cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polymer-protected, colloidal platinum nanocatalysts

Several stable colloidal platinum nanocatalysts were prepared by in-situ reduction of hexachloroplatinic acid H2PtCl6, and were protected by various water-sluble homopolymers and random copolymers as well as cationic polyelectrolytes. The particle sizes, morphologies, and size distributions were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the catalytic activity of the platinum nanoparticles was tested by the hydrogenation of cyclohexene. The type of protective polymer and its properties strongly influence the catalytic activity by creating a certain “environment” surrounding the catalytically-active nanometal. Thus, careful selection of the protective polymer plays an important role in the development of tailored metal-polymer catalyst systems.
Membrane lipid changes associated with malignant transformation and normal maturation of human lymphocytes

Abstract Human lymphocytes from normal blood, normal thymus, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia blood and lymphoblasts from continuous cell lines were studied as representative of normal, immature and transformed lymphocytes in an attempt to determine whether a relationship exists between the lipid composition of the plasma membrane and the maturity or malignant transformation of the lymphocyte. Normal mature lymphocytes from peripheral blood contain more phospholipid and cholesterol per cell than immature thymocytes or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells suggesting that the normal maturation of lymphocytes is associated with an increase in the content of these lipids. Analysis of plasma membrane preparations from the four populations of lymphocytes showed that, when assayed on a per cell basis, the cholesterol : phospholipid molar ratio of malignant and transformed lymphocyte membranes is substantially lower than that from normal lymphocytes. In the case of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells this deficiency of membrane cholesterol may be due to a decreased ability of the cells to synthesise sterols. The fatty acid composition of the major membrane phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) also differed between the four lymphocyte populations studied. These observations of membrane phospholipid and cholesterol composition are consistent with previous assessments of the fluidity of the lipid core of normal and leukaemic lymphocyte membranes, but do not correlate with measurements of membrane dynamics using fluorescent antibody or lectins. This discrepancy is discussed.
Standardized Recording of Parameters Related to the Natural History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Montreal to Paris

Similar to adults, there is heterogeneous phenotypic expression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children. Thus, a classification system for disease characteristics is obligatory if one seeks to understand and eventually change the natural history of IBD. Extrapolation of adult clinical trial results to children also depends upon comparable classifications of disease. Features that can differentiate IBD in children from adults include more extensive and severe disease at presentation, frequent corticosteroid dependency, change in location and behavior over time, and the implications of disease for growth and sexual maturation. In contrast to the Montreal classification where all patients <17 years were grouped together, the Paris classification recognizes the different expression of pediatric IBD between those patients aged <10 years and those 10-17 years of age. The recent identification of monogenic disorders in very young children (<2 years) with severe IBD-like disease has further clouded the issue of where appropriate pediatric age guidelines should be drawn, though it is clear these infantile-onset cases should not be grouped with older children. The Paris classification recognizes the importance of upper tract disease on natural history by dividing it into L4a and L4b (proximal and distal to the ligament of Treitz, respectively), while the Montreal system groups all upper-tract patients together. Complicated disease behavior in the Montreal system mandated a single category preventing the concomitant designation as stricturing and penetrating, whereas the Paris classification recognizes that both stricturing and penetrating behavior may occur at the same or different times. Growth delay is recognized only in the Paris classification as a serious manifestation of IBD in children affecting therapeutic decisions. As our understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis in IBD changes over time, it is likely that the IBD classification will change as well. A single classification system that reflects both pediatric and adult disease is needed.
Patti MG, Herbella FA. fundoplication after laparoscopic heller myotomy for esophageal achalasia: What type? J Gastrointest Surg. 2010 Sept.;14(9):1453-8.

Dear Editor, We would like to thank Dr. Pontone and his colleagues for their interest in our review paper and their letter to this esteemed journal. They raise some important questions that we will be glad to answer even though they are unrelated to the manuscript we wrote. Our goal was not to review the treatment of esophageal achalasia, but rather to assess the role of fundoplication after the myotomy, and to identify the best procedure that limits postoperative reflux while avoiding recurrent dysphagia. Dr. Pontone et al. raise three points: (1) the superiority of the Dor fundoplication over the Toupet fundoplication, (2) the influence of previous endoscopic therapy on the outcome of the myotomy, and (3) the use of intra-operative endoscopy. There is no definite evidence that shows the superiority of the Dor fundoplication over the Toupet fundoplication. Since both procedures seem to be very similar in terms of clinical outcome and complications, the choice is based on surgeons' preference. Although we prefer an anterior wrap, others have excellent results with a posterior wrap. Many studies have shown that previous therapy, either intra-sphincteric injections of botulinum toxin or pneumatic dilatation, makes the myotomy more difficult to perform because of the loss of the normal anatomic planes. In addition, the results are less predictable and often worse than those obtained in patients who have never been treated before the myotomy. We agree that intra-operative endoscopy may help identify the esophago-gastric junction, guiding the extent of the myotomy. However, with more experience, this step can be avoided in most cases.
Performance of submillimeter square hollow waveguides.

Propagation losses are determined for 100 µm × 100 µm square, hollow waveguides constructed from glass capillaries. The small size makes it possible to observe optical effects not easily seen with larger waveguides. The depletion of higher-order even modes creates a large, nonlinear loss. Over a distance of a meter the loss approaches the smaller, linear value expected for the fundamental mode. Additionally, the lowest two even modes beat to produce an oscillatory loss with a period of ∼2 cm. Making the focal radius 0.35 the waveguide width minimizes these two effects. In a related study, 50-µm waveguides embossed in polydimethylsiloxane are shown to have losses similar to glass capillaries.
Nonexercise activity thermogenesis - Liberating the life-force

Obesity occurs when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure over a protracted period of time. The energy expenditure associated with everyday activity is called NEAT (Nonexercise activity thermogenesis). NEAT varies between two people of similar size by 2000 kcal day(-1) because of people's different occupations and leisure-time activities. Data support the central hypothesis that NEAT is pivotal in the regulation of human energy expenditure and body weight regulation and that NEAT is important for understanding the cause and effective treatment for obesity.
What's in a Name? Is Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Just Another S aureus When Treated With Vancomycin?

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, principally resistant to penicillinase-resistant penicillins and aminoglycosides, are increasingly common hospital isolates. We have examined the significance of MRSA colonization and infection in 1100 consecutively admitted, seriously burned patients in whom vancomycin was used to treat all staphylococcal infections. Colonization with S aureus (SA) was identified in 658 patients, in 319 of whom MRSA colonization was identified. Two hundred fifty-three SA infections occurred in 178 patients; of these infections, 58% were pulmonic and 38% were bacteremic. Methicillin-resistant SA infections occurred in 58 of the SA-infected patients. A severity index, based on multiple-regression analysis of mortality as a function of burn size and age in the study population, was used to estimate expected mortality. We demonstrated no measurable increase in mortality attributable to MRSA in this population of burned, SA-infected patients. The results question the clinical and economic value of added control practices, such as closing of units, refusal of transfer or admission, added isolation, treatment of carriers, furlough of colonized staff, and other expensive measures that are specifically directed at prevention of MRSA infections in critical care areas. ( Arch Surg. 1989;124:1456-1459)
Avian Influenza in North and South America, the Caribbean, and Australia, 2006–2008

Abstract Between 2006 and 2008, only one outbreak of highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza (AI) was reported from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Australia. The outbreak, caused by H7N3, occurred in September 2007 in a multiage broiler breeder facility (∼49,000 birds) near Regina Beach in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. The disease was confined to a single farm; the farm was depopulated. All other reports of infections in poultry or wild birds involved low pathogenicity AI viruses. A notable event that occurred during the 3-yr period was the spread of low pathogenicity notifiable AI (LPNAI) H5N2 (Mexican lineage) into the Caribbean countries of the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 2007 and 2008, respectively, representing the first detection of AI reported in these countries. Mexico reported that the LPNAI H5N2 virus continued to circulate in the central regions of the country, and a total of 49 isolations were made from 12 states between 2006 and 2008. Also, during this period there was a significa...
Reducing symptom burden in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms in the era of Janus kinase inhibitors

Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal stem cell-derived malignancies that include primary myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia and are characterized by dysregulated Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling. Clinical manifestations include splenomegaly, cytopenias and/or systemic inflammation. Patients have a heterogeneous symptom profile that includes fatigue, loss of appetite, pruritus and night sweats, which significantly impact quality of life (QoL) and lead to poor survival outcomes. With the introduction of JAK inhibitors, improvement in disease-related symptoms has emerged as a realistic expectation of therapy and an integral measure of clinical efficacy. The JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib is approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis and is currently under clinical development for polycythemia vera. Ruxolitinib has demonstrated significant reductions in symptom burden, with consequent improvements in QoL measures. With the potential to improve QoL, recognition of the impact and burden of symptoms on patients with MPNs is critical.
Of camps, gulags and extraordinary renditions: Infrastructural violence in Romania:

From fascist prisons to Communist-era gulags, Romania does not simply have a history of torture, but also an existing infrastructure conducive to its practice. Romania, human rights organizations h...
Traveling-wave photodetectors for high-power, large-bandwidth applications

The traveling-wave photodetectors (TWPD) discussed here offer theoretical quantum efficiencies approaching 100% while maintaining a very large electrical bandwidth. Additionally, they are capable of dissipating the high-power levels required for large dynamic range applications. In this paper, the power dissipation limit of the TWPD is explored. A small-signal steady-state model is developed that includes the effects of electrical propagation losses along the detector. Fabrication details are presented and experimental data shows a 3/spl times/1250 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ detector with a 4.8-GHz bandwidth. >
The Princely Republic

This article examines Seneca's theory of monarchy in De clementia. It focuses in particular on Seneca's appropriation and redefinition of some key terms within Roman political thought in order to present his theory as an account of the restitution of liberty to the res publica under the government of the virtuous princeps. By relocating the Roman body politic to a Stoic moral universe, Seneca is able to draw upon parts of his philosophical inheritance in order to substantiate his claim in some depth.
Energy efficiency of heterogeneous catalytic microwave-assisted organic reactions

The energy efficiency of microwave-assisted reactions was studied under heterogeneous catalytic conditions. Based on earlier publications the choice of catalyst was a semi-synthetic montmorillonite K-10. This material absorbs microwave energy effectively and is an excellent catalyst for microwave-assisted organic synthesis. The energy consumption of six different types of K-10 catalyzed reactions with multiple substrates and varied experimental parameters were determined under microwave irradiation and conventional heating. The parallel reactions were carried out under the same conditions to ensure the comparability of the data. While in the majority of the studied reactions, the microwave-assisted method appeared to be more energy efficient by various extents, in one case the conventional heating was found to be more efficient. The data, in agreement with a previous report, indicate that reactions should be studied on a case-by-case basis and that an automatic green label for microwave-assisted reactions is not warranted.
A Ten-Year Longitudinal Study of the Career Development of Students: Summary Findings.

This article summarizes the principal findings of a 10-year longitudinal study of the career development experienced by a sample of students. Beginning with 208 second graders, data were collected 6 times, concluding when the students were in the 12th grade. Principal variables measured included occupational aspirations and expectations, gender role beliefs, out-of-school activities, parental involvement in career awareness, and work experience. Concepts from L. Gottfredson's (1981) circumscription theory and the social cognitive model were tested and supported. Implications for career education are presented.
A Feminist View of American Elder Law

ANY discussion of contemporary American elder law must consider gender issues. A number of gender concerns are readily discernible, including workplace and family issues. Significantly, sex-based disparities are increasing within the elderly population. In turn, these disparities exacerbate problems of fairness and equity in meeting intergenerational family needs and expectations.As with childrearing, in contemporary American society, the major caregiving responsibility for the growing number of frail elderly falls largely on women rather than men. With an increasing number of women working outside the family home, the intersection of work and family issues is receiving considerable attention both in academic circles and in the popular media. Recently, for example, twenty-nine colleges and universities were identified as having workplace policies sensitive to employee family care responsibilities. Regrettably, such workplaces are the exceptions in American society. This article examines these significant elder law issues from a feminist perspective, particularly the feminist jurisprudence of care. Feminism has much to teach traditional American law and jurisprudence, including elder law. Feminist jurisprudential approaches have provided valuable critiques of traditional legal topics, including tort law, family law, corporate law, tax law, commercial law, labor law, and international law. This article applies similar feminist sensibilities and methodologies to elder law concerns.In general, American elder law is traditional in approach. Traditional or classical American jurisprudence, like elder law, promotes autonomy, personal responsibility, rationality, and individualism. On the other hand, feminism, especially the feminist “ethic of care” associated with the work of Carol Gilligan, rejects these traditional concepts in favor of solidarity, empathy, and community responsibility. This article argues that the feminist ethic of care should displace the traditional American approach to elder law.
CSPAN: cost-effective geo-replicated storage spanning multiple cloud services

Existing cloud computing platforms leave it up to applications to deal with the complexities associated with data replication and propagation across data centers. In our work, we propose the CSPAN key-value store to instead export a unified view of storage services in several geographically distributed data centers. To minimize the cost incurred by application providers, we combine two principles. First, CSPAN spans the data centers of multiple cloud providers. Second, CSPAN judiciously trades off the lower latencies and the higher storage and data propagation costs based on an application's anticipated workload, latency goals, and consistency requirements.
Application of In-Test Model Updating to Earthquake Structural Assessment

Analytical methods are frequently utilized for structural assessment due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. However, modeling of material inelasticity and geometric nonlinearity under reversed inelastic deformations is still very challenging and its accuracy is difficult to quantify. On the other hand, realistic experimental assessment is costly, time-consuming, and impractical for large or spatially extended structures. Hybrid simulation has been developed as an approach that combines the realism of experimental techniques with the economy of analytical tools. In hybrid simulation, the structural is divided into several modules such that the critical components are tested in the laboratory, while the rest of the structure is simulated numerically. The equations of motion solved in the computer enable the integration of the analytical and experimental components at each time increment. The objective of this article is to apply a newly developed identification and model updating scheme to acquire ...
Effect of Deviating Urine into the Blood Stream and Intestine of Dogs.

Conclusion(1) If the entire urinary secretion in dogs is diverted into the lower ileum, a partial reabsorption occurs, as indicated by a sustained rise in the blood N.P.N. and symptoms of toxemia, but no elevation in the arterial blood pressure is produced.(2) If the urine from one kidney is deviated directly into the venacava by uniting the ureter and lumbar vein, no toxic symptoms appear, the blood N.P.N. remains within normal limits, and there is no rise in the arterial blood pressure. These experiments give no support to the theory of a specific nephrogenic toxin as postulated by Brucke.
Dynamic Pricing and Brand Image

The potential benefits of dynamic pricing – charging different prices to different consumers for essentially the same offering – have been widely documented (e.g. Garbarino and Lee 2003; Iyer et al. 2002; Sahay 2007; Truffelli 2006; Weisstein et al. 2013), some of which include enhanced segmentation, improved inventory and supply chain management, capacity optimization, improved demand management, increased sales volume, and increased profitability. Furthermore firms are able to implement dynamic pricing practices much more easily than ever before due to the advent of online technologies that allow for enhanced data collection, instant and low cost changes to price menus and increased buyer identification (Gelbrich 2011; Grewal et al. 2004; Valentino-Devries et al. 2012).
Effect of textile noise on female workers' reproductive function

[Objective]To understand the effect of extile noise on female workers' reproductive function.[Methods]An occupational epidemiology survey was conducted in 304 female workers exposed to textile noise and 203 control female workers.[Results]Noise exposure had an obvious effect on female workers' reproductive function.The incidence rates of stomachache(χ2=11.074,P0.05),restlessness(χ2=6.551,P0.05) of 97-105 dB(A)noise-exposed female workers and the incidence rate of stomachache(χ2=6.421,P0.05) of 85-94 dB(A)noise-exposed female workers were significantly higher than those of control female workers.The incidence rates of other indexes,including algomenorrhea,lumbago,dystocia,gestational hypertension and anemia of pregnancy,in the observation group were higher than those in the control group,but the differences between the two groups were not significant.The probability of abnormal reproduction function of noise-exposed female workers increased with the increasing of work years.The incidence rates of stomachache(χ2=11.074,P0.01),lumbago(χ2=8.86,P0.01),threatened abortion(χ2=8.86,P0.01) and stillbirth(P0.01,Fisher's Exact test) of noise-exposed female workers with the working age over 10 years were higher than those of noise-exposed female workers with the working age less than 10 years.[Conclusion]Textile noise has certain effect on the reproduction function and pregnancy outcome of female workers.
Wastewater treatment by Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) prior irrigation water reuse

Abstract Although wastewater use in irrigation provides one solution to water scarcity, it also presents a threat to the environment. Thus, wastewater treatment prior to irrigation is necessary. Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a sustainable technology that treats wastewater and generates electricity simultaneously while leaving low concentrations of nutrients in the effluent. In order to explore the economic returns of using MFC as a pre-irrigation treatment method for wastewater, a case study involving fruit processing wastewater in a semi-arid region was conducted. The potential profit from treated water and produced electricity was estimated. The analysis showed that MFC is a promising technology that appears to be economically feasible and that can reduce water and energy shortages.
Advanced JDBC Topics

This chapter covers four topics, namely JDBC drivers, metadata, binary large objects, and transactions. The DriverManager selects the appropriate driver from the ones that are already loaded. Another parameter required to make a connection to the database is called URL in the table. It defines the protocol for the Driver. All three drivers use “jdbc:” as the protocol. All URLs for JDBC drivers should start with “jdbc:” Databases allow users to define tables, keys, domains, columns, and more. The only way a database can manage data without knowing the schema in advance is to have metadata,that is, data about the data. The metadata describes the data in a consistent format. This allows the database to manage the data through the description rather than through the actual data. Metadata is also used within JDBC to help manage data. Under the default execution of the JDBC API, whenever a Statement object invokes the executeQuery(), execute Update( ), or execute() methods, a transaction starts at the database. If the statement executes normally, the transaction commits. If an exception is thrown, the transaction aborts. Finally, this chapter discusses Blob, which stands for “binary large object,” and can be anything from images to sounds to executable files. JDBC provides access to multimedia data through the Blob interface.
A comparison of range of motion change across four posterior shoulder tightness measurements after external rotator fatigue.

Background: Several glenohumeral joint (GHJ) positions have been recommended for assessing and correcting posterior shoulder tightness (PST) however, there is no agreement on which position is better for differentiating posterior muscle tightness from posterior capsular tightness. The purpose of this study was to compare the range of motion change before and after an external humeral rotator muscle fatigue protocol in order to identify a position that shows maximum range of motion change.
Network Growth and Link Prediction Through an Empirical Lens

Link prediction in dynamic networks is a well studied topic. Yet until recently, validation of algorithms has been hampered by limitations in the size and realism of empirical datasets. In this work, we seek to revisit and reassess the value and accuracy of prediction methods, by leveraging our access to several large, detailed traces of dynamics in online social networks (Facebook, Renren, YouTube). Our goals are to understand the absolute and comparative accuracy of existing prediction algorithms, and to develop techniques to improve them using insights from analysis of network dynamics. We implement and evaluate 18 link prediction algorithms, labeled as either "metric-based" (those that predict potential links using a single similarity or proximity metric) or "classification-based" (those that use machine learning classifiers with multiple metrics as input features). Despite poor performance in absolute terms, SVM classifiers consistently perform the best across all our traces. Its accuracy is occasionally matched by metric-based algorithms, but never consistently across datasets. Finally, we use observations of network dynamics to build "filters" that dramatically reduce the search space for link candidates. Augmenting current algorithms with our filters dramatically improves prediction accuracy across all traces and algorithms.
Responses to Peacekeeping Misconduct

This chapter documents the responses to peacekeeping misconduct and how such abuse/violations have been handled by the UN and troop-contributing countries (TCCs), what is lacking, and how a culture of accountability and justice can be established to deter and where necessary prosecute criminal behavior. There is a review of the overall number of SEA occurrences and how the difficulties of enforcing criminal accountability have created a culture of impunity and immunity for UN peacekeepers. Selected cases are used to substantiate the claim that the UN’s zero tolerance for SEA, since the 2005 Zeid report, has in practice done little to change the TCCs’ zero action. The 2015 UN Report of the External Independent Review Panel is discussed along with other pressing concerns and reform suggestions.
Distance-Guided Forward and Backward Chain-Growth Monte Carlo Method for Conformational Sampling and Structural Prediction of Antibody CDR-H3 Loops

Antibodies recognize antigens through the complementary determining regions (CDR) formed by six-loop hypervariable regions crucial for the diversity of antigen specificities. Among the six CDR loops, the H3 loop is the most challenging to predict because of its much higher variation in sequence length and identity, resulting in much larger and complex structural space, compared to the other five loops. We developed a novel method based on a chain-growth sequential Monte Carlo method, called distance-guided sequential chain-growth Monte Carlo for H3 loops (DiSGro-H3). The new method samples protein chains in both forward and backward directions. It can efficiently generate low energy, near-native H3 loop structures using the conformation types predicted from the sequences of H3 loops. DiSGro-H3 performs significantly better than another ab initio method, RosettaAntibody, in both sampling and prediction, while taking less computational time. It performs comparably to template-based methods. As an ab initio ...
Hyperarousal and Beyond: New Insights to the Pathophysiology of Insomnia Disorder through Functional Neuroimaging Studies

Neuroimaging studies have produced seemingly contradictory findings in regards to the pathophysiology of insomnia. Although most study results are interpreted from the perspective of a “hyperarousal” model, the aggregate findings from neuroimaging studies suggest a more complex model is needed. We provide a review of the major findings from neuroimaging studies, then discuss them in relation to a heuristic model of sleep-wake states that involves three major factors: wake drive, sleep drive, and level of conscious awareness. We propose that insomnia involves dysregulation in these factors, resulting in subtle dysregulation of sleep-wake states throughout the 24 h light/dark cycle.
‘Pop Shoah?’: imaginaries of the Jewish genocide in contemporary Italian culture

Review of: Francesca Recchia Luciani, Claudio Vercelli (eds.), Pop Shoah? Immaginari del genocidio ebraico , Genova, Il Melangolo, 2016, 187 p., ISBN: 9788869830143, € 16,00.
Identifying Misaligned Inter-Group Links and Communities

Many social media systems explicitly connect individuals (e.g., Facebook or Twitter); as a result, they are the targets of most research on social networks. However, many systems do not emphasize or support explicit linking between people (e.g., Wikipedia or Reddit), and even fewer explicitly link communities. Instead, network analysis is performed through inference on implicit connections, such as co-authorship or text similarity. Depending on how inference is done and what data drove it, different networks may emerge. While correlated structures often indicate stability, in this work we demonstrate that differences, or misalignment, between inferred networks also capture interesting behavioral patterns. For example, high-text but low-author similarity often reveals communities "at war" with each other over an issue or high-author but low-text similarity can suggest community fragmentation. Because we are able to model edge direction, we also find that asymmetry in degree (in-versus-out) co-occurs with marginalized identities (subreddits related to women, people of color, LGBTQ, etc.). In this work, we provide algorithms that can identify misaligned links, network structures and communities. We then apply these techniques to Reddit to demonstrate how these algorithms can be used to decipher inter-group dynamics in social media.
Once and Future Nudges

The nudge – a form of behaviorally-informed regulation that attempts to account for people’s scarce cognitive resources – has been explosively successful at colonizing the regulatory state. This Essay argues that the remarkable success of nudges as a species creates new challenges and opportunities for individual nudges that did not exist ten years ago, when nudges were new. These changes follow from the new fact that nudges must now interact with other nudges. This creates opportunities for nudge versus nudge battles, where nudges compete with other nudges for the scarce resource of public cognition; and for nudge & nudge symbiosis, where nudges work complementarily with other nudges to achieve greater good with fewer resources. Because of the potential for positive and negative interactions with other nudges, modern nudges should be expected to operate differently from ancestral nudges in important ways, and future nudges should be expected to operate more differently still. Policymakers should prepare to manage future positive and negative nudge-nudge interactions.
Self-Injurious Behavior in Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Current Practices in Assessment and Treatment

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a behavior which produces physical injury to the individual’s own body. Common forms of SIB include, but are not limited to, head banging, biting, scratching, skin picking, hair pulling, pinching, and eye gouging. Among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), there is a higher prevalence of SIB in children than in adults. Proper measurement (e.g., frequency and duration) and assessment (i.e., direct and indirect) of SIB are needed prior to starting treatment. In this chapter, we review the assessment and treatment procedures found to be effective in reducing and eliminating SIB in children with IDD.
Capture rate consequences of multispherule aggregate formation in gases—combined roles of direct interception and interspherule momentum ``shielding''

Our recent work on the consequences of multispherule cluster aggregate (CA) formation and deposition-rates on much larger solid targets has emphasized the decisive role of “momentum-shielding” in d...
Use of Electric Field Array Devices for Assisted Assembly of DNA Nanocomponents and Other Nanofabrication Applications

Microelectronic arrays utilizing electric field transport have been developed for DNA diagnostics (including infectious and genetic disease and cancer detection), for short tandem repeat (STR) forensics analysis, and for gene expression applications. In addition to these bioresearch and clinical diagnostic applications, such devices also have the potential to carry out the assisted assembly of a wide variety of molecular scale, nanoscale and microscale components into higher order structures. These microelectronic array devices are able to produce defined electric fields on their surfaces that allow molecules and other entities with high fidelity recognition properties to be transported to or from any site on the surface of the array. Such devices can utilize either DC electric fields which cause movement of entities by their relative charge, or AC electric fields which allow entities to be selectively positioned by their dielectric properties. An almost unlimited variety of molecules and nanocomponents can be utilized with these devices, including: DNA, DNA constructs with fluorescent, photonic or electronic transfer properties, RNA, RNA constructs, amino acids, peptides, proteins (antibodies, enzymes), nanoparticles (quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, nanowires), cells and even micron scale semiconductor components. Thus, electric field devices can be used for developing a unique highly parallel “Pick & Place” fabrication process by which a variety of heterogeneous molecules, nanocomponents and micron sized objects with intrinsic self-assembly properties can be organized into higher order 2D and 3D structures and devices. The process represents a unique synergy of combining the best aspects of a “top-down” process with a “bottom-up” process. Finally, integration of optical tweezers for manipulation of live cells and microspheres in a similar microarray setup is demonstrated for the applications of biological delivery and invasive manipulation of these species.
Explanation and Understanding in Information Systems

Scientific research is intended to provide explanation of phenomena and to increase our understanding of the world. However, common usage does not make a distinction between explanation and understanding. Examination of the Philosophy of Science literature provides discussion of the explanation-understanding relationship that is valuable for IS research. Scientific explanation is traditionally viewed as subsuming individual cases under broad general laws or as identifying causal mechanisms that produce specific outcomes. Recent discussion suggests the opportunity for unification of these two competing views. In contrast to explanation, understanding is connected to the thoughts, motivations and intentionality of the objects under study and to unification of scientific theory. Therefore explanations are arguments answering causal “why” questions under broad general laws and understanding results from answering “why” questions regarding intentional behavior or from unification of theories. Different explanation types, such as covering-law, statistical relevance, pragmatic and functional, underlie and support different aspects of understanding. This research describes the tension and opportunity for enhancing knowledge of phenomena by exploiting the explanation-understanding relationship. The framework presented is used to examine explanation and understanding in research streams focused on Adaptive Structuration Theory and Media Richness Theory. The study proposes that research can either provide explanation, increase understanding, or both. Understanding in Information Systems research can be increased by inclusion of multiple explanation types and multiple aspects of understanding to add to an ideal explanatory text. Proactive use of the explanationunderstanding relationship can aid researchers in recognizing the scope of current research and choosing appropriate research approaches for future work.
Transferability of environmental assessments in the Salton Sea Basin, California, and other irrigated areas in the western United States to the Aral Sea Basin, Uzbekistan

In 1983, high mortality and deformity rates were found for waterbirds at the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge in the San Joaquin Valley (Figure 1, index map). The cause of these phenomena was found to be high selenium concentrations in the drainwater from recently reclaimed farmland that feeds the refuge (Ohlendorf et al. 1986). The source of the selenium was weathering of marine shale on the west side of the valley (Presser and Barnes 1984). In response to concerns about similar irrigation-induced problems in other parts of the western United States, the US Department of the Interior began the National Irrigation Water Quality Program (NIWQP) in 1986.
Patients' rights, quality of life, and health care system performance.

The purpose of this paper is to promote the development of a social contract between patient and clinician that permits patients to state how they want to live as they survive rather than what they are willing to lose to extend their survival. To do this, patients must have sufficient leverage to affect the nature of the care they receive. This leverage, it is proposed, can be achieved by first making a ‘Declaration of Patients’ Rights Relative to Their Quality of Life' and then evaluating the extent to which the patient's providers comply with this rights statement. The paper also reviews The World Health Report 2000 [Health Systems: Improving Performance Geneva: WHO, 2000] as an example of an alternative approach to defining a health care social contract and evaluating a health system's performance. Also discussed, were steps that could be taken to facilitate the integration of the patients' rights statement into medical practice and health care systems performance.
A data-zone scoring system to assess the generalizability of clinical trial results to individual patients

IntroductionEvaluating the applicability of a clinical trial to a specific patient is difficult. A novel framework, the Trial Score, was created to quantify the generalizability of a trial's result...
Mill’s Conception of Human Growth

The idea of human improvement and progress precedes civilization. Philosophers have theorized on the subject since ancient times, and it remains a topic of serious study. Readers with a general interest in the subject of human growth will find the writings of many philosophers worthwhile. A prominent example is the American philosopher John Dewey, who articulated a sophisticated and elaborate theory of growth in his numerous writings.1 Mill’s growth ethic was shaped by a variety of influences, ranging from Plato and Aristotle to Wilhelm von Humboldt, Adam Smith, Marquis de Condorcet, Auguste Comte, and nineteenth-century romanticism. In this chapter, I focus on Mill’s particular theory of growth and attempt to define what it means. The first section aims to make the meaning of the ‘growth’ idea more intelligible by discussing how Mill understands and uses it. The next section probes the idea of growth more deeply by showing how it functions in the context of his social thought. The final section locates the theme of growth throughout his writings and establishes its centrality and importance.
Effects of monoclonal antagonist antibodies on calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor function and trafficking

Monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor are efficacious for the prevention of migraine headaches. The downstream molecular mechanisms following ligand-receptor blockade by which these antibodies prevent CGRP signaling through CGRP receptors have not been demonstrated. Here we produced tool monoclonal functional antagonist antibodies against CGRP and its canonical receptor and developed a novel cellular model using fluorogen-activated protein technology that allows detection of CGRP receptor internalization by flow cytometry and, for an extended time course, visualization by confocal microscopy. Using this cell model we showed that these antagonist antibodies block both CGRP-induced cAMP signaling and CGRP receptor internalization. At least 10-fold higher concentrations of either antibody are necessary to block CGRP receptor internalization compared with cAMP accumulation in our cell model. These data reinforce our understanding of how monoclonal functional antagonist antibodies interfere with CGRP signaling.
Prefrontal cortex neuronal ensembles encoding fear drive fear expression during long-term memory retrieval

The prefrontal cortex is an important regulator of fear expression in humans and rodents. Specifically, the rodent prelimbic (PL) prefrontal cortex drives fear expression during both encoding and retrieval of fear memory. Neuronal ensembles have been proposed to function as memory encoding units, and their re-activation is thought to be necessary for memory retrieval and expression of conditioned behavior. However, it remains unclear whether PL cortex neuronal ensembles that encode fear memory contribute to long-term fear expression during memory retrieval. To address this, we employed a viral-mediated TRAP (Targeted Recombination in Active Population) technology to target PL cortex ensembles active during fear conditioning and expressed the inhibitory Gi-DREADD in fear-encoding ensembles. Male and female rats were trained to lever press for food and subjected to Pavlovian delay fear conditioning, then 28 days later, they underwent a fear memory retrieval test. Chemogenetic inhibition of TRAPed PL cortex ensembles reduced conditioned suppression of food seeking in females, but not males. Neither context nor tone freezing behavior was altered by this manipulation during the same retrieval test. Thus, fear-encoding ensembles in PL cortex drive long-term fear expression in a sex and fear modality dependent manner.
Ethnic and racial disparities of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in Florida.

Abstract Background Racial disparities are known to negatively impact survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, data regarding the Hispanic ethnicity are scarce in the pancreatic cancer literature. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze whether race and ethnicity are independent predictors of survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in Florida. Methods A retrospective study was performed utilizing all patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 1983 and 2013 in the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS). Statistical analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard regression models, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results Of 36,756 patients identified with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the FCDS, 9.1% were Hispanic and 91% were non-Hispanic. Ethnicity was associated with improved survival among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanics (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.82–0.90, both p = 0.001). Furthermore, 90% of patients were White, and 9% were Black. Compared to Whites, Blacks had a significantly decreased survival (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.13, p = 0.003). Conclusion In Florida patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, Hispanic ethnicity is associated with improved survival compared to Non-Hispanics. Additionally, Blacks present at an earlier age and later stage of diagnosis with worse survival compared to Whites and Others.
Calorimetry and the Caloric Theory of Heat, the Measurement of Heat

Joseph Black distinguished between the quantity of heat in a body and its intensity, or temperature, which was introduced in Chap. 1. This chapter introduces calorimetry, the measurement of the quantity of heat, and the contemporary theory of heat, the caloric theory of heat. Development of calorimetry and the caloric theory was the beginning of the quantitative study of heat, and the important stepping stone toward the mechanical theory of heat, the idea that heat is a form of energy.
Comparing outcomes of the endoscopic and open external oblique myofascial release

AIMS: The external oblique release (EOR) is a well-described technique for myofascial advancement during hernia repair. One of the reported drawbacks of an open approach is the high wound morbidity associated with this procedure. One proposed technique to reduce wound morbidity is the endoscopic EOR. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of the open and endoscopic EOR. METHODS: Data from the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative were queried on May 10, 2017. All patients undergoing open or endoscopic incisional hernia repair with an EOR were evaluated with comparative outcomes including hernia recurrence, quality of life, and 30-day wound complications. RESULTS: Four hundred and eighty-five patients met inclusion criteria of undergoing open or endoscopic EOR. Surgical site infections (SSIs) occurred in 6% of the patients undergoing open EOR and 14% undergoing endoscopic EOR. There were no differences in outcomes comparing open and endoscopic EOR for hernia recurrence, quality of life, or 30-day SSI rate (P > 0.05). Laparoscopic EOR had a significantly higher rate of surgical site occurrences (SSOs) compared with open EOR (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Equivalent outcomes were achieved using the open or endoscopic EOR technique in open repair of incisional hernia. Both techniques offer good outcomes and are important adjuncts in the repair of complex incisional hernias.
The (Parkland) kids are alright

Wounds materialize in the wake of the event, when rhetoric inadequately indexes what is present in a situation. Such a position bypasses ethics from the transcendental ought or the purely descripti...