cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Base Rates and Correlational Data to Supplement Clinical Risk Assessments

The current study is a partial replication of previous studies designed to estimate the level of risk posed by capital murder defendants. The study draws on data describing the behavior of nearly 2,000 incarcerated capital murderers to forecast violence propensity among defendants sentenced to life imprisonment. Logistic regression is used to model various violence outcomes, relying on the following predictors: age, educational attainment, prior imprisonment, and gang affiliation. This exercise is designed to illustrate how actuarial data may be used to anchor individualized clinical assessments of risk in capital murder trials.
Sexual interactions with unfamiliar females reduce hippocampal neurogenesis among adult male rats

Recent experiments have shown that sexual interactions prior to cell proliferation cause an increase in neurogenesis in adult male rats. Because adult neurogenesis is critical for some forms of memory, we hypothesized that sexually induced changes in neurogenesis may be involved in mate recognition. Sexually naive adult male rats were either exposed repeatedly to the same sexual partner (familiar group) or to a series of novel sexual partners (unfamiliar group), while control males never engaged in sexual interactions. Ovariectomized female rats were induced into estrus every four days. Males were given two injections of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) (200mg/kg) to label proliferating cells, and the first sexual interactions occurred three days later. Males in the familiar and unfamiliar groups engaged in four, 30-min sexual interactions at four-day intervals, and brain tissue was collected the day after the last sexual interaction. Immunohistochemistry followed by microscopy was used to quantify BrdU-labeled cells. Sexual interactions with unfamiliar females caused a significant reduction in neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus compared to males that interacted with familiar females and compared to the control group. The familiar group showed no difference in neurogenesis compared to the control group. Males in the familiar group engaged in significantly more sexual behavior (ejaculations and intromissions) than did males in the unfamiliar group, suggesting that level of sexual activity may influence neurogenesis levels. In a second experiment, we tested whether this effect was unique to sexual interactions by replicating the entire procedure using anestrus females. We found that interactions with unfamiliar anestrus females reduced neurogenesis relative to the other groups, but this effect was not statistically significant. In combination, these results indicate that interactions with unfamiliar females reduce adult neurogenesis and the effect is stronger for sexual interactions than for social interactions.
Dietary Supplements: Navigating the Pharmacologic Influences of Nature's Medicine

The use of dietary supplements occurs in the majority of American adults >20 years old and has been reported to be on the rise by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. People are not only taking more dietary supplements, but taking them without the advice of a health care provider. With the lack of education time and focus on this topic, physicians need to know some evidence regarding the most common supplements used, how to understand dietary supplement labels, and where to find reputable information about dietary supplements. Vitamin D, Omega-3, and Glucosamine/Chondroitin are reviewed here. Also, a description of the various components of a dietary supplement label is explained. Finally, a brief description of independent companies (Consumerlabs.com ®, US Pharmacopedial Convention, Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, and Natural Standard) as well as the federally run Office of Dietary Supplements are presented.
The Theory of a Single Linear Transformation

This chapter is devoted to the study of a single linear transformation in a vector space over a field. We shall obtain a decomposition of the vector spaces into so-called cyclic subspaces relative to a given linear transformation. By choosing appropriate bases in these spaces we obtain certain canonical matrices for the transformation. These results yield necessary and sufficient conditions for similarity of matrices. Following Krull we shall derive the fundamental decomposition theorems by making use of the theory of finitely generated o-modules, o a principal ideal domain. We shall also prove in this chapter the Hamilton-Cayley Frobenius theorems on the characteristic and minimum polynomials of a matrix. Finally we study the algebra of linear transformations that commute with a given transformation.
Controlled Grain Size and Location in GE Thin Films on Silicon Dioxide by Low Temperature Selective Solid Phase Crystallization

Selective solid phase crystallization for control of grain size and location in poly-crystalline thin Ge films on amorphous silicon dioxide substrates is described. The approach consists of selective solid phase crystal nucleation via an alloy reaction at predefined nucleation sites, which consist of metal islands deposited on top of the amorphous Ge film, followed by lateral solid phase epitaxial growth. Grain sizes as large as 30 µm have been achieved in 50 nm thick Ge films at temperatures less than 475°C.
An Automated Adaptive Mesh Refinement Scheme for Unsteady Aerodynamic Wakes

A non-dimensional feature detection approach is employed to control adaptive mesh refinement for unsteady aerodynamic simulations in which the wake experiences highly unsteady vortical structures. The scheme identifies vortical flow features, independent of types, size, and strength, and thereby provides a means to refine the mesh in an automated fashion without the need for case-specific tuning and user intervention. The feature-based scheme can also be coupled with Richardson Extrapolation error estimation to control mesh resolution requirements. High-order numerics are applied together with localized mesh refinement improve far-field resolution of vortical structures. Test cases include an advecting theoretical ring vortex, vortex shedding over a cylinder, and hovering rotor wake flow. In all cases, the scheme demonstrates the ability to automatically control mesh refinement without user intervention.
MO-FG-209-04: DBT Applications of Feature-Adaptive Visual-Search Model Oberver.

This symposium will review recent advances in the simulation methods for evaluation of novel breast imaging systems – the subject of AAPM Task Group TG234. Our focus will be on the various approaches to development and validation of software anthropomorphic phantoms and their use in the statistical assessment of novel imaging systems using such phantoms along with computational models for the x-ray image formation process. Due to the dynamic development and complex design of modern medical imaging systems, the simulation of anatomical structures, image acquisition modalities, and the image perception and analysis offers substantial benefits of reduced cost, duration, and radiation exposure, as well as the known ground-truth and wide variability in simulated anatomies. For these reasons, Virtual Clinical Trials (VCTs) have been increasingly accepted as a viable tool for preclinical assessment of x-ray and other breast imaging methods. Activities of TG234 have encompassed the optimization of protocols for simulation studies, including phantom specifications, the simulated data representation, models of the imaging process, and statistical assessment of simulated images. The symposium will discuss the state-of-the-science of VCTs for novel breast imaging systems, emphasizing recent developments and future directions. Presentations will discuss virtual phantoms for intermodality breast imaging performance comparisons, extension of the breast anatomy simulation to the cellular level, optimized integration of the simulated imaging chain, and the novel directions in the observer models design. Learning Objectives: 1.Review novel results in developing and applying virtual phantoms for inter-modality breast imaging performance comparisons; 2.Discuss the efforts to extend the computer simulation of breast anatomy and pathology to the cellular level; 3.Summarize the state of the science in optimized integration of modules in the simulated imaging chain; 4.Compare novel directions in the design of observer models for task based validation of imaging systems. PB: Research funding support from the NIH, NSF, and Komen for the Cure; NIH funded collaboration with Barco, Inc. and Hologic, Inc.; Consultant to Delaware State Univ. and NCCPM, UK. AA: Employed at Barco Healthcare.; P. Bakic, NIH: (NIGMS P20 #GM103446, NCI R01 #CA154444); M. Das, NIH Research grants
Multisensory Physical Environments for Data Representation

This paper reviews theoretical research and projects in data representation that use different sensory modalities, embodiment, physical objects, and immersive environments. Other topics include the impact of cross-modal perception on data representation and the role audiovisual aesthetics play in the interpretation of data. Research has shown that cross-modal perception enhances sensory stimuli. Sound, touch, gesture, and movement engage the user and create holistic environments that provide multi-dimensional representations of complex data relationships. These data representations include data sculptures, ambient displays, and multisensory environments that use our intuitive abilities to process information from different sensory modalities. By using multiple senses, it is possible to increase the number of variables and relationships that can be represented simultaneously in complex data sets.
A history of MIMO wireless communications

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication technology has observed remarkable growth, moving from a research concept to widespread implementation in just over 10 years. But MIMO finds its roots in antenna diversity, whose history starts back in the 1920s. This paper provides a brief summary of the history of antenna diversity and MIMO systems, emphasizing some of the key associated developments in antenna design and electromagnetic propagation.
Does Vitamin D Metabolite Measurement Help Predict 25(Oh)d Change Following Vitamin D Supplementation

Objective: Variability in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) change following vitamin D supplementation exists. Vitamin D metabolite measurement might assist in predicting 25(OH)D response and also contribute to defining vitamin D adequacy. This study assessed utility of vitamin D metabolite measurements to predict 25(OH)D response and explored the relationship between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and a “vitamin D composite index” comprised of the sum of serum 25(OH) D, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and 24,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D). Methods: Sixty-two postmenopausal women were randomized to daily vitamin D3 1,800 IU or placebo for 4 months. Blood was drawn at baseline and after 1 and 4 months. Serum 25(OH)D, vitamin D3, and 24,25(OH)2D were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy. Free 25(OH)D and PTH were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Repeated measures analysis of variance and regression analyses were performed. Results: Baseline 25(OH)D was positively correlated (P<....
The Organization Made Us Do it: Demanding Formalization and Workaround Attributions

We call attention to an interesting paradox, which is that the same technologies intended to help employees do their jobs more safety result in numerous unintended and often overlooked cognitive, e...
Crystal structure of lipoate-bound lipoate ligase 1, LipL1, from Plasmodium falciparum

Plasmodium falciparum lipoate protein ligase 1 (PfLipL1) is an ATP-dependent ligase that belongs to the biotin/lipoate A/B protein ligase family (PFAM PF03099). PfLipL1 is the only known canonical lipoate ligase in Pf and functions as a redox switch between two lipoylation routes in the parasite mitochondrion. Here, we report the crystal structure of a deletion construct of PfLipL1 (PfLipL1Δ243-279 ) bound to lipoate, and validate the lipoylation activity of this construct in both an in vitro lipoylation assay and a cell-based lipoylation assay. This characterization represents the first step in understanding the redox dependence of the lipoylation mechanism in malaria parasites. Proteins 2017; 85:1777-1783. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phosphorus Determination by Murphy-Riley Method

The Murphy-Riley colorimetric method has been widely used to measure the phosphorus content in natural waters as well as in foods. The method is applicable to most foods after dry ashing of a food sample. The Murphy-Riley method involves an oxidation-reduction reaction in which phosphorus is reacted to form a chromogen-mineral complex that can be measured with a spectrophotometer at a visible wavelength. In this laboratory exercise, the phosphorus content of an ashed milk sample is determined by the Murphy-Riley method, which involves preparation of a phosphorus standard curve.
The question of languages and the medium of instruction in Morocco

Any country’s choice of the medium of instruction (MOI) reveals a lot about its social, cultural, economic, and political agenda. The question of MOI in North Africa, and more precisely in Morocco, has been a thorny issue since the country’s independence in 1956. This article aims at contributing to the debate around which of Morocco’s two main languages, French and Modern Standard Arabic, should be chosen as MOI in public schools. The article discusses some of the reasons that led to the recent decision to reinstate French language as a MOI in Morocco’s education after decades of Arabization policy. Moreover, the article examines the effects of language planning on the quality of education and the identity debate as conservative Islamist ideologies have begun to play an important role in Morocco’s political discourse and cultural debate. In addition, following the recognition of Amazigh language, the paper discusses the sensitive debate concerning Morocco’s multilingual and multicultural identity.
Cross-sectional association between soda consumption and body mass index in a community-based sample of twins.

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda, have been shown to play an important role in weight gain. Although soda consumption has been associated with body mass index (BMI) in many studies, it has been difficult to ascertain a true causal relationship between soda consumption and BMI for two reasons. First, findings have been based largely on observational and cross-sectional studies, with much less evidence from randomized controlled trials. Second, the reported relationships may be confounded by genetic and shared environmental factors that affect both soda consumption and BMI. In the present study, we used the twin design to better understand the relationship between soda consumption and BMI by accounting for measured and unmeasured confounds in non-experimental data. Associations from genetically informed tests in twins are considered “quasi-causal,” suggesting that our confidence in the causal underpinning of the association between soda consumption and BMI has been strengthened. We hypothesized that the association between soda consumption and BMI would be significant both between and within twins. This was a cross sectional study of 5787 same sex adult twin pairs (18–97 years, 66% female) from the community based Washington State Twin Registry. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to investigate associations between soda consumption and BMI in the population (the phenotypic association between exposure and outcome among all twins treated as individuals) and within pairs of identical and fraternal twins (the quasi-causal association controlling for between pair genetic and environmental confounds). Among all twins, there was a significant phenotypic association between soda consumption and BMI that held when controlling for age, sex, race, annual household income, and education level (P < 0.05). In the quasi-causal model, however, the effect of soda consumption on BMI was greatly reduced and no longer significant, with a large genetic confound in both men and women (P < 0.05). Among a large group of adult twin pairs, increased soda consumption was associated with increased BMI; however, the observed association was mediated by a genetic background common to both.
Imaginative Understanding, Affective Profiles, and the Expression of Emotion in Art

R. G. Collingwood thought that to express emotion is to come to understand it and that this is something art can enable us to do. The understanding in question is distinct from that offered by emotion concepts. I attempt to defend a broadly similar position by drawing, as Collingwood does, on a broader philosophy of mind. Emotions and other affective states have a profile analogous to the sensory profiles exhibited by the things we perceive. Grasping that one's feeling exhibits such a profile is to understand it. That understanding differs from any involved in conceptualizing the affect in question. And, I argue, engagement with the expressive character of works of art (and other artifacts) is one way to gain it.
Electrospun thermosensitive hydrogel scaffold for enhanced chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract Hydrogels have shown great potential for cartilage tissue engineering applications due to their capability to encapsulate cells within biomimetic, 3-dimensional (3D) microenvironments. However, the multi-step fabrication process that is necessary to produce cell/scaffold constructs with defined dimensions, limits their off-the-shelf translational usage. In this study, we have developed a hybrid scaffolding system which combines a thermosensitive hydrogel, poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PEG-PNIPAAm), with a biodegradable polymer, poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL), into a composite, electrospun microfibrous structure. A judicious optimization of material composition and electrospinning process produced a structurally self-supporting hybrid scaffold. The reverse thermosensitivity of PEG-PNIPAAm allowed its dissolution/hydration upon cell seeding within a network of PCL microfibers while maintaining the overall scaffold shape at room temperature. A subsequent temperature elevation to 37 °C induced the hydrogel’s phase transition to a gel state, effectively encapsulating cells in a 3D hydrogel without the use of a mold. We demonstrated that the hybrid scaffold enhanced chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) based on chondrocytic gene and protein expression, which resulted in superior viscoelastic properties of the cell/scaffold constructs. The hybrid scaffold enables a facile, single-step cell seeding process to inoculate cells within a 3D hydrogel with the potential for cartilage tissue engineering. Statement of Significance Hydrogels have demonstrated the excellent ability to enhance chondrogenesis of stem cells due to their hydrated fibrous nanostructure providing a cellular environment similar to native cartilage. However, the necessity for multi-step processes, including mixing of hydrogel precursor with cells and subsequent gelation in a mold to form a defined shape, limits their off-the-shelf usage. In this study, we developed a hybrid scaffold by combining a thermosensitive hydrogel with a mechanically stable polymer, which provides a facile means to inoculate cells in a 3D hydrogel with a mold-less, single step cell seeding process. We further showed that the hybrid scaffold enhanced chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells, demonstrating its potential for cartilage tissue engineering.
How to Ascertain the Values of Every Member of a Set of Observables that Cannot all Have Values

I explore the extent to which a magic trick of Vaidman, Aharanov, and Albert, permitting one to acquire more information about the outcomes of a set of possible measurements than one would naively have thought possible, can be extended to even more “impossible” sets of measurements.
Implantable Systems for Delivery of Insect Growth Regulators to Livestock.II

During the past several years, our laboratories have been investigating the application of controlled-release technology to the control of arthropod pests of livestock.1 As a result we have developed methods whereby an active ingredient can be delivered at a controlled rate into the circulatory system of a host animal via implanted pellets or microcapsules to affect feeding parasitic insects or ticks. Our initial experiments involved the preparation and bioevaluation of injectable microcapsules of the systemic pesticide famphur (O-[p-(dimethylsulfamoyl)phenyl]O, O-dimethyl phosphorothioate) in biodegradable polymers.2 Subcutaneous injections of a suspension of these microcapsules into guinea pigs killed feeding ticks over an extended period by continuously releasing active ingredient into the host’s circulatory system. However, large injections were required because of the relatively low activity of famphur and the volume of sesame oil used to suspend the microcapsules. Thus, this treatment was impractical for cattle. We therefore sought to avoid these problems by developing controlled-release implants of systemic insect growth regulators (IGR’s).
Electrophysiological and Structural Studies of Neurons in Dissociated Cell Cultures of the Central Nervous System

The dissociated cell culture approach to the analysis of central nervous system (CNS) function begins with a radical disassembly of the system into its single-cell components. Reconstitution of the system must be done in such a way that the reassembled components convincingly capture those neurobiological properties or processes that are of concern to the investigator. In the most general scheme, this would involve separation of the single cell suspension into pure subpopulations corresponding to each major CNS cell type. The intrinsic properties of each cell type and their development with time could be determined by appropriate electrophysiological, morphological, and biochemical studies. Interactions among the different cell types could then be studied in a variety of cultures formed from combinations of the different cell types. Some of these interactions would presumably be specific to particular cell combinations and would contribute to an understanding of the assembly of specifically organized neuronal systems in the brain.
An ER Based Methodology for Modeling User Views and Detecting Derived Relationships

The entity relationship (ER) data model has become the most popular conceptual data modeling tool. Most CASE and expert tools that perform data modeling are based on the ER model. Further, many ER-based methodologies have been proposed. No ER-based methodology, however, has presented a systematic approach to model user views. This paper suggests an ER-based methodology for data modeling of user views even if they are complex and involve many layers of nested data. The methodology can not only handle binary relationships, but also ternary and higher degree relationships. In addition, it includes a methodical approach to detect derived relationships. It should be possible to implement the methodology in a CASE or expert tool.
Probiotics of Lactic Acid Bacteria: Science or Myth?

Many species and strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been suggested to have several beneficial effects on the health of the digestive tract of humans. These benefits are produced by the antibacterial metabolites and specific cell components of several desirable intestinal indigenous bacterial species, particularly Lactobacillus acidophilus (group Al) and Lactobacillus reuteri and several Bifidobacterium species, and a few species of non-intestinal LAB, such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactococcus lactis. However, study results using fermented dairy products produced by them or consumption of live cells of these species have not been consistent. The possible reasons for such controversies are discussed. In the concluding remarks possible means to overcome the controversies are suggested.
Genetic counseling and testing for breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility: what do women want?

PURPOSETo assess preferences for the content and process of genetic counseling and testing for breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility among women at high risk for breast cancer.METHODSNinety-eight healthy women who had a family history of breast cancer in at least two first-degree relatives participated in a structured telephone survey that evaluated preferences for type of provider and the content and process of pretest education and posttest genetic counseling.RESULTSForty-two percent of women preferred that pretest education be delivered by a genetic counselor, while 22% preferred an oncologist. This preference was positively associated with a desire to discuss psychosocial issues during the session (P = .001). For posttest counseling, 38% of women preferred an oncologist, while 20% preferred a genetic counselor. However, women who desired supportive counseling during this session were significantly more likely to prefer a genetic counselor to an oncologist (P = .02). Fewer women wished to see a primary ...
Trends and Disparities in Cardiovascular Mortality Among U.S. Adults With and Without Self-Reported Diabetes, 1988-2015.

OBJECTIVE Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality has declined substantially in the U.S. The aims of this study were to examine trends and demographic disparities in mortality due to CVD and CVD subtypes among adults with and without self-reported diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (1985–2014) with mortality follow-up data through the end of 2015 to estimate nationally representative trends and disparities in major CVD, ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmia mortality among adults ≥20 years of age by diabetes status. RESULTS Over a mean follow-up period of 11.8 years from 1988 to 2015 of 677,051 adults, there were significant decreases in major CVD death (all P values P P CONCLUSIONS Major CVD mortality in adults with diabetes has declined, especially in men. Large reductions were observed for IHD and stroke mortality, although heart failure and arrhythmia deaths did not change. All race and education groups benefitted to a similar degree, but significant gaps remained across groups.
Novel association of Psychrobacter and Pseudomonas with malodour in bloodhound dogs, and the effects of a topical product composed of essential oils and plant‐derived essential fatty acids in a randomized, blinded, placebo‐controlled study

BACKGROUND The pathogenesis and treatment of cutaneous malodour in dogs have not been investigated previously. Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium spp. are associated with human axillary malodour. HYPOTHESIS Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium spp. are associated with cutaneous malodour in dogs, and treatment with a topical essential oil-based product will improve malodour and reduce the abundance of odour-causing bacteria. ANIMALS Twenty seven bloodhound dogs from a south Texas boarding facility were enrolled in this study. METHODS AND MATERIALS Skin swabs were taken from the axilla and dorsum of 27 dogs at initiation of the study. Mean malodour scores were used to assign dogs to control or malodour groups. The malodourous dogs were randomly assigned to a treatment or placebo group, received four weekly topical applications of the spot-on or placebo, and samples were recollected. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) were performed on all swabs. RESULTS Psychrobacter and Pseudomonas spp. were significantly more abundant (P < 0.001, P = 0.006; respectively), and overall bacterial diversity was reduced (P = 0.0384) on the skin of malodourous dogs. Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium spp. were not associated with malodour. The topical essential oil-based product significantly (P = 0.0078) improved malodour in the treatment group and shifted their bacterial community structure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE A novel association of bacterial genera with malodour in bloodhound dogs, identified by NGS, highlights future targets for odour control. The topical treatment significantly reduced malodour. The interaction between the topical treatment and cutaneous microbiota should be further investigated and may be useful in other dermatological conditions involving microbiota.
Consistency of local density approximations and quantum corrections for time-dependent quantum systems

Time-dependent quantum systems are the subject of intense inquiry, in mathematics, science, and engineering, particularly at the atomic and molecular levels. In 1984, Runge and Gross introduced tim...
Grieving College Students Use of Social Media

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of social media among grieving college students. A total of 508 students participated in a survey about their experiences with grieving a loss, the ...
Electrospinning under lateral electrostatic control in ambient atmosphere

Abstract Electrospinning is the most widely used nanometer-sized polymer fiber production technique. The properties of the deposited fiber mats are strongly dependent on the ability to control the fiber extrusion and its deposition location. In this work we demonstrate the ability to steer the charged fiber by external Coulomb forces generated by a set of auxiliary electrodes. A mathematical model describing the fiber trajectory was used to estimate the unknown material properties of the fiber by matching the experimental and simulation results.
Quantification of Papillary Muscle Motion and Mitral Regurgitation After Myocardial Infarction

Change in papillary muscle motion as a result of left ventricular (LV) remodeling after posterolateral myocardial infarction is thought to contribute to ischemic mitral regurgitation. A finite element (FE) model of the LV was created from magnetic resonance images acquired immediately before myocardial infarction and 8 weeks later in a cohort of 12 sheep. Severity of mitral regurgitation was rated by two-dimensional echocardiography and regurgitant volume was estimated using MRI. Of the cohort, six animals (DC) received hydrogel injection therapy shown to limit ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (Rodell, Christopher B., Circ. Cardiovasc. Interv. 9:e004058 2016) while the control group (MI) received a similar pattern of saline injections. LV pressure was determined by direct invasive measurement and volume was estimated from MRI. FE models of the LV for each animal included both healthy and infarct tissue regions as well as a simulated hydrogel injection pattern for the DC group. Constitutive model material parameters for each region in the FE model were assigned based on results from previous research. Invasive LV pressure measurements at end diastole and end systole were used as boundary conditions to drive model simulations for each animal. Passive stiffness (C) and active material parameter (Tmax) were adjusted to match MRI estimations of LV volume at end systole and end diastole. Nodal positions of the chordae tendineae (CT) were determined by measurements obtained from the excised heart of each animal at the terminal time point. Changes in CT nodal displacements between end systole and end diastole at 0- and 8-week time points were used to investigate the potential contribution of changes in papillary muscle motion to the progression of ischemic mitral regurgitation after myocardial infarction. Nodal displacements were broken down into radial, circumferential, and longitudinal components relative to the anatomy of the individual animal model. Model results highlighted an outward radial movement in the infarct region after 8 weeks in untreated animals, while radial direction of motion observed in the treated animal group was preserved relative to baseline. Circumferential displacement decreased in the remote region in the untreated animal group after 8 weeks but was preserved relative to baseline in the treated animal group. MRI estimates of regurgitant volume increased significantly in the untreated animal group after 8 weeks but did not increase in the treated group. The results of this analysis suggest that hydrogel injection treatment may serve to limit changes in papillary muscle motion and severity of mitral regurgitation after posterolateral myocardial infarction.
Complex Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction

Complex Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction evolved through our long-term clinical experience in the surgical management of patients with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries. A midline sternotomy approach, utilizing novel techniques for exposure and mobilization, enables access to the distal pulmonary artery tree to the segmental and subsegmental levels. This allows reconstructive procedures to address both discrete stenoses and areas of long-segment hypoplasia, to reduce pulmonary hypertension and improve and/or preserve right ventricular function. We have utilized this technique in over 70 patients, with our most recent analysis demonstrating one operative mortality, no operative reintervention, and improvement in right to left ventricular pressure ratio from 0.94 (0.72-1.30) to 0.36 (0.19-0.54) with durable 4 ± 3 year follow-up.
Reconfigurable Series Feed Network for Squint-free Antenna Beamforming Using Distributed Amplifier-Based Negative Group Delay Circuit

A new type of tunable series feed network for squint-free antenna beamforming using microwave distributed amplifier (DA)-based negative group delay (NGD) circuits is proposed. Utilizing the DA-based NGD circuits as delay lines between elements in an antenna array, squint-free beamforming with reconfigurable radiation main beams can be achieved. The tuning mechanism is realized by changing the transistor's transconductance. To achieve this, the transistors placed at each stage of the DA are tuned separately. For the proof of concept, a prototype of a two-stage DA-based tunable squint-free series feed network built and tested. The measurement results show that, the main-beam direction of the antenna array can be successfully tuned while maintaining squint-free within a bandwidth of 100 MHz.
Proving Lost Profits after Daubert: Five Questions Every Court Should Ask Before Admitting Expert Testimony

Lost profits are the most important item of damages in most business litigation. In every substantial case, expert testimony is necessary to prove lost profits. Courts need to take seriously their roles as gatekeepers in order to be sure that misleading testimony is kept from unsophisticated jurors. This article reviews the case law in this area and suggests tests that courts should apply when deciding motions to exclude financial experts.
A Tail Is Not a Leg: Statutory Interpretation Games at the Ohio Supreme Court

It is often said that Abraham Lincoln, “faced with some thorny issue that could be settled by a twist of language,” would ask his questioner how many legs a dog would have if you called its tail a leg. “Five,” the questioner responds. “No,” Lincoln answers. “Calling a dog’s tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.” In a recent decision, Hauser v. Dayton Police Department, the Ohio Supreme Court effectively “called a tail a leg,” and held that an employment discrimination statute that imposes liability on “any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer” did not, in fact, impose individual liability against public-sector supervisors. In doing so, the Court arbitrarily limited the tort remedies available to public-sector employment discrimination plaintiffs, and showed its willingness to engage in intellectual dishonesty to reach these results.
Pregnancy health in POWERMOM participants living in rural versus urban zip codes

Background: Pregnant women living in rural locations in the USA have higher rates of maternal and infant mortality compared to their urban counterparts. One factor contributing to this disparity may be lack of representation of rural women in traditional clinical research studies of pregnancy. Barriers to participation often include transportation to research facilities, which are typically located in urban centers, childcare, and inability to participate during nonwork hours. Methods: POWERMOM is a digital research app which allows participants to share both survey and sensor data during their pregnancy. Through non-targeted, national outreach a study population of 3612 participants (591 from rural zip codes and 3021 from urban zip codes) have been enrolled so far in the study, beginning on March 16, 2017, through September 20, 2019. Results: On average rural participants in our study were younger, had higher pre-pregnancy weights, were less racially diverse, and were more likely to plan a home birth compared to the urban participants. Both groups showed similar engagement in terms of week of pregnancy when they joined, percentage of surveys completed, and completion of the outcome survey after they delivered their baby. However, rural participants shared less HealthKit or sensor data compared to urban participants. Discussion: Our study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of enrolling pregnant women living in rural zip codes using a digital research study embedded within a popular pregnancy app. Future efforts to conduct remote digital research studies could help fill representation and knowledge gaps related to pregnant women.
School photos in liquid time: reframing difference: by Marianne Hirsch and Leo Spitzer, Seattle, Washington, University of Washington Press, 2020, vii-231 pp., US$30.00 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-295-74654-8

School Photos in Liquid Time: Reframing Difference is a captivating and convincing comparative critical analysis aimed at exhibiting the fluidity and volatility of school photos; especially when vi...
Sensory Loss and Delirium Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Sensory impairment is prevalent among older adults and may increase risk for delirium via mechanisms including sensory deprivation and poor communication which may result in confusion and agitation. In the Medicare Current Beneficiary Study (MCBS), delirium was measured using a validated algorithm of claims data. Sensory impairment was defined as any self-reported trouble hearing or seeing, with the use of aids, and was categorized as no impairment, hearing impairment only (HI), vision impairment only (VI), and dual sensory impairment (DSI). Among, 3,240 hospitalized participants in 2016-2017, 346 (10.7%) experienced delirium. In a model adjusted for socio-demographic and health characteristics, those with HI only, VI only, and DSI had 0.84 (95% CI: 0.6-1.3), 1.1 (95% CI 0.7-1.7), and 1.5 (95% CI 1.0-2.1) times the odds of experiencing delirium compared to those without sensory impairment. Future research should focus on mechanisms underlying association and determine the impact of treatment of sensory loss.
Affective Congruence in Visualization Design: Influences on Reading Categorical Maps.

Recent work in data visualization has demonstrated that small, perceptually-distinct color palettes such as those used in categorical mapping can connote significant affective qualities. Data that are mapped or otherwise visualized are also often emotive in nature, either inherently (e.g., climate change, disease mortality rates), or by design, such as can be found in visual storytelling. However, little is known about how the affective qualities of color interact with those of data context in visualization design. This paper describes the results of a crowdsourced study on the influence of affectively congruent versus incongruent color schemes on categorical map-reading response. We report both objective (pattern detection; area comparison) and subjective (affective quality; appropriateness; preference) measures of map-reader response. Our results suggest that affectively congruent colors amplify perceptions of the affective qualities of maps with emotive topics, affective incongruence may cause confusion, and that affective congruence is particularly influential in maps of positive-leaning data topics. Finally, we offer preliminary design recommendations for balancing color congruence with other design factors, and for synthesizing color and affective context in thematic map design.
Searching for Oil China's Initiatives in the Middle East

(2007). Searching for Oil China's Initiatives in the Middle East. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development: Vol. 49, No. 5, pp. 8-21.
Temporal Anomaly Detection in Multispectral Imagery

In spectral image analysis, anomaly detection algorithms implicitly perform spatial anomaly detection. That is, the pixels are assumed to all be from the same image at a single time, and the anomalies are pixels whose spectra differ from the rest of the pixel spectra in the scene. In this research we are instead interested in temporal anomalies, where we compare a single pixel against itself over time rather than against the rest of the pixels in the scene. To do this requires a large sample of registered images taken at different points in time, which is easily enabled by global-coverage constellations such as Sentinel-2 and Landsat. In doing so we can implement the same anomaly detection algorithms that are traditionally applied spatially, but draw our “background” distribution from time instead of space. Here we present a straightforward experiment with Temporal RX, where we use the traditional RX algorithm but with a temporal background distribution. We use the annual Burning Man music festival as our test case and explore the spatially-aggregated temporal anomaly detection results.
The association between the Affordable Care Act on insurance status, cancer stage, and overall survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

281Background: We aimed to determine whether insurance expansions implemented through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) were associated with changes in insurance coverage status,...
Hess, A. N. (2021). Modular online learning design: A flexible approach for diverse learning needs

When the academic world went online in the spring of 2020, advisors, instructors, and anyone else who deals with students at American colleges and universities quickly realized that the one-size-fi...
Trustable computing in next-generation avionic architectures

In tomorrow's 'brilliant' weapons, next-generation avionic computers will need to orchestrate the actions of many subsystems while further maintaining the security of sensitive data, the integrity of key data and of system behavior, and often other key properties. Maintenance of these properties will help ensure that system execution is trustable, conforming to both prescribed policies and expected behavior. The essential properties of security and integrity are introduced, and other properties (like virus resistance) that should complement them in future avionic computing are cited. Traditional security maintenance as derived from simple controls that constrain application accesses in a rather rigid way are reviewed. It is illustrated how, to add integrity maintenance capability, such controls can be enhanced to support customizable application execution constraint. Mechanisms for supporting security and integrity in next-generation avionic architectures are recommended. >
Learning and representation change

To remain effective without human interaction, intelligent systems must be able to adapt to their environment. One useful form of adaptation is to incrementally form concepts from examples for the purposes of inference and problem-solving. A number of systems have been constructed for this task, yet their capability is limited by the language used to represent concepts. This paper presents an extension to the concept acquisition system STAGGER that allows it to utilize continuously valued attributes. The combination of methods employed is able to dynamically acquire appropriate representations, thereby minimizing the impact of initial representational bias decisions. Of additional interest is the distinction between the computational flavor of the learning methods, for one is similar to connectionist approaches while the other two are of a more symbolic nature.
Benefits of pan‐sharpened Landsat imagery for mapping small waterbodies in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA

Pan-sharpened Landsat imagery was used to map waterbodies of a wide variety of sizes in the Powder River Basin (PRB) in northcentral Wyoming, USA. Coal bed natural gas extraction activities have been intensive in the PRB over the past decade, with abundant co-produced water being discharged into retention ponds and small ephemeral channels. Although land management agencies are tasked with monitoring these waterbodies, traditional field survey methods might not be feasible during rapid development. Remote-sensing applications could be used in such cases. Although Landsat and similar medium-resolution datasets do not have detailed spatial information at fine resolutions required to map small waterbodies, they do contain rich spectral information. Panchromatic data collected by satellites have an appropriate spatial resolution, but lack detailed spectral information. Thus, image fusion techniques were used to create a pan-sharpened image, by merging multispectral (30-m resolution) and panchromatic (15-m) bands from Landsat 7 imagery. Both the original and the pan-sharpened images were used to map waterbodies and estimate their area, being compared to photo-interpretation results. The accuracy of mapping waterbodies with pan-sharpened imagery was significantly higher than the original Landsat data for waterbodies ranging in size from 901 to 8100 m2. Large reservoirs (>8100 m2) were very accurately mapped, both images producing identical results (96%). Neither image was able to suitably detect very small waterbodies (<900 m2). Detailed analysis within 901–3600 m2 size category revealed that the benefits of pan-sharpened imagery were most pronounced (25% higher accuracy) for mapping waterbodies ranging in size from 1801 to 2700 m2.
Efinaconazole in the treatment of onychomycosis

Efinaconazole 10% topical solution is a new triazole recently approved for the treatment of onychomycosis. It inhibits fungal lanosterol 14α-demethylase in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway, has potent antifungal activity against dermatophytes, as well as activity against Candida spp. and non-dermatophyte molds, and showed promising results in clinical trials. This review summarizes the mechanism of action, in vitro and in vivo data, clinical trials, safety, and quality-of-life data of efinaconazole as it applies to the treatment of onychomycosis.
Magnetoresistance of some hexagonal close-packed metals

1 Transverse magnetoresistance measurements have been made on oriented single crystals of thallium at 4.2°K and 1°K in magnetic fields up to 20 KG. The effects of both periodic and aperiodic open orbits have been observed in the results. The open orbit directions can be explained in terms of the double-zone representation of the nearly free electron Fermi surface of thallium, if magnetic breakdown is assumed to occur over almost all of the hexagonal face of the third Brillouin zone in magnetic fields of 20 KG. Both longitudinal and transverse magnetoresistance measurements have been made on oriented single crystals of dysprosium and holmlum over a wide temperature range in magnetic fields up to 20 KG. These metals go progressively from paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic with decreasing temperature. The effects of the superzone planes associ­ ated with the periodicity of the magnetic ordering and the effects of the spin-wave scattering of the conduction electrons are evident in the results.