cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SEASONAL and ANNUAL VARIATIONS IN ICE COVER IN BAFFIN BAY and NORTHERN DAVIS STRAIT

The sea ice cover in Baffin Bay and northern Davis Strait is at a maximum in March and at a minimum in September. It depletes rapidly in July and August and grows rapidly during October and November. More annual variations were noticed during periods of ice cover depletion than during ice cover growth periods. The paper presents a sea ice forecast model which is based on annual ice cover depletion and growth data 1968-79 and which should be useful for planning navigation and drilling operations. Le couvert de glace dans la baie de Baffin et le nord du detroit de Davis atteint son maximum en mars et est reduit a son minimum en septembre. II regresse rapidement en juillet et en aout et croit rapidement en octobre et en novembre. Plus de variations annuelles ont ete observees pour les periodes de diminution du couvert de glace que pour les periodes de croissance de ce dernier. Cet article presente un modele de prevision du couvert de glace lequel est base sur les donnees relatives a la croissance et a la regression du couvert de glace pour la periode 1968-79. Ce modele devrait ětre utile dans la planification de la navigation et des operations de forage.
A Critic’S View of the Proposed AMS Code of Ethics

Previous calls for a specific code of ethics for the marketing professorate were ignored until the AMS Board of Directors undertook the project. The proposed Code of Ethics is largely the work of the principal author, M. Joseph Sirgy. Clearly, Dr. Sirgy should be congratulated for his work.
Influence of physician, patient, and health care system characteristics on the use of outpatient mastectomy.

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. Breast cancer surgeries can be performed on either an inpatient or ambulatory basis. This systematic review of literature on outpatient mastectomy examines what is known about the factors that influence the use of this procedure, existing public policies, and strategies to promote the appropriate use of outpatient mastectomy. Methods Factors associated with the utilization of outpatient mastectomy were categorized and discussed under the following headings: “patient level,” “physician level,” and “system level.” Results Potential contributing factors to the use of outpatient mastectomy at the patient level were race, educational level, comorbid conditions, cancer stage, and health insurance. Contributing factors at the provider level were demographics, surgeon specialty, and whether physician is an American or international graduate. The associated factors at the system level were state policy and legislation and hospital characteristics. Conclusions The evidence in the research literature suggests that the use of outpatient mastectomy is a function of interactions between patient and physician characteristics, managed care influences, and the state policies and laws.
Gender Differences in the Endowment Effect: Women Pay Less, but Won't Accept Less

We explore different contexts and mechanisms that might promote or alleviate the gender effect in risk aversion. Our main result is that we do not find gender differences in risk aversion when the choice is framed as a willingness-to-accept (WTA) task. When the choice is framed as a willingness-to-pay (WTP) task, men are willing to pay more and thus exhibit lower risk aversion. However, when the choice is framed as a willingness to accept task, women will not accept less than men. These findings imply gender differences in the endowment effect. We also find that the effect size of the gender difference in risk aversion is reduced or eliminated as the context changes from tasks framed as gambles to other domains; and that attitudes toward gambling mediate the gender effect in gambling framed tasks.
Administration of the Persian achaemenid world-state empire: implications for modern public administration

This essay discusses the Iranian (Persian) traditions of state, bureaucracy, and public administration from around 6000 B.C. to 330 B.C. As one of the earliest sites of human civilization, contemporary and rival to Summer and Babylon, Iran began political life first as the city state Susa, then as the capital of one of the major ancient empires, federal Elam, for 2,500 years. Iranian administrative traditions flourished during the powerful Aryan rule under the Median empire and, particularly, under the world-state Achaemenid Persian Empire founded by Cyrus the Great, which ended in 330 B.C. The study, therefore, covers a long period of almost 6,000 years of Iranian experience in theory and practice of governance and public administration. No discussion is made of the following Parthian decentralized administration or the more advanced and centralized administrative systems of governance and administration under the formidable Sasanian Empire. The study outlines the major administrative legacies of the Ela...
Microstructure Characteristics of Hot-Dip Aluminum and Micro-arc Oxidation Multilayer Conversion Coating on A3 Steel

By combined process of hot-dip aluminum and micro-arc oxidation,a multilayer conversion coating was obtained on the surface of A3 steel-plate.The micro-morphology and chemical elements of the coating were investigated by the means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS).The construction of the coating was researched by the semi-quantitative analyses of atomic ratio.The results show that the multilayer coating obtained on the A3 steel-plate can be divided into three layers:Fe-Al alloy layer—pure aluminum layer—Al_2O_3 ceramic layer;the innermost layer of branch-like Fe-Al which was grown into the iron substrate,the outermost layer of ceramic coating was a loose layer,and a pure aluminum layer was evenly distributed in the middle of them;there were stable intermediate coatings between the three layers,so the connection of them were reliable.
Separation characteristics experimental study of gas-injected hydrocyclone

Gas injected experiments of the hydrocyclone were carried out by using air compressor and Nikuni gas-liquid mixing pump.During the separation process,the injected micro air bubble will capture fine oil droplet to form oil-gas compound body,which will move toward the center of the hydrocyclone under the function of centrifugal force,so as to fulfill the cooperating effect of floatation and hydrocyclonic separation,and to ensure the high efficient separation of oil from water.Experiments indicate that it is feasible to enhance hydrocyclone's separation efficiency by injecting air.Several tested air-injecting means improved the separation effect,although the flow field stability could be destroyed by means of air compressor single point injection,which resulted in less increasing of the efficiency;while other air-injecting means,such as air compressor inlet injection,micro-pore vortex cavity injection,and the injection by using Nikuni gas-liquid mixing pump,are satisfied air-injection means,the efficiency of hydrocyclones can reach as high as 95%.
A novel beta-globin mutation, beta Durham-NC [beta 114 Leu-->Pro], produces a dominant thalassemia-like phenotype

Mutations within exon 3 of the beta-globin gene are relatively uncommon, and many of these mutations produce a dominant thalassemia-like phenotype. We describe a novel thalassemic hemoglobinopathy caused by a single nucleotide substitution (CTG-->CCG) at codon 114 resulting in a leucine to proline substitution and designate it beta Durham-NC [beta 114 Leu-->Pro]. The mutation producing this thalassemic hemoglobinopathy is located near to the beta Showa-Yakushiji mutation (beta 110 Leu-->Pro). Both of these hemoglobinopathies share similar phenotypic features with moderately severe microcytic anemia. Using computer imaging of the hemoglobin molecule, we examined several reported point mutations within exon 3 of the beta-globin gene. These point mutations cause a single amino acid substitution in the G helix, and result in a thalassemic and/or hemolytic phenotype. Computer imaging of nine separate examples suggests that amino acid substitutions affecting side chains that project into the heme pocket may destabilize the heme moiety within the beta-globin chain, resulting in a thalassemic phenotype. Hemolytic phenotypes may be the result of decreased alpha 1 beta 1 interactions. The beta Durham-NC mutation further characterizes a novel group of thalassemias/hemoglobinopathies that are clinically difficult to identify and require accessory laboratory testing.
Synchronous Primary Lung Cancer With Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Right Upper Lobe

CASE PRESENTATION A55-year-old female presented to clinic with a 6month history of malaise, dyspnea on exertion and with an approximate 30-pound weight loss. She had a 20-pack-year smoking history and reported quitting 4 years prior. A chest radiograph demonstrated a nodular lesion in the right lung apex and an additional nodule in the right suprahilar region. A subsequent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the chest confirmed the presence of both nodules in the right upper lobe. Flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (FDG PET/CT) showed increased FDG uptake in both right upper lung nodules without signs of FDG-avid extrathoracic lesions (Figure A, arrows). A right upper lobectomy was suggested for treatment and the patient was amenable to this course of action. At surgery, an initial wedge resection of the more superior right upper lobe mass was sent for intraoperative surgical pathology. This revealed an area of firm consolidation, measuring 3.2 2 1 cm, which was confirmed as adenocarcinoma with lepidic pattern (Figure B) and foci of adenocarcinoma in situ on frozen section. A completion lobectomy was subsequently performed and surgical pathology revealed a centrally located firm spiculated area measuring 1.5 1 0.5 cm at the hilum associated with a segmental bronchus. The histologic sections of this area confirmed invasive welldifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma (Figure C). Following postoperative recovery and discharge, at 1-year follow-up, the patient has no dyspnea, fatigue, or new lung masses on serial imaging. Synchronous primary lung cancer (SPLC) is an uncommon entity that poses the challenge to differentiate between true SPLC and lung cancer with intrapulmonary FIGURE.
Forty years of Fenske-Hall molecular orbital theory

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses “Fenske–Hall” molecular orbital (MO) method, an approximate self-consistent-field (SCF) abinitio method that contains no empirical parameters that began almost 40 years ago in the research group of Richard F. Fenske. It demonstrates for transition metal complexes that the nonempirical Fenske–Hall (FH) approach provides qualitative results that are quite similar to the more rigorous treatment given by density functional theory (DFT) and are quite different from Hartree–Fock–Roothaan (HFR) calculations that have no electron correlation. For example, the highest occupied molecular orbital of ferrocene is metal based for both DFT and FH while it is ligand (cyclopentadienyl) based for HFR. In the doublet (S=1/2) cluster, Cp2Ni2(μ-S)2(MnCO)3, the unpaired electron is delocalized over the complex in agreement with the DFT and FH results, but localized on Mn in the HFR calculation. A brief description of the theory of FH calculations is used to rationalize the origin of its similarity to DFT.
Examining Multistate Mobility Performance in the Mid-America Region

AbstractAmong today’s vast data availability, traffic probe data in particular offer exceptional new opportunities for examining multistate mobility. Invaluable resources such as the National Perfo...
Chapter 25 – Bone Histomorphometry

Bone histomorphometry is a technique for the quantitative evaluation of bone tissue, which in clinical studies is usually obtained from the ilium. Both the activity of bone cells and the amount and distribution of bone tissue can be analyzed. Histomorphometric studies in children with osteogenesis imperfect (OI) have shown an increased activity of bone remodeling, but a lower than normal function of osteoblasts. In patients with mutations affecting collagen type I, there are only minor differences with regard to bone remodeling of trabecular bone. The marked variation in bone mass between patients seems to be determined mostly by bone modeling on periosteal and endocortical bone surfaces. Bone histomorphometry is an important tool for assessing the safety and efficacy of new pharmacological treatment approaches. In pamidronate-treated children, bone histomorphometry has demonstrated a marked increase in trabecular and cortical bone mass, associated with a reduction in bone turnover.
Moving in a haiku manner: the performance process of This Other World

ABSTRACTThis essay traces the process used to create This Other World, a site-specific performance that staged adaptations of Richard Wright’s posthumously published haiku in conversation with excerpts from his Native Son and Black Boy. Rather than privilege the performance outcome of this project, the essay describes its collaborative approach to research, haiku chance system of scripting, devised gestural language, and interaction with the outdoor space. The process-based movement that occurs along the path to performance holds value as its own product of staging literature.
Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Post-Mastectomy Immediate Reconstruction in a Contemporary Cohort of Breast Cancer Survivors

Post-mastectomy reconstruction is a critical component of high-quality breast cancer care. Prior studies demonstrate socioeconomic disparity in receipt of reconstruction. Our objective was to evaluate trends in receipt of immediate reconstruction and examine socioeconomic factors associated with reconstruction in a contemporary cohort. Using the National Cancer Database, we identified women <75 years of age with stage 0–1 breast cancer treated with mastectomy (n = 297,121). Trends in immediate reconstruction rates (2004–2013) for the overall cohort and stratified by socioeconomic factors were examined using Join-point regression analysis, and annual percentage change (APC) was calculated. We then restricted our sample to a contemporary cohort (2010–2013, n = 145,577). Multivariable logistic regression identified socioeconomic factors associated with immediate reconstruction. Average adjusted predicted probabilities of receiving reconstruction were calculated. Immediate reconstruction rates increased from 27 to 48%. Although absolute rates of reconstruction for each stratification group increased, similar APCs across strata led to persistent gaps in receipt of reconstruction. On multivariable logistic regression using our contemporary cohort, race, income, education, and insurance type were all strongly associated with immediate reconstruction. Patients with the lowest predicted probability of receiving reconstruction were patients with Medicaid who lived in areas with the lowest rates of high-school graduation (Black 42.4% [95% CI 40.5–44.3], White 45.7% [95% CI 43.9–47.4]). Although reconstruction rates have increased dramatically over the past decade, lower rates persist for disadvantaged patients. Understanding how socioeconomic factors influence receipt of reconstruction, and identifying modifiable factors, are critical next steps towards identifying interventions to reduce disparities in breast cancer surgical care.
Repeating platinum/bevacizumab in recurrent or progressive cervical cancer yields marginal survival benefits

Our objective was to assess overall survival of cervical cancer patients following prior platinum/bevacizumab chemotherapy, comparing retreatment with platinum/bevacizumab with alternative therapies. A retrospective analysis was performed of women who received platinum/bevacizumab (PB) chemotherapy for cervical cancer at Washington University between July 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015. Wilcoxon rank-sum exact test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the treatment groups, and Kaplan Meier curves were generated. Cox regression analyses were performed, with treatment free interval and prior therapy response included as covariates. Of 84 patients who received PB chemotherapy, 59 (70%) received no second line chemotherapy, as they did not recur, progressed without further chemotherapy, were lost to follow up, or expired. Of the remaining 25 patients, 9 were retreated with the combination of platinum/bevacizumab (PB), 6 were retreated with a platinum regimen without bevacizumab (P), and 10 were retreated with neither (not-P). The only long-term survivor was in the not-P group and was treated with an immunotherapy agent. Median overall survival of all patients was 7.1 months. There was a marginal difference in survival between women in the PB and not-PB groups (11.8 versus 5.7 months; HR 3.02, 95% CI, 0.98-9.28). There was no difference in survival based on platinum interval (HR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.27-2.45). Outcomes are grim for women retreated after platinum/bevacizumab therapy and are only marginally improved by retreatment with a platinum/bevacizumab regimen. Rather than additional PB therapy, women with cervical cancer who recur after platinum/bevacizumab should consider supportive care or clinical trials.
Timing of cardiac sarcoidosis in patients with sarcoidosis

Introduction: Cardiac involvement affects clinically around 5% of patients with sarcoidosis. There is limited information on the timing of cardiac sarcoidosis. Aim: To determine the timing of cardiac involvement in patients with sarcoidosis. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we enrolled all cardiac sarcoidosis subjects registered in the University of Miami Sarcoidosis Program registry from Jan. 2016 to Jan. 2017. These patients had annual assessment of cardiac involvement with screening ECG, followed by imaging studies if required. Cardiac sarcoidosis was grouped as at least probable, or possible per World Association for Sarcoidosis and other Granulomatous Disorders guidelines. The Kaplan-Meir estimate curve was used to determine the cumulative probability of diagnosing cardiac involvement. Results: Among 85 subjects in our registry, 10(11.7%) subjects met the criteria for at least probable cardiac sarcoidosis. They had age mean (SD) 56.6 (8.1), and sarcoidosis diagnosis age of 49.6 (11.3) years. Cardiac sarcoidosis was diagnosed at a mean age of 50.6 (8.7) years. In 8(80%) subjects, cardiac sarcoidosis was the presenting feature2(20%) of subjects were diagnosed 5 or more years after sarcoidosis was diagnosed. (Figure 1). Conclusion: Our pilot study suggests that cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis usually occurs in the early phase of disease and the risk decreases over time. Therefore, we recommend that screening for cardiac sarcoidosis should be a part of the initial evaluation of every patient with sarcoidosis.
Subject-Dependent SSVEP Identification Using GMM Training and Adaptation

The use of Brain Computer Interface (BCI) systems in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can facilitate communication on demand. BCI systems enable ICU patients to communicate using the electrical activity of their brains. For this purpose, we designed and developed a BCI system comprised of an Android tablet that allows patients to look at the screen to ask for what they need using their Electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded using a wireless wearable BCI. However, there are two main challenges associated with the BCI application. Due to the insufficient screen refresh rate of the mobile device, the flickering stimuli is imprecise. Hence, we introduce a partition-based feature extraction and fusion method using Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) and Power Spectral Density Analysis (PSDA) to overcome this limitation. Also, BCI devices require a calibration stage in order to capture subject-specific information, which might be particularly troublesome for ICU patients. WE hypothesize that inducing subject related information in the model training and adaptation improves the overall SSVEP identification performance with minimal calibration requirements. As such, We propose a three stage Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM)-based model training and subject adaptation: 1) we generate a subject independent universal GMM model, 2) we generate subject-dependent identification models using only a few collected SSVEP segments from each patient, and 3) we form a vector out of the subject-dependent GMMs and pass it to Support Vector Machine (SVM) for SSVEP target frequency identification. Our experimental results on 10 subjects demonstrated that the proposed framework yielded very efficient SSVEP identification performances achieving 98.7% accuracy using our most accurate model.
Developing and testing a brief clinic-based lung cancer screening decision aid for primary care settings.

Background Cancer screening-related decisions require patients to evaluate complex medical information in short time frames, often with primary care providers (PCPs) they do not know. PCPs play an essential role in facilitating comprehensive shared decision making (SDM). Objective To develop and test a decision aid (DA) and SDM strategy for PCPs and high-risk patients. Design The DA was tested with 20 dyads. Each dyad consisted of one PCP and one patient eligible for screening. A prospective, one-group, mixed-method study design measured fidelity, patient values, screening intention, acceptability and satisfaction. Results Four PCPs and 20 patients were recruited from an urban academic medical centre. Most patients were female (n = 14, 70%), most had completed high school (n = 15, 75%), and their average age was 65 years old. Half were African American. Patients and PCPs rated the DA as helpful, easy to read and use and acceptable in terms of time frame (observed t = 11.6 minutes, SD 2.7). Most patients (n = 16, 80%) indicated their intent to be screened. PCPs recommended screening for most patients (n = 17, 85%). Conclusions Evidence supports the value of lung cancer screening with LDCT for select high-risk patients. Guidelines endorse engaging patients and their PCPs in SDM discussions. Our findings suggest that using a brief, interactive, plain-language, culturally sensitive, theory-based DA and SDM strategy is feasible, acceptable and may be essential to effectively translate and sustain the adoption of LDCT screening recommendations into the clinic setting.
GENETIC PERSPECTIVE ON POLYKETIDES, PRODUCTIVITY, PARASEXUALITY, PROTOPLASTS, AND PLASMIDS

ABSTRACT The majority of economically important mycotoxins are polyketides. The biochemistry and genetics of polyketide formation are poorly understood. Nevertheless, polyketides and other secondary metabolites may be viewed as examples of chemical differentiation, analogous to the cellular morphological changes with which they are correlated. The evolutionary implications of microbial secondary metabolism remain obscure, and researchers continue to define these metabolites as compounds with no discernible function in the producing organisms. Recent theoretical developments in botany with respect to green plant secondary metabolism and co-evolution deserve attention by microbiologists. Mycotoxins with defined biological activity may provide ideal model systems for formulating evolutionary theory concerning the possible selective advantage of the polyketide pathway. Investigations on the possible role of aflatoxins in spore dispersal via an insect vector suggest a possible experimental approach. Many secondary pathways display extreme lability, and enormous intraspecific variation in toxigenicity among the mycotoxin-producing strains isolated from nature is the general rule. These findings may suggest the involvement of a plasmid-like particle or some other form of dispensable genetic element in the control of polyketide production. KEYWORDS Aflatoxins; co-evolution; mycotoxins; polyketides; secondary metabolism
Opioid Prescribing: Where Should Academic Emergency Departments Focus Their Efforts?

Abstract Background Opioid prescriptions from the emergency department (ED) are being heavily scrutinized. This has resulted in prescribing guidelines and laws. Objective We analyzed the “current state” of opioid prescribing practices by emergency medicine (EM) trainees to gain understanding where operational, educational, or supervisory efforts should be directed to comply with current guidelines and future legislation. Methods Our retrospective, observational, study was performed at an academic ED with an annual census of 61,289 visits. We extracted all 6962 opioid prescriptions attributed to the ED during calendar year 2015 from the electronic health record. Error prescriptions were excluded from the analysis. Overall prescribing by opioid class was performed. Prescriptions written by EM trainees were categorized by postgraduate year and compared with other prescribers. Prescribing patterns for recurrent visits were also analyzed. Results Of the 6962 opioid discharge prescriptions, 5515 were written by EM providers. No refills were provided. A mean of 15.4 pills (95% confidence interval 13.9–16.9) were prescribed. Analysis of variance did not detect a significant difference between mean numbers of pills prescribed by EM providers. However, there was a significant difference between EM and non-EM prescribers. Less-experienced EM providers exhibited greater variability with regard to class and preparation. There were 389 prescriptions written for patients who received at least one other opioid prescription in the preceding 30 days. The number of pills dispensed decreased with increasing prior visits. Conclusion EM providers prescribe short courses of opiates regardless of postgraduate year. Patients returning to the ED received fewer pills on subsequent visits. Non-EM providers prescribe larger numbers of pills per prescription. This information will help focus future operational efforts and educational efforts to comply with guidelines and laws.
Transient modes of zeolite surface growth from 3D gel-like islands to 2D single layers

Zeolite crystallization occurs by multifaceted processes involving molecule attachment and nonclassical pathways governed by the addition of amorphous precursors. Here, we use scanning probe microscopy to monitor zeolite LTA crystallization in situ with a spatiotemporal resolution that captures dynamic processes in real time. We report a distinctive pathway involving the formation of gel-like islands from supersaturated solutions comprised of (alumino)silicate molecules. Three-dimensional assembly and evolution of these islands constitutes a unique mode of growth that differs from classical theories. Time-resolved imaging also reveals that growth can occur by (nearly) oriented attachment. At later stages of crystallization, a progressive transition to lower supersaturation shifts growth to a layered mechanism involving two-dimensional nucleation and spreading of layers. Here, we show that LTA crystallization occurs by multiple pathways, thereby reconciling putative hypotheses of growth mechanisms while also highlighting new modes of nonclassical crystallization that may prove relevant to other zeolites and related materials.
Unjustified barriers for medical school applicants with physical disabilities.

To deny entrance to the medical profession on the basis of physical disability is unjustified and will not benefit patients.
Amino Acid Transport by Lysosomes

Lysosomes are a major intracellular site for the degradation of a large variety of macromolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, complex carbohydrates, and lipids. These macromolecules are delivered to lysosomes by the processes of pinocytosis, receptor-mediated endocytosis, phagocytosis, or autophagy. In the lysosome these large molecules are degraded by hydrolases, many of which function optimally at the acidic pH of the intralysosomal environment. The resulting degradation products often require specific transport systems in order to exit the lysosomal compartment. This review focuses on the amino acid transport systems of mammalian lysosomes which allow the release of amino acids generated within the lysosome following proteolysis. As in the plasma membrane, the specificity of lysosomal amino acid transport systems is based upon the net charge and dimensions of the amino acid. Thus, there are specific transport routes for the cationic amino acids, for the anionic amino acids, and multiple routes for the neutral amino acids. In addition, three highly specific lysosomal transport routes have been characterized for cystine, cysteine, and proline. All of the lysosomal transport systems described thus far are Na+-independent.
Discovering algorithms from weak methods

Abstract This chapter describes a system that discovers iterative STRIPS-style macro-operators from single example plans. This work suggests that a weak method (e.g., a backward-chaining planner) can become stronger by acquiring such algorithmic knowledge. The system differs from other machine learning systems because it generalizes over the example plan rather than over the objects manipulated by the plan's operators. It limits the search space of possible algorithm inferences to only those algorithms described in general terms by macro-operator templates.
the high strain rate compressive response of mg-al alloy/Fly ash cenosphere composites

The strain rate dependence of mechanical properties of AZ91D alloy composites filled with 5 wt.% hollow fly ash cenosphere is examined in the strain rate range of 630–1,203 s−1 using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar system. In addition, a test scheme is designed to study the intermediate strain rate response of the material. Addition of fly ash caused grain refinement and finer precipitates in the matrix alloy. Compared to the matrix alloy, the energy absorption is higher in AZ91D/fly ash cenosphere composites at comparable strain rates. In addition, the yield strength is found to be about 19–41% higher in the composites containing fly ash cenospheres.
Voice GMM modelling for FESTIVAL/MBROLA emotive TTS synthesis

Voice quality is recognized to play an important role for the rendering of emotions in verbal communication. In this paper we explore the effectiveness of a processing framework for voice transformations finalized to the analysis and synthesis of emotive speech. We use a GMM-based model to compute the differences between an MBROLA voice and an anger voice, and we address the modification of the MBROLA voice spectra by using a set of spectral conversion functions trained on the data. We propose to organize the speech data for the training in such way that the target emotive speech data and the diphone database used for the text-to-speech synthesis, both come from the same speaker. A copy-synthesis procedure is used to produce synthesis speech utterances where pitch patterns, phoneme duration, and principal speaker characteristics are the same as in the target emotive utterances. This results in a better isolation of the voice quality differences due to the emotive arousal. Three different models to represent voice quality differences are applied and compared. The models are all based on a GMM representation of the acoustic space. The performance of these models is discussed and the experimental results and assessment are presented.
Tellurium Precursor for Nanocrystal Synthesis: Tris(dimethylamino)phosphine Telluride

Preparations of CdTe quantum platelets, magic-size (CdTe)13 nanoclusters, and CdTe quantum wires are described using (Me2N)3PTe (with (Me2N)3P) as a Te precursor. The (Me2N)3PTe/(Me2N)3P precursor mixture is shown to be more reactive than mixtures of trialkylphosphine tellurides and the corresponding trialkylphosphines, R3PTe/R3P, which are commonly employed in nanocrystal syntheses. For syntheses conducted in primary amine solvents, (Me2N)3PTe and (Me2N)3P undergo a transamination reaction, affording (Me2N) x(RHN)3- xPTe and (Me2N) x(RHN)3- xP (R = n-octyl or oleyl). The transaminated (Me2N) x(RHN)3- xPTe derivatives are shown to be the likely Te precursors under those conditions. The enhanced reactivities of the tris(amino)phosphine tellurides are ascribed to increased nucleophilicity due to the amino-N lone pairs.
Single frequency widely tunable high power thulium fiber laser (Conference Presentation)

Thulium fiber lasers emit light of wavelengths spanning as low as 1650nm to 2200nm. This broad emission band is in the “eye-safety” wavelength regime and intersects with the IR atmospheric transmission window with its opacity subsiding past 1900nm wavelength. Consequently, a high power, single frequency, tunable thulium fiber laser with its tuning range from 1900nm to 2000nm has the unique capability of studying high power beam propagation through the atmosphere in regions of both weak and strong transmission. Moreover, such lasers can be made to tune across individual molecular absorption lines due to chemical species present in the atmosphere. This enables a detailed investigation on how individual molecular absorption lines affect the transmission of high power laser beams. In this paper, a 100kHz linewidth, near diffraction limited, 100W class, widely tunable CW thulium fiber laser system is described for atmospheric propagation studies. The fiber laser is of master oscillator power amplifier(MOPA) architecture with one pre-amp and a final power amplifier. The master oscillator is a 5mW class tunable external cavity diode and is tunable from 1900nm to 2000nm. The pre-amp amplifies the seed to 2-3W level, which is then further amplified to 100W by the final amplifier made from thulium doped 25um core 250um cladding 0.09NA fiber from Nufern. All fiber architecture allows efficient lasing at the lossy molecular absorption wavelengths.
The Dynamic Impact Of The Demand And Supply Constraints On U.S. Trade With African Countries: A Case Study Of Selected Countries

Although we conclude that the countries in the sample have a high marginal propensity to import, generally significantly greater than unity, and a very low marginal propensity to export, we can never claim to know why there has been so little trade between the United States and Africa. For that reason we must avoid making any general conclusion, even for countries with identical economic conditions.
Electrocatalytic Ammonia Oxidation Mediated by a Polypyridyl Iron Catalyst

Electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation (AO) mediated by iron(II) tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) bis-ammine triflate, [(TPA)Fe(NH3)2]OTf2, is reported. Interest in (electro)catalytic AO is growing rap...
Evaluating a combined bowel preparation for small-bowel capsule endoscopy: a prospective randomized-controlled study.

Background Capsule endoscopy (CE) is frequently hindered by intra-luminal debris. Our aim was to determine whether a combination bowel preparation would improve small-bowel visualization, diagnostic yield, and the completion rate of CE. Methods Single-blind, prospective randomized-controlled study of outpatients scheduled for CE. Bowel-preparation subjects ingested 2 L of polyethylene glycol solution the night prior to CE, 5 mL simethicone and 5 mg metoclopramide 20 minutes prior to CE and laid in the right lateral position 30 minutes after swallowing CE. Controls had no solid food after 7 p.m. the night prior to CE and no liquids 4 hours prior to CE. Participants completed a satisfaction survey. Capsule readers completed a small-bowel-visualization assessment. Results Fifty patients were prospectively enrolled (56% female) with a median age of 54.4 years and 44 completed the study (23 patients in the control group and 21 in the preparation group). There was no significant difference between groups on quartile-based small-bowel visualization (all P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in diagnostic yield (P = 0.69), mean gastric (P = 0.10) or small-bowel transit time (P = 0.89). The small-bowel completion rate was significantly higher in the preparation group (100% vs 78%; P = 0.02). Bowel-preparation subjects reported significantly more discomfort than controls (62% vs 17%; P = 0.01). Conclusions Combined bowel preparation did not improve small-bowel visualization but did significantly increase patient discomfort. The CE completion rate improved in the preparation group but the diagnostic yield was unaffected. Based on our findings, a bowel preparation prior to CE does not appear to improve CE performance and results in decreased patient satisfaction (ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT01243736).
Fast Parallel Algorithms for Counting and Listing Triangles in Big Graphs

Big graphs (networks) arising in numerous application areas pose significant challengesfor graph analysts as these graphs grow to billions of nodes and edges and are prohibitively large to fit in the main memory. Finding the number of triangles in a graph is an important problem in the mining and analysis of graphs. In this article, we present two efficient MPI-based distributed memory parallel algorithms for counting triangles in big graphs. The first algorithm employs overlapping partitioning and efficient load balancing schemes to provide a very fast parallel algorithm. The algorithm scales well to networks with billions of nodes and can compute the exact number of triangles in a network with 10 billion edges in 16 minutes. The second algorithm divides the network into non-overlapping partitions leading to a space-efficient algorithm. Our results on both artificial and real-world networks demonstrate a significant space saving with this algorithm. We also present a novel approach that reduces communication cost drastically leading the algorithm to both a space- and runtime-efficient algorithm. Further, we demonstrate how our algorithms can be used to list all triangles in a graph and compute clustering coefficients of nodes. Our algorithm can also be adapted to a parallel approximation algorithm using an edge sparsification method.
Cannabis Legalization and the Policing of Boating Under the Influence in Washington State: Exploratory Research on Marine Officers’ Perceptions

In 2012, Washington State legalized recreational cannabis. The challenge of policing cannabis-related motor vehicle operator impairment emerged as an issue in the wake of legalization. There has been less focus on exploring the topic of boating under the influence (BUI), which is regrettable given the popularity of boating. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the National Safe Boating Council (NASBLA), in concert with the U.S. Coast Guard, have identified cannabis-impaired boating as a major problem and are using resources from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund to address it. To explore this topic, we conducted 17 semi-structured qualitative interviews with local and state law enforcement marine officers and their supervisors and trainers in Washington, as well as NASBLA-certified BUI trainers. These interviews explored the marine officers’ experiences since legalization, as well as their perceptions of marijuana legalization on public safety. Results drawn from the interviews indicate that marine officers are very concerned about the threats to public safety and responsible boating practices arising from cannabis-impaired boating and feel that enhanced training and funding is needed to better detect impairment and enforce BUI laws. Public policy, police training, and best practices implications arising from these interviews are discussed.
Utility of FDG-PET in diagnosis of Alzheimer-related TDP-43 proteinopathy

Objective To evaluate FDG-PET as an antemortem diagnostic tool for Alzheimer-related TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) proteinopathy. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional neuroimaging–histologic analysis of patients with antemortem FDG-PET and postmortem brain tissue from the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer9s Disease Research Center and Study of Aging with Alzheimer spectrum pathology. TDP-43-positive status was assigned when TDP-43-immunoreactive inclusions were identified in the amygdala. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analyses compared TDP-43-positive (TDP-43[+]) with TDP-43-negative cases (TDP-43[−]), correcting for field strength, sex, Braak neurofibrillary tangle, and neuritic plaque stages. Cross-validated logistic regression analyses were used to determine whether regional FDG-PET values predict TDP-43 status. We also assessed the ratio of inferior temporal to medial temporal (IMT) metabolism as this was proposed as a biomarker of hippocampal sclerosis. Results Of 73 cases, 27 (37%) were TDP-43(+), of which 6 (8%) had hippocampal sclerosis. SPM analysis showed TDP-43(+) cases having greater hypometabolism of medial temporal, frontal superior medial, and frontal supraorbital (FSO) regions (punc Conclusions Alzheimer-related TDP-43 proteinopathy is associated with hypometabolism in the medial temporal and frontal regions. Combining FDG-PET measures from these regions may be useful for antemortem prediction of Alzheimer-related TDP-43 proteinopathy. Classification of evidence This study provides Class II evidence that hypometabolism in the medial temporal and frontal regions on FDG-PET is associated with Alzheimer-related TDP-43 proteinopathy.
Cell Phone Activity in Categories of Places and Associations With Growth in Cases of COVID-19 in the US.

Importance: It is unknown how well cell phone location data portray social distancing strategies or if they are associated with the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in a particular geographical area. Objective: To determine if cell phone location data are associated with the rate of change in new COVID-19 cases by county across the US. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study incorporated publicly available county-level daily COVID-19 case data from January 22, 2020, to May 11, 2020, and county-level daily cell phone location data made publicly available by Google. It examined the daily cases of COVID-19 per capita and daily estimates of cell phone activity compared with the baseline (where baseline was defined as the median value for that day of the week from a 5-week period between January 3 and February 6, 2020). All days and counties with available data after the initiation of stay-at-home orders for each state were included. Exposures: The primary exposure was cell phone activity compared with baseline for each day and each county in different categories of place. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the percentage change in COVID-19 cases 5 days from the exposure date. Results: Between 949 and 2740 US counties and between 22â¯124 and 83â¯745 daily observations were studied depending on the availability of cell phone data for that county and day. Marked changes in cell phone activity occurred around the time stay-at-home orders were issued by various states. Counties with higher per-capita cases (per 100â¯000 population) showed greater reductions in cell phone activity at the workplace (s, -0.002; 95% CI, -0.003 to -0.001; P < 0.001), areas classified as retail (s, -0.008; 95% CI, -0.011 to -0.005; P < 0.001) and grocery stores (s, -0.006; 95% CI, -0.007 to -0.004; P < 0.001), and transit stations (s, -0.003, 95% CI, -0.005 to -0.002; P < 0.001), and greater increase in activity at the place of residence (s, 0.002; 95% CI, 0.001-0.002; P < 0.001). Adjusting for county-level and state-level characteristics, counties with the greatest decline in workplace activity, transit stations, and retail activity and the greatest increases in time spent at residential places had lower percentage growth in cases at 5, 10, and 15 days. For example, counties in the lowest quartile of retail activity had a 45.5% lower growth in cases at 15 days compared with the highest quartile (SD, 37.4%-53.5%; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings support the hypothesis that greater reductions in cell phone activity in the workplace and retail locations, and greater increases in activity at the residence, are associated with lesser growth in COVID-19 cases. These data provide support for the value of monitoring cell phone location data to anticipate future trends of the pandemic.
The X-ray spectrum of Fe XVII revisited with a multi-ion model

The theoretical intensities of the soft X-ray Fe XVII lines arising from 2l-3l' transitions are reexamined using a three-ion collisional-radiative model that includes the contributions to line formation of radiative recombination (RR), dielectronic recombination (DR), resonant excitation (RE), and inner-shell collisional ionization (CI), in addition to the usual contribution of collisional excitation (CE). These additional processes enhance mostly the 2p-3s lines and not the 2p-3d lines. Under coronal equilibrium conditions, in the electron temperature range of 400 to 600 eV where the Fe XVII line emissivities peak, the combined effect of the additional processes is to enhance the 2p-3s lines at 16.78, 17.05, and 17.10 A, by ~ 25%, 30%, and 55%, respectively, compared with their traditional, single-ion CE values. The weak 2p-3d line at 15.45 A is also enhanced by up to 20%, while the other 2p-3d lines are almost unaffected. The effects of DR and RE are found to be dominant in this temperature range (400 - 600 eV), while that of CI is 3% at the most, and the contribution of RR is less than 1%. At lower temperatures, where the Fe XVII / Fe XVIII abundance ratio is high, the RE effect dominates. However, as the temperature rises and the Fe XVIII abundance increases, the DR effect takes over. The newly calculated line powers can reproduce most of the often observed high values of the (I17.05 + I17.10) / I15.01 intensity ratio. The importance of ionization and recombination processes to the line strengths also helps to explain why laboratory measurements in which CE is essentially the sole mechanism agree well with single-ion calculations, but do not reproduce the astrophysically observed ratios.
Mathematical Modeling of Thermal Damage Estimate Volumes in MR-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy.

Background and purpose Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a minimally invasive procedure that produces real-time thermal damage estimates (TDEs) of ablation. Currently, MRgLITT software provides limited quantitative parameters for intraoperative monitoring, but orthogonal TDE-MRI slices can be utilized to mathematically estimate ablation volume. The objective of this study was to model TDE volumes and validate using post-24 hours MRI ablative volumes. Methods Ablations were performed with the Visualase Laser Ablation System (Medtronic). Using ellipsoidal parameters determined for dual-TDEs from orthogonal MRI planes, TDE volumes were calculated by two definite integral methods (A and B) implemented in Matlab (MathWorks). Post-24 hours MRI ablative volumes were measured in OsiriX (Pixmeo) by two-blinded raters and compared to TDE volumes via paired t-test and Pearson's correlations. Results Twenty-two ablations for 20 patients with various intracranial pathologies were included. Average TDE volume calculated with method A was 3.44 ± 1.96 cm3 and with method B was 4.83 ± 1.53 cm3 . Method A TDE volumes were significantly different than post-24 hours volumes (P Conclusion We present a viable mathematical method integrating dual-plane TDEs to calculate volumes. Future algorithmic iterations will incorporate additional calculated variables that improve ablative volume estimations.