cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Connecting the Usability and Software Engineering Life Cycles:: Using a communication-fostering software development framework and cross-pollinated computer science courses

Interactive software systems have both functional and user interface components. User interface design and development requires specialized usability engineering (UE) knowledge, training, and experience in topics such as psychology, cognition, specialized design guidelines, and task analysis. The design and development of a functional core requires specialized software engineering (SE) knowledge, training, and experience in topics such as algorithms, data structures, software architectures, calling structures, and database management. Given that the user interface and the functional core are two closely coupled components of an interactive software system, with each constraining the design of the other, there is a need for the SE and UE life cycles to be connected to support communication among roles between the two development life cycles. Additionally, there is a corresponding need for appropriate computer science curricula to train the SE and UE roles about the connections between the two processes. In this dissertation, we connected the SE and UE life cycles by creating the Ripple project development environment which fosters communication between the SE and UE roles and by creating a graduate-level cross-pollinated SE-UE joint course offering, with student teams spanning the two classes, to educate students about the intricacies of interactive-software development. Using this joint course we simulated different conditions of interactive-software development (i.e. with different types of project constraints and role playing) and assigned different teams to these conditions. As part of semester-long class projects these teams developed prototype systems for a real client using their assigned development condition. Two of the total of eight teams in this study used the Ripple framework. As part of this experimental course offering, various instruments were employed throughout the semester to assess the effectiveness of a framework like Ripple and to investigate candidate factors that impact the quality of product and process of interactive-software systems. The study highlighted the importance of communication among the SE and UE roles and exemplified the need for the two roles to respect each other and to have the willingness to work with one another. Also, there appears to exist an inherent conflict of interest when the same people play both UE and SE roles as they seem to choose user interface features that are easy to implement and not necessarily easy to use by system’s target users. Regarding pedagogy, students in this study indicated that this joint SE-UE course was more useful in learning about interactive-software development and that it provided a better learning experience than traditional SE-only or UE-only courses.
Overcoming Barriers to Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)

Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) avoids skin incisions by accessing the abdominal cavity through natural orifices. Benefits include less pain, fewer complications and no scars. The aims of this study were to evaluate safety and efficacy of access techniques for natural orifice surgery, to investigate safety and efficacy of closure methodologies and to compare the inflammatory response induced by NOTES with that following conventional surgery. Access techniques were evaluated for safety and efficacy by measuring resultant injury and time required to access the peritoneal cavity in an acute porcine model. Four different gastrotomy closure modalities were evaluated for safety and efficacy by measuring clinical data, evidence of infection and closure integrity in a chronic porcine study. Markers of inflammation were measured in a chronic study comparing NOTES to conventional surgery. 70 anterior transgastric access procedures were performed without any serious injury to adjacent organs. NOTES access required significantly longer than laparoscopic access. Of the seven methods evaluated none was significantly superior to others. In distinguishing between safe and unsafe alternate access sites, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provided a statistically significant difference for antral and posterior stomach access points but not for rectal access. Gastrotomy closure time varied widely for the
Dual Receptor-Targeting Tc-99m-Labeled RGD-Conjugated Alpha-MSH Hybrid Peptides for Human Melanoma Imaging

1093 Objectives We reported a dual receptor-targeting α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) hybrid peptide {99mTc-RGD-Lys-(Arg11)CCMSH} for human melanoma imaging in our previous work. Despite its success in M21 human melanoma imaging, it is desirable to reduce its high renal uptake (67.1 ± 16.5% ID/g at 2 h post-injection). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of hydrocarbon (βAla and Ahx) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) linkers on tumor and renal uptake of dual receptor-targeting 99mTc-labeled Arg-Gly-Asp-conjugated α-MSH hybrid peptides. Methods The RGD motif {Arg-Gly-Asp-DTyr-Asp} was coupled to [Cys3,4,10, D-Phe7, Arg11]α-MSH3-13 via the βAla, Ahx, or PEG2 linker to generate RGD-linker-(Arg11)CCMSH peptides. The biodistribution results of 99mTc-RGD-linker-(Arg11)CCMSH peptides were examined in M21 human melanoma-xenografted nude mice. Results The substitution of Lys linker with hydrocarbon and PEG2 linkers significantly decreased the renal uptake of 99mTc-RGD-linker-(Arg11)CCMSH peptides by 67-82% at 2 h post-injection as compared to 99mTc-RGD-Lys-(Arg11)CCMSH. Among these three 99mTc-peptides, 99mTc-RGD-βAla-(Arg11)CCMSH displayed the highest tumor uptake (2.37 ± 0.07% ID/g) and the lowest renal uptake (12.4 ± 0.1% ID/g) at 2 h post-injection. Conclusions The favorable effect of hydrocarbon and PEG2 linkers in reducing the renal uptake provided a new insight into the design of novel dual receptor-targeting radiolabeled peptides.
Management of stage T1a prostate cancer

The patient with incidentally discovered prostate cancer by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) presents a difficult management problem for the clinician. These tumors are small and generally of low biologic potential. Offering aggressive treatment is not necessary in most patients; though in some patients, the tumor is not organ confined. Selecting that patient who may require tumor eradication to optimize survival requires careful analysis of known histological parameters identified at the time of diagnosis, an estimation of projected individual survival, and extensive counseling regarding options.
Basic Techniques, Surgical Anatomy, and Histology

This Basic Techniques, Surgical Anatomy, and Histology chapter is designed as a concise review for facial plastic surgeons, fellows, or residents in training. It includes review of wound healing (phases, cellular components, strengths); evaluation and management of traumatic wounds; wound classification guidelines; surgical suture characteristics; normal and abnormal histology; facial embryology; and facial anatomy (surface landmarks, proportions, skeletal structure, muscles of facial expression, orbital anatomy, facial nerve course, arterial supply). Sources are landmark articles and texts and topics that are focused on surgically pertinent details and relationships.
The Three Ways or Levels of History

The formal definition and description of what we have termed ‘expository historiography’ in 1944 inevitably raised the problem of its relationship to technical history. It then also became necessary to establish the relationship between the writings that used providence as an explanatory device, and expository history, purporting to be the result of applying a strictly scientific generalising procedure to the concrete facts established by technical history. Were the writings explicitly referring to the idea of providence to be equated with expository historiography, or did they amount to yet a third mode of historiographical discourse? Butterfield answered this question in an address on ‘God in History’ given in August 1951, later partly amplified in ‘The Role of the Individual in History’ delivered in December 1953. Here for the first time he explicitly discussed the three ‘ways’ or ‘levels’ in which history should be viewed: Concerning the events that take place … in history and in life there are three ways that we can have of looking at them … we can imagine them at three different levels and with three different kinds of analysis. And because they are taken at different levels they can all be true at the same time, just as you could have three different shapes of the same piece of wood if you took three different cross-sections. If you go on a journey, and … I ask: Why are you here now? you may answer: ‘Because I wanted to come’; or you may say: ‘Because a railway-train carried me here’; or you may say: ‘Because it is the will of God’; and all these things may be true at the same time — true on different levels.1
An Exploratory Analysis of Pronoun Usage by Brands and Consumers on Facebook

The importance of the language used in brand-consumer communications spans many areas of marketing including advertising, personal selling, public relations, service interactions, traditional media, and, within the last decade, digital and social media marketing. The present research provides an exploratory investigation on the use of first (e.g., “I”) and second (e.g., “You”) person singular pronouns in brand-consumer communications on the popular social networking platform, Facebook. In particular, archival data from brand administrator and fan posts on Facebook were collected for a period of 45 days. Initial findings suggest that first- and second-person singular pronoun usage is higher in consumer comments than in brand posts. On the other hand, brand posts contain a higher proportion of second-person (vs. first-person) singular pronouns, while consumer comments contain a higher proportion of first-person (vs. second-person) singular pronouns. Brand posts contain a higher portion of second-person singular pronouns than do consumer comments. Finally, consumer comments contain a higher proportion of first-person singular pronouns than do brand posts. Managerial implications and opportunities for future research are discussed.
Genetic Feedback Regulation of Frontal Cortical Neuronal Ensembles Through Activity-Dependent Arc Expression and Dopaminergic Input.

Mental functions involve coordinated activities of specific neuronal ensembles that are embedded in complex brain circuits. Aberrant neuronal ensemble dynamics is thought to form the neurobiological basis of mental disorders. A major challenge in mental health research is to identify these cellular ensembles and determine what molecular mechanisms constrain their emergence and consolidation during development and learning. Here, we provide a perspective based on recent studies that use activity-dependent gene Arc/Arg3.1 as a cellular marker to identify neuronal ensembles and a molecular probe to modulate circuit functions. These studies have demonstrated that the transcription of Arc is activated in selective groups of frontal cortical neurons in response to specific behavioral tasks. Arc expression regulates the persistent firing of individual neurons and predicts the consolidation of neuronal ensembles during repeated learning. Therefore, the Arc pathway represents a prototypical example of activity-dependent genetic feedback regulation of neuronal ensembles. The activation of this pathway in the frontal cortex starts during early postnatal development and requires dopaminergic input. Conversely, genetic disruption of Arc leads to a hypoactive mesofrontal dopamine circuit and its related cognitive deficit. This mutual interaction suggests an auto-regulatory mechanism to amplify the impact of neuromodulators and activity-regulated genes during postnatal development. Such a mechanism may contribute to the association of mutations in dopamine and Arc pathways with neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders. As the mesofrontal dopamine circuit shows extensive activity-dependent developmental plasticity, activity-guided modulation of dopaminergic projections or Arc ensembles during development may help to repair circuit deficits related to neuropsychiatric disorders.
CD154 Blockade Prevents Allosensitization through Inhibiting Both T- and B-Cell Activation and Decreasing Expression of IFN-γ and IL-10 in T-Cells.

Recipient sensitization to MHC antigens from transfusion therapy and prior graft rejection is among the most critical of problems in clinical transplantation. Sensitized patients reject vascularized organ or bone marrow transplants within minutes to hours as a result of preformed anti-donor Abs. Preventing allosensitization at the time recipients are exposed to donor alloantigens would be of obvious clinical benefit. B cell activation and the generation of memory B cells depends upon T cell responses via signaling from the co-stimulatory molecule CD154 (on activated T cells) to CD40 (on B cells). We have demonstrated in an allogeneic mouse model [BALB/c (H2K d ) to B6 (H2K b )] that blockade of T and B cell interactions with anti-CD154 induces B cell tolerance, as defined by complete abrogation of the generation of donor-specific Ab after skin grafting. Furthermore, anti-CD154 treatment promotes successful subsequent bone marrow transplantation in these recipients, confirming that sensitization was prevented. In this study, we evaluated the effect of anti-CD154 mAb on T- and B-cell populations, activation state, and cytokine expression by T cells. B6 recipients were treated with anti-CD154 (day 0 and +3) or isotype hamster IgG control around the time receiving BALB/c skin grafts (day 0), and the number of T-cells (CD4 + and CD8 + ), total B-cells (CD19 + ), immature B-cells (CD19 + CD24 high CD23 low ), and follicular B-cells (CD19 + CD24 low CD23 high ) in the spleen was enumerated by 4 color flow cytometry at day 7, 15 and 25 after skin grafting. No significant difference in absolute number of T- and B-cell subpopulations was seen between anti-CD154 and control IgG treated groups at the time points tested. By measuring the percentage CD71 + cells in the CD8 + or CD4 + gate or CD69 + in the CD19 + gate, activated T and B cell populations were evaluated. In vivo blockade of CD154 resulted in a significantly reduced activation of alloreactive T- and B-cells: the percentage of CD8 + /CD71 + T cells was significantly lower at day 7 and the percentage of CD4 + /CD71 + T cells was significantly lower at all time points compared with control mice ( P + /CD69 + B cells at day 7 and 25 was significantly lower compared with control IgG treated mice ( P P
Metabolic syndrome and total cancer mortality in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Purpose Although metabolic syndrome incidence has substantially increased during the last few decades, it largely remains unclear whether this metabolic disorder is associated with total cancer mortality. The present study was carried out to investigate this important question.
Renormalized contact interaction in degenerate unitary Bose gases

We renormalize the two-body contact interaction based on the exact solution of two interacting particles in a harmonic trap. This renormalization extends the validity of the contact interaction to large scattering lengths. We apply this renormalized interaction to a degenerate unitary Bose gas to study its stationary properties and elementary excitations using the mean-field theory and the hyperspherical method. Since the scattering length is no longer a relevant length scale at unitarity, universal properties are obtained that depend only on the average particle density. Our treatment shows that the universal relations for the total energy and for the two-body contact are $E/N=12.67{\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{2}\ensuremath{\langle}{n}^{2/3}\ensuremath{\rangle}/2m$ and ${C}_{2}/N=11.8\ensuremath{\langle}{n}^{1/3}\ensuremath{\rangle}$, respectively.
Limiters and Divertor Plates

As fusion devices move toward scientific breakeven and beyond that to ignition, the demands placed upon the limiter and divertor plates become more severe. The design of these devices depends upon a careful balance between plasma edge processes and material thermal, mechanical, and electromagnetic properties. The insertion of a limiter or divertor plate in the plasma edge causes a large perturbation of the edge. The physics of the plasma limiter interaction is discussed in great detail in other chapters and will not be discussed here so that emphasis can be placed on the techniques used to design limiters and divertor plates. The difficulty in the design of a limiter or divertor plate lies in the simultaneous satisfaction of all the constraints imposed by real materials and geometries within the allowed boundaries of the physics of the plasma edge. The uncertainties in the plasma edge properties makes optimization of any design more difficult because some constraints are poorly defined. The purpose of this chapter is to present the basic physical principles that are important for the design of limiters and divertor plates. The methods used to find a solution within the constraints will be described.
Bio-inspired CO2 reduction by a rhenium tricarbonyl bipyridine-based catalyst appended to amino acids and peptidic platforms: incorporating proton relays and hydrogen-bonding functional groups

Herein, we report a new approach to bio-inspired catalyst design. The molecular catalyst employed in these studies is based on the robust and selective Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl-type (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) homogeneous catalysts, which have been extensively studied for their ability to reduce CO2 electrochemically or photochemically in the presence of a photosensitizer. These catalysts can be highly active photocatalysts in their own right. In this work, the bipyridine ligand was modified with amino acids and synthetic peptides. These results build on earlier findings wherein the bipyridine ligand was functionalized with amide groups to promote dimer formation and CO2 reduction by an alternate bimolecular mechanism at lower overpotential (ca. 250 mV) than the more commonly observed unimolecular process. The bio-inspired catalysts were designed to allow for the incorporation of proton relays to support reduction of CO2 to CO and H2O. The coupling of amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine led to the formation of two structurally similar Re catalyst/peptide catalysts for comparison of proton transport during catalysis. This article reports the synthesis and characterization of novel catalyst/peptide hybrids by molecular dynamics (MD simulations of structural dynamics), NMR studies of solution phase structures, and electrochemical studies to measure the activities of new bio-inspired catalysts in the reduction of CO2.
Excited State Nonlinear Optics

As a result of fundamental progress in the field of nonlinear optics, the microscopic origin and mechanism for nonresonant second order and third order optical processes originating from the So ground electronic state of conjugated structures are fairly well understood, especially in terms of highly correlated virtual excitations that are accurately described by electron correlation theory for low dimensional systems. In finite systems, the theoretical description is in excellent agreement with experimental measurements of the magnitude, sign, and dispersion of the microscopic second order sijk S 0(-ω3;ω1,ω2) and third order γijkl S 0(-ω4;ω1,ω2,ω3) optical susceptibilities[1]–[4]. Based on this understanding, the microscopic description can be naturally developed to consider nonlinear optical processes originating not only from the ground state but also from real population of an optically pumped excited state S n.
Famine in Somalia: Competing Imperatives, Collective Failures, 2011–12 by Daniel Maxwell, Nisar Majid (review)

Maxwell, Daniel and Nisar Majid. Famine in Somalia: Competing Imperatives, Collective Failures, 2011–12. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016. Review by Angel R. Ackerman.
The accuracy of personal activity monitoring devices

Abstract Activity monitoring has important applications in orthopaedic and medical research. There is a paucity of information on device accuracy. Thirty adults tested the accuracy of 10 devices in 5 activities: walk 400-M, run 400-M, walk 10-M, ascend and descend 10 steps. A second protocol tested slow walking speeds at 1.0, 1.5, 1.8, and 2.0MPH. The waist-based devices FitBit One and Omron HJ-321 were >90% accurate for all activities. The wristband devices and Smartphone Apps were 95% accurate at lower cadence activities, but undercounted running by ~25%. Waist-based, dedicated activity monitors are highly accurate in a variety of activities.
A Human Factors-Based ICrossing System

Highway-rail crossing protection has perpetually been a problem for railroads and road owners. Of roughly 422,000 [1] highway-rail grade crossings in the Unites States, nearly half are passive crossings utilizing only signs and other non-active warning devices. ICrossing is a system designed to protect these passive crossings and warn motorists of approaching trains. ICrossing utilizes a system of beacons and detectors connected to a central computer. The detectors located down the track on either side of the crossing detect oncoming trains and alerts that central computer. The central computer then generates a warning message which is sent to the IBeacons that are placed on the approaches to the crossing. The beacons broadcast the generated message to the surrounding area and alert motorists to the oncoming train through a mobile application on their cell phones. This system is expected to be a cheap form of protection that can add another level of protection to many of the passive crossings located throughout the country.© 2017 ASME
Novel method for monitoring common terns at a large colony in northern Lake Huron, USA

Abstract Novel monitoring and management techniques may be required when working with colonial waterbirds nesting on anthropogenic sites. We tested the utility of fixed sampling frames (quadrats) for estimating number of common tern ( Sterna hirundo ) nests and colony dynamics at a site in northern Lake Huron, U.S.A. We also examined whether within-season herbaceous vegetation management affected number of nests. We were unable to detect any avoidance of fixed quadrats (N = 15) versus staked quadrats (N = 15) over 10 count days in 2015 (Mann-Whitney, P ≥ 0.16). Both distance from human disturbance (m) and Julian day were significant ( P P ≥ 0.18). For common terns, and potentially other colonial waterbirds breeding on anthropogenic sites in the Great Lakes, we conclude that a fixed quadrat methodology may provide a useful way of estimating colony size and colony dynamics. Future studies should be conducted to compare our novel method with more traditional monitoring techniques.
Rigorous error propagation for terrestrial laser scanning with application to snow volume uncertainty

Estimates of point-cloud positional accuracies in terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) datasets are currently limited to rudimentary combinations of GPS position error and manufacturer precision specifications. However, rigorous error propagation techniques can be applied to the three-dimensional TLS points and potentially integrated into software visualization and analysis products. Beyond the immediate value of qualitatively observing the distribution of expected TLS errors within a point cloud, rigorously estimated point errors can be further propagated to quantify expected errors in derived products such as point-to-point distance measurements, best-fit planes or volume computations. We review TLS error sources, detail their propagation through a rigid registration and illustrate the application of estimated TLS point errors to propagated snow volume uncertainties for a large and small TLS dataset. The resulting volume errors are of negligible size compared to the volume magnitudes, in no case exceeding 0.007% of the computed snow volume. For a dataset generating a large snow volume, the method of surface representation (e.g. grid or triangulated mesh) was more influential than the estimated TLS point errors on volume uncertainty. This suggests the random errors inherent in TLS measurement techniques are not a limiting factor in achievable snow volume accuracies.
The Differential Effects of P-O Cultural Fit and P-T Cultural Fit

This study attempts to compare and examine the differential effects between person-organization (P-O) cultural fit and person-team (P-T) cultural fit on multiple work attitudes toward the team, org...
Patient’s Own Risk Factors

Successful robotic surgery requires preoperative medical optimization. Best practice addresses the spectrum of the patient’s own medical risk factors in an effort to identify patients with elevated risk and ascertain what is modifiable. This spectrum includes cardiac and pulmonary issues, as well as thromboembolic and bleeding risk. Because robotic surgery is often performed in older patients, we also discuss delirium and frailty. In this chapter we cover risk factors, risk assessment tools, and interventions that may improve outcomes, in addition to reviewing procedure-related medical complications. Our aim is to provide a solid medical approach to a smooth operation.
Gut Microbiome and Antibiotics

Despite that the human gastrointestinal tract is the most populated ecological niche by bacteria in the human body, much is still unknown about its characteristics. This site is highly susceptible to the effects of many external factors that may affect in the quality and the quantity of the microbiome. Specific factors such as diet, personal hygiene, pharmacological drugs and the use of antibiotics can produce a significant impact on the gut microbiota. The effect of these factors is more relevant early in life, when the gut microbiota has not yet fully established. In this review, we discussed the effect of type and doses of the antibiotics on the gut microbiota and what the major consequences in the use and abuse of these antimicrobial agents.
Peer Instruction: Tips, Techniques and Resources (Abstract Only)

Peer Instruction (PI) is an active learning technique with over 25 years of research supporting its efficacy. Documented benefits in CS include lower WDF rates, higher exam scores, and improved retention in the CS major. One key difference between PI and traditional lecture is the use of "clicker questions" in class to challenge students' conceptual understanding. Students discuss and answer these questions in small groups before the instructor goes over the question with the entire class. This BoF is for both those using PI and those interested in starting. Attendees will meet other PI practitioners, discuss tips and tricks, and exchange materials. We will provide pointers to PI materials for a variety of courses, including CS1 & CS2, Machine Organization, Programming Languages, OS and more.
Perianal Bowen's disease and anal intraepithelial neoplasia: review of the literature.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review the literature with regard to perianal Bowen's disease and anal intraepithelial neoplasia. METHODS: A literature review was conducted from 1960 to 1999 using MEDLINE. RESULTS: Perianal Bowen's disease and anal intraepithelial neoplasia are precursors to squamous carcinoma of the anus. They are analogous to and are associated with cervical and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, and have human papillomavirus as a common cause. Biopsy and histopathologic examination is required for diagnosis and to distinguish other perianal dermatoses. Treatment options range from aggressive wide local excision of all disease with negative margins to observation alone for microscopic lesions not visible to the naked eye. The disease has a proclivity for recurrence and recalcitrance. CONCLUSIONS: Most surgeons caring for patients with perianal Bowen's disease and high-grade anal epithelial neoplasia use wide local excision, with an effort to obtain disease-free margins. Some authors have reported the advantages of ablative procedures such as laser ablation and cryotherapy. Microscopic disease found serendipitously in hemorrhoidectomy specimens can probably be treated conservatively with serial examinations alone. There is a lack of controlled data supporting an optimal treatment strategy. A multicenter controlled study comparing wide local excision with ablative procedures may be warranted.
Real‐world experience with use of Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), PEGylated for prophylaxis in severe haemophilia A

Introduction Prophylaxis with extended half-life factor VIII (FVIII) is approved for haemophilia A, but data regarding routine clinical use are limited. Aim To assess real-world experience of ADYNOVATE® (Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), PEGylated prophylaxis in children and adults with haemophilia A. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted in three US haemophilia treatment centres. Records of all patients who began Adynovate prophylaxis in routine clinical practice were identified. Demographic, clinical and patient-reported information beginning 6 months before initiation of Adynovate until the record review was analysed. Results Fifteen patients (aged 9 months to 28 years), with median 9 months' use of Adynovate (range 1-15 months), were identified. All had switched from another prophylactic regimen, 13 (87%) from standard half-life recombinant FVIII. Nine (60%) patients had ≥1 bleed within 6 months preswitch. The most frequent reason for switching was to reduce infusion frequency (14 patients). After switching, infusion frequency reduced for 13 patients, and overall weekly factor consumption decreased by 19%. Eight (53%) patients had no bleeds postswitch, three (20%) had spontaneous joint bleeds (vs four pre-switch), and three (20%) had only mild traumatic bleeds. Patient/parental satisfaction with Adynovate was documented as positive in 13 of 15 (87%) cases; 2 patients were not satisfied and discontinued Adynovate. No adverse events were considered related to Adynovate. Conclusion In patients who switched from a standard half-life FVIII to Adynovate prophylaxis in routine clinical practice, bleeding control was generally improved or maintained, with a lower infusion frequency and factor consumption in most patients.
Alliums: Onion, Garlic, and Others

Most botanists believe that the onion originated in the regions around Iran and West Pakistan. The onion is not known in the wild form, although many alliums with onion-like flavor are found growing wild in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The history of onions dates back at least to 3200–2800 BC from findings in Egyptian tombs. The culture of onion spread to India about 600 BC and the Greeks and Romans wrote about onions and garlic about 400–300 Alliums: Onion, Garlic, and Others. Onions had spread into northern Europe by the start of the Middle Ages.
Crystal Structure of the Siderophore Binding Protein BauB Bound to an Unusual 2:1 Complex Between Acinetobactin and Ferric Iron

The critical role that iron plays in many biochemical processes has led to an elaborate battle between bacterial pathogens and their hosts to acquire and withhold this critical nutrient. Exploitation of iron nutritional immunity is being increasingly appreciated as a potential antivirulence therapeutic strategy, especially against problematic multidrug resistant Gram-negative pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii. To facilitate iron uptake and promote growth, A. baumannii produces a nonribosomally synthesized peptide siderophore called acinetobactin. Acinetobactin is unusual in that it is first biosynthesized in an oxazoline form called preacinetobactin that spontaneously isomerizes to the final isoxazolidinone acinetobactin. Interestingly, both isomers can bind iron and both support growth of A. baumannii. To address how the two isomers chelate their ferric cargo and how the complexes are used by A. baumannii, structural studies were carried out with the ferric acinetobactin complex and its periplasmic siderophore binding protein BauB. Herein, we present the crystal structure of BauB bound to a bis-tridentate (Fe3+L2) siderophore complex. Additionally, we present binding studies that show multiple variants of acinetobactin bind BauB with no apparent change in affinity. These results are consistent with the structural model that depicts few direct polar interactions between BauB and the acinetobactin backbone. This structural and functional characterization of acinetobactin and its requisite binding protein BauB provides insight that could be exploited to target this critical iron acquisition system and provide a novel approach to treat infections caused by this important multidrug resistant pathogen.
Examining strategies for improving healthcare providers' communication about adolescent HPV vaccination: evaluation of secondary outcomes in a randomized controlled trial.

There is a critical need for campaigns and interventions to increase rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among U.S. adolescents. Healthcare providers are key stakeholders in parents’ HP...
Lung cancer imaging with respiratory motion-compensated simultaneous PET/MR

1417 Objectives Motion artifacts introduced by respiration degrade both the quality and quantitative accuracy of thoracic PET images. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of motion-compensated simultaneous PET/MR in lung cancer imaging. Methods Simultaneous PET/MR imaging was performed on subjects with cancerous lesions in one or both lungs. [18F]FDG PET list-mode data and MR k-space data were simultaneously acquired using a Golden-angle RAdial Navigated Gradient Echo (GRANGE) pulse sequence. The MR acquisition parameters in the studies were as follows: TR 3.3 ms/slice, bandwidth 1 kHz/pixel, readout oversampling factor of 2,256 samples per radial line, and 26 coronal slices with a slice thickness of 8 mm and with 4000 radial lines per slice. The PET list-mode events and MR k-lines were grouped into six amplitude-based gates per respiratory cycle. Gated MR images were reconstructed using the k-t FOCUSS reconstruction technique. Non-rigid registration based on diffeomorphic demons was used to compute deformation fields from the reconstructed MR images. PET list-mode data were acquired for 7 min and binned into gated sinograms. Motion compensated (MC) PET images corresponding to the end-exhalation phase were reconstructed using the sinograms and deformation fields by employing a maximum a posteriori approach. As reference, one-gate (OG) and ungated (UG) PET images were computed. Results Overestimation of the volume and underestimation of the intensity of high-intensity features (such as lesions) are well-known consequences of motion-induced blurring. We therefore quantitatively compared the OG, UG, and MC cases by computing the lesion volume and lesion to background contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Our results indicate that, while, UG leads to an overestimation of lesion volume by 11%-38% relative to the OG case, MC exhibits a 2%-19% range for the same metric. Furthermore, MC leads to a CNR improvement of 19%-196% relative to OG and 6%-51% relative to UG. Conclusions Compensation of respiratory motion led to substantial enhancement of image contrast and reduction of variability in PET images of patients with lung lesions. Motion compensated simultaneous PET/MR is therefore promising for quantitative imaging of lung lesions.
Depressive Symptoms and Total Healthcare Costs: Roles of Functional Limitations and Multimorbidity

OBJECTIVES Depressive symptoms can be both a cause and a consequence of functional limitations and medical conditions. Our objectives were to determine the association of depressive symptoms with subsequent total healthcare costs in older women after accounting for functional limitations and multimorbidity. DESIGN Prospective cohort study (Study of Osteoporotic Fractures [SOF]). SETTING Four US sites. PARTICIPANTS A total of 2508 community-dwelling women (mean age = 79.4 years) participating in the SOF year 10 (Y10) examination linked with their Medicare claims data. MEASUREMENTS At Y10, depressive symptoms were measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and functional limitations were assessed by number (range = 0-5) of impairments in performing instrumental activities of daily living. Multimorbidity was ascertained by the Elixhauser method using claims data for the 12 months preceding the Y10 examination. Total direct healthcare costs, outpatient costs, acute hospital stays, and skilled nursing facility during the 12 months following the Y10 examination were ascertained from claims data. RESULTS Annualized mean (SD) total healthcare costs were $4654 ($9075) in those with little or no depressive symptoms (GDS score = 0-1), $7871 ($14 534) in those with mild depressive symptoms (GDS score = 2-5), and $9010 ($15 578) in those with moderate to severe depressive symptoms (GDS score = 6 or more). After adjustment for age, site, self-reported functional limitations, and multimorbidity, the magnitudes of these incremental costs were partially attenuated (cost ratio = 1.34 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.14-1.59] for those with mild depressive symptoms, and cost ratio = 1.29 [95% CI = 0.99-1.69] for those with moderate to severe depressive symptoms vs women with little or no depressive symptoms). CONCLUSION Depressive symptoms were associated with higher subsequent healthcare costs attributable, in part, to greater functional limitations and multimorbidity among those with symptoms. Importantly, even mild depressive symptoms were associated with higher healthcare costs. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1596-1603, 2019.
Calculation of LNG Excess Volumes by a Modified Hard-Sphere Model

In the past few years, there has been a considerable increase in interest related to thermodynamic properties of liquefied natural gas (LNG). In particular, accurate liquid densities are needed to provide equitable custody transfer of LNG.
Single Versus Double Tourniquet Technique for Ultrasound-Guided Venous Catheter Placement

Author(s): Price, Jacob; Xiao, Jane; Tausch, Katie; Hang, Bophal; Bahl, Amit | Abstract: Introduction: Peripheral, ultrasound-guided intravenous (IV) access occurs frequently in the emergency department, but certain populations present unique challenges for successfully completing this procedure. Prior research has demonstrated decreased compressibility under double tourniquet technique (DT) compared with single tourniquet (ST). We hypothesized that catheters inserted under DT method would have a higher first-stick success rate compared with those inserted under ST method.Methods: We randomized 100 patients with a history of difficult IV access, as defined by past ultrasound IV, prior emergency visit with two or more attempts required for vascular access, history of IV drug abuse, history of end stage renal disease on hemodialysis or obesity, to ultrasound-guided IV placement under either DT or ST method. We measured the vein characteristics measured under ultrasound, and recorded the number of attempts and location of attempts at vascular access.Results: Of an initial 100 patients enrolled, we analyzed a total of 99 with 48 placed under ST and 51 placed under DT. Attending physicians inserted 41.7% of ST and 41.2% of DT, with non-attending inserters (including residents, nurses, and technicians) inserted the remainder. First-stick success rate was observed at 64.3% in ST and 66.7% in DT (p=0.93). Attendings had an overall higher first-stick success rate (95.1%) compared to non-attending inserters (65.5%) (p=l0.001). The average vein depth measured in ST was 0.73 centimeters (cm) compared with 0.87 cm in DT (p=0.02).Conclusion: DT technique did not produce a measureable increase in first-stick success rate compared to ST, including after adjusting for level of training of inserter. However, a significant difference in average vein depth between the study arms may have limited the reliability of our overall results. Future studies controlling for this variable may be required to more accurately compare these two techniques.
Urodynamic and imaging findings in infants with myelomeningocele may predict need for future augmentation cystoplasty.

Summary Introduction Urologic issues are persistent and important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with myelomeningocele. Classically, patients with elevated bladder pressures despite adherence to clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and pharmacotherapy undergo augmentation cystoplasty (AC). Currently, there is little understanding of which infants are more likely to require AC later. Objective In this context, the authors studied whether unfavorable urodynamic or imaging findings in patients with myelomeningocele during infancy could predict future AC. The authors hypothesized that infants born with elevated bladder pressures, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and/or hydronephrosis would be more likely to undergo AC. Study design The authors retrospectively identified patients with myelomeningocele at their institution who were followed-up since infancy ( Results A total of 97 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up time was 13.8 years. Augmentation cystoplasty was performed for 17 patients (17.5%) at a median age of 114 months (9.5 years). Detrusor leak point pressure/EFP was greater than 40 cm H2O in 34.0% (33/97) of infant cystometrogram studies, while 30.9% (30/97) had VUR on infant VCUG and 20.6% (20/97) had hydronephrosis on infant renal ultrasound. Patients with DLPP/EFP greater than 40 cm H2O or VUR during infancy were more likely to undergo AC (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). Binomial logistic regression revealed that DLPP/EFP greater than 40 cm H2O (odds ratio [OR]: 4.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34–13.62) and VUR (OR: 3.73, 95% CI: 1.18–11.77) were independent risk factors for future AC. Discussion Infants with myelomeningocele and elevated bladder pressures and VUR should be closely monitored by urodynamic testing and imaging studies. Parents can be counseled regarding the potentially higher risk for future AC in these patients. Nonetheless, the majority of high-risk infants will safely avoid AC with conservative management.
Learning-Assisted Competitive Algorithms for Peak-Aware Energy Scheduling

In this paper, we study the peak-aware energy scheduling problem using the competitive framework with machine learning prediction. With the uncertainty of energy demand as the fundamental challenge, the goal is to schedule the energy output of local generation units such that the electricity bill is minimized. While this problem has been tackled using classic competitive design with worst-case guarantee, the goal of this paper is to develop learning-assisted competitive algorithms to improve the performance in a provable manner. We develop two deterministic and randomized algorithms that are provably robust against the poor performance of learning prediction, however, achieve the optimal performance as the error of prediction goes to zero. Extensive experiments using real data traces verify our theoretical observations and show 15.13% improved performance against pure online algorithms.
Case 6 – Citibank Japan

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a case study on Citibank Japan. Citibank was the pioneer and innovator in American consumer banking. It was the first bank to install ATMs on a widespread basis, and to use this technology to refocus its retail businesses. During the 1970s and early 1980s, Citibank shaped and developed its approach to the retail customer by means of the use of credit cards as a new channel for reaching bank customers with offers of other products and services. It was Citibank that first realized how beneficial an effective consumer franchise could be as a vehicle to compensate for declining growth rates and shrinking margins in the corporate banking sector. When Citibank launched its retail bank strategy in Japan, referred to as Project 1990, it confronted a market controlled by 13 huge domestic city banks. No other non-Japanese bank was serious competition. Citibank, however, proceeded to apply some of the rules of retail banking that they had used successfully in the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Using internet search trends to forecast short term drug overdose deaths: A case study on Connecticut

In the United States, the opioid epidemic is a serious public health crisis which claimed over 130 lives per day in 2018, according to the CDC. While there are many efforts to design effective interventions to prevent drug related deaths, much of them are focused around better prescribing practices. A promising line of inquiry has focused on utilizing machine learning tools to predict addiction or overdose related hospital admission using prior health record information. However, these are strongly reliant on the private health record information of individuals. Here, we propose using publicly available historic death records along with publicly available internet search trends of drug related search terms to predict the number of overdose deaths in the upcoming week. Our model is able to predict both the number of, and spikes in drug overdose deaths with good accuracy compared to several baselines, demonstrating the utility of search data in forecasting overdose deaths. While we demonstrate this approach as a case study in the State of Connecticut, which collects and publishes overdose data, our findings could encourage other state governments to similarly invest in collection, publication and analysis of such data.
A computational model of upper airway respiratory function with muscular coupling

A two dimensional finite element model of upper airway respiratory function was developed emphasizing the effects of dilator muscular activation on the human retro-lingual airway. The model utilized an upright mid-sagittal computed tomography of the human head and neck to reconstruct relevant structures of the tongue, mandible, and the hyoid-related soft tissues, along with the retro-lingual airway. The reconstructed geometry was divided into fluid and solid domains and discretized into finite element (FE) meshes used for the computational model. Three cases were investigated: standing position; supine position; and supine position coupled with dilator muscle activation. Computations were performed for the inspiration stage of the breathing cycle, utilizing a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) method to couple structural deformation with airflow dynamics. The spatio-temporal deformation of the structures surrounding the airway wall were predicted to be in general agreement with known changes from upright to supine posture on luminal opening, as well as the distribution of airflow. The model effectively captured the effects of muscular stimulation on the upper airway anatomical changes, the flow characteristics relevant to airway reduction in the supine position and airway enlargement with muscle activation. The smallest airway opening in the retro-lingual section is predicted to occur at the epiglottic region in all the three cases considered, an unexpected vulnerable location of airway obstruction. The model also predicted that hyoid displacement would be associated with recovery from airway collapse. This information may be useful for building more complex models relevant to mechanisms and clinical interventions for obstructive sleep apnea.