cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Army and the Buffalo: A DemurA Response to David D. Smits's “The Frontier Army and the Destruction of the Buffalo: 1865–1883”

For one, Smits ascribes more power to the army than it possessed. He writes, for instance: "To provide the hide hunters with an easily accessible railroad, Sheridan was determined to push the Northern Pacific tracks westward ...." The Northern Pacific was a transcontinental, land-grant railroad that had stalled at Bismarck after the Panic of 1873. It resumed construction as the national economy began recovering from the depression of the 1870s. "With the army's unstinting support, the Northern Pacific reached the Dakota-Montana border...." The "unstinting support" consisted, at its maximum in the summer of 1881, of five companies of infantry and four of cavalry, altogether about 450 men, representing about 11 percent of the troops in the Department of Dakota. The size of the force the army was able to spare to guard the Northern Pacific's surveyors, graders, and tracklayers is disproportionate to the language used in the article.2
VPS35, the Retromer Complex and Parkinson’s Disease

Mutations in the vacuolar protein sorting 35 ortholog (VPS35) gene encoding a core component of the retromer complex, have recently emerged as a new cause of late-onset, autosomal dominant familial Parkinson's disease (PD). A single missense mutation, AspD620Asn (D620N), has so far been unambiguously identified to cause PD in multiple individuals and families worldwide. The exact molecular mechanism(s) by which VPS35 mutations induce progressive neurodegeneration in PD are not yet known. Understanding these mechanisms, as well as the perturbed cellular pathways downstream of mutant VPS35, is important for the development of appropriate therapeutic strategies. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge surrounding VPS35 and its role in PD. We provide a critical discussion of the emerging data regarding the mechanisms underlying mutant VPS35-mediated neurodegeneration gleaned from genetic cell and animal models and highlight recent advances that may provide insight into the interplay between VPS35 and several other PD-linked gene products (i.e. α-synuclein, LRRK2 and parkin) in PD. Present data support a role for perturbed VPS35 and retromer function in the pathogenesis of PD.
Control of Solvent Extraction from Acrylic Fibers

Abstract Variations in the residual solvent level in acrylic fiber have adverse effects on key final product quality parameters. Solvent is removed from the fiber in a multistage, countercurrent washing operation. The solvent-water solution (i.e., wash liquor) is subsequently separated and recovered for reuse. Because of variations in the fiber residual solvent level and an upper constraint on final product solvent content, excess washing water is used. The excess water for solvent extraction results in excess energy consumption in the separation and recovery process. For improved process monitoring and control, a self-calibrating, on-line, continuous analyzer system for dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) and water was developed. A discrete, non-linear, stochastic model for the solvent extraction process was identified. Based on the model, a constrained minimum variance controller was developed and implemented. Concentration data from the final wash stage solvent analyzer is input to the control algorithm. To control the final wash stage solvent concentration to a target, the algorithm outputs needed set point changes to a supervisory wash water flow controller. The control strategy was very effective in reducing residual solvent variability and resulted in a significant energy savings, improvements in fiber quality parameters, and a reduction in the number of fiber samples required for quality inspections.
Epigenetics-the new era of biomedical and ophthalmological research

Epigenetics is a researching hot topic of worldwide now.Increasing evidence shows that the pathogenesis of human diseases is not only influenced by the abnormalities of genetic factors but also by epigenetic mechanisms.Recent technological advances in epigenomic profiling has led to further understanding of the role epigenetic factors played in development, inflammation, aging, immunity, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and stem cell biology.The researchers in ophthalmology should pay close attention to the current research of major epigenetic mechanisms and their involvement in human diseases, especially ocular diseases.Moreover, the potential application of epigenetic drugs in the treatment of common human diseases also should be understood.Finally, the challenges and future perspectives underlying epigenetic research are discussed in this editorial paper. Key words: Epigenetics; Ocular disease; DNA methylation; Histone modification; Non-coding RNA
A simple finite element method for linear hyperbolic problems

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a simple finite element method for solving first order hyperbolic equations with easy implementation and analysis. This new method, with a symmetric, positive definite system, is designed to use discontinuous approximations on finite element partitions consisting of arbitrary shape of polygons/polyhedra. Error estimate is established. Extensive numerical examples are tested that demonstrate the robustness and flexibility of the method.
Interpreting Forum Selection Clauses

Over the past half century, courts in the United States have developed canons of construction that they use exclusively to construe forum selection clauses. These canons play an important role in determining the meaning of these clauses and, by extension, whether litigation arising out of a particular contract must proceed in a given place. To date, however, these canons have attracted surprisingly little attention in the academic literature. This Article aspires to fill that gap. It provides the first comprehensive taxonomy of the canons that U.S. courts use to construe forum selection clauses. These interpretive rules fall into four groups: (1) the canons relating to exclusivity, (2) the canons relating to scope, (3) the canons relating to non-signatories, and (4) the canons relating to federal court. When a judge is presented with ambiguous language in a forum selection clause, she will frequently turn to one of these interpretive rules of thumb to resolve the ambiguity. In principle, each of these canons produces outcomes that are broadly consistent with the preferences of most contract drafters. In practice, this is not always the case. Drawing upon interviews and e-mail exchanges with eighty-six attorneys, the Article shows that several of these canons produce outcomes that are arguably inconsistent with majoritarian preferences. In such cases, the Article argues that these canons should be cast aside. In their place, the courts should adopt new interpretive default rules that more closely track the preferences of most contracting parties. The Article’s final contribution to the literature relates to contract drafting. If a forum selection clause is unambiguous, there will be no need for the courts to invoke the canons. The Article thus concludes by urging contracting parties to incorporate certain words and phrases into their contracts ex ante so as to avoid incurring the costs associated with litigating their meaning ex post.
Instant Analysis of Televised Political Addresses: The Speaker Versus the Commentator

This study explored the importance of “instant analysis” of televised political addresses by exposing four groups of respondents to a 30-minute political speech by Ronald Reagan followed by a neutr...
Tea and Sepsis: Effects on Inflammatory Cytokines

Sepsis refers to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome resulting from a microbial infection, and represents the leading cause of death in the intensive care unit. The pathogenesis of sepsis is mediated in part by bacterial endotoxins, which stimulate macrophages/monocytes to sequentially release early (e.g. TNF, IL-1, and IFN-γ) and late (e.g. HMGB1) pro-inflammatory mediators. We recently discovered that green tea and its major ingredients [such as the catechin (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)] effectively inhibit endotoxin-induced HMGB1 release, and protect mice against lethal endotoxemia and sepsis. In this chapter, we summarize the effects of EGCG on the endotoxin-induced secretion of various proinflammatory cytokines. We also discuss intricate mechanisms by which EGCG effectively inhibits endotoxin-induced HMGB1 release, such as by stimulating HMGB1 aggregation and subsequent autophagic degradation.
Prognostic Implications of Minimal/Covert Hepatic Encephalopathy: Large-scale Validation Cohort Studies.

Minimal or Covert Hepatic Encephalopathy (MHE/CHE), the preclinical phase of Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE), is strongly associated with poorer Quality of Life (QOL), Overt HE (OHE), and death. Several diagnostic tests have been developed that have prognostic value in predicting clinical outcomes such as OHE, cirrhosis progression, and death. However, dispute among clinicians and HE researchers have kept its application largely underutilized. Current issues contributing to the confusion include: lack of a formal definition for CHE, uncertainty of which diagnostic tools to use, and whether one or two abnormal tests are required for a diagnosis. Due to this misunderstanding, the aims of this review were to consolidate large-scale (n ≥ 100) validation studies in order to discuss these obstacles and make recommendations for improving our approach to MHE/CHE. The studies included in this review are a great resource for initiating a unified effort for advancement in HE, and as such, it is our hope that this will drive progress toward common goals that will permanently improve the lives of patients with cirrhosis.
Bayesian Inference and Testing Any Hypothesis You Can Specify

Hypothesis testing is a special form of model selection. Once a pair of competing models is fully defined, their definition immediately leads to a measure of how strongly each model supports the da...
Experimental investigation of gas kick effects on dynamic drilling parameters

Blowout incidents not only lead to fatalities but also cause loss of assets, expensive clean-up, costly incident investigations and reports, and negative impact on the environment. The 2010 Macondo blowout accident in the Gulf of Mexico was an eye-opener for many oil and gas operators and oilfield service companies; thus, making early kick detection technology research one of the top industry agendas. However, only limited progress has been made in detection technologies that focus on downhole parameters due to the complexity of offshore drilling operations that is increasingly shifting towards the deepwater. Therefore, the current paper experimentally explores downhole drilling parameters for kick indication during drilling. The study utilizes a fully instrumented laboratory scale drilling rig coupled with an air injection and surface monitoring systems. This study observed a sudden jump in bottomhole pressure, increased volume of the return fluid, decreased density of the return fluid, reduced rate of penetration, and increased rotary speed as indicators of kick. The most significant new finding, which is also validated with field reports, is the dampening effects of the drilling vibrations due to kick. Frequency analysis of the axial bit–rock displacements/vibrations confirms the changes of frequencies due to kick induction during drilling. Coupling this important finding with dynamic drilling models, the response of the drilling system at surface (e.g. standpipe, choke pressures, etc.) indicating this change can be predicted.
Data explorer: a prototype expert system for statistical analysis.

Abstract The inadequate analysis of medical research data, due mainly to the unavailability of local statistical expertise, seriously jeopardizes the quality of new medical knowledge. Data Explorer is a prototype Expert System that builds on the versatility and power of existing statistical software, to provide automatic analyses and interpretation of medical data. The system draws much of its power by using belief network methods in place of more traditional, but difficult to automate, classical multivariate statistical techniques. Data Explorer identifies statistically significant relationships among variables, and using power-size analysis, belief network inference/learning and various explanatory techniques helps the user understand the importance of the findings. Finally the system can be used as a tool for the automatic development of predictive/diagnostic models from patient databases.
Immunopharmacologic aspects of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin action with special reference to cyclic nucleotides.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are responsible for the immunopharmacologic activities of the endotoxins of gram-negative bacteria. This chapter will discuss their immunopharmacologic actions and the evidence that their actions are mediated in part by cyclic nucleotides. The lipopolysaccharides are ubiquitous in nature and have many immunomodulatory activities. As a result, many immunologists consider them ever present nuisances perturbing their experiments. Clearly in the context of endotoxemia and sepsis the toxicities of endotoxins on the body’s defense systems, including hyperpyrexia, intra-vascular coagulation. reticuloendothelial system (RES) blockade, etc., can be considered host destructive. On the other hand, in the absence of disease, low doses of endotoxins may be considered positive immunoregulatory contributing to more effective host defense. It is possible to envision them as being part of the host defense mechanism. It may be that the nonpathogenic gastrointestinal flora provides a continuous low level of LPS acting as hormonal signals to promote the development and enhance the function of the entire immune system. Endotoxins regulate, either directly or indirectly. almost every phase of the development and function of the natural and specific immune defense systems of the body. They generally promote growth and function of the cell populations involved. They do so at low concentrations (ng/ml), i.e., at concentrations which may be periodically, even regularly. achieved locally and perhaps also systemically. Finally, they appear to act via the cyclic nucleotide pathways by which many of the body’s hormones act and many of the molecules mediating immune function are also thought to act. They, therefore, qualify as messengers acting via receptors and hormonal pathways in physiologically constructive ways.
P035 : PRONASE EFFECTS IN THE FLOW CYTOMETRY CROSSMATCH

Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of our laboratory’s use of pronase-treated lymphocytes in reducing the detection of non-specific binding (autoreactivity/autoantibodies) in the flow cytometry crossmatch. Method 22,841 flow cytometry crossmatches performed in our laboratory between 1998 and 2014 were evaluated for the frequency of detection of autoantibodies. Crossmatches were performed either with non-treated lymphocytes (n = 10,275, years 1998–2006) or with pronase-treated lymphocytes (n = 12,566, years 2006–2014). All crossmatches included an autologous control (patient’s serum tested against patient’s cells). Results Percentage of crossmatches exhibiting autoreactivity. Cell treatment Autoreactivity with either T-cells or B-cells Autoreactivity with T-cells and B-cells Autoreactivity with T-cells only Autoreactivity with B-cells only No pronase treatment (n = 10,275) 16.8% (1727) 6.7% (685) 1.3% (129) 8.9% (913) Pronase treated (n = 12,566) 6.2% (785) 1.2% (148) 1.0% (125) 4.1% (512) Conclusion Pronase-treatment of lymphocyte targets in the flow cytometry crossmatch greatly reduces the percentage of flow cytometry crossmatches whose interpretation is compromised by the detection of autoreactivity. The percentage of crossmatches that exhibited autoreactivity fell from 16.8% when pronase was not used, to 6.2% when lymphocytes were treated with pronase.
Effect of maternal baboon (Papio sp.) dietary mismatch in pregnancy and lactation on post-natal offspring early life phenotype.

BACKGROUND Non-human primate models of developmental programing by maternal mismatch between pregnancy and lactation diets are needed for translation to human programing outcomes. We present baboon offspring morphometry from birth to 3 years, and blood cortisol and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) from 2 to 24 months. METHODS Control mothers ate chow; mismatch mothers ate 30% less than controls during pregnancy and high-fat high-energy diet through lactation. RESULTS Mismatch mothers lost weight during pregnancy. At birth, there were trends toward lower weight in mismatch offspring of both sexes (P = 0.06). From 0-3 years, catch-up growth occurred. Mismatch offspring male and female body weight increased faster than controls (P < 0.001). Mismatch female offspring showed greater increase in BMI (P < 0.001) and abdominal circumference (P = 0.008) vs controls. ACTH and cortisol slopes from 2 to 24 months of age were similar between groups in both sexes. Cortisol and ACTH increased after weaning in all groups. CONCLUSIONS Mismatch produces sexually dimorphic post-natal growth phenotypes.
Spectroscopic studies on organometallic compounds—VI: Fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectra of σ-perfluoropropenyl-manganese pentacarbonyl and σ-perfluoropropenyl-π-cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl

Abstract The 19 F NMR spectra and the infrared spectra of two fluorocarbon-metal derivatives C 3 F 5 Mn(CO) 5 and C 3 F 5 Fe(CO) 2 C 5 H 5 are reported and discussed. Evidence is presented which indicates that the compounds are perfluoropropenyl metal derivatives.
Anti‐CD40 antibody 2C10 binds to a conformational epitope at the CD40‐CD154 interface that is conserved among primate species

The antagonistic anti-CD40 antibody, 2C10, and its recombinant primate derivative, 2C10R4, are potent immunosuppressive antibodies whose utility in allo- and xenotransplantation have been demonstrated in nonhuman primate studies. In this study, we defined the 2C10 binding epitope and found only slight differences in affinity of 2C10 for CD40 derived from four primate species. Staining of truncation mutants mapped the 2C10 binding epitope to the N-terminal portion of CD40. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of the first 60 residues in the CD40 ectodomain highlighted key amino acids important for binding of 2C10 and for binding of the noncross-blocking anti-CD40 antibodies 3A8 and 5D12. All four 2C10-binding residues defined by mutagenesis clustered near the membrane-distal tip of CD40 and partially overlap the CD154 binding surface. In contrast, the overlapping 3A8 and 5D12 epitopes map to an opposing surface away from the CD154 binding domain. This biochemical characterization of 2C10 confirms the validity of nonhuman primate studies in the translation of this therapeutic antibody and provides insight its mechanism of action.
Pure Endoscopic Supracerebellar Infratentorial Approach to the Pineal Region: A Case Series.

Background Surgical approaches to pineal lesions present a challenge because of limited visibility and maneuverability within the posterior fossa. The supracerebellar infratentorial (SCIT) technique has emerged as an approach to pineal lesions. We aim to demonstrate the efficacy of the endoscopic SCIT technique through a case series conducted at our institution and highlight the advantages of the endoscopic technique over the microscopic alternative. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the endoscopic SCIT approach. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of pure endoscopic SCIT cases conducted at our institution. Demographic information, preoperative and postoperative imaging, neurological status, surgical data, and complications were recorded. Results Six patients who underwent pure endoscopic SCIT surgery were identified for analysis. The average lesion volume was 14.12 ± 7.24 cm3. The median postoperative length of stay was 5.0 days. The average surgical duration was 3.54 ± 0.71 hours. All operations were performed in prone position with zero- and 30-degree endoscopes. Pathology included one each of the following lesions: Pineoctyoma, metastatic melanoma, atypical teratoma rhabdoid tumor, ependymoma, epidermoid, abscess. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 5/6 patients, and near-total resection was achieved in 1/6 patients. Surgical complications included one case of postoperative infection. Conclusion The purely endoscopic SCIT approach is a safe and effective approach for deep-seated pineal lesions. This approach allows for visibility and maneuverability around the lesion and facilitates high rates of GTR.
Model impact in resolving DCS CBF measurements from systemic variations in blood flow (Conference Presentation)

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) is an increasingly widespread non-invasive technology to measure tissue perfusion. Extending this technique into adult brain monitoring to assess real-time cerebral blood flow (CBF) requires addressing the influence of extracerebral contributions on DCS measurements. We compare several Monte Carlo based forward simulation models on the efficacy of CBF isolation, including ones generated directly from individual subject MRI scans. We conclude that a multi-layer curved surface representation is beneficial, and that the traditional single-layer homogenous model is insufficient; however, detailed structural information such as cortical folding represented in an individualized tissue-specific model may not be needed.
An aperture synthesis map of HCN emission close to W3 IRS 4

W3 has been observed in the J = 1-0 transition of HCN with the millimeter-wave interferometer at the Hat Creek Observatory with a resolution of 11.5 by 11.1 arcsec. The HCN emission is detected in an isolated cloud with a diameter of 40 arcsec. The cloud is located to the south of IRS 4 and the compact H II region C and coincides with the western far-IR cloud mapped at 400 microns by Jaffe (1983). The total mass of the cloud is estimated to be in the range 250-2500 solar masses. No HCN emission was detected around IRS 5, the location of the other 400 micron peak. Also, no evidence for a new (heretofore undetected at other wavelengths), young main-sequence star earlier than B0 was found in the new continuum map at 3 mm.
Leibniz on The Elimination of Infinitesimals

My aim in this paper is to consider Leibniz’s response to concerns raised about the foundations of his differential calculus, and specifically with his doctrine that infinitesimals are “fictions,” albeit fictions so well-founded that their use will never lead to error. I begin with a very brief sketch of the traditional conception of rigorous demonstration and the methodological disputes engendered by the advent of the Leibnizian calculus differentialis. I then examine Leibniz’s claim that infinitesimal magnitudes are fictions, and consider two strategies he employed in the attempt to show that such fictions are acceptable.
Abstract 1660: Reflectance confocal microscopy modeling of lentigo maligna

Early melanoma detection in sun-damaged skin can be a challenge. Clinically, some solar lentigines or flat seborrheic keratoses may be relatively indistinguishable from Lentigo Maligna. Reflectance Confocal Microscopy can now be used in the clinic to evaluate these lesions in vivo and increase biopsy accuracy. Spatial relationships of cells and architecture of associated skin structures play a critical role in appropriate diagnoses. As we move toward artificial intelligence using computer diagnostic platforms, it will be important to base algorithms on data with high diagnostic yield. We have undertaken efforts to create 3D reconstructions from sequential depths of confocal images of skin lesion in vivo in order to allow for more precise definition spatial relationships. These efforts have facilitated clearer evaluation of architectural changes at the dermal epidermal junction, location of cells around adnexal structures, and extent of melanocytic dendricity and diversity within the lesion. The use of color maps for efficient identification and accurate localization of cellular and architectural features of interest is another approach to advanced evaluation of confocal image data. We anticipate that these efforts will further improve accuracy for both human and computer diagnoses from reflectance confocal images. We appreciate generous support of the Theodora B Betz Foundation. Citation Format: Katharine L. Hanlon, James M. Grichnik. Reflectance confocal microscopy modeling of lentigo maligna [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1660.
Comparison of environmental inference approaches for ecometric analyses: Using hypsodonty to estimate precipitation.

Ecometrics is the study of community-level functional trait-environment relationships. We use ecometric analyses to estimate paleoenvironment and to investigate community-level functional changes through time.We evaluate four methods that have been used or have the potential to be used in ecometric analyses for estimating paleoenvironment to determine whether there have been systematic differences in paleoenvironmental estimation due to choice of the estimation method. Specifically, we evaluated linear regression, polynomial regression, nearest neighbor, and maximum-likelihood methods to explore the predictive ability of the relationship for a well-known ecometric dataset of mammalian herbivore hypsodonty metrics (molar tooth crown to root height ratio) and annual precipitation. Each method was applied to 43 Pleistocene fossil sites and compared to annual precipitation from global climate models. Sites were categorized as glacial or interglacial, and paleoprecipitation estimates were compared to the appropriate model.Estimation methods produce results that are highly correlated with log precipitation and estimates from the other methods (p < 0.001). Differences between estimated precipitation and observed precipitation are not significantly different across the four methods, but maximum likelihood produces the most accurate estimates of precipitation. When applied to paleontological sites, paleoprecipitation estimates align more closely with glacial global climate models than with interglacial models regardless of the age of the site.Each method has constraints that are important to consider when designing ecometric analyses to avoid misinterpretations when ecometric relationships are applied to the paleontological record. We show interglacial fauna estimates of paleoprecipitation more closely match glacial global climate models. This is likely because of the anthropogenic effects on community reassembly in the Holocene.
Implementing Sleep Apnea Screening Prior to Conscious Sedation Procedures in a Rural Hospital: A Quality Improvement Project.

Background Screening patients for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk factors is an effective method for helping reduce adverse outcomes in conscious sedation. Patients receiving conscious sedation for endoscopy were not being screened for OSA at a rural hospital. Objective The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a nurse education program to improve OSA screening of endoscopy patients, using an evidence-based screening tool, and to increase nurse OSA knowledge and patient education. Methods This study was conducted in the outpatient perioperative section of a small rural hospital in northern Michigan. Data were obtained from pre/post chart review and nurse knowledge assessment. Twenty-eight nurses participated in an educational session that included OSA education and instructions on using the STOP-Bang questionnaire for OSA screening. Results Nurse OSA knowledge increased from 75% preeducation program to 89% posteducation program. Use of the STOP-Bang Questionnaire for patients presenting for outpatient endoscopy procedures requiring conscious sedation and patient OSA education increased from 43.5% to 81.2% pre- to posteducation program. Conclusions This study's educational session was successful in promoting use of the STOP-Bang questionnaire among perioperative nurses and increasing education for patients screened positive for OSA. Implications for nursing Training nurses to use a brief OSA screening tool effectively improved the OSA screening of patients presenting for outpatient conscious sedation involving endoscopy.
Safety and incidence of complications associated with bronchoscopy in an obese population.

INTRODUCTION The safety of bronchoscopy in obese patients and those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is unclear. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence of complications during bronchoscopy under moderate sedation in obese patients and to assess the impact of OSA, body mass index (BMI), and duration of the procedure. METHODS We performed a retrospective study in adult patients undergoing bronchoscopy from January 2010 to August 2019. All patients with BMI > 30 kg/m2 were included. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with all-complications and respiratory complications. RESULTS A total of 345 obese patients were identified. The average BMI in our cohort was 35.3 ± 5.1 kg/m2 . During the pre-procedure risk assessment, 165 (47.8%) patients were labelled as "suspected OSA." The most common doses of sedation given during the bronchoscopies were fentanyl 50 mcg (34.5%) and midazolam 3 mg (33.6%). The incidence of major complications was 0.6% and minor complications were 41.2%. Minor respiratory (22.9%) and cardiac (26.4%) complications were common. No deaths occurred due to bronchoscopy. Factors that were associated with increased respiratory complications were female gender, suspected OSA, and bronchoscopy duration 20-30 minutes and bronchoscopy duration greater than 1 hour. CONCLUSION Bronchoscopy under moderate sedation performed in obese patients is safe; however, increased risk may exist with females, increased procedure time, and suspected OSA.
Polarimetric dynamic vision sensor p(DVS) neural network architecture for motion classification

The purpose of this study is to introduce efficient bio-inspired vision architectures, integrating human cognition capabilities, such as computation and memory emulating neurons and synapses, together with polarization of light properties, that would ultimately revolutionize and give rise to the next-generation highly efficient augmented intelligence vision systems. The system consists of a polarimetric dynamic vision sensor) and a spinning wheel, whose motion is externally modulated and controlled by means of a signal generator, varying its motion pattern and speed, respectively. A neural network has been designed to classify different object speeds and motion patterns. The neural network utilizes a limited number of events within a given time window, instead of full-frame images; as well as two classifiers, which practically take a single input and independently classify both its speed and motion pattern. As a result, both high computational efficiency and motion classification accuracy are achieved.
Digitaria ciliaris, Digitaria ischaemum, and Digitaria sanguinalis

Abstract Digitaria spp. were originally some of the first domesticated plants for human consumption; however, they were abandoned in favor of other species for human consumption. Digitaria spp. inhabit disturbed areas such as crop fields, lawns, roadways, and waste sites across the world. There are approximately 300 species belonging to the Digitaria genus; but the most common weedy species include Digitaria ciliaris, Digitaria ischaemum, and Digitaria sanguinalis. While the species exhibit differential phenotypes, the biology and management is nearly identical between the three species. Digitaria spp. can reduce crop yield and the esthetics of ornamentals and turf if not controlled. While herbicides are commonly used to control Digitaria spp., biological, cultural, and mechanical tactics can be utilized to effectively control plants inhabiting disturbed areas.
The User Specialty Languages System

An interactive system is introduced, designed for non-programmers in problem solving and decision making environments, by providing access to a data base for query, data analysis, and data entry in a natural-like language. The system is built on a relational view of data. It makes use of the conventions of natural language German for requesting and giving information and converts expressions into function calls for executing relational operations on the data base.
Chapter 4 Developmental and individual differences in short-term memory

Abstract George Miller's (1956) seminal formulation that there are “seven plus or minus two” slots in short-term memory (STM) left plenty of room for the possibility of individual differences. Nonetheless, STM researchers since then have focused primarily on similarities among individuals, not differences. Recently, however, studies of developmental and individual differences in STM have yielded practical applications and theoretical advances. We note that the differences between individuals stem from a combination of (a) passive, automatic factors and (b) factors that depend on active, strategic processing. This chapter focuses on some of our new research on developmental and individual differences in STM for acoustic and verbal stimuli, and its relation to the work of other investigators. Our recent findings illustrate the usefulness of developmental data for a general theory of STM, and suggest that important refinements of the traditional working memory model (Baddeley, 1986) are now in order. Directions for future research are considered also.
Spatial and seasonal variability of dissolved organic matter in the Cariaco Basin

[1] Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (DON), and phosphorus (DOP) were measured monthly at the CARIACO Time Series station (10°30′N, 64°40′W) in the southeastern Caribbean Sea between 2005 and 2012. Marked seasonal variability in DOC concentrations was observed, with lower values (~66 µM) in the upper water column ( 350 m, DOC concentrations were 56 ± 4.7 µM, roughly 10 µM higher than those in the Caribbean Sea over the same depth range. DON and DOP showed similar vertical profiles to that of DOC, with higher concentrations (6.8 ± 1.2 µM N and 0.15 ±0.09 µM P) in the upper water column and invariant, lower concentrations at depth (4.8 ± 1.6 µM N and 0.10 ± 0.08 µM P). Wind-driven advection of surface DOC out of the Cariaco Basin was estimated to support a net export ~15 Gmol C yr−1 into the Caribbean Sea; this rate is comparable to the flux of settling particulate organic carbon to depths >275 m within the basin.
Optimal rectangle packing: a meta-CSP approach

We present a new approach to optimal rectangle packing, an NP-complete problem that can be used to model many simple scheduling tasks. Recent attempts at incorporating artificial intelligence search techniques to the problem of rectangle packing have focused on a CSP formulation, in which partial assignments are defined to be the fixed placement of a subset of rectangles. Our technique takes a significant departure from this search space, as we instead view partial assignments as subsets of relative pairwise relationships between rectangles. This approach recalls the meta-CSP commonly constructed in constraint-based temporal reasoning, and is thus a candidate for several pruning techniques that have been developed in that field. We apply these to the domain of rectangle packing, and develop a suite of new techniques that exploit both the symmetry and geometry present in this particular domain. We then provide experimental results demonstrating that our approach performs competitively compared to the previous state-of-the-art on a series of benchmarks, matching or surpassing it in speed on nearly all instances. Finally, we conjecture that our technique is particularly appropriate for problems containing large rectangles, which are difficult for the fixed-placement formulation to handle efficiently.
Field in a complex cylindrical/coaxial cavity subject to time‐harmonic and transient excitation

[1] A coupled integral-equation method for calculating fields in complex cavities is developed and is applied to cavities comprising multiple cascaded and overlapping coaxial and circular-cylindrical regions or sections. The field in a section is related to the fields in apertures of planar conducting surfaces, which bound the section. Laboratory cavities are constructed, and their fields are computed from numerical solutions of the integral equations. The results are compared with data obtained through measurements in both the frequency and time domains. The accuracy of the method is also verified by comparison of measured and calculated values of the current and charge on cavity walls. The tools developed are used to investigate the salient features of a sine burst that passes through the complex cavity.
Initial Results from A 3 to 25 å Solar X-Ray Spectrometer/ Spectroheliograph Experiment

Abstract A solar X-ray spectrometer/spectroheliograph experiment, designated CRLS–229, was launched in the solar pointed section of the U. S. Air Force P78-1 satellite in February 1979. The two collimated Bragg spectrometers in this payload, known as the SOLEX instrument, obtain solar X-ray spectra in the 3 to 25a wavelength range. The spectrometers can also be used to produce monochromatic X-ray maps, either of the whole sun or of any 5×5 arc minute coronal region, using the rastering spacecraft pointing system. The spatial resolution of these maps is determined by the collimation of the two spectrometers (20 arc sec and 60 arc sec, FWHM). Initial results of coronal X-ray spectra and maps obtained with this instrument, with emphasis on solar flares, are presented.
Mechanism of Gene Expression in Tenebrio molitor JUVENILE HORMONE DETERMINATION OF TRANSLATIONAL CONTROL THROUGH TRANSFER RIBONUCLEIC ACID AND ENZYME

Abstract Experiments presented here suggest that control of gene expression mediated by juvenile hormone is at the translational level and involves the appearance of a new transfer RNA and its activating enzyme. The evidence is as follows. Topical application of juvenile hormone to 1st day pupae of Tenebrio molitor caused a second pupal molt after 7 days, instead of an adult molt. Ribosomes isolated from pupae on the 1st or 7th (last) day after the larval pupal molt contained messenger RNA for cuticular protein. tRNA and enzyme from hormone-treated animals caused a 10-fold decrease in the ratio of tyrosine to leucine incorporation on ribosomes from both hormone-treated and control animals. Co-chromatography of the tryptic digest of 14C-labeled product synthesized on ribosomes in the presence of tRNA from hormone-treated animals with 3H digest of product synthesized with tRNA from normal 7th day pupae showed different elution profiles for the two isotopes. On purified ribosomes neither chain initiation nor chain termination were observed. The translation of cuticular protein in vitro is affected by the relative amount of tRNA provided from either normal or hormone-treated animals.
K-swaps: cooperative negotiation for solving task-allocation problems

In this paper, we study distributed algorithms for cooperative agents that allow them to exchange their assigned tasks in order to reduce their team cost. We define a new type of contract, called K-swaps, that describes multiple task exchanges among multiple agents at a time, which generalizes the concept of single task exchanges. We design a distributed algorithm that constructs all possible K-swaps that reduce the team cost of a given task allocation and show that each agent typically only needs to communicate a small part of its local computation results to the other agents. We then demonstrate empirically that K-swaps can reduce the team costs of several existing task-allocation algorithms significantly even if K is small.
Empirical Analysis of Credit Ratings Inflation as a Game of Incomplete Information

This paper models competition among credit rating agencies as an auction. Equilibrium ratings give a distorted representation of agencies' true assessment of quality, because the agencies choose their ratings strategically. I quantify the distortion in ratings for individual commercial mortgage-backed securities, and find the extent of distortion to be an important predictor of the securities' ex post performance. I also find that the distortion magnitudes decreased after the recent financial crisis. Through counterfactual simulations, I determine the marginal impact of additional rating agencies on distortions, and I identify the impact of proposed disclosure requirements.
Charles E. Clark and Simple Pleading: Against a 'Formalism of Generality'

This paper explores Charles E. Clark's intent for the pleading standard under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. It argues that Clark rejected both notice pleading and rigidity, the two characteristics the predominated under the Federal Rules, at least before Bell Atlantic v. Twombly.
A post‐crutionary tale of the Helen of our wars

(1995). A post‐cautionary tale of the Helen of our wars. Wasafiri: Vol. 11, No. 22, pp. 69-78.
Rab4 facilitates cyclic adenosine monophosphate-stimulated bile acid uptake and Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide translocation.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) stimulates hepatic bile acid uptake by translocating sodium-taurocholate (TC) cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp) from an endosomal compartment to the plasma membrane. Rab4 is associated with early endosomes and involved in vesicular trafficking. This study was designed to determine the role of Rab4 in cAMP-induced TC uptake and Ntcp translocation. HuH-Ntcp cells transiently transfected with empty vector, guanosine triphosphate (GTP) locked dominant active Rab4 (Rab4(GTP)), or guanosine diphosphate (GDP) locked dominant inactive Rab4 (Rab4(GDP)) were used to study the role of Rab4. Neither Rab4(GTP) nor Rab4(GDP) affected either basal TC uptake or plasma membrane Ntcp level. However, cAMP-induced increases in TC uptake and Ntcp translocation were enhanced by Rab4(GTP) and inhibited by Rab4(GDP). In addition, cAMP increased GTP binding to endogenous Rab4 in a time-dependent, but phosphoinositide-3-kinase–independent manner. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that cAMP-mediated phosphoinositide-3-kinase–independent activation of Rab4 facilitates Ntcp translocation in HuH-Ntcp cells. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Influence of Dry Period Diet on Early Postpartum Health, Feed Intake, Milk Production, and Reproductive Efficiency of Holstein Cows

Abstract Cows were fed one of three rations, containing only alfalfa-grass hay or complete diets of alfalfa and corn silages with 47% or 12% of the dry matter from grain for 30 days prepartum, followed by a single complete ration postpartum. Dry matter consumption, milk production, reproductive efficiency, and incidence of displaced abomasum, retained placenta, mastitis, milk fever, ketosis, metritis, and mammary edema were evaluated. Dry period diets ranging from all hay to a complete ration of 47% grain and 53% ensiled forage had little effect on feed consumption, milk production, and most health traits. Udder edema and California Mastitis Test scores were higher for cows fed a dry period diet of ensiled materials.
Three Favorite Results

Being honored as the ACM Athena Lecturer has inspired me to reflect upon the research I've conducted over my career to date. Conventional wisdom says good things come in threes, so I've picked three of my favorite results to cover during the talk. For each one I'll explain the context and motivation, the result itself, and why it ranks as one of my favorites. The three results span foundations, implementation, and user-interface, and they represent three of my favorite research areas: semistructured data, data streams, and uncertain data.
The transport of oyster larvae in an estuary

Vertical and horizontal distributions of 3 larval stages of the oyster Crassostrea virginica were measured concurrently with phytoplankton species compositions, phytoplankton size distributions and physical hydrographic parameters in tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay (USA) during the oyster spawning seasons of 1980 and 1981. The superposition of the biological distributions upon the physical hydrographic data provide instantaneous distributions of the entire system which are consistent with the upstream transport of oyster larvae. Oyster larvae distributions in the Choptank River and its Broad Creek and Tred Avon River tributaries can be described in terms of three contiguous regions: (1) a common spawning region, (2) an intermediate, upstream transport region and (3) a seed bed region where major spat set occurs. The phytoplankton species compositions and abundances in the size fraction less than 10 μm in the tributary system during the transport were sufficient to supply optimum growth requirements of developing larvae. The transport proposed can explain the 30 yr record of consistently higher spat set success in one tributary, Broad Creek, relative to an adjoining tributary, the Tred Avon River. This may be a general mechanism whereby oysters maintain reproductive success and emigrate to seed bed regions in the Chesapeake Bay.
The Effect of Aging and Surface Modification on the Mechanical Properties of Dense Aluminum Oxide

The effect of in vivo aging and surface texturing on the mechanical properties of dense aluminum oxide were studied. The modulus of rupture and Weibull modulus were determined in air and Ringer's solution using a 3-point bend test. The results showed that the in vivo environment sealed off microcracks either chemically or by tissue ingrowth which strengthened the alumina. The surface modification, however, tended to create more microcracks and stress concentrations at the surface indentations which tended to weaken the alumina.
Low-Mass PECVD Oxynitride Gas Chromatographic Columns

This paper describes the realization of low-power micro gas chromatography columns for portable gas analysis systems. The columns are fabricated using complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible buried-channel plasma- enhanced chemical vapor deposition oxynitride films that have nearly zero stress at room temperature, high deposition rate (~1 mum/min), high etch rate selectivity (~1:80), low thermal conductivity (< 5 W/mdegC), and low thermal stress (< 140 kPa/degC). The buried channel process utilizes these films to form 25-cm-long 65-mum-ID semicircular columns on a 6-mm-square chip. With more than 5000 theoretical plates, these columns separate multicomponent gas mixtures with performance comparable to that of commercial fused silica capillary columns. The columns are capable of multisecond analyses when integrated with low-dead-volume injectors and dissipate less than 10 mW at 150degC in vacuum.
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION BY NEONATAL APOLIPOPROTEIN E

Recent reports have suggested that in adults certain lipoproteins, particularly those carrying apolipoprotein (apo) E and apo B, play a role in suppression of the immune system. We have investigated the ability of lipoproteins from umbilical cord blood (CB) to suppress immune response. CB lipoprotein concentrations are lower than those of adult, i.e., the low density lipoprotein (LDL) level in CB is 30% that of adult while the high density lipoprotein (HDL) level is 50% of adult. Apo E concentration in CB is 2-fold higher than adult (5.8±2.5 mg/dl vs. 3.1±0.9 mg/dl). The ability of LDL and HDL to inhibit mitogen-stimulated 3H-thymidine uptake in adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMC) was used as an in vitro test system to study immunosuppression. Relative to adult lipoproteins, CB LDL and HDL were 2 to 4 times more potent in inhibiting PMC proliferation. Radioimmunoassay showed a strong correlation between amount of apo E in CB LDL and HDL and PMC inhibition. Selective removal of apo E-containing lipoproteins decreased significantly the inhibitory effect in CB LDL and eliminated almost completely inhibition by HDL. Results indicate that CB lipoproteins containing apo E in association with apo B and AI are capable of suppressing the immune response. Since the fetus is an allograft to its mother, the relatively high apo E levels may have a functional significance in the establishment of self and maintenance of the fetus in utero.