cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sparse-Grid-Based Adaptive Model Predictive Control of HL60 Cellular Differentiation

Quantitative methods such as model-based predictive control are known to facilitate the design of strategies to manipulate biological systems. This study develops a sparse-grid-based adaptive model predictive control (MPC) strategy to direct HL60 cellular differentiation. Sparse-grid sampling and interpolation support a computationally efficient adaptive MPC scheme in which multiple data-consistent regions of the model parameter space are identified and used to calculate a control compromise. The algorithm is evaluated in silico with structural model mismatch. Simulations demonstrate how the multiscenario control strategy more effectively manages the mismatch compared to a single scenario approach. Furthermore, the controller is evaluated in vitro to differentiate HL60 cells in both normal and perturbed environments. The controller-derived input sequence successfully achieves and sustains the specified target level of granulocytes when implemented in the laboratory. The results and analysis given here imply that adoption of this experiment planning technique to direct cell differentiation within more complex tissue engineered constructs will require the use of a reasonably accurate mathematical model and an extension of this algorithm to multiobjective controller design.
SYSTEM SIMULATION: A RISK MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND1

ABSTRACT The Prince William Sound (PWS) risk assessment was a joint project of Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and the George Washington University (GWU). The technique of system simulation developed by GWU was one of three risk analysis methodologies used in the PWS risk assessment. The system simulation methodology is based on the premises that risk is a dynamic property of a system, and that the judgment of experts who have a deep understanding of the system can be used to compensate for incomplete data. The system simulation was used to assess the baseline or current risk in the PWS oil transportation system and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential risk reduction measures. The PWS risk assessment found that current system safeguards effectively address significant system risks, but are not optimal. The dynamic interactions modeled in the simulation demonstrate that actions that reduce risk in one part of the system often increase risk in other parts. The ability...
A quantitative histochemical study of early cellular events associated with destruction of myelinated axons in rat optic nerve.

Abstract Microchemical techniques correlated with histologic observations in adult rat optic nerve were used to study the response of neuroglia to progressive membranous destruction of myelinated axons between 1 and 200 days after surgical removal of the eye. Cell enumeration was accomplished by combining DNA assays with differential cell counts in electron microscopic montages previously reported by others. During the first week after nerve transection, ganglioside sialic acid and proteolipid proteins decreased by 57% and 28%, respectively; these changes preceded the subsequent reduction of cerebrosides and cholesterol and light microscopic evidence of myelin destruction. This suggests that degeneration of axon cylinders and degradation of the protein core of myelin may be initiating events which induce instability in the lipid structure and subsequent fragmentation of the sheath. Transformation of astrocytes into undifferentiated glia with high ribosomal content also occurs during the initial phase of axonal degeneration, yielding a new line of cells capable of engulfing and digesting membranous debris. The slow clearance of degenerating fibers at about one-third the rate reported for peripheral nerve may be explained by the lack of infiltration of macrophages from blood and the relatively limited capacity of undifferentiated glia for phagocytosis.
Voltage graph embeddings and the associated block designs

The voltage graph construction of Gross (orientable case) and Stahl as well as Gross and Tucker (nonorientable case) is extended to the case where the base graph is embedded in a pseudosurface or a generalized pseudosurface. This theory is then applied to produce triangular embeddings of K4(n); they in turn yield an infinite class of partially balanced incomplete block designs.
Interleukin‐23/Th17 pathways and inflammatory bowel disease

The IL-23/Th17 pathway has recently been identified to play a critical role in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The identification in IBD patients of associations in IL23R and regions that include other genes in the IL-23/Th17 pathway has highlighted the importance of proper IL-23/Th17 pathway regulation in intestinal immune homeostasis. IL-23 plays a role in CD4+ Th17 lineage cells, characterized by IL-17 secretion and the expression of the transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)gamma tau, and in other immune and nonimmune cells. The balance between effector T cell subsets, such as Th17 cells, and CD4+ T regulatory subsets is finely regulated; dysregulation of this balance can lead to inflammation and autoimmunity. As such, the IL-23/Th17 pathway contributes to immune responses that play a role in defenses to microbial infection, as well as in the intestinal inflammation observed in both animal models of colitis and human IBD.
Response of Elk to Changes in Plant Production and Nutrition Following Prescribed Burning

Abstract Researchers have ascribed use of areas by grazers after burning to changes in plant community structure, community composition, nutritional quality, and seasonal availability. Researchers can better evaluate these alternatives if they monitor changes in plant communities following burning concurrently with changes in animal use. We examined responses of elk (Cervus elaphus) to prescribed burning of areas dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) in south-central Montana, USA, within which we monitored changes in plant production, nutritional quality, and community composition and diversity from 1989 to 1999. Elk increased use of burned sites 1–2 years after burning, then reduced use to levels associated with preburn conditions over the next 3–10 years. Burning transformed low-diversity, sagebrush-dominated communities into relatively high-diversity, grass- and forb-dominated communities that persisted for 10 years, but forage biomass and protein content declined on burned sites after initial short-...
Proficient performance of a conjunctive, recursive task by an African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus).

The comprehension skills of an African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus), Alex, were tested on a taks that included a conjunctive condition. For each trial, Alex was shown different collections of 7 items, each collection chosen from among 100 objects of various combinations of shapes, colors, and materials, and he was asked to provide (vocally) information about the specific instance of one category of an item that was uniquely defined by the conjunction of two other categories (e.g., "What color is the [object defined by shape and material]?"). Other objects exemplified one, but not both, of these defining categories. Alex responded with an accuracy of 76.5%, which indicated that he understood all the elements in the question, including the conjunctive condition, and that he used these elements to guide his search for the one object in the collection that provided the requested information.
The effect of expression sequence and expressor identity on judgments of the intensity of facial expression

Subjects were exposed to a sequence of facial expression photographs to determine whether viewing earlier expressions in a sequence would alter intensity judgments of a final expression in the sequence. Results showed that whether the preceding expressions were shown by the same person who displayed the final expression, or different people, intensity ratings of both sad and happy final expressions were enhanced when preceded by a sequence of contrasting as opposed to similar or identical facial expressions. Results are discussed from the perspective of adaptation-level theory.
A patient-specific segmentation framework for longitudinal MR images of traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Robust, reproducible segmentations of MR images with TBI are crucial for quantitative analysis of recovery and treatment efficacy. However, this is a significant challenge due to severe anatomy changes caused by edema (swelling), bleeding, tissue deformation, skull fracture, and other effects related to head injury. In this paper, we introduce a multi-modal image segmentation framework for longitudinal TBI images. The framework is initialized through manual input of primary lesion sites at each time point, which are then refined by a joint approach composed of Bayesian segmentation and construction of a personalized atlas. The personalized atlas construction estimates the average of the posteriors of the Bayesian segmentation at each time point and warps the average back to each time point to provide the updated priors for Bayesian segmentation. The difference between our approach and segmenting longitudinal images independently is that we use the information from all time points to improve the segmentations. Given a manual initialization, our framework automatically segments healthy structures (white matter, grey matter, cerebrospinal fluid) as well as different lesions such as hemorrhagic lesions and edema. Our framework can handle different sets of modalities at each time point, which provides flexibility in analyzing clinical scans. We show results on three subjects with acute baseline scans and chronic follow-up scans. The results demonstrate that joint analysis of all the points yields improved segmentation compared to independent analysis of the two time points.
Establishing cutoff scores on assessments of surgical skills to determine surgical competence

Objective The aim of this study was to establish minimum cutoff scores on intraoperative assessments of surgical skills to determine surgical competence for vaginal hysterectomy. Study Design Two surgical rating scales, the Global Rating Scale of Operative Performance and the Vaginal Surgical Skills Index, were used to evaluate trainees while performing vaginal hysterectomy. Cutoff scores were determined using the Modified Angoff method. Results Two hundred twelve evaluations were analyzed on 76 surgeries performed by 27 trainees. Trainees were considered minimally competent to perform vaginal hysterectomy if total absolute scores (95% confidence interval) on Global Rating Scale = 18 (16.5–20.3) and Vaginal Surgical Skills Index = 32 (27.7–35.5). On average, trainees met new cutoffs after performing 21 and 27 vaginal hysterectomies, respectively. With the new cutoffs applied to the same cohort of fourth-year obstetrics and gynecology trainees, all residents achieved competency in performing vaginal hysterectomy by the end of their gynecology rotations. Conclusion Standard-setting methods using cutoff scores may be used to establish competence in vaginal surgery.
Anterior screw fixation of a dislocated type II odontoid fracture facilitated by transoral and posterior cervical manual reduction

Background Early fixation of type II odontoid fractures has been shown to provide high rates of long-term stabilization and osteosynthesis.
Granular cell tumors of the larynx

Granular cell tumor is a rare neoplasm that may involve the larynx. It is almost always benign. Laryngologists should be familiar with this unusual tumor, its implications and appropriate treatment.
Capsule Transport in Coal Slurry Medium

The use of coal slurry instead of water in a coal log pipeline (CLP) is investigated for the first time. This investigation reveals significant differences and possible benefits by using coal slurry instead of water in CLPs. The lift-off velocity, and capsule and total pressure gradients are presented for a 51 mm pipeline using two capsule geometries. The fluid velocity was tested from 1 to 3 m/s, which includes the lift-off velocity of the capsule train. The diameter ratio (k) and specific gravity (S) are held constant at 0.75 and 1.3, respectively. Two capsule lengths were studied corresponding to aspect ratios (a) of 2 and 4. Aluminum-Plexiglas capsules are used to simulate the coal logs. The coal slurry significantly lowered the lift-off velocity, and transported more coal per total pressure gradient than coal logs in water. The capsule pressure gradient was nearly constant over the velocity range investigated. This indicates that the optimal operation velocity range may be much larger for coal slurry compared to water. Further tests and abrasion studies are required to fully assess the potential benefits of using coal slurry.
The Economic Consequences of Widowhood on Elderly Women in the United States and Germany

Purpose: Different countries have different goals for social welfare policy. Consequently, it is reasonable to expect different outcomes after certain events. This article examines changes in the economic well-being of elderly women at widowhood in the United States and Germany. Design and Methods: Longitudinal data from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics and the German Socioeconomic Panel were used to prepare a sample of elderly widows. Economic wellbeing the year before the husband’s death was compared with economic well-being the year after the husband’s death. Results: Although the prevalence of poverty is different in the two countries, most widows in both countries experienced a decline in living standards, and many actually fell into poverty at widowhood. A fall in Social Security and pension income was the largest contributor to the fall in living standards. Implications: The retirement income system in both countries seems to be adequate for married couples but appears to fail for widows.
Poly(rC) binding proteins and the 5' cloverleaf of uncapped poliovirus mRNA function during de novo assembly of polysomes

Poliovirus (PV) mRNA is unusual because it possesses a 5′-terminal monophosphate rather than a 5′-terminal cap. Uncapped mRNAs are typically degraded by the 5′ exonuclease XRN1. A 5′-terminal cloverleaf RNA structure interacts with poly(rC) binding proteins (PCBPs) to protect uncapped PV mRNA from 5′ exonuclease (K. E. Murray, A. W. Roberts, and D. J. Barton, RNA 7:1126-1141, 2001). In this study, we examined de novo polysome formation using HeLa cell-free translation-replication reactions. PV mRNA formed polysomes coordinate with the time needed for ribosomes to traverse the viral open reading frame (ORF). Nascent PV polypeptides cofractionated with viral polysomes, while mature PV proteins were released from the polysomes. Alterations in the size of the PV ORF correlated with alterations in the size of polysomes with ribosomes present every 250 to 500 nucleotides of the ORF. Eukaryotic initiation factor 4GI (eIF4GI) was cleaved rapidly as viral polysomes assembled and the COOH-terminal portion of eIF4GI cofractionated with viral polysomes. Poly(A) binding protein, along with PCBP 1 and 2, also cofractionated with viral polysomes. A C24A mutation that inhibits PCBP-5′-terminal cloverleaf RNA interactions inhibited the formation and stability of nascent PV polysomes. Kinetic analyses indicated that the PCBP-5′ cloverleaf RNA interaction was necessary to protect PV mRNA from 5′ exonuclease immediately as ribosomes initially traversed the viral ORF, before viral proteins could alter translation factors within nascent polysomes or contribute to ribonucleoprotein complexes at the termini of the viral mRNA.
Advances in inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis: linking host genetics and the microbiome

Studies of the genetics underlying inflammatory bowel diseases have increased our understanding of the pathways involved in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and focused attention on the role of the microbiome in these diseases. Full understanding of pathogenesis will require a comprehensive grasp of the delicate homeostasis between gut bacteria and the human host. In this review, we present current evidence of microbiome-gene interactions in the context of other known risk factors and mechanisms, and describe the next steps necessary to pair genetic variant and microbiome sequencing data from patient cohorts. We discuss the concept of dysbiosis, proposing that the functional composition of the gut microbiome may provide a more consistent definition of dysbiosis and may more readily provide evidence of genome-microbiome interactions in future exploratory studies.
Orienting numbers in mental space: Horizontal organization trumps vertical

While research on the spatial representation of number has provided substantial evidence for a horizontally oriented mental number line, recent studies suggest vertical organization as well. Directly comparing the relative strength of horizontal and vertical organization, however, we found no evidence of spontaneous vertical orientation (upward or downward), and horizontal trumped vertical when pitted against each other (Experiment 1). Only when numbers were conceptualized as magnitudes (as opposed to nonmagnitude ordinal sequences) did reliable vertical organization emerge, with upward orientation preferred (Experiment 2). Altogether, these findings suggest that horizontal representations predominate, and that vertical representations, when elicited, may be relatively inflexible. Implications for spatial organization beyond number, and its ontogenetic basis, are discussed.
"Sem dinheiro você nâo é nada": pobreza e saúde no México a partir da perspectiva das mulheres

The objective of this qualitative study was to get to know poor Mexican women's experience of poverty in relation to health care. Forty-nine interviews were carried out with poor adult women in Mexico (between 35 and 65 years old). Three central elements were detected in relation to the women's experience of poverty and health care: their socio-economic dependence on their family; the notion of social belonging in their experience with health care rights, reflected in the idea and acceptance that, due to their poverty, they can only be attended at philanthropic institutions; and the existence of survival mechanisms when facing an illness. In recovering the experience of poor women in relation to their health care, we identified that there is a clear idea that, if women had had economic resources, their health problem would have been solved differently. They are also convinced that, due to being poor, they have to content themselves with bad-quality medical care. This conformity finally makes them resign to the fact of either loosing a part of their own body, or even just waiting for death.
Kinship and Contract: Property Transmission and Family Relations in Northwestern Portugal

In 1886 Emile Zola published La Terre (The Earth), a novel about peasant life in nineteenth-century France. In that novel, the peasant-proprietor Fduan, aware that he has reached an age at which he can no longer farm his own property, decides to divide it among his three children. Monsieur Baillehache, the notary before whom they all appear to legalize the transaction, feels that it is his duty to “make the usual comments.”
Functional Divergence in the Caspase Gene Family and Altered Functional Constraints: Statistical Analysis and Prediction

In this article, we explore the pattern of type I functional divergence (i.e., altered functional constraints or site-specific rate difference) in the caspase gene family that is important for apoptosis (programmed cell death) and cytokine maturation. By taking advantage of substantial experimental data from caspases, the functional/structural basis of our posterior predictions from sequence analysis was extensively studied. Our results are as follows: (1) Phylogenetic analysis shows that the evolution of major caspase-mediated pathways has been facilitated by gene duplications, (2) type I functional divergence (altered functional constraints) is statistically significant between two major subfamilies, CED-3 and ICE, (3) 4 of 21 predicted amino acid residues (for site-specific rate difference between CED-3 and ICE) have been verified by experimental evidence, and (4) we found that some CED-3 caspases may inherit more ancestral functions, whereas other members may employ some recently derived functions. Our approach can be cost effective in functional genomics to make statistically sound predictions from amino acid sequences.
Neuroimaging studies of practice-related change : fMRI and meta-analytic evidence of a domain-general control network for learning

Functional magnetic resonance imaging and a meta-analysis of prior neuroimaging studies were used to characterize cortical changes resulting from extensive practice and to evaluate a dual-processing account of the neural mechanisms underlying human learning. Three core predictions of the dual processing theory are evaluated: 1) that practice elicits generalized reductions in regional activity by reducing the load on the cognitive control mechanisms that scaffold early learning; 2) that these control mechanisms are domain-general; and 3) that no separate processing pathway emerges as skill develops. To evaluate these predictions, a meta-analysis of prior neuroimaging studies and a within-subjects fMRI experiment contrasting unpracticed to practiced performance in a paired-associate task were conducted. The principal effect of practice was found to be a reduction in the extent and magnitude of activity in a cortical network spanning bilateral dorsal prefrontal, left ventral prefrontal, medial frontal (anterior cingulate), left insular, bilateral parietal, and occipito-temporal (fusiform) areas. These activity reductions are shown to occur in common regions across prior neuroimaging studies and for both verbal and nonverbal paired-associate learning in the present fMRI experiment. The implicated network of brain regions is interpreted as a domain-general system engaged specifically to support novice, but not practiced, performance.
Spatiotemporal Link Speed Correlations: Empirical Study

Traffic variables are known to be correlated over time and space as a result of traffic flow propagation. However, the correlation pattern is still largely unknown, and most of the research in short-term travel time prediction, demand forecasting, and network modeling either ignores or assumes correlation. In this paper the patterns of spatial and temporal correlations of average point speeds in a freeway setting were investigated. Five-minute speed aggregates were obtained for two directions of an urban freeway along a 12-mi segment in Los Angeles, California. Other variables included traffic flow, ramp locations, number of lanes, and level of congestion at detector stations. Weighted least squares multivariate linear regression models were fitted to the data from three different times of day (morning, midday, and afternoon) along a shorter, 6.5-mi stretch of the I-10 eastbound freeway. Estimated regression models indicated that an increase in spatial or temporal distance or both reduced the expected val...
Interferon-β and mycophenolic acid are potent inhibitors of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in cell-based assays.

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) presents a novel emerging threat to public health worldwide. Several treatments for infected individuals have been suggested including IFN, ribavirin and passive immunotherapy with convalescent plasma. Administration of IFN-α2b and ribavirin has improved outcomes of MERS-CoV infection in rhesus macaques when administered within 8 h post-challenge. However, detailed and systematic evidence on the activity of other clinically available drugs is limited. Here we compared the susceptibility of MERS-CoV with different IFN products (IFN-α2b, IFN-γ, IFN-universal, IFN-α2a and IFN-β), as well as with two antivirals, ribavirin and mycophenolic acid (MPA), against MERS-CoV (Hu/Jordan-N3/2012) in vitro. Of all the IFNs tested, IFN-β showed the strongst inhibition of MERS-CoV in vitro, with an IC50 of 1.37 U ml−1, 41 times lower than the previously reported IC50 (56.08 U ml−1) of IFN-α2b. IFN-β inhibition was confirmed in the virus yield reduction assay, with an IC90 of 38.8 U ml−1. Ribavirin did not inhibit viral replication in vitro at a dose that would be applicable to current treatment protocols in humans. In contrast, MPA showed strong inhibition, with an IC50 of 2.87 µM. This drug has not been previously tested against MERS-CoV and may provide an alternative to ribavirin for treatment of MERS-CoV. In conclusion, IFN-β, MPA or a combination of the two may be beneficial in the treatment of MERS-CoV or as a post-exposure intervention in high-risk patients with known exposures to MERS-CoV.
Food Quantity Affects Traits of Offspring in the Paper Wasp Polistes metricus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

The effects of food quantity on the morphology and development of the paper wasp Polistes metricus Say are studied, and experimental results are compared with predictions of the parental manipulation hypothesis. Food deprivation led to smaller female offspring. By hand feeding larvae we used a technique that counteracts the queenOs hypothesized ability to restrict food provi- sioning. Hand feeding larvae did not result in larger offspring, but their abdomen was wider and heavier and the hand-fed wasps survived longer in a cold test. We infer that hand-fed colonies produced more gynes and fewer workers than did control colonies. Results of a restricted nourishment treatment do not support the differential feeding hypothesis, because in fasting colonies the emergence of all larvae was delayed by a month, and we did not detect discriminatory feeding of particular larvae for faster emergence. Although fasting colonies produced fewer offspring, the sex ratio did not show signiÞcant differences from the other groups. These data suggest that Polistes metricus colonies are partly able to respond to different nutritional conditions by allocating excess food to increase the number of gynes at the expense of workers.
The influence of positive and negative affect on the processing of outcome expectancies related to risky sexual practices

The current study is a continuation on a line of research examining the effects of affective states on cognitions related to risky sexual behavior and is based on the Prototype/Willingness Model (Gibbons, Gerrard, & Lane, 2003). Past research (Pomery, 2004) found that mood states had a greater influence on behavioral willingness (BW) to engage in risky sexual behavior than on behavioral intentions/expectations (BI/BE) to engage in risky sexual behavior. Negative affective states were associated with greater levels of willingness and positive affective states were associated with lower levels of willingness. The current study investigated the effects of happy, sad, and neutral mood states on positive and negative outcome expectancies and other risk cognitions (willingness, intentions/expectations, prototype images, perceived vulnerability). College students (N = 110), who were pre-selected based on their prior high levels of willingness and either low or high levels of intentions, were randomly assigned to one of the three mood conditions (happy, sad, neutral). After the mood induction, participants were exposed to eight positive and eight negative outcome expectancies and their endorsements of these expectancies were measured, along with their response times. This was followed by the other risk cognition measures. It was hypothesized that those in the negative mood condition would more strongly endorse the positive outcome expectancies, as they would be motivated to improve their current mood state. In contrast, participants in the happy mood condition were expected to have lower levels of endorsement for the positive outcome expectancies. In addition, it was hypothesized that the effects of the induced mood states would be moderated by prior level of BW and BI, with those “at risk” (high BW/low BI) showing stronger mood effects
A two stage approach for Contiguous Sequential Pattern mining

Contiguous Sequential Pattern (CSP) mining is an important problem with many applications. Using general sequential pattern mining algorithms for CSP mining may lead to poor performance due to the lack of consideration on the contiguous property of CSP. In this paper we present a two stage approach for CSP mining. We first detect frequent itemsets in a database, based on which we partition the CSPs into subsets and apply a special data structure, General UpDown Tree, to detect all the patterns in each subset. The General Updown Tree exploits the contiguous property of CSPs to achieve a compact representation of all the sequences that contain an item. Such compact representation enables us to apply a top down approach for CSP mining and eliminates unnecessary candidate evaluation. Experiment results show that our approach is more efficient compared to previous approaches in terms of both time and space.
BURROWING OWL (ATHENE CUNICULARIA) POPULATION GENETICS: A COMPARISON OF NORTH AMERICAN FORMS AND MIGRATORY HABITS

Abstract We assessed the effects of range disjunction, migratory habit, coloniality, and habitat structure on the genetic differentiation of North American Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) populations. Burrowing Owls in North America comprise two forms or subspecies: A. c. floridana in Florida, separated by ∼1,500 km from the western form, A. c. hypugaea, which ranges from Texas to California and north to southern Canada. Burrowing Owls tend to be loosely colonial, and both the Florida populations and southerly populations of A. c. hypugaea from California to Texas are nonmigratory. To assess genetic structure, we examined 201 individuals from nine western and six Florida populations at seven highly variable microsatellite DNA loci. Mean gene diversity (Hexp) was higher in the west than in Florida (0.539 and 0.341, respectively; P < 0.05). Populations within subspecies were essentially panmictic (A. c. floridana: θ = 0.038, ρ = 0.014; A. c. hypugaea: θ = 0.014, ρ = 0.009) and even genetic differentiatio...
Canonical Correlation Analysis on SPD(n) Manifolds

Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is a widely used statistical technique to capture correlations between two sets of multivariate random variables and has found a multitude of applications in computer vision, medical imaging, and machine learning. The classical formulation assumes that the data live in a pair of vector spaces which makes its use in certain important scientific domains problematic. For instance, the set of symmetric positive definite matrices (SPD), rotations, and probability distributions all belong to certain curved Riemannian manifolds where vector-space operations are in general not applicable. Analyzing the space of such data via the classical versions of inference models is suboptimal. Using the space of SPD matrices as a concrete example, we present a principled generalization of the well known CCA to the Riemannian setting. Our CCA algorithm operates on the product Riemannian manifold representing SPD matrix-valued fields to identify meaningful correlations. As a proof of principle, we present experimental results on a neuroimaging data set to show the applicability of these ideas.
Non-Volatile Complementary Polarizer Spin-Transfer Torque On-Chip Caches: A Device/Circuit/Systems Perspective

In this paper, we propose a new spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) bit-cell structure (with complementary polarizers) that is suitable for on-chip caches. Our proposed structure requires a lower average critical write current than standard STT-MRAM, with improved write-ability, readability, and reliability. A cache array based on our proposed structure is studied using a device/circuit simulation framework, which we developed for this paper. Simulation results show that at the bit-cell level, our proposed structure can achieve subnanosecond sensing delay and lower read disturb torque using a self-referenced differential READ operation. Sensing and disturb margins of our proposed cell are 1.8× and 2.4× better than standard STT-MRAM, respectively. Furthermore, near disturb-free READ operation at ≥1.5 GHz is achieved using a latch-based sense amplifier and verified in circuit simulations. In addition, content addressable memory may also be efficiently implemented using complementary polarizer spin-transfer torque (CPSTT). Transient SPICE simulations show that CPSTT may be suitable for L1 cache, with a read energy of 14 fJ/bit. System level simulation shows that a CPSTT-based L2 cache can achieve ~9% lower energy consumption and >9% improvement in instructions per cycle over a standard STT-MRAM-based cache.
FLUX - An alternative flow solver for the National Combustion Code

Sample two-dimensional and three-dimensional results are presented to demonstrate the current capabilities of the FLUX code, which is intended as an alternative flow solver for the National Combustion Code (NCC). At the present time, the FLUX code can handle the fully unstructured 2D and 3D meshes and inviscid flows. The sample results indicate that the FLUX code is capable of calculating low Mach number compressible flows without invoking low Mach number preconditioning, as well as crisply capturing strong shock waves and other discontinuities without resorting to the TVD schemes. The comparison of results obtained from the FLUX code and the CORSAIR-CCD code (i.e. the baseline flow solver of the NCC) suggests that the FLUX code is numerically less dispersive and, by and large, less dissipative.
A Critical Analysis of Proposed Plasma Jet Models to Predict Temperature and Velocity Profiles

The prediction of temperature and fluid flow associated with a d.c. plasma jet exiting from the nozzle has been an important issue for-some years. Modeling efforts have mainly relied on incompressible flow formulations and various turbulence models to predict the d.c. plasma at atmospheric conditions. The primary assumption of such models is that the plasma is in local thermodynamic equilibrium, steady state, and that no other species from the ambient are entrained. In the subsonic parabolic approach, the plasma is treated as a free jet with no downstream influence on the upstream calculations. The elliptic approach needs conditions to bespecified along all boundaries, and calculations are dependent on the extent of the solutiondomain and the exit boundary conditions. Very few attempts have been made to model plasma jets which are supersonic upon exiting the nozzle. The problem is important due to the advantages of low pressure plasma deposition but is complex and difficult to analyze. Specifically one has to acount for compressibility and viscous dissipation effects. Off-design operating conditions (over or underexpanded conditions) greatly influence and complicate the plasma temperature and velocity profiles.
Optimal Replenishment Policies for Deteriorating Items Based on the Forecasting Method of Grey Model

The collected and forecasting profit model was briefly introduced focus on a series of conditions such as limited inventory, stochastic replenishment periods, uncertain of whether lending stock and service level constraint. Then determinate the optimal replenishment quantity and optimal policy and utilize MATLB real-time simulation to analyze how lending stock rate and stochastic replenishment periods effluence the profit finally it is proved that model is validated to the policy.
Abstract LB-138: Efficacy data of GDC-0449, a systemic Hedgehog pathway antagonist, in a first-in-human, first-in-class Phase I study with locally advanced, multifocal or metastatic basal cell carcinoma patients

Background: Aberrant Hedgehog signaling due to PATCHED or SMOOTHENED mutations is critical to the development of both hereditary and sporadic human basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). GDC-0449 is a first-in-class, potent, oral systemic inhibitor of Hedgehog signal transduction. A dose escalation Phase I trial for refractory solid tumors was conducted. Because of activity seen in initial patients with BCC, an expansion cohort was added to evaluate activity in locally advanced, multifocal, or metastatic BCC patients. Methods: Patients were enrolled in a first-in-human, 3+3 design Phase I study with modified dose doubling to evaluate safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. In the dose escalation portion, patients received 150, 270, or 540 mg GDC-0449 administered orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by a 1-week pharmacokinetics break, and then once daily on a continuous 28-day schedule (cycle 1=35 days). The expansion cohort BCC patients received 150 mg GDC-0449 daily without interruption beginning day 1. Surrogate tissues were assessed for expression levels of Hedgehog target gene, GLI1. Results: Eight of 9 BCC patients enrolled have been evaluated. In 4 patients with measurable met disease, 2 confirmed RECIST partial responses, 1 stable disease, and 1 progressive disease have been observed. In 4 patients with clinically evaluable locally advanced or multifocal disease, 2 patients had complete response in subcutaneous masses by physical exam and 2 patients had stable disease in skin lesions. One met BCC patient is too early to assess. Metabolic responses by EORTC positron emission tomography (PET) criteria were achieved in 5 out of 5 patients to date. Durable clinical benefit (range 56+ to 375+ days, median 112+ days) was achieved in 8 out of 9 patients. GLI1 expression in skin biopsies was reduced >2-fold in all patients tested to date. Conclusions: GDC-0449 was evaluated in locally advanced, multifocal, and metastatic BCC patients on a continuous daily oral schedule and without significant toxicities. Antitumor activity was observed in almost all BCC patients enrolled, thereby confirming the importance of inhibiting aberrant Hedgehog signaling in BCC.
Information revelation in auctions with common and private values

We explore the incentives to reveal verifiable private information when there are both common and private components to agents' valuations and when private information is held in both dimensions. When agents observe only one signal, they have no incentive to reveal the signal because such a revelation would negate their information advantage. However, when agents observe multiple signals, they may be incentivized to reveal certain signals that could lower their opponents' bids and thereby result in a higher profit from other signals. This paper shows that there exists an equilibrium with revelation of common-value signals in standard auctions, which is an efficient equilibrium that maximizes the social welfare and could provide the seller with a higher profit than a situation with no information revelation.
Electric field imaging of monopolar,bipolar and tripolar modes of electric stimuli in cochlear implant users

The spatial resolution of cochlear implants was investigated by measuring the electric field imaging(EFI) for seven cochlear implant users with three different stimulation modes.The result show that EFI(μV) exponentially decays from the stimulation position from both the apical and basal sides.The EFI parameters are significantly correlated between the apical and basal sides(p0.01).Moreover,the EFI parameters are significantly affected by the stimulation modes(p0.01) but independent of the amplitude level of the electrical stimuli artifacts.The EFI patterns are much narrower with bi-and tri-polar modes than with monopolar mode,suggesting that the restricted modes have higher spatial selectivity than the monopolar mode.However,the EFI patterns are asymmetric with the bipolar mode and require considerably large currents with the bi-and tri-polar modes.The perception ability of restricted stimuli need further study due to individual differences.
Convergencia Y Crecimiento Económico En Colombia 1980-2000 (Convergence and Economic Growth in Colombia 1980-2000)

Spanish Abstract: Este articulo busca dar respuesta a si las entidades territoriales colombianas en las ultimas dos decadas del siglo xx son un caso de convergencia de los ingresos per capita. Adicionalmente, se indaga sobre los determinantes del crecimiento economico departamental en Colombia en este mismo periodo. Los resultados indican que en Colombia se dio un proceso de convergencia en los 80, pero no sucedio lo mismo en los 90. En cuanto a los determinantes del crecimiento economico departamental, se hallaron relaciones importantes entre el capital humano, el grado de apertura al comercio exterior, la estabilidad economica, el nivel de industrializacion, y los niveles iniciales de ingreso per capita de los departamentos, con sus tasas de crecimiento.English Abstract: This paper seeks to answer if the Colombian territorial entities in the past tow decades of the 20 th century are a successful case of per capita income convergence. Additionally, it inquires about Colombia’s states economic growth determinants in the same period. The results indicates that there was a convergence process in Colombia during the 80’s, but not in the 90’s. Referring to the state’s economic growth determinants, there were found important relationships between the human capital, the international trade’s grade, the economic stability, the industrialization’s level and the initial per capita income of each state, with it’s growth rate.
Sperm creatine phosphokinase M-isoform ratios and fertilizing potential of men: a blinded study of 84 couples treated with in vitro fertilization.

Objective To examine the value of sperm creatine phosphokinase M-isoform (CK-MM) measurements toward predicting fertilizing potential of men. Design In 84 in vitro fertilization (IVF) couples without knowing the semen parameters, reproductive history or the outcome of the IVF cycles, we determined the sperm CK-MM ratios (the proportion of sperm CK-MM versus CK-MM + CK-BB). Husbands with Results Both the CKMM-Infertile and CKMM-Fertile groups (CK-MM ratios: 4.9% ± 0.6% versus 31.1% ± 1.8%) were in the normospermic range (31.5 ± 6.9 versus 78.4 ± 5.9 × 106 sperm/mL and 45.6% ± 5.0% versus 54.0% ± 2.0% motility). The fertilization rates (6.2 versus 4.9 oocytes inseminated) were 14.2% versus 53.4%, and 72.7% versus 25.8% of the couples failed to achieve any oocyte fertilization. All 14 pregnancies (16.7% rate) occurred in the CKMM-Fertile group. The pregnancy rate in the 62 CKMM-Fertile couples was 22.6%, and considering only the 46 CKMM-Fertile women in whom oocyte fertilization occurred, it was 30.4%. Among the 22 CKMM-Infertile men, 9 were normospermic and 9 of the 62 CKMM-Fertile men were Oligospermic. Within the CKMM-Fertile group, 12 and 2 of the 14 pregnancies occurred by the 53 normospermic and 9 oligospermic men (22.6% versus 22.2% rate). Conclusions Sperm CK-MM ratios, a measure of normal sperm development, predict fertilizing potential independently from sperm concentrations. Sperm CK-MM ratios also detect unexplained male infertility (infertile men with normospermic semen), a diagnosis that until now could not be substantiated.
Technique for the surgical extraction of permanent pacing leads and electrodes

When a pacing lead becomes infected, the most expedient and successful therapy is its removal. A new surgical extraction technique, combining the use of fluoroscopy and a limited surgical dissection of the right atrium, is presented for the removal of a lead entrapped in the heart or venous system.
Spine Injuries in Mass Casualties

When preparing for a disaster or entering a disaster zone, one must stay organized and ready [1]. Remember that different types of disasters will lead to different types of injuries.
Theoretical electron scattering amplitudes and spin polarizations: Electron energies 100 to 1500 eV Part II. Be, N, O, Al, Cl, V, Co, Cu, As, Nb, Ag, Sn, Sb, I, and Ta targets*†

In order to investigate the influence of the spin in elastic low-energy scattering from gaseous atoms, the Dirac equation was solved numerically. The complex scattering amplitudes, which describe the scattering process, are given. From the tables it is possible to determine such quantities as the elastic differential cross section, the spin polarization of elastically scattered electrons, the asymmetry of scattered electrons when the incoming electrons are already polarized, and the change of the polarization vector in a scattering experiment. Relativistic Hartree-Fock-Slater scattering potentials were used. The exchange of the incoming electron with the atomic electrons was not taken into account since it contributes very little except at the smallest angles where the wavefunctions are already quite uncertain. Because of this the scattering factors for ϑ
Comparison of Conventional and Alternative Nursery Field Management Systems: Soil Physical Properties

Abstract Effects of five nursery field management systems on the physical properties of a Waukegan silt loam soil were investigated: cultivation, herbicide management (oxadiazon), legume companion crop—‘Norcen’ bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus ‘Norcen’), winter cereal cover crop/mulch—‘Wheeler’ winter rye (Secale cereale ‘Wheeler’), and mixed grass sod—80% ‘Eton’ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne ‘Eton’) and 20% ‘Ruby’ red fescue (Festuca rubra ‘Ruby’). Six tree species were included in the study: Fraxinus pennsylvanica ‘Marshall Seedless’, Malus ‘Red Splendor’, Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Skyline’, Acer rubrum ‘Northwood’, Thuja occidentalis ‘Techny’ and Picea glauca var. densata. Field management treatment effects on soil water infiltration capacity, aggregation, bulk density, and temperature were quantified. Significant treatment differences were observed for all soil characteristics investigated. Bare soil treatments (cultivation and herbicide management) generally reduced water infilt...
Reported use of technology in stroke rehabilitation by physical and occupational therapists.

AbstractPurpose: With the patient care experience being a healthcare priority, it is concerning that patients with stroke reported boredom and a desire for greater fostering of autonomy, when evaluating their rehabilitation experience. Technology has the potential to reduce these shortcomings by engaging patients through entertainment and objective feedback. Providing objective feedback has resulted in improved outcomes and may assist the patient in learning how to self-manage rehabilitation. Our goal was to examine the extent to which physical and occupational therapists use technology in clinical stroke rehabilitation home exercise programs.Materials and methods: Surveys were sent via mail, email and online postings to over 500 therapists, 107 responded.Results: Conventional equipment such as stopwatches are more frequently used compared to newer technology like Wii and Kinect games. Still, less than 25% of therapists’ report using a stopwatch five or more times per week. Notably, feedback to patients i...