cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimizing and Modeling Topology Design in High-Speed Optical Wireless Communication Networks

As an affordable alternative solution for the broadband first/last mile access, optical wireless communication (OWC) has recently attracted attention from the literature. Among the primary advantages of OWC system are the high data rate, unlicensed spectrum of operation, quick and inexpensive setup. However, the link and bandwidth availability due to interferences from weather or others remain as challenge for designing a robust and high- performance OWC network. In this paper, we propose new approaches based on mixed Integer Programming formulations to model and optimize OWC topology design while taking into the link and bandwidth availability, and partial bandwidth allocation into consideration. Our analysis and results provide valuable insights into designing robust and reconfigurable OWC network.
Distributed Estimation of Gauss - Markov Random Fields With One-Bit Quantized Data

We consider the problem of distributed estimation of a Gauss-Markov random field using a wireless sensor network (WSN), where due to the stringent power and communication constraints, each sensor has to quantize its data before transmission. In this case, the convergence of conventional iterative matrix-splitting algorithms is hindered by the quantization errors. To address this issue, we propose a one-bit adaptive quantization approach which leads to decaying quantization errors. Numerical results show that even with one bit quantization, the proposed approach achieves a superior mean square deviation performance (with respect to the global linear minimum mean-square error estimate) within a moderate number of iterations.
Estimation of maximum transition counts at internal nodes in CMOS VLSI circuits

In combinational logic circuits, a single switching event on the primary inputs may give rise to multiple switchings at the internal nodes. This glitching effect is caused primarily by unequal delay paths and results in increased power consumption and decreased device reliability. In this paper, we present a new algorithm to estimate the maximum number of transitions at internal nodes in combinational CMOS VLSI circuits. Unlike exhaustive simulation, our algorithm is based on the technique of propagating uncertainty waveforms throughout the circuit and using these waveforms to count the maximum switching activity at every node. Our approach guarantees a tight upper bound on the number of transitions which is necessary to assess the minimum circuit reliability lifetime and maximum power dissipation.
Dual roles of c-Myc in the regulation of hTERT gene

Human telomerase gene hTERT is important for cancer and aging. hTERT promoter is regulated by multiple transcription factors (TFs) and its activity is dependent on the chromatin environment. However, it remains unsolved how the interplay between TFs and chromatin environment controls hTERT transcription. In this study, we employed the recombinase-mediated BAC targeting and BAC recombineering techniques to dissect the functions of two proximal E-box sites at -165 and +44 nt in regulating the hTERT promoter in the native genomic contexts. Our data showed that mutations of these sites abolished promoter binding by c-Myc/Max, USF1 and USF2, decreased hTERT promoter activity, and prevented its activation by overexpressed c-Myc. Upon inhibition of histone deacetylases, mutant and wildtype promoters were induced to the same level, indicating that the E-boxes functioned to de-repress the hTERT promoter and allowed its transcription in a repressive chromatin environment. Unexpectedly, knockdown of endogenous c-Myc/Max proteins activated hTERT promoter. This activation did not require the proximal E-boxes but was accompanied by increased promoter accessibility, as indicated by augmented active histone marks and binding of multiple TFs at the promoter. Our studies demonstrated that c-Myc/Max functioned in maintaining chromatin-dependent repression of the hTERT gene in addition to activating its promoter.
Posterior parietal cortex dynamically ranks topographic signals via cholinergic influence

The hypothesis to be discussed in this review is that posterior parietal cortex is directly involved in selecting relevant stimuli and filtering irrelevant distractors. The posterior parietal cortex receives input from several sensory modalities and integrates them in part to direct the allocation of resources to optimize gains. In conjunction with prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and basal forebrain cholinergic nuclei, it comprises a network mediating sustained attentional performance. Numerous anatomical, neurophysiological, and lesion studies have substantiated the notion that the basic functions of the posterior parietal cortex are conserved from rodents to humans. One such function is the detection and selection of relevant stimuli necessary for making optimal choices or responses. The issues to be addressed here are how behaviorally relevant targets recruit oscillatory potentials and spiking activity of posterior parietal neurons compared to similar yet irrelevant stimuli. Further, the influence of cortical cholinergic input to posterior parietal cortex in learning and decision-making is also discussed. I propose that these neurophysiological correlates of attention are transmitted to frontal cortical areas contributing to the top down selection of stimuli in a timely manner.
Provable bounds for portable and flexible privacy-preserving access

In this work we address the problem of portable and flexible privacy-preserving access rights for large online data repositories. Privacy-preserving access control means that the service provider can neither learn what access rights a customer has nor link a request to access an item to a particular customer, thus maintaining privacy of both customer activity and customer access rights. Flexible access rights allow any customer to choose any subset of items from the repository and correspondingly be charged only for the items selected. And portability of access rights means that the rights themselves can be stored on small devices of limited storage space and computational capabilities, and therefore the rights must be enforced using the limited resources available.Our main results are solutions to the problem that utilize minimal perfect hash functions and order-preserving minimal perfect hash functions. None of them use expensive cryptography, all require very little space, and they are therefore suitable for computationally weak and space-limited devices such as smartcards, sensors, etc. Performance of the schemes is measured as the probability of false positives (i.e., the probability that access to an unpurchased item will be permitted) for a given storage space bound. Using our techniques, for a data repository of size n and subscription order of m ll n items, we achieve a probability of false positives of m-c using only O(cm) bits of storage space, where c is an adjustable parameter (a constant or otherwise) that can be set to provide the desired performance. This is the first time that such provable bounds are established for this problem, and we believe the techniques we use are of more general interest through the unusual use we make of perfect hashing.
An evaluation of public school district tobacco policies in St. Louis County, Missouri.

BACKGROUND: One way to address tobacco use by youth is for primary and secondary schools to adopt and implement comprehensive tobacco policies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the comprehensiveness of tobacco policies in St. Louis County, Missouri public school districts. METHODS: We evaluated the strength of tobacco policies from all 23 public school districts located in the county using the Center for Tobacco Policy Research’s School Tobacco Policy Index, a standardized tool for rating school tobacco policies. RESULTS: The districts averaged a score of 24.4 of 40 possible points on the Index. Policies scored highest on the Tobacco-Free Environment domain and lowest on the Enforcement domain. Policies averaged about half of the total possible points for the Prevention and Treatment Services and Policy Organization domains. CONCLUSION: Despite more than a decade of efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve school tobacco policies, this study shows that policies in St. Louis County districts have yet to meet the standard of comprehensiveness. It is recommended that schools adopt policies that are comprehensive and that address all domains of the School Tobacco Policy Index.
The linear multiple choice knapsack problem

The multiple choice knapsack problem is defined as a knapsack problem with additional mutually exclusive multiple choice constraints. We present an algorithm for solving the linear programming relaxation of the multiple choice knapsack problem. The method is based on systematically perturbing the right-hand side of the knapsack constraint and the application of a dual-simplex based strategy. Computational experience with the method is also presented.
Temporal Release of Fatty Acids and Sugars in the Spermosphere: Impacts on Enterobacter cloacae-Induced Biological Control

The aim of this study was to determine the temporal release of fatty acids and sugars from corn and cucumber seeds during the early stages of seed germination in order to establish whether sugars found in exudate can prevent exudate fatty acid degradation by Enterobacter cloacae. Both saturated (long-chain saturated fatty acids [LCSFA]) and unsaturated (long-chain unsaturated fatty acids [LCUFA]) fatty acids were detected in corn and cucumber seed exudates within 15 min after seed sowing. LCSFA and LCUFA were released at a rate of 26.1 and 6.44 ng/min/seed by corn and cucumber seeds, respectively. The unsaturated portion of the total fatty acid pool from both plant species contained primarily oleic and linoleic acids, and these fatty acids were released at a combined rate of 6.6 and 0.67 ng/min/seed from corn and cucumber, respectively. In the absence of seed exudate sugars, E. cloacae degraded linoleic acid at rates of 29 to 39 ng/min, exceeding the rate of total fatty acid release from seeds. Sugars constituted a significant percentage of corn seed exudate, accounting for 41% of the total dry seed weight. Only 5% of cucumber seed exudate was comprised of sugars. Glucose, fructose, and sucrose were the most abundant sugars present in seed exudate from both plant species. Corn seeds released a total of 137 microg/seed of these three sugars within 30 min of sowing, whereas cucumber seeds released 0.83 microg/seed within the same time frame. Levels of glucose, fructose, and sucrose found in corn seed exudate (90 to 342 microg) reduced the rate of linoleic acid degradation by E. cloacae to 7.5 to 8.8 ng/min in the presence of either sugar, leaving sufficient concentrations of linoleic acid to activate Pythium ultimum sporangia Our results demonstrate that elevated levels of sugars in the corn spermosphere can prevent the degradation of LCUFA by E. cloacae, leading to its failure to suppress P. ultimum sporangial activation, germination, and subsequent disease development.
Positive Psychology: History in the Remaking?

Positive psychology has figured itself as no less than a revolutionary reorientation of psychology, one that makes individual `flourishing' the primary object of study and intervention. There are c...
Social Vulnerability to Climate-Sensitive Hazards in the Southern United States

AbstractThe southern United States is no stranger to hazard and disaster events. Intense hurricanes, drought, flooding, and other climate-sensitive hazards are commonplace and have outnumbered similar events in other areas of the United States annually in both scale and magnitude by a ratio of almost 4:1 during the past 10 years. While losses from climate-sensitive hazards are forecast to increase in the coming years, not all of the populations residing within these hazard zones have the same capacity to prepare for, respond to, cope with, and rebound from disaster events. The identification of these vulnerable populations and their location relative to zones of known or probably future hazard exposure is necessary for the development and implementation of effective adaptation, mitigation, and emergency management strategies. This paper provides an approach to regional assessments of hazards vulnerability by describing and integrating hazard zone information on four climate-sensitive hazards with socioeco...
A Reliable Sounding Board: Parent Involvement in Students' Academic and Career Decision Making

With concern over parental involvement in students’academic lives on the rise, research is needed to provide guidance for advisors and parents. In this article, student-parent interactions about academic and career decisions are examined. Data come from the Brown University Office of Institutional Research and semi-structured interviews with students at Brown University. In the interviews, students reported that they rely on their parents for general support and as a source of advice about academic and career decisions. These findings are consistent with institutional data and prior research. Analysis of the findings draws on attachment theory and on Baxter Magolda’s self-authorship model of adult development. Implications for advising practice as well as suggestions for fostering constructive parent involvement are addressed.
Women and infectious diseases.

ocial, economic, environmental, and demographic changes during the 20th century have affected the health of women. Many of the changes have benefited women’s health, but some have had deleterious effects. Infectious diseases pose an especially formidable threat to women, claiming >15 million lives around the globe each year (1). For many infectious diseases, women are at higher risk and have a more severe course of illness than men for many reasons, including biologic differences, social inequities, and restrictive cultural norms. These are often the same factors responsible for the disproportionate disease incidence among vulnerable populations throughout the world. Efforts to recognize and reduce health disparities among women have particular relevance for global health. HIV and AIDS in Women In addition to hunger, lack of education, and environmental and sociocultural constraints, HIV/AIDS and malaria, along with tuberculosis, continue to disproportionately affect and further weaken the condition of women in many of the world’s poorest regions. Recent estimates indicate that more than half of the estimated 38 million cases of adult HIV infection worldwide are in women (2). Moreover, the social, economic, and psychologic effects of the disease are more severe for women. When their partners or fathers die, women often lose economic rights. A Ugandan survey found that one in four widows reported losing their property after their partner died (3). In sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by HIV, women are 30% more likely than men to be HIV-infected (2). The largest gender difference occurs among younger
The guiding centre approximation in lowest order

We present here a simple and direct derivation of the equations governing the motion of a charged particle in space- and time-dependent fields in the guiding centre approximation in lowest order. The method of attack is based initially on the expansion scheme of Bogolyubov & Zubarev (1955) combined with Northrop's averaging process over one gyration period. Thus, we first resolve the instantaneous velocity of the particle into three components, r = e1u + UE + Tw, where u is the parallel component, UE is the familiar E × B drift, and Tw is the instantaneous perpendicular component as measured in a frame moving with the UE drift. Substituting this expression into the particle's (non-relativistic) vector equation of motion, resolving it into parallel and perpendicular components, and applying Northrop's averaging process, we obtain the averaged equations of motion, in lowest order, for the components u and w. From the latter equation we prove immediately that the magnetic moment of the particle is an adiabatic invariant to lowest order. Next, we resolve the instantaneous velocity of the guiding centre into two components, R = r — p, where p is a rapidly rotating vector directed from the guiding centre to the instantaneous position of the particle. Upon applying Northrop's averaging process we obtain at once the averaged velocity of the guiding centre including the complete set of first-order drifts. From this equation we readily deduce the energy gain equation to lowest order. It is then shown that the simple averaging prescription applied here is mathematically rigorous and yields correctly all lowest order results in an expansion in reciprocal powers of the cyclotron frequency.
Constrained ATPG for broadside transition testing

In this paper we propose a new concept of testing only functionally testable transition faults in broadside transition testing via a novel constrained ATPG. For each functionally untestable transition fault f, a set of illegal (unreachable) states that enable detection of f is first computed. This set of undesirable illegal states is efficiently represented as a Boolean formula. Our constrained ATPG then incorporates this constraint formula to generate broadside vectors that avoid those undesirable states. In doing so, our method efficiently generates a rest set for functionally testable transition faults and minimizes detection of functionally untestable transition faults. Since we want to avoid launching and propagating transitions in the circuit that are not possible in the functional mode, a direct benefit of our method is the reduction of yield loss due to overtesting of these functionally untestable transitions.
Determination of Free Salicylic Acid in Aspirin and Aspirin Products

In a previously described method for the determination of free salicylic acid in aspirin, the salicylic acid is isolated on a partition chromatographic column as its purple ferric-phenol complex, using ferric chloride solution as immobile phase. With the addition of a high concentration of urea to the ferric chloride, the method is significantly improved. The separation is more sharply defined, making feasible the analysis of larger samples of aspirin and permitting the use of a more easily prepared chromatographic column.
Effects of re-introducing fire to a central Florida sandhill community

Abstract A southern ridge sandhill site in central Florida, USA, was burned in 1989, 1991, and 1995 after 63 years of fire-suppression to simulate a pre-settlement fire regime. Fire changed species abundance and vegetation structure but caused only minimal changes in species turnover and diversity. There was a general trend for an increase in the cover of herbs following fire but this was a statistically significant effect for only one species, Liatris tenuifolia var. tenuifolia. Aristida beyrichiana increased, litter cover and litter depth were significantly reduced, and ground lichens were eliminated in response to burning. Scrub oaks and palmettos in the ground cover and small shrub layers (height ≤ 1 m) either increased or did not respond to burning, reflecting strong post-fire resprouting. Diversity in the ground cover and small shrub layers were not affected by fire. Scrub oaks and palmettos in the large shrub and overstorey layers (height > 1 m) were reduced in density, basal area, and longest cano...
The Myelodysplastic Syndromes

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of acquired clonal bone marrow disorders characterized by varying degrees of morphological and functional cellular abnormalities involving one or more cell lines. MDS is characterized by impaired, ineffective, proliferation and maturation of hematopoietic progenitor cells resulting in symptomatic anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia. The clinical course is variable, ranging from a chronic, stable, mildly symptomatic disorder to a disease that compromises the patients quality of life rapidly progresses to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Infections and/or bleeding are the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with MDS. MDS shares many clinical, cytogenetic, and laboratory features with other hematologic disorders including aplastic anemia, the myeloproliferative neoplasms and the acute leukemias. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of MDS continues to evolve, incorporating clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular studies in an attempt to define MDS and separate it from the myeloproliferative neoplasms, hypoproliferative disorders and the acute leukemias. Finally, secondary causes of bone marrow failure and certain hereditary syndromes can masquerade as MDS. The WHO updated and modified the diagnosis and classification of MDS in 2016. The new classification is controversial and attempts to incorporate new mutational studies while continuing to support the role of morphology in the diagnosis and classification of MDS. Patients with MDS may present with clinical and laboratory features suggestive of reactive, autoimmune or other malignant stem cell disorders. In many instances, the diagnosis of MDS is based on the exclusion of other disorders associated with dysplasia and ineffective hematopoiesis. This chapter discusses the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, classification, prognostic variables, and specific treatments for MDS.
Angiotensin II AT1 receptors preserve vasodilator reactivity in skeletal muscle resistance arteries.

Resistance arteries (100–150 μm) were isolated from the gracilis muscle of normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats placed on a high-salt (HS) diet (4.0% NaCl) for 3–7 days. Exposure to the HS diet elimina...
Exploring Market Opportunities for American Hardwoods through Chinese International Furniture Supply Trade Shows

Abstract Global competition is increasingly impacting business organization and practice, which is forcing US hardwood manufacturers to become more efficient in manufacturing, distribution, and mar...
Life History and Laboratory Rearing of Galgupha ovalis (Hemiptera: Corimelaenidae), with Descriptions of Immature Stages

The life history of Galgupha ovalis Hussey was investigated in Saline County, III., March to September 1980, and the immature stages were described. The bug was also reared from egg to adult in the laboratory. This univoltine species overwintered as adults in leaf litter and weathered shale, and under rocks. Adults emerged in late May, began feeding on Plantago aristata Michaux, and reproduced shortly thereafter. Eggs were not found in the field. Nymphs fed and developed on the host plant. Seasonal occurrence of the adults and subsequent immature stages is discussed. Most old adults were dead by late June; new adults first appeared in late July to early August and were last seen at the end of August. The tachinid fly Epigrimyia polita Townsend parasitizes this bug. This species was reared on P. aristata under a photoperiod of LD 18:6 and constant temperature. The incubation period averaged 9.93 days. Durations of the five subsequent stadia averaged 8.1, 6.1, 6.1, 7.2, and 12.8 days, respectively.
Stress, Social Support, and Psychological Distress Among the Chinese Elderly

This study examined the relationships among stress, social support, and depressive symptoms with data provided by a large representative sample (N = 2,721) of older adults who live in the People's Republic of China. Many Western investigators believe that elderly people respond to stressful experiences by mobilizing assistance from their significant others. However, recent American studies suggest that this may not always be true, and that when certain stressors arise, older adults may actually receive less support from significant others. The purpose of our study was to evaluate these competing views in a culturally diverse setting. The findings reveal that both perspectives have something to offer and that financial strain (i.e., one kind of stressor) may increase some kinds of assistance (i.e., economic support) at the same time that it erodes other types of support (e.g., emotional support).
Military veterans and canine assistance for post-traumatic stress disorder: A narrative review of the literature.

Abstract Background Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are a vulnerable population at high risk for depression, isolation, and suicide. A substantial body of anecdotal evidence exists supporting the use of canines as an effective adjunct treatment for this population. However, a comprehensive review of its use based on scientific literature has thus far not been conducted. Methods A narrative literature review was conducted to examine the current state of the science on canine assistance for veterans diagnosed with PTSD in order to synthesize current empirical knowledge on the subject. Articles were retrieved among the small body of recent literature using computerized database searches. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed journal publications published through October 1st, 2015. Only originally published articles that examined the outcomes of canine assistance on veterans with PTSD were examined. Additionally, each included article was specific to veterans, dogs, and, PTSD in combination rather than article that discuss the concepts separately. Exclusion criteria included symposia and conference material, dissertations, media articles, and no mention of canines as a treatment modality. 563 articles were retrieved; 6 met the criteria. When evaluating data, information and themes were extracted into an Excel table; this table was employed in the synthesis of information into manuscript form. Results The following themes were explored within the selected publications: What is Canine Assistance; Why Use Canine Assistance for PTSD in Veterans; Concerns; and Future Directions. The literature endorsed canine assistance for PTSD in veterans as a promising modality. Authors also raised concerns about lack of protocols, cost and availability barriers, and animal welfare calling for additional, rigorous research to advance its use as a treatment for veterans with PTSD. Conclusions PTSD continues to pose significant psychological, health, and welfare challenges to veterans and the multi-disciplinary providers who treat them. Analysis of this literature should expand knowledge and outline future directions for healthcare professions and improve health and wellness for veterans with PTSD through the use of canine assistance.
Defibrillation Testing Strategies of Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiologists during ICD Implantation.

BACKGROUND Recently, there has been an increasing number of internal medicine-trained electrophysiologists who choose not to test for acute defibrillation efficacy during implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. It is not known whether this same trend is seen in pediatric electrophysiologists, who care primarily for patients with congenital heart disease or primary electrical problems. METHODS Through a 14-question survey created on Survey Monkey, we asked the members of the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) for their approach to ICD implantation. In particular, respondents were asked for their individual practice preferences on testing for acute defibrillation efficacy, including methods used for testing. RESULTS There were 108 survey respondents. Thirty-nine percent test acute defibrillation efficacy at all implants, while 46% test in most patients, barring any clinical concerns. Another 14% routinely test during initial ICD system implants but not during generator changes with existing leads. Less than 1% of respondents do not routinely test acute defibrillation efficacy. CONCLUSIONS The practice preferences of pediatric electrophysiologists in evaluating for acute defibrillation efficacy during ICD implants are in contrast to the recent trend in their internal medicine-trained counterparts. More studies are needed to determine if practice changes should be considered in the pediatric and adult congenital patient population.
Opinions about diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer and its precancerous lesions in China

子宫颈癌是发生于子宫颈阴道部及子宫颈管上皮的恶性肿瘤,其发病率仅次于乳腺癌,列居女性恶性肿瘤第2位.子宫颈癌是由高危型人类乳头瘤病毒(HPV)的持续感染所致,经子宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)发展而来.
Basic Wood-Moisture Relationships

Moisture in wood exists in two basic forms: bound water within the cell wall and free water in liquid form in the voids of the wood. An equilibrium is attained between the bound-water content of the wood and the relative humidity of the surrounding air such that at a relative humidity of 0% the wood moisture content is essentially zero. This equilibrium moisture content gradually increases with the relative humidity until the cell wall becomes saturated when the relative humidity approaches 100%. Beyond this point, called the fiber saturation point, additional water is in the free form. An equilibrium also exists between wood and moist soil in contact with it where the equilibrium moisture content includes free water. Green wood contains free water which is removed by exposing it to warm, dry air. The presence of free water in wood drastically increases its decay susceptibility.
Body mass index and adiposity indicators associated with cardiovascular biomarkers in youth with type 1 diabetes followed prospectively.

Background The impact of excess weight on cardiovascular disease risk in type 1 diabetes patients is unclear. Objective This study examined associations of BMI and body composition with cardiovascular risk factors in youth followed prospectively for 18 months. Methods The sample includes youth with type 1 diabetes (N = 136, baseline age = 12.3 ± 2.5y, glycated hemoglobin = 8.1 ± 1.1%) participating in an 18-month behavioral nutrition intervention trial. BMI, body composition (by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); triglycerides (TG), c-reactive protein (CRP), 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2alpha (8-iso-PGF2α), adiponectin and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) were assessed at clinic visits every 6 months. Random effects regression models for repeated measures estimated associations of time-varying BMI and body composition with time-varying cardiovascular risk factors, adjusted for treatment assignment and covariates. Results There was no intervention effect on cardiovascular risk factors. Percent body fat was positively associated with TG, LDL-C, CRP, SBP and DBP, while trunk fat mass and trunk %fat were associated positively with TG, LDL-C, CRP, SBP and DBP, and inversely with HDL-C. Higher BMI was associated with greater TG, CRP, SBP and DBP and lower HDL-C. BMI and body composition indicators were unrelated to 8-iso-PGF2α and adiponectin. Conclusions Excess adiposity is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors in this sample of youth with type 1 diabetes. Non-significant associations with adiponectin and 8-iso-PGF2α suggest potential differences from the general population in the role of adiposity in cardiovascular health.
Pathology and molecular pathology of uterine and ovarian cancers

In this chapter, the embryology and development of the Mullerian tract is first introduced. The chapter is then divided into two major sections: pathology of the uterus and the ovary. In the uterine portion, benign endometrium is first discussed and the dating patterns for cyclic endometrium are described. Other benign, pre-malignant and cancer histology, genetics and genomics are then discussed. For the ovarian portion, in a similar fashion, normal ovarian histology is first introduced, followed by non-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions. The chapter is concluded with genetics and genomics of ovarian cancers. Endometrial carcinoma is the most common malignancy while ovarian carcinoma is one of the deadliest diseases of the Mullerian tract. Thus, understanding the genetic and molecular alterations underlying these cancers is essential in guiding and developing future novel therapeutics.
Groundwater use and policy options for sustainable management in Southern Iraq

AbstractAn important challenge facing the design of sustainable aquifer management plans is weak primary data on aquifer recharge and use patterns. Weak data limit the ability of policy makers to design efficient aquifer protection plans. The objectives of this article are (1) to estimate groundwater use patterns for an important food-producing region of southern Iraq, the Bahr Al-Najaf Basin; (2) to compare groundwater use patterns with the renewable groundwater supply; and (3) to describe a sustainable groundwater policy alternative to current use patterns. For this study, original data on groundwater pumping were secured for 2006–2011. The data show a pattern of unsustainable groundwater withdrawals. A policy intervention is described in which pumping permits could be assigned to groundwater users to promote sustainable use. Allowing or encouraging the permits to be transferable through trading to higher-valued uses could reduce the economic costs of protecting the aquifer while promoting its sustainab...
Global Disease Burden of Foodborne Illnesses Associated With Norovirus

Noroviruses are the most common etiology of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, causing an estimated 685 million illnesses, 210,000 deaths, and 15 million disability-adjusted life years annually. Approximately 14–23% of all norovirus illnesses are attributed to foodborne transmission, making norovirus the leading cause of foodborne illnesses and fourth-leading cause of death from foodborne illness. Although the number of illnesses and the severity of outcomes vary by geographic region and mortality strata, norovirus is a major cause of foodborne illness in all countries. Young children and older adults are at higher risk for severe outcomes from norovirus disease. Challenges to estimating norovirus disease burden include the lack of widely available rapid diagnostic testing for norovirus, variation in health-seeking behavior and stool specimen testing, and inconsistent diagnostic coding for norovirus disease, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries.
The role of salinity tolerance and competition in the distribution of an endangered desert salt marsh endemic

Rare plants are often associated with distinctive soil types, and understanding why endemic species occur in unique environments is fundamental for their management. At Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in southern Nevada, USA, we evaluated whether the limited distribution of endangered Amargosa niterwort (Nitrophila mohavensis) is explained by this species’ tolerance of saline soils on salt-encrusted mud flats compared with the broadly distributed desert saltgrass (Distichlis spicata var. stricta). We simultaneously explored whether niterwort distribution is restricted from expanding due to interspecific competition with saltgrass. Surface soils collected throughout niterwort’s range were unexpectedly less saline with lower extractable Na, seasonal electroconductivity, and Na absorption ratio, and higher soil moisture than in adjacent saltgrass or mixed shrub habitats. Comparison of niterwort and saltgrass growth along an experimental salinity gradient in a greenhouse demonstrated lower growth of niterwort at all but the highest NaCl concentrations. Although growth of niterwort ramets was similar when transplanted into both habitats at the refuge below Crystal Reservoir, niterwort reproductive effort was considerably higher in saltgrass compared to its own habitat, implying reallocation of resources to sexual reproduction to maximize fitness when the probability of ramet mortality increases with greater salinity stress. Saltgrass was not a demonstrated direct competitor of niterwort; however, this species is known to increase soil salinity by exuding salt ions and through litterfall. Niterwort conservation will benefit from protecting hydrological processes that reduce salinity stress and preventing saltgrass colonization into niterwort habitat.
Anisometry of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction in the Setting of Increased Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove Distance and Patella Alta

Purpose To assess the impact elevated tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance and patella height, as measured by the Caton-Deschamps Index (CDI), have on the isometry of a reconstructed medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). Methods Nine fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were placed on a custom testing fixture, with a fixed femur and a mobile tibia. A suture fixed to the MPFL origin on the patella and free to move at the Schottle point on the femur represented a reconstructed MPFL. A local coordinate system was established, and retroreflective markers attached to the suture quantified MPFL length changes by use of a 3-dimensional motion capture system. The tubercle was transferred to create TT-TG distances of 20 mm and 25 mm and CDIs of 1.2 and 1.4 (patella alta). Recordings of the MPFL suture length change as the knee was brought through a range of motion were made using all combinations of tubercle anatomy in a randomized order for each specimen. A generalized estimating equation modeling technique was used to analyze and control for the clustered nature of the data. Results Knees with native tibial tubercle anatomy showed MPFL isometry through 20° to 70° range of motion. Tibial tubercle lateralization (increased TT-TG distance) significantly altered MPFL isometry with a TT-TG distance of 20 mm ( P P = .0182). The interaction of tibial tubercle lateralization combined with patella alta significantly increased the amount of anisometry seen in the reconstructed MPFL ( P Conclusions Increased tibial tubercle lateralization and patella alta produce anisometry in an MPFL reconstruction using currently recommended landmarks, leading to potentially increased graft tension and potential failure. Clinical Relevance Tibial tubercle transfer should be considered when performing an MPFL reconstruction for recurrent patellofemoral instability in the setting of significant patella alta and an elevated TT-TG distance—especially when both are present—because an isolated MPFL reconstruction will be prone to failure given the anisometry shown in this study.
Multiscale approach reveals that Cloudina aggregates are detritus and not in situ reef constructions

The earliest metazoans capable of biomineralization appeared during the late Ediacaran Period (635–541 Ma) in strata associated with shallow water microbial reefs. It has been suggested that some Ediacaran microbial reefs were dominated (and possibly built) by an abundant and globally distributed tubular organism known as Cloudina . If true, this interpretation implies that metazoan framework reef building—a complex behavior that is responsible for some of the largest bioconstructions and most diverse environments in modern oceans—emerged much earlier than previously thought. Here, we present 3D reconstructions of Cloudina populations, produced using an automated serial grinding and imaging system coupled with a recently developed neural network image classifier. Our reconstructions show that Cloudina aggregates are composed of transported remains while detailed field observations demonstrate that the studied reef outcrops contain only detrital Cloudina buildups, suggesting that Cloudina played a minor role in Ediacaran reef systems. These techniques have wide applicability to problems that require 3D reconstructions where physical separation is impossible and a lack of density contrast precludes tomographic imaging techniques.
Seeing, feeling, and showing ‘bodies-in-place’: exploring reflexivity and the multisensory body through videography

This paper considers the challenge of representing embodied, multisensory experience of ‘bodies-in-place’ through film, an audio-visual medium. The first section, ‘Seeing bodies’, sets the context ...
For an Archeology of Negotiation

This archeology of negotiation engages us in a philosophical questioning. It explores remote thoughts, in time and places. First, it explores a short history of Western philosophy that echoes negotiation. Second, it uncovers some less known history of negotiation theory, this time anchored in French classical texts. These two apparent diversions aim at enriching negotiation thinking today, uncovering some of its possible archeological foundations.
Case Study: The Inmos Transputer

Transputers, built by the British company INMOS, are indeed revolutionary microprocessors. Evaluation of the internal architecture and performance of a transputer reveals that this type of device is several years ahead of its competitors.
Primary Sources on C. E. Kelsey and the Northern California Indian Association

This article provides a brief history of and identifies primary sources on C. E. Kelsey and the Northern California Indian Association, which brought federal support to the non-reservation Indians of northern California in the early 1900s. Kelsey is a frequently mentioned but largely unknown figure in the unique history of Indian-white relations in California. As an officer of the Northern California Indian Association (NCIA) and special agent for the Indian Office he altered the landscape for California Indians. Because there is no corpus of Kelsey's personal papers, NCIA records, or government records, he remains largely unknown, to the point that authors and archivists have sometimes misnamed him.
The Intraoperative Consult

Applying known surgical principles and exercising sound judgment are critical in the management of any patient that we encounter in our surgical practice. An intraoperative consult may challenge our traditional approach to each of these aspects of patient care. These are requests that you may receive in your career from the time that you are the new specialist to the prime of your career. Each situation will be unique, but having a plan including proper preparation and execution will make you an invaluable asset to the surgical community in which you practice.
Single board computing system for automated colorimetric analysis on low-cost analytical devices

Colorimetric detection, while a user-friendly and easily implemented method of analysis on low-cost analytical devices, often suffers from subjectivity by the device user. We describe the development of a single board computing system to automatically analyze colorimetric samples. Single board computing systems, such as Raspberry Pi, offer significant computing power in a small, inexpensive package. By programming an attached camera to obtain images every minute, we demonstrated that Michaelis–Menten enzyme kinetic constants can be calculated directly from paper and transparency devices based on the change in color intensity over time in seconds instead of hours using an integrated image analysis program. In this system, a 3D-printed box was designed and optimized with an independent lighting system that holds the paper-based devices and the Raspberry Pi board and camera. The box omits environmental and ambient light for consistent lighting and holds the camera at a constant focal length. While early versions of the image analysis program used single pixels, the final program uses a flood fill algorithm for colorimetric analysis so the system is not restricted by device shape and can discriminate discoloration due to lighting, making it adaptable to other colorimetric device applications. As a proof-of-principle, we compared enzyme kinetics between Whatman chromatography paper and transparency-based devices and found that changing the platform did not compromise the apparent Vmax and KM calculated by the program.
Acoustic Comparison of Lower and Higher Belt Ranges in Professional Broadway Actresses.

Summary Purpose Current research on the female belt voice has generally been limited to the range of C5, which is not representative of the current requirements on Broadway. Additionally, much belt research uses voice teachers or college students. The goal of this study was to acoustically examine both higher and lower belt ranges in 10 women who have performed belt roles on Broadway during the last decade. Method We analyzed the long-term average spectrum of the middle stable portion of three belted pitches, one from a lower, more traditional belt song and two from a higher, more contemporary belt song. The dB levels of the first three peaks in the long-term average spectrum corresponding to the first three harmonics were extracted and compared across tasks. Age, professional roles played on Broadway, and self-perceived belt strategy were obtained via interview to find potential unifying factors in resonance strategies. Results Overall, the dB level of the peaks closest to the second and third harmonics were higher than the peak close to the fundamental frequency. The difference between peaks was statistically greater in the lower belt compared to both higher belt tasks, indicating these singers relied more on a single harmonic in the lower belt range than the higher belt range. In the higher belt range, there was less variability between peaks. No patterns emerged between resonance strategies and demographic information. Conclusions Elite female belters use varying resonance strategies to create commercially viable belt sounds in different belt ranges.
Examining customer channel selection intention in the omni-channel retail environment

Abstract Omni-channel supply chain management, with the objective of integrating multiple channels to achieve better overall performance across the entire supply chain, has been implemented by an increasing number of retailers. One of the challenges of omni-channel retailing and supply chain management is a result of the new and complex characteristics of the omni-channel retail environment; specifically, how to make customers more familiar with and adapt themselves to the omni-channel retail setting and to get them to utilize it to their advantage. Understanding customer perception is the first step in overcoming that challenge. This study examines the influential factors of customer channel selection intention in an omni-channel retail setting. Via an empirical analysis through surveys of customers (among whom a majority are online buyers) from the United States and United Kingdom, we find that channel transparency, channel convenience, and channel uniformity positively influence customer perceived behavioral control. In addition, we find that channel transparency and uniformity help reduce customers' perceived risk, whereas channel convenience does not have a significant impact. Higher product price increases the influence of channel transparency, convenience, and uniformity on reducing customers' perceived risk. Furthermore, we find customer perceived behavioral control and channel price advantage have a positive impact, and perceived risk has a negative impact on customer channel selection intention in the omni-channel retail environment. Our study provides an opportunity for omni-channel retailers to understand customer perception and needs, and better improve their offerings and supply chain management to attract more customer demand.
A Robust Spectral Estimator With Application to a Noise-Corrupted Process

When a dataset is corrupted by noise, the model for data generating process is misspecified and can cause parameter-estimation problems. For example, in the case of a Gaussian autoregressive (AR) process corrupted by noise, data are more accurately modeled as an AR-moving-average process rather than an AR process. This misspecification leads to bias, and hence, low resolution in AR spectral estimation. However, a new parametric spectral estimator, the realizable information-theoretic estimator (RITE) based on a nonhomogeneous Poisson spectral representation, is shown by simulation to be more robust to white noise than the asymptotic maximum likelihood estimator (MLE). We, therefore, conducted an in-depth investigation and analyzed the statistics of RITE and the asymptotic MLE for the misspecified model. For large data records, both RITE and the asymptotic MLE are asymptotically normally distributed. The asymptotic MLE has a slightly lower variance, but RITE exhibits much less bias. Simulation examples of a white-noise-corrupted AR process are provided to support the theoretical properties. This advantage of RITE increases as the signal-to-noise-ratio decreases.