cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Potential Flow in the Theory of the Navier-Stokes Equations

Solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations for flows of incompressible fluids satisfying no-slip boundary conditions are discussed in the frame of the Helmholtz decomposition. The focus is on the steady flow of a body in an unbounded fluid. The decomposition of the velocity into rotational and irrotational parts can be uniquely determined as the velocity generated by the vorticity in the Biot-Savart law plus a harmonic velocity in which the body and boundary conditions are identified. It is shown that contribution of the rotational velocity to the drag is larger than the total which includes a negative contribution from the irrotational velocity, The dissipation due to the potential flow cannot be neglected in any exact theory as it is in the conventional boundary layer theory and elsewhere.
Management of Complicated Appendicitis: Percutaneous Drainage and Interval Appendectomy or Immediate Surgery? Open or Laparoscopic Surgery?

The incidence of complicated appendicitis (gangrenous, perforated, abscess formation, phlegmon) remains unchanged despite the recent advances in imaging modalities. Because of a significantly higher rate of morbidity compared to uncomplicated appendicitis, the management of patients with complicated appendicitis should be carefully tailored to each individual case. Laparoscopic appendectomy can be safely performed by an experienced surgeon for gangrenous or perforated appendicitis with better or equivalent outcomes compared to open appendectomy. Nonoperative treatment with antibiotics and percutaneous abscess drainage should be considered in patients with appendiceal abscess or phlegmon as acute appendectomy for these cases can be highly morbid. The utility of interval appendectomy has been questioned due to the low recurrence rate after a successful nonoperative management. Patients with advanced age (>40 years) and at risk of a missed malignancy may benefit from interval appendectomy or follow-up imaging and colonoscopy.
Specialty-Based Variations in Spinal Cord Stimulation Success Rates for Treatment of Chronic Pain.

Objectives Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has emerged as an appropriate modality of treatment for intractable chronic pain. The present study examines variations in SCS trial-to-permanent conversion rates based on provider types performing the procedure. Materials and Methods We designed a large, retrospective analysis using the Truven MarketScan data base analyzing adult SCS patients with provider information available, with or without IPG implantation from the years 2007–2012. Patients were categorized based on provider type performing the implantation including anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). Univariate and multivariate models identified factors associated with successful conversion. Results A total of 7667 unique instances of SCS implants were identified across five providers. Overall, 4842 (63.2%) of those receiving trials underwent permanent SCS system implantation. Anesthesiology performed the majority of implants (62.8%), followed by neurosurgery (22.0%), orthopedic surgery (10.2%), and PMR p < 0.001) and orthopedic surgeons (OR 4.64, 95% CI [3.81, 5.65]; p < 0.001) had significantly higher conversion rates, while PMR p = 0.001) had significantly lower. Percutaneous implants comprised 5473 (71.4%) of all implants. Neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons performed a significantly greater number of paddle implants among the different providers (p < 0.0001). Explant rates were similar across all cohorts analyzed (average 11.6%; p = 0.546). Conclusions In this nationwide analysis, our results suggest that over a recent five-year period, conversion rates are highest when SCS trials are performed by neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. The study has important implications for establishing uniform guidelines for training, patient selection, and education of physicians across multiple disciplines.
Outage Probability Analysis of HANs in Multiuser Downlink Scenario for Smart Grid Communications

Due to the importance of reliable communications in smart grid, this paper evaluates the outage probability of HANs in multiuser downlink scenario. The probability density function (PDF) of the signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) for each user in the HAN is derived from the amplitude distribution property of the classic indoor Saleh-Valenzuela (S-V) channel. The numerical results are obtained by Monte-Carlo simulation and are furthermore compared with those of ordinary multiuser downlink without interference cancelation and WiFi Direct techniques. The comparisons indicate the by applying these two techniques, the outage performance is greatly improve, namely, the reliability of downlink communications in HANs for smart grid is enhanced.
Sinusoidal control and limit cycle analysis of the dissipative Chaplygin sleigh

In this paper, we investigate the behavior of an underactuated mixed-dynamic nonholonomic system, a Chaplygin sleigh, subjected to viscous dissipation and sinusoidal forcing. The viscous dissipation is in the allowable directions of motion and preserves the nonholonomic constraint. The inclusion of such dissipative effects produces limit cycle oscillations in a reduced velocity space. We find analytical approximations to such limit cycles and use these to determine sinusoidal inputs to control the speed of the sleigh. We further show small changes to the sinusoidal input can steer the sleigh to any desired direction. Invariant structures like limit cycles can be expected to be seen in the dynamics of other nonholonomic systems when the effects of viscous dissipation are included. The findings we report here are therefore applicable to a broad class of both terrestrial and aquatic locomotion systems with nonholonomic constraints.
A Case Report of Acute Renal Failure as a Result of Light-Chain-Mediated Acute Tubular Interstitial Nephritis in a 30-Year-Old Combat Veteran.

ABSTRACT We present a 30-year-old combat veteran with an unclear exposure history, with multiple deployments who was later diagnosed with acute renal failure as a result of light-chain deposition disease. Despite a drastic decline in kappa light chains following chemotherapy; his renal function worsened, and he progressed to end-stage renal disease, requiring hemodialysis. Light-chain-mediated acute tubular interstitial nephritis is an uncommon type of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance presenting with acute renal failure without significant glomerular disease. Our case illustrates that light-chain-mediated acute tubular interstitial nephritis may present clinically like acute interstitial nephritis and that renal biopsy is critical for diagnosis. We also explore possible links between various environmental and occupational exposures that could have precipitated his disease process at such a young age.
Compendium of single event transient (SET) and total ionizing dose (TID) test results for commonly used voltage comparators

This data compendium reports single event transient (SET) and total ionizing dose (TID) test results for commonly used commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and radiation hardened voltage comparators targeted for possible use in space-based missions. Interesting trends in the variability of the radiation performance of these devices due to differences in lot date codes, manufacturers, circuit design, and test conditions are analyzed herein.
ANOMALOUS ORIGIN OF RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY FROM THE PULMONARY ARTERY: ORIGINALLY PRESENTING AS GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

Anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is an infrequently reported congenital cardiac disease. Generally it is found in symptomatic children or adults who survive until adulthood, incidentally or via workup of coinciding atherosclerotic disease in those adults.
Best Practices in Incentive Compensation Bonus Administration Based on Research and Professional Advice

While many organizations use incentive compensation bonuses to motivate employees, they are not always fully effective. This is likely due to two important factors. First, similar to other organiza...
New directions in treatments targeting stroke recovery

Stroke is the leading cause of neurological disability in the U.S. and worldwide. Remarkable advances have been made over the last 20 years in acute vascular treatments to reduce infarct size and improve neurological outcome. Substantially less progress has been made in treatments to enhance neurological recovery after stroke. However, a number of promising research directions have been identified for treatments targeting stroke recovery and are the focus of the current review (Figure 1). Open in a separate window Figure 1. Summary of current experimental treatments for stroke recovery and their readiness for incorporation into clinical practice based on synthesis of current evidence. Readiness for clinical application ranges from preclinical development (i.e. in animal studies only, red) to broad clinical application (green).
Level 2 Reformulation Linearization Technique–Based Parallel Algorithms for Solving Large Quadratic Assignment Problems on Graphics Processing Unit Clusters

This paper discusses efficient parallel algorithms for obtaining strong lower bounds and exact solutions for large instances of the quadratic assignment problem (QAP). Our parallel architecture is ...
A systems examination of school food recovery in Northern Colorado

Abstract Food recovery is a key strategy to address food waste concerns. School nutrition programs have significant amounts of food waste; yet, little is known about the prevalence and feasibility of school food recovery. In this mixed methods study, we identify potential school food recovery options and relevant systems factors, such as policies, resources, barriers, and competing priorities. To achieve these objectives, we conducted pre-consumer food waste audits and measured all wasted food recovered or landfilled at 14 school kitchens across three Northern Colorado school districts. Additionally, we interviewed professionals engaged in food recovery (n = 8) and school nutrition and sustainability staff (n = 20). The results indicate that the majority of food waste is landfilled, but food donation through share tables and appropriation of milk to food banks prior to long school breaks were viewed as the most feasible food recovery options. Liability concerns, increased expenses over landfilling, inconsistent wasted food volumes, and policy confusion hindered food recovery. Interviewees also viewed priorities to promote food safety and quality of recovered food as barriers. Key facilitators of food recovery were the desire to facilitate a cultural change to normalize food recovery among students and volunteers or advocates to address the food recovery labor needs. Interview participants across the system agreed that the training process required to sort uneaten foods had secondary benefits of equipping the next generation with environmental stewardship habits. Study findings underscore the interconnected nature of food safety, economics, and food recovery, and also suggest that systems-level solutions are warranted.
A conceptual model of barriers and facilitators to primary clinical teams requesting pediatric palliative care consultation based upon a narrative review

Despite evidence that referral to pediatric palliative care reduces suffering and improves quality of life for patients and families, many clinicians delay referral until the end of life. The purpose of this article is to provide a conceptual model for why clinical teams delay discussing palliative care with parents. Building on a prior model of parent regoaling and relevant research literature, we argue for a conceptual model of the challenges and facilitators a clinical team might face in shifting from a restorative-focused treatment plan to a plan that includes palliative aspects, resulting in a subspecialty palliative care referral. Like patients and families, clinicians and clinical teams may recognize that a seriously ill patient would benefit from palliative care and shift from a restorative mindset to a palliative approach. We call this transition “clinician regoaling”. Clinicians may experience inhibitors and facilitators to this transition at both the individual and team level which influence the clinicians’ willingness to consult subspecialty palliative care. The 8 inhibitors to team level regoaling include: 1) team challenges due to hierarchy, 2) avoidance of criticizing colleagues, 3) structural communication challenges, 4) group norms in favor of restorative goals, 5) diffusion of responsibility, 6) inhibited expression of sorrow, 7) lack of social support, 8) reinforcement of labeling and conflict. The 6 facilitators of team regoaling include: 1) processes to build a shared mental model, 2) mutual trust to encourage dissent, 3) anticipating conflict and team problem solving, 4) processes for reevaluation of goals, 5) sharing serious news as a team, 6) team flexibility. Recognizing potential team level inhibitors to transitioning to palliative care can help clinicians develop strategies for making the transition more effectively when appropriate.
Dynamic conditional angular correlation

Abstract We introduce the concept of angular correlation for estimating the instantaneous correlation matrix with a single multivariate realization. The proposed estimator is generally a positive definite correlation matrix and robust in that for bivariate normal data, the sample angular correlation is equally likely to be above or below the population correlation coefficient. We then generalize the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) model to the dynamic conditional angular correlation (DCAC) model. We demonstrate the efficacy and robustness of the proposed methods against leptokurticity, with some numerical experiments. In particular, a real application illustrates the better performance of the DCAC model than the DCC model in portfolio construction.
Botulinum toxin in migraine: Role of transport in trigemino-somatic and trigemino-vascular afferents.

Abstract Migraine secondary to meningeal input is referred to extracranial regions innervated by somatic afferents that project to homologous regions in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). Reported efficacy of extracranial botulinum toxin (BoNT) in treating migraine is surprising since a local extracranial effect of BoNT cannot account for its effect upon meningeal input. We hypothesize that intradermal BoNT acts through central transport in somatic afferents. Anesthetized C57Bl/6 mice (male) received unilateral supraorbital (SO) injections of BoNT-B (1.5 U/40 μl) or saline. 3 days later, mice received ipsilateral (ipsi)-SO capsaicin (20 μl of 0.5 mM solution) or meningeal capsaicin (4 μl of 0.35 μM). Pre-treatment with ipsi-SO BoNT-B i) decreased nocicsponsive ipsilateral wiping behavior following ipsi-SO capsaicin; ii) produced cleavage of VAMP in the V1 region of ipsi-TG and in TG neurons showing WGA after SO injection; iii) reduced expression of c-fos in ipsi-TNC following ipsi-SO capsaicin; iv) reduced c-fos activation and NK-1 internalization in ipsi-TNC secondary to ipsi-meningeal capsaicin; and vi) SO WGA did not label dural afferents. We conclude that BoNT-B is taken up by peripheral afferents and transported to central terminals where it inhibits transmitter release resulting in decreased activation of second order neurons. Further, this study supports the hypothesis that SO BoNT exerts a trans-synaptic action on either the second order neuron (which receives convergent input from the meningeal afferent) or the terminal/TG of the converging meningeal afferent.
Fine needle aspiration of mediastinal germ cell tumors

Germ cell tumors in the mediastinum are rare and often occur in young patients but may occur in older patients. Seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, choriocarcinoma and teratoma have distinct morphologic features with high grade nuclei. They are the primary diagnostic consideration in young males but may be lower on the list in older patients, where they may be misdiagnosed as carcinomas. Review of the history, use of immunohistochemistry stains and recognition of morphologic features will help to make the diagnosis of germ cell tumor of the mediastinum. These tumors have a good to intermediate prognosis, depending on when they are detected.
Is Advance Care Planning Associated With Decreased Hope in Advanced Cancer

PURPOSE:Providers have cited fear of taking away hope from patients as one of the principal reasons for deferring advance care planning (ACP). However, research is lacking on the relationship betwe...
Phase II study of atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab in patients with advanced cervical cancer.

Background There are limited treatment options for patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. Platinum-based chemotherapy plus the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody bevacizumab remains the mainstay of advanced treatment. Pembrolizumab is Food and Drug Agency approved for programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) positive cervical cancer with a modest response rate. This is the first study to report the efficacy and safety of the PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab in advanced cervical cancer. Methods We report the results from a phase II, open-label, multicenter study (NCT02921269). Patients with advanced cervical cancer were treated with bevacizumab 15 mg/kg intravenous every 3 weeks and atezolizumab 1200 mg intravenous every 3 weeks. The primary objective was to measure the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results In the total evaluable population (n=10), zero patients achieved an objective response as assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) V.1.1, resulting in a confirmed ORR of 0%. Of note, there were two patients who achieved an unconfirmed PR. The DCR by RECIST V.1.1 was 60% (0% complete response, 0% partial response, 60% stable disease). Median PFS was 2.9 months (95% CI, 1.8 to 6) and median OS was 8.9 months (95% CI, 3.4 to 21.9). Safety results were generally consistent with the known safety profile of both drugs, notably with two high-grade neurologic events. Conclusions The combination of bevacizumab and atezolizumab did not meet the predefined efficacy endpoint, as addition of bevacizumab to PD-L1 blockade did not appear to enhance the ORR in cervical cancer.
First Graders’ Inquiry Into the Myths and History of Colonists and Wampanoags at Plimoth

First graders engaged in an extended historical inquiry. Close readings of secondary and primary sources evoked rich class discussion. Scaffolding directed students’ scrutiny of secondary sources f...
Metformin-loaded nanospheres-laden photocrosslinkable gelatin hydrogel for bone tissue engineering.

Abstract The aim of this investigation was to engineer metformin (MF)-loaded mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs)-laden gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) photocrosslinkable hydrogels and test their effects on the mechanical properties, swelling ratio, drug release, cytocompatibility, and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs). As-received and carboxylated MSNs (MSNs-COOH) were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), as well as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) prior to hydrogel modification. MF-MSNs-COOH were obtained by loading MF into MSNs at a 1:1 mass ratio. Upon MSNs-COOH laden-hydrogels fabrication, the mechanical properties, swelling ratio and MF release were evaluated. SHEDs were seeded on the hydrogels and cytocompatibility was examined. The effects of the MF-MSNs-COOH/GelMA on the osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs were measured by ALP activity, Alizarin Red assay, and Real-time PCR. Statistics were performed using one-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). Morphological (SEM and TEM) analyses of pristine and carboxylated MSNs revealed a mean particle size of 200 nm and 218 nm, respectively. Importantly, an intrinsic nanoporous structure was noticed. Incorporation of MSNs-COOH at 1.5 mg/mL in GelMA led to the highest compressive modulus and swelling ratio. The addition of MSNs-COOH (up to 3 mg/mL) in GelMA did not impact cell viability. The presence of MF in MSNs-COOH/GelMA significantly promoted cell proliferation. Significant upregulation of osteogenic-related genes (except OCN) were seen for modified (MSNs-COOH and MF-MSNs-COOH) hydrogels when compared to GelMA. Altogether, the engineered MF-MSNs-COOH/GelMA shows great promise in craniomaxillofacial applications as an injectable, cell-free and bioactive therapeutics for bone regeneration.
London Calling: Does the U.K.'s Experience with Individual Taxation Clash with the U.S.'s Expectations

The United States is one of the last countries to tax married couples jointly; most other countries have adopted individual taxation. In 1990, the United Kingdom completed transitioning its tax system from one that treated husbands and wives as a marital unit to one that mandates an individual-based system, and so it has two decades of experience with the new regime. This article provides American policymakers valuable information regarding the consequences of adopting individual taxation by examining the United Kingdom's experience. First, it establishes a matrix of factors that identifies and assesses differences between the two nations that affect the predictive value of the United Kingdom's experience for the United States. The article then reviews the origins and development of the United Kingdom's original mandatory joint return and the forces that drove the change to individual taxation. Finally, it appraises the consequences of this revision of British law, including the improved economic position of many wives and the increased incidence of tax avoidance. Comparing the change in the United Kingdom with what would likely occur in the United States, this article uses comparative taxation to provide a guide for the United States, urging consideration of the costs as well as the benefits of changing tax units. * Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She would like to thank Ann Mumford, Lisa Philipps, Ajay Mehrotra, Leandra Lederman, Diane Ring, Lily Kahng, Ted Seto, Katie Pratt, the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh College of Law, and participants in the Tax Policy Colloquium at Indiana University, Maurer School of Law, the Loyola-LA Tax Policy Colloquium, and the 2010 Critical Tax Conference, especially our wonderful hosts at the St. Louis University School of Law. Finally, this project could not have been completed without the financial assistance of the Harold C. Schott Foundation and the invaluable research aid of Jim Hart, the best librarian in the world.
The role of YY1 in drug resistant cancer: Involvement of the YY1/PTEN/PP2A/H2Ax/Rad51 axis

Abstract Cancer resistance to current therapeutics in a large subset of patients is a major problem that is challenging and deserves immediate resolution. One such factor is the overexpressed transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) that has been reported to regulate cancer cell resistance to irradiation, chemotherapeutics and immunotherapeutics. Hence, delineating the biochemical, molecular, and genetics mechanisms underlying YY1 regulation to resistance may provide new therapeutic targets and new prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers. One mechanism by which YY1 regulates resistance is through the inhibition of the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and, thus, activation of the PI3K/AKT and NF-KB survival/antiapoptotic pathways, thereby significantly regulating resistance. More recently a new mechanism of YY1-mediated resistance has been reported and consists of YY1-induced inhibition of DNA damage repair. This is accomplished by the role of YY1 and ADP-ribosylation and YY1 suppression of the Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1). In addition, YY1 mediates the translocation of phosphorylated PTEN (pPTEN). This is accomplished by drug-induced stress that upregulates the expressions of YY1 and pPTEN. The overexpression of YY1 inhibits the PP2A phosphatase activity that, in turn, fails to dephosphorylate PTEN and promotes translocation to the nucleus. In the nucleus, pPTEN forms a complex with Ki67 and with both H2AX and Rad51 (DNA repair enzymes), resulting in the induction of DNA repair and resistance to the drugs. Downregulation of YY1 reverses resistance, and the cancer cells become sensitive to drug-induced cytotoxicity and cell death. Of note the phosphorylation of PTEN and its translocation was reported at the phosphorylation of different amino acid residues by various authors and may be attributed to different cancers examined. These findings establish the novel YY1/PTEN/PP2A/H2AX/Rad51 axis in the regulation of resistance. This axis provides a new approach to target gene products in this axis for new therapeutics and new prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers.
Psychological and neuropsychological underpinnings of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder assessment:

The identification and diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is extremely important in order to help change the trajectory of an individual’s life outcomes. A review of the c...
Risk Factors for Perioperative Morbidity in Adults Undergoing Cardiac Surgery at Children’s Hospitals

Abstract Background Increasing numbers of adult with congenital heart disease (ACHD) undergo cardiac surgery in children’s hospitals, yet surgical outcomes data are limited. We sought to better understand the impact of preoperative risk factors on postoperative complications and cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) length of stay (LOS). Methods Surgical CICU admissions for patients > 18 years in the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium registry (8/2014-1/2019; 34 hospitals) were included. Primary outcomes included prolonged LOS (defined as LOS ≥ 90th percentile) and major complications (cardiac arrest, ECMO, arrhythmia requiring intervention, stroke, renal replacement therapy, infection, and reoperation/reintervention). Results A total of 1764 surgical CICU admissions were analyzed. Prolonged LOS was > 7 days. Eighteen patients (1.0%) died, of whom 9 (0.5%) died before the LOS cutoff and were excluded from analysis. Of 1755 CICU admissions, 8.8% (n=156) had prolonged LOS and 23.3% (n=413) had > 1 major complication. Several variables including STAT 4/5 operation, > 3 previous sternotomies, and preoperative renal dysfunction/dialysis were independent risk factors for both prolonged LOS and major complications (p Conclusions In this analysis of postoperative ACHD care in pediatric CICUs, high complexity operations, > 3 previous sternotomies, preoperative arrhythmias, renal dysfunction, and respiratory failure are associated with prolonged LOS and/or major complications. Future quality improvement initiatives focused on preoperative optimization and implementation of adult-specific perioperative protocols may mitigate morbidity in these patients undergoing surgery at children’s hospitals.
Clinical Ethics in Historical Context, Part III

In the previous chapter, our discussion centered on the Hippocratic principles that undergird modern medical principlism, namely beneficence, non-maleficence, distributive justice, and the more recent idea of personal autonomy, which comes from the eighteenth century. As these theoretical concepts are translated into clinical practice, they retain their influence on clinical decision-making and informed consent. From its earliest beginnings, Hippocratism has always warranted a well-founded and beneficent intent to provide medical treatments to all patients, even when those patients were slaves or other minorities (part of the definition of distributive justice). But economic and social pressures in the late nineteenth century began to erode this default commitment to equality and justice, which became very evident through a pseudoscientific movement called eugenics.
Sputtering and darkening of the grains on the lunar surface

Sputtering experiments have been carried out in the lunar laboratory at Cornell (first by B. Hapke) since 1964. These have shown that solar wind exposure will lead to the deposition of a dark layer on grains of most rocks. The nature of this layer is not yet known with certainty, but it is thought to be chiefly due to reduced metals. This confirms the supposition, first put forward in 1955, that the albedo of any part of the lunar surface is dependent on the length of time for which it has been exposed. This albedo effect is likely to dominate over effects due to regional chemical differences.
Entropy and Ancillary Concepts in Quantum Physics

In classical physics the entropy is a derived quantity; it must be computed from the characteristics of the system under consideration. The characteristics themselves are determined by the dynamics which is governed by a time-reversal invariant Hamiltonian. The same is true for the quantum physics entropy. In the limit of a “large” system it must go over into the classical entropy. I shall here give an outline of the physical concepts and quantities of quantum physics which are required for the definition of the entropy and give its quantum physics expression. For specificity I shall give the discussion in terms of the simple example of a dilute gas.[1]
Unfinished gestures: devadāsīs, memory and modernity in South India, by Davesh Soneji

In the opening paragraphs of Unfinished gestures, Davesh Soneji describes his visit to the home of Thiruvidaimarudur Nagalakshmi, who had danced at the Brihadisvara temple in the service of the Tha...
Presenting multiple drug alerts in an ambulatory electronic prescribing system: a usability study of novel prototypes.

Objective: This study explores alternative approaches to the display of drug alerts, and examines whether and how human-factors based interface design can be used to improve the prescriber’s perception about drug alert presentation, signal detection from noisy alert data, and their comprehension of clinical decision support during electronic prescribing. Methods: We reviewed issues with presenting multiple drug alerts in electronic prescribing systems. User-centered design, consisting of iterative usability and prototype testing was applied. After an iterative design phase, we proposed several novel drug alert presentation interfaces; expert evaluation and formal usability testing were applied to access physician prescribers’ perceptions of the tools. We mapped drug alert attributes to different interface constructs. We examined four different interfaces for presenting multiple drug alerts. Results: A TreeDashboard View was better perceived than a text-based ScrollText View with respect to the ability to detect critical information, the ability to accomplish tasks, and the perceptional efficacy of finding information. Conclusion: A robust model for studying multiple drug-alert presentations was developed. Several drug alert presentation interfaces were proposed. The TreeDashboard View was better perceived than the text-based ScrollText View in delivering multiple drug alerts during a simulation of electronic prescribing.
Asymptotic behavior of Toeplitz matrices and determinants

We consider the inverse X N and determinant DN(c) of an N×N Toeplitz matrix CN=[ci−j] 0 N−1 as N ar∞. Under the condition that there exists a monotonic decreasing summable bound b n ≧|c n |+|c −n |, and that the generating function $$c(\theta ) = \sum\limits_{n = - \infty }^\infty {c_n e^{i{\text{ }}n{\text{ }}\theta } }$$ does not vanish, we construct a matrix iterative process which yields (i) explicit asymptotic formulae for the elements of XN when v(c) = (2π)−1 [arg{c(2π)}−arg{c(0)}] is zero. Thence we obtain (ii) expressions for the constants, and bounds on the remainder, in the asymptotic formula $$\ln D_N (c) = N{\text{ }}k_0 (c) + E_0 (c) + E_{1,N} (c) + \mathcal{R}_N (c),$$ and (iii) the extension of this formula to the case of general integral v(c). Under certain further conditions the monotonicity of E1,N+ℛN is proved. We discuss various identities for DN which apply when c(θ) is a rational function of eiθ and mention a conjecture for D N when c(θ) has zeros, and is discontinuous with arbitrary v(c).
Syntheses and thermal transformations of N-alkyl thiazolidine sulfoxides

Abstract The title compounds are prepared and their novel thermal chemistry studied for the first time. Aldehydes and thiazolidines can be generated thermally from these compounds. Mechanistic possibilities are discussed.
Induction of skin tumors in hairless mice by a single exposure to UV radiation.

— Skin tumors were induced in hairless mutant mice following a single exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV). Tumors were first noted as early as 7 weeks following irradiation. The UV, emitted by FS20/40T12 fluorescent lamps, was principally in the 280–320 nm spectral region with a peak at 313 nm. Single (skin surface) doses of 3 times 104 J/m2 to 24 times 104 J/m2 were delivered in 3 h or less. The higher doses resulted in more severe acute damage as well as greater tumor yield. Most of the tumors were benign hyperplastic epithelial papillomas; 4 out of 96 tumors examined histologically proved to be squamous cell carcinomas. This appears to be the first report of experimental carcinogenesis due to a single UV exposure, not requiring exogenous chemical promotion.
On accurately predicting mote deaths

Frequent replacement of batteries or network partitions (i.e., “sudden” decreased network coverage) resulting from unexpected (pre-mature) mote deaths impede the wide scale deployment of low power wireless networks comprising battery-operated embedded systems or motes. With this in mind, the primary purpose of this paper is to profile the energy consumption in a mote using a novel “off-line” model to predict its operation life with high accuracy for simple, normal routing tasks, and validate it using our testbed. The results show that the predicted energy consumption (in the PHY layer of the mote) and the operation lives of the motes were within ≈ 10% of the values obtained using the testbed. Furthermore, the cross-layer energy profiling involving the MAC layer provided insights into the energy consumed during the key modes of a simple, practical MAC protocol.
Vitrification of early-stage bovine and equine embryos.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine an optimal method and stage of development for vitrification of bovine zygotes or early embryos; and (2) use the optimal procedure for bovine embryos to establish equine pregnancies after vitrification and warming of early embryos. Initially, bovine embryos produced by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) were frozen and vitrified in 0.25 mL straws with minimal success. A subsequent experiment was done using two vitrification methods and super open pulled straws (OPS) with 1- or 8-cell bovine embryos. In Method 1 (EG-O), embryos were exposed to 1.5 M ethylene glycol (EG) for 5 min, 7 M ethylene glycol and 0.6 M galactose for 30 s, loaded in an OPS, and plunged into liquid nitrogen. In Method 2 (EG-DMSO), embryos were exposed to 1.1 M ethylene glycol and 1.1 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 3 min, 2.5 M ethylene glycol, 2.5 M DMSO and 0.5 M galactose for 30 s, and loaded and plunged as for EG-O. Cryoprotectants were removed after warming in three steps. One- and eight-cell bovine embryos were cultured for 7 and 4.5 d, respectively, after warming, and control embryos were cultured without vitrification. Cleavage rates of 1-cell embryos were similar (P > 0.05) for vitrified and control embryos, although the blastocyst rates for EG-O and control embryos were similar and higher (P
RAPIDLY PROGRESSIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS (RPGN) IN CHILDREN

The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical and pathological features of RPGN with regard to their prognostic value and to determine the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy. RPGN is a disease clinically characterized by rapid progression to renal failure. The pathological hallmark of this disease is the presence of glomerular crescents. Thirteen patients (PTS) who presented with glomerulonephritis and whose renal biopsy showed crescents which circumscribed on all of at least 180° in 50% of the glomeruli are the subjects of this study. Twelve PTS had an acute onset of gross hematuria in association with the nephrotic syndrome. Eleven of 13 PTS were hypertensive, 9 had hemoglobin < 9 gm %, and 8 had significant hypergammaglobulinemia. Eight PTS had a documented streptococcal infection, 4 progressed to chronic renal failure (CRF), 3/4 patients who were not treated and 1/4 PTS treated with anticoagulant therapy. Two PTG had membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, one PT was treated with AC; both are well 4 and 8 years later. Three PTS had idiopathic RPGN, 1 received AC; this patient has recovered. It is concluded that the most consistent prognosticator is the extent of crescent formation and not the underlying etiology. A trial of AC therapy is warranted in a PT with extensive crescent formation regardless of etiology.
Self-Diffusion for Brownian Motions with Local Interaction

We derive explicitly the asymptotic law of the tagged particle process in a system of interacting Brownian motions in the presence of a diffusive scaling in nonequilibrium. The interaction is local and interpolates between the totally independent case (noninteracting) and the totally reflecting case and can be viewed as the limiting local version of an interaction through a pair potential as its support shrinks to zero. We also prove the independence of two tagged particles in the limit.
Introducing Indonesian Medical Students to Rainforest Conservation and Community Health in the Field: A Practicum Experience in East Kalimantan

This article describes a practicum experience developed between a conservation organization (The Nature Conservancy) and a medical school (The Faculty of Medicine at Mulawarman University in East Kalimantan). Through this practicum, groups of medical students from Mulawarman have assisted with baseline and follow-up community evaluations in remote villages along the Kelay River, Berau District. These evaluations were done in conjunction with the Kelay Conservation Health Program, a program designed to improve health and healthcare for local people, mostly former hunter–gatherers, in an area of rainforest that the conservation organization seeks to protect. Besides gaining experience in community health assessment, through this practicum medical students also gained field experience and knowledge in rural and remote area health and healthcare in Indonesia and had an opportunity to explore linkages between conservation and health. At the conclusion of their time with the program, participating students also presented individual problem-based reports on relevant topics to students and faculty at the Medical School and to the District Health Department. This partnership between a conservation agency and a medical school in a developing country is unusual, but has been very well received by all stakeholders involved. Because of this, Mulawarman is now planning to make Kelay into a formal training site for its students. This experience may serve as a model for other groups interested in promoting ecosystem health education to future health professionals in the developing world.
Microsystems: Technology Enabler

Microelectronics and microsystems have been part of the key technologies that enabled the incredible pace of development we have seen over the last five to six decades. This paper presents a basic view in terms of technology development supporting new approaches to generation and transfer of knowledge for critical activities, one of the key ones being the ability to capture, store and more efficiently use energy.
An overview and a case study of pavement performance prediction

This study reviews methods for the development of performance prediction expressions for flexible and rigid pavements, and the application of performance estimation routines for planning and maintenance. Using Pavespec 3.0, 200 simulations are completed, using as-constructed pavement system data from the Ohio Route 50 project as inputs. Observed distress data trends are used for calibration, and simulations for the service life of the test pavement are generated. It is found that determining the long-term performance of a pavement using observations spanning over a small fraction of its design life and a set of purely statistical/empirical algorithms poses significant engineering interpretation challenges. Nonetheless, it is found that the test pavement may be expected to fail due to transverse cracking long before it exhibits objectionable extents of spalling, or even before it becomes too rough. Neither the existence nor the type of sealant treatment used is likely to influence the progression of cracking.
Collaborative multi-agent rock facies classification from wireline well log data

Gas and oil reservoirs have been the focus of modeling efforts for decades as an attempt to locate zones with high volumes. Certain subsurface layers and layer sequences, such as those containing shale, are known to be impermeable to gas and/or liquid. Oil and natural gas then become trapped by these layers, making it possible to drill wells to reach the supply, and extract for use. The drilling of these wells, however, is costly. In this paper, we utilize multi-agent machine learning and classifier combination to learn rock facies sequences from wireline well log data. The paper focuses on how to construct a successful set of classifiers, which periodically collaborate, to increase the classification accuracy. Utilizing multiple, heterogeneous collaborative learning agents is shown to be successful for this classification problem. Utilizing the Multi-Agent Collaborative Learning Architecture, 84.5% absolute accuracy was obtained, an improvement of about 6.5% over the best results achieved by the Kansas Geological Survey with the same data set. A number of heuristics are presented for constructing teams of multiple collaborative classifiers for predicting rock facies.
On motions and switchability in a periodically forced, discontinuous system with a parabolic boundary

Abstract The analytical conditions for motion switchability on the switching boundary in a periodically forced, discontinuous system are developed through the G-function of the vector fields to the switching boundary. Periodic motions in such a discontinuous dynamical system are discussed by the use of mapping structures. Two periodic motions and the analytical conditions are presented for illustration. Further investigation should be carried out for a better understanding of the vanishing and stability of regular and chaotic motions.
Screened multipole electrostatic interactions at the Debye–Hückel level

Abstract We present the multipole Taylor series expansion of the Debye–Huckel potential exp(− R / κ )/ R for screened electrostatic interactions, where R is the separation distance and κ is the Debye length. Based on that expansion we derive the expressions for the electrostatic field and interaction energy in the cases of charge–dipole, dipole–dipole, and quadrupole–dipole interactions. The results are compared with a recent expansion of the same potential based on modified spherical Bessel functions [A. Boschitsch, M.O. Fenley, W. Olson, J. Comput. Phys. 151 (1999) 212]. Some examples illustrating the limits of validity of the derived formulae are presented, and their possible applications are discussed.
Klein's Beer: Futurama Comedy and Writers in the Classroom

Abstract Here we explore the educational implications of classroom activities related to the backgrounds and motivations of talented Hollywood comedy writers and the mathematical moments they created for the Emmy Award-winning animated sitcom Futurama.
The information patterns of Idaho potato growers

Farmers rely on a variety of information sources when making decisions related to the management of their farm operation. The study reported here looked at the information sources used by Idaho potato producers. Data were collected by questionnaire from a randomly selected sample of 735 potato producers. A return rate of 58 percent resulted in 427 useable surveys. Results suggest that a variety of information sources are used by Idaho potato producers. It is also evident that growers place different degrees of reliability on different information sources. In fact, some of the most used sources are not considered the most reliable. It is also evident that contract growers and open market growers utilize different sources of information. Better understanding of these differences will assist in better dissemination of useful information to potato growers.
Hate Crime and the Privatization of Political Responsibility: Protecting Queer Citizens in the United States?

My purpose in this article is to address issues that arise with the emergence of “hate crime” law as a response to violence against historically subordinated groups, with particular reference to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered (henceforth “GLBT”), and otherwise queer citizens. The specific jurisdictional context of my reflection is the USA but the issues I raise have significance beyond that context. Increasingly in recent years hate crime legislation has been adopted or proposed in the US as well as other jurisdictions as a response to bigotry and violence directed against minority groups in multi-cultural societies. In 2006 in the UK, proposals to outlaw “incitement to religious hatred” were hotly debated. In 2008 demands are being made to extend the ‘incitement laws’ to include incitement to homophobic hatred. In 2007 in the US the Senate and House of Representatives in Washington DC passed an Act, which some described as the Matthew Shepard Act, to promote and enhance the use of the criminal law against perpetrators of crimes motivated by hatred based on perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Ultimately the Act failed to become law. The debates in the UK and US provide the backdrop against which I want to examine the arguments for and against hate crime legislation, both generally and with specific application to queer citizens. This require us to think again about the relation of queer citizens to the state, the reach of political equality and human rights, and the aims and limits of the criminal law and system of “criminal justice”.
Clinical vs. self-report versions of the quick inventory of depressive symptomatology in a public sector sample.

Abstract Objectives Recent work using classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT) has found that the self-report (QIDS-SR 16 ) and clinician-rated (QIDS-C 16 ) versions of the 16-item quick inventory of depressive symptomatology were generally comparable in outpatients with nonpsychotic major depressive disorder (MDD). This report extends this comparison to a less well-educated, more treatment-resistant sample that included more ethnic/racial minorities using IRT and selected classical test analyses. Methods The QIDS-SR 16 and QIDS-C 16 were obtained in a sample of 441 outpatients with nonpsychotic MDD seen in the public sector in the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). The Samejima graded response IRT model was used to compare the QIDS-SR 16 and QIDS-C 16 . Results The nine symptom domains in the QIDS-SR 16 and QIDS-C 16 related well to overall depression. The slopes of the item response functions, a , which index the strength of relationship between overall depression and each symptom, were extremely similar with the two measures. Likewise, the CTT and IRT indices of symptom frequency (item means and locations of the item response functions, b i were also similar with these two measures. For example, sad mood and difficulty with concentration/decision making were highly related to the overall depression severity with both the QIDS-C 16 and QIDS-SR 16 . Likewise, sleeping difficulties were commonly reported, even though they were not as strongly related to overall magnitude of depression. Conclusion In this less educated, socially disadvantaged sample, differences between the QIDS-C 16 and QIDS-SR 16 were minor. The QIDS-SR 16 is a satisfactory substitute for the more time-consuming QIDS-C 16 in a broad range of adult, nonpsychotic, depressed outpatients.