cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Politics, Power and the Chinese Maritime Customs: the Qing Restoration and the Ascent of Robert Hart

On 6 November 1865, Robert Hart, the 30-year-old Inspector General (I.G.) of the Imperial Maritime Customs Service, presented to his supervisors in the Zongli Yamen, the Qing Empire's new foreign office, a long memorandum critiquing Chinese administrative practices and offering suggestions for improvement. He criticized corruption and inefficiency at all levels of government, called for tax reform, greater specialization and better technical education of officials, improving contacts with the outside world, and promoting foreign methods and technology. The memorandum, written in Chinese, was entitled the ‘Bystander's View’ (juwai pangguan lun). A few months later it was submitted by the Zongli Yamen to the throne, and together with a similar tract by British diplomat Thomas Wade, distributed to senior Qing officials for comment. It had little impact at the time. But forty years later, when the Empress Dowager Cixi reportedly told the author that she wished she had followed his advice, it became a foundation stone of the mythology of Robert Hart, a symbol of the failure of the Qing court to take full advantage of the Portadown native's wisdom. Hart's premise, encapsulated in the title, was that as an outsider to the Qing system he could see problems that insiders could not. ‘The true face of Mount Lu can only be seen in its entirety by one who stands away from it.’ But the memorandum, for all of its notoriety, was uncharacteristic of Hart.
The Genetic and Psychophysiological Basis of Antisocial Behavior: Implications for Counseling and Therapy

The notion that crime may have a genetic and biological basis has been resisted due to the assumption that this view necessitates a deterministic attitude to crime. This article argues that this assumption is unwarranted, and that an understanding of the genetic and psychophysiological basis of crime and antisocial behavior has important implications for counselors dealing with antisocial individuals. The interaction between genetic and environmental factors suggests that environmental changes may reduce the expression of any genetic predisposition. Psychophysiological factors interact with social factors in producing antisocial behavior, and recent psychophysiological studies have identified enhanced attentional ability in antisocial individuals that can be capitalized on by counselors in diverting clients from an antisocial way of life.
Interruption and forgetting in knowledge-intensive service environments

An increasing barrier to productivity in knowledge-intensive work environments is interruptions. Interruptions stop the current job and can induce forgetting in the worker. The induced forgetting can cause re-work; to complete the interrupted job, additional effort and time is required to return to the same level of job-specific knowledge the worker had attained prior to the interruption. This research employs primary observational and process data gathered from a hospital radiology department as inputs into a discrete-event simulation model to estimate the effect of interruptions, forgetting, and re-work. To help mitigate the effects of interruption-induced re-work, we introduce and test the operational policy of sequestering, where some service resources are protected from interruptions. We find that sequestering can improve the overall productivity and cost performance of the system under certain circumstances. We conclude that research examining knowledge-intensive operations should explicitly consider interruptions and the forgetting rate of the system's human workers or models will overestimate the system's productivity and underestimate its costs.
Clostridium difficile infection: management strategies for a difficult disease:

Clostridium difficile was first described as a cause of diarrhea in 1978 and in the last three decades has reached an epidemic state with increasing incidence and severity in both healthcare and community settings. There also has been a rise in severe outcomes from C. difficile infection (CDI). There have been tremendous advancements in the field of CDI with the identification of newer risk factors, recognition of CDI in populations previously thought not at risk and development of better diagnostic modalities. Several treatment options are available for CDI apart from metronidazole and vancomycin, and include new drugs such as fidaxomicin and other options such as fecal microbiota transplantation. This review discusses the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes from CDI, and focuses primarily on existing and evolving treatment modalities.
Underlying Factors Contributing To Presenteeism And Absenteeism

Modern workplaces must learn how to respond effectively to two trends which can cost employers billions of dollars each year in lost productivity: presenteeism and absenteeism. In 2010, the annual cost of presenteeism, $180 billion, surpassed the cost of absenteeism, $118 billion (Weaver, 2010). According to the American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language (2006), presenteeism is defined as “the practice of coming to work despite illness, injury, anxiety, etc., often resulting in reduced productivity”. According to Dictionary.com Unabridged (n.d.), absenteeism is defined as “habitual failure to appear, especially for work or other regular duty”. In the past, the main attributable factor for presenteeism and absenteeism was workers being sick; however, this research uncovered other underlying causes for this phenomenon. In addition, this research expanded the existing research and found other ways employees cost employers in lost productivity, one of which included conducting personal business during working hours. The research concluded, through the use of Chi-Square tests for independence, there was dependency between some of the variables.
Rodent Communities in a Grazed and Ungrazed Arizona Grassland, and a Model of Habitat Relationships Among Rodents in Southwestern Grass/Shrublands

Abstract We live-trapped rodents in 2000–2001 at eight sites on a 3160 ha grassland and mesquite-oak savanna in southeastern Arizona that had been ungrazed since 1968, and on eight paired sites on adjacent cattle ranches. There were 917 captures of 14 species during 5760 trap-nights. Four species of Muridae (Sigmodon fulviventer, Baiomys taylori, Reithrodontomys megalotis and R. fulvescens) were significantly more common on ungrazed plots, while no species was more abundant on grazed plots. However, Heteromyidae as a group (especially Chaetodipus hispidus and Perognathus flavus) comprised a significantly higher proportion of total captures on grazed plots, and heteromyids as a percentage of total captures was positively correlated across all plots with amount of bare ground. One of the eight cross-fence sites also had been trapped in 1981–1983. In the 17 y between trapping events at this site: (1) the grass canopy on both grazed and ungrazed plots had become dominated by taller species, (2) a kangaroo rat...
Early Practicum Experiences: Preservice Early Childhood Students’ Perceptions and Sense of Efficacy

The current study explored early practicum experiences (those occurring before student teaching) in an early childhood birth to kindergarten teacher education program. Undergraduates enrolled in practicum courses completed questionnaires about their overall practicum experience including: socio-emotional components (their perceived fit with their cooperating teacher and intrapersonal feelings while in the classroom), overall practicum satisfaction, and their sense of teacher efficacy. Results revealed that practicum students generally reported feelings of being energized and relaxed, though some practicum students reported feelings of frustration in their practicum classrooms. Feeling energized and relaxed and students’ perception of fit with their cooperating teacher were positively associated with practicum satisfaction and practicum students’ teacher efficacy. Feelings of frustration were negatively associated with students’ fit with their cooperating teacher, practicum satisfaction, and students’ teacher efficacy. Higher levels of practicum satisfaction predicted higher practicum students’ teacher efficacy. Findings highlight the importance of understanding early practicum experiences and what factors of the practicum experience contribute teacher efficacy. Implications for future research and practice for early childhood teacher preparation programs are discussed.
Strained InGaSb/AlGa(As)Sb Quantum Wells for p-Channel Transistors

Quantum wells of InGaSb clad by AlGa(As)Sb were grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Well and barrier compositions were chosen to yield biaxial compressive strain and enhanced hole mobility in the InGaSb. Wells with thickness of 7.5 nm exhibited room-temperature mobilities of 1000 cm2/V s to 1100 cm2/V s, with the surface-layer material influencing two-dimensional hole densities. The introduction of As into the barrier material allows a wider range of p-channel well/barrier combinations and lattice constants. These could be compatible with n-channel InGaAs wells for complementary field-effect transistor circuits which utilize a common buffer layer. InGaSb wells with thicknesses of 20 nm to 30 nm and compressive strains of 1.0% to 1.5% exhibited hole mobilities of 700 cm2/V s to 900 cm2/V s.
Laser machines for semiconductor processing: a special session

To emphasize that laser processing of semiconductors is maturing rapidly, companies that have developed laser-based equipment present technical descriptions of their products in a format that will allow critical questions and discussion of the acceptance of lasers by customers, timing of product introduction, and future products.
A comparison of current practice patterns of US dermatologists versus published guidelines for the biopsy, initial management, and follow up of patients with primary cutaneous melanoma

Background Guidelines exist for the management of cutaneous malignant melanoma, but their adoption, prevalence, and impact have not yet been determined. Objective To determine current melanoma clinical management practices of US dermatologists and the variance from guidelines that might exist. Methods A cross-sectional e-mail survey study assessing preferred biopsy methods for lesions suspicious for melanoma, margins used for excision, and recommended follow-up intervals were sent to 6177 US dermatologists (540 responding). The representative nature of the responding subset was verified by comparing their demographics to that from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) membership. Results Management varied from published guidelines. Shave biopsy (35%) was the most commonly used method followed by narrow excisional biopsy (31%), saucerization/scoop shave (12%), punch (11%), and wide excision (3%). Excisional margins narrower than recommended were noted and follow-up intervals varied. There were significant management differences noted for dermatologists by practice setting and by years in practice. Limitations The impact of patient history, lesion anatomic site, and size of lesion were not assessed. Recall and nonresponder sampling bias may exist. Conclusion Variations in dermatologists' approaches to melanoma management and variance from current guidelines suggest that a knowledge gap may exist representing an educational opportunity. However, emerging data may also justify deviations from existing guidelines, suggesting a reassessment of the guidelines may be indicated.
Electronic structure studies and predictions for new Ce-doped gamma detector materials

We have developed a theoretical approach based on first-principles calculations to select candidate Ce activated scintillator materials for synthesis. Our theoretical approach involves the calculation of the groundstate bandstructure of the Ce doped material as well as the calculation of the (Ce3+)* excited state. From our theoretical studies of known scintillators and non-scintillators we have developed a set of criteria that characterize bright Ce activated scintillators. Applying these criteria to new compounds we were able to successfully predict that Ba2YCl7:Ce would be a bright scintillator.
Fin Ray® Effect Inspired Soft Robotic Gripper: From the RoboSoft Grand Challenge toward Optimization

A soft robotic gripper for a Tele-operable In-Home Robotic Assistant (TIHRA) for the mobility impaired is presented. This gripper is inspired by the Fin Ray\textsuperscript{\textregistered} Effect, which is derived from the physiology of fish fins. The gripper “fingers” are soft and triangular with hard crossbeams that buckle and deform in to conform around objects. The fingers of the TIHRA were altered from the original Fin Ray\textsuperscript{\textregistered} design in order to create a preferred bending direction, resulting in less force required to obtain a good grip on an object. The entire gripper can be 3D printed as part of a soft robotic hand made from hard and soft materials, and the motor-tendon actuation system attaches in a limited number of steps. Testing of the gripper included modeling the fingers and comparing grip strength them to the original Fin Ray\textsuperscript{\textregistered} to verify their optimization. Models show that the TIHRA fingers deform 15\% more than traditional fingers when subjected to the same force. The TIHRA gripper was capable of holding 560 g, approximately 40\% more than the gripper equipped with traditional fingers. This difference was statistically significant (p $\ll$ 0.001). The TIHRA hand was also tested at the 2016 RoboSoft Grand Challenge in Livorno, Italy. The gripper successfully completed some tasks, highlighting its conformability, deformability, and morphology, but performed poorly in others, demonstrating the need to increase the gripper strength to prevent out of plane twisting and bending and to increase the force that the gripper can exert. The gripper was attached to a Baxter robot to demonstrate its ability to interface with existing technology, and other versions of the gripper were designed and manufactured to show the scalability and versatility of the design.
Amorphous chalcogenides as random octahedrally bonded solids: I. Implications for the first sharp diffraction peak, photodarkening, and Boson peak.

We develop a computationally efficient algorithm for generating high-quality structures for amorphous materials exhibiting distorted octahedral coordination. The computationally costly step of equilibrating the simulated melt is relegated to a much more efficient procedure, viz., generation of a random close-packed structure, which is subsequently used to generate parent structures for octahedrally bonded amorphous solids. The sites of the so-obtained lattice are populated by atoms and vacancies according to the desired stoichiometry while allowing one to control the number of homo-nuclear and hetero-nuclear bonds and, hence, effects of the mixing entropy. The resulting parent structure is geometrically optimized using quantum-chemical force fields; by varying the extent of geometric optimization of the parent structure, one can partially control the degree of octahedrality in local coordination and the strength of secondary bonding. The present methodology is applied to the archetypal chalcogenide alloys...
Abstract WP404: Stroke Cognitive Recovery Model

Background: After an acute stroke, 90% of patients have cognitive deficits; 50% remain impaired and 30% develop dementia within one year. Cognitive recovery may not occur without early and coordina...
Response to Comment on: Early recovery pathway for hepatectomy: data-driven liver resection care and recovery

We are grateful for the questions raised by Drs. Blasi and Beltran and appreciate the opportunity to respond (1). The comment on our article entitled Early recovery pathway for hepatectomy: data-driven liver resection care and recovery questions the recommendation that fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion be used to correct coagulopathy based on international normalized ratio (INR) and clinical risk factors for coagulopathy in patients following liver resection (1,2).
Insecticide Studies on the Armyworm, Laphygma (Spodoptera) Exempta Walk. in Kenya

(1961). Insecticide Studies on the Armyworm, Laphygma (Spodoptera) Exempta Walk. in Kenya. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal: Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 91-94.
Mechanochemical Association Reaction of Interfacial Molecules Driven by Shear.

Shear-driven chemical reaction mechanisms are poorly understood because the relevant reactions are often hidden between two solid surfaces moving in relative motion. Here, this phenomenon is explored by characterizing shear-induced polymerization reactions that occur during vapor phase lubrication of α-pinene between sliding hydroxylated and dehydroxylated silica surfaces, complemented by reactive molecular dynamics simulations. The results suggest that oxidative chemisorption of the α-pinene molecules at reactive surface sites, which transfers oxygen atoms from the surface to the adsorbate molecule, is the critical activation step. Such activation takes place more readily on the dehydroxylated surface. During this activation, the most strained part of the α-pinene molecules undergoes a partial distortion from its equilibrium geometry, which appears to be related to the critical activation volume for mechanical activation. Once α-pinene molecules are activated, association reactions occur between the newl...
New Insights in Understanding and Treating Bone Fracture Pain

This paper describes recent advances in understanding the mechanisms that drive fracture pain and how these findings are helping develop new therapies to treat fracture pain. Immediately following fracture, mechanosensitive nerve fibers that innervate bone are mechanically distorted. This results in these nerve fibers rapidly discharging and signaling the initial sharp fracture pain to the brain. Within minutes to hours, a host of neurotransmitters, cytokines, and nerve growth factor are released by cells at the fracture site. These factors stimulate, sensitize, and induce ectopic nerve sprouting of the sensory and sympathetic nerve fibers which drive the sharp pain upon movement and the dull aching pain at rest. If rapid and effective healing of the fracture occurs, these factors return to baseline and the pain subsides, but if not, these factors can drive chronic bone pain. New mechanism-based therapies have the potential to fundamentally change the way acute and chronic fracture pain is managed.
Prolonged survival in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Some patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria survive for many years. Three such patients are reported with survivals of 43, 29, and 27 years. Their histories, and those of 14 other patients who survived for more than 20 years, suggest that prolonged survival is not necessarily related to amelioration of the disease. In some patients with apparent "remission" of the disease, laboratory abnormalities persisted for many years.
Metalloregulation of Soft Metal Resistance Pumps

Many metals are required for cellular growth. Others, such as cadmium, lead, arsenic and antimony, are toxic. Some, such as zinc and copper, are both micronutrients but toxic in excess. For these processes cells must contain both uptake and efflux systems. Perhaps due to geochemical sources of metals, bacterial resistances to metals probably arose early in evolution. Before the modern use of antibiotics, bacterial metal resistance determinants encoding extrusion systems were more widespread than antibiotic resistances (Datta and Hughes, 1983).
Nonlinear Analysis of Axisymmetric Layered Pressure Vessels—Part 2: Steady-State Applications

Steady-state applications of the theory in Part 1 of the paper are made to a particular layered pressure vessel design subjected to a typical set of pressure and thernal loadings. Results are compared for several analyses: elastic analysis, linear thermoelastic analysis for a solid-wall vessel, nonlinear analysis for solid-wall, and nonlinear analysis for a layered vessel. Due to the thermal resistance between layers, the maximum circumferential stress is, for the nonlinear analysis, about 35 percent greater for the layered vessel than it is for the solid-wall vessel.
Prospect of a Technology-based Learner Interface for Schools

The International Forum of Educational Technology and Society (IFETS) hosted an online discussion about the potential for the development and widespread implementation of a technology -based learner interface. The following is a summary of the discussion, which took place from October 23 to November 9, 2000 on the IFETS listserv. This was an open forum with participant's backgrounds ranging from private industry to public education academia. In the context of a K-12 school implementation there were several issues raised. A technology -based learner interface to be used successfully in a classroom would have to overcome barriers presented by teacher training, costs, and providing a system conducive to facilitating effective instruction.
The Esophageal Microbiome in Health and Disease

Investigation of the esophageal microbiome is a relatively new field. This review will outline data characterizing the esophageal microbiome in both health and disease states, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer, eosinophilic esophagitis, and motility disorders. While the esophagus was previously considered devoid of a significant bacterial population, development of culture-independent techniques, specifically 16S rRNA gene sequencing, as well as novel, minimally invasive microbial sampling modalities, has facilitated characterization of the esophageal microbiome in both health and several disease states. Although limited, there is evidence that the esophagus contains a diverse microbial population, with Gram-positive bacteria, specifically Streptococcus, dominating in health, while Gram-negative bacteria prevail in reflux disorders including GERD and Barrett’s esophagus. The microbiome is altered with other esophageal disorders as well, including eosinophilic esophagitis and esophageal motility disorders, though these changes have been less well characterized. Characterization of the gut microbiome has advanced significantly; however, further investigation is essential. Understanding changes in the esophageal microbiome could affect our understanding of the natural history of diseases of the esophagus and present potential therapeutic approaches.
Exploring optimal sequencing of radiation and immunotherapy combinations.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this article is to assemble, review, and provide a synopsis of the historical and current literature regarding optimal sequencing of radiation (RT) and immunotherapy combination treatments. Materials and methods A review of the literature was performed using PubMed with the query “radiation” and “Immunotherapy”, “PD1”, “PDL1”, “CTLA4”, “OX40”, “checkpoint”, “vaccine”, “macrophage”, “STING”, and “TGFbeta”. Studies that included sequencing of therapy were evaluated and the studies were included at the authors discretion. Results A paucity of primary literature exists examining the best order of radiation and immunotherapy, most of which was performed in the pre-clinical setting. The observations are that optimal sequencing of various radiation plus immune therapy combinations is dependent on the mechanism(s) of activation by the combination treatment. Immunosuppressive molecules tend to be better inhibited prior to RT while engagement of costimulatory genes is better activated concomitantly with RT. Conclusions These data should compel more basic research into both the direct investigation of sequencing efficacy and studies on the mechanisms of immune mediated cell death potentiated by radio-therapy.
The Metaphysics of Habits in Buridan

This paper presents John Buridan’s nominalist ontology of habits, as the acquired qualities of innate powers aiding or hampering their operations, against the background of a more traditional interpretation of Aristotle’s doctrine to be found in Boethius, Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and Cajetan. The paper argues that considerations of his late question commentary on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics may have forced Buridan to rethink some of his earlier arguments for his parsimonious nominalist ontology of powers endorsed in such earlier works as his Questions on Aristotle’s Categories and De anima. The lesson to be drawn from this investigation seems to be that upon working out the details of a nominalist programme in such fields as moral psychology and ethics, the requisite refinements sooner or later will involve such modifications of an originally “radical” programme that would bring it closer to what used to be the “mainstream” view. Even so, this much seems enough further down the line to change significantly how issues are framed relative to the “mainstream” view as well.
Corporal Punishment: Current Rates from a National Survey

To assess the prevalence of corporal punishment usage in the US population. This study was based on a 2014 cross-sectional, telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of US households with children. Reports about spanking of 0–9 year olds were obtained from parents, while reports about 10–17 year olds were obtained from the youth themselves. The survey suggested that a majority of children in the US were not subject to corporal punishment in 2014. The rate was 49% in the past year for children ages 0–9, 23% for youth 10–17 and 37% overall. Rates of spanking were lower for girls compared to boys, Northeasterners compared to Southerners, and whites compared to blacks. They were also lower among those with a graduate education, and families with fewer than 3 children. The proportion of children subject to corporal punishment had declined by 2014 compared to other national surveys conducted in 1975 and 1985. This is in line with other studies showing declines of 26–40% in the spanking of kindergarden age children from 1988 to 2011. The trends suggest a continuing reduction of spanking in the population. Because of growing research and advocacy about this practice both nationally and internationally, it may be that awareness is having some impact and it will continue to decline.
Hyperactivity: Nutritional Aspects

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is based on symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity to the extent that they impair a child's ability to function. Primary beneficial treatments are medication and behavioral therapy, and there is suggestive evidence that the combination has long term benefits. Dietary interventions have included diets that restrict allergenic foods and add foods that do not worsen behavior, diets that restrict additives/preservatives (the Feingold diet), diets that restrict sugar, and dietary supplements, including zinc and fatty acids. To date, these dietary interventions have not been proven to be efficacious or still require further study to better determine their effects.
The Stress Analysis of PF1A Lower Terminals, Leads, and Bus Bars for NSTX-U

AbstractBoth PF1A upper coils and lower coils experienced difficult situations during the National Spherical Torus Experiment–Upgrade (NSTX-U) machine operations in 2016. There are huge up-down ele...
Do hospitals respond to changing incentive structures? Evidence from Medicare’s 2007 DRG restructuring

In 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid restructured the diagnosis related group (DRG) system by expanding the number of categories within a DRG to account for complications present within certain conditions. This change allows for differential reimbursement depending on the severity of the case. We examine whether this change incentivized hospitals to upcode patients as sicker to increase their reimbursements. Using the National Inpatient Survey data from HCUP from 2005 to 2010 and three methods to detect the presence of upcoding, our most conservative estimate is an additional three percent of reimbursement is attributable to upcoding. We find evidence of upcoding in government, non-profit, and for-profit hospitals. We find spillover effects of upcoding impacting not only Medicare payers, but also private insurance companies as well.
Assessing the Performance of COVID-19 Forecasting Models in the U.S.

Abstract Dozens of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) forecasting models have been created, however, little information exists on their performance. Here we examined the performance of nine commonly-used COVID-19 forecasting models, as well as equal- and performance-weighted ensembles, based on their predictive accuracy and precision, and their probabilistic ‘statistical accuracy (aka calibration)’ and ‘information’ scores (measures commonly employed in the evaluation of expert judgment) (Cooke, 1991). Data on observed COVID-19 mortality in eight states, selected to reflect differences in racial demographics and COVID-19 case rates, over eight weeks in the summer of 2020 and eight weeks in the winter of 2021, provided the basis for evaluating model forecasts and exploring the stability/robustness of the results. Two models exhibited superior performance with both predictive and probabilistic measures during both pandemic phases. Models that performed poorly reflected ‘overconfidence’ with tight forecast distributions. Models also systematically under-predicted mortality when cases were rising and over-predicted when cases were falling. Performance-weighted ensembles consistently outperformed the equal-weighted ensemble, with the Cooke’s Classical Model-weighted ensemble outperforming the predictive-performance-weighted ensemble. Model performance depended on the time-frame of interest and racial composition, with better predictive forecasts in the near-term and for states with relatively high proportions of non-Hispanic Blacks. Performance also depended on case rate, with better predictive forecasts for states with relatively low case rates but better probabilistic forecasts for states with relatively high case rates. Both predictive and probabilistic performance are important, and both deserve consideration by model developers and those interested in using these models to inform policy. Significance Statement Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) forecasting models can provide critical information for decision-making; however, there has been little published information on their performance. We examined the COVID-19 mortality forecasting performance of nine commonly-used and oft-cited models, as well as density-averaged equal- and performance-weighted ensembles of these models, during two phases of the pandemic. Only two of the nine models demonstrated superior predictive and probabilistic performance during both phases of the pandemic. Most of the models exhibited overconfidence, with overly-narrow forecast intervals. Performance-weighted ensembles demonstrated some advantages over the equal-weighted ensemble, primarily in probabilistic performance. As might be anticipated, predictions of near term mortality (next week) were better than predictions of mortality four weeks later.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Telemedicine Limitations and Strategies for Improvement

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a relapsing-remitting or progressive inflammatory neuropathy, which can present in a multitude of phenotypes. It can be a challenging condition to diagnose and requires thorough clinical evaluation and electrodiagnostic testing. With the outbreak of coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19), large portions of the medical field converted to telemedicine to facilitate patient visits. We report a case of a 50-year-old female who was seen via video visit during the COVID-19 pandemic who was later diagnosed with CIDP and treated with intravenous immunoglobulins with improvement in clinical examination and electrodiagnostic testing. This case highlights the limitations of performing the neuromuscular examination via telemedicine.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Improved Nipple Survival in Large Volume Reduction Mammaplasty.

Large volume breast reductions are at increased risk of nipple ischemia and necrosis due to tenuous blood supply of long pedicles. We adapted incisional negative pressure wound therapy to augment nipple survival in such patients undergoing mammaplasty by inferior pedicle technique. Patients with nipple-to-inframammary fold distance >14 cm were informed of increased risk of requiring free nipple graft. All patients underwent inferior pedicle technique with Wise pattern skin incision. Once incisions were closed and the nipple-areolar complex was inset, the complex was assessed for vascularity. In 12 cases there was evidence of compromised arterial inflow or venous outflow. For these patients, incisional negative pressure wound therapy was applied to the bilateral nipple-areolar complexes for 5-7 days. None of the 12 patients (24 breasts) in this series experienced nipple-areolar complex ischemia or necrosis. Only 2 patients experienced delayed wound healing which was successfully managed by local wound care. This study demonstrates the utility of negative pressure wound therapy in nipple survival for at-risk patients. We believe it augments healing by allowing improved micro-circulation. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266
A sensitized genetic screen to identify regulators of C. elegans germline stem cells

Germline stem cells (GSCs) in Caenorhabditis elegans are maintained by GLP-1/Notch signaling from the niche and by a downstream RNA regulatory network. Loss of the GLP-1 receptor causes GSCs to precociously undergo meiotic differentiation, the "Glp" phenotype, due to a failure to self-renew. lst-1 and sygl-1 are functionally redundant direct targets of GLP-1 signaling whose gene products work with PUF RNA binding proteins to promote GSC self-renewal. Whereas single loss-of-function mutants are fertile, lst-1 sygl-1 double mutants are sterile and Glp. We set out to identify genes that function redundantly with either lst-1 or sygl-1 to maintain GSCs. To this end, we conducted forward genetic screens for Glp mutants in genetic backgrounds lacking functional copies of either lst-1 or sygl-1. The screens generated nine glp-1 alleles, two lst-1 alleles, and one allele of pole-1, which encodes the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase {varepsilon}. Three glp-1 alleles reside in Ankyrin (ANK) repeats not previously mutated. pole-1 single mutants have a low penetrance Glp that is enhanced by loss of either lst-1 or sygl-1. Thus, the screen uncovered one locus that interacts genetically with both lst-1 and sygl-1 and generated useful mutations for further studies of GSC regulation.
Clinicians' perspectives on the integration of electronic patient-reported outcomes into dermatology clinics: a qualitative study.

Skin conditions can have profound negative symptomatic and psychological effects. Failure to address these effects can lead to poor treatment adherence and/or patient dissatisfaction. Despite patient-reported outcome (PRO) use being highly recommended, real-world adoption has been slow. To assess clinicians’ perceived facilitators and barriers to using PROs in daily practice. We conducted in-person semi-structured interviews with 19 clinicians and thematic analysis of transcripts. Three main themes emerged: (1) clinicians’ attitudes about the value of Skindex-16 in daily practice, (2) patient attitudes influencing clinicians’ use of Skindex-16, and (3) clinicians’ perceptions of their ability to use PROs successfully for clinical care. Clinicians recognized benefits to using Skindex-16, such as revealing patients’ hidden concerns and highlighting discrepancies with the clinician’s severity assessments. Conversely, clinicians also identified limitations, such as time constraints and lack of relevance for some skin conditions. Patient complaints about PRO relevance have influenced clinicians’ use of Skindex-16 negatively. Finally, some clinicians recognized the need for more training in score interpretation and implementation strategies for optimal clinical flow. While most clinicians believed PROs like Skindex-16 can be useful for patient care, barriers need to be addressed to make PROs more practical for routine clinical care.
The Unifying Laws of Classical Mechanics

It is shown that, at the time of Euler and Lagrange, a belief led to an assumption. The assumption is applied to derive the principle of least action from the vis viva. The assumption is also applied to derive Hamilton's principles from the vis viva. It is shown that Hamilton, in his 1834 paper, countered the assumption of the earlier mathematicians. Finally, Hamilton's law, completely independent of the principle of least action and Hamilton's principles, is obtained to verify the foregoing assertions. The unifying laws of classical mechanics, contained within Hamilton's 1834 paper, are identified.
An analog vlsi vocal tract

Increasingly, circuit models of biology are being used to improve performance in engineering systems. For example, silicon-cochlea-like models have led to improved speech recognition in noise and low-power cochlear-implant processors for the deaf. A promising approach to improve the naturalness of synthetic speech is to exploit bio-inspired models of speech production with low bit-rate control parameters. In this work, we present the first experimental integrated-circuit vocal tract by mapping fluid volume velocity to current, fluid pressure to voltage, and linear and nonlinear mechanical impedances to linear and nonlinear electrical impedances. The 275µW analog vocal tract chip can be used with auditory processors in a feedback speech locked loop to implement speech recognition that is potentially robust in noise. Our use of a physiological model of the human vocal tract enables the analog vocal tract chip to synthesize speech signals of interest, using articulatory parameters that are intrinsically compact and linearly interpolatable. Previous attempts that take advantage of the powerful analysis-by-synthesis method employed computationally expensive approaches to articulatory synthesis using digital computation. Our strategy uses an analog vocal tract to drastically reduce power consumption, enables real-time performance and could be useful in portable speech processing systems of moderate complexity, e.g., in cell phones, digital assistants and bionic speech-prosthesis systems. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
RATES AND MECHANISMS OF THE LOSS OF FISSION PRODUCTS FROM URANIUM-GRAPHITE FUEL MATERIALS

Experimental evidence indicates that diffusion through the porous matrix and evaporation from the geometric surface are the rate-limiting processes in the loss of some fission products from uranium...
A new human p34 protein kinase, CDK2, identified by complementation of a cdc28 mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a homolog of Xenopus Eg1.

The onset of S-phase and M-phase in both Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires the function of the cdc2/CDC28 gene product, p34, a serine-threonine protein kinase. A human homolog, p34cdc2, was identified by functional complementation of the S.pombe cdc2 mutation (Lee and Nurse, 1987). Using a human cDNA expression library to search for suppressors of cdc28 mutations in S. cerevisiae, we have identified a second functional p34 homolog, CDK2 cell division kinase). This gene is expressed as a 2.1 kb transcript encoding a polypeptide of 298 amino acids. This protein retains nearly all of the amino acids highly conserved among previously identified p34 homologs from other species, but is considerably divergent from all previous p34cdc2 homologs, approximately 65% identity. This gene encodes the human homolog of the Xenopus Eg1 gene, sharing 89% amino acid identity, and defines a second sub-family of CDC2 homologs. A second chromosomal mutation which arose spontaneously was required to allow complementation of the cdc28-4 mutation by CDK2. This mutation blocked the ability of this strain to mate. These results suggest that the machinery controlling the human cell cycle is more complex than that for fission and budding yeast.
Toward Interactive Object Definition in 3D Scalar Images

We present a method of object definition designed to allow fast interactive definition of object regions in 2D and 3D image data by a human user based on an automatically computed image description of sensible image regions. The image description is a quasi-hierarchy of ridges (or courses) and subridges (or subcourses) in the intensity surface corresponding to the image. Two methods of ridge computation are presented, one based on the intensity axis of symmetry and another based on flow lines in the intensity surface. A system for interactive object definition using this approach is described, and the use of this approach on a variety of medical images is evaluated. Generalizations of these descriptions and the interactive object definition tool to 3D are discussed.
Hydrology of early Mars: Valley network incision

[1] Widespread occurrences of valley networks on Mars provide geomorphic evidence for an active hydrologic cycle. To constrain the climatic conditions capable of forming the valley networks, a hydrological model was used to analyze the valley incision depth and volume of eroded valleys. Because the absolute magnitudes of precipitation, runoff, and evaporation are uncertain, we have used the ratio of these quantities (the X-ratio) to express climatic conditions. The spatial distribution and strength of the correlations between (1) the estimated depth and volume of eroded material and (2) estimated flood magnitude and valley gradients were investigated as a function of the assumed X-ratio. We also conducted an analysis of conditions required to have appreciable discharge in selected valley networks, which provided the most definitive constraint on Martian paleoclimate. The other methods show a relatively weak dependency of incision depths and volumes upon the assumed X-ratio. The multiple regression analyses indicate that incision depth is strongly influenced by gradient and weakly related to modeled flood discharge. The factors determining relative depth of incision depend partly on the type of channel bed. However, postflow modification of the valley networks by mass wasting, cratering, aeolian infilling, and ice-related processes precludes direct determination of bed morphology. Our hydrological analyses suggest that climatic conditions on early Mars were at least as moist as those that occurred in the Great Basin region of the U.S. when large lakes were present during the Pleistocene in terms of the balance of runoff and lake evaporation.
Enhancing Counselor Supervision Through Compassion Fatigue Education

Compassion fatigue has been documented as an occupational hazard in counseling. Providing education to interns on compassion fatigue and protective factors, such as self-care, can normalize struggles experienced by interns. Supervision provides a relationship to build skills to help prevent compassion fatigue. Interns should understand counselor developmental phases and the necessity of self-care plans. To instill this knowledge, supervisors should focus on the purpose of supervision, activities of supervision, counselor developmental phases, and compassion fatigue education.
Role of nitric oxide in esophageal peristalsis in the opossum.

Abstract To explore the involvement of NO in normal peristalsis, the effects of inhibitors of NO synthase, including N ω -nitro-L-arginine (l-NNA) and N ω -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), on esophageal peristaltic contractions induced by diverse stimuli that may involve different neuronal circuits were studied. Studies were performed in opossums. Experimental conditions in vivo included primary peristalsis (P) induced by pharyngeal stroking, short-train (1 second) electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve which caused peristaltic (S) contractions, and long-train (10 second) electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves which caused contractions at the onset of (A contractions) and after (B contractions) the stimulation period. In vitro experiments were performed on strips of esophageal circular muscle using electrical field stimulation which caused contractions at the onset of (on contractions) and after (off contractions) the stimulation period. The administration of l-NAME significantly decreased the latency period and reduced the latency gradient for P contractions, thereby increasing the velocity of peristalsis. Concomitant administration of atropine prolonged the latency period but did not restore the latency gradient. l-NAME abolished B contractions in a dose-dependent fashion. In vitro, l-NAME caused dose-dependent inhibition of off contractions and augmentation of on contractions. These studies support the hypothesis that NO may be involved in (a) both the latency period and the latency gradient, as well as in the contraction amplitude of esophageal peristalsis; and (b) esophageal B and off contractions.
Academia's role in the total quality management movement

A symposium on the role of academia in national competitiveness and total quality management was held on 18-20 July 1990 in Morgantown, WV. Prominent leaders from academia, industry and government were invited to provide a national perspective. A significant amount of time was spent on identifying, discussing and resolving critical issues. A major outcome of the symposium was the formation of a government, industry and academia network which will result in long-term partnerships. Twelve points suggested by the teams will be critical in forming partnerships and in implementing TQM at academic institutions. >
Sleeping Our Way to Consciousness: Jim Findlay's Dream of the Red Chamber

At a moment when site-specific installations, urban soundwalks, immersive environments, and participatory experiences have (yet again) become popular, Jim Findlay’s Dream of the Red Chamber stands in sharp contrast, embracing what seems like the most passive state—sleep. Is it possible, via a sleep-inducing performance, to become conscious of our own letting go?
Enrichment of Phenolic Antioxidants and Anti-Helicobacter pylori Properties of Cranberry Pomace by Solid-State Bioprocessing

Cranberry pomace modified by solid-state bioprocessing with the food-grade fungi Rhizopus oligosporus and Lentinus edodes was investigated for antimicrobial effects against Helicobacter pylori. The results indicated that solid-state bioprocessing enriched the cranberry pomace with phenolic antioxidants and important phenolic phytochemicals such as ellagic acid. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts against H. pyloriwas also enriched by solid-state bioprocessing. Further, the results also indicated that the antimicrobial activity correlated strongly with total soluble phenolic content and ellagic acid, suggesting different modes of antimicrobial function. A dose-dependent analysis of antimicrobial activity suggested that there could be a possible synergistic mode of interaction between the phenolic phytochemicals. Solid-state bioprocessing of cranberry pomace using the food-grade fungi R. oligosporus and L. edodes could therefore be an innovative approach to develop antimicrobial ingredients for dieta...