cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of Linear Time Varying Differential Systems Amid Modal Disturbances

Abstract A ore shot least squares projected equation error technique is developed for the parameter identification of a class of linear time varying differential systems with unknown, disturbance inputs modeled by arbitrary linear combinations of arbitrary modal functions on a finite time interval. The least squares formulation seeks to determine the system parameters characterizing the time varying coefficients in the differential equation, as well as the parameters characterizing the unknown modal disturbances, based on finite time input-output data and without the need for estimating unknown initial conditions. Computational complexities of the formulation are discussed and compared with those attending the time invariant case.
Evaluating Retention of Skin Cancer Education in Kidney Transplant Recipients Reveals a Window of Opportunity for Re-education.

Abstract Background Skin cancer is the most common malignancy after solid organ transplant and can lead to significant morbidity. The likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas is 100 and 2.4 times more likely, respectively, in kidney transplant recipients when compared with the general population. There are few data regarding the assessment and influence of solid organ transplant recipient (SOTR) knowledge of skin cancer and its effect on short- and long-term awareness and behavior. Methods The purpose of this study was to assess the baseline knowledge of SOTR immediately after transplantation, and then to reassess their knowledge following a 5-minute educational video. We also wanted to determine whether lifestyle modifications had been implemented 4 to 8 months after the intervention. Results Forty patients were enrolled within 2 months of transplantation. Eighty-seven percent of patients were renal transplant recipients, and 75% of patients were available for long-term follow-up. There was a significant increase in knowledge in the immediate postintervention period, which was sustained at 4- to 8-month follow-up, as assessed by patient questionnaire. Patients appeared to be applying this knowledge by participating in lifestyle risk modification and positive sun-protective behavior. Conclusions Our study suggests that incorporating additional skin cancer education into the early transplant timeline (perhaps in the first one or two outpatient follow-up visits) with an easy to administer educational video and question and answer form increases patient knowledge and influences positive sun-protective behavior.
Holocaust Memory Reframed: Museums and the Challenges of Representation

The book under review has a deep-rooted concern for the real purpose of Holocaust memorialization. Its author Jennifer Hansen-Glucklich recommends we not only reflect “on what we are remembering bu...
State Definitions on the Gifted and Talented: A Report and Analysis:

The definitions of the gifted and talented in fifty states were compiled through questionnaires completed by persons designated as the state director of gifted education. The definitions were analyzed to determine the number and percentage of states using the definition established by the Advisory Panel to the USOE in 1972. Additional analysis was undertaken to determine the components of the various state definitions, if both intellectually gifted and talented were included, and the degree to which states were including students with either demonstrated or potential ability.
Simultaneous Process Scheduling and Control: A Multiparametric Programming-Based Approach

We present a systematic framework to derive model-based simultaneous strategies for the integration of scheduling and control via multiparametric programming. We develop offline maps of optimal scheduling actions accounting for the closed-loop dynamics of the process through a surrogate model formulation that incorporates the inherent behavior of the control scheme. The surrogate model is designed to translate the long-term scheduling decisions to time varying set points and operating modes in the time scale of the controller. The continuous and binary scheduling decisions are explicitly taken into account in the multiparametric model predictive controllers. We showcase the framework on a stand-alone three-product continuous stirred tank reactor, and two reactors operating in parallel.
Relevance-Ranked Domain-Specific Synonym Discovery

Interest in domain-specific search is growing rapidly, creating a need for domain-specific synonym discovery. The best-performing methods for this task rely on query logs and are thus difficult to use in many circumstances. We propose a method for domain-specific synonym discovery that requires only a domain-specific corpus. Our method substantially outperforms previously proposed methods in realistic evaluations. Due to the difficulty of identifying pairs of synonyms from among a large number of terms, methods have traditionally been evaluated by their ability to choose a target term's synonym from a small set of candidate terms. We generalize this evaluation by evaluating methods' performance when required to choose a target term's synonym from progressively larger sets of candidate terms. We approach synonym discovery as a ranking problem and evaluate the methods' ability to rank a target term's candidate synonyms. Our results illustrate that while our proposed method substantially outperforms existing methods, synonym discovery is still a difficult task to automate and is best coupled with a human moderator.
Remote Monitoring and Control in a Distributed Manufacturing Environment

Remote monitoring and control are crucial in decentralized manufacturing environments. This is evidenced by today’s distributed shop floors where agility and responsiveness are required to maintain high productivity and flexibility. However, there exists a lack of an effective system architecture that integrates remote condition monitoring and control of automated equipment. Addressing this problem, this chapter introduces a web-based and sensor-driven technique that bridges this missing link. A framework of WISE-SHOPFLOOR (Web-based integrated sensor-driven e-shop floor) was designed to realize such a concept. The conceptulization, architectural design, and system implementation are discussed in detail and two case studies on robot control and remote machining are presented. Enabled by Java and web technologies, WISE-SHOPFLOOR demonstrates significant promise of intelligent distributed manufacturing.
Client assignment problems for latency minimization

Interactivity is a primary performance measure for distributed interactive applications (DIAs). In a network supporting a DIA, interactivity performance depends on both client-to-server network latencies and inter-server network latencies. An optimization problem, which we term FCSA, is to find an optimum way how clients are assigned to servers such that the largest latency on an interactivity path between two clients (client 1 to server 1, server 1 to server 2, then server 2 to client 2) is minimized. Previous work showed that it is NP-hard to approximate this problem with a ratio better than 4 / 3 and gave a 3-approximation algorithm. In this paper, we give a (3 / 2)-approximation algorithm for FCSA, and show that it is NP-hard to obtain a better ratio. We also give a (3 / 2)-approximation algorithm when server capacity constraints are considered.
Translabyrinthine Approach to Vestibular Schwannomas

The most common indication for translabyrinthine (TL) surgery is a vestibular schwannoma of any size in an ear with nonserviceable hearing. Small to medium tumors measuring up to 2 cm in diameter with good hearing are ideally suited to a retrosigmoid approach with hearing preservation and endoscopic assistance depending on tumor characteristics. The approach may be combined with a retrosigmoid technique by ligating the sigmoid sinus if it is not dominant in certain tumor cases. In larger tumors, with a wide inferior brain stem attachment, a high jugular bulb can limit the surgical exposure. The TL procedure should be performed in a large operating suite that provides ample room for equipment, including the operating microscope, intraoperative monitoring systems, neuronavigation, dissection tools, including pneumatic drills, and cavitating ultrasonic aspirators. All soft tissue should be removed from the lateral cranial base to completely expose the mastoid process, digastric ridge, external auditory canal, and retrosigmoid region. All bone can be removed from the sigmoid sinus and the sinus can be gently bipolared to contract and retract it posteriorly. The sigmoid sinus must be fully decompressed and mobilized posteriorly and all of the bone over the middle fossa dura, posterior fossa dura, and petrosal sinus, need to be removed to gain as much exposure as possible. Usually the upper limit for the exposure is the superior petrosal sinus and middle fossa dura, but the TL approach can be extended superiorly. New techniques in tumor debulking, sharp dissection, and intraoperative facial nerve monitoring have led to excellent rates of facial nerve preservation.
Prosthetic Joint Infection Trends at a Dedicated Orthopaedics Specialty Hospital.

Introduction. Historically, a majority of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) grew Gram-positive bacteria. While previous studies stratified PJI risk with specific organisms by patient comorbidities, we compared infection rates and microbiologic characteristics of PJIs by hospital setting: a dedicated orthopaedic hospital versus a general hospital serving multiple surgical specialties. Methods. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 11,842 consecutive primary hip and knee arthroplasty patients was performed. Arthroplasty cases performed between April 2006 and August 2008 at the general university hospital serving multiple surgical specialties were compared to cases at a single orthopaedic specialty hospital from September 2008 to August 2016. Results. The general university hospital PJI incidence rate was 1.43%, with 5.3% of infections from Gram-negative species. In comparison, at the dedicated orthopaedic hospital, the overall PJI incidence rate was substantially reduced to 0.75% over the 8-year timeframe. Comparing the final two years of practice at the general university facility to the most recent two years at the dedicated orthopaedics hospital, the PJI incidence was significantly reduced (1.43% vs 0.61%). Though the overall number of infections was reduced, there was a significantly higher proportion of Gram-negative infections over the 8-year timeframe at 25.3%. Conclusion. In transitioning from a multispecialty university hospital to a dedicated orthopaedic hospital, the PJI incidence has been significantly reduced despite a greater Gram-negative proportion (25.3% versus 5.3%). These results suggest a change in the microbiologic profile of PJI when transitioning to a dedicated orthopaedic facility and that greater Gram-negative antibiotic coverage could be considered.
A Disturb Free Read Port 8T SRAM Bitcell Circuit Design with Virtual Ground Scheme

This paper presents new 8T SRAM design that avoids the stability and reliability issues of the conventional 6T and other existing SRAM cells. The proposed 8T SRAM is as good as the 10T design without the overheads of the 10T cell. In the proposed design, the virtual ground technique weakens the positive feedback and improves the writeability of the cell. The read operation does not require any precharging circuit leading to reduced area overheads for the SRAM memory system. The design isolates the storage node from the read path, which improves the read stability. For reliability study, we have investigated the static noise margin (SNM) of the proposed 8T SRAM and compared with the conventional designs at different process corners. The delay of the proposed bitcell is reduced to 69.67% during write and 52.87% during the read compared to conventional 6T bitcell. In addition to this, leakage currents of the proposed 8T bitcell reduced to 4.24%, 9.5% and 18.65% in the hold, read and write operations in contrast to conventional 6T bitcell. We have also analyzed the impact of the process and parametric variations in the proposed 8T SRAM using Monte Carlo simulations.
Improving Student Success in the Capstone Seminar: The Importance of a Prior Research Intensive Experience

Most undergraduate social science programs require the completion of a capstone experience before graduation. Despite the recognized potential of capstone courses to deepen learning, many students ...
Carpal tunnel syndrome and associated nail changes: Review and examples from the author's practice

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is commonly seen by general practitioners and often presents with neurologic symptoms of nocturnal pain and paresthesia along the median nerve distribution. Approximately 20% of patients also present with cutaneous findings (ulcerations, blistering, sclerodactyly, nail dystrophy) characterizing a severe form called necrotic CTS. Necrotic CTS can also be associated with bone changes (acro-osteolysis). In the author's practice, combined nail and skin findings are not an uncommon presentation of CTS, although this form remains overlooked and underreported in the dermatological textbooks and studies. This manuscript aims to review the literature on CTS cases, with a specific focus on using associated nail findings as diagnostic clues. The literature review along with a few additional recent cases from the author's practice demonstrate that CTS is frequently accompanied by a variety of nail changes including koilonychia, longitudinal fissuring, Beau's lines, onychomadesis, melanonychia, nail thickening, hyperkeratosis, and ischemic ulcerations with paronychia. Furthermore, when these changes are limited to the second and third fingernails, they should prompt the diagnosis of CTS. Once suspected, diagnostic evaluation is not difficult and surgical management can resolve cutaneous findings and prevent irreversible changes such as acro-osteolysis.
Philosophical Implications of Taxpayer Funding for Prison Education

This paper attempts to address the question of whether it is fair to use US taxpayer dollars on prison education programs. Through a philosophical inquiry from a pragmatist lens and a feminine ethic of care, issues of fairness are clarified. Following the philosophical inquiry, a historical analysis provides some background on the issue of prison history and reform movements in America. Finally, I conclude by briefly highlighting the main arguments in favor of funding prison education programs with US tax payer dollars.
The ISIS Reader: Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement

Those who have closely followed the history of the group known as the Islamic State are all too familiar with the resilience, diligence, and flexibility of the organization started by Abu-Musab al-...
Timing of Emergency Postpartum Hospital Visits in the Fourth Trimester.

OBJECTIVE The concept of the "fourth trimester" emphasizes the importance of individualized postpartum follow-up. Women seek care for urgent issues during this critical time period. Our objective was to evaluate trends in presenting complaints and admissions in an emergency setting over the first 42 days following delivery. STUDY DESIGN Postpartum hospital encounters within 42 days of delivery at our institution from 2015 to 2019 were studied. Demographic information, delivery route, and emergent hospital encounter details were obtained from the electronic medical record. The postpartum encounters were analyzed by week of presentation. Statistical analysis included Student's t-test and Mantel-Haenszel test with p <0.05 considered significant. RESULTS Of the 8,589 deliveries, 491 (5.7%) were complicated by an emergent hospital presentation within 42 days of delivery resulting in 576 hospital encounters. 35.9% of these visits occurred in the first week and 75.5% occurred within the first 3 weeks. Women presenting to the hospital were more commonly African American, higher body mass index, and delivered via cesarean. The most common chief complaints were fever, headache, abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, hypertension, and wound concerns with temporal trends noted. 72% of admissions occur within 14 days of delivery and drop dramatically thereafter (p = 0.001). The most common diagnoses were hypertension/preeclampsia with severe features, vaginal bleeding/delayed postpartum hemorrhage, and wound infection. CONCLUSION We observed important trends in presenting complaints and admission diagnoses of emergency postpartum visits in the first 42 days. The majority of hospital visits and admissions occur within the first 2 weeks postpartum. Understanding maternal conditions and reasons for accessing care through an emergency setting allows for tailoring of routine postpartum follow-up. KEY POINTS · Women presenting in the postpartum period most commonly seek care within 3 weeks of delivery.. · Postpartum presentations requiring admission most frequently occur within 2 weeks of delivery.. · The most common diagnoses on presentation were hypentension, vaginal bleeding, and wound infections..
STELLAR MEMBERSHIP AND DUSTY DEBRIS DISKS IN THE α PERSEI CLUSTER

Because of its proximity to the Galactic plane, reliable identification of members of the {alpha} Persei cluster is often problematic. Based primarily on membership evaluations contained in six published papers, we constructed a mostly complete list of high-fidelity members of spectral type G and earlier that lie within 3 arc degrees of the cluster center. {alpha} Persei was the one nearby, rich, young open cluster not surveyed with the Spitzer Space Telescope. We examined the first and final data releases of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer and found 11, or perhaps 12, {alpha} Per cluster members that have excess mid-infrared emission above the stellar photosphere attributable to an orbiting dusty debris disk. The most unusual of these is V488 Per, a K-type star with an excess IR luminosity 16% (or more) of the stellar luminosity; this is a larger excess fraction than that of any other known dusty main-sequence star. Much of the dust that orbits V488 Per is at a temperature of {approx}800 K; if these grains radiate like blackbodies, then they lie only {approx}0.06 AU from the star. The dust is probably the aftermath of a collision of two planetary embryos or planets with small semimajor axes; suchmore » orbital radii are similar to those of many of the transiting planets discovered by the Kepler satellite.« less
Exploring the Importance of Feminist Identity in Social Work Education.

Feminist identity, which allows those who support feminist ideals to establish themselves as being interested in reducing gender-based oppression, has been connected to increased commitment to coll...
Evaluation of fixed versus variable dosing of 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for emergent warfarin reversal.

Abstract Study objective This study compares the safety and efficacy of a fixed dose of 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4FPCC) to the FDA-approved variable dosing for reversal of warfarin-induced anticoagulation. Methods This was a single-center, prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial with subjects randomized to 4FPCC at a fixed dose of 1500 IU or the FDA-approved variable dosing regimen. The primary efficacy outcome (reversal success) was defined as a post-intervention international normalized ratio (INR) of less than or equal to 1.5. Given that 4FPCC is the standard of care for reversal of warfarin-induced anticoagulation an active-controlled approach was employed with the two dosing regimens compared based on efficacy, cost, and safety outcomes. Results 71 subjects (34 in the fixed dose group and 37 in the variable dose group) completed the study. There were no significant differences in age, gender, weight, initial INR, or indication for 4FPCC administration between the two treatment groups. Reversal success in the fixed-dose group was 61.8%, while in the variable dose group reversal success was 89.2%. Reversal success in the fixed-dose group was significantly lower than the rate of reversal success in the variable dose group (27.4% lower, p = 0.011). Conclusion The results of this study provide evidence that fixed dosing results in lower reversal success rates as compared to variable dosing of 4FPCC for warfarin-induced anticoagulation.
Diversity on Corporate Boards

This article reviews existing research on board diversity. What role does diversity of board members play in board governance, and how does it influence firm behavior and firm value? First, given t...
Narrative theory IV: Within-subject effects of active and control scarcity narratives on delay discounting in alcohol use disorder.

Imagining narratives involving sudden economic scarcity has been shown to increase delay discounting rates. However, previous studies have only compared active and control narratives between groups. Moreover, an investigation of the quantitative effects of different narrative scenario types has not been conducted. In this study, active and control scarcity narratives were administered within-subject in a sample of individuals meeting criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Individuals with AUD (N = 81; 26.9% female) were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. After assignment to the job (N = 42) or storm (N = 39) narrative groups, participants completed delay discounting tasks while imagining an active (job loss/hurricane) and control (job neutral/mild storm) condition. Both active narratives increased delay discounting relative to the corresponding control condition (p < .001), with no effect of order of presentation (p = .202). Additionally, both narrative types exerted similar effect sizes on discounting rates (job: d = 0.54; storm: d = 0.45). This study replicates and extends previous research on the manipulability of delay discounting rates with scarcity narratives. We demonstrated that the active narrative significantly increased delay discounting relative to a control narrative within-subject, regardless of presentation order. Moreover, both the job loss and hurricane narratives exerted a similar effect on the delay discounting rate. These results highlight the robust ability of the Narrative Theory framework to shift delay discounting rates and suggest that in AUD, imagining economic scarcity due to job loss or hurricane exerts comparable effects on behavioral economic decision-making. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Withdrawal of Mechanical Ventilation: Considerations to Guide Patient and Family Centered Care and the Development of Health Care Policy

The goal of this chapter is to illustrate the complex issues related to withdrawal of life support using a case-based approach. We will present patient and family barriers, clinician barriers, and ethical issues and offer facilitators that may help overcome these barriers. We intend this information to serve as a practical guide and resource for pulmonary and critical care physicians and nurses.
A High-Performance Low Power Compact Wideband X-band DCO Based on Transformer Coupled Feedback

This paper demonstrates a low power, compact and wideband oscillator design that is based on a transformer coupled feedback (TCF). The digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) was implemented in a commercial CMOS finfet process and covers 8.83-14.38GHz, a fractional tuning range (FTR) of 48%, with a 1MHz offset figure of merit (FoM) of 184.6-183 dBc/Hz and FoM with tuning range (FoMt) of 198.1-196.6 dBc/Hz. The DCO consumes 3-3.6mW and occupies 0.055mm2. The relatively high performance of this DCO is consistent over a wide tuning range, enabling high data rate exchange over broader bandwidth (BW) while keeping power consumption low and occupying a small area.
Hybrid depletion framework using mixed-fidelity transport solutions and substeps

Abstract An improved depletion coupling scheme is presented, employing reduced-order transport solutions at substeps between high-fidelity solutions. The purpose of the reduced-order solver is to quickly approximate how the one-group flux would change within the depletion interval. This method builds off existing substep methods, where smaller depletion intervals are used to better approximate reaction rates and material compositions. The proposed scheme relies on the use of reduced-order transport simulations at the substeps, allowing the new compositions to influence the scalar neutron flux in other materials, approaching a time-continuous model of reaction rates. The hybrid approach is achieved by coupling a Monte Carlo code to a perturbation-theory-based reduced-order solver in a custom framework. The results demonstrate that the reduced-order solutions provide increased stability compared to the standard predictor time integration scheme, as well as higher order methods. This stability translates to increased accuracy for modeling problems where stability is an issue.
The changing nature of instructional design for networked learning

Networked learning systems bring learning support and instructional materials directly to learners who can potentially access materials from anywhere at anytime. This may be accomplished by employing a number of tools and methods ranging from simple e-mail to computer supported collaborative work environments. It is possible to make use of networks to share web-based resources and deploy powerful electronic performance support systems (see Figure 6.1). We shall use the term ‘networked learning’ to refer to this broad range of tools and technologies. Networked learning is an established reality in many different kinds of learning settings, ranging from homes to schools to offices. The obvious conclusions are that networked learning must be meeting some learning needs and it must be reasonably effective and efficient; otherwise, the fad would have passed and interest would be waning. While developments and learning effects in networked and collaborative settings have received a great deal of attention in recent years, there is not nearly as much literature on the changing nature of instructional design due to networked learning.
Learning by Doing: Two Republican Approaches to Teaching Political Theory

In this paper I detail two assignments that I have used to teach political theory outside of the classroom, so to speak. The first I call the Political Participation Project, the second the Historical Research Assignment. Both assignments are designed to give students experience outside the classroom that they can then bring back in to reflexively judge the presentation of categories in class. Practical experience, or more frequently, prudence in republican political theory is a central category with a history running from the ancients to the moderns and includes Aristotle and Tacitus as much as Machiavelli, Montesquieu, and Tocqueville. Using the category of prudence, republicans claim that politics is an art that is learned only by doing. What I mean is that republicans resist the general attitude that if we can just get the ideas right then the politics will come along. These two assignments ask students to put the practice of politics and political theory first, and to let the philosophy follow behind.
The Shroud: Ways Adolescents Manage Living with Parental Chronic Pain

The purpose of this article is to describe a substantive theory that details how adolescents manage living with a parent experiencing chronic noncancer pain (CNCP).Grounded theory methods were used to recruit 30 young adults, ages 18 through 21 years, from community settings.During open-ended interviews, participants were asked to look back on their adolescence and talk about how they managed living with parental chronic pain. Interview transcripts and field notes were analyzed using constant comparative methods.Participants who lived with heavily shrouded parents (a) endured hardships; (b) distanced themselves; (c) lamented losses; and (d) held back on revealing their authentic selves. Those who lived with minimally shrouded parents (a) received nurturance and parenting; (b) empathized with their parents' pain situations; (c) lamented losses; and (d) revealed to their parents how parental pain affected them. Participants who connected with significant others "filled the gaps" created by parental pain disability, while those who did not connect with significant others "cooped up" their thoughts, feelings, and needs.Findings shed light on psychosocial processes and behavior within families experiencing CNCP and serve as the basis for the development of personalized family interventions.Nursing interventions should focus on helping adolescents and parents build interpersonal relationship and communication skills. Aggressive diagnosis and treatment of mood disturbance in the parent with CNCP should be part of a holistic treatment plan.
INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE BLOOD AND THE LYMPH OF THE DOG

The present investigation is concerned with the interchanges that take place between the blood, the lymph, and the tissues. While extensive studies of the chemical composition of the blood under a large diversity of conditions are available, there is a comparative paucity of information respecting the lymph and the tissue fluids. Most of the investigations have been complicated by the profound anesthesia and other features incident to the methods of experimentation employed. Some of these by themselves have an effect upon the blood that may obscure the fundamental phenomena under consideration. An attempt has consequently been made to avert as far as possible such undesirable complications. It was found that by the use of the anesthetic amytal (isoamyl-ethyl-barbituric acid), reputed to be without effect upon the content of sugar in the blood (Page (l)), the composition of the blood and the lymph of dogs remained almost constant for periods of 6 to 18 hours. For the present purpose therefore animals under such anesthesia were considered to be essentially “normal.” After a determination of the relationships of some of the constituents of the blood serum and the lymph under such “normal” conditions, experimental interferences with physiological functions were initiated. Under the “abnormal” conditions which followed, alterations comparable to the changes which occurred in the concentrations of the con-
Middle School Physical Education Programs: A Comparison of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Sports Game Play

v Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Problem Statement 4 Study Variables 5 Hypothesis 5 Operational Definitions 6 Assumptions 7 Limitations 8 Delimitations 9 Chapter 2: Literature Review 11 Teaching Sports to Meet Physical Activity Requirements 14 Physical Education Instructor Qualifications 17 Physical Activity Enjoyment 18 Chapter 3: Methods 22 Participants 22 Instrumentation 23 Procedures 26 Statistical Analysis 30 Chapter 4: Results 31 Chapter 5: Discussion 37 PE Instruction 39 Chapter 6: References 45 Appendix A: Student Activity 50 Appendix B: Physical Activity Performance 52 i
Eating behavior correlates of adult weight gain and obesity in healthy women aged 55–65 y

Background: The specific underlying causes of adult weight gain remain uncertain. Objective: The objective was to determine the association of 3 measures of eating behavior with weight gain and body mass index (BMI; in kg/m 2 ) in adults. Design: Current dietary restraint, disinhibition, and hunger were assessed with the use of the Eating Inventory in 638 healthy, non-smoking women aged 55-65 y. In addition, subjects reported their current weight and height, their weight for 6 age intervals, and changes in voluntary dietary energy restriction over the past 10 y. Current weight and height were validated in 10% of subjects. Results: Current disinhibition strongly predicted weight gain and current BMI (partial r = 0.27 and 0.34, respectively, both P < 0.001). Neither restraint nor hunger was a significant independent predictor of either variable, but the positive associations between disinhibition and both weight gain and BMI were attenuated by restraint (P = 0.016 and 0.010, respectively, after adjustment for confounding variables). In the subpopulation of women who reported a stable level of voluntary dietary energy restriction, disinhibition also strongly predicted weight gain and higher BMI, and restraint was negatively associated with weight gain (partial r = -0.17, P = 0.019). Conclusions: Higher disinhibition is strongly associated with greater adult weight gain and higher current BMI, and dietary restraint may attenuate this association when disinhibition is high. These findings suggest that eating behavior has an important role in the prevention of adult-onset obesity and that further studies are warranted.
Not biting the dust: using a tripartite model of organized crime to examine India’s Sand Mafia

ABSTRACTIndia’s Sand Mafia, which illegally mines sand for construction, generates approximately USD 17 million per month in revenues. Despite the devastating environmental, physical, and economical harms caused, there is a dearth of criminological research on this organized crime group. This paper develops a tripartite model of organized crime that is used to explore the Sand Mafia’s modus operandi, modus vivendi, and modus coordināti. It conducts document analysis of 75 media and environmental documents published between 2010 and 2015. This group operates as numerous, fragmented structures with transient memberships, and uses violence, political affiliation, and regenerative properties to ensure continued operation. Other factors, such as inadequate manpower, poor enforcement, rapid economic development, and limited acceptance of alternatives to sand, collectively compound the problem of illicit sand mining. Recommendations for alleviating the problem, such as imposing stricter regulations, implementing...
Constructivism in the Art Classroom: Praxis and Policy.

Constructivist thought and practice connect easily with forms of art education that emphasize choice and student agency. This article traces the contemporary forms of constructivism that vie with more structured pedagogical approaches in American schools and recommends policies and procedures that may preserve the qualities of constructivist teaching in the arts in an era of restricted possibilities for educational innovation.
Preoperative therapies for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer

In the era of multidetector high quality CT imaging, it is feasible and critical to use objective criteria to define resectable pancreatic cancer. This allows accurate pretreatment staging and the development of stage-specific therapy. Tumors of borderline resectability have emerged as a distinct subset and the definition has been expanded in the last few years. Borderline resectable tumors are defined as those with tumor abutment of <180degrees (< 50%) of the SMA or celiac axis, short segment abutment or encasement of the common hepatic artery typically at the gastroduodenal artery origin, SMV-PV abutment with impingement and narrowing or segmental venous occlusion with sufficient venous flow above and below the occlusion to allow an option for venous reconstruction. Most of the patients whose cancer meet these CT criteria are candidates for preoperative systemic chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation since they are at a high risk for margin positive resection with upfront surgery. Patients whose imaging studies show radiographic stability or regression proceed to pancreaticoduodenectomy (or pancreatectomy) and this may require vascular resection and reconstruction. Prospective biomarker and functional imaging enriched studies are warranted to determine the best overall treatment strategy for these patients.
False-negative cerebrospinal fluid fungal culture results following oral antineoplastic therapy with a 5-fluorouracil derivative

SummaryWhat is known and objective Cryptococcus neoformans, a common opportunistic pathogen among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, lymphoproliferative disorders and other conditions causing immunosuppression, can be differentiated from other yeasts using biochemical tests as well as culture results and direct histopathological examination. Case summary We present a case of a 78-year-old man with Cryptococcal meningitis and false-negative cerebrospinal fluid culture results following receipt of capecitabine. What is new and conclusion Patients receiving immunosuppressive agents are at higher risk of developing invasive fungal infections, and all patient medications should be reviewed to identify those with potential antifungal properties.
EUS-guided fine-needle tissue acquisition by using a 19-gauge needle in a selected patient population: a prospective study.

Background The ability to obtain tissue samples for histological examination during EUS has theoretical advantages over cytology alone. Objective To prospectively evaluate the feasibility and yield of EUS-guided fine-needle tissue acquisition (EUS-FNTA) with a large-gauge needle in patients in whom we expected histology to be more useful than cytology to reach a definitive diagnosis. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary care academic medical center. Patients Consecutive patients with subepithelial lesions, esophagogastric wall thickening, mediastinal and abdominal masses/lymphadenopathy of unknown origin, or pancreatic lesions after nondiagnostic FNA. Interventions EUS-FNTA with a 19-gauge needle. Main Outcome Measurements Feasibility and yield of EUS-FNTA. Results A total of 120 patients with a mean age of 61 ± 14.6 years and mean lesion size of 38 ± 25 mm (range 8-140 mm) were enrolled. FNTA was successfully performed in all but 1 patient (98.9%), and adequate samples for histological examination were obtained in 116 of the 119 patients (97.5%) in whom EUS-FNTA was technically successful. A mean of 2.8 ± 0.8 passes per patient were performed. At the time of current follow-up, a definitive diagnosis was available in 117 of the 120 patients (97.5%), with only 8 false-negative results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNTA in the 117 patients with a definitive diagnosis were 91.8%, 100%, 100%, 71.4%, and 93.2%, respectively. Limitations Single-center study with limited power. Conclusions EUS-FNTA by using a large-gauge needle has a high yield and promising diagnostic accuracy and could be used when histology may be more useful than cytology to reach a definitive diagnosis.
Phospholipids and terpenes modulate Caco-2 transport of açaí anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins (ANC) are common polyphenolics in plants, but are poorly absorbed into the bloodstream upon consumption. Phospholipids (PL) and terpenes (TP) may serve as enhancing agents in absorption. This study evaluated their role in transepithelial transport within a Caco-2 cell monolayer-model system and impact on ANC stability. Acai fruit ANC were isolated and found to transport, at a low rate (1.22%), in the absence of soy lecithin phospholipids and Valencia orange terpenes, yet their addition significantly increased the transport of both cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. The best transport results (5.21%) were observed when combinations of PL (5000 mg/l) and TP (50mg/l) were used. The presence of PL and TP had no influence on ANC degradation over a 40 day storage period. Results demonstrated the potential of PL and TP to increase intestinal transport of ANC, and present advancement towards the formulation of functional foods that support improved ANC absorption.
Service: the Competitive Edge in Banking

Considers the dehumanization and weak service performance in the banking industry as it seeks to increase its efficiency. Argues that since customers are demanding more humanized banking, banks must narrow this gap between supply and demand by evaluating their marketing deficiencies and becoming more proactive. Considers a model for developing a bank′s effectiveness and improving customer satisfaction, thus developing a competitive edge.
Rapid microsample analysis of imipramine and desipramine by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

Abstract A rapid and highly sensitive HPLC assay method was developed to measure small amounts of imipramine and its major metabolite, desipramine. The assay involved simple extraction procedures using clomipramine as the internal standard. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (60%) and 0.01 M triethylamine in distilled water (40%) with the pH adjusted to 3.0. Separations were achieved on a C18 column and the effluent measured for UV absorption at 260 nm. The chromatographic separation was excellent, with no interference from endogenous serum constituents. This assay was suitable for measuring drug concentrations in the range of 10–1000 ng/ml using a 0.1-ml serum sample. The method was applied to a drug disposition study in transgenic mice with increased plasma α1-acid glycoprotein.
Migration, Gene Flow, and Genetic Diversity Within and Among Iowa Populations of Ornate Box Turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata)

ABSTRACT Like many fragmented reptile populations, the ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata) is located in isolated, often small, populations in eastern Iowa. If populations are to remain viable, genetic diversity within these populations must be maintained, which is done most efficiently by migration among populations. Population viability was accessed using 3 microsatellite loci to determine population genetic structure in 2 locally dispersed subpopulations of ornate box turtles. Although these subpopulations were determined to be 1 large population with the normal range of heterozygosity, further examination revealed evidence of genetic divergence from a once larger population that is now geographically separated into fragments. We concluded that the central population studied was genetically healthy, and with proper management that continues to promote gene flow, the population should remain viable in the near future.
Deletion of Mouse Embryo Fibroblast N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase V Stimulates α5β1 Integrin Expression Mediated by the Protein Kinase C Signaling Pathway

An N-linked glycan often increased during oncogenic transformation contains β(1,6)-linked GlcNAc, synthesized by the N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V). The progression of polyoma middle T-antigen oncoprotein-induced mammary carcinomas in GnT-V null mice was significantly retarded compared with that observed in wild-type mice. The matrix adhesion of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) from GnT-V null and wild-type mice was investigated to understand the mechanism by which deletion of GnT-V could retard tumor progression. GnT-V null MEF displayed enhanced adhesion to and spreading on fibronectin-coated plates with concomitant inhibition of cell migration. GnT-V null MEF also showed increased focal adhesion kinase tyrosine phosphorylation, consistent with decreased cell motility on fibronectin-coated plates. Expression of GnT-V cDNA in the null MEF reversed these abnormal characteristics, indicating the direct involvement of N-glycosylation events in these phenotypic changes. The α5β1 fibronectin receptors exhibited increased clustering on the null MEF cell surfaces, consistent with previous studies that observed less integrin clustering in cells overexpressing GnT-V. Most surprisingly, GnT-V null MEF displayed increased expression levels of both α5 and β1 subunits in lysates and on the cell surface. Increased α5β1 expression in the null MEF was because of increased α5β1 transcript levels that declined after re-expression of GnT-V cDNA, confirming that increased α5β1 expression in null MEF was because of changes in GnT-V expression. The increased null MEF transcripts were shown to be caused at least in part by increased integrin promoter activity. Moreover, increased α5β1 integrin transcripts in GnT-V null MEF were not due to a differential response to fibronectin; rather, they appeared to be mediated by activation of a protein kinase C signaling pathway. These results demonstrate that deletion of MEF GnT-V resulted in enhanced integrin clustering and activation of α5β1 transcription by protein kinase C signaling, which in turn up-regulated levels of cell surface α5β1 fibronectin receptors that resulted in increased matrix adhesion and inhibition of migration.
Zelda Potentiates Morphogen Activity by Increasing Chromatin Accessibility

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering andLewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, PrincetonUniversity, Princeton, NJ 08544, USASummaryZygotic genome activation (ZGA) is a major genome pro-gramming event whereby the cells of the embryo begin toadopt speciﬁed fates. Experiments in Drosophila and zebra-ﬁshhaverevealedthatZGAdependsontranscriptionfactorsthatprovidelarge-scalecontrolofgeneexpressionbydirectand speciﬁc binding to gene regulatory sequences [1–5].Zelda(Zld)playssucharoleintheDrosophilaembryo,whereit has been shown to control the action of patterning signals[1, 2]; however, the mechanisms underlying this effectremain largely unclear. A recent model proposed that Zldbinding sitesactasquantitative regulators ofthespatiotem-poral expression of genes activated by Dorsal (Dl), themorphogen that patterns the dorsoventral axis [6]. Here wetestedthismodelexperimentally,usingenhancersofbrinker(brk) and short gastrulation (sog), both of which are directlyactivated by Dl, but at different concentration thresholds[7–9]. In agreement with the model, we show that there is aclearpositivecorrelationbetweenthenumberofZldbindingsites and the spatial domain of enhancer activity. Likewise,the timing of expression could be advanced or delayed. Wepresent evidence that Zld facilitates binding of Dl to regula-tory DNA, and that this is associated with increased chro-matin accessibility. Importantly, the change in chromatinaccessibility is strongly correlated with the change in Zldbinding, but not Dl. We propose that the ability of genomeactivators to facilitate readout of transcriptional input iskey to widespread transcriptional induction during ZGA.Results and DiscussionInblastodermembryos,brinker(brk)isactivatedinaneight-toten-cell-widedomainthatdevelopsintotheventralneurogenicectoderm (NE), whereas short gastrulation (sog) is expressedin a broader band of 16–18 cells encompassing the entire NE(see Figures 1A and 1I). Both genes have the same ventralexpression boundary due to repression by Snail (Sna) in thepresumptive mesoderm [11–15]. The dorsal borders of theirdomains lie in regions of the Dorsal (Dl) gradient whereamounts are low and change little, raising the question ofhow their enhancers can interpret small differences in Dlconcentrations.sog and brk each have two reported cis-regulatory modules(enhancers) that are active in early embryos [10, 16–20]. Thesog intronic lateral stripe enhancer (LSE) [16] is less wellconserved and drives a slightly narrower stripe of expressionrelative to the sog shadow enhancer [17], also known as theneurogenic ectoderm enhancer (NEE), which recapitulatesthe broad endogenous sog pattern [18]. The brk 5
Structure and function of a HECT domain ubiquitin-binding site.

The Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase contains a non-covalent binding site for ubiquitin within the amino-terminal lobe (N-lobe) of the HECT domain, and the X-ray crystal structure of the HECT–ubiquitin complex has been determined. Hydrophobic patch residues of ubiquitin (L8, I44, V70) were crucial for interaction with Rsp5, and amino-acid alterations at the Rsp5-binding interface resulted in defects in polyubiquitination. Our results support a model in which the N-lobe-binding site acts to localize and orient the distal end of the ubiquitin chain to promote conjugation of the next ubiquitin molecule.
Dynamic scheduling of a fixed bandwidth communications channel for controlling multiple robots

We describe a distributed software system for controlling a group of miniature robots using a low capacity communication system. Space and power limitations on the robots drastically limit the capacity of the communication system and require sharing bandwidth and other resources among the robots. We have developed a scheduling and resource allocation system that is capable of dynamically assigning resources to each robot.