cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved Model of Social Networks Dynamics

Social networks are currently the most studied structures due to their popularity among IT users. In our paper we will focus on the dynamics of the dissemination of information in these networks. We will introduce the advanced heuristic conceptual model of individualsâ behavior in the network which is based on need for information and knowledge for solving specific problems; the proposed multi-agent model of the social networks dynamics is based on this concept. This version of the model was adapted for scale-free and growing networks. Experiments conducted with new model were focused on verifying its behavior with respect to knowledge about the type of modeled networks and on observation of dynamic effects in them; the results will be presented as well.
PDGF SIGNALLING IS REQUIRED FOR GASTRULATION OF XENOPUS LAEVIS

During Xenopus gastrulation, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor-alpha is expressed in involuting marginal zone cells which migrate over ectodermal cells expressing PDGF-A. To investigate the role of PDGF signalling during this process, we have generated a novel point mutant of PDGF receptor-alpha analogous to the W37 mutation of c-kit. This molecule is a specific, potent, dominant inhibitor of PDGF signalling in vivo. Injection of RNA encoding this protein into Xenopus embryos prevents closure of the blastopore, leads to abnormal gastrulation and a loss of anterior structures. Convergent extension is not inhibited in these embryos, but rather, involuting mesodermal cells fail to adhere to the overlying ectoderm. PDGF may therefore be required for mesodermal cell-substratum interaction.
Research on Walking Principle of a Worming Pipe Robot

Aim at the special requirement of special technologic well logging limitations of carrying technology were researched,so the new type pipe robot was put forward based on parallel mechanism to replace the used carrying technology.The kinematical model was set up by the method of coordinate transform for the robot in this paper,and the walking principle was analyzed when the robot moved in straight pipe and elbow.Further more the virtual prototype was made and kinematical simulation analysis had been accomplished.By the walking simulation when the robot moved in straight pipe and elbow it is validated that the walking principle established for the robot is correct.The robot can have bigger tensile draw.
Quantitative magnetic resonance arthrography in patients with femoroacetabular impingement.

Purpose Quantitative MRI (QMRI) of the hip with sequences such as T1ρ and T2 mapping has been utilized to detect early changes in cartilage matrix composition. However, QMRI has not been performed in the presence of intra-articular contrast. Thus the purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and use of QMRI during MR-arthrography (MRA) in femoracetabular impingement (FAI) patients. Materials and methods Using a 3 Tesla MR-scanner, 10 FAI patients underwent a unilateral MRA and standard MRI of the hip joint. Global and sub-regional T1ρ and T2 relaxation times of the acetabular and femoral articular cartilage were computed in the MRA and MRI assessments and agreement of these values were assessed using the Krippendorff's alpha (α) coefficient and linear regression (μ). T1ρ and T2 relaxation times between the MRA and MRI were compared using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Results Both global and sub-regional T1ρ and T2 relaxation times demonstrated strong agreement (α > 0.83; μ > 0.85) independent of intra-articular contrast. Also, global and sub-regional acetabular T1ρ (P = 0.72) and T2 (P = 0.94), as well as femoral T1ρ , relaxation times were similar between MRA and MRI (P = 0.73) yet femoral T2 relaxation times decreased when using intra-articular contrast (P = 0.04). Conclusion This study demonstrated the feasibility of T1ρ and T2 mapping for use in hip MRA with FAI patients. The inclusion of QMRI in MRA provides a quantitative assessment of the effects of FAI on hip joint articular cartilage while allowing for detailed assessment of labral pathology with the use of intra-articular contrast. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1539-1545.
Grief is a Luxury: Aids-Related Loss among the Poor in South Africa:

AIDS is the leading cause of death in South Africa, yet little is known about the bereavement experiences of those who have lost loved ones to AIDS in this country. In-depth interviews were conduct...
Mixed-Criticality Scheduling on Varying-Speed Platforms with Bounded Performance Drop Rate

As modern cyber-physical systems (CPS) are often mobile, their operating environments varies during run-time in an unpredictable way. Existing varying-speed platform model often takes immediate performance change into consideration, which may be too pessimistic in their analysis, as the aforementioned environmental changes (e.g., thermal) often results in mild performance drops. A more sophisticated varying-speed platform model is proposed to more precisely analyze the real-time schedulability of such systems, which takes the physical limitation of performance deceleration of the CPS into consideration. A simple and efficient algorithm named EDF-VD is adapted to schedule workload with multiple importance levels upon such platforms, and corresponding schedulability tests are provided.
Relentless innovation: The case for agility in semiconductor manufacturing

As the market for advanced technology continues its endless march forward, the industry faces increasing challenges to sustain the current pace of innovation. Leading-edge process technology is becoming more cost-intensive, design companies are developing chips with extraordinary complexity, and the next generation technology will require an unprecedented level of performance, and cost-effectiveness to deliver on its full potential. This confluence of factors is compounded by a major global recession, which has caused many manufacturers to develop a renewed focus on short-term productivity improvements. However, there is still a critical need for manufacturers to become more agile so that they are better positioned to respond to the long-term challenges of fluctuating demands. To address this need for agility, GLOBALFOUNDRIES has developed a unique manufacturing capability, called “Automated Precision Manufacturing”, or APM. Through enhanced delivery capabilities and improved product quality, APM has enabled GLOBALFOUNDRIES to deliver cutting-edge technology at low costs, which is a critical manufacturing advantage in the fast moving semiconductor industry. This presentation will take a look at how the lean manufacturing techniques that have successfully been used to transform other industries can be leveraged to provide the agility needed in semiconductor manufacturing.
fEvaluation of renewable energy technologies and their potential for technical integration and cost-effective use within the U.S. energy sector

Abstract Energy demands, environmental impacts of energy conversion, and the depletion of fossil fuels are constant topics of discussion in the energy industry. Renewable energy technologies have been proposed for many years to address these concerns. However, the transformation from traditional methods of power generation, usually based on fossil fuels, to power generation based on renewable resources presents many challenges associated with emerging, or less established, technologies. This paper examines the role of renewable energy in the U.S. and its potential to meet current and future energy needs in a way that is technically and economically sound. Renewable energy technologies, ranging from well-developed and established to new and emerging technologies, are presented in terms of their technical potential, current state of the technology, potential for further growth, and economic potential. While renewable energy sources are abundant across the U.S., issues of dispatchability, variability, scalability, energy storage, geographic limitations, and investment costs are critical in determining future progress. The analysis in this paper can be used to guide the integration of renewable energy systems toward becoming a larger share of energy production.
Making DOTS-Plus work

The persistent generation and transmission of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to the first-line antituberculosis agents have been documented in a large number of settings [1]. In these regions, effective strategies for both the prevention and the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) are required, and delays in their implementation will likely prove costly. Such a strategy must successfully prevent further transmission of new infections through rendering individual patients first, non-infectious, and eventually, cured. Indeed, MDRTB control can only be achieved when all the sources currently fuelling this quietly advancing epidemic are quelled. A central tenet of modern TB control is that treatment is prevention [2]. As with drug-susceptible TB, effective therapy for infectious cases is the only acceptable strategy to curtail further spread of drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis, and the only likely way to defuse what some have termed a “time-bomb” [3,4].
Population mechanics and cultural algorithms in the development of a cultural engine

Cultural Algorithms provide a meta-heuristic framework for the application of various solution mechanism represented by Knowledge Sources in the Belief Space to the evolution of complex social networks in the population space. One of the key components in the configuration of a Cultural Algorithm is the knowledge distribution mechanism, the means with which the influence of a solution approach is spread out among individuals in individual subnetworks. In this paper a new method of Knowledge distribution called the population mechanism is introduced and its performance compared in complex real-valued functional landscapes. While capable of generating solutions to the entire range of problem, from fixed to chaotic, they are best utilized for fixed problems containing of low to high variability but begin to lose their edge with increasing periodicity. It is proposed that the population mechanism when paired with other previous forms of knowledge distribution will be able to provide focus in specific areas of search and provide a framework with which to provide metrics to build a Cultural Engine.
Rewire: Interface Design Assistance from Examples

Interface designers often use screenshot images of example designs as building blocks for new designs. Since images are unstructured and hard to edit, designers typically reconstruct screenshots with vector graphics tools in order to reuse or edit parts of the design. Unfortunately, this reconstruction process is tedious and slow. We present Rewire, an interactive system that helps designers leverage example screenshots. Rewire automatically infers a vector representation of screenshots where each UI component is a separate object with editable shape and style properties. Based on this representation, the system provides three design assistance modes that help designers reuse or redraw components of the example design. The results from our quantitative and user evaluations demonstrate that Rewire can generate accurate vector representations of interface screenshots found in the wild and that design assistance enables users to reconstruct and edit example designs more efficiently compared to a baseline design tool.
Current and Emerging Approaches to Engineer Antibacterial and Antifouling Electrospun Nanofibers

From ship hulls to bandages, biological fouling is a ubiquitous problem that impacts a wide range of industries and requires complex engineered solutions. Eliciting materials to have antibacterial or antifouling properties describes two main approaches to delay biofouling by killing or repelling bacteria, respectively. In this review article, we discuss how electrospun nanofiber mats are blank canvases that can be tailored to have controlled interactions with biologics, which would improve the design of intelligent conformal coatings or freestanding meshes that deliver targeted antimicrobials or cause bacteria to slip off surfaces. Firstly, we will briefly discuss the established and emerging technologies for addressing biofouling through antibacterial and antifouling surface engineering, and then highlight the recent advances in incorporating these strategies into electrospun nanofibers. These strategies highlight the potential for engineering electrospun nanofibers to solicit specific microbial responses for human health and environmental applications.
Déjà vu and the feeling of prediction: an association with familiarity strength.

A recent laboratory study by Cleary and Claxton [2018. Deja vu: An illusion of prediction. Psychological Science, 29(4), 635–644. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0956797617743018] docu...
Latrophilin GPCRs direct synapse specificity by coincident binding of FLRTs and teneurins

Bidirectional signaling by cell adhesion molecules is thought to mediate synapse formation, but the mechanisms involved remain elusive. We found that the adhesion G protein-coupled receptors latrophilin-2 and latrophilin-3 selectively direct formation of perforant-path and Schaffer-collateral synapses, respectively, to hippocampal CA1-region neurons. Latrophilin-3 binds to two transcellular ligands: fibronectin leucine-rich repeat transmembrane proteins (FLRTs) and teneurins. In transgenic mice in vivo, both binding activities were required for input-specific synapse formation, which suggests that coincident binding of both ligands is necessary for synapse formation. In cultured neurons in vitro, teneurin or FLRT alone did not induce excitatory synapse formation, whereas together they potently did so. Thus, postsynaptic latrophilins promote excitatory synapse formation by simultaneous binding of two unrelated presynaptic ligands, which is required for formation of synaptic inputs at specific dendritic localizations.
How do angry drivers respond to emotional music? A comprehensive perspective on assessing emotion

Emotions influence the way drivers process and react to internal or environmental factors, but relatively little research has focused on drivers’ emotions. Of many emotional states, anger is considered the most serious threat on the road. Therefore, having an affective intelligent system in the car that can estimate drivers’ anger and respond to it appropriately can help drivers adapt to moment-to-moment changes in driving situations. To this end, we integrated behavioral, physiological, and subjective data to monitor drivers’ affective states in various driving contexts to address the question: “can self-selected music mitigate the effects of anger on driving performance?” In our experiment, three groups of participants (in total 52) drove using a driving simulator: anger without music, anger with music, and neutral without music. Results showed that angry drivers who did not listen to music had riskier driving behavior than emotion-neutral drivers. Results from heart rate, oxygenation level in prefrontal cortex, and self-report questionnaires showed that music could help angry drivers react at the similar level to emotion-neutral drivers. Regarding personality characteristics, drivers who had anger-expression out style had riskier driving behavior. Divers’ workload data showed lower performance and higher effort for angry drivers without music. In conclusion, this study shows that multimodal sensing can be effectively used to holistically assess drivers’ emotional states and that music can be used as a possible multimodal strategy to mitigate the anger effects on driving performance as well as drivers’ subjective experiences.
Precise branching ratio measurement for the superallowed β + decay of Si 26 : Completion of a second mirror pair

Superallowed $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay is an important tool in characterizing the vector component of the weak interaction. Precise $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay results presently give the best measurement of the up-down quark weak-mixing element, ${V}_{u\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}d}$. This new result completes the measurement of a second set of superallowed mirror transitions (${}^{26}$Si-${}^{26m}$Al and ${}^{26m}$Al-${}^{26}$Mg in this case) and has the precision to constrain the theoretical isospin-symmetry-breaking corrections needed in the extraction of ${V}_{u\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}d}$.
A Pediatric Cushing Syndrome Case Presenting with a Normal Bmi

Introduction: Endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS) is a rare condition. Early diagnosis and treatment of CS is important to reduce morbidity and mortality. Case Report: A 15 year-old previously healthy male presented to the emergency department with headache, blurry vision, and palpitations associated with hypertension. Several weeks before presentation, the patient re-established care with his pediatrician after 4 years for back trauma. He was hypertensive and had poor interval linear growth. On examination in our ED, the patient’s blood pressure was 193/149mmHg, weight was 46.3kg (7th percentile), and height was 146.3cm (0.2nd percentile). The patient had round/mood-like facies, bruising, and truncal obesity. Serum laboratory work was notable for elevated morning cortisol 23.3mcg/dL (after 1mg dexamethasone suppression …
Teleosemantics and tetrachromacy

Teleosemantics explains mental representation in terms of etiological history: a mental state’s representational contents are the result of natural selection, or some other selection process. Critics have argued that the “swampman” thought experiment poses a counterexample to teleosemantics. In several recent papers, Papineau has argued that a merely possible swampman cannot serve as a counterexample to teleosemantics, but has acknowledged that actual swampmen would pose a problem for teleosemantics. In this paper, I argue that there are real-world cases of swampman-like representation, in the form of functional tetrachromacy. People with functional tetrachromacy are born with four types of cones in each eye, rather than the usual three, and as a result can represent a wider variety of colors than the average person. I argue that the functional tetrachromat’s additional color representations are not the result of a selection process. Functional tetrachromacy is therefore a real-world case of mental representation without an etiological history, and therefore poses a genuine counterexample to teleosemantics.
Synthesis of [1-11C]Butanol via a facile solid phase extraction protocol.

Abstract A facile synthesis method for the preparation of [1–11C]butanol, a regional cerebral blood flow imaging agent, was developed. Using a solid phase extraction method, the highly polar and volatile molecule [1–11C]butanol was quickly concentrated, purified, and released as final product; boasting high radiochemical and chemical purities as well as high radiochemical yields. The final drug product was obtained as a sterile, pyrogen-free solution that conforms United States Pharmacopeia (USP) requirements.
Characterization of Insect Stains Deposited by Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on Shirt Fabrics

Despite the fact that necrophagous flies are known to alter bloodstains and create unique artifacts, no research has occurred to date that has examined the characteristics of insect stains on textiles or fabrics. This study represents the first effort to characterize artifacts produced by adult Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy deposited on a range of shirt fabrics that varied in type, color, orientation, and yarn tension. In general, artifact morphology on any type of fabric was distorted in comparison to those observed on smooth and/or nonporous surfaces in previous studies. Consequently, distinction of artifact type could only be made broadly as digestive artifacts and transfer patterns, in which the latter was predominantly detected as tarsal tracks. None of the artifacts displayed satellite stains typical of human bloodstains found on textiles. Wicking was evident on all fabrics but was most pronounced with dri wick and jersey knit polyester in comparison to cotton knit. Digestive artifacts on any colored fabric, but especially with green and yellow shirt samples, resembled the reported color, size, and morphology of bloodstains generated in laboratory studies on a range of fabrics. Unique digestive artifacts were also detected as small, black, and nearly spherical. These defecatory stains did not appear to wet or wick into any of the fabrics. Digestive artifacts and tarsal tracks differentially interacted with front face stitch loops of clothing fabrics to yield distinct stain patterns. The implications of these observations in reference to bloodstain pattern analysis at crime scenes are discussed.
ISOLATION AND TRANSCRIPTION OF T4 DNA FRAGMENTS CONTAINING THE T4 tRNA GENES

ABSTRACT From Eco Rl restriction fragments of T4 DNA, several fragments have been purified to apparent homogeneity, each of which contains the cluster of eight tRNA genes carried by the bacteriophage. Under our conditions these fragments are approximately 10 fold less active on a molar basis in the in vitro synthesis of the tRNAs than the non-restricted template, yet they appear as normal templates in other respects, e.g., the synthesis of tRNAs from proximal and distal regions of the cluster. In this report the possibility that this apparent low template efficiency may be due to an adversely high RNA polymerase/DNA ratio in the reactions was examined in experiments with intact T4 DNA. An inhibitory effect of RNA polymerase was seen acting on the elongation reaction of transcription. This inhibition appears to be due to the binding of polymerase to the template. It can be reversed by the addition of poly rI or heparin to the mixtures following the initiation of transcription. At appropriately low levels of RNA polymerase, the isolated fragments are transcribed selectively. The product formed contains up to six large asymmetric species indicating that the fragments bear at least one discrete initiation site for the tRNA operon.
Machine Learning for RF Slicing Using CSI Prediction in Software Defined Large-Scale MIMO Wireless Networks

In this paper, we investigate the machine learning approaches (sparse Bayesian linear regression (SBLR) and support vector machine (SVM)) for channel state information (CSI) prediction and dynamic radio frequency (RF) slicing for software defined virtual wireless networks in large-scale multi-input multi-output (MIMO) wireless networks. Specifically, a subset of the antennas of virtual wireless networks transmits pilot symbols for estimating the CSI and use the estimated CSI dataset to train and estimate the remaining channels and future CSI for virtual networks using machine learning algorithms. This helps not only to predict the CSI with least overhead and fulfills the service demands of users but also to reduce the power consumption and computation overhead in the network. Predicted CSI is leveraged for RF slicing for virtual wireless networks. Simulation results show that the proposed SBLR for predicting CSI results in lower BER and higher data rate for the wireless users. Furthermore, SBLR outperforms the other approaches when we have sparse CSI information and we need to generalize the prediction process.
Electrochemical Synthesis and Investigation of Stoichiometric, Phase-Pure CoSb2O6 and MnSb2O6 Electrodes for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Media

The electrochemical oxidation of water to oxygen gas is the primary counter reaction to the formation of hydrogen gas via water splitting. In acidic media, the only well-established and active oxyg...
Ankle kinematics, center of pressure progression, and lower extremity muscle activity during a side-cutting task in participants with and without chronic ankle instability.

Abstract This study assessed ankle kinematics, surface electromyography, and center-of-pressure (COP) progression relative to the medial border of the foot during a side-cutting task in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI). Thirty participants (CAI = 15; Controls = 15) performed a side-cutting task on a force platform while 3-dimentional ankle kinematics, COP position, and surface electromyography from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, vastus medialis, and semitendinosus were recorded on the testing leg. Ankle kinematics, root-mean-square muscle activity and COP position relative to the medial boarder of the foot were compared between CAI and healthy controls (p
Factor-Analytic Scales of a Normative Form of the EPPS.

The 135 distinct items from the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) were arranged in a 5-choice Likert format and presented to 315 subjects. Four factor scales were then constructed and cor...
Characteristic nonlinear system identification of local attachments with clearance nonlinearities

This research considers the identification of mathematical models for the dynamics of local nonlinear attachments with clearance nonlinearities directly from measured transient-response data. Specifically, a recently developed method, designated as the characteristic nonlinear system identification (CNSI) method, is implemented to identify the dynamics of local nonlinear attachments with clearance nonlinearities. The first major advantage of the CNSI procedure is that it provides the means to correlate the equation of motion governing the attachment directly to the instantaneous frequency and damping observed experimentally. The second major advantage is that it identifies the dynamics of the attachment entirely from mass measurements and the measured transient response of the attachment and its installation points. The first phase of the CNSI approach focuses on extracting the characteristic displacement, characteristic velocity, instantaneous frequency, and instantaneous damping from the measured response. The second phase begins with the analyst proposing a model for the dynamics based on the instantaneous frequency and damping curves, and the unknown parameters of the model are then systematically identified through a curve-fitting procedure. The CNSI method is demonstrated experimentally using the response of a linear model airplane wing with a local nonlinear attachment equipped with a clearance nonlinearity.
Dissolved potassium isotopic composition of major world rivers

Abstract High-precision potassium (K) isotope ratios have recently been proposed as a new tool for tracing continental weathering and reconstructing Earth’s past climates. The premise is that the K isotopic composition of seawater is sensitive to terrestrial weathering changes. Modern seawater (δ41KNIST SRM3141a = +0.12 ± 0.07‰) is significantly enriched in heavy K isotopes compared to the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) and the Upper Continental Crust (UCC). However, the controls causing such a large isotopic fractionation between these two major reservoirs are not well understood. Dissolved K in river water is one of the major inputs of K to seawater. To constrain the poorly defined K isotopic composition of riverine input to the global ocean and to understand the controlling factors of the K isotope composition of seawater, we analyzed the K isotopic composition of 32 river samples from 24 major rivers globally. These rivers drain all continents except Antarctica and collectively account for 40% of the annual global river discharge and 39% of the total K flux into the ocean. We observed a large range in K isotopic composition across all the rivers analyzed, ranging from δ41K = −0.59 ± 0.04‰ to −0.08 ± 0.04‰, but found no significant K isotopic variations among samples collected from the same river under differing flow conditions. We attribute the dissolved K isotopic composition of global rivers to the fraction of K retained in clay minerals during chemical weathering. Isotopically light K is retained with the clay fraction during weathering leading to heavy isotope enrichment in the dissolved K load relative to the BSE and UCC. The flux-weighted and regionally-adjusted mean composition of all rivers studied here (−0.38 ± 0.04‰) serves as a global estimate of the riverine δ41K value. The seawater K isotopic composition (i.e., +0.12 ± 0.07‰) cannot be explained solely by the riverine input. Other mechanisms (hydrothermal input, reverse weathering, biological fractionation) are needed to explain seawater K isotopic composition.
Early complications and reoperation rates are similar amongst open reduction internal fixation, intramedullary nail, and distal femoral replacement for periprosthetic distal femur fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Our purpose was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate complication and revision rates for periprosthetic distal femur fractures (PPDFF) treated with: (1) ORIF using periarticular locking plates (ORIF), (2) retrograde intramedullary nail (IMN), and (3) distal femoral replacement (DFR). Systematic review of the literature was performed to identify eligible studies (N = 52). Identified treatment groups were: ORIF (N = 1205 cases), IMN (N = 272 cases), and DFR (N = 353 cases). Median follow-up was 30 months (range 6–96 months). Primary outcomes were: (1) major complication rates and (2) reoperation rates over the follow-up period. Secondary outcomes were incidence of deep infection, periprosthetic fracture, mortality over the follow-up period, 1-year mortality, non-union, malunion, delayed union, and hardware failure. Data for primary and secondary outcomes were pooled and unadjusted analysis was performed. Meta-analysis was performed on subset of individual studies comparing at least two of three treatment groups (N = 14 studies). Odds-ratios and their respective standard errors were determined for each treatment group combination. Maximum likelihood random effects meta-analysis was conducted for primary outcomes. From the systematic review, major complication rates (p = 0.55) and reoperation rates (p = 0.20) were not significantly different between the three treatment groups. DFR group had a higher incidence of deep infection relative to IMN and ORIF groups (p = 0.03). Malunion rates were higher in IMN versus ORIF (p = 0.02). For the meta-analysis, odds of major complications were not significantly different between IMN versus DFR (OR 1.39 [0.23–8.52]), IMN versus ORIF (OR 0.86 [0.48–1.53]), or the ORIF versus DFR (OR 0.91 [0.52–1.59]). Additionally, odds of a reoperation were not significantly different between IMN versus DFR (OR 0.59 [0.08–4.11]), IMN versus ORIF (OR 1.26 [0.66–2.40]), or ORIF versus DFR (OR 0.91 [0.51–1.55]). There was no difference in major complications or reoperations between the three treatment groups. Deep infection rates were higher in DFR relative to internal fixation, malunion rates were higher in IMN versus ORIF, and periprosthetic fracture rates were higher in DFR and IMN versus ORIF.
Sharp Convergence Rates for Empirical Optimal Transport with Smooth Costs

We revisit the question of characterizing the convergence rate of plug-in estimators of optimal transport costs. It is well known that an empirical measure comprising independent samples from an absolutely continuous distribution on $\mathbb{R}^d$ converges to that distribution at the rate $n^{-1/d}$ in Wasserstein distance, which can be used to prove that plug-in estimators of many optimal transport costs converge at this same rate. However, we show that when the cost is smooth, this analysis is loose: plug-in estimators based on empirical measures converge quadratically faster, at the rate $n^{-2/d}$. As a corollary, we show that the Wasserstein distance between two distributions is significantly easier to estimate when the measures are far apart. We also prove lower bounds, showing not only that our analysis of the plug-in estimator is tight, but also that no other estimator can enjoy significantly faster rates of convergence uniformly over all pairs of measures. Our proofs rely on empirical process theory arguments based on tight control of $L^2$ covering numbers for locally Lipschitz and semi-concave functions. As a byproduct of our proofs, we derive $L^\infty$ estimates on the displacement induced by the optimal coupling between any two measures satisfying suitable moment conditions, for a wide range of cost functions.
Progression of Cabozantinib-Related Osteonecrosis Mimicking Metastases on Bone Scan.

ABSTRACT Patient was a 73-year-old woman with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Bone scan showed multifocal bone metastases. The patient received cabozantinib treatment for more than 1 year. On the follow-up bone scan, the previously biopsy-proven left pelvic bone lesion has improved, whereas the right maxillary lesion showed increased extent and intensity of abnormal radiotracer uptake. Given the different change pattern of these lesions, the right maxillary lesion was further evaluated. Biopsy results confirmed devitalized bone with bacterial colonies overgrowth and without tumor cell, suggestive of medication-related osteonecrosis.
The devil his due: Psychohistory and psychosocial studies

This paper revisits and reevaluates the Eriksonian branch of psycho-historians, whose academic influence peaked in the early 1970s before falling largely out of sight by the start of the twenty-first century. Why did what I argue was an unwarranted eclipse occur? The foremost figures in this loose grouping were Erikson himself, Robert J. Lifton, Kenneth Keniston, and Robert Coles. What can the comparatively new field of psychosocial studies usefully learn and integrate from these mostly neglected predecessors? I examine how this widespread academic amnesia set in and explain the relevance of the Eriksonian tradition, relate ways in which psycho-historians trailblazed psychosocial studies, address the importance of an intrinsic “activist ingredient” in such ventures, and argue that both psychohistory and psychosocial studies stand to benefit greatly from such an intellectual exchange.
Heterochromatin: A Critical Part of the Genome

Heterochromatin represents highly condensed portions of the genome that are located near centromeres and telomeres of chromosomes. Once thought to be merely “junk DNA”, heterochromatin is now recognized as an important part of the genome that possesses many functions. Heterochromatin is distinguished from the gene-rich euchromatin by a high concentration of repetitive DNA sequences, including transposons and is marked by specific histone posttranslational modifications and distinct nonhistone chromosomal proteins. Heterochromatin is required for proper chromosome segregation and maintenance of silencing. Loss of heterochromatin leads to the inappropriate activation of genes, including transposable elements, which contribute to genomic instability in diseases such as cancer.
Emotional Triggering of Cardiac Dysfunction: The Present and Future

Mental stress and emotional arousal can act as triggers of acute myocardial infarction and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Experimental research examining mechanisms of the adverse interplay between mind and heart has led to the discovery of mental stress-induced cardiac dysfunction or myocardial ischemia (MSIMI). Evidence about the prevalence, clinical significance, and mechanistic bases of MSIMI outlines a wide range of central and peripheral bio-pathologic processes that are associated with emotions and behaviors. MSIMI is recognized as an integrated and intermediate biomarker underpinning the negative mind-heart interplay. Particularly, MSIMI research paves the way toward investigations aiming more specifically at recognizing the susceptibilities of individuals who are prone to respond adversely to the psycho-social-environmental stress. This article reviews recent literature on MSIMI research following the comprehensive review of Strike and Steptoe Eur Heart J 24:690-703, 2003. Further, this article outlines the main steps in the identification of the specific bio-pathologic manifestations of the cardiovascular system to emotional stress. Finally, a speculative description is provided of future directions in better searching for areas that may be critical targets in resolving adverse mind-heart interplays.
Assessing senior residents' knowledge and performance: an integrated evaluation program.

BACKGROUND Surgical residents have traditionally been evaluated by ward evaluations and multiple-choice testing; overall resident performance has seldom been objectively evaluated. We developed a comprehensive evaluation program for senior residents. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the several different assessment methods included in this program provide similar information about senior residents' clinical knowledge and performance. METHODS Sixteen senior general surgery residents were evaluated by subjective faculty ward evaluations, a structured oral examination, the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination, and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The OSCE was divided into two parts: part A required the resident to obtain a directed history or to perform a physical examination; part B required the resident to answer questions about the patient seen in part A. RESULTS The various evaluation methods differed in their estimates of clinical competence (ward evaluations rated residents highest; the OSCE, lowest). The American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination correlated with both the structured oral examination and OSCE part B, indicating that all are adequate measures of knowledge. Neither the total OSCE score nor OSCE part A correlated with other measures, but the fact that both are highly reliable suggests that they evaluate different clinical skills. Faculty ward evaluations are inflated and do not correlate with other measures. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that developing a comprehensive program for evaluating resident competence is desirable and feasible.
Expression of truncated forms of the bovine growth hormone gene in cultured mouse cells.

Abstract A synthetic oligonucleotide, 5'-d(CTAGT-CTAGACTAG)-3' which encodes translational termination codons in three reading frames, was inserted into either exon IV (pbGH-4A) or V (pbGH-5A) of the bovine growth hormone gene. The resultant plasmids, under the transcriptional regulation of the mouse metallothionein 1 promoter, were introduced into cultured mouse L-cells or rat GH3 cells. Compared to wild type bGH RNA, bGH-specific RNA transiently expressed from pBGH-5A or pBGH-4A DNA in mouse L-cells was similar or slightly smaller in size, respectively. Unexpectedly, bGH-4A RNA lacked exon IV sequences. Immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that wild type bGH was localized to the Golgi apparatus, while truncated hormones were confined to the cytoplasmic compartment of transfected cells. In addition, truncated hormones were shown to be secretion-defective albeit the bGH signal peptide was efficiently and precisely processed. Thus, structural alterations in the bGH gene can dramatically affect bGH precursor mRNA processing and hormone localization within cultured mouse fibroblast or rat pituitary cells.
Survey: leakage resilience and the bounded retrieval model

This survey paper studies recent advances in the field of Leakage-Resilient Cryptography. This booming area is concerned with the design of cryptographic primitives resistant to arbitrary side-channel attacks, where an attacker can repeatedly and adaptively learn information about the secret key, subject only to the constraint that the overall amount of such information is bounded by some parameter l. We start by surveying recent results in the so called Relative Leakage Model, where all the parameters of the system are allowed to depend on l, and the goal is to make l large relative to the length of the secret key. We conclude by showing how to extend the relative leakage results to the Bounded Retrieval Model (aka "Absolute Leakage Model"), where only the secret key length is allowed to be slightly larger than l, but all other system parameters (e.g., publickey, communication, etc.) are independent of the absolute value of l. Throughout the presentation we will emphasize the information-theoretic techniques used in leakage-resilient cryptography.
Octahedral metal carbonyls—XX: Reactions of triphenylstannyl-, triphenylgermyl- and triphenylsilylpentacarbonylmanganese(O) with Lewis bases

Abstract The reactions of Ph3MMn(CO)5 complexes (M = Sn, Ge, Si) with mono- (L) and bidentate (L2) Lewis bases give, under identical conditions, Ph3MMn(CO)4(L) and Ph3MMn(CO)3(L2) products, respectively. Under milder conditions, Ph3SiMn(CO)5 reacts with trialkyl phosphites (P(OR)3 = L) to give trans-RCOMn(CO)3L2 products. Evidence suggests the initial steps of this process to involve formation of RMn(CO)5 via a Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction.
The influence of therapists' ethnicity on the practice of feminist family therapy: A pilot study

Abstract This study investigated how feminists perceived the relationship between their practice of feminist family therapy and their ethnic background. Data were collected through a focus group interview and an open-ended web-based survey and analyzed using content analysis and the developmental research sequence. The majority of participants reported a significant relationship between their ethnicity and how they practiced feminist family therapy. Both opportunities and constraints were expressed regarding the complexities of integrating ethnic and feminist values into their clinical work. Participants stated that their majority or minority status was a significant factor in how they interacted with clients also. These findings reflect therapists' dilemmas when working with clients from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
TopBot: automated network topology detection with a mobile robot

We have demonstrated that a properly-equipped mobile robot can easily construct a detailed map of the wireless coverage of an urban environment. The Autonomous Vehicle for Exploration and Navigation of Urban Environments (AVENUE) mobile robot was successfully used to generate such maps in both manual and autonomous modes of operation. The resulting database contained a wealth of information for many different positions in the region, with a list of all access points viewable from each location together with a quality measure (the signal-to-noise ratio) of every detected signal. At a later time, the AVENUE system effectively used the data in this map to determine the approximate position of the robot as it traveled through the urban area.
Selenium speciation in low molecular weight fraction of Se-enriched yeasts by HPLC-ICP-MS: detection of selenoadenosylmethionine

In this study, selenium speciation in low molecular weight (LMW) fraction of Se-enriched yeasts was investigated assuming the presence of selenoadenosylmethionine (AdoSeMet). In order to minimize the risk of species decomposition, the pretreatment procedure consisted of homogenization of fresh cells and precipitation of proteins with perchloric acid at 0 °C. The species separation was achieved by ion pairing HPLC (hexanesulfonic acid) with UV (254 nm) and ICP-MS detection. The assignment of chromatographic peaks was by spiking the sample with both the commercial and synthesized standards. The synthesis of AdoSeMet and selenoadenosylhomocysteine (AdoSeHcy) was performed and their structures confirmed by ES-MS analysis. These two selenium species were identified in yeasts extract and the presence of Se-cystine was also observed. Significantly lower ratio between AdoSeMet and AdoSeHcy was observed in yeast extracts as compared to the ratio between sulfur analogs. This observation could contribute to further understanding of the selenium role in biomethylation processes.
Consciousness Creates Physical Reality: Mystery of the Orbs May Be Solved

The hypothesis that consciousness creates physical reality is investigated. The link of consciousness, internal excellence, conditioning of space, and manifestation of physical reality are probed. The phenomenon of the appearance of orbs is investigated and several published examples of materialization of conscious intention are cited by way of corroboration. The ideas presented might hold tremendous potential for solving many problems facing humanity.
Functionalized carbon nanotubes and nanofibers for biosensing applications.

This review summarizes recent advances in electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with an emphasis on applications of CNTs. CNTs and CNFs have unique electric, electrocatalytic and mechanical properties, which make them efficient materials for developing electrochemical biosensors. We discuss functionalizing CNTs for biosensors. We review electrochemical biosensors based on CNTs and their various applications (e.g., measurement of small biological molecules and environmental pollutants, detection of DNA, and immunosensing of disease biomarkers). Moreover, we outline the development of electrochemical biosensors based on CNFs and their applications. Finally, we discuss some future applications of CNTs.
Monitoring uniform and localized corrosion in reinforced mortar using high-frequency guided longitudinal wages

High-frequency guided longitudinal waves have been used in a through-transmission arrangement to monitor reinforced mortar specimens undergoing both accelerated uniform and localized corrosion. High-frequency guided longitudinal waves were chosen because they have the fastest propagation velocity and lowest theoretical attenuation for the rebar/mortar system. This makes the modes easily discernible and gives them the ability to travel over long distances. The energy of the high-frequency longitudinal waves is located primarily in the center of the rebar, leading to less leakage into the surrounding mortar. The results indicate that the guided mechanical waves are sensitive to both forms of corrosion attack in the form of attenuation, with less sensitivity at higher frequencies. Also promising is the ability to discern uniform corrosion from localized corrosion in a through-transmission arrangement by examination of the frequency domain.
Prediction of diallyl phthalate molding performance from laboratory tests II. Comparison of mechanical spectrometer and brabender torque rheometer

Two series of glass-reinforced diallyl phthalate molding compounds from two different manufacturers were evaluated using a Rheometrics, Inc. Mechanical Spectrometer and a Brabender Torque Rheometer. Comparison of reactivity and minimum viscosity as measured by these two instruments is presented. The Mechanical Spectrometer appears capable of differentiating smaller changes in melt viscosity than does the Brabender Torque Rheometer.
Double photoionization of helium including quadrupole radiation effects

Non-perturbative time-dependent close-coupling calculations are carried out for the double photoionization of helium including both dipole and quadrupole radiation effects. At a photon energy of 800 eV, accessible at current synchrotron light sources, the quadrupole interaction contributes around 6% to the total integral double photoionization cross section. The pure quadrupole single energy differential cross section shows a local maximum at equal energy sharing, as opposed to the minimum found in the pure dipole single energy differential cross section. The sum of the pure dipole and pure quadrupole single energy differentials is insensitive to non-dipole effects at 800 eV. However, the triple differential cross section at equal energy sharing of the two ejected electrons shows strong non-dipole effects due to the quadrupole interaction that may be experimentally observable.