose. Stroke remains the leading cause of disability in the United States. The purposes of this study were to examine whether quantitative measures of muscle strength and power in the involved lower extremity predict functional limitations and to evaluate the contributions of behavioral factors to mediating disability and quality of life in people who have survived a stroke. Subjects and Methods. A cross-sectional study design was used, and measurements of muscle impairment, lower-body function, disability, quality of life, and behavioral factors were obtained for 31 community-dwelling volunteers who had experienced a single ischemic stroke in the past 6 to 24 months. Results. Stepwise regression models including impairment and behavioral measures were strong predictors of function, disability, and quality of life. Involved-extremity muscle strength and power and self-efficacy were independently associated with function, whereas depression and self-efficacy were strong predictors of disability and quality of life. Discussion and Conclusion. The findings warrant future studies to determine whether interventions that address muscle strength and power, depressive symptoms, and low self-efficacy effectively improve function, reduce disability, and enhance quality of life in people who have survived a stroke.
Efficient single-anchor localization in sensor networks

The intrinsically location-aware applications of sensor networks and the need for location-based optimized routing make efficient and accurate location determination of sensor nodes essential. It is practically and economically infeasible to equip all sensor nodes with GPS receivers. A few GPS equipped anchors are therefore used to determine the location of sensor nodes in the field. Localization techniques which use lateration require at least k+1 anchors to compute the location of all the sensor nodes under their coverage area in a k dimensional plane. In a two-dimensional plane, for example, sensor nodes which are not in the range of at least three anchor nodes cannot estimate their location. In sensor networks it is often difficult to set up three anchors to cover all sensor nodes. We propose a simple technique which requires only a single anchor node to determine the location of sensor nodes in a two-dimensional plane.
Type-based verification of sssembly language for compiler debugging

It is a common belief that certifying compilation, which typically verifies the well-typedness of compiler output, can be an effective mechanism for compiler debugging, in addition to ensuring basic safety properties. Bytecode verification is a fairly simple example of this approach and derives its simplicity in part by compiling to carefully crafted high-level bytecodes. In this paper, we seek to push this method to native assembly code, while maintaining much of the simplicity of bytecode verification. Furthermore, we wish to provide experimental confirmation that such a tool can be accessible and effective for compiler debugging. To achieve these goals, we present a type-based data-flow analysis or abstract interpretation for assembly code compiled from a Java-like language, and evaluate its bug-finding efficacy on a large set of student compilers.
Treatment of inpatient hyperglycemia beginning in the emergency department: A randomized trial using insulins aspart and detemir compared with usual care

OBJECTIVE: We examined the impact of an aspart insulin protocol for treatment of hyperglycemia in the emergency department (ED) coupled with rapid initiation of a detemir-aspart insulin protocol for patients admitted to the hospital. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: ED patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a blood glucose (BG) ≥ 200 mg/dL were randomized to intervention (INT) or usual care (UC). INT patients (n = 87) received aspart every 2 hours when BG > 200 mg/dL, and if admitted, began daily detemir in the ED. UC patients (n = 89) were treated per hospital physicians. RESULTS: The initial ED BG was 304 ± 76 mg/dL. The final ED BG differed: 217 ± 71 mg/dL for INT patients versus 257 ± 89 mg/dL for UC patients (P < .01). No INT patients and 3 UC patients had a BG < 50 mg/dL (P = .5). ED length of stay (LOS) was similar: 5.4 ± 1.8 hours for INT patients versus 4.9 ± 1.9 hours for UC patients (P = .06). Sixty-nine percent from each group were admitted. Admission BG was 184 ± 74 mg/dL for INT patients versus 224 ± 93 mg/dL for UC patients (P < .01). Patient-day weighted mean glucose was 163 ± 39 mg/dL for INT patients versus 202 ± 39 mg/dL for UC patients (P < .01). One INT patient and 6 UC patients had a BG < 50 mg/dL (P = .11). Hospital LOS was similar: 2.7 ± 2.0 versus 3.1 ± 1.9 days, respectively (P = .58). CONCLUSIONS: An aspart insulin protocol safely lowers BG levels in the ED without prolonging LOS. During hospitalization, a detemir-aspart protocol achieves significantly better glycemic control compared with guideline-driven use of NPH-aspart or glargine/detemir-aspart (usual care) without increasing hypoglycemia. Standardization of insulin protocols in the ED and hospital settings leads to improvement in overall glycemic control with greater safety and efficacy than usual care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
The Reliability and Validity of the School Success Profile Learning Organization Measure

Abstract The learning organization concept has increasing significance for public schools, in the context of higher standards for student performance. Unfortunately, the concept suffers from definitional ambiguity, and few quantitative tools are available to support its assessment or to inform program planning and evaluation efforts. In the context of a larger evaluation, the present article examines the reliability and validity of a new measure of organizational learning: the School Success Profile-Learning Organization (SSP-LO). The reliability and validity of the instrument appear promising. Implications of the results for further research and intervention practice in schools are discussed.
Prednisone per os is likely to have limited efficacy in horses

Based on its efficacy for the treatment of human asthma, the corticosteroid prednisone is commonly used in horses for treatment of recurrent airway obstruction. However, recent studies have failed to show any benefit of prednisone tablets for the treatment of this condition. The purpose of this study was to determine why oral prednisone has poor efficacy for the treatment of heaves in horses. In a crossover study, 5 horses were given the following treatments: prednisone tablets, prednisone liquid, prednisolone tablets, prednisolone liquid and i.v. prednisolone sodium succinate (positive control). Blood samples were taken before drug administration and at selected time points during a 24 h period. Serum concentrations of prednisone and prednisolone were determined in order to evaluate gastrointestinal absorption and hepatic metabolism. Serum concentrations of the endogenous glucocorticoid hydrocortisone were also determined as an indicator of the biological activity of the drugs. Both prednisolone tablets and liquid were absorbed rapidly, with prednisolone detectable in serum within 15 min of administration and with peak concentrations occurring within 45 min. Small amounts of prednisone were detected in the serum samples after administration of both prednisone tablets and liquid. Prednisolone was not detected in serum samples after administration of prednisone liquid and was detected in serum samples from only one horse after administration of prednisone tablets. Endogenous hydrocortisone production was suppressed when horses received prednisolone. The results of these studies indicate that prednisone has poor efficacy for the treatment of heaves because it is poorly absorbed and the active metabolite prednisolone is rarely produced. In contrast, prednisolone tablets have excellent bioavailability and should be useful as a therapeutic agent in horses.
The Failure of Noise-Based Non-continuous Audio Captchas

CAPTCHAs, which are automated tests intended to distinguish humans from programs, are used on many web sites to prevent bot-based account creation and spam. To avoid imposing undue user friction, CAPTCHAs must be easy for humans and difficult for machines. However, the scientific basis for successful CAPTCHA design is still emerging. This paper examines the widely used class of audio CAPTCHAs based on distorting non-continuous speech with certain classes of noise and demonstrates that virtually all current schemes, including ones from Microsoft, Yahoo, and eBay, are easily broken. More generally, we describe a set of fundamental techniques, packaged together in our Decaptcha system, that effectively defeat a wide class of audio CAPTCHAs based on non-continuous speech. Decaptcha's performance on actual observed and synthetic CAPTCHAs indicates that such speech CAPTCHAs are inherently weak and, because of the importance of audio for various classes of users, alternative audio CAPTCHAs must be developed.
Improved survival among sickle cell kidney transplant recipients in the recent era

BACKGROUND: Studies from older cohorts of kidney recipients have observed that recipients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have lower patient survival compared with age- and race-matched controls. We examined whether survival has improved among SCD recipients in the current era. METHODS: Using Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing data, all black/African-American kidney recipients were stratified according to transplant year into an early (1988-99) and recent era (2000-11). Patient and allograft survival among SCD recipients and those with other diagnoses were compared (early era: SCD n = 67, others n = 20 694; recent era: SCD n = 106, others n = 34 428). A secondary-matched cohort analysis compared patient and allograft survival between SCD recipients matched to recipients with other diagnoses based on recipient and donor age, gender and donor type (deceased versus living). RESULTS: Patient survival at 6 years was lower among SCD recipients in the early era compared with other diagnoses (55.7 versus 78.0%; P < 0.001). Six-year patient survival among sickle cell recipients improved in the recent era (69.8%; P versus early era = 0.04), although still trended toward lower survival compared with other diagnoses (80.0%; P = 0.07). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models revealed an increased mortality risk with SCD in both eras [early: hazard ratio (HR) = 3.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.15-4.54; recent: HR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.31-3.16]. Patient survival among matched SCD recipients in the recent era was comparable to diabetic recipients (SCD: 73.1%, diabetes: 74.1%; P = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Patient survival has improved among contemporary sickle cell recipients compared with an earlier cohort and is comparable to a matched cohort of diabetic kidney recipients. Appropriately selected SCD patients may receive kidney transplants with reasonable survival outcome.
Treatment of Early-Age Mania: Outcomes for Partial and Nonresponders to Initial Treatment.

Objective The Treatment of Early Age Mania (TEAM) study evaluated lithium, risperidone, and divalproex sodium (divalproex) in children with bipolar I disorder who were naive to antimanic medication, or were partial or nonresponders to 1 of 3 study medications. This report evaluates the benefit of either an add-on or a switch of antimanic medications for an 8-week trial period in partial responders and nonresponders, respectively. Method TEAM is a randomized, controlled trial of individuals (N = 379) aged 6 to 15 years (mean ± SD = 10.2 ± 2.7 years) with DSM-IV bipolar I disorder (mixed or manic phase). Participants (n = 154) in this report were either nonresponders or partial responders to 1 of the 3 study medications. Nonresponders (n = 89) were randomly assigned to 1 of the other 2 antimanic medications and cross-tapered. Partial responders (n = 65) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 other antimanic medications as an add-on to their initial medication. Adverse event (AE) rates are reported only for the add-on group. Results Response rate for children switched to risperidone (47.6%) was higher than for those switched to either lithium (12.8%; p = .005; number needed to treat [NNT] = 3; 95% CI = 1.71–9.09) or divalproex (17.2%; p = .03; NNT = 3; 95% CI = 1.79–20.10); response rate for partial responders who added risperidone (53.3%) was higher than for those who added divalproex (0%; p = .0002; NNT = 2; 95% CI = 1.27–3.56) and trended higher for lithium (26.7%; p = .07; NNT = 4). Reported AEs in the add-on group were largely consistent with the known AE profile for the second medication. Weight gain (kg) was observed for all add-on medications: lithium add-on (n = 29 of 30) = 1.66 ± 1.97; risperidone add-on (n = 15 of 15) = 2.8 ± 1.34; divalproex add-on (n = 19 of 20) = 1.42 ± 1.96. There was no evidence at the 5% significance level that the average weight gain was different by study medication for partial responders ( p = .07, 1-way analysis of variance). Conclusion Risperidone appears to be more useful than lithium or divalproex for children with bipolar I disorder and other comorbid conditions who are nonresponders or partial responders to an initial antimanic medication trial. Clinical trial registration information —Study of Outcome and Safety of Lithium, Divalproex and Risperidone for Mania in Children and Adolescents (TEAM); http://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT00057681.
The Influence of Bacterial Products on Cyclic Nucleotide Metabolism of Lymphocytes

A wide variety of bacteria and bacterial products have been shown to influence the immune system. This arsenal of bacterial immunomodulating agents is of diverse origin and includes mycobacteria and their products, Corynebacterium parvum, Bordetella pertussis, gram negative lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the enterotoxins from Vibrio cholera and streptococcal products. Specific effects elicited by many of these substances will be discussed in detail elsewhere in this volume. The present discussion will be confined to two of these materials, LPS and Vibrio cholera enterotoxin and will be directed toward possible mechanisms by which these substances are able to mediate both positive and negative effects on the immune system.
Measurement of electron trapping in the Cornell Electron Storage Ring

The buildup of low-energy electrons has been shown to affect the performance of a wide variety of particle accelerators. Of particular concern is the persistence of the cloud between beam bunch passages, which can impose limitations on the stability of operation at high beam current. We have obtained measurements of long-lived electron clouds trapped in the field of a quadrupole magnet in a positron storage ring, with lifetimes much longer than the revolution period. Based on modeling, we estimate that about 7% of the electrons in the cloud generated by a 20-bunch train of 5.3 GeV positrons with 16-ns spacing and $1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1{0}^{11}$ population survive longer than $2.3\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ in a quadrupole field of gradient $7.4\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{T}/\mathrm{m}$. We have observed a nonmonotonic dependence of the trapping effect on the bunch spacing. The effect of a witness bunch on the measured signal provides direct evidence for the existence of trapped electrons. The witness bunch is also observed to clear the cloud, demonstrating its effectiveness as a mitigation technique.
Ideology and the Balanced Scorecard: An Empirical Exploration of the Tension Between Shareholder Value Maximization and Corporate Social Responsibility

In a society where the ideology of shareholder value maximization (SVM) prevails, how do evaluators make appraisal and bonus decisions when corporate social responsibility (CSR) measures and financial measures in the balanced scorecard (BSC) point in different directions? To explore this question, we conducted two studies to develop and test a conceptual framework. Participants were asked to evaluate the performance of two managers, using a case we wrote about a commercial bank. We found that (1) evaluators are more willing to drop CSR performance measures than financial measures from the evaluations; (2) perceived CSR relevance is influenced by where evaluators stand in regard to CSR (“stakeholder view” in the “Perceptions of the Role of Ethics and Social Responsibility” or PRESOR scale) and also by where evaluators believe shareholders stand (shareholder support); and (3) there is a financial bias in appraisal and bonus decisions when CSR measures are used in the BSC, consistent with SVM ideology. We conclude by discussing the implications of the influence of SVM ideology on the use of CSR measures in terms of business research, practice, and education.
Predictions of mean properties of turbulent premixed bunsen flames in a co-flow of air

A computational study of premixed turbulent combustion in a Bunsen type jet flame with a coflow of air is described. The Bray-Moss-Libby (BML) approach to the reaction progress variable is augmented by the computation of mixture fraction and mixture fraction fluctuations. The joint pdf of reaction progress variable and mixture fraction is modeled in terms of two statistically independent probability density functions. The augmented BML model is incorporated in a space marching code. The predictions of mean streamwise velocity, mean temperature and mean scalar quantities are compared with existing experimental data. The present approach predicts the mean axial velocities, mean temperature, and mean major species concentrations within 15 percent of the experimental data. (Author)
The food addiction.

The article discusses brain research that is revealing why fats and sugars may be driving an increasing number of people toward obesity as of September 2013. Topics include the author's research investigating whether rats would risk death to satisfy their desire for chocolate, the role of hormone imbalances in overeating, the physiological aspects of food, and the debate over whether hedonic eating is an addiction.
Activity of aminoglycosides and carbenicillin-like penicillins alone and in combination against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

In bacteraemic and other severe infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa combined therapy with an aminoglycoside + carbenicillin (or a related penicillin) is the chemotherapy of choice. We tested the sensitivity of 25 isolates of P. aeruginosa to carbenicillin, ticarcillin and azlocillin, and to gentamicin. tobramycin, amikacin ‘and sisomicin. Tests were done by plate titration using Mueller-Hinton agar containing added calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, in a final concentration of Ca+ + 56 mg/1 and Mg++ 22.8 mg/1 before the addition of agar. The replica-plating device used delivered an inoculum of about 104 colony forming units in a drop volume of 3 μl The order of activity was tobramycin > sisomicin > amikacin > gentamicin; and azlocillin > ticarcillin > carbenicillin. The median minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of tobramycin was 2 μg per ml (range 0.2 to 5 μg per ml); the median MIC of azlocillin was 5 μg per ml (range 0.2 to 25 μg per ml). Tests were also done with 12 different combinations of a carbenicillin-like drug plus an aminoglycoside, using an isolate of Ps. aeruginosa from a child with bacteraemia. The most active combinations included either sisomicin or tobramycin; for example, the MIC of azlocillin alone was 5 μg per ml; in the presence of tobramycin 2 μg per ml it was reduced to
Lithium, sodium, and copper in Hg 0.78 Cd 0.22 Te and CdTe-based substrates

We present a theoretical examination of the behavior of lithium, sodium, and copper in Hg0.78Cd0.22Te and in CdTe. In both HgCdTe and CdTe, all three impurities are determined to incorporate predominantly on the cation sublattice for most pressures and temperatures, where all the impurities have acceptor levels. All three impurities have secondary incorporation as interstitials, where they all behave as donors. Under conditions present in low-temperature, mercury-saturated anneals, lithium and sodium are mobilized because of the relatively high interstitial fraction, lower solubility, and an exothermic impurity kick-out reaction when the material is subjected to an injection of mercury interstitials. Strain effects on the impurity incorporation are small and do not provide a strong driving force for these impurities to segregate. By examining the relative behavior of the impurities in CdTe and HgCdTe, we have derived prescriptions for maximizing gettering the impurities from CdTe-based sub-strates using a sacrificial HgCdTe epilayer, and for minimizing gettering from the substrates during epilayer growth.
Death of a salesman in Beijing : The collected essays of Arthur Miller

The centennial of Arthur Miller’s birth in New York City on 15 October 2015 is being celebrated around the globe with academic conferences, acclaimed revivals of his plays and new criticism. Blooms...
Modified Electrodes and Electrochemical Systems Switchable by Temperature Changes

This article is an overview of extensive research efforts in the area of temperature-controlled electrochemical systems. Electrochemical reactions, including electrocatalytic and bioelectrocatalytic processes, have been reversibly activated and inhibited by temperature changes. This was achieved by modification of electrode surfaces with thermo-sensitive polymers (e.g., poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM) which are reversibly switched by temperature changes between two different structures: swollen expanded coil conformation and shrunken collapsed globule state. While the swollen hydrophilic state allows penetration of redox species to the electrode conducting support and activates electrochemical reactions, the collapsed hydrophobic state isolates the electrode surface and inhibits electrochemical processes. Electrodes modified with the thermo-switchable polymers have been additionally functionalized with photo-switchable molecules (e.g., spiropyran derivatives) to achieve double-controlled electrochemical reactions switchable by temperature changes and light signals. Incorporation of metallic nanoparticles or graphene species in the temperature-sensitive polymer films resulted in sophisticated features and multi-signal controlled behavior of the nano-composite systems.
Dietary sulfur amino acid modulation of cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase.

Male rats were fed sulfur and nonsulfur amino acid-supplemented diets, and the response of cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSAD) activity was determined. After adaptation to a casein-based ba...
Molds and Mycotoxins in Foods from Burundi

Molds were isolated from various foods from Burundi and identified. The ability of these molds to produce aflatoxins, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), and fumonisins, and the presence of these toxins in the foods were determined. Fusarium moniliforme was the predominant mold isolated from corn. It was also one of the dominant molds isolated from sorghum and sorghum meal. Very few molds were isolated from polished rice, millet, and millet meal. F. semitectum and F. equiseti were the most common molds isolated from haricot and mung beans. F. semitectum was also the predominant mold in peanuts. Peas ( Pisum sativum ) were predominantly contaminated with Aspergillus ochraceus and A. wentii . The predominant molds isolated from dried nonsalted Ndagala fish ( Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanganicae ) were A. flavus , A. niger and A. sydowi . Dried crushed cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) tubers and cassava flour were predominantly contaminated with Penicillium citrinum , P. corylophilum , and P. chrysogenum . Very few molds were isolated from the infant food Musalac™. Thirty-seven of 95 isolates of A. flavus and all 5 isolates of A. parasiticus produced aflatoxins. Sixty-seven of the 95 isolates of A. flavus produced CPA, and all aflatoxin-producing A. flavus produced CPA. Ten of 20 isolates of A. oryzae and A. tamarii produced CPA. Fifty-one of 56 isolates of F. moniliforme and all 4 isolates of F. proliferatum produced fumonisins. High levels of fumonisin B1 (12.2 to 75.2 μg/g) were detected in all 6 samples of corn and 1 sample of sorghum meal. Neither aflatoxins nor CPA were found in any of the foods.
The USSR in Afghanistan: the Afghan Civil War, 1979–1989

The Afghan society may now be regarded a murderous society … We have become soulless and dry, no longer beings of care and love, but brutal and fierce animals. It is not right to name a society murderous, but the Afghan society may be called so … The state is a state of killing, not only in the battlefield but also in the lanes and streets of cities where there is no state of war. No one feels secure, and because of this many families have fled abroad. Hassan Kakar (1995) In Afghanistan I served at Ghazni … Life in the unit was fairly calm, unless we were involved in operations, when everything was different … We didn't see any friendly Afghans anywhere – only enemies. Even the Afghan army was unfriendly … Everyone around us was an enemy. I remember an intense feeling of anger toward the rebels because so many of our guys were getting killed. I wanted revenge. Then I began to doubt the goals and methods of international aid. I had a difficult time deciding what I really believed. I just knew what I had to say during the political instruction meeting: that we were fighting “American aggression” and “Pakis.” Why had we mined all the approaches to the regiment? I asked myself. Why were we aiming our machine guns at every Afghan? Why were we killing the people we came here to help? Whenever a peasant was blown up by a mine, no one took him to the medical unit. […]
Silicon oxynitride gate dielectrics for scaled CMOS

In this paper, we present an overview of silicon oxynitride gate dielectrics. We discuss the motivation for using this alternative gate dielectric and describe various techniques by which oxynitrides can be fabricated. The interactions between processing conditions and electrical performance are reviewed, and the tradeoffs between optimization of electrical performance and device reliability are presented. We also discuss some of the reasons for the unique behavior of these dielectrics. >
BEAM: branch-based efficient and adaptive multicast for wireless sensor networks

Multicast has been largely used for one-to-many distribution in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, existing multicast protocols have various overhead issues such as large forwarding states, control messages, packet header sizes, computation time, and energy consumption. In this paper, we propose a resilient and efficient branch-based multicast protocol, branch-based efficient and adaptive multicast for wireless sensor networks (BEAM) that reduces forwarding states and control messages by building efficient multicast paths on-demand using branch-based membership establishment, and that efficiently decreases packet header and computation overhead using branch-based data forwarding. Furthermore, for long-lived WSNs, BEAM resiliently keeps maintaining efficient multicast path with low overhead on continuous membership establishments based on quality of branches. Extensive evaluation results show that BEAM has less overhead complexity, packet overhead by 40%, and energy consumption by 30% than existing stateless multicast protocols.
Conceptualizing the silent risk of inadvertent information leakages

A risk framework for inadvertent information leakages (IIL) is introduced.Generic network structures are categorized and analyzed.The IIL-Risk Framework is applied to a case study in the healthcare sector. Display Omitted Cybersecurity researchers and professionals alike strive to develop and implement effective countermeasures to address the problem of data breaches. However, even if all breaches due to misbehavior were preventable, this would not imply that all challenges in the context of data breaches and privacy were addressed. In fact, even intentional sharing of data to enable collaboration bears risks. We argue that the risk of potential information leakages in complex networks by and large is still underestimated to date. This paper introduces the notion of inadvertent information leakages, develops a framework to categorize generic network structures, and analyzes the different categories with regards to their potential for inadvertent information leakages. Furthermore, this paper reviews a case study in the healthcare sector and analyzes the respective network structure based on the risk framework introduced in this paper.
THE EFFECTS OF INSTRUMENT ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION ON LOWER EXTREMITY MUSCLE PERFORMANCE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a non-invasive therapeutic technique used to theoretically aid in scar tissue breakdown and absorption, fascial mobilization, and improved tissue healing. Researchers have hypothesized that utilizing IASTM will improve muscular efficiency and performance; yet previous Investigations has been focused on treating injury. Objective The purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of IASTM on muscle performance to assess if typical treatment application affected measures of muscular performance. Design A pretest-posttest randomized control design. Participants A convenience sample of 48 physically active adults (mean age 24 ± 4 years), randomly assigned to one of three groups: quadriceps treatment group, triceps surae treatment group, or control group. Interventions Participants performed a five-minute warm-up on a Monark bicycle ergometer before performing three countermovement vertical jumps (CMJ). Immediately after, the IASTM treatment was applied by one researcher for three minutes on each leg at the specified site (e.g., quadriceps) for those assigned to the treatment groups, while the control group rested for six minutes. Immediately following treatment, participants performed three additional CMJs. Pre- and post-testing included measures of vertical jump height (JH), peak power (PP) and peak velocity (PV). Results There were no statistically significant differences found between treatment groups in JH, PP, or PV or across pre- and post-test trials. Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that standard treatment times of IASTM do not produce an immediate effect in muscular performance in healthy participants. This may help clinicians determine the optimal sequencing of IASTM when it is part of a pre-performance warm-up program. Future research should be conducted to determine the muscle performance effects of IASTM in individuals with known myofascial restriction and to determine optimal treatment parameters, such as instrument type, amount of pressure, and treatment time necessary to affect muscular performance. Level of evidence 1b.
A Critique of Kirkpatrick's Evaluation Model

Donald Kirkpatrick published a series of articles originating from his doctoral dissertation in the late 1950s describing a four-level training evaluation model. From its beginning, it was easily understood and became one of the most influential evaluation models impacting the field of HRD. While well received and popular, the Kirkpatrick model has been challenged and criticized by scholars, researchers, and practitioners, many of whom developed their models using Kirkpatrick's theoretical framework. This article reviews several evaluation models, and also presents empirical studies utilizing the four levels, collectively demonstrating the usefulness of, but the difficulty in, implementing all four levels.
Cognitive, Motor, and Behavioral Development of Orphans of HIV/AIDS in Institutional Contexts

This chapter describes the cognitive, motor, and behavioral development of sixty 2- to 35-month-old infants living in institutional settings in Malawi. This assessment is critical given the growing number of orphaned infants in sub-Saharan Africa due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic (Malawi National Statistical Office and UNICEF, Malawi Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2006: Preliminary report. Zomba: Malawi National Statistical Office, 2007). As a result, infant orphanages are becoming increasingly common in this region (Beard, J Community Health Nurs 22:105–115, 2005), yet little is known about the quality of care provided in these institutions nor about the developmental outcomes of the children living in them. We found that children’s cognitive and motor development appeared to be less optimal, while their behavioral development was more optimal, than representative US samples. These findings are discussed in relation to available comparative African and institutional data and related to a general analysis of the caregiving and environmental context. Recommendations for future systematic assessments of the quality of the physical and social environment, as well as of children’s health (including HIV status) and nutrition, are outlined. This research is critically needed to inform orphan-care providers and policy makers in sub-Saharan Africa as to the current developmental functioning of institutionalized children.
Sampling Utterances and Grammatical Analysis Revised (SUGAR): New Normative Values for Language Sample Analysis Measures.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to document whether mean length of utterance (MLUS), total number of words (TNW), clauses per sentence (CPS), and/or words per sentence (WPS) demonstrated age-...
Revisiting Bula Matari and the Congo Crisis: Successes and Anxieties in Belgium's Late Colonial State

ABSTRACTIt is the era of decolonisation in central Africa: angry mobs in the streets; authorities struggling to contain agitation by communists and other subversives; reports of Africans strangled ...
Putting Ricardian Trade Theory to Work in 2017: Current Empirical Analyses

This chapter discusses extensions of the simple 2 × 2 Ricardo model. In particular, it considers extensions to several goods and countries, the possibility of international technology diffusion, and the possibility of imperfect labor mobility between sectors. The chapter shows how these extensions make the Ricardian framework a useful tool for understanding data, and, thus, help to put Ricardian Trade Theory (back) to work.
Invasive Anal Cancer

Anal cancer can be invasive and spread through the mucosal wall and into the lymphatic system. MRI can assess for local spread and lymph node involvement. However, the combination of whole-body PET/MR imaging provides a more accurate determination of local and distant spread by evaluating metabolic activity.
Geomagnetic secular variation from 14C-dated lava flows on Hawaii and the question of the Pacific non-dipole low

New palaeomagnetic data from 106 14C-dated lava flows ranging in age from 200 to 31000 years b.p. yield an estimated angular dispersion value of 9.5°. These data and other new geological information permit a more precise estimate of the time interval recorded by lava flow sequences previously used to measure palaeosecular variation in Hawaii. When weighted according to revised estimates of recording interval, the combined Brunhes lava sequences yield an angular dispersion of 11.21));j) degrees, still lower than that predicted by global models of the secular variation. Several of the lava flow sequences previously thought to have recorded quiet intervals of geomagnetic behaviour actually record only very short time intervals.
Ab initio magnesium-solute transport database using exact diffusion theory

Abstract A recently developed Green function approach informed by ab initio calculations models vacancy-mediated transport of 61 solutes in a hexagonal close packed magnesium. The 8- and 13-frequency diffusion models approximate vacancy jump rates near a solute, leading to the inaccurate calculation of Onsager coefficients. We identify all the symmetry-unique vacancy jumps in the Mg lattice and use the Green function approach to calculate the Onsager coefficients exactly in the limit of dilute solute concentration. Density functional theory-computed solute-vacancy interactions and vacancy jump rates inform the Green function approach and previous diffusion models. Solutes with positive size misfit diffuse faster compared to the self-diffusion of Mg due to the relaxation of solute towards vacancy while solutes with negative size misfit diffuse slower. Transition metal solutes show drag for attractive solute-vacancy binding as well as for repulsive binding, due to faster reorientation rates of the vacancy around the solute compared to dissociation rates. Solutes from the s-block, p-block and lanthanide series with attractive solute-vacancy binding and slower reorientation rates compared to the dissociation rates show drag due to vacancy motion around the solute through alternate dissociation and association jumps. The prediction of activation energy of diffusion from the 8-frequency model deviates by more than 50 meV for solutes with significant correlations effect. Our GF approach prediction of solute diffusion coefficients agree well with the available experimental measurements.
Gendered Political Economies and the Feminization of Hunger: M.F.K. Fisher and the Cold War Culture Wars

Van Houten represents the centrality of the gendered, capitalized kitchen to national food politics and global austerity practices before and after World War II. Focusing on M.F.K. Fisher’s critique of the ways that state-sponsored rhetoric about global austerity and domestic consumption militarizes food and hunger as weapons, she argues that How to Cook a Wolf challenges how entanglements of the home, market, and state hold in tension a domestic economy of abundance and the uneven development of global food programs or hunger relief. Putting in tension austerity culture and feminist discourse, Van Houten argues that Fisher helps to develop new theorizations about domesticity, gender, and globalization that emerge between characterizations of the wartime housewife and the second-wave feminist.
Trends in the clinical presentation, treatment, and survival for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Background We assessed trends in the clinical presentation, treatment, and survival for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods A retrospective cohort study using data from the SEER program (2004–2014). All patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma over 2 eras were included (A: 2004–2009 vs. B: 2010–2014). Outcomes of interest were the likelihood of metastatic disease at diagnosis, utilization of resection, and overall survival. Results A total of 62,201 patients were included in this study [Era B - 31,998 (51.4%)]. Patients diagnosed in Era B were significantly less likely to have metastatic pancreatic cancer at diagnosis, and demonstrated improved long-term survival after risk-adjustment. Similarly, patients with non-metastatic pancreatic cancer that were diagnosed in Era B were independently more likely to undergo resection. The observed association between era of diagnosis and survival was independent of resection status and the presence of metastatic disease. Conclusions There have been significant improvements in pancreatic cancer care over the last decade, as evidenced by earlier diagnosis, increased utilization of surgery, and improvement in overall survival for both resected and un-resected patients.
Restoring a degraded marsh using thin layer sediment placement: Short term effects on soil physical and biogeochemical properties

Abstract Recent interest has focused on wetland restoration techniques that introduce a thin layer of sediment onto degrading marsh surfaces. A restoration project in Avalon, New Jersey, received 5–19 cm of dredged sediment onto vegetated marsh areas and 32–82 cm of sediment into degraded open water panne features interspersed within the degraded marsh plain. There were significant differences in soil physical properties between the placed dredged sediments and the buried native marsh and panne soils. For example, six months after project implementation, application of dredged sediment increased surface panne bulk density from 0.22 ± 0.02 g cm−3 to 0.83 ± 0.09 g cm−3, surpassing the threshold required for Spartina alterniflora Loisel. establishment. Soil nutrient and microbial properties also differed between placed sediments and buried marsh/panne soils. Notably, buried marsh soils remained microbially active demonstrating the capacity for buried soils to provide labile nutrient sources, such as ammonium, during vegetation recruitment. Results suggest that thin layer sediment placement techniques may jump-start marsh recovery by maintaining native vegetation seed sources, rhizomes, and microbes in near-surface soils compared to other restoration approaches. Examining short term changes in soil microbial activity may provide early indicators of restoration outcome, although, additional research is required to more accurately predict changes in soil properties over time.
Reported Speech: Pragmatic Aspects

While speakers usually commit themselves to the propositional, functional, and evaluative contents of their own utterances, they may also refer to the speech of others and report what they said, wrote, meant, or thought. Reporting, a metalinguistic act, is a powerful communicative strategy. In different degrees of authenticity and correspondence with the reported speech, the reporter exhibits the propositional and functional content, the way in which it was presented, the speaker's and/or reporter's emotional state and attitudinal stance, etc. Accordingly, reported speech serves a multitude of pragmatic functions; principal among them is evaluation, related to the source, the reporting expression, and the reported proposition(s).
Herpes Simplex Virus Pneumonia in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) pneumonia is rare and is usually seen in immunocompromised patients. Patients with hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) are at risk. Most of the cases of HSV pneumonia are caused by HSV-1; however, cases caused by HSV-2 have also been reported. Mucocutaneous disease often precedes the development of pneumonia, with nonspecific symptoms that include fever, cough, and dyspnea. Worsening oxygenation and failure to wean off mechanical ventilation despite broad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage is also a common presentation. Diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion and is based on isolation of the virus from respiratory secretions and demonstration of cytopathic effects on histopathology. Acyclovir is the most widely used drug for treatment and prophylaxis. With increasing evidence of resistance to acyclovir and its analogs, newer agents such as foscarnet and cidofovir are being recommended as treatment options. Prophylaxis in patients with seropositive HSV undergoing chemotherapy or in the immediate post-HSCT period has been shown to reduce HSV disease rates and mortality rates. This chapter will focus on incidence and transmission, pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of HSV pneumonia in patients with hematologic malignancies and HSCT, as well as outcome and prognosis.