cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The History of Genocide in Cinema: Atrocities on Screen

As underlined by Jonathan Friedman and William Hewitt, the editors of The History of Genocide in Cinema, ‘the century of mass genocide evolved conterminously with the century of mass media’ (p. 2)....
People Perception: The Causes and Consequences of Perceiving Groups and Teams

A long and illustrious history of person perception research has demonstrated the critical role of first glance impressions in determining how managers and workers evaluate others. However, despite...
Physician Burnout in the Electronic Health Record Era: Are We Ignoring the Real Cause?

The widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) has been perceived as driving physician dissatisfaction and burnout. The authors of this essay present data comparing EHR use in other co...
Student Success: It's Not Just for Students

In recent years, discussions about student success have figured prominently in publications, conferences, and projects in higher education. Many have commented that the growing focus on student suc...
A New Family of Neural Networks Provably Resistant to Adversarial Attacks

Adversarial attacks add perturbations to the input features with the intent of changing the classification produced by a machine learning system. Small perturbations can yield adversarial examples which are misclassified despite being virtually indistinguishable from the unperturbed input. Classifiers trained with standard neural network techniques are highly susceptible to adversarial examples, allowing an adversary to create misclassifications of their choice. We introduce a new type of network unit, called MWD (max of weighed distance) units that have a built-in resistant to adversarial attacks. These units are highly non-linear, and we develop the techniques needed to effectively train them. We show that simple interval techniques for propagating perturbation effects through the network enables the efficient computation of robustness (i.e., accuracy guarantees) for MWD networks under any perturbations, including adversarial attacks. MWD networks are significantly more robust to input perturbations than ReLU networks. On permutation invariant MNIST, when test examples can be perturbed by 20% of the input range, MWD networks provably retain accuracy above 83%, while the accuracy of ReLU networks drops below 5%. The provable accuracy of MWD networks is superior even to the observed accuracy of ReLU networks trained with the help of adversarial examples. In the absence of adversarial attacks, MWD networks match the performance of sigmoid networks, and have accuracy only slightly below that of ReLU networks.
Endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction: A surgical method to improve posterior glottic diastasis.

Objectives/hypothesis Describe the preoperative evaluation of patients with glottic diastasis who are candidates for endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction (EPCR) and their perioperative and postoperative surgical and voice outcomes, and validate the aerodynamic benefit of EPCR using computation fluid dynamics (CFD)-based modeling from computed tomography (CT) scans. Study design Retrospective case series. Methods Thirteen patients who underwent EPCR were followed from 2013 to 2017. They received a preoperative voice evaluation, microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy, dynamic voice CT (performed on patients seen from 2014 to study completion), and postoperative voice evaluation (n = 12). Postoperative inpatient days, complications, and postoperative endoscopic intervention were collected. To validate the aerodynamic benefit of EPCR, CFD modeling was carried out on one patient. Results Thirteen patients (nine females, nine with intubation injury, and four with post-airway reconstruction dysphonia) underwent EPCR at a mean age of 11.0 years. The mean preoperative and postoperative Pediatric Voice handicap Index scores were 53.8 and 33.8, respectively (P = .006). Mean maximum phonation time preoperatively and postoperatively was 5.3 and 6.7, respectively (P = .04). Of eight patients who underwent preoperative CT imaging, all demonstrated a posterior gap. Modeling demonstrated a change in flow and pressure. The mean hospital stay was 2.4 days. Nine patients underwent postoperative endoscopic intervention, and one experienced a complication that resolved with intervention. Conclusions Patients who underwent EPCR for dysphonia following intubation or airway reconstruction showed improvements in vocal efficiency, loudness, and perceived voice handicapping. Their hospital stay was brief, with few complications. CFD modeling corroborated these clinical findings. EPCR thus warrants consideration in the management of patients with posterior glottic diastasis. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 129:S1-S9, 2019.
Characteristics of Successful Telemarketing Associates

This study focuses on the characteristics of successful telemarketing sales associates that contribute the most to their success. Telemarketing associates from a large Midwestern telemarketing corporation were observed and their sales tracked in relation to six other variables assumed to be related to success in telemarketing. The results indicate that aggressive and persistent associates have considerably better sales records than consultative and friendly associates.
Why Is Crystalline Poly(lactic acid) Brittle at Room Temperature

This work shows that the environmental-friendly biorenewable and biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLLA) can be made to have superior mechanical and thermal characteristics and thus show promise to ...
The good, the bad, and the ugly: Data-driven load profile discord identification in a large building portfolio

Abstract Reducing the overall energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector is essential for meeting our future sustainability goals. Recently, smart energy metering facilities have been deployed to enable monitoring of energy consumption data with hourly or subhourly temporal resolution. This unprecedented data collection has created various opportunities for advanced data analytics involving load profiles (e.g., building energy benchmarking programs, building-to-grid integration, and calibration of urban-scale energy models). These applications often need preprocessing steps to detect daily load profile discords, such as: 1) outliers due to system malfunctions (the bad) and 2) irregular energy consumption patterns, such as those resulting from holidays (the ugly) compared to normal consumption patterns (the good). However, current preprocessing methods predominantly focus on filtering using statistical threshold values, which fail to capture the contextual discords of daily profiles. In addition, discord detection algorithms in building research are often aimed at finding individual building-level discords, which are not suitable at a large scale. Thus, in this paper, we develop a method for automated load profile discord identification (ALDI) in a large portfolio of buildings (more than 100 buildings). Specifically, ALDI 1) uses the matrix profile (MP) method to quantify the similarities of daily subsequences in time series meter data, 2) compares daily MP values with typical-day MP distributions using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and 3) identifies daily load profile discords in a large building portfolio. We evaluate ALDI using the metering data of both an academic campus and a residential neighborhood. Our results demonstrate that ALDI efficiently discovers measurement errors by system malfunctions and low energy consumption days in the academic campus portfolio, and it detects unique load shape patterns likely driven by occupant behavior and extreme weather conditions in the residential neighborhood.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in cardiac amyloidosis

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis is a progressive infiltrative disease involving deposition of amyloid fibrils in the myocardium and cardiac conduction system that frequently manifests with heart failure (HF) and arrhythmias, most frequently atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter (AFL), and atrial tachycardia (AT). Methods: We performed an observational retrospective study of patients with a diagnosis of cardiac amyloid who underwent catheter ablation at our institution between January 1, 2011 and December 1, 2018. Patient demographics, procedural characteristics and outcomes were determined by manual chart review. Results: A total of 13 catheter ablations were performed over the study period in patients with cardiac amyloidosis, including 10 AT/AF/AFL ablations and 3 atrioventricular nodal ablations. Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower at the time of AV node ablation than catheter ablation of AT/AF/AFL (23% vs. 40%, p = 0.003). Cardiac amyloid was diagnosed based on the results of pre-ablation cardiac MRI results in the majority of patients (n = 7, 70%). The HV interval was prolonged at 60±15 ms and did not differ significantly between AV nodal ablation patients and AT/AF/AFL ablation patients (69±18 ms vs. 57±14 ms, p = 0.36). The majority of patients undergoing AT/AF/AFL ablation had persistent AF (n = 7, 70%) and NYHA class II (n = 5, 50%) or III (n = 5, 50%) HF symptoms, while patients undergoing AV node ablation were more likely to have class IV HF (n = 2, 66%, p = 0.014). Arrhythmia-free survival in CA patients after catheter ablation of AT/AF/AFL was 40% at one year and 20% at two years. Conclusions: Catheter ablation of AT/AF/AFL may be a feasible strategy for appropriately selected patients with early to mid-stage CA, whereas AV node ablation may be more appropriate in patients with advanced stage CA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
What Causes Toxic Workplace Situations? A Focus on the Economic and Legal Drivers

This chapter examines why there is so much organizational toxicity in the American corporation in an effort to identify the common causes of toxic emotions among employees. Some historical background is provided about how the growing emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness has contributed to the type of workplace that causes undue stress to employees. Takeaways for Practitioners An understanding of the historical background that has given rise to workplaces that are not always humane or respectful to employees An overview of the types of economic and legal issues that create organizational toxicity Better understanding about changes occurring in the American workplace over the past 30 years
Sample size effect on the constitutive relations of granular materials

A simple shear flow of granular materials can have a range of behavior from a rate-independent plastic material to a rate-dependent viscous material. It is known that this constitutive relation is a consequence of the shear-rate, the solid concentration, and the micromechanical properties of the particles. In the rate-independent case, a shearing granular assembly forms crystallized regions and shearing occurs locally in a narrow band. In the rate-dependent case, these crystallized zones ‘melt’ and the whole granular assembly participates in the shear motion. This study utilizes computer simulation to address yet another effect on the constitutive relation: the sample size. Through investigating details of the kinematics of the shearing assembly, we examine source of this transition from a rate-independent to a rate-dependent fluid as the sample size increases.
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thromboses in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Three Cases and a Review of the Literature.

Abstract Introduction Early studies suggest that acute cerebrovascular events may be common in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and may be associated with a high mortality rate. Most cerebrovascular events described have been ischemic strokes, but both intracerebral hemorrhage and rarely cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) have also been reported. The diagnosis of CVST can be elusive, with wide-ranging and nonspecific presenting symptoms that can include headache or altered sensorium alone. Objective To describe the presentation, barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of CVST in patients with COVID-19. Methods We abstracted data on all patients diagnosed with CVST and COVID-19 from March 1 to August 9, 2020 at Boston Medical Center. Subsequently, we reviewed the literature and extracted all published cases of CVST in patients with COVID-19 from January 1, 2020 through August 9, 2020 and included all studies with case descriptions. Results We describe the clinical features and management of CVST in 3 women with COVID-19 who developed CVST days to months after initial COVID-19 symptoms. Two patients presented with encephalopathy and without focal neurologic deficits, while one presented with visual symptoms. All patients were treated with intravenous hydration and anticoagulation. None suffered hemorrhagic complications, and all were discharged home. We identified 12 other patients with CVST in the setting of COVID-19 via literature search. There was a female predominance (54.5%), most patients presented with altered sensorium (54.5%), and there was a high mortality rate (36.4%). Conclusions During this pandemic, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for CVST in patients with a recent history of COVID-19 presenting with non-specific neurological symptoms such as headache to provide expedient management and prevent complications. The limited data suggests that CVST in COVID-19 is more prevalent in females and may be associated with high mortality.
Challenges in hemodynamics assessment in complex neurovascular geometries using computational fluid dynamics and benchtop flow simulation in 3D printed patient specific phantoms.

Purpose Complex hemodynamics assessments, as those related to carotid stenosis, are not always easily straightforward due to multifaceted challenges presented by the collateral flow in the Circle of Willis (CoW) and brain flow autoregulation. Advanced computational and benchtop methods to investigate hemodynamics aspects related to such complex flows are often used, however both have limitations and could lead to results which may diverge. In this study we investigated these aspects by performing correlated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and benchtop experiments in patient specific 3D printed phantoms. Materials and methods To investigate the flow in patients with carotid stenosis, we built two patient specific phantoms which contained the arterial lesion of interest, all main arteries leading to the brain, the CoW and main arteries branching from it. Each phantom was connected to a generic aortic arch. A programmable pump was connected and flow parameters were measured proximal and distal to the lesion and the contralateral arteries. The patient 3D geometry was used to perform a set of CFD simulations where inflow boundary conditions matched the experimental ones. Flow conditions were recorded at the same locations as the experimental setup. Further exploration into the translation from experimental to CFD was also performed by customizing vascular segmentation and physically manipulating arterial compliance properties. Results We initially observed significant differences between the CFD recordings and the experimental setup. Most of the differences were due to changes in phantom geometry when subjected to physiological pressures and simplistic outflow boundary conditions in the CFD simulations which do not account for pulsatility and nonlinear phenomena. Further work confirms the need for dynamic mesh behavior within CFD simulations attempting to computationally mimic 3D-printed benchtop experiments. Additionally, CFD simulation may benefit from considering geometry specific to a 3D-printed vascular phantom.
"Undisciplined" drinking, multi-sectoralism and political power: Examining problematisations in the Botswana alcohol policy.

Abstract The Botswana government has recently ramped up efforts to control alcohol consumption through various measures. These include the alcohol tax levy, reduction in trading hours for bars and other licenced premises and increased penalties for alcohol-related road offenses. Whilst these efforts have recently received considerable attention, the processes of alcohol policy development remain unknown and understudied. In this paper, I examine the alcohol policy processes in Botswana using What's the Problem Represented to be (WPR), a poststructural analytic approach that emphasises problematisations in policies. Drawing on alcohol-associated policy documents, I identify two key problematisations that relate to, (1) an emphasis on an “undisciplined” drinker, and (2) an appeal to an internationally-endorsed multi-sectoralism. I explore these problematisations as political formations and periodise them to the year 2008 when they were canonised. I argue that “undisciplined drinking” and an internationally-endorsed multi-sectoralism neglect the social and cultural contexts of drinking, pathologise drinking and do not consider other forms of knowledge. Unmaking current alcohol policy representations is needed to allow for the ‘emergence’ of alternative conceptualisations of the alcohol ‘problem’ in Botswana.
Strategies to Develop Potent Oncolytic Viruses and Enhance Their Therapeutic Efficacy

Despite advancements in cancer therapy that have occurred over the past several decades, successful treatment of advanced malignancies remains elusive. Substantial resources and significant efforts have been directed toward the development of novel therapeutic modalities to improve patient outcomes. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are emerging tools with unique characteristics that have attracted great interest in developing effective anticancer treatment. The original attraction was directed toward selective replication and cell-specific toxicity, two unique features that are either inherent to the virus or could be conferred by genetic engineering. However, recent advancements in the knowledge and understanding of OVs are shifting the therapeutic paradigm toward a greater focus on their immunomodulatory role. Nonetheless, there are still significant obstacles that remain to be overcome to enhance the efficiency of OVs as effective therapeutic modalities and potentially establish them as part of standard treatment regimens. In this review, we discuss advances in the design of OVs, strategies to enhance their therapeutic efficacy, functional translation into the clinical settings, and various obstacles that are still encountered in the efforts to establish them as effective anticancer treatments.
The Propriety and Scope of Cumulative Remedies Under the Federal Securities Laws

In a number of cases during the past decade, the Supreme Court has construed strictly various provisions of the federal securities laws and has applied restrictively the implied rights of action doctrine. Nonetheless, the Court has recognized an implied private right of action for damages under section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and at times has construed the securities laws in a remedial manner. These developments influence a question of increasing importance under the federal securities laws: whether an implied private right of action for damages exists under section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 on the basis of activities that would be subject to certain provisions that afford express remedies. Although the Court has identified this problem in dicta, it has never squarely addressed the issue of whether the remedies afforded by the securities laws are exclusive or cumulative. This Article examines the legislative intent and policies underlying an exclusive or a cumulative construction of the federal securities laws. Section 18(a) of the Securities Exchange Act provides the focal point for this analysis because of the recent case law concerning it and the probable draconian effect of an exclusive construction on defrauded investors who cannot meet its technical requirements. The Article also examines the desirability of a cumulative construction in the context of other provisions, including sections 11 and 12(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and sections 9 and 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Finally, the Article concludes that the securities laws in general, and section 18(a) in particular, should permit overlap between remedies in cases of fraudulent conduct, but not when the violation falls under the reporting provisions of the Securities Exchange Act.
Design Principles for Compact, Backdrivable Actuation in Partial-Assist Powered Knee Orthoses

This paper presents the design and validation of a backdrivable powered knee orthosis for partial assistance of lower-limb musculature, which aims to facilitate daily activities in individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. The actuator design is guided by design principles that prioritize backdrivability, output torque, and compactness. First, we show that increasing the motor diameter while reducing the gear ratio for a fixed output torque ultimately reduces the reflected inertia (and thus backdrive torque). We also identify a tradeoff with actuator torque density that can be addressed by improving the motor's thermal environment, motivating our design of a custom Brushless DC motor with encapsulated windings. Finally, by designing a 7:1 planetary gearset directly into the stator, the actuator has a high package factor that reduces size and weight. Benchtop tests verify that the custom actuator can produce at least 23.9 Nm peak torque and 12.78 Nm continuous torque, yet has less than 2.68 Nm backdrive torque during walking conditions. Able-bodied human subjects experiments (N=3) demonstrate reduced quadriceps activation with bilateral orthosis assistance during lifting-lowering, sit-to-stand, and stair climbing. The minimal transmission also produces negligible acoustic noise.
Avoiding the mistake of cloning: a case for user-centered design methods to reengineer documents

In this case study, we demonstrate how user-centered design techniques can enhance the introduction of documents into electronic commerce. A finance company, in order to compete on value rather than rate, sought to develop an electronic system for automobile financing. User-centered design principles and techniques were used to separate the fundamental business process from the supporting information process. Rather than simply reproducing the associated paper documents in the new information process, these techniques enabled us to craft electronic documents that achieved the customer's goals, while still meeting legal and business process requirements. We also employed the power of electronic documents to significantly increase accuracy and completeness.
Correlation and keying of Rayleigh scatter for loss and temperature sensing in parallel optical networks

We develop a method by which coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) can be used to "key" portions of optical fiber by measuring their complex Rayleigh backscatter signatures. We show that these complex keys can be used to locate specific fiber lengths embedded within a parallel optical network, and that they can further be used to interrogate any induced loss or temperature change in the identified portion of the network.
The tissue-specific expression and developmental regulation of two nuclear genes encoding rat mitochondrial proteins. Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase.

Abstract To study the regulation of nuclear genes which encode mitochondrial enzymes involved in oxidative metabolism, absolute levels of mRNA encoding rat medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) and rat mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH) were determined in developing and adult male rat tissues. MCAD mRNA is expressed in a variety of adult male tissues with highest steady state levels in heart, adrenal, and skeletal muscle and lowest levels in brain, lung, and testes. In comparison, steady state levels of mMDH mRNA in adult male rat tissues were similar to those of MCAD mRNA in heart, small intestine, adrenal, and skeletal muscle but markedly different in brain, stomach, and testes. Thus, the steady-state levels of MCAD and mMDH mRNA are highest in adult tissues with high energy requirements. Dot blot analysis of RNA prepared from late fetal, suckling, and weaning rat heart, liver, and brain demonstrated the presence of MCAD and mMDH mRNA during the fetal period in all three tissues. Both MCAD and mMDH mRNA levels increased 2-2.5-fold at birth followed by a decline during the first postnatal week in heart and liver. The patterns of accumulation of these mRNAs in heart and liver during the weaning and early adult periods were also similar, although the absolute levels were significantly different. Brain MCAD mRNA levels were consistently low (less than 0.1 pg/micrograms total cellular RNA) throughout the developmental stages. However, brain mMDH mRNA levels exhibited a marked increase during the weaning period, reaching a peak concentration which is higher than the level of mMDH mRNA in heart and liver at any point during development. These results indicate that the level of expression of the nuclear genes encoding MCAD and mMDH is tissue-specific and developmentally regulated. The patterns of MCAD and mMDH mRNA accumulation parallel the changes in energy metabolism which occur during development and among adult tissues.
Aristocracy and its Enemies in the Age of Revolution – By William Doyle

This author has added to his impressive publications on the French Revolution and its origins with this thoughtful book on aristocracy. He initially conceived this work as a study of the Society of...
The ultrastructure of developing sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Developmental changes in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and surface membranes of chicken skeletal muscles were investigated by electron microscopy. A dominant feature of freeze-etched sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes isolated from adult animals is the presence of spherical intramembranous particles of 75 A apparent diameter which are more numerous on the concave than on the convex cleaved faces. The sharp increase in the Ca2+ transport and Ca2+-sensitive ATPase activity of isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes with development is accompanied by an increase in the number of 75 A particles. Corresponding changes were observed in intact muscles where the sarcoplasmic reticulum elements can be readily identified on the basis of their characteristic disposition between the myofibrils. The reasonably close correlation between Ca2+ transport activity and the intramembranous particle density during development supports earlier suggestions that the intramembranous particles may represent the Ca2+ transport system. Similar 75 A particles were also observed on the surface membrane of skeletal muscle but in lesser density than the corresponding structures in sarcoplasmic reticulum. Their number also increases with development.
Automatic power control of a VCSEL using an angled lid TO56 package

Many applications of semiconductor lasers require that the output power from the laser is maintained at a fixed level independent of temperature and aging, this is typically accomplished with edge emitting lasers using a back facet monitor photodiode which is incorporated into the laser package. The signal from the photodiode is used to drive the feedback control circuit. In the absence of a back facet it is necessary to develop an alternate packaging scheme for VCSELs that allows for the generation of a signal for use in maintaining a fixed output power. In this paper we present a VCSEL packaged in a TO56 can with a silicon pin photodetector. A portion of the emitted beam from the VCSEL is reflected from the lid onto the photodetector. Results demonstrating an auto-power control capability of /spl plusmn/3 percent are presented.
Cost-effectiveness Analysis and Insurance Coverage: Solving a Puzzle

The conventional model for the use of cost-effectiveness analysis for health programs involves determining whether the cost per unit of effectiveness of the program is lower than some socially determined maximum acceptable cost per unit of effectiveness. If a program is better by this criterion, the policy implication is that it should be implemented by full coverage of its cost by insurance; if not, the program should not be implemented. This paper examines the unanswered question of how cost-effectiveness analysis should be performed and interpreted when insurance coverage may involve cost sharing. It explores the question of how cost sharing should be related to the magnitude of a cost-effectiveness ratio. A common view that cost sharing should vary inversely with program cost-effectiveness is shown to be incorrect. A key issue in correct analysis is whether there is heterogeneity in marginal effectiveness of care that cannot be perceived by the social planner but is known by the demander. It is possible that some programs that would fail the social efficiency test at full coverage will be acceptable with positive cost sharing. Combining individual and social preferences affects both the choice of programs and the extent of cost sharing.
Imaging after double passage through a turbulent medium.

The extended Huygens–Fresnel formulation is used to calculate the average image spectra of a point scatterer, an infinite plane mirror, and a perfectly diffuse object that are illuminated and viewed through the same turbulent medium. It is shown that this double-passage effect can lead to diffraction-limited information about the point scatterer and the infinite mirror, whereas for the perfectly diffuse object the object spectrum is completely washed out, forming a uniform background.
Protection of HTS magnets

Abstract The paper discusses protection issues for HTS magnet. For protection, the HTS magnet must rely on an active technique. Closed-form expressions of the matrix metal operating current density based on overheating and internal voltage criteria for protection, under very simplifying assumptions, are presented. Perhaps the most important conclusions of these criteria are that: (1) HTS (and LTS) magnets must be wound with composite conductor having a significant portion of its overall cross section occupied by normal metal generally of high electrical conductivity and (2) HTS windings must possess “high” NZP velocities to make the resistive zone occupy as large a fraction of the winding volume as possible. The paper also derives an analytical expression, under another set of simplifying assumptions, to determine the minimum resistive voltage level, dictated by the maximum hot-spot temperature set at 150 K, required to initiate an active protection process. Remarkably, this minimum detection voltage is nearly independent of the matrix metal current density, I op / A m . For a set of operating parameters used in a numerical example, a computed minimum detection voltage, at I op / A m = 5 × 10 4 A/cm 2 , is ∼30 mV, which, considering it must be discerned in the presence of extraneous voltage signals likely to be present in real world operating conditions, would be non-trivial. To satisfy the overheating criterion at a level of I op / A m , which keeps the winding overall current density “viable” and at the same time to raise the minimum detection resistive voltage, the winding volume occupied by the resistive state must be expanded. The paper concludes with discussion of challenging new areas of research for protection of HTS magnets.
The effect of folic acid supplementation on the risk for cancer or dysplasia in ulcerative colitis

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Two case-control studies have shown that folate may protect against neoplasia in ulcerative colitis. This historical cohort study was performed to better define this association. METHODS: The records of 98 patients with ulcerative colitis who had disease proximal to the splenic flexure for at least 8 years were reviewed. Documented folate use of at least 6 months was deemed a positive exposure. RESULTS: Of the patients, 29.6% developed neoplasia and 40.2% took folate supplements. The adjusted relative risk (RR) of neoplasia for patients taking folate was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28- 1.83). The dose of folate varied with the risk of neoplasia (RR, 0.54 for 1.0 mg folate; RR, 0.76 for 0.4 mg folate in a multivitamin compared with patients taking no folate). Folate use also varied with the degree of dysplasia (RR for cancer, 0.45; RR for high-grade dysplasia, 0.52; RR for low-grade dysplasia, 0.75 compared with patients with no dysplasia) (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Although not statistically significant, the RR for folate supplementation on the risk of neoplasia is > 1 and shows a dose-response effect, consistent with previous studies. Daily folate supplementation may protect against the development of neoplasia in ulcerative colitis. (Gastroenterology 1997 Jan;112(1):29-32)
Temporal approach for resection of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas.

Objective To describe a lateral preauricular temporal approach for resection of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA). Study Design A retrospective review of five patients with JNA tumors that were resected by a lateral preauricular temporal approach. Methods The medical records of five patients who underwent resection of JNA tumors via a lateral preauricular temporal approach were reviewed, and the following data collected: tumor extent, blood loss, hospital stay, and surgical complications. Results Five patients with JNA tumors had resection by a lateral preauricular temporal approach. These tumors ranged from relatively limited disease to more e-tensive intracranial, e-tradural tumors. Using the staging system advocated by Andrews et al., 1 these tumors included stages II, IIIa, and IIIb. Four patients (stages II, IIIa, IIIa, and IIIb) who underwent primary surgical excision had minimal blood losses and were discharged on the first or third postoperative day with minimal transient complications (mild trismus, frontal branch paresis, serous effusion, and cheek hypesthesia). The remaining patient (stage IIIb) did well after surgery, despite having undergone preoperative radiation therapy and sustaining a significant intraoperative blood loss. There have been no permanent complications or tumor recurrences. Conclusions A lateral preauricular temporal approach to the nasopharynx and infratemporal fossa provides effective exposure for resection of extradural JNA tumors. The advantages of this approach include a straightforward route to the site of origin, the absence of facial and palatal incisions, and avoidance of a permanent ipsilateral conductive hearing loss.
Architecture, design, and implementation of a multimedia conference system

In this article a new multimedia conference system is designed and implemented which allows a group of users to conduct a meeting in real time. Participants can jointly view and edit relevant multimedia information, including text, graphics, and still images distributed throughout the network. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nontraumatic osteonecrosis: MR perfusion imaging evaluation in an experimental model.

Rationale and Objectives. Because the nature and time course of changes in early, nontraumatic osteonecrosis at perfusion and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are unknown, the authors evaluated this technique in the assessment of early osteonecrosis with a nontraumatic model. Materials and Methods. Five rabbits underwent intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin followed by intramuscular injection of methylprednisolone. MR imaging of the femora was performed before and at weekly intervals after endotoxin injection. Histologic findings from the areas of osteonecrosis were correlated with the findings of MR imaging and MR perfusion studies. Results. Histologic evaluation showed osteonecrosis in six femora of four animals 2–4 weeks after endotoxin injection. Findings on T1-weighted images of the femur were normal in all animals; T2-weighted images of one femur showed equivocal changes. On MR perfusion images, the baseline mean peak percentage of enhancement was 52.7% ± 12.6. In the six areas without osteonecrosis, the mean percentage of enhancement was similar to the baseline percentage of enhancement at 1 week (62.2% ± 31.2). In the four areas with diffuse osteonecrosis, there was essentially no contrast enhancement 1–4 weeks after endotoxin injection. Conclusion. T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging is insensitive to the presence of early nontraumatic osteonecrosis. MR perfusion imaging might be useful to detect early nontraumatic osteonecrosis.
Buffer insertion with accurate gate and interconnect delay computation

Buffer insertion has become a critical step in deep submicron design, and several buffer insertion/sizing algorithms have been proposed in the literature. However, most of these methods use simplified interconnect and gate delay models. These models may lead to inferior solutions since the optimized objective is only an approximation for the actual delay. We propose to integrate accurate wire and gate delay models into Van Ginneken's buffer insertion algorithm (1990) via the propagation of moments and driving point admittances up the routing tree. We have verified the effectiveness of our approach on an industry design.
Na-H exchange-dependent increase in intracellular pH times G2/M entry and transition.

It is well established that activation of the Na-H exchanger NHE1 and increases in intracellular pH (pH i) are early and universal responses to mitogens and have permissive effects in promoting cell proliferation. Despite this evidence, a specific role for NHE1 or pH i in cell cycle progression remains undetermined. We now show that NHE1 activity and pHi regulate the timing of G2/M entry and transition. Prior to G2/M entry there is a rapid and transient increase in NHE1 activity and pH i , but in fibroblasts expressing a mutant NHE1 that lacks ion translocation activity, this increase in pH i is attenuated, S phase is delayed, and G2/M transition is impaired. In the absence of ion translocation by NHE1, expression of cyclin B1 and the kinase activity of Cdc2 are decreased and Wee1 kinase expression increases. Increasing pH i in the absence of NHE1 activity, however, is sufficient to restore Cdc2 activity and cyclin B1 expression and to promote G2/M entry and transition. These data indicate that a transient increase in pH i induced by NHE1 promotes the timing of G2/M, and they suggest that increases in pH i at the completion of S phase may constitute a previously unrecognized checkpoint for progression to G2 and mitosis.
Caring for caregivers

In home health nursing, the whole family is the client. In a recent issue of Home Care Provider, Knox and Thobaben discussed the need to identify the significant family members who influence health care resources and decisions. Whatever their relationship to the patient, these individuals frequently provide his or her primary care.
Line centering yield optimization

Sensitivity to local density effects in both products and scribe line macros is increasing in newer technologies. This can result in significant yield loss at product test because the product measurement structures do not match manufacturing scribe line disposition expectations. A novel strategy to mitigate this problem has been developed and implemented on 32nm IBM ASIC products. Conventional scribe line macro measurements are combined with measurement of macros in each product chip and measurement of the same macros in the scribe line. Four performance screen ring oscillators (PSROs) macros and 28 smaller ring oscillator macros are included in the design of each product. Identical product-like structures are inserted in the scribe line area. Measurements of the macros in the product are compared to the same macros in the scribe line. Measurement differences can be correlated to conventional scribe line macros. This information is used to qualify library elements used in a design system and to center manufacturing lines to optimize yield.
The role of nitric oxide in vascular disease

Abstract The discovery that the vascular endothelium can generate a free radical, nitric oxide (NO), that alters the function of vascular smooth muscle, revolutionized vascular biology. Endothelial damage and the loss of NO function is at the root of peripheral vascular disease. NO is also an important signalling molecule in many other biological systems, but this contribution will focus specifically on the vascular functions of NO, and how these functions are altered by vascular disease. This article will also attempt to explain why surgery often cannot correct endothelial damage, and why new directions are being explored.
Guest Editors' Introduction: Synthetic Biology

h SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY IS trending, as evidenced by the recent achievements in biofuels (microbial production of diesel fuels from fatty acids in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and yeast) and in biotherapeutics (microbial production of artemisnic acid as a viable source of antimalarial drugs). The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition in 2011 had over 165 teams and 1000+ undergraduate participants from around the world. Synthetic Biology had a global market which generated $233.8 million in 2008. This is expected to increase to $2.4 billion in 2013. Synthetic biology alone had a chemicals and energy segment worth $80.6 million in 2008 with a projected growth to $1.6 billion in 2013. Synthetic biology is here to stay. Handcrafted genetic circuits and pathways added to well characterized host organisms are one way produce new synthetic biological systems. These circuits and pathways are not easily identified nor readily constructed; they require extensive funding and research efforts spanning multiple years. ‘‘Design flows’’ are ad hoc, involving trial and error, and relying heavily on biologists’ intuition and experience. Recall ‘‘design compilers’’ that were dreams in the late 1970s or the ‘‘napkin-to-chip’’ concept in the 1990s? The equivalent conceptual dream in biology now is just beginning to be articulated in many bioengineering fields spanning synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, systems biology, and genetic engineering. The buzz phrasing has not arrived yet. ‘‘Bio Design Automation (BDA)’’ or ‘‘Genetic Design Automation (GDA)’’ promises to deliver the software infrastructure and support design methodologies spanning functional specification to manufacturing instructions. This special section of this issue of D&T brings together four articles and a perspective on software tools that aid in synthetic biological circuits and systems. ‘‘Design Automation for Synthetic Biological Systems’’ serves as a tutorial illustrating two complementary approaches to designing biology systems by either bottom-up, part-based genetic circuits or the modification of metabolic pathways. ‘‘Digital Signal Processing with Molecular Reactions’’ illustrates how biological systems can be abstracted into sets of reactions which can resemble processing systems familiar to the electrical engineering community. ‘‘Design and Test of Genetic Circuits using iBioSim’’ presents a software framework for the simulation of synthetic biological systems. Finally, ‘‘Fast Solvers for Biomolecular Science and Engineering’’ outlines mathematical frameworks which model the dynamics present in biological systems. Together these articles provide background material, modeling frameworks, and examples of software solutions. In addition to the four outlined articles, the ‘‘Last Byte’’ of this issue provides a humorous and fictitious take on the origins of BDA. ‘‘Perspectives’’ provides an examination of the emerging biodesign automation field alongside the early days of EDA.
On Dreams 2, 459b24-460a33, and Aristotle's

Block's hypothesis concerning the order of Aristotle's psychological writings can be defended against a criticism which arises from Lulofs' interpretation of Insomn. 2, 459b24-460a33. Such a defence results in the discovery of possible purely physiological senses of words heretofore thought essentially psychological.
An Interdigital Capacitive Sensor for Nondestructive Evaluation of Wire Insulation

A capacitive sensor has been developed for measuring the permittivity of wire insulation materials. The sensor consists of interdigital electrodes deposited on a thin polyimide substrate that conforms to the surface of the insulated wire or cable. The test piece was modeled theoretically by assuming a perfectly conducting cylindrical rod coated with two concentric dielectric layers. Constant potential difference V between the electrodes was assumed. The method of moments and Green's function solution to the cylindrical Poisson equation were utilized to determine the charge distribution on the electrodes and hence the total charge Q, from which the capacitance was calculated from the relation C=Q/V. To validate the model, calculated capacitance was compared with that obtained from benchmark experiments performed on a set of three brass rods insulated with acetal copolymer, PTFE, and acrylic. The permittivity of these three polymers was measured independently and provided to the model. The mean difference between calculated capacitance and that measured experimentally was found to be . Furthermore, a handheld prototype sensor suitable for clamping to aircraft wire was designed and measurements of capacitance were made on M5086 aircraft wire. This consists of tin-coated copper strands insulated with flexible PVC, a glass fiber braid, and finally coated with Nylon 6. After exposure to various common aircraft fluids (cleaner, deicer, distilled water, hydraulic fluid, isopropanol, and jet fuel), the measurements showed significant changes in measured capacitance, correlating well with the results of accelerated aging experiments on pure Nylon 6.
Locast Civic Media: Extending Civic Engagement Boundaries through Mobile Media and Hyper-Local Conversations

Always-on connectivity, video production capabilities, social networking, and location-based services make mobile phones important tools for citizen journalism. Drawing on emerging patterns, our research focuses on transposing global media production and circulation practices to local contexts. Our emphasis is on joining urban conversations with civic knowledge sharing practices to build information-based communities. We present an integrated, ubiquitous, mobile media and geo-social networking platform that proposes tools for open-publication, collaborative-authoring, and production. This framework allows social content dissemination through mobile devices and the web. In this paper, we discuss our recent findings from research on mobile civic media, presenting our design methods, implementation details, and a field study arranged in Porto Alegre (Brazil). Finally, we discuss our insights and future design considerations for platform development.
Fertility Preferences of the Post-1980s Generation in Urban China

Born under the one-child policy and growing up in an environment of tremendous socioeconomic change, the post-1980s generation of China tends to have interesting fertility preferences. This study explores the fertility desire, gender preference, and potential utilization of fetal ultrasound among the post-1980s individuals in urban China, based on a survey conducted in Beijing and Puyang, China. The ideal number of children among the post-1980s was substantially lower than the replacement level. 26% of the respondents considered China’s family planning policies as the most important determinant of their fertility desire, whereas 57% of the respondents indicated economic factors as the major determinant. With respect to gender preference, nearly half of the respondents who desired one child indicated no preference, and 79% of those who desired two children preferred 1 boy and 1 girl. In terms of potential utilization of ultrasound, the large majority of the respondents indicated an intention to use ultrasound to check the wellness of the fetus. Nearly half of them wanted to know the gender of the fetus via ultrasound examination, which is illegal in China. The findings imply that urban China has been experiencing a transition from a top-down governmental promoted fertility decline to a bottom-up individual voluntary choice of low fertility. In the context of below replacement fertility and population ageing, step-by-step relaxations of the family planning policies may lead to a small, gradual, and beneficial fertility increase.