cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utilities should not be multiplied: evidence from the preference-based scores in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Several estimators exist when average utility scores are not available for patient populations with multiple disease conditions. The multiplicative estimator is a widespread choice among them. Our study is to empirically test the accuracy of the multiplicative estimator and compare it with other estimators. METHODS: The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) has a nationally representative sample of the US civilian noninstitutionalized population. Using the pooled 2001 and 2003 data, a sample of 40,846 individuals with EQ-5D index scores were categorized into 238 disease condition categories. The study focus was the difference between the estimated and the observed mean scores for each comorbid pair, with the observed one presumed to be the true value. RESULTS: The scores estimated by multiplying the 2 mean scores of the corresponding disease conditions on average had a statistically significantly larger difference (P < 0.0001) from the observed ones (-0.094) than simply picking the smaller mean of the 2 paired conditions (difference = 0.025), the larger mean of the 2 (difference = 0.071), the average of the 2 means (difference = 0.048), or the mean of the condition with smaller sample size of the pair (difference = 0.049). However, the multiplicative estimator performed better than the additive estimator (sum of the means minus 1, difference = -0.123). CONCLUSIONS: Multiplication is not a good estimate when the average utility score for patients with 2 disease conditions is not readily available. The lower of the 2 utility scores had the least error among those estimators that we compared. Further research with an experimental design is warranted before a specific alternative can be firmly recommended.
Visualization of cardiovascular nuclear medicine tomographic perfusion studies

Several methodologies and tools for enhancing the clinician's ability to visualize and characterize perfusion defects are presented. The tools include an improved method for sampling the myocardium which reduces the partial volume effects often encountered when sampling the apex, volume-weighted and distance-weighted polar maps that enhance the information extracted from the new sampling technique, a method for visualizing perfusion information in three dimensions which decreases the distortions inherent in 2-D polar maps and also allows for unifying the perfusion information with the anatomic information obtained from 3-D coronary trees, and a method for visualizing 3-D gated perfusion information that allows a clinician to assess both perfusion and wall thickening. >
Cumulative atomic multipole moments complement any atomic charge model to obtain more accurate electrostatic properties

The quality of several atomic charge models based on different definitions has been analyzed using cumulative atomic multipole moments (CAMM). This formalism can generate higher atomic moments starting from any atomic charges, while preserving the corresponding molecular moments. The atomic charge contribution to the higher molecular moments, as well as to the electrostatic potentials, has been examined for CO and HCN molecules at several different levels of theory. The results clearly show that the electrostatic potential obtained from CAMM expansion is convergent up to R-5 term for all atomic charge models used. This illustrates that higher atomic moments can be used to supplement any atomic charge model to obtain more accurate description of electrostatic properties.
Review of All About the Beat: Why Hip-Hop Can't Save Black America, by John McWhorter (2008)

Why Hip Hop Can't Save Black America vehemently argues hip hop's “passive and weak” message that “things suck” leaves it politically insignificant as opposed to “revolutionary and gutsy”. McWhorter...
A Multi-Method Analysis of Evaluation Criteria Used to Assess the Speaking Proficiency of Graduate Student Instructors.

The study reported here examined the evaluation criteria used to assess the proficiency and effectiveness of the language produced in an oral performance test of English conducted in an American university context. Empirical methods were used to analyze qualitatively and quantitatively transcriptions of the Oral English Tests (OET) of 44 prospective Graduate Student Instructors (GSI). The language required to complete the tasks on the test was conceptualized from the functional perspective of transactional and interactional language use as defined by Brown and Yule (1989). Listening comprehension and pronunciation were also analyzed and scored. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the extent to which these linguistic features contributed to final ratings. These quantitative findings were then compared to ‘real-time’ written comments made by evaluators during the tests. Intuitive methods were then used to further explore those features of candidate performance attended to by evaluators: inter...
Dna Binding and Translocation by S. Cerevisiae RSC

We have studied the mechanisms of double-stranded DNA binding and double-stranded DNA translocation by a truncated construct of the RSC chromatin remodeling complex from S. cerevisiae. We monitored the double-stranded DNA translocation activity of RSC through its ability to actively displace streptavidin from biotin labeled double-stranded DNA. This displacement activity is ATP-dependent and is correlated with the translocation of the complex along the double-stranded DNA. We have also characterized the double-stranded DNA translocation of RSC through the use of a fluorescence-based stopped-flow assay in which the translocation of the complex is monitored through the interactions of the complex with fluorophores attached to the ends of the DNA. The kinetics of double-stranded DNA binding were also monitored using a fluorescence-based stopped-flow assay. The results indicate that double-stranded DNA binding occurs through a two-step mechanism, similar to what has been reported for other chromatin remodeling complexes and genetically related helicases.
Type A Behavior, Perceived Stress, and Illness A Person-Situation Analysis

Fifty-one university administrators (categorized as Type A or Type B by the Jenkins Activity Survey) completed a series of questionnaires that assessed their degree of perceived job stress, extent of recent life changes, physical health, and psychological well-being. Multivariate analyses of variance showed that work stress and life change interacted with the Type A behavior pattern in predicting symptomatology. Type A administrators under high stress reported more psychological impairment and cardiovascular-related health problems than high stress Type Bs or low stress As and Bs. The results attest to the importance of situational factors when studying Type As and lend support to a diathesis-stress model of Type A and heart disease.
An efficient and accurate graph-based approach to detect population substructure

Currently, large-scale projects are underway to perform whole genome disease association studies. Such studies involve the genotyping of hundreds of thousands of SNP markers. One of the main obstacles in performing such studies is that the underlying population substructure could artificially inflate the p-values, thereby generating a lot of false positives. Although existing tools cope well with very distinct sub-populations, closely related population groups remain a major cause of concern. In this work, we present a graph based approach to detect population substructure. Our method is based on a distance measure between individuals. We show analytically that when the allele frequency differences between the two populations are large enough (in the l2-norm sense), our algorithm is guaranteed to find the correct classification of individuals to sub-populations. We demonstrate the empirical performance of our algorithms on simulated and real data and compare it against existing methods, namely the widely used software method STRUCTURE and the recent method EIGENSTRAT. Our new technique is highly efficient (in particular it is hundreds of times faster than STRUCTURE), and overall it is more accurate than the two other methods in classifying individuals into sub-populations. We demonstrate empirically that unlike the other two methods, the accuracy of our algorithm consistently increases with the number of SNPs genotyped. Finally, we demonstrate that the efficiency of our method can be used to assess the significance of the resulting clusters. Surprisingly, we find that the different methods find population sub-structure in each of the homogeneous populations of the HapMap project. We use our significance score to demonstrate that these substructures are probably due to over-fitting.
Multifocal neurilemomas of median and ulnar nerves of the same extremity—Case report

A 49-year-old man had multiple tumors in both the median and ulnar nerves in the same extremity, all histologically typical neurilemmomas. Removal was accomplished under high-power magnification, preserving individual fasciclcs and sensory and motor function.
Costoclavicular Compression of the Brachial Plexus in a Patient With a Right Aortic Arch: MRI/MRA/MRV

artery with posterior displacement of the ascending aorta and posterior anterior compression of the esophagus against the trachea. Both patients underwent bilateral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) of the brachial plexus to determine the sites of compression because the clinicians were aware of our procedure. Both patients were diagnosed with costoclavicular compression of the arterial flow to the brachial plexus nerves and compression of the veins and lymphatic draining the brachial plexus. One patient was selected because she had ruptured her saline breast implants. They were replaced by silicone implants, which caused fibrosis and scarring over the anterior chest wall muscles and limited motion of her upper extremities. Since it is not possible to present all of the images acquired, those selected best demonstrate the anatomy and pathophysiology.
Condom deserts: geographical disparities in condom availability and their relationship with rates of sexually transmitted infections.

Background Identifying predictors that contribute to geographical disparities in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is necessary. This study assesses the spatial relationship between condom availability to locations of STIs in order to better understand these geographical disparities. Objectives We conducted a condom availability audit among potential condom-selling establishments. New gonorrhoea and chlamydia cases in 2011 (n=6034) and HIV infection cases from 2006 to 2011 (n=565) were collected by census tract in St Louis, Missouri. 829 potential condom-selling establishments participated in the condom availability audit in St Louis City; 242 of which sold condoms. Results A negative linear relationship exists between condom vendors and cases of gonorrhoea and chlamydia, after adjusting for concentrated disadvantage and free condom locations. Higher concentrated disadvantage, higher proportions of convenience vendors and free locations were associated with higher rates of HIV. Conclusions This study was conducted to provide evidence that lack of condom availability is associated with STI rates, and likely is an integral component to influencing the subjective norms surrounding condom use and STI rates. Condom distribution interventions may be addressing availability needs and social norms, yet are more likely to be effective when placed in locations with the highest STI rates.
Phase I trial of vendetanib and oral etoposide for recurrent malignant gliomas

e13016 Background: Recurrent malignant gliomas have a poor prognosis, with a median survival of 6–15 months, with grade 4 glioblastomas more aggressive than grade 3 anaplastic astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are critically important in glioma biology. Vandetanib is a multi-kinase inhibitor, predominantly of VEGF and EGF. We report a phase I trial of vandetanib in combination with oral etoposide for recurrent malignant glioma. Methods: Patients with histologically documented recurrent grade 3 or grade 4 malignant glioma were eligible. Patients were treated with daily oral vandetanib and oral etoposide. The trial design was a modified 3 + 3 Phase I design, with the dose levels outlined below. Results: Eighteen patients have been accrued. There was more hematologic toxicity than expected, with 3/6 of the patients enrolled at dose level 1 developing grade 4 neutropenia. There were no DLT's at the -1 dose level. The protocol was am...
Probabilistic Copeland Tournaments

INTRODUCTION We consider a probabilistic model of round-robin tournaments, or equivalently, Copeland voting, where candidates are the voters. We assume that the outcomes of each game or pairwise vote are jointly independent. In particular, we do not assume that votes arise from voters’ ranked orderings of candidates. We can treat such games as pairwise preferences, without assuming any form of transitivity. We prove the #P-completeness of computing the probability of victory. As a consequence, it is #P-hard to manipulate a round-robin tournament by controlling the outcome of a subset of the games to raise the probability of winning above a particular threshhold. These results hold in the restricted case where all probabilities are zero, one half, or one. According to Faliszewski, et al. [4], the notion of probabilistic Copeland elections go back to a 1929 paper by Zermelo [15] and more recently to Levin and Nalebuff [7]. In 2005, Konczak and Lang looked at Copeland elections with incomplete ballots, although they did not introduce probabilities [5]. Instead, they considered possible and necessary winners (probabilities > 0 and 1, respectively). These notions have been well studied (e.g., [3, 6, 11, 13, 14]). Bachrach et al. [2] introduced a probabilistic interpretation of incomplete ordered ballots. In their interpretation, the ranked candidates are preferred to all candidates not mentioned, and all completions of the partial linear order are equally likely. This introduces correlations in the probabilities of individual pairings, which we do not assume. Bachrach et al. showed that computing the probability of a given candidate winning, in this setting, was #P-hard, using techniques that do not apply in the tournament setting. Definition: A Probabilistic Copeland Tournament (PCT) is represented by an n × n nonnegative matrix, T , where Ti,j + Tj,i = 1 ∀i, j. The n row and column indices of T represent n teams, each distinct pair of which will play one game. Team i defeats team j with probability Ti,j , and game outcomes are jointly independent. Therefore, the probability of a set of game outcomes equals the product of the probabilities of the individual game outcomes. Equivalently, a PCT is represented by a complete, directed, simple graph (V,E), where V is the set of teams, with edge weights we : e ∈ E such that 0 ≤ we ≤ 1 ∀e ∈ E. An edge (i, j) with
Digital implementation of a virtual insect trained by spike-timing dependent plasticity

Neural network approach to processing have been shown successful and efficient in numerous real world applications. The most successful of this approach are implemented in software but in order to achieve real-time processing similar to that of biological neural networks, hardware implementations of these networks need to be continually improved. This work presents a spiking neural network (SNN) implemented in digital CMOS. The SNN is constructed based on an indirect training algorithm that utilizes spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP). The SNN is validated by using its outputs to control the motion of a virtual insect. The indirect training algorithm is used to train the SNN to navigate through a terrain with obstacles. The indirect approach is more appropriate for nanoscale CMOS implementation synaptic training since it is getting more difficult to perfectly control matching in CMOS circuits.
The Evolving “Invisible Web”

Abstract A large part of the Web is comprised of databases that only reveal their information if you are sitting on their doorstep, requesting it directly. General-purpose search engines do not find this dynamically-generated information, nor do they easily locate the many different file formats loaded on the Web. Tried-and-true methods searchers can use to obtain access to this hidden Web content, as well as recent developments in search technologies, are described and explained.
Adaptive context-aware sensor array system for scene analysis in multiple human monitoring

This paper presents a novel context-aware wireless sensor array system for scene analysis in multiple human monitoring. The goal of the research is to achieve real-time scene recognition and human identification through low-cost, low-data-throughput wireless pyroelectric sensor arrays. In the sensing information space, the scenes can be regarded as the combination of a bunch of basis in subspace. Such bases are extracted by using matrix factorization techniques. Geometry-regularized contextual pattern extraction and region of interest (RoI) identification schemes are developed and utilized. Experiment results demonstrate the capabilities of our context-aware sensing system on scene analysis and system adaption. The proposed context-aware wireless sensor system is not limited to pyroelectric sensors, it can be extended to various sensing modalities.
Quarantine Procedure for Hawaiian Papayas Using Heat and Cold Treatments

A new quarantine procedure for Hawaii-grown papaya is proposed. The system is based on knowledge of the biology of the insects on papayas, the lethal effects of the standard heat treatment applied to papayas for decay control, cold treatment in transit, and appropriate quality control procedures. This system, which requires fruit to be picked between colorbreak and one-quarter ripe, heat treated by immersion in 49°C water, and held at 8 to 9°C for 10 days during surface transport, may replace the current ethylene dibromide fumigation procedure for papayas that are shipped by surface transport. The system was tested successfully under commercial conditions.
Adaptations of Operating Structures of Government Administrative Organizations

Significance of the political implications of changing the operating structure of a government unit; Conditions warranting structural changes as efficient; Methodological aspects of analyzing opera...
Growth of Epitaxial Layers of GexSi1−x BY UHV/CVD

Undoped epitaxial layers of Ge x Si 1−x have been grown on (100) silicon substrates using the UHV/CVD technique. Epitaxial films were obtained at growth temperatures between 577 and 665 C. The growth rate and germanium content of the layers has been determined as a function of the germane flow and the deposition temperature. A bake at 800 C was found to be highly beneficial in reducing the defect density and improving the film roughness.
Dr. John Clark.

This 1664 portrait of Dr. John Clark is not only one of the earliest surviving portraits done in the New World but it is also one of the most fascinating paintings that relate to medicine in American art. A surprising amount of information is known about Dr. Clark, primarily from the history of the town of Newburyport, MA, and the genealogical statement made by his grandson William Clark in 1731. John Clark was born in 1598 in the north of England or, perhaps, in Scotland. He graduated from college and was said by one source to have received a diploma for his success in performing “lithotomy.” His family was wealthy, and he brought a large amount of livestock to the New World when he settled in the Plymouth colony. By 1635, he had moved north and become one of the founders of Newbury, MA. Three years later, the town “granted that Mr. Clark, in respect of his calling, be freed and exempted from all public rates so long as he shall remayne with us and exercise his calling among us.” The history of Newburyport asserts that Clark was the first regularly educated physician to live in New England. In addition to his activities as a physician, Clark promoted progressive and scientific methods of agriculture and introduced improved breeds of farm animals. He maintained his Plymouth farm for many years. However, by the mid-seventeenth century, it became apparent that Boston was destined to become the central city of the new colony, and Clark moved there in 1650. He married Martha Saltonstall, a member of a family that was to be politically active in Massachusetts into the twentieth century, and a perusal of the family records of midseventeenth century Bostonians confirm that Dr. Clark was the chosen physician of the leading families of early Boston. The portrait illustrated here clearly emphasizes the sitter’s profession, not only including the instruments of his trade but also symbolizing the doctor’s control of life by showing his hand placed on the skull. The instruments shown in the portrait have been the subjects of study for more than 100 years, beginning with the writings of Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1869. Dr. Clark clearly holds a trephine and was said to be the first physician in the New World to use one. Not completely seen in the illustration is an instrument known as a Hey’s saw, described by William Hey more than 100 years later, in 1803. Dr. Clark, who died in Boston in 1664, the date of the portrait, was the first of seven generations of Dr. John Clarks to serve the people of Massachusetts. The painting has been attributed by some authors to Augustme Clement, an artist who arrived in America in 1635 and subsequently lived in Boston. Clement was the only artist known to have been available to paint Dr. Clark’s portrait and similar portraits of Reverend Richard Mather and Governor John Endicott, both painted in the same decade as Dr. Clark’s. The distinguished figure of Dr. John Clark, portrayed in this exceptional painting, is the only surviving seventeenth century portrait of an American physician.
Antibiogram Comparisons: Methicillin-Resistant vs Methicillin-Susceptible Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci

Antibiograms of 227 blood culture isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci were examined to determine if patterns could be used to suggest methicillin-resistant strains. Methicillin resistance was present in 72 of 160 Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) isolates and seven of 15 Staphylococcus haemolyticus (MRSH) isolates. Of the S epidermidis isolates, only MRSE isolates were resistant to imipenem or cefoxitin. These isolates also demonstrated an increased frequency of resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin, or gentamicin. MRSH isolates were more often resistant to cefazolin, cefamandole, cefoxitin, imipenem, and erythromycin than were methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolates. Resistance to cefazolin or cefamandole was seen only in MRSH isolates. The majority of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolates (83%) were penicillin resistant; all isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and ciprofloxacin. Patterns of antimicrobial susceptibility differed not only between methicillin-resistant and susceptible strains within a species, but also between methicillin-resistant strains of S epidermidis and S haemolyticus .
Reconstructing chromospheres concentration images directly by continuous-wave diffuse optical tomography

Present an algorithm to reconstruct chromophores concentration images directly,which imposes prior spectral information into the image reconstruction that results improvement in the image CNR. Demonstrate this improvement with simulations and a dynamic blood phantom experiment.
The Impact of an In-Service Workshop on Cooperating Teachers’ Perceptions of Culturally Responsive Teaching

Culturally responsive teaching values students’ identities, backgrounds, and cultural references as key tools for building meaningful learning environments. It has been adopted by many educators globally, but has not been incorporated consistently by music educators. Few researchers in music education have investigated the impact of culturally responsive teaching and misconceptions exist about what it means to teach music in a culturally responsive manner. The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of an in-service program on cooperating teachers’ perceptions of culturally responsive teaching. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants rated familiarity and importance of culturally responsive teaching higher than they did prior to the workshop. Sixteen of the 18 participants indicated that the workshop had changed their understanding of culturally responsive teaching.
15 PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF OXIDIZED PHOSPHOLIPIDS ON VENTILATOR-INDUCED LUNG INJURY.

Purpose of Study Acute lung injury (ALI) is a devastating syndrome characterized by pulmonary inflammation and vascular barrier dysfunction with protein-rich edema. Mechanical ventilation at high tidal volumes can worsen existing ALI and even cause ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) de novo. Previous studies have demonstrated that oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (OxPAPC) enhances basal endothelial cell (EC) barrier properties and prevents acute lung inflammation and EC dysfunction in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via direct Rac-Cdc42-mediated effects on EC cytoskeleton and via competitive inhibition of LPS binding to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Methods Adult male Brown Norway rats (250-350 g) were ventilated at low tidal volume (LTV, 7 mL/kg) or high tidal volume (HTV, 20 mL/kg) for 2 hours, 85 breaths/min. A subset of animals received intravenous OxPAPC (1.5 mg/kg) at the start of mechanical ventilation. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell count and protein concentration were measured as markers of inflammation and vascular permeability. IL-6, IL-1beta, and hyaluronan levels in BAL were quantitatively assessed by enzyme linked immunoabsorbance assays (ELISA). Results HTV caused a 70% increase in BAL total cell count (p HL75349, HL76259, HL58064.
Implications of sterically constrained n-butane oxidation reactions on the reaction mechanism and selectivity to 1-butanol

Abstract Density functional theory (DFT) is used to analyze the reaction network in n-butane oxidation to 1-butanol over a Ag/Pd alloy catalyst under steric constraints, and the implications on the ability to produce 1-butanol selectively using MOF-encapsulated catalysts are discussed. MOFs are porous crystalline solids comprised of metal nodes linked by organic molecules. Recently, they have been successfully grown around metal nanoparticle catalysts. The resulting porous networks have been shown to promote regioselective chemistry, i.e., hydrogenation of trans-1,3-hexadiene to 3-hexene, presumably by forcing the linear alkene to stand “upright” on the catalyst surface and allowing only the terminal C–H bonds to be activated. In this work, we extend this concept to alkane oxidation. Our goal is to determine if a MOF-encapsulated catalyst could be used to selectively produce 1-butanol. Reaction energies and activation barriers are presented for more than 40 reactions in the pathway for n-butane oxidation. We find that C–H bond activation proceeds through an oxygen-assisted pathway and that butanal and 1-butanol are some of the possible products.
Nitrite and leukocyte dipstick testing for urinary tract infection in individuals with spinal cord injury

Objective: Todetermine sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of nitrite (NIT) and leukocyte esterase (LE) testing in relation to Iabaratory evidence of significant b...
Blaming the Victim: University Student Attitudes Toward Bullying

ABSTRACTNumerous studies have examined adolescent attitudes toward bullying, but limited research has explored college students’ attitudes toward victims of bullying. Using data collected from three southern universities (n = 1,135), the current research investigates demographic, experiential, and behavioral factors that are likely to influence whether university students attribute blame to bullying victims. Findings indicate that most university students report prosocial attitudes toward bullying. Victim blaming and minimizing attitudes were most common among males, heterosexuals, and those with a history of prior bullying perpetration during junior high or high school. Individuals reporting a higher frequency of drug use were significantly more likely to support victim blaming attitudes, and those who engaged in more frequent alcohol use were significantly more likely to minimize bullying.
SEDS proteins are a widespread family of bacterial cell wall polymerases

Elongation of rod-shaped bacteria is mediated by a dynamic peptidoglycan-synthetizing machinery called the Rod complex. Here we report that, in Bacillus subtilis, this complex is functional in the absence of all known peptidoglycan polymerases. Cells lacking these enzymes survive by inducing an envelope stress response that increases the expression of RodA, a widely conserved core component of the Rod complex. RodA is a member of the SEDS (shape, elongation, division and sporulation) family of proteins, which have essential but ill-defined roles in cell wall biogenesis during growth, division and sporulation. Our genetic and biochemical analyses indicate that SEDS proteins constitute a family of peptidoglycan polymerases. Thus, B. subtilis and probably most bacteria use two distinct classes of polymerase to synthesize their exoskeleton. Our findings indicate that SEDS family proteins are core cell wall synthases of the cell elongation and division machinery, and represent attractive targets for antibiotic development.
Circadian Organization of the Vertebrate Retina

Our vision is different at different times of the day because our retina works differently at different times of day. These rhythms in the visual function are not just simple responses to the daily light–dark cycle but are in fact the overt expression of an endogenous, self-sustained circadian clock in the retina that drives many rhythms in retinal physiology and metabolism. Thus, the vertebrate retina is both a sensory organ and a 24-h biological clock. Here, we will explore the molecular, cellular, and neurochemical organization of the retinal circadian clock.
What is the Point of Thinking of New Technologies as Social Experiments

AbstractIn this paper I respond to van de Poel’s claim that new technologies should be conceived as ongoing social experiments, which is an idea originally introduced by Schinzinger and Martin in the 1970s. I discuss and criticize three possible motivations for thinking of new technologies as ongoing social experiments.
Predicting Pulmonary Function from Phone Sensors

Abstract Introduction: Smartphones are ubiquitous, but it is unknown what physiological functions can be monitored at clinical quality. Pulmonary function is a standard measure of health status for cardiopulmonary patients. We have shown phone sensors can accurately measure walking patterns. Here we show that improved classification models can accurately predict pulmonary function, with sole inputs being motion sensors from carried phones. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-five cardiopulmonary patients performed 6-minute walk tests in pulmonary rehabilitation at a regional hospital. They carried smartphones running custom software recording phone motion. Each patient's pulmonary function was measured by spirometry. A universal model, based on support vector machine, then computed the category of function with input from signal processing features and patient demographic features. Results: All but a few of every 10-second interval for every patient was correctly predicted. The trained model perfectly computed t...
Uncertainty quantification methodologies development for stress corrosion cracking of canister welds

This letter report presents a probabilistic performance assessment model to evaluate the probability of canister failure (through-wall penetration) by SCC. The model first assesses whether environmental conditions for SCC – the presence of an aqueous film – are present at canister weld locations (where tensile stresses are likely to occur) on the canister surface. Geometry-specific storage system thermal models and weather data sets representative of U.S. spent nuclear fuel (SNF) storage sites are implemented to evaluate location-specific canister surface temperature and relative humidity (RH). As the canister cools and aqueous conditions become possible, the occurrence of corrosion is evaluated. Corrosion is modeled as a two-step process: first, pitting is initiated, and the extent and depth of pitting is a function of the chloride surface load and the environmental conditions (temperature and RH). Second, as corrosion penetration increases, the pit eventually transitions to a SCC crack, with crack initiation becoming more likely with increasing pit depth. Once pits convert to cracks, a crack growth model is implemented. The SCC growth model includes rate dependencies on both temperature and crack tip stress intensity factor, and crack growth only occurs in time steps when aqueous conditions are predicted. The model suggests that SCCmore » is likely to occur over potential SNF interim storage intervals; however, this result is based on many modeling assumptions. Sensitivity analyses provide information on the model assumptions and parameter values that have the greatest impact on predicted storage canister performance, and provide guidance for further research to reduce uncertainties.« less
Adaptive modulation time-domain fault diagnosis of three-phase induction machines

This paper proposes a new time-domain method to detect all four major types of induction machine faults without added sensing or model information other than that needed for closed-loop regulatory control. The proposed method applies artificial modulating signals, which are self-adapting to contain the estimated fault frequencies based on the real-time machine speed and torque, to the stator current feedback. However, these signals are not part of the closed loop and therefore do not interfere with the stator current's harmonics. When a fault occurs, there is a very slow component, or ideally DC, in the product resultant of modulating and current feedback signals. The proposed method identifies this very low-frequency fault-indicative signal component by checking the time between the experimental or simulation runtime and the instance of the last zero-crossing point of the resulting signal. Substantial simulation tests have been performed to detect air-gap eccentricity and broken rotor bar faults under different speed, torque and noise conditions to check the successful detection rate of the proposed method. Moreover, the method has been verified with a hybrid experiment, in which virtual fault signals are injected in a real motor drive system using dSPACE DS1104 platform. The proposed method shows excellent fault sensitivity and is robust to noise, current harmonics and possible DC offset in current feedback.
Dynamic borrowing through empirical power priors that control type I error

In order for historical data to be considered for inclusion in the design and analysis of clinical trials, prospective rules are essential. Incorporation of historical data may be of particular interest in the case of small populations where available data is scarce and heterogeneity is not as well understood, and thus conventional methods for evidence synthesis might fall short. The concept of power priors can be particularly useful for borrowing evidence from a single historical study. Power priors employ a parameter γ ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] that quantifies the heterogeneity between the historical study and the new study. However, the possibility of borrowing data from a historical trial will usually be associated with an inflation of the type I error. We suggest a new, simple method of estimating the power parameter suitable for the case when only one historical dataset is available. The method is based on predictive distributions and parameterized in such a way that the type I error can be controlled by calibrating to the degree of similarity between the new and historical data. The method is demonstrated for normal responses in a one or two group setting. Generalization to other models is straightforward.
Tumor Mutational Burden and Response Rate to PD-1 Inhibition

In a survey of the spectrum of mutational burdens in 27 types of cancers, there was a correlation between an increased mutational burden and the response to checkpoint inhibition of PD-1 and PD-L1.
Sleep deficiency among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black, and White Americans and the association with cardiometabolic diseases: analysis of the National Health Interview Survey Data.

Abstract Purpose Examine sleep deficiency, factors, and associations with cardiometabolic diseases in United States Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (NHPI), Blacks, and Whites. Design Data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey and NHPI National Health Interview Survey household interviews of adults were analyzed. Participants Of 31,724 participants, 7% were NHPI, 14% were Black, and 79% were White. Methods Habitual sleep duration and quality, sociodemographic/economic covariates, health behaviors, psychological distress, and chronic diseases were self-reported. Sleep duration was coded as very short (VSS; 8 hours), or healthy (7-8 hours). Using multivariate logistic regressions, the association between sleep duration and diseases was assessed after adjusting for covariates. Results NHPI were more likely to report sleep Conclusions NHPI reported suboptimal sleep duration that was linked to hypertension and diabetes even after controlling for covariates. Additional prospective studies in NHPI are needed to understand biological, behavioral, and psychological factors of sleep deficiency and its impact on chronic diseases.
Turbulent Transport in Pin Fin Arrays: Experimental Data and Predictions

The objective of this research has been to experimentally investigate the fluid dynamics of pin fin arrays in order to clarify the physics of heat transfer enhancement and uncover problems in conventional turbulence models. The fluid dynamics of a staggered pin fin array have been studied using hot wire anemometry with both single and x-wire probes at array Reynolds numbers of 3000; 10,000; and 30,000. Velocity distributions off the endwall and pin surface have been acquired and analyzed to investigate turbulent transport in pin fin arrays. Well resolved 3-D calculations have been performed using a commercial code with conventional two-equation turbulence models. Predictive comparisons have been made with fluid dynamic data. In early rows where turbulence is low, the strength of shedding increases dramatically with increasing in Reynolds numbers. The laminar velocity profiles off the surface of pins show evidence of unsteady separation in early rows. In row three and beyond laminar boundary layers off pins are quite similar. Velocity profiles off endwalls are strongly affected by the proximity of pins and turbulent transport. At the low Reynolds numbers, the turbulent transport and acceleration keep boundary layers thin. Endwall boundary layers at higher Reynolds numbers exhibit very high levels of skin friction enhancement. Well resolved 3-D steady calculations were made with several two-equation turbulence models and compared with experimental fluid mechanic and heat transfer data. The quality of the predictive comparison was substantially affected by the turbulence model and near wall methodology.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The Availability Analysis of Fusion Power Plants as Applied to MARS

The computer program AVSYS has been developed to analyze the availability of fusion power plants. A parametric study has been conducted on MARS. In order to bring up the availability to acceptable ...
What Is a Complex Abdominal Wall

A complex abdominal wall refers to patient anatomy that falls out of the realm of a standard ventral hernia. This may include patients with a history of multiple hernia repairs, loss of abdominal domain with retraction of the abdominal fascia away from the midline, hernias with infected mesh, and those hernias associated with an enterocutaneous fistula or presence of an intestinal stoma. Abdominal reconstruction in these patients is complicated and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This chapter will discuss some of the predisposing factors to the development of a complex abdominal wall and a systematic approach to the care of these complex patients.
Ultrafast Electron Trapping and Defect-Mediated Recombination in NiO Probed by Femtosecond Extreme Ultraviolet Reflection-Absorption Spectroscopy.

Understanding the chemical nature of defect sites as well as the mechanism of defect-mediated recombination is critical for the rational design of energy conversion materials with improved efficiency. Using femtosecond extreme ultraviolet (XUV) spectroscopy in conjunction with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we present results on the ultrafast electron dynamics in NiO prepared with varying concentrations of defect states. We find that oxygen vacancy defects do not serve as the primary recombination center, but rather the recombination rate scales linearly with the density of Ni metal defects. This suggests that grain boundaries between Ni metal and NiO are responsible for fast carrier recombination in partially reduced NiO. Our kinetic model shows that the photoexcited electrons self-trap via small polaron formation on the subpicosecond time scale. Additionally, we estimate an absolute measurement of small polaron formation rates, direct versus defect-mediated recombination rates, and the small po...
The Quinquín Sedges: Taxonomy of the Carex phleoides Group (Cyperaceae)

Carex phleoides Cav. is the largest species of the former genus Uncinia Pers. It is widely distributed in the Neotropics and is also known from the Juan Fernandez archipelago off the coast of Chile. A second taxon, U. trichocarpa C. A. Mey., is often considered a synonym of C. phleoides, but also sometimes a variety of that species or even a distinct species. We performed a morphometric study using representative material covering the entire distribution and morphological variation of C. phleoides s.l. to clarify its taxonomy. Our analyses revealed that U. trichocarpa is distinct from C. phleoides. Accordingly, we coined the name C. quinquin Jim.-Mejias & Dorr to accommodate this species under Carex L. because combinations of other available names are all blocked. Carex phleoides displayed two extremes of variation with geographical correspondence, a southern form in the Southern Cone north to Bolivia, and a northern one ranging from Bolivia to Mexico. We propose to recognize two subspecies within C. phleoides, the nominate subspecies being the southern one, and the northern one based on the epithet koyamae. Plants from the Juan Fernandez archipelago were shown to be morphologically intermediate with the endemic C. plurinervata J. R. Starr, a result that might point to introgression between these two species. We selected lectotypes for nine names, including two of the accepted ones, as well as their synonyms.
Study and Analysis of Underwater Wireless Power Transfer

A detailed study of the UWPT system is presented in this chapter. Since the properties of the coils also contribute to the overall efficiency of the system, we studied the self-inductance, capacitance, and radiation resistance of the coil underwater. The findings show the practicality of transferring power wirelessly in ocean environment which could help reduce the need for oversized batteries in distributed ocean systems and make a profound impact on the advancement of underwater devices.
Variation in regional risk of engineered nanoparticles: nanoTiO2 as a case study

Predicting environmental concentrations of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is key for assessing their risk. We hypothesize the environmental concentrations are a strong function of the environmental characteristics and waste management practices of the locations where the ENMs are used and released. We conducted a case study for nanoTiO2 in six watersheds (Los Angeles, New York, Des Moines, Rome, London, and Zurich). For a near-field analysis, we investigated the 500 m freshwater reach downstream of a point source in Zurich. The analysis was conducted with nanoFate, a dynamic multimedia fate and transport model which considers daily variability in release, climatic, and hydrological conditions. ENM release fractions to environmental compartments differ regionally by up to 28%, compartment concentrations vary regionally by up to three orders of magnitude, high daily variability of nanoTiO2 observed within air and freshwater, and adverse effects to aquatic organisms such as respiratory inflammation may be present in the freshwater compartment of Los Angeles and downstream of the Zurich point source (peak concentrations of 1490 and 619 μg L−1 respectively). Concerns to aquatic organisms in Los Angeles are episodic, depend on meteorological variations, and would not have been predicted by steady-state or material flow analysis models. This highlights the significance of refining spatio-temporal resolution for a more comprehensive ENM risk assessment.
Validation of Normalized Singular Spectrum Area as a Classifier for Molecularly Targeted Microbubble Adherence.

Abstract Ultrasound molecular imaging is a diagnostic technique wherein molecularly targeted microbubble contrast agents are imaged to reveal disease markers on the blood vessel endothelium. Currently, microbubble adhesion to affected tissue can be quantified using differential targeted enhancement (dTE), which measures the late enhancement of adherent microbubbles through administration of destructive ultrasound pressures. In this study, we investigated a statistical parameter called the normalized singular spectrum area (NSSA) as a means to detect microbubble adhesion without microbubble destruction. We compared the signal differentiation capability of NSSA with matched dTE measurements in a mouse hindlimb tumor model. Results indicated that NSSA-based signal classification performance matches dTE when differentiating adherent microbubble from non-adherent microbubble signals (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve = 0.95), and improves classification performance when differentiating microbubble from tissue signals (p
Host Specificity in the Appalachian Leech Placobdella biannulata

The Appalachian leech Placobdella biannulata is a presumed host generalist for an array of amphibian species. One species commonly parasitized by this leech is the salamander Desmognathus quadramaculatus because of its semiaquatic nature and relatively large size. We tested the null hypothesis that this leech species exhibits equal prevalence in large species of Desmognathus with the same level of aquatic tendency. We compared leech prevalence between D. quadramaculatus and sympatric Desmognathus folkertsi, which has the same extent of aquatic tendency. While smaller than D. quadramaculatus, D. folkertsi is still among the largest members of the genus. We found leech parasitism on 38/182 (21%) D. quadramaculatus from 2 different streams. Only 3 D. folkertsi out of 179 (<2%) from the same streams were parasitized. We concluded that the leech P. biannulata is more host specific than previously believed.