cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal buffered routing path constructions for single and multiple clock domain systems

Shrinking process geometries and the increasing use of IP components in SoC designs give rise to new problems in routing and buffer insertion. A particular concern is that cross-chip routing will require multiple clock cycles. Another is the integration of independently clocked components. This paper explores simultaneous routing and buffer insertion in the context of single and multiple clock domains. We present optimal and efficient polynomial algorithms that can be used to estimate communication overhead for interconnect and resource planning in single and multi-clock domain systems. Experimental results verify the correctness and practicality of our approach.
Women's history digital primary source collections

Purpose – ‐‐ The aim of this article is to locate and describe collections of digitized primary sources of value to scholars and librarians in the fields of women's history and gender studies. This bibliography focuses on digitized primary source collections related to the global history of women.Design/methodology/approach ‐‐ This article provides an overview of subscription databases and open access websites dedicated to women's history primary source collections available electronically. Priority was given to sites with materials or transcriptions available in English, those that represented a diversity of aspects within women's history and those that are curated by scholars in the field or supported by academic institutions. Two major criteria for inclusion in the list were that a large portion of the collection must focus on women's history and that the site could be navigated in English.Findings ‐‐ The majority of these collections are focused mainly on the history of American and British women and secondarily on the history of women from other cultures and global regions. While some primary sources have been digitized and made available online relating to Asian, African, South American and Latin American women's history, they appear as part of more general regional primary source collections.Originality/value ‐‐ Though there are a number of excellent librarian or scholar web guides available online, a thorough examination and comparison is lacking from professional literature.
Localized Ground Transportation in the 21St Century and Its Impact On the Hospitality Industry

America has come to rely on the automobile for most of its transportation needs, even in urban areas. Both federal and local mandates, however, may force this reliance to end. This article examines current developments in localized ground transportation and predicts their impact on the hospitality industry. America's most densely populated state, New Jersey, is used as the focus.
Lower Bounds on Maximum Signal-to-Noise Ratios for Digital Communication Over the Gaussian Channel

This paper considers the performance of a class of digital communication systems wherein a uniformly distributed stationary process from an analog source is sampled and quantized and transmitted by means of a generalized form of pulse-code modulation (PCM). It is shown that output signal-to-noise ratios may be obtained which increase exponentially as a function of the channel signal-to-noise ratio in the bandwidth of the source. Lower bounds on the maximum exponent for an optimized system are obtained for conventional PCM, for coded PCM with no coding delay and for coded PCM with arbitrarily large delay. Improved performance is obtained at the cost of considerable expansion of the modulated bandwidth over the source bandwidth. Expressions for the bandwidth expansion for these systems are also obtained. Mention is made of the similarity of these exact results for digital systems to recent approximate results for analog modulation systems.
Delineating generalized species boundaries from species distribution data and a species distribution model

Species distribution models (SDM) are commonly used to provide information about species ranges or extents, and often are intended to represent the entire area of potential occupancy or suitable habitat in which individuals occur. While SDMs can provide results over various geographic extents, they normally operate within a grid and cannot delimit distinct, smooth boundaries. Additionally, there are instances where a zone of primary occupancy (i.e., a mostly continuous region where species exists, excluding outliers) is better suited for particular analyses, such as when examining source/sink population dynamics or modeling movement into new habitats. We present a semi-automated method to delineate a generalized species boundary (GSB) from SDM output, which provides a practical alternative to digitizing. This preliminary boundary is then manually updated based on inventory data and historical ranges. We used the method to generate contemporary boundaries for 132 tree species of the eastern United States, which are complementary to the ranges generated by Elbert Little for North America during the 1970s, but are not replacements. The methods we present can broadly be applied to other grid-based SDM to generate GSBs.
Projecting changes in regional temperature and precipitation extremes in the United States

Abstract Regional and local climate extremes, and their impacts, result from the multifaceted interplay between large-scale climate forcing, local environmental factors (physiography), and societal vulnerability. In this paper, we review historical and projected changes in temperature and precipitation extremes in the United States, with a focus on strengths and weaknesses of (1) commonly used definitions for extremes such as thresholds and percentiles, (2) statistical approaches to quantifying changes in extremes, such as extreme value theory, and (3) methods for post-processing (downscaling) global climate models (GCMs) to investigate regional and local climate. We additionally derive regional and local estimates of changes in temperature extremes by applying a quantile mapping approach to high-resolution gridded daily temperature data for 6 U.S. sub-regions. Consistent with the background warming in the parent GCMs, we project decreases in regional and local cold extremes and increases in regional and local warm extremes throughout the domain, but the downscaling approach removes bias and produces substantial spatial variability within the relatively small sub-regions. We finish with recommendations for future research on regional climate extremes, suggesting that focus be placed on improving understanding of extremes in the context of large-scale circulation and evaluating the corresponding cascade of scale interactions within GCMs.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF STEROIDS BY TESTICULAR TUMORS COMPLICATING CONGENITAL ADRENOCORTICAL HYPERPLASIA

In vitro studies of bilateral testicular tumors occurring in a boy with congenital adrcnocortical hyperplasia showed that these tumors synthesized large amounts of 17α-hydroxyprogesteronc. The accumulation of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone in amounts greater than normal for either testicular or adrenal tissue is attributed to the low degree of activity of both 21-hydroxylasc and side-chain splitting enzyme in the testicular tumors. The excretion of 17-ketosteroids was elevated in this patient. It is suggested that the excess urinary 17-ketosteroids were formed at some site other than the testicular tumors, from precursors which were part of the tumor secretion. This hypothesis is supported by the low side-chain splitting activity found in the tumors, the increased levels of 17α-hydroxyprogestcrone in spermatic vein blood after administration of ACTH, and the fall in both 17-ketosteroid and prcgnanetriol excretion after bilateral hidectomy.
The Impact of Trauma Activations on the Care of Emergency Department Patients With Potential Acute Coronary Syndromes

Study objective Trauma systems improve the care of trauma patients; however, it is possible that prioritizing the emergency care of trauma patients might adversely affect other potentially ill patients requiring the same resources. We seek to determine whether the presence of a concurrent trauma activation negatively affects processes of care and outcomes for patients with potential acute coronary syndromes. Methods Patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a potential acute coronary syndrome from July 2003 to June 2004 were stratified according to whether they presented concurrently with a trauma activation. Structured data collection included demographics, medical history, and daily tracking of inhospital course. Thirty-day follow-up was performed. The main outcome was a composite of inhospital cardiovascular complications and 30-day death and myocardial infarction. Secondary outcomes were time from triage to ECG acquisition, transfer to an evaluation room, return of laboratory results, disposition decision, and actual disposition. Results Patients who presented concurrently with (n=357) or not concurrently with (n=1,235) a trauma activation were similar with respect to demographic characteristics, cardiac risk factors, and TIMI risk score. The unadjusted incidence of 30-day adverse cardiovascular events between potential acute coronary syndrome patients who presented with and without a concurrent trauma activation was 6.2% versus 3.6% (unadjusted odds ratio 1.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to 2.93]). After adjustment for measures of patient acuity (triage classification, TIMI risk score) and ED volume (total patient care hours and ED activity), concurrent trauma activation was independently associated with increased rate of 30-day cardiovascular complications (odds ratio 1.72; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.92). Conclusion The presence of a concurrent trauma activation at the time of presentation of a patient with potential acute coronary syndrome was associated with an increased incidence of 30-day adverse cardiovascular events. Although trauma activations improve the care of trauma patients, they may be associated with a negative impact on the care of other patients requiring contemporaneous resources.
Sexual or Friendly? Associations About Women, Men, and Self

Using explicit, self-report measures, past research has found that heterosexual men, relative to heterosexual women, often attribute more sexuality to women's behaviors. In the present studies, the Implicit Association Test was used to determine if these findings held at the automatic processing level. The results of Study 1 were consistent with past research: Men, compared to women, had more sexual and less friendly automatic associations with the concept of women. Gender differences, however, were not observed in associations with the concept of self or men. Study 2 investigated how exposure to a dating context affected these associations. Associations about the self became more sexualized after reading about a first date, regardless of the participants' gender. However, for opposite-sex others, men's associations became less sexualized whereas women's associations became more sexualized. Collectively, these studies shed light on chronic and temporarily activated automatic processes relevant to sexual p...
Classroom Assessment and Redesign of an Undergraduate Steel Design Course: A Case Study

The objective of this paper is to share experience gained in classroom assessment and subsequent redesign of an undergraduate, practice-oriented steel design course. A term project involving the design of a low-rise structural steel building was used to provide a summative evaluation of student learning. The essence of the project was for students to demonstrate their ability to apply the course material in a realistic activity, similar to structural engineering practice. Critical reflection on student performance, student feedback on course evaluation forms, the author’s observations as course instructor, and the educational literature motivated redesign of the course. Adaptation of an assignment-centered or project-based approach to course planning guided course redesign. Comparison of student performance and course evaluation data suggests that the redesigned course better meets the goal of developing the students’ abilities to apply the subject knowledge and skills to realistic problems or scenarios.
LHM: a logic-based hypertext data model for integrating hypertext and information systems

The work employs logic modeling as a common language to integrate two independent information domains-document management and hypertext. The paper extends the authors' previous work by introducing the concept of composite objects to the logic model (J. Wan et al., 1994). Allowing high level descriptions of both the hypertext and application domains greatly extends the expressive power of these models, as well as the logical bridge laws that map application elements to hypertext elements. >
Geographic Information Science: Visualization, visual methods, and the geoweb

This review considers two recent trajectories of research on the geospatial web: efforts to develop appropriate methodologies for working with the new forms of geographic information that are part of it, and studies of its cultural, social, and political significance. In both arenas, visualization and visual methods are central. I show how methodologies drawn from quantitative and qualitative approaches to geovisualization in GIScience offer productive ways of working with geoweb-based information in research, and examine recent efforts to use critical visual methods to study the geoweb as visual practice.
Deception: Analysis of the Lying Cues Observed by Men, Women, the Self, and Others

Lying cues observed by men and women were investigated by a combination of a 2x2 mixed subjects design and a correlational design. Fifty-nine male and 68 female fluent English-speaking college students older than 18 years of age were tasked with completing a 64-item questionnaire and observing two video clips. The participants completed the questionnaire for a self-assessment of the perception of their own lying cues, observed the video clips, and then completed the questionnaire for an assessment of the lying cues observed in the videos. Independent sample t-test results indicated that, for self-assessment of lying cues, there was a statistically significant difference in the speech behavior and facial behavior lying cues of men and women. Pearson correlation indicated that there was a correlation between the lying cues and gender. Results are discussed in terms of self-other theory and gender differences in nonverbal behavior.
Efficient generation of blue light by doubly resonant sum-frequency mixing in a monolithic KTP resonator.

Efficient generation of blue light is demonstrated by using resonantly enhanced sum-frequency mixing in a monolithic KTP resonator. Two infrared sources, a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser and a GaAlAs laser diode, were simultaneously coupled into the monolithic cavity and tuned to resonant frequencies, so that high-intensity intracavity fields were built up at both wavelengths. A blue power of 4 mW in a TEM00 mode was generated with 55% of the 30 mW of 809-nm power and 45% of the 33 mW of 1064-nm power coupled into the standing-wave nonlinear resonator. By using a novel monolithic ring resonator, 2 mW of power was generated in a TEM00 mode at 462 nm. Electric-field-induced tuning of the resonant frequencies was also demonstrated.
Extrafascial Subscapular Wax Prosthesis in Dogs: A Study of Regeneration of Bone and the Fate of Denuded Ribs Following the Mobilization and Depression of Periosteum by Extrafascial Wax Prothesis. *

A study has been presented in which the periosteum of the third, fourth and fifth ribs in either side was stripped in an especial manner and a wax pack was placed between the ribs above and the periosteum and intercostal structures beneath. It was done in an attempt to determine the ability of the periosteum, placed under these circumstances, to regenerate new bone. In 56 per cent of the cases studied formation of new bone was found. No casual factor that could explain the lack of regeneration was found. Ribs whose periosteum had been denuded showed neither gross nor miscroscopic changes from the normal. Several factors that could possibly influence the regeneration of bone are 1) pressure, 2) infection, 3) duration of the collapse and 4) chemical reaction of the wax. The results of these experiments support the clinical impression that little hazard attends leaving of ribs intact following complete denudation of their periosteum.
Enhanced transduction of colonic cell lines in vitro and the inflamed colon in mice by viral vectors, derived from adeno-associated virus serotype 2, using virus-microbead conjugates bearing lectin

Virus-mediated delivery of therapeutic transgenes to the inflamed colon holds a great potential to serve as an effective therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel disease, since local, long-term expression of the encoded therapeutic proteins in the colorectal system is potentially achievable. Viral vectors, derived from adeno-associated virus (AAV), should be very useful for such therapeutic strategies, particularly because they can establish long-term expression of transgenes. However, few studies have been carried out to investigate the ability of AAV-based vectors to transduce the inflamed colon. AAV, derived from adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2), showed a limited ability to transduce colonic cell lines in vitro when used in free form. No appreciable enhancement of the transduction efficiency was seen when AAV2 particles were attached stably to the surfaces of microbeads and delivered to target cells in the form of AAV2-microbead conjugates. However, the transduction efficiency of these colonic cell lines was enhanced substantially when a lectin, concanavalin A (Con A), was co-attached to the microbead surfaces, to which AAV2 particles had been conjugated. This considerable infectivity enhancement of AAV2-microbead conjugates by the co-attachment of Con A may be derived from the fact that Con A binds to α-D-mannosyl moieties that are commonly and abundantly present in cell-surface carbohydrate chains, allowing the conjugates to associate stably with target cells. Intracolonical administration of free AAV2 or AAV2-microbead conjugates without Con A into a mouse colitis model by enema showed very poor transduction of the colonic tissue. In contrast, the delivery of AAV2 in the form of AAV2-microbead conjugates bearing Con A resulted in efficient transduction of the inflamed colon. AAV2-microbead conjugates bearing Con A can serve as efficient gene transfer agents both for poorly permissive colonic cell lines in vitro and for the inflamed colon in a mouse colitis model. This efficient transduction system for the inflamed colon should be useful for the development of gene therapy strategies for inflammatory bowel disease.
Why Two-Photon but Not Two Photons?

In his famous book, The Principles of Quantum Mechanics, Dirac stated that “... photon ... interferes only with itself. Interference between two different photons never occurs.” However, two-photon interference has been demonstrated experimentally. Was Dirac wrong? We report an new experiment in this paper. It demonstrated that two-photon interference can not be considered the interference of two photons. “Two-photon” is not two photons. Two-photon is a single entity, which is just like a photon. We may call it biphoton. Dirac was correct. Biphoton interferes only with itself.
STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF THE HYBRID ZONE BETWEEN BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (POECILE ATRICAPILLUS) AND CAROLINA CHICKADEE (P. CAROLINENSIS) IN SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Abstract Analysis of the structure and stability of a hybrid zone can serve as a starting point for examining mechanisms that influence spatial and evolutionary relationships between species. Recent studies of the hybrid zone between Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and Carolina Chickadee (P. carolinensis) have suggested that genetic introgression is limited to a narrow zone, while also reinforcing the conclusion that the line of contact between these parapatrically distributed species is now shifting northward. We investigated the structure, position, and recent movement of the chickadee hybrid zone in southeastern Pennsylvania. Using selectively neutral microsatellite DNA markers, along with mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, we documented large differences in genetic composition among three populations ≤65 km apart where we sampled large numbers of breeding residents during 1998–2003. Genetic results indicate that the three sites support a population of Carolina Chickadees (Great Marsh), a popu...
In Response to Professor Oren Gross' The New Way of War: Is There a Duty to Use Drones?

This essay responds to Professor Oren Gross' thought-provoking and forward-thinking article, "The New Way of War: Is There a Duty to Use Drones?" In particular, the essay highlights the consequences of "instrumentalizing" the law by focusing on specific duties for specific weapons. In addition, the notion of a duty to use drones could work provides an excellent opportunity to reconsider the role that LOAC plays as a methodology, beyond a set of rules and obligations, for the execution of military operations.
A Statistical Study of Tire Pressures on Road Going Vehicles

Published information on studies of something so critical to safety as passenger vehicle tire pressures can be found [1, 2]; however, they only account for rolling tires. Studies related to spare tire pressures are lacking. This paper is the result of measurements on 150+ vehicles and the most surprising results are presented regarding the influence of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) and the new spare tire locations and use. A statistical study was performed on the collected data to determine the correlation between tire pressures, vehicle age and TPMS. One particular topic of investigation was the relationship between various factors that influence spare tire pressure. Some newer models, particularly some mini-vans, have placed the spare tire in an unusual and inconvenient place for regular maintenance. Based on the data collected, TPMS has a positive influence on rolling tires but not on spare tires. The results support the need for TPMS to also monitor spare tire pressures. Language: en
A Multi-institutional Analysis of Duodenal Neuroendocrine Tumors: Tumor Biology Rather than Extent of Resection Dictates Prognosis

Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms with poorly defined management. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing resection of duodenal NETs. Using a multi-institutional database, 146 patients who underwent resection for duodenal NETs between 1993 and 2015 were identified. Data on clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Local surgical resection (LR) was performed in 57 (39.0 %) patients, while 50 (34.3 %) patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and 39 (26.7 %) patients an endoscopic resection (ER). Factors associated with worse RFS included advanced tumor grade and metastasis at diagnosis (both P 0.05). Among patients who had at least one lymph node examined (n = 85), 50 (58.8 %) had a metastatic lymph node; lymph node metastasis (P = 0.04) and advanced tumor grade (P = 0.04) were more common among patients with tumors >1.5 cm. Median length-of-stay was longer for PD versus LR (P < 0.001). PD patients were at increased risk for severe postoperative complications (P = 0.01). Recurrence of duodenal NETs was dependent on tumor biology rather than procedure type. PD was associated with a longer hospital stay and higher risk of perioperative complications. For patients with tumors ≤1.5 cm, LR or ER may be appropriate with PD reserved for larger lesions and those not amenable to a more local approach.
“A Patriot King, or None”: Lord Bolingbroke and the American Renunciation of George III

"N EVER were a People more wrapped up in a King, than the Americans were in George the Third in the Year 1763," observed William Henry Drayton in October 1776. Certainly the state of colonial opinion regarding America's last monarch had changed remarkably by the time Drayton addressed this charge to the grand jury of Charleston, South Carolina. Yet, in his view, that revolution in American attitudes was a very recent development: "It was even so late as the latter end of the last Year [1775], before that Confidence" which had sustained the colonists' special faith in their sovereign "visibly declined." Moreover, in his opinion, many believed that King George III, "from Motives of Policy, if not from Inclination, would heal our Wounds, and thereby prevent the Separation" of the colonies from Great Britain until their hopes finally succumbed to the continuing accumulation of oppressive measures emanating from London. 1 Historians have not much troubled themselves with this sort of perspective on the timing and the circumstance of the American colonists' repudiation of George III and the institution of the British monarchy. The belated outburst of attacks upon the king that flowed from colonial presses in 1776 has more often than not been treated either as a pragmatic, propagandistic attempt to justify independence, or as the emergence of indigenous anti-monarchical sentiments gradually nurtured to maturity over the previous decade by the course of events and by skillful publicists. Except for the anxiety naturally associated with the decision to secede from the British empire, historians have often portrayed the colonists as proceeding smoothly, serenely and almost automatically from their denial of parliamentary authority to their ultimate denial of royal
Lubricating jelly helps improve image clarity of inclusions entombed in amber and copal

While photographing fossils entombed in amber and copal, I began using lubricating jelly on the specimens as a temporary “mounting” medium to cover the area of photographic interest. Copal is partially polymerized resin (Santiago-Blay & Lambert 2007). Th e product I purchased (using personal funds, approximately USD 4.50 in a local supermarket chain, price for these products ranges approximately from USD 3–14) is described as an “alcohol-free” ... “clear” ... “greaseless, water-soluble, non-irritating lubricant for general needs”. Th ese products are commonly used in medical procedures and for sexual activities. Once the jelly is carefully placed on the specimen, minimizing the presence of air bubbles, a clean cover slip is placed gently on top of the jelly blob. Th e refractive index of amber or copal matches that of the jelly thus reducing scratches and lensing eff ects of rounded pieces. Th e improvement on image clarity is often obvious (Figs. 1–2). Removal of the jelly from the specimen is easily accomplished with lukewarm water and a towel. Lubricating jelly, a non-sterile product, has “chlorhexinidine, gluconate and methylparaben as preservatives, in a vehicle containing glucono delta lactone, glycerin, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium hydroxide, and purifi ed water” and did not appear to damage the specimens. Th e jelly’s greater viscosity than that of glycerin, a compound commonly used to improve imaging, increases the possibilities of good imaging, particularly when specimens are located in areas diffi cult to photograph. Amongst several high viscosity translucent materials I used during the summer 2007 to improve image clarity, lubricating jelly performed the best. Acknowlegments. I thank Scott Whittaker (Electron Microscope Laboratory, Natural Museum of Natural History Washington, District of Columbia 20560 USA) for numerous discussions on improving the photographic quality of biological inclusions in amber and copal. Anonymous reviewers off ered suggestions to this manuscript. I am grateful to several colleagues who tested this method successfully for research and did not consider this subject matter “too personal”.
Fertilization of undenuded rat ova.

SummaryRats were bred late in estrus and the presence of ova in the oviducts determined by immediate removal and examination of one of the ducts. By later removal and examination of ova from the other oviduct, it was possible to demonstrate that rat sperm could fertilize non-denuded ova within the oviduct. The incidence of fertilization was markedly lowered by copulation late in estrus.
Kinetic model for the collisionless sheath of a collisional plasma

Collisional plasmas typically have mean-free-path still much greater than the Debye length, so the sheath is mostly collisionless. Once the plasma density, temperature, and flow are specified at the sheath entrance, the profile variation of electron and ion density, temperature, flow speed, and conductive heat fluxes inside the sheath is set by collisionless dynamics, and can be predicted by an analytical kinetic model distribution. These predictions are contrasted here with direct kinetic simulations, showing good agreement.
DD85: Der IQL ist wichtig, nicht der IQ! (März 2009)

Alle reden vom IQ, AQ, EQ – was weis ich. Damit lasst sich in etwa feststellen, was jemand kann oder besser: konnte. Was aber wirklich zahlt, ist der IQL, der Internal Quality Level. Der zeigt an, wie gut man fur sich selbst etwas machen muss, damit man zufrieden ist. Und noch wichtiger ist es, wie jemand mit seinem IQL mental uber die Zeit umgeht. Aber das Licht der Aufmerksamkeit liegt immer auf dem IQ, was ich ziemlich unterbelichtet finde.
Query Language and Query Intent in Cross-Lingual Web Search

This paper examines query intent (or domain) classication as a proxy for user information need and its use in improving the performance of cross-lingual information retrieval (CLIR). Through several human relevance studies, information needs that cross language and culture barriers are identied. Therefore, we propose to use query intent classiers as a lter to pick queries that may benet from CLIR. The analysis presented in this paper are based on experiments conducted on three populations with a high percentage of bilingual internet users: the Arabs, the French Canadians, and Spanish speakers in the US. While these users dier signicantly in their usage of search engines, the eect of CLIR on the quality of the search experience for individual intents was largely similar. This leads us to expect a wider applicability of our ndings on a global scale.
An Inhibitor of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Abrogates Procoagulant and Proinflammatory Effects of Antiphospholipid Antibodies In Vivo.

Background: Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) has been shown to play a fundamental role in antiphospholipid-induced up regulation of tissue factor (TF) expression and function in monocytes and in endothelial cells (ECs) and increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule -1 (ICAM-1) in vitro . Those effects correlate with the thrombogenic and pro-inflammatory effects of aPL i n vivo. However, It is not clear whether aPL-induceTF in vivo . Methods: To examine this question, we treated CD1 male mice, in groups of 4, with IgG from 3 patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (IgG-APS) or with control IgG from healthy controls (IgG-NHS), twice. Seventy-two hours after the first injection, the adhesion of leukocytes per capillary venule (#WBC) to EC in cremaster muscle (as an indication of EC activation in vivo ), as well the size of an induced thrombus in the femoral vein of the mice were examined. Some mice were infused i.p. with 25 mg/kg of SB203580 (a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor) 30 minutes prior to the each IgG-APS injection. TF activity was determined using a chromogenic assay that measures the conversion of factor X into Factor Xa, in homogenates of carotid artery, and in peritoneal cells of mice treated with IgG-APS or with IgG-NHS. Expression of TF and ICAM-1 was determined by cyto-ELISA on cultured HUVECs after treatment of the cells with IgG-APS or with IgG-NHS. Results: At the time of the surgical procedures, the mean aCL titer in the sera of the mice injected with IgG-APS was 73 ± 34 GPL . In vivo , IgG-APS increased significantly the #WBC adhering to EC, when compared to control mice (5.25 ± 0.96 vs 1.85 ± 0.72) and these effects were significantly reduced (2.1 ± 0.74), when mice were pre-treated with SB203580. IgG-APS increased significantly the thrombus size when compared to IgG-NHS-treated mice (3189 ± 558 μm 2 vs 1468 ± 401 μm 2 ) and SB203580 inhibited this effect by 65%. Treatment of the mice with IgG-APS also induced significantly increased TF function in peritoneal cells and in homogenates of carotid artery when compared to IgG-NHS-treated mice (17.5 ±11.1 pM vs. 0.8 ±0.2 pM and 8.31 ± 1.59 vs 0.69 ± 0.03, respectively). Pre-treatment of the mice with SB203580 abrogated completely those effects (0.61 ± 0.06 pM in peritoneal cells and 0.75 ± 0.28 pM in carotid artery preparations of mice treated with IgG-APS). Significant expression of TF and ICAM-1 was observed in vitro when HUVECs were treated with any of the three IgG-APS. TF upregulation and ICAM-1 expression were significantly reduced by pre-treatment of the cells with SB203580 (49–97% for TF and 25–69% for ICAM-1). Conclusions: The data show that IgG-APS up regulates TF function in vivo, and this correlates with an in vivo pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic effect. Importantly, those effects were abrogated in vivo by a p38 MAPK specific inhibitor. These findings may be important in designing new modalities of targeted therapies to treat thrombosis in patients with APS.
“We walk on eggshells”: A phenomenological inquiry of wives’ experiences of living with active-duty Marine husbands with PTSD

ABSTRACTIn this qualitative study, the authors explored the lived experiences of wives married to active-duty male Marines who have a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The first author and primary investigator conducted in-depth interviews with eight women, all of whom had been married more than 3 years and experienced at least one deployment while married. Transcendental phenomenology was used to gain an understanding of each woman’s experience. The central research question in this study was “What is it like to live with an active-duty male Marine with PTSD?” Findings demonstrated five essential themes: (1) the unpredictability of living with someone with PTSD, (2) the spouse had to take on different roles, (3) the wives felt unprepared to handle PTSD, (4) the wives received different messages when trying to seek help for their husbands, and (5) the wives wanted to send messages to other wives living with Marines with PTSD.
Editorial on "Epidemiology of fracture nonunion in 18 human bones".

The investigators studied a health claims database of over 300,000 fractures (1). In this cohort of patients they found an overall nonunion rate of 4.9%. Nonunion rates were >10% in three bones; scaphoid (15.5%), tibia (14%) and femur (13.9%).
Earlier Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Down Syndrome Patients Following Tetralogy of Fallot Repair.

The association between Down syndrome and pulmonary hypertension could contribute to more severe pulmonary regurgitation after tetralogy of Fallot repair and possibly earlier pulmonary valve replacement. We compared cardiac magnetic resonance measures of pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular dilation as well as timing of pulmonary valve replacement between those with and without Down syndrome after tetralogy of Fallot repair. Review of our surgical database from 2000 to 2015 identified patients with tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary stenosis. Those with Down syndrome were compared to those without. The primary outcome of interest was time from repair to pulmonary valve replacement. Secondary outcomes included pulmonary regurgitation and indexed right ventricular volume on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The cohort of 284 patients included 35 (12%) with Down syndrome. Transannular patch repair was performed in 210 (74%). Down syndrome showed greater degree of pulmonary regurgitation (55 ± 14 vs. 37 ± 16%, p = 0.01) without a significantly greater rate of right ventricular dilation (p = 0.09). In multivariable analysis, Down syndrome (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.5, p = 0.02) and transannular patch repair (HR 5.5, 95% CI 1.7–17.6, p = 0.004) were significant risk factors for valve replacement. Those with Down syndrome had significantly lower freedom from valve replacement (p = 0.03). Down syndrome is associated with an increased degree of pulmonary regurgitation and earlier pulmonary valve replacement after tetralogy of Fallot repair. These patients require earlier assessment by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to determine timing of pulmonary valve replacement and evaluation for and treatment of preventable causes of pulmonary hypertension.
Disproportionalities in the urban forest: Analyzing the role of stewardship agencies in dictating the distribution of an urban environmental resource

Abstract Environmental stewardship in urban areas often involves multiple organizations and actors. Yet very little data exists that takes into account the work of multiple stewardship organizations. And while recent work has presented various drivers of uneven canopy cover, the contribution of local stewardship organizations to those inequalities remains under-explored. Worcester, MA, however, offers an interesting opportunity to look at how unequitable canopies can be reproduced. In 2008, after the Asian Longhorned beetle was discovered in Worcester, Worcester County began a sustained eradication effort and destroyed over 34,000 trees in just six years. Multiple organizations took on the responsibility for restoring the canopy. In this paper, we analyze where the stewardship organizations planted new trees and the main drivers of planting in those locations. Specifically, we explore (1) if the restoration of the canopy was done in an equitable manner, and (2) what were the main predictors of where stewardship organizations worked. Our findings indicate that the inequity in the canopy was reproduced after the Longhorned beetle epidemic. More surprising is that in the spatial error regression model traditional drivers of inequities in the canopy become insignificant. The most significant predictor of where stewardship agencies worked is the presence of other agencies. We end with some recommendations for a more efficient, holistic stewardship environment.
Superparamagnetic perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions for true random number generators

Superparamagnetic perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions are fabricated and analyzed for use in random number generators. Time-resolved resistance measurements are used as streams of bits in statistical tests for randomness. Voltage control of the thermal stability enables tuning the average speed of random bit generation up to 70 kHz in a 60 nm diameter device. In its most efficient operating mode, the device generates random bits at an energy cost of 600 fJ/bit. A narrow range of magnetic field tunes the probability of a given state from 0 to 1, offering a means of probabilistic computing.
Low Retrosigmoid Infratonsillar Approach to Lateral Medullary Lesions.

Objective In our study, we comprehensively detail the technique of the low retrosigmoid approach to the lateral medullary area, including the inferior cerebellar peduncle, postolivary sulcus, pontomedullary sulcus, and inferior olivary nucleus, as well as the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle. Methods Four formalin-fixed, silicone-injected, cadaveric human heads were examined under the operating microscope to demonstrate pertinent descriptive anatomy using the low retrosigmoid approach in a stepwise manner. Clinical parameters of a patient with a lateral medullary lesion were reviewed retrospectively to describe preoperative and postoperative examination and surgical details of the approach to the lateral medulla. Results The clinical case report describes a low retrosigmoid craniotomy performed to access the exiting points of cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus), foramen of Luschka, inferior cerebellar peduncle (lateral medullary zone), postolivary sulcus, and olivary nucleus. The lesion was exposed using the inferior cerebellar peduncle and removed using standard microsurgical technique. Conclusions The lower retrosigmoid infratonsillar approach provides excellent exposure to medullary safe entry zones, including the transolivary, postolivary sulcus, pontomedullary sulcus, and lateral medullary (inferior cerebellar peduncle) zones, for removal of lesions in this area.
Heterogeneity in effects of genetically determined adiposity on insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes: The atherosclerosis risk in communities study

Abstract Background A recent genome-wide association study has identified 12 genetic variants robustly associated with body fat percentage (BF%) with diverse cardiometabolic consequences. We developed three genetic risk scores (GRSs) according to the associations of the 12 individual variants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and test the GRSs' associations with insulin resistance and T2D in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Methods In 6895 European-American participants, we calculated GRS-I as the number of BF%-increasing alleles from variants associated with increased risk of T2D, GRS-D from variants associated with decreased risk of T2D, and GRS-ALL from all 12 variants. Linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations of the GRSs with insulin resistance and risk of T2D, respectively, adjusted for age, sex, smoking, and drinking, and additionally for body mass index (BMI). Results GRS-D was significantly associated with decreased levels of fasting insulin (P = 0.014) and homeostasis assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.023). While GRS-I was not associated with insulin resistance measures, it was with T2D (P = 0.002). Further adjustment for BMI did not substantially change the above associations. GRS-ALL was inversely associated with insulin resistance after controlling for covariates including BMI; GRS-ALL was not associated with T2D. Conclusion Genetically determined BF% has differential effects on cardiometabolic risk, which may partly explain the heterogeneity in obesity-induced cardiometabolic risk and have implications for developing new strategies mitigating obesity-induced cardiometabolic consequences.
Spatial variability in a very high sensitivity PET system

1939 Objectives A new PET/CT system with extremely high sensitivity (22 cps/kBq - NEMA NU2) is available (Discovery IQ - 5 ring, GE Healthcare Technologies). This sensitivity is due to the use of 3 cm-long bismuth germanate detectors configured in a cylinder of 74 cm diameter and 26 cm length. Non-negligible gaps between the 5 cm x 5 cm detector blocks in the circumferential direction lead to more variability (spatially) in the sensitivity than systems without such gaps. This is an investigation of that variability and its significance, comparing with a lower sensitivity PET/CT with negligible gaps between detectors. Methods Measurements were performed on a Discovery IQ (5 ring) and a Discovery 690 (also GE Healthcare). The spatial variability of the sensitivity was measured with a 16 cm Ge-68 line source. The line source was placed on the PET central axis (R=0). The source was also centered axially. The source was then stepped increasingly off-center (while remaining parallel with the scanner axis) for a series of scans in step sizes 2 mm (from R=0 to R=1 cm), 5 mm (from R=1 cm to R=7cm, and 10 mm (from R=7cm to R=20cm) . A 10 s acquisition was performed at each position. Random-corrected count rates were calculated for each position for a relative measure of sensitivity at each R. To compare sensitivity with less position dependence, a 32 cm long, 10 cm diameter phantom filled with F-18 solution scanned on both systems. The diameter was chosen to be large enough to average over some of the spatially-varying sensitivity effects while also producing fewer scattered photons than a larger phantom would yield. Results The DIQ sensitivity profile (vs R) was sharply peaked at the tomograph center, dropping to 94% of that peak at R=4 mm and to a minimum of 75% at R=2 cm, confirming that the R=0 NEMA sensitivity measurement must be performed with great care in positioning the line source. The variation continued with a ~3.4 cm period for increasing R, but was much less intense than at the center. There was also an overall gradual increase in sensitivity with R. The D690 sensitivity had no significant local variations and only the gradual increase with R. The 10 cm cylinder yielded a sensitivity 2.48X higher on the DIQ than the D690, whereas NEMA line source measurements (reflecting the central sweet spot) are 2.75X higher. Conclusions While all PET tomographs have a line source sensitivity that varies with R, the Discovery IQ sensitivity has a more local and dramatic effect. NEMA sensitivity measurements for acceptance or QA, and any routine measures of sensitivity based on a central line must be performed carefully, since the error due to mispositioning the source by a few mm may be greater than typically sensitivity variations in systems. A cylindrical phantom would be a better choice for routine QA and, perhaps, for measuring the true sensitivity improvement of this system over other tomographs.
Attitude Change: Psychological

Attitudes refer to people's global and relatively enduring evaluations of objects, issues, or persons. Attitude change occurs when one's core evaluation shifts from one meaningful value to another, such as when a person goes from favoring smoking to disfavoring it. Considerable research indicates that attitudes can be changed by relatively thoughtful and nonthoughtful means. According to dual process theories (e.g., the elaboration likelihood model), thoughtful attitude change occurs when people's motivation and ability to think about the information presented is high, such as when the issue is of high personal relevance, and there are few distractions present. Thoughtful persuasion processes include learning and evaluating the arguments in a persuasive message and generating one's own arguments in favor of an issue. Sometimes thinking is relatively objective, and sometimes it is biased by various motives (e.g., the need to be consistent). Less thoughtful persuasion processes include associating the attitude object with a pleasant emotional state, and inducing simple inferences based on contextual cues such as source expertise. Although effortful and noneffortful processes can produce similar amounts of attitude change, changes based on high amounts of cognitive effort are more persistent over time, resistant to counter pressures, and predictive of behavior.
Freestyle Libre Glucose Monitoring System

In September 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Freestyle Libre Pro Glucose Monitoring System, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system for blinded professional use in clinics. In September 2017, the FDA approved a Freestyle Libre for personal use by patients (1). The system’s disposable sensor is applied to the back of a patient’s arm and can be worn for 10 days with the personal device and up to 14 days with the Pro version. Providers and patients use a handheld device to download the blood glucose information stored in the sensor. The retrospective information then can be used by providers to make therapy changes to improve patients’ glycemic control (2). Alternatively, patients can use the data in daily life to get ondemand glucose readings without having to perform a fingerstick to obtain blood for use with a glucose meter. The Freestyle Libre Pro is indicated for professional use only. It is intended to be used by health care professionals to detect blood glucose trends and patterns in patients ≥18 years of age with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (2). The Freestyle Libre can be used by patients ≥18 years of age with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Freestyle Libre Pro and Freestyle Libre are not approved in children <18 years …