cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discovering reduct rules from N-indiscernibility objects in rough sets

In rough set theory, the reduct is defined as a minimal set of attributes that partitions the tuple space and is used to perform the classification to achieve the equivalent result as using the whole set of attributes in a decision table. This paper is to present an incremental partitioning algorithm to discover decision rules with minimal set of attributes from rough set data. Besides developing the heuristic algorithm for discovering rules in rough sets, this paper analyzes the time complexity of the algorithm, and presents the lower bound, upper bound, and average cost of the algorithm. This paper also finds the characteristics that the lower bound and upper bound of the algorithm presented in this paper are closely related to cardinalities of attribute values from set of attributes involved in a decision table.
Free Vehicles and Deep-Sea Biology

SYNOPSIS. A free vehicle is a timed and weighted device released from a ship in a free fall to the ocean bottom. Instruments carried on the free vehicle have been built to take biological samples, sediment samples, water samples, and photographs, and to measure currents, tides, and temperature. The instrument then returns to the surface where it is recovered by the ship. A free vehicle system for biological sampling in the deep sea is described in detail. It consists of a mast assembly, flotation, hookline and traps, and a magnesium release attached to weights. Different types of magnesium links used include a rod, a wire on pliers, and a series of diamond-shaped beads that drop through a hole after dissolving. A deck plan for launching the free vehicle and its retrieval at sea are described.
Specification and synthesis of sensory datasets in pervasive spaces

The generation of actual sensory data in real-world deployments of pervasive spaces is very costly and requires significant preparation and access to human subjects. This situation can be mitigated if practical forms of sharing of existing datasets are enabled among the research community. In this paper we address two main problems. First, we propose a standard for the representation of smart space datasets, based on a careful examination of several existing data. The standard specification should allow researchers to effortlessly position their existing or future datasets for sharing. We briefly present the specifications. Second, to enable higher utility of shared datasets, we propose algorithms and tools that can extend a shared dataset into a similar set of a slightly customized pervasive space (e.g., an original space with additional sensors/actuators or behaviors). Specifically, we propose the use of machine learning algorithms to generate the additional patterns of events and to automatically integrate them into the original shared dataset.
Onset and Duration of Fertility in Turkeys

Abstract OBSERVATIONS on the relations of frequency of insemination by artificial means and of semen dosage to fertility in turkey hens have been made previously. Burrows and Marsden (1938) used 0.05 ml. of pooled semen and inseminated repeatedly at intervals of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Average fertility in their different groups varied between 68 and 100 percent and showed no apparent tendency to decrease with increasing length of interval. Parker (1946) observed little effect of semen dosage in turkey hens inseminated at 3 week intervals with amounts varying between 0.005 and 0.1 ml. Both investigators reported wide variations in fertility between individual hens within subgroups. The observations to be reported in the present paper were made in the course of studies preliminary to investigations of the relations of various modifications of sperm environment to the fertilizing capacity of the sperm. For this purpose more critical information on the pattern . . .
Hyperamylasemia after post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testis cancer

AbstractPurpose: Postoperative hyperamylasemia was evaluated in patients undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testis cancer.Materials and Methods: Serum levels of amylase, lipase and bilirubin were evaluated prospectively in the immediate postoperative period in 39 consecutive patients who underwent post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.Results: Hyperamylasemia was found in 16 patients (41 percent), hyperlipasemia in 17 (43 percent) and hyperbilirubinemia in 9 (23 percent). Peak elevations were observed at 24 hours postoperatively and most returned to normal at 1 week. Elevation of these parameters was significantly associated with length and difficulty of the procedure. No patient demonstrated clinical acute pancreatitis.Conclusions: Extended retraction of the pancreas during post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection may cause a minor reversible injury to the pancreas expressed as hyperamylasemia, hyperlipasemia and, rarely, jaundice. Thes...
Variables Affecting Guilty Pleas and Convictions in Rape Cases: Toward a Social Theory of Rape Processing

Previous research on reactions to rape has been flawed by methodological and theoretical problems that have prevented a reliable assessment of detenninants. I argue that the likelihood of convictions in rape cases will be affected by the extent to which characteristics of cases approximate the stereotypes of rape held by criminal justice personnel. I assume that rape stereotypes are related to perceptions of the victim's and defendant's moral character and to characteristics of victims, defendants, and offenses. I relate these variables to the likelihood of guilty pleas and verdicts for 124 rape cases filed in criminal court in a large, midwestern city. Multiple regression analysis showed that net of the effects of evidence, black women, women who allegedly engaged in misconduct, women acquainted with the defendant, and women who did not report the incident promptly were less likely to have their complaints come to trial and result in conviction. Also, assaults by defendants with more serious records and assaults by more than one man were likely to end in conviction. Results were consistent with the proposition that reactions to rape are conditioned by stereotypes abozTt the kind of women, men, and social situations most typical of rape.
Biomicroscopic and Histopathologic Considerations Regarding the Feasibility of Surgical Excision of Subfoveal Neovascular Membranes

Surgical excision of subfoveal neovascular membranes may result in recovery of excellent visual acuity in patients with presumed ocular histoplasmosis but not in patients with age-related macular degeneration. To provide an explanation for this discrepancy, I analyzed the clinical and histopathologic findings in five patients with presumed ocular histoplasmosis. These findings provide evidence that the new vessels arising in the choroid in these patients usually grow within the subsensory retinal space and not in the subpigment epithelial space, as occurs in patients with age-related macular degeneration. In presumed ocular histoplasmosis, the new vessels are partly engulfed by a monolayer of proliferating retinal pigment epithelium. Surgical excision of this membrane permits reapproximation of the retinal receptors and native pigment epithelium and may be associated with remarkable return of visual acuity.
Effects of pH and plant source on lignocellulose biodegradation rates in two wetland ecosystems, the Okefenokee Swamp and a Georgia salt marsh1,2,3

The microbial mineralization of synthetic [ L4C]lignin, specifically radiolabeled [ 14C-ligninl-lignocellulose and [ L4C-polysaccharide]-lignocellulose from a variety of aquatic herbaceous and woody plants was investigated in water and sediment from a salt marsh on Sapelo Island, Georgia, and from the Okefenokee Swamp, an acidic peat-forming freshwater swamp in southern Georgia. Rates of microbial degradation of lignocellulose were depressed in the Okefenokee relative to those in the salt marsh. About 50% of the difference in mineralization rates was attributable to the low ambient pH (3.9) of Okefenokee water relative to the pH of salt marsh water (pH 7.1). Rates of mineralization of the lignin component of lignocellulose were only minimally affected within the range of pH 4-8, whereas mineralization of the polysaccharide component increased severalfold with increasing pH. Differences in the biodegradability of the various lignocelluloses were also observed; lignocelluloses from herbaceous plants were mineralized several times faster than lignocellulose from wood. In southern Georgia, two large and very different detritus-based wetland ecosystems, the coastal salt marshes and the Okefenokee Swamp, lie within 100 km of each other. Due to their geographical proximity, environmental conditions such as insolation, rainfall, and seasonal temperature regimes do not differ’significantly between the two ecosystems. Both have dense concentrations of macrophytes which are composed primarily of structural polymers referred to as lignocellulose (Hodson et al. 1982, 1983). However, the large accumulations of peat in the Okefenokee Swamp are in striking contrast to the relatively low organic content of the salt marsh sediments, suggesting major differences in the transformations and fate of vascular plant detritus in the two ecosystems. Salt marshes, such as the one at Sapelo Island, Georgia, are dominated by
Honoring Voices From Beginning Special Educators for Making Changes in Teacher Preparation

Through a mixed-methods study, teacher educators investigated recent graduates’ perceptions of their preparation program. Beginning special education teachers completed surveys and indicated (a) their level of preparation and confidence associated with 25 core competencies, (b) the most beneficial components of their preparation program, (c) suggestions for improving the program, and (d) current training needs. The highest levels of preparation and confidence were found in the areas of professionalism, behavior management, and instruction. The lowest levels of preparation and confidence were noted in transition and teaching students whose first language was not English. Participants reported that early clinical experiences and student teaching were the most beneficial components of the program. Furthermore, they offered suggestions for adding breadth and depth to courses and desired to learn more about timely issues.
Performance Limits for Computational Photography

Over the last decade, a number of Computational Imaging (CI) systems have been proposed for tasks such as motion deblurring, defocus deblurring and multispectral imaging. These techniques increase the amount of light reaching the sensor via multiplexing and then undo the deleterious effects of multiplexing by appropriate reconstruction algorithms. However, a detailed analysis of CI has proven to be a challenging problem because performance depends equally on three components: (1) the optical multiplexing, (2) the noise characteristics of the sensor, and (3) the reconstruction algorithm, which typically uses signal priors. In this paper, we utilize a recently proposed framework incorporating all three components [13]. We model signal priors using a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), which allows us to analytically compute Minimum Mean-Squared Error (MMSE). We analyze the specific problem of motion and defocus deblurring, showing how to find the optimal exposure time and aperture setting for defocus and motion deblurring cameras, respectively. This framework gives us the machinery to answer an open question in computational imaging: “To deblur or denoise?”
Gerontology with a “J”: Personal Reflections on Theory-Building in the Sociology of Aging

My introduction to the field of gerontology was not auspicious. I was sitting in the office of Bernice Neugarten at the University of Chicago, scared silly. I was a senior in college applying to graduate schools and Dr. Neugarten (I still can’t bring myself to call her “Bernice”) was interrogating me. Why should I, a philosophy major from a very small and undistinguished college, feel myself qualified to join the Human Development and Aging program at the great University of Chicago? “Well,” I began, “I think I would be interested in Geh-ren-tology, pronouncing the ‘G’ as in ‘guest.’” “NO!,” she shouted. “It is pronounced Jeh-ren-tology!” This was the first time I had heard anyone say the word. The study of aging was very new in 1963.
A Mandala: A Diagram of the Clinical Education Experience in Athletic Training

Objective: The objective of this paper is to present the practical use of a Mandala that: 1) provides opportunities for athletic training students to explore, reflect on and appreciate their clinical experiences; 2) provides educators with a model to understand and value athletic training student experiences; 3) organizes and captures factors and associated relationships that influence the athletic training student's clinical experience; and 4) provides impetus for further research and discussion between and among athletic training educators. Background: Athletic training educators often find it difficult to demonstrate and assess the behavioral component of learning. Creative teaching strategies and exercises that help athletic training students develop interpersonal competence, self-awareness, and self-reflection are needed in athletic training education. One approach to address this need is to employ the practical exercise of creating athletic training student Mandalas; portraits of self-expression and...
Glass To Metal Seals

In order to undertake a study of the factors involved in the manufacture of a glass-to-metal seal it is necessary to define carefully the specific type of product to be considered. In general such a seal constitutes an electrical insulation between two or more metallic elements while at the same time forming part of an enclosure or shield, hermetically shielding some electronic component from the surrounding environment.
A combination of intramural stomach and portal venous air: conservative treatment

Emphysematous gastritis is a severe and rare form of gastritis with characteristic findings of intramural gas in the stomach. It is an acute life-threatening condition resulting from gas-producing microorganisms invading the stomach wall. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment with bowel rest, hydration, and intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics is imperative for an effective outcome. Surgical intervention is reserved for perforations, peritonitis, strictures, and uncontrolled disseminated sepsis. We present a case of an 82-year-old female with prior history of colon and uterine cancer on remission treated with surgeries who presented with bilious vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and nausea. She was tachycardic and had a diffusely tender abdomen with rebound on examination. Her laboratory results including blood count, serum chemistry, and coagulation studies were normal. She was diagnosed with emphysematous gastritis based on the characteristic radiographic findings of intramural stomach gas and also the presence of gas in the portal venous system. It is important to differentiate emphysematous gastritis from gastric emphysema because of the difference in management and prognosis, as emphysematous gastritis has a worse outcome and requires aggressive management. Despite an anticipated poor prognosis due to the known grave outcomes of emphysematous gastritis, our patient was successfully managed with conservative treatment. We concluded that she developed emphysematous gastritis probably secondary to immunosuppression and possible mucosal tears from multiple bouts of vomiting. She had a stable hospital course and resolution with medical management most likely due to early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment. Keywords: gastric emphysema; gastritis; portal venous air; stomach wall air (Published: 17 February 2016) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2016, 6 : 30519 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v6.30519
Bases of Budgetary Incrementalism.

This essay analyses the explanatory power of Davis, Dempster, and Wildavsky's theory of budgetary incrementalism. By means of sensitivity testing, it demonstrates that inferences to “gaming” or strategic explanations of budgetary incrementalism are not warranted on the basis of correlational analysis.To explain budgetary incrementalism more satisfactorily, recourse is made to concepts and variables explicit in the vocabulary of the budget process participants. When mandatory requests are distinguished from programmatic requests, the differential treatment of the two by Congress is observed to allow good explanation of budgetary relations. In particular, the inexorable but small mandatory request, which is almost automatically granted, is adequate by itself to explain why requests always increase and why one year's appropriation surpasses the previous one.
The Eigenvalues of an Infinite Matrix

Bobette Thorsen (thorsenbh@acad.etown.edu) received her Ph.D from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1992 under the direction of Harold Widom. After teaching a year at Haverford Coiiege, she joined the mathematics faculty at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, where she is currently an associate professor. Her primary research interest is in operator theory. She also enjoys working with undergraduate students on research projects in diverse areas. Other interests include painting, playing duplicate bridge, hiking in the Adirondacks, and spending time with her husband and two young children.
New transformation of plant management under recycling economy

According to the idea and requirement of developing Cyclic Economy,this paper has summarized two modes of improvement Plant management under the Cyclic Economy,and presented the improvement suggestions of tactic.
Analysis of Network Models

The previous two chapters have been devoted to the construction of network models from life-cycle specifications. Now we shall move on to some of the methods available for drawing deductions from those models. Since the models discussed in this text involve the accumulations and flows of individuals in a population, the questions we can ask of these models and the deductions that we can draw from them concern the dynamics of such accumulations and flows.
Opportunistic multi-antenna downlink transmission with finite-rate feedback

Multiple-antenna downlink transmission offers significant capacity improvement when the transmit-side channel state information (CSI) is available. The sum-rate capacity with infinite-rate feedback (full or partial CSI) scales linearly with the number of transmit antennas (multiplexing gain) and double logarithmically with the number of users (multiuser diversity gain). In this paper we present a new scheduling scheme which requires only finite-rate feedback and yet retains the optimal multiplexing and multiuser diversity gains achievable by dirty-paper coding and show that its sum-rate throughput scales like Nt log log KNr where Nt and Nr are the number of transmit and receive antennas and K is the number of users. While our scheduling schemes is asymptotically optimal, it also exhibits a good performance for practical network sizes. We also show that by appropriate design of the feedback mechanism, we can refrain the aggregate amount of feedback from increasing with the number of users and for asymptotically large networks the total number of feedback bits is bounded by Nt log Nt. We also demonstrate that despite having an opportunistic user selection, fairness among the users is maintained and all are equality likely to be scheduled.
Calculation of reflectivity spectra for semi-infinite two-dimensional photonic crystals

This work involves the development of a finite-element method model to examine the optical properties of two-dimensional photonic crystals (PCs). The model is capable of studying the effect of a finite number of periods in a PC structure. The new design minimizes computational resources by modeling a PC with one infinite dimension with periodic boundary conditions while modeling the second with finite dimensions. This allows for calculation of transmission and reflection spectra across the PC structure. A finite difference frequency domain (FDFD) model has been created for calculation of the photonic band structure. This is compared with the reflection spectra obtained through the reflection model and is found to closely match. The reflection model capabilities are demonstrated by calculating the reflection spectrum for various parameters: period length, number of periods, incident light polarization, and material properties. Effects of varying these parameters are demonstrated. For example, the reflectivity of a GaAs/Air PC was found to reach greater than 95% when the PC has 10 periods; it exceeds 99% with 13 periods and reaches 99.9% at 15 periods.
A temperature-variant method for performance modeling and economic analysis of thermoelectric generators: Linking material properties to real-world conditions

A new methodology for the systematic study of thermoelectric generator (TEG) design and economic analysis is presented, with the objective of assessing the performance and financial feasibility of small-scale TEG installations, for 4 leading candidate thermoelectric materials. Temperature of a steam trap pipe surface were measured at the University of California Davis Pilot Brewery, and device performance was modeled using the finite-element modeling software ANSYS. The model integrated temperature-dependent material properties from leading candidate thermoelectric materials and experimental time-variant temperature data. Calculated power outputs were utilized in a net present value (NPV) framework to assess the financial feasibility and economic implications of small scale TEG installations, as well as to address the aspects of TEG research, design and implementation which have potential for rapid and substantive improvement. This model, along with case study results, provides a powerful platform for analyzing the performance of real-world systems and can be used to predict where further technological development on TEG materials and devices would be most effective. It is found that a BiSbTe based TEG generated the highest power output at the measured temperatures and consequently resulted in the highest NPV at the end of 25 years. Sensitivity analysis of the NPV revealed a strong dependence on the heat-exchanger cost, highlighting the importance of efficient heat transfer design. The zT necessary for a 7-year payback period as a function of the capital cost and hot-side temperature was also calculated for a SiGe based TEG.
A Tale of Two Cysts: Steatocystoma Multiplex and Eruptive Vellus Hair Cysts-Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.

Background. Steatocystoma multiplex (SM) and eruptive vellus hair cysts (EVHC) are uncommon benign tumors of the pilosebaceous unit. Both SM and EVHC are characterized by smooth, asymptomatic papules or nodules, most commonly presenting on the chest, limbs, and abdomen. Most cases of SM and EVHC are sporadic, although less common autosomal dominant inherited forms have been reported. Main Observation. In this report we present two cases of cutaneous cysts exhibiting characteristics of either SM or EVHC. Both patients presented with numerous 1-2 mm asymptomatic papules and responded well to surgical expression by incision and drainage (I&D). Conclusion. SM and EVHC are similar in clinical presentation and management. Previously reported “hybrid-type” tumors present strong evidence for a relationship between the two lesions pathologically. Due to potential similarity of EVHC and SM cyst contents, I&D and subsequent microscopic examination cannot definitely differentiate between EVHC, SM, and hybrid cysts.
Return of the Barbarians: Confronting Non-State Actors from Ancient Rome to the Present

Barbarians are back. These small, highly mobile, and stateless groups are no longer confined to the pages of history; they are a contemporary reality in groups such as the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and ISIL. Return of the Barbarians re-examines the threat of violent non-state actors throughout history, revealing key lessons that are applicable today. From the Roman Empire and its barbarian challenge on the Danube and Rhine, Russia and the steppes to the nineteenth-century Comanches, Jakub J. Grygiel shows how these groups have presented peculiar, long-term problems that could rarely be solved with a finite war or clearly demarcated diplomacy. To succeed and survive, states were often forced to alter their own internal structure, giving greater power and responsibility to the communities most directly affected by the barbarian menace. Understanding the barbarian challenge, and strategies employed to confront it, offers new insights into the contemporary security threats facing the Western world.
Diffusing Information Technology Education in Korean Undergraduate Public Affairs and Administration Programs: Driving Forces and Challenging Issues

AbstractPublic management information systems has been one of the core subjects in most South Korean undergraduate public affairs and administration programs since the late 1980s. Since the late 19...
The Relationship of Cpm to Squared Error Loss

The relationship between the capability index Cpm and the expected squared error loss provides an intuitive interpretation of Cpm. By putting the loss in relative terms a user needs only to specify the target and the distance from the target at which th..
Infrastructure Financing vs Affordable Housing

Rapid growth of urban areas demands increased physical facilities and other infrastructure items. These can be financed in several ways. Impact fees are politically expedient but restrictive on affordability for lower income groups. Alternative financing methods are presented to help this group.
Deformational Structures (1963–1976)

Structures due to deformation contemporaneous with sedimentation continue to attract attention. Interest has focused on structures produced by those vertical or convective movements due to inverse density stratification and on those structures related to dewatering of sediments and momentary “liquification” and, also, on the largest deformational features — olistostromes — structures difficult to distinguish from true tectonic melanges. The relations between olistostromes, turbidites, and tectonics are explored by Abbate (1970b). The deformational structures generally have limited paleocurrent value except perhaps those produced by slump or other lateral movements which are presumed to define the paleoslope.
A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of a Culturally-Tailored Counseling Intervention to Increase Uptake of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Washington, DC

Daily emtricitabine/tenofovor is effective at preventing HIV acquisition and is approved for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Blacks in the United States have a disproportionately high rate of HIV, and uptake of PrEP has been very low in this population. We conducted a pilot study in a high-prevalence city to test whether a culturally-tailored counseling center for young Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) positively impacted their access and uptake of PrEP. 50 young BMSM were randomized to either a PrEP counseling center group or a control group, and were then encouraged to obtain PrEP from a PrEP provider. At the end of 3 month study, six participants in the intervention group compared with none in the control group had initiated PrEP (p = 0.02). This pilot study demonstrates that a culturally-tailored counseling center might be an effective at increasing the uptake of PrEP in young BMSM.
Access denied: exploring Muslim American representation and exclusion by state legislators

Post 9/11, evidence that Muslim Americans are experiencing discrimination is pervasive. This paper tests what has previously been only anecdotal evidence that discrimination extends to Muslims' tre...
Economic carbon cycle feedbacks may offset additional warming from natural feedbacks

As the Earth warms, carbon sinks on land and in the ocean will weaken, thereby increasing the rate of warming. Although natural mechanisms contributing to this positive climate-carbon feedback have been evaluated using Earth system models, analogous feedbacks involving human activities have not been systematically quantified. Here we conceptualize and estimate the magnitude of several economic mechanisms that generate a carbon-climate feedback, using the Kaya identity to separate a net economic feedback into components associated with population, GDP, heating and cooling, and the carbon intensity of energy production and transportation. We find that climate-driven decreases in economic activity (GDP) may in turn decrease human energy use and thus fossil fuel CO2 emissions. In a high radiative forcing scenario, such decreases in economic activity reduce fossil fuel emissions by 13% this century, lowering atmospheric CO2 by over 100 ppm in 2100. The natural carbon-climate feedback, in contrast, increases atmospheric CO2 over this period by a similar amount, and thus, the net effect including both feedbacks is nearly zero. Our work highlights the importance of improving the representation of climate-economic feedbacks in scenarios of future change. Although the effects of climate warming on the economy may offset weakening land and ocean carbon sinks, a loss of economic productivity will have high societal costs, potentially increasing wealth inequity and limiting resources available for effective adaptation.
Do the Ladies Run This Mutha? The Relationship between Political Rap and Black Feminist Attitudes

ABSTRACTMusic has been thought of as an art form that expresses ideas and sentiments of the artist. This article examines the relationship between political and non-political rap and Black feminist...
Force-history dependence and cyclic mechanical reinforcement of actin filaments at the single molecular level

The actin cytoskeleton is subjected to dynamic mechanical forces over time and the history of force loading may serve as mechanical preconditioning. While the actin cytoskeleton is known to be mechanosensitive, the mechanisms underlying force regulation of actin dynamics still need to be elucidated. Here, we investigated actin depolymerization under a range of dynamic tensile forces using atomic force microscopy. Mechanical loading by cyclic tensile forces induced significantly enhanced bond lifetimes and different force-loading histories resulted in different dissociation kinetics in G-actin-G-actin and G-actin-F-actin interactions. Actin subunits at the two ends of filaments formed bonds with distinct kinetics under dynamic force, with cyclic mechanical reinforcement more effective at the pointed end compared to that at the barbed end. Our data demonstrate force-history dependent reinforcement in actin-actin bonds and polarity of the actin depolymerization kinetics under cyclic tensile forces. These properties of actin may be important clues to understanding regulatory mechanisms underlying actin-dependent mechanotransduction and mechanosensitive cytoskeletal dynamics.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
The John and Mildred Putnam Sculpture Collection Patronage and the Role of a Campus Sculpture Collection

Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio is fortunate to be one of the few colleges and universities in the United States to have a permanent collection of world class sculpture. The thirt...
Nerve Diameter in the Hand: A Cadaveric Study.

Background Nerve injuries in the hand are common and often pose a challenge for the upper extremity surgeon. A range of reconstructive options exist for nerve repair, but proper matching of nerve diameter is important for many of these techniques. The purposes of this study were to (1) describe the nerve diameters of the hand and their relative differences and (2) investigate whether there is a relationship between nerve diameter and external hand dimensions or body mass index. Methods We utilized 18 freshly frozen cadaveric hands from adult donors aged 20-86 of both sexes for this study. Two independent observers measured each nerve diameter to the nearest 0.1 mm using a digital caliper. Results Using the flexor zones as boundaries, a total of 33 nerve measurements were performed for each cadaveric hand. Nerve diameter increased from the distal to the proximal flexor zones. The internal common digital nerves in flexor zone 3 were larger than the external digital nerves. The median nerve was found to be nearly 2 times larger than the ulnar nerve at 2 locations within the wrist. There was a positive correlation between body mass index, hand span, hand width, and nerve diameter at several measured locations. Conclusions This study provides reference values for nerve diameters of the hand and wrist and describes their relative differences. It is important for surgeons to be aware of these differences and to consider this information as we advance our efforts to reconstruct the hand and develop technologies for nerve repair.
What sort of cognitive hypothesis is a derivational theory of grammar

Aquest article te dos objectius estretament relacionats. L’objectiu principal es exposar una forma especifica en la qual els aspectes derivatius d’una teoria gramatical poden contribuir a les afirmacions cognitives realitzades per aquesta teoria, per demostrar que no son nomes les representacions plantejades d’una teoria de les que es deriven hipotesis cognitives testables. Aixo requereix, pero, una comprensio de les derivacions gramaticals que, inicialment, semblen poc naturals en el context de la sintaxi generativa moderna. El segon objectiu es argumentar que aquesta impressio es enganyosa: certs accidents de la manera com les nostres teories es van desenvolupar al llarg de les decades han donat lloc a una situacio que fa artificialment dificil aplicar la comprensio de les derivacions que adopto a la gramatica generativa moderna. Les comparacions amb altres formalismes derivatius i amb gramatiques generatives anteriors serveixen per aclarir la questio de com els sistemes derivats poden, en general, constituir hipotesis sobre fenomens mentals.
Prediction in Online Convex Optimization for Parametrizable Objective Functions

Many techniques for online optimization problems involve making decisions based solely on presently available information: fewer works take advantage of potential predictions. In this paper, we discuss the problem of online convex optimization for parametrizable objectives, i.e. optimization problems that depend solely on the value of a parameter at a given time. We introduce a new regularity for dynamic regret based on the accuracy of predicted values of the parameters and show that, under mild assumptions, accurate prediction can yield tighter bounds on dynamic regret. Inspired by recent advances on learning how to optimize, we also propose a novel algorithm to simultaneously predict and optimize for parametrizable objectives and study its performance using numerical experiments.
Sex determination using DNA and its impact on biological anthropology

Abstract The advent of DNA-based sex determination of skeletal remains has had major impacts on the fields of biological and forensic anthropology. This is especially true for remains where the use of traditional techniques is not useful, such as juvenile remains, fragmentary remains, or remains with ambiguous sex characteristics. DNA sex determination has opened new avenues of exploration for past population studies of marriage and burial patterns, sex-based differences in mortality and disease rates, and other anthropological questions. However, DNA cannot be extracted from all remains, due to taphonomic degradation or poor DNA preservation. In these cases, traditional anthropological techniques will continue to be the sole means of assessing the sex of the individual.
36-year-old Male with Syncope.

Author(s): King, Samantha A.; Spangler, Ryan; Dezman, Zachary D.W.; Bontempo, Laura J. | Abstract: Case Presentation: A 36-year-old incarcerated male presented to the emergency department (ED) after an episode concerning for syncope. The patient had nystagmus and ataxia on initial examination.Discussion: There is a broad differential diagnosis for syncope, and for patients presenting to the ED we tend to focus on cardiogenic and neurologic causes. This case takes the reader through the differential diagnosis and systemic work-up of a patient presenting to the ED with syncope.
Modeling the Opening SARS-CoV-2 Spike: an Investigation of its Dynamic Electro-Geometric Properties

Abstract The recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a surge of crowd-sourced initiatives aimed at simulating the proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A bottleneck currently exists in translating these simulations into tangible predictions that can be leveraged for pharmacological studies. Here we report on extensive electrostatic calculations done on an exascale simulation of the opening of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, performed by the Folding@home initiative. We compute the electric potential as the solution of the non-linear Poisson-Boltzmann equation using a parallel sharp numerical solver. The inherent multiple length scales present in the geometry and solution are reproduced using highly adaptive Octree grids. We analyze our results focusing on the electro-geometric properties of the receptor-binding domain and its vicinity. This work paves the way for a new class of hybrid computational and data-enabled approaches, where molecular dynamics simulations are combined with continuum modeling to produce high-fidelity computational measurements serving as a basis for protein bio-mechanism investigations.
Understanding the impact of isolation due to COVID-19 on employment for Kentuckians with spinal cord injuries

BACKGROUND: Obtaining and retaining employment for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is frequently a greater challenge than it is for the non-SCI population It is particularly difficult during COVID-19 because all the barriers to employment are compounded for people with SCI as they have to take extra precaution to protect their health and wellbeing OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to understand how isolation related to COVID-19 has had an effect on the employment experiences for persons living with SCI METHODS: Three virtual focus groups were conducted with Kentuckians who had SCI RESULTS: The major themes were: the impact of disruption in routine on physical and mental health, importance of having the right accommodations, working from home as an accommodation, and the uncertainty of work CONCLUSIONS: Accommodations are a critical component for people with SCI to be retained in the workforce Employers should be proactive in offering various inclusive and accessible accommodations to employees so that people do not have to bear the additional burden of asking for accommodations Rehabilitation professionals would serve the SCI population well by finding ways to help clients better advocate for themselves, provide adaptive home therapeutic equipment, and help identify diverse employment skill sets © 2021 - IOS Press All rights reserved
Cardiac IV: Mechanical Support

A 13-year-old 30 kg female with a dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and progressive heart failure is being considered for orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Due to a precipitous decline in the patient’s cardiovascular status culminating in intensive care unit admission and initiation of maximal medical therapy, the decision has been made to semi-electively provide mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The chosen device is a HeartWare centrifugal pump as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Foliar application of defoliants after winter chill accumulation changes phytohormone dynamics and improves budbreak in blackberry under subtropical climatic conditions

Inadequate winter chill causes poor budbreak in blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson), limiting the commercial production in the subtropics. In ‘Natchez’ blackberry, our previous study found that, under inadequate chilling conditions, urea and lime sulfur (LS) applied as defoliants before chill accumulation advanced budbreak but did not improve final budbreak. In this study, we applied the two defoliants at the end of chill accumulation and examined their effectiveness in breaking dormancy, with a hypothesis that it can be enhanced with increased exposure to chilling. Field experiments were conducted over two growing seasons under subtropical climatic conditions. ‘Natchez’ blackberry was sprayed with urea or LS at 10%. Both defoliants were effective in both advancing and maximizing budbreak. Final budbreak reached 42.6% to 76.8% in the defoliant treatments, compared with 27.1% to 31.6% in the control. Advanced budbreak by defoliants increased early season yield by 35% to 88%. Although not statistically significant, defoliants increased total-season yield by 19% to 56%, compared with the control. Phytohormone profiling revealed no changes in abscisic acid and gibberellic acid 4, but increasing trends in jasmonic acid and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) during budbreak. The LS treatment increased IAA accumulation by up to 377% compared with the control. These results suggest that urea and LS are highly effective dormancy-breaking agents for blackberry when applied after winter chill accumulation. These defoliants could be an important adaptation tool for subtropical blackberry production. Furthermore, increased IAA accumulation appears to be, at least in part, the mode of action for LS-induced budbreak.
"Who Doesn't Like Receiving Good News?" Perspectives of Individuals Who Received Genomic Screening Results by Mail.

As genomic sequencing expands to screen larger numbers of individuals, offering genetic counseling to everyone may not be possible. One approach to managing this limitation is for a genetic counselor to communicate clinically actionable results in person or by telephone, but report other results by mail. We employed this approach in a large genomic implementation study. In this paper, we describe participants’ experiences receiving genomic screening results by mail. We conducted 50 semi-structured telephone interviews with individuals who received neutral genomic screening results by mail. Most participants were satisfied receiving neutral results by mail. Participants generally had a good understanding of results; however, a few participants had misunderstandings about their genomic screening results, including mistaken beliefs about their disease risk and the comprehensiveness of the test. No one reported plans to alter health behaviors, defer medical evaluations, or take other actions that might be considered medically problematic. Reporting neutral results by mail is unlikely to cause recipients distress or generate misunderstandings that may result in reduced vigilance in following recommended preventive health strategies. Nonetheless, some individuals may benefit from additional genetic counseling support to help situate their results in the context of personal concerns and illness experiences.
Diabetes, disability, and dementia risk: Results from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE).

Background:Emerging research has elucidated pathophysiological relationships among diabetes, disability, cognitive impairment, and incident dementia. However, the relationships between diabetes, di...
Abstract P167: Chronic Circadian Disruption Impairs Cardiovascular Rhythms In Mice

Shift workers have an increased risk of developing hypertension and higher incidence of metabolic syndrome. Circadian rhythm disruption increases cardiometabolic disease risk in humans and animals....
Validation of AML-score in Older Adults Receiving CPX-351 Intensive Induction Chemotherapy for Treatment of Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Abstract Introduction/Background The AML-Score has been validated in patients receiving traditional induction chemotherapies but not CPX-351. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate, among patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia who received intensive induction with CPX-351, if the AML-Score associates with (1) complete remission (CR) and (2) early mortality (EM) within 60 days of induction. Materials and Methods We abstracted demographic and clinical data from consecutive patients receiving CPX-351 at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital between September 2017 and November 2020. We used descriptive statistics and receiver operating curves to evaluate the relationship between AML-Score and rates of CR and EM. Results In total, 40 patients were included. 27 (67.5%) were male, 27 (67.5%) were white, 36 (90.0%) were not Hispanic or Latino, and 29 (72.5%) were aged ≥60 years. Twenty-seven patients (67.5%) had a CR, and 4 (10%) experienced EM. Observed rates of CR and EM generally increased with increasing predicted risk. The area under the curve was 0.75 (95% CI 0.60-0.90) for CR and 0.82 (95% CI 0.68-0.96) for EM. Conclusion The AML-Score tool trends in the correct direction for predicting CR and EM, and thus may facilitate oncologist prognostication and treatment planning for patients receiving CPX-351. However, its clinical utility is limited by its underestimation of the risk of CR and overestimation of the risk of EM. Further validation in a larger cohort is needed to calculate accurate point estimates of CR and EM risk in this population.
Tax Benefit Preservation Plans

We study the rise of shareholder right plans aimed at protecting a firm’s net operating loss carryforwards (tax benefit preservation plans). Traditional rights plans are designed to prevent hostile takeovers and have been found to entrench management at the expense of outside shareholders. Tax benefit preservation plans, however, have the potential to benefit shareholders by protecting a potentially valuable corporate asset. Using a sample of firms with publicly available information, we find that entrenchment concerns tend to outweigh the protection of net operating loss carryforwards when firms adopt tax benefit preservation plans. Specifically, we find that abnormal returns are negative at the announcement of a new tax benefit preservation plan. Additionally, firms with such a plan in place experience negative abnormal returns around the Delaware Courts’ decisions validating their use. JEL classification: G38; H25; K34