cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resource Allocation for Multicarrier D2D Video Transmission Based on Exact Symbol Error Rate

We consider centralized cross-layer resource allocation for a device-to-device (D2D) video transmission system, given knowledge of the channel state information and the rate distortion information of the video streams, and propose an iterative algorithm for subcarrier assignment and power allocation. In the resource allocation, the performance improvement by applying the exact symbol error rate (SER) is compared with the conventional signal-to-interference-plus- noise-ratio (SINR) based SER evaluation method that uses a Gaussian approximation (GA) for the aggregated interference. An exact SER expression for a D2D system using multicarrier bandlimited QAM is derived and then used in the resource allocation algorithm. Bit-level simulations for different numbers of D2D pairs demonstrate a considerable improvement on user capacity and video peak signal-to-noise ratio by incorporating the proposed SER expression compared to the GA.
The Effects of Service-Delivery Model and Purchase Price on Hearing-Aid Outcomes in Older Adults: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine efficacy of hearing aids in older adults using audiology best practices, to evaluate the efficacy of an alternative over-the-counter (OTC) ...
Cross-sectional study of social behaviors in preschool children and exposure to flame retardants.

Children are exposed to flame retardants from the built environment. Brominated diphenyl ethers (BDE) and organophosphate-based flame retardants (OPFRs) are associated with poorer neurocognitive functioning in children. Less is known, however, about the association between these classes of compounds and children’s emotional and social behaviors. The objective of this study was to determine if flame retardant exposure was associated with measurable differences in social behaviors among children ages 3–5 years. We examined teacher-rated social behaviors measured using the Social Skills Improvement Rating Scale (SSIS) and personal exposure to flame retardants in children aged 3–5 years who attended preschool (n = 72). Silicone passive samplers worn for 7 days were used to assess personal exposure to 41 compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer. These concentrations were then summed into total BDE and total OPFR exposure prior to natural log transformation. Separate generalized additive models were used to evaluate the relationship between seven subscales of the SSIS and lnΣBDE or lnΣOPFR adjusting for other age, sex, adverse social experiences, and family context. All children were exposed to a mixture of flame retardant compounds. We observed a dose dependent relationship between lnΣOPFR and two subscales where children with higher exposures were rated by their preschool teachers as having less responsible behavior (p = 0.07) and more externalizing behavior problems (p = 0.03). Additionally, children with higher lnΣBDE exposure were rated by teachers as less assertive (p = 0.007). We observed a cross-sectional association between children’s exposure to flame retardant compounds and teacher-rated social behaviors among preschool-aged children. Children with higher flame retardant exposures exhibited poorer social skills in three domains that play an important role in a child’s ability to succeed academically and socially.
Interim analysis of a prospective randomized trial of dietary carbohydrate restriction for men with a rising PSA after failed primary treatment: Carbohydrate and Prostate Study 2 (CAPS2).

382Background: Nearly one third of men treated with curative intent for localized prostate cancer (PC) will develop a rising PSA. The rate of PSA rise (PSA doubling time aka PSASDT) is a predictor ...
Association between Depressive Symptoms, Perceived Partner Emotional Expression, and Marital Quality

Previous studies have explored the direct association between mental health and marital quality; however, the processes moderating that association are not yet well understood. The present study ex...
Managed forests provide roosting opportunities for Indiana bats in south-central Indiana

Abstract There is an intense interest in the effects of timber harvest on forest-dwelling bats due to the potential for timber harvest to reduce available habitat. Knowledge of these effects would be especially significant for the conservation of threatened and endangered bat species, many of which are forest obligates. We conducted a study to determine how endangered Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) select summer roosts within a managed midwestern forest. In the summers of 2012–2015, we tracked 4 male and 11 female Indiana bats to 49 roosts (nmale = 24, nfemale = 25) in south-central Indiana, USA. We collected roost-, plot-, and stand-scale data on roosts and associated available trees, randomly located throughout the same landscape. We generated 10 matched pairs conditional logistic regression models based on a priori hypotheses on roost selection and ranked them using Akaike’s Information Criteria. Plausible models explaining female roost selection included those describing typical Indiana bat maternity roosts (tall and solar-exposed roosts) and typical tree-cavity bat roosts (tall, solar-exposed roosts close to water and surrounded by snags). Females selected roosts under exfoliating bark on large (averaging 17 ± 2 m in height and 34.8 ± 3.0 cm in diameter) standing dead trees (snags; 72% of roosts) and in bat boxes (20% of roosts) with high solar exposure (28.0 ± 6.0% canopy closure above roosts). For males, the model describing predator avoidance (tall roosts with many available snags and live trees) was the most plausible explanation of roost selection. Males selected for roosts under exfoliating bark on tall trees (23 ± 2 m; 71% snags, 25% live trees) surrounded by snags (4.5 ± 0.7 snags/0.1 ha plot) and live trees (30.4 ± 2.7 live trees/0.1 ha plot). Roost selection models including distance to timber harvest openings were not plausible. However, females roosted in or ≤10 m from harvest openings and first-stage shelterwood cuts more than expected (15 of 25 roosts) based on their availability on the landscape. Males roosted in harvest openings as expected (3 of 24 roosts). Our results demonstrate that a managed midwestern forest provides an array of roosts for Indiana bats and that Indiana bats do not actively avoid roosting near harvest openings in this forest. This suggests that Indiana bats may be able to subsist in managed forests in south-central Indiana, provided adequate maternity roost habitat (i.e., large standing dead trees with high solar exposures) is available.
The Inverse Acoustical Scattering Problem for Layered Media in the Presence of Broad-Band Acoustic Noise and with Limited Transducer Bandwidth

The inverse problem in acoustics (or acoustical imaging) is based on the theory of acoustic wave propagation, absorption, and scattering. The techniques for processing and display of the medium parameters, based on scattered acoustic energy may be divided into 2 general categories: (1) techniques based upon transmitted, or forward scattered ultrasound energy; (2) techniques based upon reflected, or backscattered, ultrasound energy. The reconstruction techniques, discussed in this paper, are based on backscattered acoustic energy.
Lessons from poliovirus control: strategies for eradication

Resolutions of the questions of how and where eradication of poliomyelitis can bc achieved will continue to be major objectivcs in the next few years. The World Health Organization Expanded Programme on Immunization was initiated with the aim of reducing morbidity and mortality rates from seven target diseases, including poliomyelitis, by providing immunization against them forcvery child in the world. The program depends heavily upon technical Cooperation with and among developing countries, particularly those in tropical regions. Results are already being seen: increasing numbers of countries now participate in the EPI program or are otherwise enhancing their polio vaccination efforts. Better and more complete surveillance programs have been implemented to detect and assess cases that occur, as global efforts increase to control polio.
An Efficient Constructive Heuristic to Balance Trade-Offs Between Makespan and Flowtime in Permutation Flow Shop Scheduling

Abstract Balancing trade-offs between production cost and holding cost is critical for production and operations management. Utilization of a production line affects production cost, which relates to makespan, and work-in-process (WIP) inventories in a production line affect holding cost, which relate to flowtime. There are trade-offs between two objectives, to minimize makespan and to minimize flowtime. Without addressing trade-off balancing issues in flow shop scheduling, WIP inventories are still high in manufacturing, generating unnecessary holding cost. However, utilization is coupled with WIP inventories. Low WIP inventory levels might lower utilization and generate high production cost. Most existing constructive heuristics focus only on single-objective optimization. In the current literature, the NEH heuristic proposed by Nawaz, Enscore, and Ham (1983) is the best constructive heuristic to minimize makespan, and the LR heuristic proposed by Liu and Reeves (2001) is the best to minimize flowtime. In this paper, we propose a current and future deviation (CFD) heuristic to balance trade-offs between makespan and flowtime minimizations. Based on 5400 randomly generated instances, 120 instances in Taillard’s benchmarks, and one-year historical records of operating room scheduling from University of Kentucky HealthCare (UKHC), our CFD heuristic outperforms the NEH and LR heuristics on trade-off balancing, and achieves the most stable performances from the perspective of statistical process control (SPC).
Development of 3D printed mesofluidic devices to elute and concentrate DNA

To understand structural variation for personal genomics, an extensive ensemble of large DNA molecules will be required to span large structural variations. Nanocoding, a whole-genome analysis platform, can analyze large DNA molecules for the construction of physical restriction maps of entire genomes. However, handling of large DNA is difficult and a system is needed to concentrate large DNA molecules, while keeping the molecules intact. Insert technology was developed to protect large DNA molecules during routine cell lysis and molecular biology techniques. However, eluting and concentrating DNA molecules has been difficult in the past. Utilizing 3D printed mesofluidic device, a proof of principle system was developed to elute and concentrate lambda DNA molecules at the interface between a solution and a poly-acrylamide roadblock. The matrix allowed buffer solution to move through the pores in the matrix; however, it slowed down the progression of DNA in the matrix, since the molecules were so large and the pore size was small. Using fluorescence intensity of the insert, 84% of DNA was eluted from the insert and 45% of DNA was recovered in solution from the eluted DNA. DNA recovered was digested with a restriction enzyme to determine that the DNA molecules remained full length during the elution and concentration of DNA.
Lnc-ing microRNA activity to atheroprotection

Cholesterol accumulation in cells and blood vessels promotes the development of vascular diseases. The long non-coding RNA CHROME can help clear excess cholesterol and provide protection from atherosclerosis.
A simple numerical approach for reconstructing the atomic stresses at grain boundaries from quantum-mechanical calculations

The atomistic stress state at a metal grain boundary is an intrinsic attribute which affects many physical and mechanical properties of the metal. While the virial stress is an accepted measure of the atomistic stress in molecular dynamics simulations, an equivalent definition is not well-established for quantum-mechanical density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Here, we introduce a numerical technique, termed the sequential atom removal (SAR) approach, to reconstruct the atomic stresses near a symmetrical-tilt Σ5(310)[001] Cu grain boundary. In the SAR approach, individual atoms near the boundary are sequentially removed to compute the pair (reaction) force between atoms, while correcting for changes to the local electron density caused by atom removal. We show that this SAR approach accurately reproduces the spatially-varying virial stresses at a grain boundary governed by an embedded atom method potential. The SAR approach is subsequently used to extract the atomistic stresses of the grain boundary from DFT calculations, from which we reconstruct a continuum-equivalent grain boundary traction distribution as a quantitative descriptor of the grain boundary atomic structure.
Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in Oak Forests of Two Northeastern States: A Comparison of Trapping Methods and Monitoring for Phoretic Fungi

Oak wilt is slowly expanding in the northeastern United States. Several nitidulid beetle species are known vectors of the fungus [Bretziella fagacearum (Bretz) Z. W. De Beer, Marinc., T. A. Duong, and M. J. Wingf (Microascales: Ceratocystidaceae)] that causes this disease, acquiring spores from fungal mats on infected trees and transmitting them to uninfected trees. Survey and fungal isolation from captured nitidulid beetles could be an important tool for detecting the presence of this disease in a geographic area not previously known to have oak wilt. In preparation for monitoring activities in such areas, two trapping studies were conducted in the northeastern United States: 1) trap test comparing the efficacy of wind-oriented pipe, multiple-funnel, and modified pitfall traps for nitidulids and 2) wet and dry collection cup comparison. Lures were a combination of nitidulid pheromones and fermenting liquid. Results support the use of multiple-funnel traps over the other two trap types, for both targeted species-specific surveys and community sampling. More total nitidulids, Colopterus truncatus (Randall), and Glischrochilus fasciatus (Olivier) were captured in wet collection cups compared with dry cups. Twenty-seven fungal species were isolated, none of which were B. fagacearum. Many fungi isolated from beetles were plant pathogens, indicating that in addition to the oak wilt fungus, sap beetles may contribute to the spread of other plant diseases.
Love in the Time of War: Identifying Neighborhood-level Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence from a Longitudinal Study in Refugee-hosting Communities:

A high prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been documented among women living in conflict-affected and refugee-hosting areas, but why this occurs is not well understood. Conflict and displacement deteriorate communities' social cohesion and community connectedness; these neighborhood social environments may influence individual IPV outcomes. We explored neighborhood-level social disorganization and cohesion as predictors of recent IPV in refugee-hosting communities in northern Ecuador by conducting multi-level logistic regression on a longitudinal sample of 1,312 women. Neighborhood social disorganization was marginally positively associated with emotional IPV (AOR: 1.17, 95% CI: .99, 1.38) and physical and/or sexual IPV (AOR: 1.20, 95% CI: .96, 1.51). This was partially mediated by neighborhood-level civic engagement in the case of emotional IPV. At the household level, perceived discrimination and experience of psychosocial stressors were risk factors for both types of IPV, whereas social support was protective. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to examine how neighborhood social factors influence IPV outcomes in refugee-hosting communities or in South America. As the world grapples with the largest number of displaced people in history, this research can inform prevention and response programming and reinforces the critical importance of promoting acceptance of refugees and immigrants and positively engaging all community members in civic life in refugee-hosting settings.
Auditory deficits in infants at risk for dyslexia during a linguistic sensitive period predict future language

Abstract Developmental dyslexia, a specific difficulty in learning to read and spell, has a strong hereditary component, which makes it possible to examine infants for early predictors of the condition even prior to the emergence of detectable symptoms. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG), we found smaller and shorter neural responses to simple sounds in infants at risk for dyslexia at 6 as compared to 12 months of age, a pattern that was reversed in age-matched controls. The findings indicate atypical auditory processing in at-risk infants across the sensitive period for native-language phoneme learning. This pattern was robust and localized to the same cortical areas regardless of the modeling parameters/algorithms used to estimate the current distribution underlying the measured activity. Its localization to left temporal and left frontal brain regions indicates a potential impact of atypical auditory processing on early language learning and later language skills because language functions are typically lateralized to the left hemisphere. This interpretation is supported by our further finding that atypical auditory responses in at-risk infants consistently predicted syntactic processing between 18 and 30 months and word production at 18 and 21 months of age. These results suggest a possible early marker of risk for dyslexia in at-risk infants.
Factors Affecting Ophthalmology Resident Choice to Pursue Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship Training.

Background The number of ophthalmology-trained residents applying to neuro-ophthalmology fellowships has not increased despite a trend toward seeking fellowship training after residency. This study sought to identify factors affecting the choice to pursue or not pursue neuro-ophthalmology fellowship training by graduating ophthalmology residents and recently graduated neuro-ophthalmology fellows. Methods An anonymous survey was sent to Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology residency directors to distribute to post-graduate Year 4 (PGY4) ophthalmology residents graduating in either 2018 or 2019. A second anonymous survey was distributed via the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Young Neuro-Ophthalmologists listserv to ophthalmology-trained neuro-ophthalmology fellows. A total of 147 respondents, including 96 PGY4 ophthalmology residents not going into neuro-ophthalmology and 51 practicing neuro-ophthalmologists are included. Results The most common reasons for residents to choose to not pursue further training in neuro-ophthalmology included a stronger interest in other fields, types of patients seen, no intraocular surgery, and the assumption that it is a nonsurgical discipline. The leading factors influencing graduated, ophthalmology-trained fellows to choose neuro-ophthalmology included interest in the clinical diseases treated, interaction with other specialty fields, and a supportive NANOS culture. Interestingly, despite perceptions of graduating residents, two-thirds of the neuro-ophthalmologists surveyed perform surgery. There were no differences between the 2 groups with respect to the degree of exposure to neuro-ophthalmology in medical school, presence of a dedicated neuro-ophthalmology rotation in residency, or timing of the rotation. Conclusions There are a variety of factors influencing decisions regarding pursuing neuro-ophthalmology fellowship among ophthalmology residents. The perceived lack of surgical opportunities in neuro-ophthalmology is a deterrent for many. However, a significant number of neuro-ophthalmologists continue to perform surgery, including intraocular surgery. Repeated exposure later in residency may provide an opportunity to reconsider the field and to re-emphasize opportunities to remain surgically involved as a neuro-ophthalmologist. Exposure to the practice patterns of recently graduated neuro-ophthalmologists offers residents in training excellent exposure to the contemporary practice of neuro-ophthalmology. Hence, ensuring trainees receive a balanced exposure to practicing neuro-ophthalmologists across the spectrum of seniority and scope of practice may promote greater interest among ophthalmology residents to pursue a career in neuro-ophthalmology.
Baseline delayed verbal recall predicts response to high definition transcranial direct current stimulation targeting the superior medial frontal cortex.

Abstract Anodal high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) targeting the pre-supplementary motor area/dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (pre-SMA/dACC) has recently been shown to improve verbal retrieval deficits in veterans with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Motes et al., 2020), but predictors of treatment response are unclear. We hypothesized that baseline delayed verbal recall, a sensitive measure for post-TBI chronic cognitive decline, would predict therapeutic effects of HD-tDCS targeting the pre-SMA/dACC for verbal retrieval deficits. Standardized verbal retrieval measures were administered at baseline, immediately after and 8 weeks after treatment completion. We applied mixed generalized linear modeling as a post-hoc subgroup analysis to the verbal retrieval scores that showed significant improvement in Motes at el. (2020) to examine effects of active stimulation across the groups with baseline-intact delayed recall (N = 10) and baseline-impaired delayed recall (N = 8), compared to sham (N = 7). Individuals with impaired baseline delayed recall showed significant improvement (compared to baseline) in both category fluency and color-word inhibition/switch, while individuals with intact delayed recall showed significant improvement only in color-word inhibition/switch. Baseline delayed verbal recall may therefore be considered as a predictor for future electromodulation studies targeting frontal structures to treat TBI-related verbal deficits.
25 Getting rid of stupid stuff: addressing system inefficiency through end user feedback

Background Studies show that system inefficiency and processes that take away from the joy of medicine contribute to burnout. Using the Hawaii Pacific Health model, a program was established to allow for end user feedback concerning processes that contribute to workload. Objectives Identify system processes and policies that increase work burden, produce redundancies, affect patient-safety, reduce satisfaction, or could be performed more efficiently by eliciting end user feedback. Provide evaluation of identified processes to then produce meaningful system change reducing workload where possible. Methods Submissions were received by email or by entry using the Service Now platform from end users. Initial scope was for providers only with expansion to clinical administrators after 6 months. Requests were categorized by project team and variables assigned based on patient safety, provider burnout, similar prior requests, and whether the request could be completed quickly. Evaluation of each request was then directed by the project team with involvement from subject matter experts and other resources when necessary. Upon completion, project assessment remains necessary, resulted in education, removal, or change was completed by the project team. Evaluation of project was performed at 2 years post release. Results During the initial 2-year project, 563 total requests were received with a closure rate of 97.9%. Closed requests resulted in process change (25.9%), removal (0.6%), deemed necessary (40.7%), education (32.78%), and lack of response (2%). Requests were categorized as relating to the EHR (70.9%), pharmacy (2.3%), documentation (4.9%), compliance, (1.8%), workflows (6%), billing or coding (2%), forms (1.3%) and other (11.3%). Conclusions Programs to identify and evaluate processes that reduce the joy of healthcare can result in significant opportunities for change (58% of requests in this project) via process change or elimination and education of team members on existing processes that are efficient.
Hope and advance care planning in advanced cancer: Is there a relationship?

Background Clinicians often cite a fear of giving up hope as a reason they defer advance care planning (ACP) among patients with advanced cancer. The objective of this study was to determine whether engagement in ACP affects hope in these patients. Methods This was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of primary palliative care in advanced cancer. Patients who had not completed ACP at baseline were included in the analysis. ACP was assessed in the forms of an end-of-life (EOL) conversation with one's oncologist and completion of a living will or advance directive (AD). Measurements were obtained at baseline and at 3 months. Hope was measured using the Herth Hope Index (HHI) (range, 12-48; higher scores indicate higher hope). Multivariate regression was performed to assess associations between ACP and hope, controlling for baseline HHI score, study randomization, patient age, religious importance, education, marital status, socioeconomic status, time since cancer diagnosis, pain/symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System), and anxiety/depression score (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale)-all variables known to be associated with ACP and/or hope. Results In total, 672 patients with advanced cancer were enrolled in the overall study. The mean age was 69 ± 10 years, and the most common cancer types were lung cancer (36%), gastrointestinal cancer (20%) and breast/gynecologic cancers (16%). In this group, 378 patients (56%) had not had an EOL conversation at baseline, of whom 111 of 378 (29%) reported having an EOL conversation by 3 months. Hope was not different between patients who did or did not have an EOL conversation over the study period (mean ± standard deviation ∆HHI, 0.20 ± 5.32 vs -0.53 ± 3.80, respectively; P = .136). After multivariable adjustment, hope was significantly increased in patients who had engaged in an EOL conversation (adjusted mean difference in ∆HHI, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.08-1.82; P = .032). Similarly, of 216 patients (32%) without an AD at baseline, 67 (31%) had subsequently completed an AD. Unadjusted hope was not different between those who did and did not complete an AD (∆HHI, 0.20 ± 3.89 vs -0.91 ± 4.50, respectively; P = .085). After adjustment, hope was significantly higher in those who completed an AD (adjusted mean difference in ∆HHI, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.13-2.49; P = .030). Conclusions The current results demonstrate that hope is not decreased after engagement in ACP and indeed may be increased. These findings may provide reassurance to clinicians who are apprehensive about having these important and difficult conversations. Lay summary Many oncologists defer advance care planning (ACP) out of concern for giving up hope. This study demonstrates that hope is not decreased in patients who have engaged in ACP either as a conversation with their oncologists or by completing an advance directive. With this information, providers may feel more comfortable having these important conversations with their patients.
Taxonomy and phylogenetics of the Synalpheus paraneptunus-species-complex (Decapoda: Alpheidae), with a description of two new species

The species-complex of Synalpheus paraneptunusCoutiere, 1909 is one of the most behaviorally and sexually diverse groups of sponge-dwelling shrimp in Synalpheus, containing both eusocial and pair-living species. Accurate resolution of this taxonomically challenging group is crucial to examining the evolution of social behavior in the genus. New collections from the US Florida Keys and Cuba, along with examination of previous collections from Jamaica, Panama and Belize, have yielded two new species: the eusocial Synalpheus cayoneptunusn. sp. (described from type material from the Florida Keys), and Synalpheus ankerin. sp. (described from type material from Belize). Synalpheus duffyiAnker and Toth, 2008 is reported from new locations in Cuba and the Florida Keys. A phylogenetic analysis of six of the nine species in the S. paraneptunus-species-complex indicates that eusociality likely arose only once in this complex but was secondarily lost in the pair-living species S. ankeri. A key to the nine known species in the complex is presented based on morphological characters.
Social choice trade-off results for conditions on triples of alternatives

Abstract We quantify the trade-off between the scope of dictatorial power and (1) the extent to which social orderings are transitive and (2) the extent to which the domain has the free triple property.
Homogeneous CO Hydrogenation

Methanation (Chap. 7), methanol formation (Chap. 8), and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (Chap. 9) are essentially domains of heterogeneous catalysis, although methanol is also produced, together with methyl formate and/or ethylene glycol with the homogeneous HCo(CO)4 system at high pressure, as described in Sect. 8.1.
Preceramic Polysilazanes for Structural Applications

Chemical methods of producing structural ceramics are currently of considerable interest because traditional, power-based processing techniques appear incapable of yielding components that can satisfy advanced performance requirements in a cost efficient manner. Because of its strength-to weight ratio, oxidation resistance, and other properties, silicon nitride (Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}) is a particularly attractive material for high temperature applications, such as in the hot zone of jet or internal combustion engines. Despite its high potential to improve the performance of power systems, the combination of brittle fracture behavior and manufacturing difficulties have hindered the utilization of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}, components by design engineers. One approach to alleviating brittle fracture behavior is through the incorporation of high strength fibers nor the production of complex shapes. The authors have developed a series of low viscosity, thermosetting polysilazanes which are suitable for the production of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} composites through infiltration/pyrolysis techniques. The fabrication technique and composite properties will be discussed along with the analysis of the polymer-to-ceramic conversion process and the nature of the polysilazane-derived ceramic.
PSYCHOLOGIC ASPECTS IN PRACTICE

For Some Time at the Children9s Hospital of Philadelphia we have been concerned about the changing nature of pediatric practice. It seems apparent that the shifting morbidity and mortality patterns of childhood increasingly demand that the pediatrician assume an expanded responsibility in the psychosocial aspects of care. With this in mind we have focused our attention on the training needed to develop in the pediatrician the requisite skills to meet the demands of this expanded responsibility. Many factors have contributed to changing needs of children seen in office practice. Increased knowledge of nutrition, electrolytes, immunizations and the antibiotics have influenced the entire spectrum of child hood illness. The population growth has brought increasing numbers of children to the pediatrician, and mobility of young families has led to isolation of parents from the support in child rearing formerly offered by close contact with their own families. Increasingly they turn to their physician for this support. With the declining incidence of acute infectious disease, many children who would have died of congenital defects and metabolic disorders are now surviving. These cases are usually marked by high degrees of family disturbance and breakdown. In addition, there has been a rising incidence of serious developmental disorders in very young children and an increasing parental concern about the supervision of emotional growth and development. These and other factors have been well discussed by Richmond in a recent article in Pediatrics.1 Thus, the problems presenting themselves today both in office and in hospital practice, while they may be organic in symptomatology, are complicated by severe emotional components in increasing numbers.
Designing a Web of Highly-Configurable Intrusion Detection Sensors

Intrusion detection relies on the information provided by a number of sensors deployed throughout the monitored network infrastructure. Sensors provide information at different abstraction levels and with different semantics. In addition, sensors range from lightweight probes and simple log parsers to complex software artifacts that perform sophisticated analysis. Managing a configuration of heterogeneous sensors can be a very time-consuming task. Management tasks include planning, deployment, initial configuration, and run-time modifications. This paper describes a new approach that leverages off the STAT model to support a highly configurable sensing infrastructure. The approach relies on a common sensor model, an explicit representation of sensor component characteristics and dependencies, and a shared communication and control infrastructure. The model allows an Intrusion Detection Administrator to express high-level configuration requirements that are mapped automatically to a detailed deployment and/or reconfiguration plan. This approach supports automation of the administrator tasks and better assurance of the effectiveness and consistency of the deployed sensing infrastructure.
Manifold of facial expression

We propose the concept of manifold of facial expression based on the observation that images of a subject's facial expressions define a smooth manifold in the high dimensional image space. Such a manifold representation can provide a unified framework for facial expression analysis. We first apply active wavelet networks (AWN) on the image sequences for facial feature localization. To learn the structure of the manifold in the feature space derived by AWN, we investigated two types of embeddings from a high dimensional space to a low dimensional space: locally linear embedding (LLE) and Lipschitz embedding. Our experiments show that LLE is suitable for visualizing expression manifolds. After applying Lipschitz embedding, the expression manifold can be approximately considered as a super-spherical surface in the embedding space. For manifolds derived from different subjects, we propose a nonlinear alignment algorithm that keeps the semantic similarity of facial expression from different subjects on one generalized manifold. We also show that nonlinear alignment outperforms linear alignment in expression classification.
Insurance premium allocation and loss prevention in a large firm. A principal agent analysis

Abstract Faced with increased insurance costs, large firms are turning to a more systematic allocation of premium costs to ‘subsidiaries’ — an approach which capitalizes on economies of scale in a corporate-wide management of aggregated risks (risk pooled across divisions as well as subsidiaries). Such practice however, raises a number of problems: (i) What part of the aggregate risk should the firm self-insure, (ii) How should premium costs be allocated between subsidiaries, (iii) How much effort should subsidiaries invest in loss prevention programs and how should they manage claims (i.e. co-insure themselves), (iv) How can the parent firm induce managers of subsidiaries to control subsidiaries' risk, thereby reducing future premium payments and moral hazard. Or what premium incentive scheme can the firm devise to penalize (or compensate) subsidiaries investing less than an optimal effort in loss prevention. To deal with these problems, a conceptual framework, based on a principal-agents analysis and the definition of a liability account for each subsidiary is developed which is used to reduce the problems of moral hazard due to a less than perfect (or indirect) monitoring system. Specifically assumption regarding the premium allocation incentive scheme are made and explicit solutions are obtained for the control of subsidiaries loss prevention effort allocation.
A photoionization study of trifluoromethanol, CF3OH, trifluoromethyl hypofluorite, CF3OF, and trifluoromethyl hypochlorite, CF3OCl

CF3OH, an important and controversial by-product of atmospheric decomposition of CF3CFH2 (HFC-134a) and other hydrofluorocarbons, has been examined by photoionization mass spectrometry. The ionization onset is characterized by a broad Franck–Condon distribution, arising primarily from a substantial elongation of the C–O bond upon ionization. An upper limit to the adiabatic ionization potential (IP) of ⩽13.08±0.05 eV has been established. The appearance potentials (APs) of the first two fragments have been accurately determined by fitting with appropriate model functions as AP0(CF2OH+/CF3OH)⩽13.830±0.005 eV and AP0(CF3+/CF3OH)⩽13.996±0.005 eV. While the exact nature of the lowest-energy fragment (nominally CF2OH+) is not clear, the CF3+ fragment threshold leads unambiguously to ΔHf 298∘(CF3OH)⩾−217.2±0.9 kcal/mol and D298(CF3–OH)⩽115.2±0.3 kcal/mol. With previously derived ΔHf 298∘(CF3O)=−151.8−1.1+1.7 kcal/mol, this yields D298(CF3O–H)=117.5−1.4+1.9 kcal/mol, very close to, or only slightly weaker than th...
Strongly Consistent Self‐Confirming Equilibrium

Fudenberg and Levine (1993a) introduced the notion of self-confirming equilibrium, which is generally less restrictive than Nash equilibrium. Fudenberg and Levine also defined a concept of consistency, and claimed in their Theorem 4 that with consistency and other conditions on beliefs, a self-confirming equilibrium has a Nash equilibrium outcome. We provide a counterexample that disproves Theorem 4 and prove an alternative by replacing consistency with a more restrictive concept, which we call strong consistency. In games with observed deviators, self-confirming equilibria are strongly consistent self-confirming equilibria. Hence, our alternative theorem ensures that despite the counterexample, the corollary of Theorem 4 is still valid.
Differences in breast carcinoma characteristics in newly diagnosed African-American and Caucasian patients: a single-institution compilation compared with the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

BACKGROUND Breast carcinomas in African–American patients appear to be more aggressive than in Caucasian patients due to multifactorial differences. METHODS The authors compiled pathology data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database regarding stage, histologic grade, and estrogen receptor (ER) expression in breast carcinomas diagnosed in 197,274 African–American and Caucasian patients between 1990 and 2000, and the same information, along with nuclear grade, Ki-67, c-erb-B2, and p53 expression, in 2230 African–American and Caucasian patients diagnosed at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital between 1995 and 2002. Immunohistochemical markers were assayed in paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissue stained with hematoxylin and eosin using antibodies to these proteins, with differences in expression analyzed by the chisquare test. RESULTS In both databases, more African–American patients presented with advanced stage tumors and higher histologic (P < .001) and nuclear grade (P < .001) than Caucasian patients. African–American patients had less ER positivity (51.9% vs 63.1%; P < .001) but significantly higher Ki-67 (42.4% vs 28.7%; P < .001) and p53 expression (19.4% vs 13.1%; P < .05) than Caucasian patients with all stages of disease. In addition, the basal or “triple-negative” breast cancer phenotype was more common in African–American patients than in Caucasian patients (20.8% vs 10.4%; P < .0001), and was associated with higher histologic and nuclear grade (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS African–American patients with breast carcinomas are more likely than Caucasian patients to present with tumors that are of a later stage and higher grade, with higher Ki-67 expression and more ER negativity, thereby highlighting a greater need for early screening among African–American women. Molecular studies that may explain these differences, and correlations with survival, have been proposed to identify therapeutic targets. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Positive feedback gain-enhancement techniques for amplifier design

In contrast to the widespread myth that positive feedback or even unstable, open-loop amplifiers will produce unstable feedback amplifiers, it is shown that positive feedback amplifiers, can be used for realizing stable and useful feedback amplifiers. The benefits of using positive feedback for DC gain enhancement without compromising the settling time or the frequency response of feedback amplifiers are discussed.
Antimicrobial activity, pharmacokinetics, adverse reactions, and therapeutic indications of cefoperazone.

Cefoperazone is a parenteral cephalosporin antibiotic that is pending approval by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. Compared to most other cephalosporins cefoperazone has a greatly expanded spectrum of bactericidal activity that encompasses most aerobic gram-positive bacteria except entero-cocci, most aerobic gram-negative bacteria, including a majority of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, and a number of pathogenic anaerobic bacteria. Its long serum half-life, approximately two hours, permits a twelve hourly dosing schedule. No dosage modification is required in patients with renal insufficiency, and only minor modification is needed in patients with hepatic insufficiency or biliary obstruction. Clinical trials have established cefoperazone's efficacy in lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and a variety of other bacterial infections. Adverse reactions have been infrequent, and few serious reactions have been identified. Cefoperazone is a promising new agent for the treatment of gram-negative bacillary and polymicrobial infections, especially in settings that require empiric therapy.
Real-time intelligent controllers for systems with partially known dynamic models

In this paper, the strength of two different control theories were combined to construct an intelligent control system. The modern control theory is first used to design a full-state feedback controller. This controller provides the needed accuracy of the control system performance at a specific operating range (modeled range) of the plant dynamic. Then the fuzzy logic technology is used to design a bank of controllers, which handle the intelligent decision-making of the control system at the remaining operating range of the plant dynamics. Typically this is the un-modeled dynamics of the controlled plant. The developed intelligent control system was used to balance inverted pendulum hardware. The controller was first simulated then implemented and tested on the dSPACE real-time controller board. The results showed that the intelligent control system could provide a practical control performance for the inverted pendulum hardware starting from any arbitrary initial condition including failed conditions with unexpected external disturbance.
The Long-Term Impact of Urological Management on the Quality of Life of Children with Spina Bifida

AbstractTo evaluate the integration of children with spina bifida into adult society and identify important urological factors 20 female and 18 male spina bifida patients older than 18 years were evaluated with respect to urological management and complications. A detailed questionnaire concerning educational achievements, living arrangements, employment and interpersonal relationships was completed and compared to similar data obtained from the 1990 United States census. Educational achievement and living arrangements for most patients were comparable to age matched peers in the general population and were independent of gender or method of urinary management. The only statistically significant factor related to a positive outcome was female gender in the areas of employment (p less than 0.014) and sexual relationships (p less than 0.005). Female spina bifida patients adapted better to adult society than their male counterparts. Intestinal urinary conduits were detrimental to long-term renal function.
Evidence for ‘bystander effects’ in vivo

The observation of bystander effects in vitro have raised some serious questions as to the appropriate target size for calculation radiation dose. This has implications on the risk from ionizing radiation since dose is often directly related to radiation risk. This paper demonstrates that bystander effects do occur in vivo. It demonstrates that at low dose rates the bystander effects and risk are limited to the organ where the radiation dose is delivered. On the other hand, exposure to high radiation dose rates produces clastogenic factors that are released into the blood. These factors have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo and may influence risk in organs not directly exposed to the radiation. Bystander effects suggest that organs respond as a unit and are not just a bag of individual cells acting independently. Dose and risk must consider this unit.
Studies of silicon regrowth with aluminum and aluminum alloy metallizations

Abstract The rate of silicon regrowth via transport of silicon through an overlying aluminum or aluminum alloy metallization at 500°C was studied as a function of doping level and grain size of the silicon and metal alloy composition, It is shown that the regrowth rate was significantly reduced or eliminated by (1) heavy phosphorus or nitrogen doping, (2) increasing the silicon grain size by laser annealing or (3) the use of an Al-Cu alloy for metallization. Conversely, the rate was found to be greater for Al-Si in comparison with Al-Cu or aluminum. These results are consistent with a model involving a nucleation step at the silicon-metal film interface and silicon transport through the grain boundaries of both films.
Mimicking the Hierarchical Functions of Dentin Collagen Cross-Links with Plant Derived Phenols and Phenolic Acids

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are secondary plant metabolites that mediate nonenzymatic collagen cross-linking and enhance the properties of collagen based tissue, such as dentin. The extent and nature of cross-linking is influenced by the composition and specific chemical structure of the bioactive compounds present in certain PAC-rich extracts. This study investigated the effect of the molecular weight and stereochemistry of polyphenol compounds on two important properties of dentin, biomechanics, and biostability. For that, purified phenols, a phenolic acid, and some of its derivatives were selected: PAC dimers (A1, A2, B1, and B2) and a trimer (C1), gallic acid (Ga), its esters methyl-gallate (MGa) and propyl-gallate (PGa), and a pentagalloyl ester of glucose (PGG). Synergism was assessed by combining the most active PAC and gallic acid derivative. Mechanical properties of dentin organic matrix were determined by the modulus of elasticity obtained in a flexural test. Biostability was evaluated by the resistance to collagenase degradation. PACs significantly enhanced dentin mechanical properties and decreased collagen digestion. Among the gallic acid derivatives, only PGG had a significant enhancing effect. The lack of observed C1:PGG synergy indicates that both compounds have similar mechanisms of interaction with the dentin matrix. These findings reveal that the molecular weight of polyphenols have a determinant effect on their interaction with type I collagen and modulates the mechanism of cross-linking at the molecular, intermolecular, and inter-microfibrillar levels.