cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parallel space-filling curve generation through sorting: Research Articles

In this paper we consider the scalability of parallel space-filling curve generation as implemented through parallel sorting algorithms. Multiple sorting algorithms are studied and results show that space-filling curves can be generated quickly in parallel on thousands of processors. In addition, performance models are presented that are consistent with measured performance and offer insight into performance on still larger numbers of processors. At large numbers of processors, the scalability of adaptive mesh refined codes depends on the individual components of the adaptive solver. One such component is the dynamic load balancer. In adaptive mesh refined codes, the mesh is constantly changing resulting in load imbalance among the processors requiring a load-balancing phase. The load balancing may occur often, requiring the load balancer to perform quickly. One common method for dynamic load balancing is to use space-filling curves. Space-filling curves, in particular the Hilbert curve, generate good partitions quickly in serial. However, at tens and hundreds of thousands of processors serial generation of space-filling curves will hinder scalability. In order to avoid this issue we have developed a method that generates space-filling curves quickly in parallel by reducing the generation to integer sorting. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interfacial Contributions to Magnetostriction of Ferromagnetic Layers for Magnetoresistive Sensors

We have experimentally measured magnetostriction of thin CoFe layers when deposited with various seed and capping layers. Seed and capping layers were chosen to be materials that may be used in spin-valve (SV) type structures. Materials deposited adjacent to the magnetic layer include Cu, Ta and TaN. The experimental results are interpreted using a model that allows separation of bulk and interface contributions to the measured magnetostriction [1].Results show a clear interfacial contribution that is dependent upon the material at the interface of the magnetic layer. The results demonstrate that surface contributions to the magnetostriction dominate as layer thickness decreases.
Applying Equity Theory to Students’ Perceptions of Research Participation Requirements

Human subject pools have been a valuable resource to universities conducting research with student participants. However, the costs and benefits to student participants must be carefully weighed by...
Reduced phospholipid contents of brain synaptosomes in phosphate depletion

The effects of 6 wk phosphate depletion (PD) and pair-weight feeding (PW) without and with treatment with verapamil (PD-V and PW-V, respectively) on phospholipid (PL) and cholesterol content and on resting levels of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of brain synaptosomes of rats were examined. PD was associated with significantly (P less than 0.01) lower synaptosomal content of total PL, phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and with significant (P less than 0.01) elevation in [Ca2+]i. Verapamil treatment of PD rats prevented the rise in [Ca2+]i of brain synaptosomes and the fall in PI and caused significant (P less than 0.01) improvement in the synaptosomal content of PS and PE; values of PS and PE in PD-V rats, however, were still significantly (P less than 0.01) lower than those of PD rats. Verapamil treatment of PW rats did not affect synaptosomal content of the various PL or resting levels of [Ca2+]i. Cholesterol content of brain synaptosomes of the various groups was not significantly different, but cholesterol-to-total PL ratios were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in PD and PD-V rats than in PW or PW-V animals. Results indicate that PD affects metabolism of total phospholipids, PI, PS, and PE of brain synaptosomes, and these derangements are due to reduced availability of phosphorus and to the rise in [Ca2+]i. The data are consistent with the proposition that PD-induced changes in PL render the synaptosomal membrane more permeable to calcium, an event that may lead to a rise in [Ca2+]i.
Pierre Manent, Seeing Things Politically: Interviews with Benedicte Delorme-Montini

A review of Pierre Manent’s intellectual biography, Seeing Things Politically, this article considers Manent’s relation to Straussianism and his attempt to elaborate a science of politics that describes “our whole history starting from our political nature.”
Process Mapping Exercise (B)

This is the B case, which provides additional information on the situation described in "Process Mapping Exercise, (A)" by describing how further improvements in the account billing process can be achieved. It provides the information necessary for students to create the new process flow diagram, including time and cost data.
A Constrained Markov Decision Process for Flight Safety Assessment and Management

Loss of Control is the most common contributing factor to aviation accidents. Flight Safety Assessment and Management (FSAM) is a high level automation aid to further reduce risk due to loss of control. Nominally, FSAM serves as a loss-of-control watchdog. When off-nominal conditions conducive to loss of control are encountered, FSAM issues appropriate warnings and resilient control overrides to ensure safe operation of the aircraft. This paper describes a framework for modeling FSAM as a Constrained Markov Decision Process where constraints represent flight envelope boundaries and decisions represent control mode overrides or nooperation (continue monitoring without action). The decisions made by FSAM are based on an optimal policy that minimizes a cumulative cost that penalizes high risk flight conditions which contribute to loss of control. Using this CMDP framework we develop policies that prevent loss of control during takeoff. We also illustrate the advantages of using the CMDP approach over a more conventional (unconstrained) MDP approach. [Errata: 05/17/2016 New equation numbers added. Typological errors in (15) (22) were fixed]
Effects of Growth Hormone Administration on Hepatic Excretion of Bromsulfalein (BSP)

SummaryBiliary transport maximum (Tm) and relative storage capacity (S) for BSP have been measured in three dogs receiving parenteral bovine growth hormone. During the initial 3 months of administration a 58% increase in Tm was observed without a similar change in S. Thereafter, a decrease in Tm to nearly original levels was observed. Administration of growth hormone from another species (ovine) again produced a rise in Tm in at least one of the same animals. Evidence suggests that growth hormone exerts a regulatory influence on hepatic excretory function.
Flexibility Of The Zeolite Rho Framework: The Redistribution Of Extra Framework Cations As A Function Of Temperature.

Upon heating Ba2+, Sr2+ and Cd2+s-exchanged zeolite RHO, abrupt changes have been observed in the cubic unit cell parameters [1s-3]. Calculations of the powder xs-ray diffraction patterns indicate these changes result from relocation of the extras-framework cations. For Ba2+ and Sr2+-exchanged RHO, a shift from the single 8s-ring (S8R) to the double 8s-ring (D8R)s-site is accompanied by contraction of the unit cell. However, for the Cd2+s-exchanged material relocation from the S8R to the single 6s-ring (S6R)s-site coincides with cell expansion. Further, with relocation of Cd2+ the low temperature acentric (A) form is transformed to a centric (C) structure above 300°C. The shift of Cd2+ ion occurs over a distance of 5.7 A, the largest observed in a zeolite.
Aggregative adherence fimbriae I (AAF/I) mediate colonization of fresh produce and abiotic surface by Shiga toxigenic enteroaggregative Escherichia coli O104:H4

The Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli O104:H4 isolated during the 2011 European outbreak expresses Shiga toxin 2a and possess virulence genes associated with the enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) pathotype. It produces plasmid encoded aggregative adherence fimbriae I (AAF/I) which mediate cell aggregation and biofilm formation in human intestine and promote Shiga-toxin adsorption, but it is not clear whether the AAF/I fimbriae are involved in the colonization and biofilm formation on food and environmental matrices such as the surface of fresh produce. We deleted the gene encoding for the AAF/I fimbriae main subunit (AggA) from an outbreak associated E. coli O104:H4 strain, and evaluated the role of AAF/I fimbriae in the adherence and colonization of E. coli O104:H4 to spinach and abiotic surfaces. The deletion of aggA did not affect the adherence of E. coli O104:H4 to these surfaces. However, it severely diminished the colonization and biofilm formation of E. coli O104:H4 on these surfaces. Strong aggregation and biofilm formation on spinach and abiotic surfaces were observed with the wild type strain but not the isogenic aggA deletion mutant, suggesting that AAF/I fimbriae play a crucial role in persistence of O104:H4 cells outside of the intestines of host species, such as on the surface of fresh produce.
EFFECTS OF THE PYRIDAZINONE HERBICIDE SANDOZ 6706 (METFLURAZON) ON PIGMENTATION OF FUNGI

The herbicide Sandoz 6706 (metflurazon) inhibits carotene biosynthesis and allows photobleaching of chlorophyll in light-grown green plants. To explore its effects in non-photosynthetic organisms, the influence of metflurazon on pigmentation of nine soil-inhabiting fungi, representing a broad taxonomic spectrum, was investigated. Metflurazon treatment reduced observable intensity of pigmentation in many of these fungi. In the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis, herbicide treatment decreased /-carotene concentrations and increased the levels of phytoene, a colorless precursor of /-carotene. These results suggest that, in this yeast, metflurazon either inhibits a phytoene dehydrogenase or prevents end-product inhibition of phytoene production. Thus, one mechanism of action of the herbicide in R. glutinis is similar to that proposed for some photosynthetic organisms.
Technical Report: Reference photon dosimetry data for Varian accelerators based on IROC-Houston site visit data.

Purpose: Accurate data regarding linear accelerator(Linac) radiation characteristics are important for treatment planning system modeling as well as regular quality assurance of the machine. The Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core-Houston (IROC-H) has measured the dosimetric characteristics of numerous machines through their on-site dosimetry review protocols. Photon data are presented and can be used as a secondary check of acquired values, as a means to verify commissioning a new machine, or in preparation for an IROC-H site visit. Methods: Photon data from IROC-H on-site reviews from 2000 to 2014 were compiled and analyzed. Specifically, data from approximately 500 Varian machines were analyzed. Each dataset consisted of point measurements of several dosimetric parameters at various locations in a water phantom to assess the percentage depth dose, jaw output factors, multileaf collimator small field output factors, off-axis factors, and wedge factors. The data were analyzed by energy and parameter, with similarly performing machine models being assimilated into classes. Common statistical metrics are presented for each machine class. Measurement data were compared against other reference data where applicable. Results: Distributions of the parameter data were shown to be robust and derive from a student’s t distribution. Based on statistical and clinical criteria, all machine models were able to be classified into two or three classes for each energy, except for 6 MV for which there were eight classes. Quantitative analysis of the measurements for 6, 10, 15, and 18 MV photon beams is presented for each parameter; supplementary material has also been made available which contains further statistical information. Conclusions: IROC-H has collected numerous data on Varian Linacs and the results of photon measurements from the past 15 years are presented. The data can be used as a comparison check of a physicist’s acquired values. Acquired values that are well outside the expected distribution should be verified by the physicist to identify whether the measurements are valid. Comparison of values to this reference data provides a redundant check to help prevent gross dosimetric treatment errors.
Study on the Field Soil Moisture Monitoring System Based on SMS technology

A study on GSM–SMS technology application to field soil moisture acquisition was presented in this paper.This study is based on a field data collection system that is composed of PC,field monitoring sensors,TC35i modules and ATmeg32 microcontroller.The data transmissions,communication,are accomplished via GSM – SMS technology.After establishing the monitoring system,the authentication and performance tests were conducted in Xiaotangshan.Based on the performance testing results over 1 year,the in-tegrity and performance of transmission is guaranteed.The GSM-SMS technology is well suited for implementation in field data moni-toring and acquisition.GSM–SMS technology application to field data acquisition system is cheap and feasible.
Application status of small molecule targeted anti-cancer drugs in China

Molecular targeted small-molecule anti-cancer drugs have been a worldwide focus in research and development of innovative drugs in recent years.There are several products into market in the past ten years,and several tens are still in developing phases.Here,we reviewed and analyzed the applications of such new small-molecule compounds that were received and approved by SFDA between Jan 2005 and July 2011.Furthermore,we discussed some related problems of developing strategy including clinical study for this drug type.
Immunoglobulin gene rearrangements and expression in diffuse histiocytic lymphomas reveal cellular lineage, molecular defects, and sites of chromosomal translocation

We have examined the immunoglobulin gene configurations in cell lines from eight patients with diffuse histiocytic lymphoma in order to establish the cellular lineage and stage of differentiation of these lymphomas. The presence of heavy and light chain gene rearrangements as well as heavy chain class switching in seven cells placed these tumors within the B cell lineage. In contrast, one cell (SU-DHL-1), which lacks B cell-restricted surface antigens, retained germline heavy and light chain loci, indicating that it may represent a true histiocyte or uncommitted cell. Truncated RNAs for both the heavy and light chain immunoglobulins were responsible for the lack of surface immunoglobulin in the SU-DHL-2 cell line. Another cell line (SU-DHL-6), which possesses a t(14;18)(q32;q21) translocation, demonstrated an unexpected recombination within its heavy chain gene locus that may be the interchromosomal breakpoint.
Comparing methods for partitioning a decade of carbon dioxide and water vapor fluxes in a temperate forest

Abstract The eddy covariance (EC) method is routinely used to measure net ecosystem fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and evapotranspiration (ET) in terrestrial ecosystems. It is often desirable to partition CO2 flux into gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (RE), and to partition ET into evaporation and transpiration. We applied multiple partitioning methods, including the recently-developed flux variance similarity (FVS) partitioning method, to a ten-year record of ET and CO2 fluxes measured using EC at Morgan Monroe State Forest, a temperate, deciduous forest located in south-central Indiana, USA. While the FVS method has previously been demonstrated in croplands and grasslands, this is the first evaluation of the method in a forest. CO2 fluxes were partitioned using nonlinear regressions, FVS, and sub-canopy EC measurements. ET was partitioned using FVS and sub-canopy EC measurements, and sub-canopy potential evapotranspiration was calculated as an additional constraint on forest floor evaporation. Leaf gas exchange measurements were used to parameterize a model of water use efficiency (WUE) necessary for the FVS method. Scaled leaf gas exchange measurements also provided additional independent estimates of GPP and transpiration. There was good agreement among partitioning methods for transpiration and GPP, which also agreed well with scaled leaf gas exchange measurements. There was higher variability among methods for RE and evaporation. The sub-canopy flux method yielded lower estimates of evaporation and RE than FVS and lower estimates of RE than the nonlinear regression method, likely due to the exclusion of flux sources within the canopy but above the top of the sub-canopy tower for the sub-canopy flux method. Based on a sensitivity test, FVS flux partitioning was moderately sensitive to errors in WUE values, and underestimates of WUE significantly reduced the rate at which the algorithm was able to produce a physically valid solution. FVS partitioning has unique potential for retroactive ET partitioning at EC sites, because it relies on the same continuous measurements as EC and does not require additional specialized equipment. FVS also has advantages for partitioning CO2 fluxes, since it does not rely on the mechanistic assumptions necessary for the commonly used nonlinear regression technique.
ESR Saturation and Double Resonance in Liquids

The well-known result from the steady-state (s.s.) solution of the Bloch Equations is that the absorption is given by the y-component of magnetization \({{\rm{\mathord{\buildrel{\lower3pt\hbox{$\scriptscriptstyle\smile$}}\over M} }}_{\rm{y}}}\) in the rotating frame: $${{\rm{\mathord{\buildrel{\lower3pt\hbox{$\scriptscriptstyle\smile$}}\over M} }}_{\rm{y}}} = {{{\rm{\gamma }}{{\rm{H}}_1}{{\rm{T}}_2}} \over {1 + {{\left( {{{\rm{T}}_2}\Delta {\rm{\omega }}} \right)}^2} + {{\rm{\gamma }}^2}{\rm{H}}_1^2{{\rm{T}}_1}{{\rm{T}}_2}}}{{\rm{M}}_{\rm{0}}}$$ (1) with M0 the equilibrium magnetization. When we switch to a quantum mechanical description, we can calculate: $${{\rm{M}}_ \pm } = {{\rm{M}}_{\rm{X}}} \pm {\rm{i}}{{\rm{M}}_{\rm{y}}} = \left( {{{{\rm{\mathord{\buildrel{\lower3pt\hbox{$\scriptscriptstyle\smile$}}\over M} }}}_{\rm{x}}}{\rm{i}}{{{\rm{\mathord{\buildrel{\lower3pt\hbox{$\scriptscriptstyle\smile$}}\over M} }}}_{\rm{y}}}} \right){{\rm{e}}^{ \pm {\rm{i\omega t}}}}$$ (2) statistically from its associated quantum mechanical operator $${{\rm{m}}_ \pm } = \Re {\rm{ }}{{\rm{Y}}_{\rm{e}}}{\rm{S}}{{\rm{ }}_ \pm }$$ (3) where ℜ is the concentration of electron spins, by taking a trace of the spin density matrix σ(t) with the spin operator S±: $${{\rm{M}}_ \pm }\left( {\rm{t}} \right) = \Re {{\rm{Y}}_{\rm{e}}}{\rm{ Tr}}\left[ {{\rm{\sigma }}\left( {\rm{t}} \right){{\rm{S}}_ \pm }} \right]$$ (4) The trace is invariant to a choice of zero-order basis states. The equation of motion for σ(t) is taken to be the relaxation matrix form given by Eq. VIII-20, and we shall neglect effects of higher order than R(2).
Surgical Valvotomy Versus Balloon Valvuloplasty for Congenital Aortic Valve Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Optimal initial treatment for congenital aortic valve stenosis in children remains unclear between balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and surgical aortic valvotomy (SAV). Methods and Results We performed a contemporary systematic review and meta‐analysis to compare survival in children with congenital aortic valve stenosis. Secondary outcomes included frequency of at least moderate regurgitation at hospital discharge as well as rates of aortic valve replacement and reintervention. Single‐ and dual‐arm studies were identified by a search of PubMed (Medline), Embase, and the Cochrane database. Overall 2368 patients from 20 studies were included in the analysis, including 1835 (77%) in the BAV group and 533 (23%) in the SAV group. There was no difference between SAV and BAV in hospital mortality (OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.5–2.0, P =0.27, I2=22%) or frequency of at least moderate aortic regurgitation at discharge (OR=0.58, 95% CI 0.3–1.3, P =0.09, I2=54%). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed no difference in long‐term survival or freedom from aortic valve replacement but significantly more reintervention in the BAV group (10‐year freedom from reintervention of 46% [95% CI 40–52] for BAV versus 73% [95% CI 68–77] for SAV, P <0.001). Results were unchanged in a sensitivity analysis restricted to infants (<1 year of age). Conclusions Although higher rates of reintervention suggest improved outcomes with SAV, indications for reintervention may vary depending on initial intervention. When considering the benefits of a less‐invasive approach, and clinical equipoise with respect to more clinically relevant outcomes, these findings support the need for a randomized controlled trial.
Leadership and identity: A reinterpretation of situational leadership theory

This essay advocates a message analysis approach to studying leadership processes. It is proposed that the motivating force underlying the behaviors prescribed by situational leadership theory (SLT) is the satisfaction of salient face wants. Triangulated methods were used to assess leadership message qualities. Researcher message codings and participants perceptions of message qualities were compared. Both data sources suggest that leaders’ messages cede more autonomy to followers as the latter gain job experience. There is also tentative evidence that followers give increasing priority to autonomy over time. The results for positive face support, however, are more ambiguous.
Growth and Survival of Flavobacterium aurantiacum in Peanut Milk1.

Tryptone-yeast extract-glucose (TYG) and trypticase soy broth (TSB) were evaluated for production and recovery of Flavobacterium aurantiacum stationary phase cells. In addition, growth of F. aurantiacum in peanut milk was tested, Trypticase soy broth was chosen as the best medium for producing stationary phase cells. Both non-defatted peanut milk (NDPM) and partially defatted peanut milk (PDPM) supported growth of F. aurantiacum . The growth of F. aurantiacum in both kinds of peanut milk was not inhibited by aflatoxin B1 (1 mg/ml). About 109 stationary phase cells were inoculated in 0.067 M phosphate buffer (PB) at pH 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0, and in both peanut milks (pH 6.3 and 6.9). After a 24-h incubation period, the viable cell number decreased slightly in PB (pH 7.0, 30°C), but decreased 2-3 logs in other buffers. About 0.6-0.8 log decrease was observed in NDPM and PDPM. Phosphate buffer (0.067 M, pH 7.0), NDPM and PDPM were determined to be adequate for use in studies to investigate the removal of aflatoxin B1 by F. aurantiacum .
Conditional Proportional Hazards Models

Bivariate survival models can sometimes be characterized in terms of conditional survival functions of the form P(X > x|Y > y) and P(Y > y|X > x). Attention is focussed on models in which these conditional survival functions are of the proportional hazards form. A characterization of such distributions is provided and related estimation problems are discussed.
Understanding web activity patterns among teachers, students and teacher candidates

This study sought to understand generational and role differences in web usage of teachers, teacher candidates and K–12 students in a state in the USA (n = 2261). The researchers employed unique methods, which included using a custom-built persistent web browser to track user behaviours free of self-report, self-selection and perception bias. Results revealed that all three groups utilized a variety of resources daily, but with some noticeable differences. For instance, (1) teachers and teacher candidates used the Internet on school devices much more than students; (2) they accessed general, multimedia, search, entertainment, shopping and social resources at a higher rate than students; (3) students visited a higher proportion of educational websites than their teachers; and (4) teachers visited a higher proportion of search pages than teacher candidates. Results may be useful for researchers (1) to better understand generational differences between groups; (2) to expand educational technology research to better include non-pedagogical support tools for educators; and (3) to serve as a counterpoint for self-report data on web resource frequency of use, which may provide different results.
Correlational Gaussian Processes for Cross-Domain Visual Recognition

We present a probabilistic model that captures higher order co-occurrence statistics for joint visual recognition in a collection of images and across multiple domains. More importantly, we predict the structured output across multiple domains by correlating outputs from the multi-classes Gaussian process classifiers in each individual domain. A set of correlational tensors is adopted to model the relationship within a single domain as well as across multiple domains. This renders it possible to explore a high-order relational model instead of using just a set of pairwise relational models. Such tensor relations are based on both the positive and negative co-occurrences of different categories of visual instances across multi-domains. This is in contrast to most previous models where only pair-wise relationships are explored. We conduct experiments on four challenging image collections. The experimental results clearly demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed model.
Social Order as Moral Order

This chapter will argue that replacing the established focus on social institutions with a focus on constitutive orders of interaction has important implications for Ethics. Treating “social” facts as if they were “natural” facts has resulted in a focus on concepts in place of practices. Treating social facts as “instituted” has resulted in a conception of social order as contingent and of morality as relative to particular social institutional arrangements. However, social institutions are in almost all cases comprised of sets of rules for constructing and maintaining inequalities that are not moral in any general sense. A conception of constitutive order changes this. If the crucial social objects (including self) are understood as social and not natural objects, and their fragile character and dependence on constitutive orders for their existence (rather than on institutions) is accepted, then the whole question of morality and its relationship to society is changed. A relationship usually viewed as both relative and merely pragmatic (or functional) is recast in terms that transcend the particulars of institutionalized social arrangements, consummating a social contract position. There are implications not only for Ethics, but for a conception of democratic society in a context of modernity and diversity.
Structural Power and Satisfaction in Simple Games

This paper explores the relationship between power, the capacity to affect action, and satisfaction, a result of voting action, in voting situations which can be modelled as simple games. The properties of the Banzhaf, Coleman, and Shapley/Shubik indices of power have been thoroughly discussed elsewhere. The properties of the first two are compared in detail with the properties of two measures of satisfaction, the Zipke index defined here and a measure defined by Brams and Lake.
Neurological Assessment and Correlation in Spinal Cord Nerve Root Pathology

In order to perform an adequate neurological assessment of a patient, one must combine a thorough history and physical assessment with other diagnostic studies. When patients present with neurological symptoms such as weakness, pain, or numbness and tingling, the clinician needs to perform a detailed examination to determine if a neurological deficit actually does exist. Sometimes more than one component of the neurological system may be affected. It is important to note that while the sensory cell body of the nerve root lies within the dorsal root ganglion and is extraspinal, the cell body of the motor nerve root is the anterior horn cell that lies within the spinal cord which is intraspinal. This chapter will emphasize spinal cord nerve root pathology and the role of the clinician in identifying aberrant states.
A Successful Opioid-Free Anesthetic in a Patient Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

Abstract The negative side effects of opioids have been well documented, and as our nation faces an opioid addiction crisis, the morbidity and mortality associated with opioids continues to rise dramatically. However, the majority of anesthesiologists are continuing to administer high doses of opioids to patients undergoing both non-cardiac and cardiac surgery. Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) is a technique in which non-opioid multimodal analgesics are used to provide adequate pain control both during surgery and postoperatively. While there are several studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of OFA in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, it has not been studied in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The authors present a case of successful implementation of an OFA regimen in a patient with opioid-induced mastocytosis undergoing an open aortic valve replacement (AVR).
Endoscopic Treatment of Thoracic Discitis with Robotic Access: A Case Report Merging Two Cutting-Edge Technologies.

Background Emerging technologies in minimally invasive spinal surgery include surgical robots for navigation and spinal endoscopy. We applied these technologies in concert to treat a critically ill patient with thoracic discitis. Case Description The patient was an 83-year old woman with extensive medical comorbidities. In 2016, she was admitted from her skilled nursing facility with chest pain radiating to her left arm. Following a negative cardiac workup, computed tomography imaging revealed a right paramediastinal thoracic collection with endplate erosion at the T4 and T5 levels. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging was consistent with spondylodiscitis. We developed a preoperative trajectory with targeting software to the target levels. Following positioning and calibration in the operating room, we used the robot to establish our planned trajectory along the T4–T5 transpedicular route on the left side. We established a working channel and docked the endoscope through the T4–T5 annulus. Frank pus extruded on entering the disc, which we immediately sampled and sent for culture. We next advanced the endoscope into the disc space, allowing us to clean the endplates with microcurettes and copious irrigation. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was sent to the intensive care unit in light of her general medical status. She recovered well and was discharged from our hospital on postoperative day 11 after a course of intravenous antibiotics. Conclusions This case represents a novel endoscopic-robotic hybrid spine surgery that we believe will find further applications in spinal surgery.
On Radical-Induced Ignition in Combustion Systems.

This article reviews recent theoretical developments on incipient ignition induced by radical runaway in systems described by detailed chemistry. Employing eigenvalue analysis, we first analyze the...
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Suggests Limited Drug-Drug Interaction for Fesoterodine When Coadministered With Mirabegron.

5-Hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5-HMT; the active fesoterodine metabolite) is metabolized via the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 and CYP3A pathways. Mirabegron is a moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor and weak CYP3A inhibitor. Potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) following coadministration of these 2 overactive bladder treatments were estimated using physiologically based pharmacokinetic models, developed and verified by comparing predicted and observed pharmacokinetic profiles from clinical studies. Models predicted and verified mirabegron and desipramine (CYP2D6 substrate) and 5-HMT and ketoconazole (strong CYP3A inhibitor) DDIs. Mirabegron model-predicted mean steady-state AUC and Cmax were within 11% of clinical observations. The predicted versus observed geometric mean ratio (GMR) of AUCinf for CYP2D6 substrates desipramine and metoprolol coadministered with mirabegron 100 or 160 mg once daily were 3.47 versus 3.41 and 2.97 versus 3.29, respectively, indicating that the mirabegron model can be used to predict clinical CYP2D6 inhibition. 5-HMT fractional clearance by CYP3A and CYP2D6 was verified from clinical DDI studies with a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor (ketoconazole) and inducer (rifampicin) in CYP2D6 extensive and poor metabolizers and with a moderate CYP3A inhibitor (fluconazole) in healthy volunteers. 5-HMT AUCinf and Cmax GMRs for fesoterodine DDIs were all predicted within 1.26-fold of clinical observation, providing verification for the fesoterodine substrate model. The predicted changes in 5-HMT AUCinf and Cmax ratios for 8 mg fesoterodine when coadministered with 50 mg mirabegron were 1.22-fold and 1.17-fold, respectively, relative to 8 mg fesoterodine given alone. This modest increase in 5-HMT exposures by approximately 20% is considered clinically insignificant and would not require fesoterodine dose adjustment when coadministered with mirabegron within approved daily-dose ranges.
Assessment of Age-related Oxygenation Changes in Calf Skeletal Muscle by Photoacoustic Imaging: A Potential Tool for Peripheral Arterial Disease:

Peripheral artery disease is often asymptomatic, and various imaging and nonimaging techniques have been used for assessment and monitoring treatments. This study is designed to demonstrate the ability of photoacoustic imaging to noninvasively determine changes in tissue oxygenation that occur in mice's hind limb skeletal muscle as they age. Mice from two age cohorts were scanned bilaterally with a pulsed laser. The photoacoustic signal was unmixed to generate a parametric map of estimated oxygen saturation and then overlaid on grayscale ultrasound images. Tissue oxygenation measured in young and old mice was compared. Photoacoustic imaging visually and quantitatively showed the decrease in skeletal muscle oxygenation that occurs with age. Percent tissue oxygenation decreased from 30.2% to 3.5% (p 0.05). Intrasubject, intra-, and interobserver comparisons showed low variability in measurements, exhibited by high regression and intraclass correlations exceeding 0.81 for all ages. The decrease in oxygenation detected by photoacoustic imaging paralleled the known oxygenation decrease observed in aging tissues, demonstrating that photoacoustic imaging can assess age-related changes in a mouse calf muscle. These intramuscular changes could potentially act as a strong diagnostic marker for peripheral artery disease. This study thus opens the doors for a novel, affordable, noninvasive method of evaluation free of radiation or exogenous material.
Michael J. Buckingham: Leading the way in ocean ambient noise processing and modeling

Nearly 40 years ago, Michael Buckingham published a theoretical model for ocean ambient noise in shallow water. His pioneering work of the late 1970s and early 1980s advanced not only the methods for understanding the ambient noise field but also the impact on array signal processing. In the late 1980s, Buckingham made a pivotal shift in thinking about ambient noise. He considered ambient noise not as a nuisance factor but as a usable signal. In the late 1980s Buckingham and Jones had the novel idea to take measured ambient noise from a vertical line array and develop an inversion method to determine the seabed critical angle. A few years later, Buckingham invented a technique known as ambient noise imaging (ANI), or acoustic daylight, which is analogous to conventional photography with daylight as the source of illumination. Buckingham continues to lead the way, and the true significance of his work must include the inspiration his research gives to numerous other scientists, especially those investigating methods to exploit ambient noise as a usable signal. In this presentation, a review of Buckingham’s contributions to understanding ambient noise will be described, particularly as they relate to recent methods for ambient noise processing and modeling.
Noisy Retrospection: The Effect of Party Control on Policy Outcomes

Retrospective voting is vital for democracy. But, are the objective performance metrics widely thought to be relevant for retrospection—such as the performance of the economy, criminal justice system, and schools, to name a few—valid criteria for evaluating government performance? That is, do political coalitions actually have the power to influence the performance metrics used for retrospection on the timeline introduced by elections? Using difference-in-difference and regression discontinuity techniques, we find that US states governed by Democrats and those by Republicans perform equally well on economic, education, crime, family, social, environmental, and health outcomes on the timeline introduced by elections (2–4 years downstream). Our results suggest that voters may struggle to truly hold government coalitions accountable, as objective performance metrics appear to be largely out of the immediate control of political coalitions.
Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fine particulate matter in Lanzhou community

Objective To understand the pollution level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in community fine particulate matter(PM_(2. 5)) in Lanzhou community, and assess the risk of cancer. Methods Samples of atmospheric fine particles were collected in communities A and B of Lanzhou City from 10 to 16 of each month in 2018. The mass concentration and composition of 16 kinds of optimal control to the EPA PAHs, such as naphthalene(Nap), acenaphthylene(Acy), philippines(Phe), acenaphthene(Ace), fluorene(FI), anthracene(Ant), fluoranthene(Flu), pyrene(Pyr), chrysene(Chr), benzo(a) anthracene(BaA), benzene(b) fluoranthracene(BbF), benzene(k) fluoranthracene(BkF), benzo(a) pyrene(BaP), dibenzene(a, h) anthracene(DahA), benzene(g, h, i) perylene(BghiP) and indene(1, 2, 3-cd)pyrene(IcdP), were analysed, and the toxicity were assessed by toxicity equivalent concentration and lifetime excess carcinogenic risk(ECR). Results The annual average PM_(2. 5) concentrations in community A and B were 70 μg/m~3, 2 times the national standard. The average annual PAHs concentrations in community A and B were 113. 56(5. 22-485. 71) and 55. 68(2. 39-257. 43) ng/m~3, respectively. In addition, in winter, spring and autumn, the PAHs of the two communities were mainly 3-5 rings, 3-ring and 6-ring PAHs were the main components in summer. The result of feature ratio method were shown that BaP of 16 kinds of PAHs was the equivalent mass concentration(BaPeq) range of 0. 00017-3. 19 ng/m~3, ΣBaPeqin community A and B were 7. 64 and5. 11 ng/m3, respectively. BaP and DahA were the most toxic, All of them contributed more than 70% to ΣBaPeq, the total ECR of Σ16 PAHs in community A and B were 6. 64×10~(-4) and 4. 44×10~(-4), respectivel. Conclusion BaP and DahA have certain potential health risks to residents in communities a and B of Lanzhou.
Microstructure, hardness and cavitation erosion resistance of different cold spray coatings on stainless steel 316 for hydropower applications

Abstract There is an urgent need for repair of hydropower components that have undergone damage due to cavitation. This study investigated the relevant properties of different materials using cold spray technology. Stainless steel (SS) 316, Inconel 625 and CrC-NiCr materials were deposited onto base metal SS 316 using cold spray. Cold spray achieved deposits with relatively low porosities, and intimate contact between the deposit and the base metal was observed. Severe plastic deformation was imparted during the cold spray process and nanostructured regions were observed in all three deposits across the interfacial area. Cold sprayed deposits exhibited elevated hardness in contrast to that of the base metal SS 316. The cavitation erosion resistance of the deposits was evaluated with a cavitation erosion jet adhering to ASTM G134 standard. Both Inconel 625 and SS 316 achieved better cavitation erosion resistance when compared to the base metal SS 316, with cold sprayed Inconel 625 having close to a four times improvement.
Measuring Display Advertising Response Using Observational Data: The Impact of Selection Biases

This paper studies the potential to better understand display advertising response using observational data from real-time bidding (RTB) exchanges. While non-random exposure to display ads creates endogeneity concerns, unique aspects of the RTB ecosystem allow for common sources of selection, targeting and browsing intensity, to be directly observed and measured. Including these measures in a standard advertising response model mitigates the associated biases. In a two-month panel detailing interactions between 29 campaigns and nearly one million users, we estimate that display advertising increased conversion probability by 127% and was positive and significant in 90% of campaigns. When selection controls are omitted, advertising response was overstated by more than five-fold. An advantage of the proposed approach is the ability to readily explore factors moderating response, and the paper concludes by examining two such features: conversion event and device type. By recovering accurate response estimates from available data, the approach allows advertisers to continuously monitor and improve display advertising effectiveness. Further, it provides an incentive aligning structure to mitigate pervasive agency problems between advertisers and ad-serving platforms.
Surfaces of Gadolinium Gallium Garnet

Sintering and many problems in adsorption and catalysis require an understanding of the surface structures of crystals, which have been subjected to various types of heat treatment. For example, heat treatment of m-plane sapphire surfaces can cause a transformation from a flat vicinal surface into those of a faceted hill-and-valley structure. Many technologically interesting materials form with the garnet structure, including YIG, YAG, GGG and many silicates. However, there has been relatively little discussion of the structure and behavior of such surfaces. This paper illustrates the use of visible-light microscopy (VLM), atomic-force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for studying the ﹛111﹜ surface of gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG or Gd3Ga5O12).2x2x1 mm samples of monocrystalline GGG with ﹛111﹜ surface orientation were heat treated in air at 1575°C for 24 hours in order to study the processes a surface undertakes while reaching its equilibrium state.
SeedEx: A Genome Sequencing Accelerator for Optimal Alignments in Subminimal Space

Innovations in genome sequencing techniques are enabling remarkably fast and low cost production of raw genome data. As Moore's law tapers off, bottlenecks in genome sequencing are shifting to computational resources for mapping reads to reference DNA. This paper presents SeedEx, a read-alignment accelerator focused on the seed-extension step. SeedEx is based on the observation that only a small fraction of reads require large edit distance for alignment, hence an area efficient narrow-band seed-extension accelerator can suffice in practice. However, due to the highly error-sensitive nature of genomic workloads, guaranteeing optimality of alignment result is of cardinal importance. Towards this end, we propose a speculation-and-test based framework by using strict but powerful optimality checking mechanisms. We demonstrate SeedEx by an implementation on a cloud FPGA. SeedEx achieves 6.0× iso-area throughput speedup when compared to a banded Smith-Waterman baseline, and achieving 43.9 M seed extentions/s on AWS f1.2xlarge instance. Integration with BWA-MEM2 improves the execution time by 2.3×.
Platelet mass cytometry: Optimization of sample, reagent, and analysis parameters

Platelets mediate key biological processes, including hemostasis, immunity, and inflammation. Although platelets are often treated as a homogeneous cell population, they are known to be heterogeneous in size, age, surface receptor expression, and response to agonist stimulation, raising the possibility that distinct platelet subsets perform specialized functions and that such subsets may be altered in disease settings. Attempts to identify platelet subsets by flow cytometry have had limited success due in part to limits on the number of probes that can be used at the same time and due to the challenges of compensating for probes that have large spectral overlap. We recently reported a method to identify platelet subsets by mass cytometry using a panel of 14 metal-tagged antibodies directed at platelet surface markers. Here, we describe the technical considerations and best practices for platelet sample preparation, processing, and analysis by mass cytometry. Specifically, we show that anticoagulant choice alters platelet phenotype and function and that antibody cocktail storage and sample processing are critical for reproducibility. Additionally, we optimize sample density and instrument setup for maximal platelet transmission. Lastly, we demonstrate the importance of panel design and compensation and the use of clustering and dimension reduction to map platelet heterogeneity across resting and stimulated samples.
Applying the Healthy Eating Index-2015 in a Sample of Choice-Based Minnesota Food Pantries to Test Associations Between Food Pantry Inventory, Client Food Selection, and Client Diet

Abstract Background Food pantry clients are at a high risk for diet-related chronic disease and suboptimal diet. Relatively little research has examined diet quality measures in choice-based food pantries where clients can choose their own food. Objective This study tested whether the diet quality scores for food at the pantry were associated with client food selection scores, and whether client food selection scores at the pantry were associated with client diet intake scores. Design This cross-sectional regression analysis, part of a larger evaluation study (SuperShelf), used baseline data from client and food pantry surveys, food pantry inventories, assessments of client food selections (“client carts”), and single 24-hour client dietary recalls. Participants/setting The analysis includes 316 clients who completed a survey (282 of whom completed a dietary recall measure) from one of 16 choice-based Minnesota food pantries during 2018-2019. Adult English, Spanish, or Somali-speaking clients were eligible in the case that they had selected food on the day of recruitment at their food pantry visit. Main outcome measures A Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) Total score and 13 subcomponent scores were calculated for: pantry food inventories of food available on the shelf, client carts, and a 24-hour client dietary recall. Statistical analysis Descriptive statistics were generated for client and food pantry characteristics, and for HEI-2015 Total score and subcomponent scores. Linear regression models tested the association between HEI-2015 Total score and subcomponent scores for food pantry inventory and client carts, and for client carts and dietary recalls, adjusted for covariates. Results Food pantry inventory HEI-2015 Total score averaged 65.1, client cart Total score averaged 60.8, and dietary recall Total score averaged 50.9. The diet quality scores for inventory were not associated with client cart scores, except for Added Sugars (P = .005). Client cart HEI-2015 Total score was positively associated with client diet HEI-2015 Total score (P = .002) and associations for Total Fruits, Whole Fruits, Total Vegetables, Greens and Beans, Whole Grains, Seafood and Plant Proteins, and Added Sugars subcomponents were statistically significant. Conclusions In choice-based Minnesota food pantries, the diet quality of food selected by clients was positively associated with client diet quality.