cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of steel-concrete interface bonding conditions using attenuation characteristics of guided waves

Abstract This paper presents an air-coupled ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation approach based on the attenuation characteristics of guided waves to characterize interface bonding conditions of steel-clad concrete structures. Analytical guided wave modal solutions for various interface bonding conditions are obtained using the global matrix technique. The analytical results indicate that attenuation behavior of the fundamental symmetric (S0) guided wave mode is sensitive to interface bonding condition. A signal processing scheme is proposed to extract a dimensionless damage index, the normalized S0 mode magnitude, which reflects the attenuation behavior of the S0 mode. A series of numerical simulations are performed to verify the utility of the parameter to characterize interface bond condition. The feasibility of the testing approach is then established by experiments on steel-clad concrete specimens with different interface bonding conditions. The numerical simulation and experimental results demonstrate that interface bonding conditions of steel-clad concrete structures can be quantitatively evaluated using the proposed approach.
Evaluation of Stiffness, Strength, and Ductility of Asphalt Binders at an Intermediate Temperature:

The search for a test and parameter that can effectively describe the fatigue cracking resistance of an asphalt binder has led to many approaches. Of these, researchers have used stiffness, strength, and ductility-based criteria to screen binders on the basis of inherent resistance to cracking. In this study, poker chip testing on thin films of asphalt binder was used at intermediate temperatures to obtain both stress and ductility-based properties of eight binders. In addition, a dynamic shear rheometer frequency sweep at an intermediate temperature was conducted to obtain stiffnesses of the binders and a surrogate parameter for ductility. The results showed no relationship between strength and stiffness. In most cases, binders that were rated to have high ductility on the basis of the dynamic shear rheometer parameter also had high toughness on the basis of the poker chip test. However, some binders clearly departed from this trend, with at least one binder exhibiting both ideally desired high stiffness...
Acute kidney injury after non-cardiovascular surgery: risk factors and impact on development of chronic kidney disease and long-term mortality

Objective: To identify factors associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) and its progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a non-cardiac/non-vascular surgery setting.Methods: This study examin...
Deconvolving double-layer, pseudocapacitance, and battery-like charge-storage mechanisms in nanoscale LiMn2O4 at 3D carbon architectures

Abstract Lithium manganese spinel, LiMn2O4 (LMO), is a well-established active material for batteries, in which charge is stored via a two-stage insertion of Li+ that manifests with coupled current peaks or voltage plateaus under voltammetric or galvanostatic conditions, respectively. The charge–discharge kinetics for LMO are significantly enhanced when the oxide is expressed in a nanoscale form, for example as an ultrathin coating of nanocrystallites at the surfaces of a 3D carbon substrate, such as fiber paper–supported carbon nanofoams (CNFs). In addition to expressing well-defined “battery-like” Li+-insertion peaks between ∼0.6 and 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl when cycled in aqueous lithium sulfate, LMO@CNF electrodes exhibit a pseudocapacitance envelop at more negative potentials (∼0.2–0.6 V). The pseudocapacitive character of LMO@CNF is further verified when cycled in aqueous sodium sulfate, where a broad capacitance envelop dominates the voltammetric response over the entire potential range at a current density an order of magnitude greater than expected for double-layer capacitance. Thus, the LMO@CNF electrode provides a prime example where multiple distinct charge-storage mechanisms are expressed in a single material. Herein, we apply voltammetry and impedance-based methods to deconvolve the respective contributions of double-layer capacitance, surface-based pseudocapacitance, and battery-like Li+ insertion. The use of power-law analysis provides a general assignment of transport dynamics, while projecting impedance data as 3D Bode-style representations provides key mechanistic information regarding the time/frequency–potential response of LMO@CNF electrodes.
Toward an Integrative Framework for Studying Human Evaluation: Attitudes Toward Objects and Attributes:

Evaluation is central to human experience, and multiple literatures have studied it. This article pulls from research on attitudes, human and nonhuman mating preferences, consumer behavior, and beyond to build a more comprehensive framework for studying evaluation. First, we distinguish between evaluations of objects (persons, places, things) and evaluations of attributes (dimensions, traits, characteristics). Then, we further distinguish between summarized attribute preferences (a valenced response to a direction on a dimension, such as liking sweetness in desserts) and functional attribute preferences (a valenced response to increasing levels of a dimension in a set of targets, such as the extent to which sweetness predicts liking for desserts). We situate these constructs with respect to existing distinctions in the attitude literature (e.g., specific/general, indirect/direct). Finally, new models address how people translate functional into summarized preferences, as well as how attribute preferences affect (a) subsequent evaluations of objects and (b) situation selection.
Surfactant Deficiency Disorders: SP-B and ABCA3

Single gene disorders disrupting surfactant metabolism and resulting in acute and chronic lung disease have been identified in recent years. This review focuses on lung disease resulting from mutations in the genes encoding surfactant protein B (SP-B) and member A3 of the ATP-binding cassette (ABCA3) family of membrane transporters. The roles of these proteins in surfactant metabolism is reviewed, along with the epidemiology, molecular genetics, clinical features, natural history, lung pathology findings, approach to diagnosis, and treatment of the disorders resulting from mutations in these genes. Irreversible neonatal hypoxemic respiratory failure due to diffuse parenchymal lung disease is a common presentation of both disorders. Children with ABCA3 mutations may also present with relatively milder disease and findings of interstitial lung disease. While rare, these disorders result in significant respiratory morbidity and mortality, have provided insights into normal surfactant metabolism, and implicate these genes as having a role in more common lung diseases.
What factors are associated with achieving high continuity of care

Background and objectives Although continuity of care has been found to be associated with improved health outcomes in children, little is known about what factors predict having consistent contact with a pediatric provider. This study explored what patient, family, provider, and system factors are associated with high continuity of both total and well-child care. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 759 patients presenting to a primary care pediatric clinic. Patients completed surveys about demographic variables, attitudes about continuity of care, and family functioning, as well as provider-level information. Outcomes were measured with a continuity of care index that quantified the degree to which a patient experienced continuous care with a provider. Results In Tobit regression models, the variables associated with increased total continuity of care were continuity belief, higher family control, increased provider availability, and better provider rating. Associated with decreased total continuity of care were: number of visits, patient age, and time at clinic. For well-child care, the variables associated with increased continuity of care were continuity belief, increased provider availability, better provider rating, and greater reported household income. Provider availability was the strongest predictor of total continuity of care, and continuity belief was the strongest predictor of well-child continuity of care. Conclusions Increased provider availability may improve overall continuity of care for pediatric patients.
Spectrum-shared NOMA game-theoretical power requisition in context-aware wireless multimedia communications

The context-aware Quality of Experience (QoE) of video End Users (EUs) and the scarcity of frequency spectrum resources pose severe challenges in future wireless networks. To address these challenges, a Cournot game-theoretical context-aware power requisition solution is proposed with oligopoly competition in spectrum-shared Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA). We model the resource allocation between Base Station (BS) and EUs as an oligopoly competition game where the BS allocates power with regards to the contending requests from EUs. Context-aware factors such as power requisition, achievable data rates, channel status, QoE requirements and costs are considered when describing the utility of the EUs. We also analytically prove that EUs would achieve their maximum utilities by seeking the Cournot game equilibrium. Additionally, to deal with the special cases where the system has limited power budget, a user-fairness aware power request strategy is studied to complement our proposed oligopoly Cournot game-theoretical power allocation scheme. Simulation results show that the Cournot game-theoretical power allocation strategy achieves improved QoE utilities in the NOMA system sharing the frequency spectrum.
Retrovirus envelope glycoproteins

The envelope glycoprotein complex of replication competent retroviruses is comprised of two polypeptides, an external, glycosylated, hydrophilic polypeptide (SU) and a membrane-spanning protein (TM), that form a knob or knobbed spike on the surface of the virion. Both polypeptides are encoded in the env gene and are synthesized in the form of a polyprotein precursor that is proteolytically cleaved during its transport to the surface of the cell. While these proteins are not required for the assembly of enveloped virus particles, they do play a critical role in the virus replication cycle by recognizing and binding to specific receptors (SU) and by mediating the fusion of viral and cell membranes (TM): virus particles lacking envelope glycoproteins are thus noninfectious.
Emerging Applications of Recombinant Human Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor

C LINICAL INDICATIONS for use of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rHuGM-CSF) have expanded considerably since the drug first became available in the early 1990s for acceleration of myeloid engraftment in neutropenic patients. Initial clinical trials of rHuGM-CSF
A non-parametric classification strategy for remotely sensed images using both spectral and textural information

A classification strategy which does not require a priori assumptions about the statistical distribution of training pixels in each class is proposed. This method uses an indicator kriging approach in feature space to classify remotely sensed images incorporating both spectral and textural information of bands. Texture information is used only in cases where spectral information is not sufficient to resolve the assignment of the pixel to a class. Application of the proposed methodology on a remotely sensed natural scene shows an improvement in the overall classification accuracy with respect to the case when the scenes are classified by the traditional supervised Gaussian maximum likelihood classification (GMLC) method using either spectral band only or using both spectral and textural bands. A marked improvement in classification accuracy is obtained particularly for the classes for which the GMLC's assumption of multivariate normal distribution of training pixels in a class fails miserably.
A dimorphism shift of hepatitis B virus capsids in response to ionic conditions.

The dimorphism of HBV capsids (coexistence of T = 3 and T = 4 capsids) was found to be regulatable by controlling the rate of capsid nucleation using cations such as K+ or Ca2+: a quick addition of highly concentrated monovalent and/or multivalent counter-cations resulted in a morphism transition from a thermodynamically more stable, T = 4 capsid-dominant state (>80% of total capsids) to a new state containing ∼1 : 1 amounts of T = 3 and T = 4 capsids. These results suggested that the salts with strong charge screening ability could narrow the difference in nucleation energy barriers between the two states, which were not inter-convertible once formed. The effect of salts was more significant than other factors such as pH or protein concentration in achieving such a dimorphism shift. The general mechanism of HBV capsid dimorphism described here provides a new perspective in understanding the virus assembly during infection and directing the design of non-infectious capsids for nanotechnology applications.
Integrating failure in case-based learning: a conceptual framework for failure classification and its instructional implications

Employing authentic cases experienced by practitioners in educational contexts is critical to expanding students’ experience and engaging students in authentic problems to promote their real-world problem-solving skills. Although in real life, practitioners experience both success and failure and learn from both, little research has been done so far to conceptualize why and how failure should be employed in case-based learning (CBL) as a way to develop students’ abilities to solve ill-structured problems. The goal of this paper is to theoretically justify the need for integrating failure cases in CBL to help students become better problem solvers. To achieve this, this paper attempted to approach failure from the perspective of human error and proposed a classification of failure based on the degree of explicitness of human error involved in problem solving. Based on discussions of potential benefits and challenges of integrating different types of failure cases in education, this paper also proposed instructional design strategies that can help facilitate better use of failure cases.
FakeCatcher: Detection of Synthetic Portrait Videos using Biological Signals

The recent proliferation of fake portrait videos poses direct threats on society, law, and privacy [1]. Believing the fake video of a politician, distributing fake pornographic content of celebrities, fabricating impersonated fake videos as evidence in courts are just a few real world consequences of deep fakes. We present a novel approach to detect synthetic content in portrait videos, as a preventive solution for the emerging threat of deep fakes. In other words, we introduce a deep fake detector. We observe that detectors blindly utilizing deep learning are not effective in catching fake content, as generative models produce formidably realistic results. Our key assertion follows that biological signals hidden in portrait videos can be used as an implicit descriptor of authenticity, because they are neither spatially nor temporally preserved in fake content. To prove and exploit this assertion, we first engage several signal transformations for the pairwise separation problem, achieving 99.39% accuracy. Second, we utilize those findings to formulate a generalized classifier for fake content, by analyzing proposed signal transformations and corresponding feature sets. Third, we generate novel signal maps and employ a CNN to improve our traditional classifier for detecting synthetic content. Lastly, we release an "in the wild" dataset of fake portrait videos that we collected as a part of our evaluation process. We evaluate FakeCatcher on several datasets, resulting with 96%, 94.65%, 91.50%, and 91.07% accuracies, on Face Forensics [2], Face Forensics++ [3], CelebDF [4], and on our new Deep Fakes Dataset respectively. In addition, our approach produces a significantly superior detection rate against baselines, and does not depend on the source, generator, or properties of the fake content. We also analyze signals from various facial regions, under image distortions, with varying segment durations, from different generators, against unseen datasets, and under several dimensionality reduction techniques.
Point-Of-Care Testing Curriculum and Accreditation for Public Health—Enabling Preparedness, Response, and Higher Standards of Care at Points of Need

Objectives: To develop awareness of benefits of point-of-care testing (POCT) education in schools of public health, to identify learning objectives for teaching POCT, to enable public health professionals and emergency responders to perform evidence-based diagnosis and triage effectively and efficiently at points of need, and to better improve future standards of care for public health practice, including in limited-resource settings and crisis situations. Methods: We surveyed all U.S. schools of public health, colleges of public health, and public health schools accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH). We included accredited public health programs, so that all states offering public health education were represented. We analyzed survey data, public health books, and board certification guidelines. We used PubMed to identify public health curriculum papers, and assessed 2019 CEPH accreditation requirements. We merged POCT knowledge bases to design a new curriculum for teaching public health students and practitioners the principles and practice of POCT. Results: Public health curricula, certification requirements, and textbooks generally do not include POCT instruction. Only one book, Global Point of Care: Strategies for Disasters, Emergencies, and Public Health Resilience, and one online course on public health preparedness address POCT and public health intervention issues. The topic, POC HIV/HCV ED testing, appeared in one course and POC diagnostics in local clinics, in another. Papers on public health curriculum have not incorporated POCT. No curriculum addresses POCT in isolation units during quarantine, despite evidence that recent Ebola virus disease cases in the U.S. and elsewhere proved unequivocally the need for POCT. The modular learning objectives identified in this paper were customized for public health students. Public health graduates can use boot camps, online credentialing, and self-study to acquire POCT skills. Conclusions: Enhancing accreditation requirements, academic training, board certification, and field experience will generate public health healthcare professionals who will rely upon evidence-based medical decision making at points of care, including during crises when time is of the essence. A POCT-enabled public health workforce can help prevent and stop outbreaks. Public health-based medical professionals urgently need the skills necessary to perform POCT and prepare America and other nations for threats portending significant adverse medical, economic, social, and cultural impact.
Molecular imaging of oxidative stress sensing using LED-based photoacoustic imaging (Conference Presentation)

We developed and designed a near-infrared (NIR) absorbing diboronate xanthene dye ((E)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-(2-(6-((4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzyl)oxy)-2,3-dihydro-1H-xanthen-4-yl)vinyl)-3H-indol-1-ium) for photoacoustic imaging that is sensitive to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). We initially used the probe with an OPO-based laser but found that the photoacoustic intensity degrades by 2.6-fold within 3150 laser pulses. Therefore, we adopted the probe to a LED-based excitation source (The average and standard deviation of photoacoustic intensity in presence of 3150 LED pulses is 118.08 and 1.67 (1.4% variation) respectively) and found that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide radical (O2˙ −), and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) produce absorption at 700 nm, which was used for photoacoustic excitation. We observed a photoacoustic intensity increase of 2.1-, 1.9-, and 1.75-fold with addition of ONOO−, O2˙ −, and H2O2, (50 ), respectively. The dye is not sensitive to OCl − and ˙OH. At vascular compartment, formation of ONOO− is based on the reaction of nitric oxide (˙NO) with superoxide radical (O2˙ −) and formed ONOO− xidize plasmatic components as well as reaction with intracellular. We then tested the photoacoustic response of various concentrations of ONOO− (25, 50, 125, 185, 250, 375, and 500) in whole human plasma and blood. Concentrations of 50 ONOO− were also easily detectable with this probe. Finally, we examined the capability of new molecular probe for detection of endogenous RONS via SKOV3 (ovarian cancer) cell media. The RONS from these cells activated the probe but media treated with N-acetylcystein (NAC) (RONS scavenger) did not. In pre-incubated cells with NAC, we observed 2.5-fold decrease in photoacoustic intensity versus untreated cells.
On the difference of odd/even cubatures

Abstract We give an explicit formula for the difference of the even and odd cubatures in terms of the complete symmetric functions.
Discovering the Molecular Determinants of Phaeobacter inhibens susceptibility to Phaeobacter phage MD18

Bacteriophage technologies have immense potential as antibiotic therapies and in genetic engineering. Understanding the mechanisms that bacteriophages implement to infect their hosts will allow researchers to manipulate these systems and adapt them to specific bacterial targets. Here, we isolated a bacteriophage capable of infecting the marine alphaproteobacterium Phaeobacter inhibens and dissected its mechanism of infection. Phaeobacter phage MD18, a novel species of bacteriophage isolated in Woods Hole, MA, exhibits potent lytic ability against P. inhibens and appears to be of the Siphoviridae morphotype. Consistent with this finding, the sequence of the MD18 revealed significant similarity to another siphophage, the recently discovered Roseobacter phage DSS3P8. We incubated MD18 with a library of barcoded P. inhibens transposon insertion mutants and identified 22 genes that appear to be required for phage predation of this host. Network analysis of these genes using genomic position, GO term enrichment, and protein associations reveals that these genes are enriched for roles in assembly of a type IV pilus (T4P) and regulators of cellular morphology. Our results suggest that T4P serve as receptors for a novel marine virus that targets P. inhibens.
Populations and Excavations; Strata and Data: A linguistMuses upon Anthropology and Archaeology

Linguistics has been regarded by some as a subfield of Anthropology (on a plane of synchrony) and as a distant relative to Archaeology...
Hip Hop as Political Theory: Exploring Democracy in J. Cole’s BRACKETS

Upon opening with a skit of comedian Richard Pryor, Jermaine Cole (known as J.Cole), brilliantly and artistically explores ethics of public trust and social equity in his record BRACKETS on the alb...
Factors associated with optimal patient outcomes after operative repair of isolated hip fractures in the elderly.

Background Increased time to operative intervention is associated with a greater risk of mortality and complications in adults with a hip fracture. This study sought to determine factors associated with timeliness of operation in elderly patients presenting with an isolated hip fracture and the influence of surgical delay on outcomes. Methods Trauma quality collaborative data (July 2016 to June 2019) were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were patients ≥65 years with an injury mechanism of fall, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2005 diagnosis of hip fracture, and AIS extremity ≤3. Exclusion criteria included AIS in other body regions >1 and non-operative management. We examined the association of demographic, hospital, injury presentation, and comorbidity factors on a surgical delay >48 hours and patient outcomes using multivariable regression analysis. Results 10 182 patients fit our study criteria out of 212 620 patients. Mean age was 82.7±8.6 years and 68.7% were female. Delay in operation >48 hours occurred in 965 (9.5%) of patients. Factors that significantly increased mortality or discharge to hospice were increased age, male gender, emergency department hypotension, functionally dependent health status (FDHS), advanced directive, liver disease, angina, and congestive heart failure (CHF). Delay >48 hours was associated with increased mortality or discharge to hospice (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.06; p 48 hours were male gender, FDHS, CHF, chronic renal failure, and advanced directive. Admission to the orthopedic surgery service was associated with less incidence of delay >48 hours (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.64; p Discussion Hospital verification level, admission service, and patient volume did not impact the outcome of mortality/discharge to hospice. Delay to operation >48 hours was associated with increased mortality. The only measured modifiable characteristic that reduced delay to operative intervention was admission to the orthopedic surgery service. Level of evidence III.
Real-time intraoperative functioning lumen imaging probe during endoscopic per-oral pyloromyotomy (pop).

Endoscopic per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP) has emerged as a safe and effective first line option in medically refractory gastroparesis. Determining the appropriate extent of the pyloromyotomy continues to present a challenge as there are no standardized tools for measuring changes in pyloric distensibility during the procedure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of using impedance planimetry with endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) to measure changes in pyloric distensibility after POP, and to compare these changes with improvement in symptoms and objective gastric emptying. Patients with medically refractory gastroparesis underwent POP with FLIP measurements of the pylorus (EndoFLIP®, Medtronic, Fridley MN). FLIP measurements, as well as changes in symptoms measured by the validated gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI) and scintigraphic gastric emptying studies (GES), were evaluated before and after POP. A total of 14 patients underwent measurement with FLIP during POP, 12 of whom had pre- and post-POP measurements. Mean pyloric diameter increased by 1.4 mm, from 13.9 mm to 15.3 mm (p = 0.0012). Mean distensibility index increased from 6.2 mm2/mmHg to 9.1 mm2/mmHg (p = 0.0074). Successful division of the pylorus was achieved in 100% of patients with a mean operative time of 36 min and no perioperative complications. The mean length of stay was 0.7 days (0–3 days). Post-POP mean GCSI score improved from 2.97 to 2.28 at a mean follow-up time of 27 days (p < 0.001). Objective improvement in gastric emptying was observed in 80% of patients with scintigraphic GES, with mean four-hour retention decreasing from 46.3% to 32.4% (p < 0.007). FLIP is a safe and feasible tool to provide objective measurements during POP. Larger cohorts with longer follow-up are required to determine if measured improvements in pyloric diameter and distensibility are predictive of sustained improvements in GCSI and GES.
The Challenges of Large-Scale, Web-Based Language Datasets: Word Length and Predictability Revisited

Language research has come to rely heavily on large-scale, web-based datasets. These datasets can present significant methodological challenges, requiring researchers to make a number of decisions about how they are collected, represented, and analyzed. These decisions often concern long-standing challenges in corpus-based language research, including determining what counts as a word, deciding which words should be analyzed, and matching sets of words across languages. We illustrate these challenges by revisiting "Word lengths are optimized for efficient communication" (Piantadosi, Tily, & Gibson, 2011), which found that word lengths in 11 languages are more strongly correlated with their average predictability (or average information content) than their frequency. Using what we argue to be best practices for large-scale corpus analyses, we find significantly attenuated support for this result and demonstrate that a stronger relationship obtains between word frequency and length for a majority of the languages in the sample. We consider the implications of the results for language research more broadly and provide several recommendations to researchers regarding best practices.
High-Performance, sub-2 volts TiO2 thin film transistors enabled by ultrathin ZrO2 gate dielectrics

We report on, for the first time, high-performance, sub-2 volts TiO 2 thin film transistors (TFTs) enabled by ultrathin ZrO 2 gate dielectrics. The effect of ZrO 2 thickness on TFT performance is systematically studied. It is found that the TFT performances are enhanced with the reduced ZrO 2 thickness, benefiting from the increased gate oxide capacitance $(\mathrm{C}_{\text{ox}})$ . The TiO 2 TFTs with an ultrathin ZrO 2 dielectric of 5 nm show a high $\mathrm{I}_{\text{on}}/\mathrm{I}_{\text{off}}$ of $7.7\times 10^{7}$ and a nearly ideal SS of 72 mV under an ultra-low voltage of 2 V. The highperformance, sub-2 volts TiO 2 TFTs show great promise for future portable electronic applications.
Spatially-oriented data, methods, and models to plan transit for reverse commuters

Abstract The reverse commuting population, those who travel from residences in the city to workplaces in the suburbs, are largely underserved by existing transit systems. One contributing factor to this limited service are issues in existing transit planning methods; serving the reverse commute with transit requires new methods and data sources that complement decision making based on ridership and revealed demand. We utilize administrative origin–destination data from the Philadelphia area that measures commuter flows across all travel modes, rather than just those who already use transit, to capture the potential demand for reverse commuting transit service. We develop an index to highlight target areas for new services, describe geographies for intervention, and utilize negative binomial regression models to analyze key covariates of the reverse commute. Our approach advances a new methodological framework that employs spatially-oriented analyses and open data and tools to generate actionable insights to better serve reverse commuters.
Whole body PET scans for head and neck cancers

2427 Objectives Some physicians believe that head and neck cancers are not likely to metastasize outside of the head and neck, and therefore PET scans only need to be performed over the head and neck region. The objective of this study was to determine if it is necessary to perform PET scans over more than just the head and neck for patients with head and neck cancers. Methods The medical records of 122 patients with head and neck cancers were studied. All patients received a PET scan in 2010 at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The PET protocol for head and neck cancers at Froedtert is to take images from the top of the head to the adrenal glands. Patients with suspected metastases were imaged lower on the body and less of the body was imaged on others due to non-compliance. Reports from each patient were looked at and determined if metastases were present in the head and neck or if metastases were present in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis. Results Of the 122 patients in the study, 60 (49.2%) had metastases anywhere in the body, 45 (36.9%) had metastases in the head or neck, and 24 (19.7%) had metastases below the neck. Of the 24 patients with metastases below the neck, 17 (70%) were in the chest, 4 (16.7%) were abdominal, and 9 (37.5%) were in the pelvis. Three of the nine pelvic lesions were worrisome for secondary primary malignancies. Conclusions Patients with head and neck cancers receiving PET scans should be imaged over more than just the head and neck region. Since having one type of cancer predisposes a patient to having another type of cancer, imaging from the top of the head to the thigh could be beneficial. This could reveal significant distal metastases or possible secondary primary malignancies that would otherwise not be seen
Fast model predictive control algorithms for fast-switching modular multilevel converters

Abstract For high-power/voltage systems, particularly for high-voltage direct current (HVDC), one of the most potential converter topologies is the modular mutlilevel converter (MMC). Model predictive control (MPC) is one of the switching methods studied in the literature for MMC to simultaneously achieve the three challenging objectives of (1) following the reference of the current waveform requested by upper-level control, (2) mitigating on circulating current, and (3) regulating capacitor voltages of submodules. Since the MPC models proposed in the literature suffer from high computation burdens making the algorithm not applicable to high-frequency switching MMCs, a binary integer programming based MPC has been proposed in this paper to optimize this multi-objective problem with minimum computing effort. The main contribution of the algorithms proposed in this paper is to significantly reduce the computation expenses by cutting the searching space from millions of feasible solutions to the incredibly low number of “4”, while taking care of the three objectives of MMC control. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated via simulation in MATLAB SimPowerSystems.
Detection and Differentiation of 3 K88 Serogroups Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Techniques

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli have long been implicated as diarrheal agents in the neonatal and newly weaned pig (Wilson, 1986). These bacteria are able to adhere to the small intestine throughout its length by way of proteinaceous filaments (fimbria) that allow them to attach to specific receptors found on the mucosal layer and epithelia of the intestine in the pig (Gaastra and DeGraaf, 1982; Bertschinger et al., 1992). These fimbria have been shown to be essential for the colonization of the small intestine (Gaastra and DeGraaf, 1982). Several tests have been employed in the past to detect fimbria including: simple agglutination, indirect fluorescent antibody, ELISA, and others (Mullaney et al., 1991). We have developed a test to detect a portion of the plasmid-encoded operon for K88 fimbria using the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique (PCR). This test screens for the genes that code for the fimbrial subunits and does not require antibodies, sacrifice of the animals, or the production of purified fimbria common to the other methods of detection. This test is readily performed on isolates derived from fecal swabs.
Social welfare program administration and evaluation and policy analysis using knowledge discovery and data mining (KDD) on administrative data

New technology in knowledge discovery and data mining (KDD) make it possible to extract valuable information from operational data. Private businesses already use the technology for better management, planning, and marketing. Social welfare government agencies have a wealth of information about the experiences of families and individuals that are the most needy in our society in their administrative databases. These data too can be mined and analyzed with proper application of KDD technology. Such social science research could be priceless for better welfare program administration, program evaluation, and policy analysis. In this paper, we discuss a successful case study involving research in computer science as well as social welfare. In a long standing collaboration between the North Carolina DHHS and the University of North Carolina, we have (1) successfully built a longitudinal information system that tracks the experiences of families and individuals on welfare in NC since 1995 (2) developed a dynamic website reporting on the various aspects of the welfare program at the county level in order to assist county staff in the administration of the welfare program and (3) developed a new method to analyze sequential data, which can detect common patterns of welfare services given over time.
Nucleotide Pools in Growing Chromatium Strain D

The growth rate of Chromatium at limiting light intensities is not regulated by either the ratio or the concentration of nucleoside phosphates, although transient changes in these parameters may affect the activities of biosynthetic enzymes.
Glutamine-dependent nitrogen transfer in Escherichia coli asparagine synthetase B. Searching for the catalytic triad.

Abstract The mechanism of nitrogen transfer in glutamine-dependent amidotransferases remains to be unambiguously established. We now report the overexpression, purification, and kinetic characterization of both the glutamine- and ammonia-dependent activities of Escherichia coli asparagine synthetase B (AS-B) and a series of mutants. In common with other members of the purF family of amidotransferases, the recombinant enzyme possesses an NH2-terminal cysteine residue. Replacement of Cys-1 by either alanine or serine results in a loss of glutaminase and glutamine-dependent activity, without out any significant effect upon ammonia-dependent asparagine synthesis. As previously observed for human AS (Sheng, S., Moraga-Amador, D., Van Heeke, G., Allison, R. D., Richards, N. G. J., and Schuster, S. M. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 16771-16780), glutamine is an inhibitor of the ammonia-dependent reaction catalyzed by both the Cys-1-->Ala (C1A) and Cys-1-->Ser (C1S) mutants of AS-B. In the case of C1A, the inhibition pattern suggests that an abortive complex is formed. This is consistent with a recent proposal implicating the formation of an imide intermediate in the nitrogen transfer reaction (Richards, N. G. J., and Schuster, S. M. (1992) FEBS Lett. 313, 98-102). In contrast, glutamine appears to be only a competitive inhibitor of the ammonia-dependent activity of C1S. Cys-1 does not appear to be required for glutamine binding. Replacement of Asp-33 by either asparagine or glutamic acid has little effect on the kinetic properties of the mutant enzymes when compared to wild-type AS-B. Cys-1 and Asp-33 are cognate to residues Cys-1 and Asp-29 in glutamine phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase which have been proposed to be members of a catalytic triad responsible for mediating nitrogen transfer in this enzyme (Mei, B., and Zalkin, H. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 16613-16619). In the case of AS-B, although Cys-1 is essential for glutamine-dependent activity, Asp-33 does not appear to participate in mediating nitrogen transfer. In an effort to locate other residues which might form part of a "catalytic triad" in the glutamine amidotransferase domain of AS-B, we have expressed and characterized mutant proteins in which His-29 and His-80, which are conserved within the glutamine amidotransferase domain of purF amidotransferases, are replaced by alanine (H29A and H80A).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Predictors of Repeat Epinephrine Administration for Emergency Department Patients with Anaphylaxis

Background Risk factors that predict which patients with anaphylaxis might require repeat doses of epinephrine are poorly understood. Objective The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the need for multiple doses of epinephrine during an anaphylactic reaction. Methods Patients were included if they met diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis on presentation to the emergency department (ED) at our academic medical center between April 2008 and February 2014. Data were collected on allergic history, presenting signs and symptoms, anaphylaxis management, and disposition. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to estimate associations between possible risk factors and the need for multiple doses. Results Of 582 ED patients with anaphylaxis, 45 (8%) required multiple doses of epinephrine. By multivariable analysis, factors associated with the need for repeat doses were a history of anaphylaxis (odds ratio [OR], 2.5 [95% CI, 1.3-4.7]; P = .005), the presence of flushing or diaphoresis (OR, 2.4 [95% CI, 1.3-4.5]; P = .007), and the presence of dyspnea (OR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.0-5.0]; P = .046). Patients who received more than 1 dose were more likely to be admitted to the general medical floor (OR, 2.8 [95% CI, 1.1-7.2]; P = .03) or intensive care unit (OR, 7.6 [95% CI, 3.7-15.6]; P Conclusion Patients with a history of anaphylaxis, flushing or diaphoresis, or dyspnea may require multiple doses of epinephrine to treat anaphylactic reactions. Patients who require more than 1 dose are more likely to be admitted to the hospital, thus increasing health care resource utilization.
Characterization of Steroid-binding Sites by Affinity-labeling: II. BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF 4-MERCURI-17β-ESTRADIOL

Abstract The first paper in this series (Chin, C. C., and Warren, J. C., J. Biol. Chem., 243, 5056 (1968)) described the synthesis of 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol and demonstrated that it could be used for affinity labeling of steroid binding sites. The present report describes the biological activity of the mercury steroid and its interaction with primary uterine receptor proteins. When 17β-estradiol, 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol, and the mercaptide of 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol with 2-mercaptoethanol were applied intraluminally to the uteri of ovariectomized rats, all induced glucose-6-P dehydrogenase and 6-P-gluconate dehydrogenase. A dose-response analysis with 17β-estradiol showed that the effect observed with the mercury steroids could not be the result of contamination with 17β-estradiol. The increased glucose-6-P dehydrogenase activity induced by 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol and 4-(2-hydroxyethylmercapto)mercuri-17β-estradiol was not seen after administration of either p-mercuribenzoate or its mercaptide. 4-Mercuri-17β-estradiol was more persistent in its activity than 17β-estradiol but did not achieve so high a level of maximal stimulation. Morphological examination of uterine tissue after treatment with 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol revealed the classic histological effects seen after similar administration of 17β-estradiol. After injection of 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol-6,7-3H and subsequent steroid extraction, no significant amount of radioactivity was found associated with free 17β-estradiol, indicating that cleavage in vivo of the carbon-mercury bond did not occur. Levels of uterine glycogen were enhanced by 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol, but not by p-mercuribenzoate. Again, the mercury steroid was not so potent as 17β-estradiol but maintained its maximal action over a prolonged period of time. Binding of 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol to the cytoplasmic receptor protein of immature rat uterus was demonstrated; pretreatment with 17β-estradiol abolished this binding. The results demonstrate that 4-mercuri-17β-estradiol mimics 17β-estradiol in the production of several biological responses and in the nature of its binding to soluble uterine receptor sites. The mercury derivative can, therefore, be used for identification of target organ receptor proteins and study of their role in the mechanism of estrogen action.
Physical Integrity Check in Cooperative Relay Communications

We propose a physical-layer technique for checking the integrity of information provided by an intermediate node (relay) in cooperative relay communication systems. The proposed approach, built on the theory of likelihood ratio test, exploits the physical-layer signal from the source in detecting any data modification (false data injection attack) made by the relay. We present the optimum detection method that minimizes the end-to-end outage probability and the minmax detection method that minimizes the maximum possible outage probability under unknown attack probability. We show that the optimum detection technique can provide almost the same end-to-end outage probability that can be provided by the ideal cryptographic technique that perfectly detects the false injection at the expense of high computational cost and bandwidth overhead. The proposed physical integrity check can be used as an additional layer of protection or can complement to the conventional cryptographic techniques.
Volume loading hypoalgesia in SHR, WKY and F1 offspring of a SHR × WKY cross

The effects of volume loading on a nociceptive reflex, arterial blood pressure and heart rate were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), Wistar Kyoto normotensive rats (WKYs) and the F1 offspring of a SHR x WKY cross. Volume loading resulted in significantly greater inhibition of the tail-flick reflex to painful radiant heat in SHRs compared to WKYs. The F1 offspring of a SHR x WKY cross showed levels of hypoalgesia to volume loading that were intermediate to those of SHRs and WKYs. There were no differences between these strains in their hypotensive and bradycardic responses to volume loading. These findings are discussed in terms of cardiovascular-somatosensory interactions.
Dispersal leads to spatial autocorrelation in species distributions: A simulation model

Compared to population growth regulated by local conditions, dispersal has been underappreciated as a central process shaping the spatial distribution of populations. This paper asks: (a) which conditions increase the importance of dispersers relative to local recruits in determining population sizes? and (b) how does dispersal influence the spatial distribution patterns of abundances among connected populations? We approached these questions with a simulation model of populations on a coupled lattice with cells of continuously varying habitat quality expressed as carrying capacities. Each cell contained a population with the basic dynamics of density-regulated growth, and was connected to other populations by immigration and emigration. The degree to which dispersal influenced the distribution of population sizes depended most strongly on the absolute amount of dispersal, and then on the potential population growth rate. Dispersal decaying in intensity with distance left close neighbours more alike in population size than distant populations, leading to an increase in spatial autocorrelation. The spatial distribution of species with low potential growth rates is more dependent on dispersal than that of species with high growth rates; therefore, distribution modelling for species with low growth rates requires particular attention to autocorrelation, and conservation management of these species requires attention to factors curtailing dispersal, such as fragmentation and dispersal barriers.
Lessons from the Past and Charting the Future of Marine Natural Products Drug Discovery and Chemical Biology

Marine life forms are an important source of structurally diverse and biologically active secondary metabolites, several of which have inspired the development of new classes of therapeutic agents. These success stories have had to overcome difficulties inherent to natural products-derived drugs, such as adequate sourcing of the agent and issues related to structural complexity. Nevertheless, several marine-derived agents are now approved, most as "first-in-class" drugs, with five of seven appearing in the past few years. Additionally, there is a rich pipeline of clinical and preclinical marine compounds to suggest their continued application in human medicine. Understanding of how these agents are biosynthetically assembled has accelerated in recent years, especially through interdisciplinary approaches, and innovative manipulations and re-engineering of some of these gene clusters are yielding novel agents of enhanced pharmaceutical properties compared with the natural product.
Necessitarianism and teleology in Aristotle's biology

In Aristotle's biological works, there is an apparent conflict between passages which seem to insist that only hypothetical necessity (anagkē ex hypotheseōs) operates in the sublunary world, and passages in which some biological phenomena are explained as simply (haplōs) necessary. Parallel to this textual problem lies the claim that explanations in terms of simple necessity render teleological explanations (in some of which Aristotle puts hypothetical necessity to use) superfluous. I argue that the textual conflict is only apparent, and that Aristotle's notion of coincidental sameness allows him to avoid the superfluity problem.