cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Objective documentation of traumatic brain injury subsequent to mild head trauma: multimodal brain imaging with MEG, SPECT, and MRI.

Objective: To determine to what extent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) can provide objective evidence of brain injury in adult patients with persistent (>1 year) postconcussive symptoms following mild blunt head trauma. Design: A retrospective and blind review of imaging data with respect to the presence of specific somatic, psychiatric, and cognitive complaints. Setting/Participants: Thirty complete data sets (with MRI, SPECT, MEG, and neuropsychological testing results) were collected between 1994 and 2000 from the MEG programs at the Albuquerque VAMC and the University of Utah. Main Outcome Measures: MRI data were evaluated for focal and diffuse structural abnormalities, SPECT data for regions of hypoperfusion, and resting MEG data for abnormal dipolar slow wave activity (DSWA) and epileptiform transients. Results: Structural MRI was abnormal for 4 patients. SPECT showed regions of hypoperfusion in 12 patients, while MEG showed abnormal activity in 19 patients. None of the imaging methods produced findings statistically associated with postconcussive psychiatric symptoms. A significant association was found between basal ganglia hypoperfusion and postconcussive headaches. For patients with cognitive complaints, abnormalities were more likely to be detected by MEG (86%) than either SPECT (40%) or MRI (18%) (P < .01). MEG also revealed significant (P < .01) associations between temporal lobe DSWA and memory problems, parietal DSWA and attention problems, and frontal DSWA and problems in executive function. Conclusions: Functional brain imaging data collected in a resting state can provide objective evidence of brain injury in mild blunt head trauma patients with persistent postconcussive somatic and/or cognitive symptoms. MEG proved to be particularly informative for patients with cognitive symptoms. Keywords: head trauma, magnetoencephalography, MEG, MRI, postconcussive syndromes, SPECT, traumatic brain injury
Products of photosynthesis in phytoplankton off the Orinoco River and in the Caribbean Sea1

Incorporation of [14C]bicarbonate into the major end-products of photosynthesis (low molecular weight metabolites, lipid, polysaccharide, and protein) was measured at a number of stations in tropical waters. Stations with highest chlorophyll concentrations showed almost equal synthesis of low molecular weight metabolites, lipid, polysaccharide, and protein. The “oligotrophic” stations showed a greater incorporation into polysaccharide and protein and proportionally less into the other two fractions. Inshore stations also showed higher activities of the photosynthetic carboxylating enzyme, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, in relation to that of the anaplerotic replenishment enzyme, phospho(eno1) pyruvate carboxylase. The inshore, high chlorophyll stations were characterized b> higher particulate carbon : chlorophyll ratios. However, the polysaccharide and protein contents (normalized to particulate carbon) were not higher in the offshore samples showing high incorporation of 14C into those polymers. Carbon-specific assimilation rates were greater for total C incorporation than for incorporation into the various polymers. This was most marked \vhen as\imilation was measured only over a period in the light.
Mean-square analysis of the multiple-error and block LMS adaptive algorithms

Stochastic-gradient adaptive algorithms for block-based or frequency-domain single channel filters and for true multichannel filters share a common multiple-error LMS algorithm update, given by W/sub k+1/=W/sub k/+/spl mu/X/sub k/(D/sub k/-X/sub k//sup T/W/sub k/). We examine the mean-square performance of the multiple-error LMS adaptive algorithm for correlated Gaussian input data channels and arbitrary i.i.d. input data channels. Using our analysis, we show that the multiple-error LMS algorithm performs uniformly worse than the single-channel LMS algorithm for a given amount of data consumed. We also derive simple step size bounds to guarantee mean-square convergence of the multiple-error and block LMS adaptive algorithms. Simulations of both the block LMS adaptive algorithm and the multichannel filtered-X LMS adaptive algorithm corroborate our theoretical results. >
Classroom Rule Violations in Elementary School Students With Callous-Unemotional Traits:

An emerging body of mental health research provides evidence that callous-unemotional (CU) traits explain significant and meaningful variance among children with disruptive behavior disorders. However, the classroom behavior of students with CU traits has not yet been adequately studied. This study examined this issue using teacher-recorded classroom rule violations (RVs). Participants were 648 children (346 boys; M age = 8.14) from 28 classrooms (kindergarten–sixth grade) distributed across three schools participating in a schoolwide behavioral intervention. Teachers completed rating scales approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the start of the school year, prior to initiating the schoolwide intervention. After completing ratings, teachers recorded daily frequency counts of RVs for each student in their classroom for the remainder of the school year. Growth curve modeling analyses indicated that (a) CU traits were associated with elevated rates of RVs at the start of the school year even after taking attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD) into account and (b) CU traits were associated with a significant decrease in rates of RVs across the school year. CU traits appear to explain significant and important variance in classroom RVs among elementary school age students.
Computational Modeling of Surface Effects: Distinctions from Classical Surface Elasticity Theory

We present a brief overview and comparison of two different approaches to capturing surface effects on nanoscale materials. The first is a recently proposed computational model, the surface Cauchy-Born (SCB) model, which is a nonlinear, finite deformation continuum theory based upon Cauchy-Born kinematics. The second is classical linear surface elasticity based upon the framework proposed by Gurtin and Murdoch. Key distinctions that are discussed include the importance of linear versus nonlinear kinematics, and the dimensionality of the surface stress tensor.
Lack of periostin leads to suppression of Notch1 signaling and calcific aortic valve disease.

The Postn gene encodes protein periostin. During embryonic development, it is highly expressed in the outflow tract (OFT) endocardial cushions of the developing heart, which give rise to several st...
Weighted two-parameter Bergman space inequalities

For f, a function defined on Rd1 ×Rd2 , take u to be its biharmonic extension into Rd1+1 + × Rd2+1 + . In this paper we prove strong sufficient conditions on measures µ and weights v such that the inequality (∗) Rd1+1 + ×Rd2+1 + |∇1∇2u| q dµ(x1, x2, y1, y2) 1/q ≤  Rd1 ×Rd2 |f| pv dx1/p will hold for all f in a reasonable test class, for 1 < p ≤ 2 ≤ q < ∞. Our result generalizes earlier work by R. L. Wheeden and the author on one-parameter harmonic extensions. We also obtain sufficient conditions for analogues of (∗) to hold when the entries of ∇1∇2u are replaced by more general convolutions.
Kinetic Analysis of Protein Degradation by a Freshwater Wetland Sediment Community.

The mineralization of proteins by the sediment microflora of a freshwater wetland conformed to a kinetic model developed for polymer degradation. The maximum velocity of protein mineralization ranged from 2,078 to 147 nmol of protein cm−3 h−1 from May to October. The turnover time of protein was 13 to 69 h. A statistical comparison of the kinetic parameters by the standard error of the estimate demonstrated that protein degradation exhibited significant random fluctuations throughout the growing season. These fluctuations were related to changes in the concentration of readily degradable protein as estimated by Kt. Utilization of amino acids was 9 to 57 times greater than the utilization of protein, and the turnover time for amino acids was 1.6 to 3.7 h.
How Near-Miss Events Amplify or Attenuate Risky Decision Making

In the aftermath of many natural and man-made disasters, people often wonder why those affected were underprepared, especially when the disaster was the result of known or regularly occurring hazards (e.g., hurricanes). We study one contributing factor: prior near-miss experiences. Near misses are events that have some nontrivial expectation of ending in disaster but, by chance, do not. We demonstrate that when near misses are interpreted as disasters that did not occur, people illegitimately underestimate the danger of subsequent hazardous situations and make riskier decisions (e.g., choosing not to engage in mitigation activities for the potential hazard). On the other hand, if near misses can be recognized and interpreted as disasters that almost happened, this will counter the basic “near-miss” effect and encourage more mitigation. We illustrate the robustness of this pattern across populations with varying levels of real expertise with hazards and different hazard contexts (household evacuation for a hurricane, Caribbean cruises during hurricane season, and deep-water oil drilling). We conclude with ideas to help people manage and communicate about risk. This paper was accepted by Teck Ho, decision analysis.
Comparison of phase-shifting techniques for in vivo full- range, high-speed Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography

Single spectrometer-based complex conjugate artifact removal methods are evaluated for in vivo imaging with complementary metal-oxide semiconductor line scan camera based high-speed Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) at 100,000 axial scans per second. Performance of three different phase-shifting methods with the same OCT engine is evaluated using modified data acquisition schemes, depending on the requirements of each phase-shifting technique. The suppression ratio of complex conjugate artifact images using a paperboard is assessed for all tested methods. Several other characteristics, including a list of additional hardware requirements (beyond standard FD-OCT components) and data acquisition schemes for each of the methods is presented. In vivo full-range images of human fingerpad and nail are shown and compared with standard FD-OCT images. Additionally, a complex-conjugate-free human retinal volume acquired at the speed of 100,000 A-scans/s is presented.
Automatically finding relevant citations for clinical guideline development

Display Omitted Automated citation finding can augment manual literature search.We built a gold standard with citations from 653 guideline recommendations.The query expansion method vs. PubMed improved recall with non-significant loss on precision.The unsupervised citation ranking approach performed better than standard PubMed ranking and a machine learning classifier. ObjectiveLiterature database search is a crucial step in the development of clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews. In the age of information technology, the process of literature search is still conducted manually, therefore it is costly, slow and subject to human errors. In this research, we sought to improve the traditional search approach using innovative query expansion and citation ranking approaches. MethodsWe developed a citation retrieval system composed of query expansion and citation ranking methods. The methods are unsupervised and easily integrated over the PubMed search engine. To validate the system, we developed a gold standard consisting of citations that were systematically searched and screened to support the development of cardiovascular clinical practice guidelines. The expansion and ranking methods were evaluated separately and compared with baseline approaches. ResultsCompared with the baseline PubMed expansion, the query expansion algorithm improved recall (80.2% vs. 51.5%) with small loss on precision (0.4% vs. 0.6%). The algorithm could find all citations used to support a larger number of guideline recommendations than the baseline approach (64.5% vs. 37.2%, p<0.001). In addition, the citation ranking approach performed better than PubMed's "most recent" ranking (average precision +6.5%, [email protected] +21.1%, p<0.001), PubMed's rank by "relevance" (average precision +6.1%, [email protected] +14.8%, p<0.001), and the machine learning classifier that identifies scientifically sound studies from MEDLINE citations (average precision +4.9%, [email protected] +4.2%, p<0.001). ConclusionsOur unsupervised query expansion and ranking techniques are more flexible and effective than PubMed's default search engine behavior and the machine learning classifier. Automated citation finding is promising to augment the traditional literature search.
Internet-Enabled Experiment for Demonstrating Contaminant Adsorption to Activated Carbon

AbstractExposure to laboratory experiences is valuable for students in all engineering disciplines. Because of spatial constraints or physical limitations, not all engineering students can obtain hands-on involvement with relevant experimental apparatus and laboratory procedures in their curriculum. However, all engineering students should have familiarity with conducting experiments, and collecting and analyzing experimental data. An Internet-enabled experimental apparatus that demonstrates contaminant adsorption to activated carbon was developed. The hardware and software permitted remote students to operate the apparatus by distance through the Internet. Using the Internet, the students were able to collect data for further analysis. The experiment was implemented in an introduction to civil engineering course, primarily consisting of first and second-year civil engineering students with broad civil engineering interests (e.g., structural, geomechanics, environmental). Through appropriate assessments, ...
Spectroscopy of Early F Stars: γ Doradus Candidates and Possible Metallic Shell Stars

We obtained high-resolution spectroscopic observations of 34 γ Doradus candidates. From the red-wavelength spectra, we determined spectral classes, radial velocities, and projected rotational velocities. The spectra of seven late A or early F stars show metallic lines that have composite profiles consisting of a narrow component near the center of a broad line, indicating that they may be shell stars or binaries. Several stars, including HD 152896, HD 173977, HD 175337, and HD 195068/9, show large line profile asymmetries. Two stars, HD 11443 (=α Trianguli) and HD 149420, are ellipsoidal variables and not γ Doradus stars. The percentage of binary systems in our sample may be as high as 74%.
The Role of the Specialist Breast Nurse

The physician beginning practice in an outpatient breast oncology setting may be bewildered initially by the number of non-physician health professionals, their designations, and their roles. This chapter begins with a brief overview of educational levels and scope of clinical practice for the medical assistant (MA), registered nurse (RN), nurse practitioner (NP), and physician assistant (PA) in an outpatient breast oncology setting. This chapter then focuses on the role of the specialist breast nurse and reviews ways by which this advanced practice oncology nurse can facilitate patient cancer care and enhance a breast surgeon’s practice.
Higher-order wavelet reconstruction/differentiation filters and Gibbs phenomena

An orthogonal wavelet basis is characterized by its approximation order, which relates to the ability of the basis to represent general smooth functions on a given scale. It is known, though perhaps not widely known, that there are ways of exceeding the approximation order, i.e., achieving higher-order error in the discretized wavelet transform and its inverse. The focus here is on the development of a practical formulation to accomplish this first for 1D smooth functions, then for 1D functions with discontinuities and then for multidimensional (here 2D) functions with discontinuities. It is shown how to transcend both the wavelet approximation order and the 2D Gibbs phenomenon in representing electromagnetic fields at discontinuous dielectric interfaces that do not simply follow the wavelet-basis grid.
15-Lipoxygenase metabolites modulate proliferative and metastatic signal transduction pathways in human breast carcinoma cells

4476 In addition to serving as potent inflammatory mediators, specific metabolites of arachidonic and linoleic acid are implicated in modulating cell growth, carcinogenesis, and metastasis. In the human breast carcinoma cell line BT-20, we characterized extensive 15-lipoxygenase (LOX)-1 metabolism of linoleic acid to 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE) by HPLC analyses, RT-PCR, Northern and Western blots. In addition to expression in cell lines, we found enhanced expression of 15-LOX-1 in 15/39 human infiltrating ductal carcinoma breast tissue biopsies. Inhibition of 15-LOX activity blocked both 13-HODE biosynthesis and cellular response to EGF. 13-HODE (1 μM) was found to enhance p42/44 MAP kinase phosphorylation and activity, resulting in augmented mitogenic signaling. In MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells, 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), derived from 15-LOX-2 pathways, stimulated cell adhesion to type IV collagen through activation of p38 MAP kinase. Regulation of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion plays a key role in the metastatic process. This 15-HETE stimulation involved activation of upstream TGFβ-activated protein kinase (TAK1) and MAP kinase 6. Transfection of cells with dominant negative TAK1 inhibited arachidonic acid stimulation of p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation. These data demonstrate that specific lipid mediators of the 15-lipoxygenase pathways are involved in modulation of signal transduction pathways related to breast cancer cell growth and metastasis and implicate 15-lipoxygenase as a potential therapeutic target.
Optical frequency measurements of 6s 2S1/2 - 6p 2P3/2 transition in 133Cs using an atomic beam and a femtosecond laser frequency comb

High-resolution spectroscopy and a femtosecond laser frequency comb are used to determine the optical frequencies between the components of the D2 line in 133Cs. The accuracy of <10 kHz is 10x better than previous results.
EUGLYCEMIC DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS AND SEVERE ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY SECONDARY TO OFF LABEL USE OF SODIUM GLUCOSE COTRANSPORTER-2 INHIBITOR IN A TYPE-1 DIABETIC PATIENT

Sodium glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of drug approved for the treatment of type-2 diabetes; however they are also increasingly used off label in type-1 diabetic patients. SGLT2 Inhibitors work by increasing glucose excretion in urine. Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is potentially life threatening side effect as patients have normal glucose and minimal symptoms thus delaying diagnosis and treatment. Our case report highlights the risk of using SGLT2 inhibitors in type-1 diabetes and also supports the need for long term studies to define clear efficacy and complications of SGLT 2 inhibitors in both type-1 and type 2 diabetes mellitis.
School Counseling for Gifted Black Males

Oftentimes, when the subject of how to maximize Black students’ talent in gifted and advanced courses and programs is broached, they are treated as a monolithic entity. Too little scholarship explo...
The Geometric Theory of Quaternions

In a previous paper [1 ] we made reference in passing to a connection with quaternions. It seems worthwhile to enlarge on this point. The resulting coordinate-free theory of (real) quaternions is much closer to the original geometric ideas of Hamilton [2 ] than the (1, i, j, k) coordinate formalism of the algebraists. We assume familiarity with the terminology and results of [1I and shall call the elements of the spin model 3 3-vectors. Let A and B be 3-vectors. Then
The Costs of Marginalization: Qualitative Methods in the Study of American Politics

In the past few decades research relying primarily on qualitative methods has been almost completely marginalized within the subfield of American politics. After outlining the unusual organizationa...
On Energy-efficient Self-organizing Routing for Wireless Mobile Networks

The instant deployment without relying on an existing infrastructure makes the mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) a striking choice for many dynamic situations. An efficient MANET protocol may be applied to other important emerging wireless technologies such as wireless mesh and sensor networks. This paper proposes a hierarchical routing scheme that is scalable, energy efficient, and self-organizing. The new algorithm is called dynamic leader set generation (DLSG). It dynamically selects leader nodes based on traffic demand, locality, and residual energy level, and de-selects them based on residual energy. Energy consumption and traffic load are therefore balanced throughout the network, and the network reorganizes itself around the dynamically selected leader nodes. Time, space, and message complexities are formally analyzed; implementation issues are addressed. Incorporating the IEEE 802.11 medium access control mechanism including the power saving mode, performance evaluation is carried out by simulating DLSG and four existing hierarchical routing algorithms, which shows that DLSG successfully extends network lifetime by 20-50% while achieves a comparable level of network performance.
Design and Construction of Shaft for Xijiang Shield Tunnel in the Pipeline Project of Guangdong Provincial Natural Gas Grid

On the basis of both the engineering geology and hydrogeology of the strata through which the starting shaft and arriving shaft of Xijiang shield tunnel pass,and in consideration with the features of the installation of natural gas pipe in the shaft of the cross-river shield tunnel,the combination of diaphragm wall with shotcrete support and inner lining have been comprehensively adopted to design the shaft structure by means of engineering comparison and numerical simulation.The high risk existed during the construction of the working shafts is dissected and the safety of the enclosures for the two shafts has also been evaluated simultaneously.In addition,a new type of the diaphragm wall joint is invented to fit the shaft with round transection concurrently.The construction technique for the shaft of Xijiang shield tunnel has been generalized and summarized in this paper,and this may provide references for the design and construction of working shaft of cross-river shield tunnel for petroleum and gas pipeline under similar circumstances.
Impact of a case management protocol for childhood pneumonia in a rural Zambian hospital.

SummaryThis study aimed to assess the impact of adopting the WHO case management protocol for childhood pneumonia in a district hospital in rural Zambia. The subjects were children under 5 years of age with a diagnosis of pneumonia, admitted in the 9-month period following introduction of the WHO protocol. Management and outcome were compared with a historical control group admitted during the same period in the previous year. There were 158 children in the intervention group and 135 controls with similar age and sex distribution. Both groups were malnourished (mean weight-for-age Z score in subjects =—1.91, in controls =—1.83). There was no significant difference in the numbers receiving parenteral antibiotics or supplementary fluids in each group. However, children in the intervention group were significantly more likely to receive oxygen (odds ratio 4.7, 95% confidence interval 2.8–8.1, p < 0.0001). Mortality was significantly greater in the control group (case fatality rate, 25%) compared with the int...
Redox control of Cas phosphorylation requires Abl kinase in regulation of intestinal epithelial cell spreading and migration

Intestinal wounds often occur during inflammatory and ischemic disorders of the gut. To repair damage, intestinal epithelial cells must rapidly spread and migrate to cover exposed lamina propria, e...
A Stochastic Method to Generate Libraries of Structural Representations of Lignin

Efforts to derive value-added chemicals from lignin are hindered in part because of its great structural complexity and heterogeneity. Lignin is a polydisperse, random copolymer with varying proportions of monomers and interunit linkage types, forming a hyperbranched topology. Structural models comprising a single macromolecular representation have been proposed for specific biomass sources; these representations, although consistent with experimental observations, are not unique. Alternative models consisting of populations of representations whose average properties match experiment have also been proposed. Expanding on this latter approach, we have developed a stochastic method of generating libraries of diverse and complex structural representations of lignin that is generally applicable to any biomass source. For demonstration purposes, the method is applied to create libraries of wheat straw lignin, a representative herbaceous lignin. The libraries are statistically validated through the χ2 goodness...
Curbing the Urge to Image

Health care costs in the US have grown rapidly over the past several decades. As a result, there has been increasing interest in strategies to contain health care costs, without sacrificing the quality of medical care. While many factors contribute to rising costs, one major contributor to health care expenditure is diagnostic imaging. In this article, we address the growth of diagnostic imaging, the financial and clinical adverse effects of over-utilization, and discuss a variety of strategies to encourage appropriate use of diagnostic testing.
Bedtime and evening light exposure influence circadian timing in preschool-age children: A field study.

Abstract Light exposure and sleep timing are two factors that influence inter-individual variability in the timing of the human circadian clock. The aim of this study was to quantify the degree to which evening light exposure predicts variance in circadian timing over and above bedtime alone in preschool children. Participants were 21 children ages 4.5–5.0 years (4.7±0.2 years; 9 females). Children followed their typical sleep schedules for 4 days during which time they wore a wrist actigraph to assess sleep timing and a pendant light meter to measure minute-by-minute illuminance levels in lux. On the 5th day, children participated in an in-home dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO) assessment. Light exposure in the 2 h before bedtime was averaged and aggregated across the 4 nights preceding the DLMO assessment. Mean DLMO and bedtime were 19:22±01:04 and 20:07±00:46, respectively. Average evening light exposure was 710.1±1418.2 lux. Children with later bedtimes (lights-off time) had more delayed melatonin onset times ( r =0.61, p =0.002). Evening light exposure was not independently associated with DLMO ( r =0.32, p =0.08); however, a partial correlation between evening light exposure and DLMO when controlling for bedtime yielded a positive correlation ( r =0.46, p =0.02). Bedtime explained 37.3% of the variance in the timing of DLMO, and evening light exposure accounted for an additional 13.3% of the variance. These findings represent an important step in understanding factors that influence circadian phase in preschool-age children and have implications for understanding a modifiable pathway that may underlie late sleep timing and the development of evening settling problems in early childhood.
Targeting the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin for Epileptic Encephalopathies and Malformations of Cortical Development

Malformations of cortical development represent a common cause of epileptic encephalopathies and drug-resistant epilepsy in children. As current treatments are often ineffective, new therapeutic targets are needed for epileptic encephalopathies associated with cortical malformations. The mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway constitutes a signaling pathway that drives cellular and molecular mechanisms of epileptogenesis in a variety of focal cortical malformations. mTOR inhibitors prevent epilepsy and associated pathogenic mechanisms of epileptogenesis in mouse models of tuberous sclerosis complex and are currently in clinical trials for drug-resistant seizures in these patients. A recent explosion of genetic studies has linked mutations in various genes regulating the mTOR pathway to other cortical malformations, such as focal cortical dysplasia and hemimegalencephaly. Thus, mTOR inhibitors represent promising candidates as novel antiseizure and antiepileptogenic therapies for epilepsy associated with a spectrum of cortical malformations.
WRITING MEDICAL AUTHORITY: THE RISE OF LITERATE HEALERS IN GHANA, 1930–70*

For generations, healers sustained medical knowledge in African communities through oral communication. During the twentieth century, healers who learned to read and write used literacy as a vehicle for establishing medical authority. In particular, literate healers lobbied colonial and national governments for recognition, wrote medical guidebooks, advertised in African newspapers, and sent letters to other healers to organise their profession. This article examines the case of literate healers in colonial and postcolonial Ghana living near the twin port cities of Sekondi and Takoradi. There, an early organisation of ‘Scientific African Herbalists’ and later, the ‘Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healing Association,’ used literacy to reclaim the public's trust in their medical expertise. An examination of literacy shows historical avenues for professional formation and the continued quest for medical legitimacy and respectability.
Perceptions of Cervical Cancer Screening, Screening Behavior, and Post-Migration Living Difficulties Among Bhutanese-Nepali Refugee Women in the United States.

Bhutanese–Nepali refugees are one of the largest refugee groups to be resettled in the U.S. in the past decade. Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer disparity in this population, yet screening rates are suboptimal. Nepali-speaking interviewers administered a community health needs questionnaire to a convenience sample of Bhutanese–Nepali refugees in a Midwestern city between July to October of 2015. Descriptive statistics were used to describe socio-demographic characteristics, Pap smear beliefs, post-migration living difficulties, and screening status. Differences in Pap test uptake between groups were tested using t test and Chi square statistics. Of the 97 female participants, 44.3% reported ever having had a Pap smear. Screening rates were lowest among women who did not know English at all. Most women had positive perceptions of Pap smears (80%) and 44.4% had received a Pap test recommendation from their healthcare provider, family, or friends. Pap testing was significantly higher among those who had positive perceptions (58.3 vs. 11.1% for women of negative perception, p = 0.01) and those who had received a recommendation (87.5 vs. 18.6% for women who had no recommendations, p < 0.001). Significant predictors of having a Pap smear were having a healthcare provider/family/friends recommendation (OR 65.3, 95% CI 11.4-373.3) and greater number of post-migration living difficulties (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02–1.37). The results of this study have important implications for the development of cervical cancer prevention programs targeting Bhutanese–Nepali refugees. Providing cancer prevention interventions early in the resettlement process could impact Pap test uptake in this population.
Towards a Fractal Cohomology: Spectra of Polya–Hilbert Operators, Regularized Determinants and Riemann Zeros

Emil Artin defined a zeta function for algebraic curves over finite fields and made a conjecture about them analogous to the famous Riemann hypothesis. This and other conjectures about these zeta functions would come to be called the Weil conjectures, which were proved by Weil in the case of curves and eventually, by Deligne in the case of varieties over finite fields. Much work was done in the search for a proof of these conjectures, including the development in algebraic geometry of a Weil cohomology theory for these varieties, which uses the Frobenius operator on a finite field. The zeta function is then expressed as a determinant, allowing the properties of the function to relate to the properties of the operator. The search for a suitable cohomology theory and associated operator to prove the Riemann hypothesis has continued to this day. In this paper we study the properties of the derivative operator \(D = \frac{d} {dz}\) on a particular family of weighted Bergman spaces of entire functions on \(\mathbb{C}\). The operator D can be naturally viewed as the “infinitesimal shift of the complex plane” since it generates the group of translations of \(\mathbb{C}\). Furthermore, this operator is meant to be the replacement for the Frobenius operator in the general case and is used to construct an operator associated with any given meromorphic function. With this construction, we show that for a wide class of meromorphic functions, the function can be recovered by using a regularized determinant involving the operator constructed from the meromorphic function. This is illustrated in some important special cases: rational functions, zeta functions of algebraic curves (or, more generally, varieties) over finite fields, the Riemann zeta function, and culminating in a quantized version of the Hadamard factorization theorem that applies to any entire function of finite order. This shows that all of the information about the given meromorphic function is encoded into the special operator we constructed. Our construction is motivated in part by work of Herichi and the second author on the infinitesimal shift of the real line (instead of the complex plane) and the associated spectral operator, as well as by earlier work and conjectures of Deninger on the role of cohomology in analytic number theory, and a conjectural “fractal cohomology theory” envisioned in work of the second author and of Lapidus and van Frankenhuijsen on complex fractal dimensions.
Status and friendship: mechanisms of social network evolution

We examine the evolution of five social networking sites where complex networks of social relationships developed: Twitter, Flickr, DeviantArt, Delicious, and Yahoo! Answers. We study the differences and similarities in edge creation mechanisms in these social networks. We find large differences in edge reciprocation rates and overall structure of the underlying networks. We demonstrate that two mechanisms can explain these disparities: directed triadic closure, which leads to networks that show characteristics of status-oriented behavior, and reciprocation, which leads to friendship-oriented behavior. We develop a model that demonstrates how variances in these mechanisms lead to characteristic differences in the expression of network subgraph motifs. Lastly, we show how a user's future popularity, her indegree, can be predicted based on her initial edge creation behavior.
Seasonal and interannual variability of land–atmosphere coupling across the Southern Great Plains of North America using the North American regional reanalysis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal to interannual variability of the temporal and spatial distributions of land–atmosphere coupling (LAC) at the mesoscale within the Southern Great Plains (SGP) of the United States. The North American Regional Reanalysis data set from 1979 to 2014 was used to complete this study. To further expand the relationship between soil moisture and precipitation, LAC was examined for the effects of soil moisture variability on latent heat flux (SM-E) and the impact of latent heat flux variability on precipitation (E-P). Results revealed that within the SGP there is a temporal and spatial seasonal evolution of the SM-E relationship and dry boreal summer month (June, July and August, JJA) periods exhibit a stronger E-P relationship relative to pluvial boreal summer month periods. Further, the variability of coupling was large both within-season (i.e. JJA) as well as at the interannual scale while the interannual spatial and temporal coherence was such that no specific locations showed consistent coupling within the domain. Thus, the results indicate that while the SGP domain is sensitive to coupling, the location of preferred coupling is likely due to non-local factors at the mesoscale embedded within synoptic conditions as well as the regional climate.
Geography of Genetics and Genomics Research Funding in Africa

Abstract An estimated U.S. $300 billion is spent each year on medical research. What proportion of this goes to genomics and genetics research in Africa? Until recently, this type of question was nearly impossible to answer. The World RePORT database, sponsored by the Heads of International Research Organizations (HIRO) and managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provides a first attempt at answering questions on the distribution of research funding by geography and research organization. In this journal issue on the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa), we explore the geography of biomedical research funding in the genomics field with special emphasis on Africa. Using World RePORT, we identified 185 research projects in genetics and genomics in Africa in 2015 with total funding exceeding U.S. $216 million. These numbers are likely incomplete and more efforts at collating data from funder organizations is needed. A comprehensive snapshot of funders' portfolios will be invaluable to research investigators and policy makers in the identification of research gaps and analysis of allocation priorities to facilitate evidence-based decision-making for public–research-funding organizations.
Subchondral bone microarchitecture analysis in the proximal tibia at 7-T MRI.

Background Bone remodels in response to mechanical loads and osteoporosis results from impaired ability of bone to remodel. Bone microarchitecture analysis provides information on bone quality beyond bone mineral density (BMD). Purpose To compare subchondral bone microarchitecture parameters in the medial and lateral tibia plateau in individuals with and without fragility fractures. Material and Methods Twelve female patients (mean age = 58 ± 15 years; six with and six without previous fragility fractures) were examined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and 7-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the proximal tibia. A transverse high-resolution three-dimensional fast low-angle shot sequence was acquired (0.234 × 0.234 × 1 mm). Digital topological analysis (DTA) was applied to the medial and lateral subchondral bone of the proximal tibia. The following DTA-based bone microarchitecture parameters were assessed: apparent bone volume; trabecular thickness; profile-edge-density (trabecular bone erosion parameter); profile-interior-density (intact trabecular rods parameter); plate-to-rod ratio; and erosion index. We compared femoral neck T-scores and bone microarchitecture parameters between patients with and without fragility fracture. Results There was no statistical significant difference in femoral neck T-scores between individuals with and without fracture (-2.4 ± 0.9 vs. -1.8 ± 0.7, P = 0.282). Apparent bone volume in the medial compartment was lower in patients with previous fragility fracture (0.295 ± 0.022 vs. 0.317 ± 0.009; P = 0.016). Profile-edge-density, a trabecular bone erosion parameter, was higher in patients with previous fragility fracture in the medial (0.008 ± 0.003 vs. 0.005 ± 0.001) and lateral compartment (0.008 ± 0.002 vs. 0.005 ± 0.001); both P = 0.025. Other DTA parameters did not differ between groups. Conclusion 7-T MRI and DTA permit detection of subtle changes in subchondral bone quality when differences in BMD are not evident.
Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas putida Strain ASAD, an Acetylsalicylic Acid-Degrading Bacterium.

Pseudomonas putida strain ASAD was isolated from compost because of its ability to utilize aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) as a carbon and energy source. We report the draft genome sequence of strain ASAD, with an estimated length of 6.9 Mb. Study of this isolate will provide insight into the aspirin biodegradation pathway.
Using machine learning to estimate atmospheric Ambrosia pollen concentrations in Tulsa, OK:

This article describes an example of using machine learning to estimate the abundance of airborne Ambrosia pollen for Tulsa, OK. Twenty-seven years of historical pollen observations were used. These pollen observations were combined with machine learning and a very complete meteorological and land surface context of 85 variables to estimate the daily Ambrosia abundance. The machine learning algorithms employed were Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), neural networks, and random forests. The best performance was obtained using random forests. The physical insights provided by the random forest are also discussed.
MULTIPLE SUBSTRATE BINDING SITES IN THE RIBOZYME FROM BACILLUS SUBTILIS RNASE P

The ribozyme from Bacillus subtilis RNase P (P RNA) recognizes an RNA structure consisting of the acceptor stem and the T stem-loop of tRNA substrates. An in vitro selection experiment was carried out to obtain potential RNA substrates that may interact with the P RNA differently from the tRNA substrate. Using a P RNA-derived ribozyme that contains most, if not all, of the structural elements thought to be involved in active site formation of P RNA, but lacks the putative binding site for the T stem-loop of tRNA, a single RNA substrate was isolated after nine rounds of selection. This RNA is a competent substrate for the ribozyme used in selection as well as for the full-length P RNA. Biochemical characterization shows that this selected substrate interacts at a different site compared with the tRNA substrate. The selection experiment also identified a self-cleaving RNA seemingly different from other known ribozymes. These results indicate that a biological ribozyme can contain different binding sites for different RNA substrates. This alternate binding site model suggests a simple mechanism for evolving existing ribozymes to recognize RNA substrates of diverse structures.
$W$ -Band (92–100 GHz) Phased-Array Receive Channel With Quadrature-Hybrid-Based Vector Modulator

This paper presents a $W$ -band (92–100 GHz) phased array receive channel adopting a power domain vector modulator (VM), which utilizes a 90° hybrid-coupler-based phase interpolator. The quadrature hybrid leverages its inherent functions of quadrature phase splitting and power combining to interpolate phases by combining the weighted signals from variable gain amplifiers in the power domain. Compared with prior active VMs, in the proposed VM, the phases are synthesized in a pure passive network with a matched impedance, less vulnerable to circuit nonlinearity. The distributed 90°-hybrid coupler offers a wideband operation of quadrature phasing and phase interpolation, resulting in a low phase error over the $W$ -band. The measured VM peak-to-peak gain variation for all 5-bit phase states is 7.7–11 dB at the expense of 31-mW dc power from 2.2-V supply voltage. The measured rms gain error is $P_{-1\,{\mathrm{ dB}}}$ is −4 dBm at 94 GHz at the highest gain state. In the receive channel employing the 90°-hybrid-based VM, the peak-to-peak gain variation is 23–26 dB with 9.3–11-dB NF at the expense of 50-mW dc power from 2.2-V supply voltage. The measured input $P_{-1\,{\mathrm{ dB}}}$ is −26 dBm. The chip size of the receive channel, implemented in 0.13- $\mu \text{m}$ SiGe BiCMOS process, is $1.65\times0.55$ mm $^{\vphantom {R^{l}}2}$ .
Nonlinear Model-Based Multivariable Control for Air & Charging System of Diesel Engine with Short and Long Route EGR Valves

The objective of this study is to investigate a nonlinear model-based multivariable (MIMO, Multi Input Multi Output) technique to decouple actuators interaction and to reduce the calibration effort, while increasing control performances, above all in transient conditions, and robustness with respect to model uncertainties and system parameter variations. The presented control technique is based on the development of a nonlinear dynamical physical model of the diesel air and charging system. Feedback Linearization control is then applied to decouple actuators’ interactions and compensate for nonlinearities. A new set of virtual inputs are defined inverting the system differential equations. Relation among the new virtual inputs and the outputs is purely linear and decoupled, meaning that each virtual input affects linearly only one output. Moreover, a linear control block is added to guarantee transient and steady state performances and closed loop robustness. The proposed control approach has been validated through small diesel engine dyno and vehicle activities. Transient test bench maneuvers show that the control is able to coordinate the actuators in order to fulfill the targets and to guarantee similar performances in different operating points. In addition the robustness to environmental changes has been demonstrated by vehicle tests at different ambient conditions.
Computer Modeling of Nanostructured Materials

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses computer modeling of nanostructured materials. Computer modeling has played an especially important role in developing the current understanding of nanometer-scale structures and processes. Among the many scientific and technological advances provided by the current emphasis on nanotechnology is the ability for computer modeling and experiment to characterize phenomena on a common scale. Atomic-level computer modeling is commonly used to explore and predict new phenomena that can be probed experimentally, to suggest new materials and structures with unique and desirable properties, to provide insight into the results of experiments, to generate data for larger-scale analysis, and to test scaling laws and analytic theories. The two standard methods for modeling nanometer-scale systems are molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation.
Asymmetric Arylation of 2,2,2-Trifluoroacetophenones Catalyzed by Chiral Electrostatically-Enhanced Phosphoric Acids.

A series of highly reactive metal-free chiral phosphoric acids possessing positively charged phosphonium ion substituents are reported and have been applied to Friedel–Crafts alkylations of indoles and 2,2,2-trifluoromethyl aryl ketones. These catalysts are orders-of-magnitude more active and have similar or better enantioselectivities than their noncharged analogues. High tolerance to a range of substrates with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents was also observed.
Chemoprevention of Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Barrett's esophagus is common in Western countries, but progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma is uncommon. Chemoprevention therefore needs to consider whether benefits outweigh risks given an otherwise healthy population. This will depend on the particular population at risk and the relative safety of a potential preventive agent. Most evidence regarding the potential benefit of chemoprevention of Barrett's esophagus and prevention of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma is based on observational studies such as case-control and cohort studies. Given the potential benefits and relatively low risks, patients with BE should receive once-daily PPI therapy, but routine use of twice-daily PPI is not recommended unless necessitated by poor control of reflux symptoms or esophagitis. Recent data suggest that the inverse associations between aspirin/NSAID use and esophageal adenocarcinoma may be the result of reducing neoplastic progression (from metaplasia to dysplasia and carcinoma) rather than initiation of Barrett's esophagus. While substantial associative data suggest a potential benefit of aspirin and nonaspirin NSAIDs in reducing the risk of progression of Barrett's esophagus, the low risk of progression and the potential risks (gastrointestinal bleeding, complicated ulcer disease, hemorrhagic stroke) do not warrant routine use, unless dictated by cardiovascular risk. Chemoprevention after mucosal ablation in those at highest risk of post-ablation recurrence (dysplastic Barrett's) is currently under investigation.