cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of media defects in perpendicular recording

Previous studies examined the algorithms used to detect media defects (MDs) in longitudinal recordings. The basic idea was to make tentative decisions at the output of the Bahl-Cocke-Jelinek-Raviv (BCJR) channel detector based on the signs of the log-likelihood-ratios (LLR) and check if any run-length-limited (RLL) k-constraint was violated. The algorithm was analyzed by tracking the BCJR recursions. Amplitudes in addition to the sign of the LLRs were used to improve detection. This paper extends the algorithm to a perpendicular recording. This is a nontrivial extension because the partial response targets of perpendicular recording have no zeros at either zero or the Nyquist frequency, therefore a zero-output waveform sequence are invalid.
Crisp--A Fault Localization Tool for Java Programs

Crisp is an Eclipse plug-in tool for constructing intermediate versions of a Java program that is being edited. After a long editing session, a programmer will run regression tests to make sure she has not invalidated previously tested functionality. If a test fails unexpectedly, Crisp allows the programmer to select parts of the edit that affected the failing test and to add them to the original program, creating an intermediate version guaranteed to compile. Then the programmer can re-execute the test in order to locate the exact reasons for the failure by concentrating on those affecting changes that were applied. Using Crisp, a programmer can it- eratively select, apply, and undo individual (or sets of) affecting changes and, thus effectively find a small set of failure-inducing changes. Crisp is an extension to our change impact analysis tool, Chianti, [6].
Damage prediction for electronic package drop test using finite element method and peridynamic theory

Finite element method and peridynamic theory are coupled via submodeling approach to investigate the dynamic response and damage in an electronic package subjected to impact loading arising from drop-shock. The global modeling is performed using the finite element method while the peridynamic theory is employed for the submodeling and failure prediction. The analysis yielded the outermost solder joint as the critical joint with failure at the interface between the solder and copper pad on the PCB side.
When Does Non-Negative Matrix Factorization Give a Correct Decomposition into Parts?

We interpret non-negative matrix factorization geometrically, as the problem of finding a simplicial cone which contains a cloud of data points and which is contained in the positive orthant. We show that under certain conditions, basically requiring that some of the data are spread across the faces of the positive orthant, there is a unique such simplicial cone. We give examples of synthetic image articulation databases which obey these conditions; these require separated support and factorial sampling. For such databases there is a generative model in terms of 'parts' and NMF correctly identifies the 'parts'. We show that our theoretical results are predictive of the performance of published NMF code, by running the published algorithms on one of our synthetic image articulation databases.
Modeling and characterization of Mach-Zehnder silicon electro-optical modulators

We present a comprehensive study of silicon Mach-Zehnder modulators based on carrier injection. Detailed comparisons between simulation results and measurements are made and excellent agreement is obtained for DC and AC characteristics.
Cell–cell interaction between vocal fold fibroblasts and bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in three-dimensional hyaluronan hydrogel

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotential adult cells present in all tissues. Paracrine effects and differentiating ability make MSCs an ideal cell source for tissue regeneration. However, little is known about how interactions between implanted MSCs and native cells influence cellular growth, proliferation, and behaviour. By using an in vitro three-dimensional (3D) co-culture assay of normal or scarred human vocal fold fibroblasts (VFFs) and bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) in a uniquely suited hyaluronan hydrogel (HyStem-VF), we investigated cell morphology, survival rate, proliferation and protein and gene expression of VFFs and BM-MSCs. BM-MSCs inhibited cell proliferation of both normal and scarred VFFs without changes in VFF morphology or viability. BM-MSCs demonstrated decreased proliferation and survival rate after 7 days of co-culture with VFFs. Interactions between BM-MSCs and VFFs led to a significant increase in protein secretion of collagen I and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and a decrease of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In particular, BM-MSCs significantly upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) and HGF gene expression for scarred VFFs compared to normal VFFs, indicating the potential for increases in extracellular matrix remodelling and tissue regeneration. Application of BM-MSCs-hydrogels may play a significant role in tissue regeneration, providing a therapeutic approach for vocal fold scarring. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An open standard solution for domotic interoperability

This article describes a service-oriented solution framework designed for home environments. A pragmatic approach is developed to help integrate conventional home automation systems following the service oriented computing paradigm. We believe it is improbable that there will be a single dominant middleware for the home computing that would be right for different appliances. A number of middlewares have recently emerged and it is common knowledge that they haven't a sufficient degree of interoperability. Because of this, the authors show how the approach based on XML, Web services, and Internet protocols, provide a uniform and novel architecture to cope with the architecture complexity in a open standard way. Furthermore a converging layer is conceived to incorporate a high level abstraction by an XML-based home automation language.
Exact analytical solution of high frequency lossless MOS capacitance-voltage characteristics and validity of charge analysis

Abstract The small signal equivalent circuit model is employed to obtain the exact nonuniform transmission line for high frequency MOS capacitance calculations. The semiconductor capacitance, given by the open circuit input capacitance of the line, is described by a simplified Riccati equation which is valid for arbitrary impurity distribution in an extrinsic semiconductor. Numerical solutions are obtained using the fourth order Runge-Kutta method for the case of constant impurity concentration. The validity range (measured by the amount of surface band bending) and the accuracy of the various approximations of the capacitance calculations using charge analysis are established by comparing with the exact solution from the transmission line. It is shown that for doping greater than 1014/cm3, the complete minority carrier depletion model gives accuracy better than 10−6 C0 for carrier concentration ratio of (majority/minority) > 500 at the oxide-semiconductor interface, or UIS > 2UF−6. For stronger surface inversion, the high frequency charge analysis formula can be used with equal or better precision. It is noted that the exact transmission line model used here to verify the charge models is particularly valuable for substrates with spatially varying impurity concentration.
OPTICAL METHODS AS AN AID TO THE STUDY OF REFRACTORIES1

The application of the petrographic microscope as an aid to the study of designating impurities in raw materials has proved successful. By the same methods fired refractories may be classified and the effects of bonds tested. Optical tests should chiefly be used to supplement and not to displace other methods of examinations.
Improving adsorption cryocoolers by multi-stage compression and reducing void volume

It is shown that the performance of gas adsorption cryocoolers is greatly improved by using adsorbents with low void volume within and between individual adsorbent particles (reducing void volumes in plumbing lines), and by compressing the working fluid in more than one stage. Refrigerator specific power requirements and compressor volumetric efficiencies are obtained in terms of adsorbent and plumbing line void volumes and operating pressures for various charcoal adsorbents using an analytical model. Performance optimization curves for 117.5 and 80 K charcoal/nitrogen adsorption cryocoolers are given for both single stage and multistage compressor systems, and compressing the nitrogen in two stages is shown to lower the specific power requirements by 18 percent for the 117.5 K system.
RELIGION, POLITICS, AND THE STATE: OBSERVATIONS OF A COMPARATIVE SOCIOLOGIST

Abstract While religion can be a source of legitimacy for politicians, it can turn into a restraint in the process of state administration. Four possible situations emerge from the intersection of religion and the state: religious politics with a religious state, secular politics in a secular state, secular politics with a religious state, and religious politics in a secular state. A religious state with religious politicsis often the most violent and should cause statesmen to seek alternatives. A secularstate with secular politics runs the risk of cultural sterility and vacuity. Some combination of the secular and religious is necessary to avoid these two poles.
UHV-STM Nanofabrication on Silicon

The ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (UHV-STM) offers intriguing opportunities to explore the integration of novel nanotechnologies with existing semiconductor platforms. This chapter describes the development of the atomic-resolution hydrogen resist technique and its application to the templated self-assembly of molecular systems on silicon. The observation of a giant isotope effect in STM hydrogen desorption experiments has led to the use of deuterium to retard hot-carrier degradation in CMOS transistor technology. We have also explored the integration of carbon nanotubes with silicon and the III-V compound semiconductors. This has been facilitated by the development of the dry contact transfer (DCT) technique that enables atomically clean nanotube/substrate systems to be achieved, even for highly reactive surfaces like atomically clean silicon.
Hydrologic Design of Culverts

Simple and practical method is presented to determine peak discharge from small rural watersheds used in design of waterway openings of culverts or other small drainage structures; design chart for method is given for small watersheds of less than 6000 acres under climatic and physiographic conditions in Illinois; example.
Forty-Year Trends in Cholangiocarcinoma Incidence in the U.S.: Intrahepatic Disease on the Rise

Background Challenges in the diagnosis and classification of cholangiocarcinoma have made it difficult to quantify the true incidence of this highly aggressive malignancy. Methods We analyzed the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data to assess long-term trends in the age-standardized incidence of intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between 1973 and 2012, correcting for systematic coding errors. Because intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) may frequently be misdiagnosed as cancer of unknown primary (CUP), we also analyzed trends in the incidence of CUP. Results Between 1973 and 2012, the reported U.S. incidence of ICC increased from 0.44 to 1.18 cases per 100,000, representing an annual percentage change (APC) of 2.30%; this trend has accelerated during the past decade to an APC of 4.36%. The incidence of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma increased modestly from 0.95 to 1.02 per 100,000 during the 40-year period (APC, 0.14%). The incidence of CUP with histologic features potentially consistent with cholangiocarcinoma decreased by 51% between 1973 and 2012 (APC, -1.87%), whereas the incidence of CUP with squamous or nonepithelial histologic features increased modestly (APC, 0.42%). Conclusion The recognized incidence of ICC in the U.S. continues to rise, whereas the incidence of ECC is stable. The incidence of CUP has fallen dramatically during the same time period. Implications for practice Clinical distinctions between cholangiocarcinoma (particularly intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma [ICC]) and cancer of unknown primary (CUP) can be challenging. Recent discoveries have identified recurrent and potentially targetable genomic abnormalities in ICC, highlighting the importance of improving diagnosis. This study demonstrates that the incidence of ICC is increasing in the U.S., whereas the incidence of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is stable. Concomitantly, the incidence of CUP has declined dramatically, suggesting that improved distinction between ICC and CUP may be a major driver of the increasing recognized incidence of ICC. The increasing incidence of ICC warrants further study of prevention and treatment approaches.
On Kellogg's Diophantine Problem

(1922). On Kellogg's Diophantine Problem. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 29, No. 10, pp. 380-387.
Development of the Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) on Douglas-fir Foliage

Survival of larvae, developmental time, consumption, live weights, frass production, pupal weights, and adult female ova production of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), were monitored in the laboratory for a comparison of performance between a standard synthetic diet and Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. Gypsy moth survival (96%), larval development (40 and 34 d at 22°C for females and males, respectively), and pupal weight (1,845 mg and 560 mg for females and males, respectively) on the standard synthetic diet were very similar to data found in the literature regarding highly suitable diets. However, performance of the gypsy moth on Douglas-fir was indicative of a suboptimal host. Survival of first instars on Douglas-fir ranged from 0 to 84%, depending upon temperature and foliage age. Development from first instar eclosion to pupation averaged 44.0 d (males) and 58.3 d (females) at 22°C. Male and female larvae consumed an average of 2,040.6 mg and 6,136.1 mg dry weight of foliage, respectively. Frass production averaged 1,277.9 mg (males) and 3,526.7 mg (females) dry weight. Values were low for nutritional indices of efficiency of conversion of ingested food (4.5-4.9%) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (11.4-12.1%). Live pupal weights averaged 424.2 mg (male) and 1,249.8mg (female). Females produced an average of 615.7 ova. The highest correlations among the developmental parameters were between pupal weight: frass production and pupal weight: ova production.
Effects of RH 5849, a Novel Insect Growth Regulator, on Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Turfgrass

RH 5849 (1,2-dibenzoyl-1-tert-butylhydrazine), a nonsteroidal ecdysone agonist representative of a novel class of insect growth regulators, was tested against larval and adult Japanese beetles, Popillia japonica Newman; and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith, caterpillars in turf. RH 5849 was effective against Japanese beetle grubs at concentrations as low as 1 ppm in soil. Symptoms of toxicity included discoloration, weight loss, apparent neurotoxic effects, cessation of feeding, and developmentally premature, lethal molting at higher rates. Sublethal effects on overwintered third instars included earlier formation of prepupae. Against second-instar grubs, RH 5849 was nearly as effective as isazophos (Triumph 4E) at comparable rates in the field. Subsequent egg production by female beetles that fed once on RH 5849-treated sassafras foliage was reduced by 66-74%, but hatching success of eggs was not affected. RH 5849 caused premature molting and 100% mortality of fall amlyworms fed tall fescue foliage that wassprayed once with 30 or 100 ppm, or treated systemically through the roots. Systemic activity of RH 5849 is noteworthy because it could provide simultaneous control of both root-feeding and foliar-feeding turfgrass pests.
Lisfranc Injury in a West Point Cadet

Background:Lisfranc joint injuries are fairly uncommon; however, few injuries hold such an elevated potential for devastating chronic secondary pain and disability. It is imperative when evaluating an injury to the ankle or foot to have a high clinical index of suspicion for Lisfranc injury, as physical examination findings are often subtle.Case Description:An 18-year-old military cadet reported to a direct-access sports physical therapy clinic with foot pain. Despite negative radiographic findings, there was a high suspicion for Lisfranc injury based on the injury mechanism and physical examination. A computed tomography scan demonstrated an oblique fracture through the base of the third metatarsal, a small marginal fracture at the plantar base of the second metatarsal, and a subtle diastasis. Two days following his injury, he underwent an open reduction and internal fixation, completed subsequent rehabilitation, and returned to full activity approximately 1 year following injury.Conclusion:Early diagnos...
The Religious Basis of Giuseppe Mazzini's Political Thought

If the reputation of a historical figure is measured by the amount of attention historians have given him, then undoubtedly Giuseppe Mazzini is one of the most prominent men in Italian history. There are many reasons for historians focusing their attention on him. Certainly the role of the idealist in the Risorgimento and the national movement accounts for much of the interest he has evoked in Italy and abroad. To interpret Mazzini as essentially a political figure, however, is to misinterpret the man and indeed to misinterpret a very important aspect of the Risorgimento with which Mazzini is so intimately, identified. If Mazzini's fame rests upon his early emphasis on Italian nationalism, his program centered upon the religious regeneration of mankind. Few great men have been adequately understood by their followers and successors, and Mazzini did not have the good fortune to be in this select group. Undeniably a number of writers have been attracted by Mazzini's unusual personality and his enigmatic religious outlook, and these have helped place him in the historical limelight. Yet the complexity of his thought and the apparent contradictions in his system have combined to keep his outlook veiled and his new religion inex plicable. Mazzini was a unique figure in the nineteenth century, and not since the Middle Ages has there been a similar architect of life. Both friends and foes admit that he produced a second Divine Comedy for Italians and for all humanity. Like the great poem of
Surveillance of Commercially Available Water Pipe Fittings in Zigong,2002-2011

Objective To examine the sanitary condition of commercially available water pipe fittings in Zigong and to provide scientific basis for health administrative departments to better supervise the water-touched materials. Methods Water delivery products that commercially available in the region were consecutively monitored according to official standards established by Ministry of Health. Results According to the detection scheme,4kinds of water delivery products sold by 43 producers and842 secondary distributors were monitored,including totally 20 batches of 2 334 pieces of water monitoring products,resulting in an overall qualified rate of 96. 9%.The specific qualified rates were respectively: stainless steel products,97. 1%; copper products; 98. 6%; iron galvanized products; 93. 3%; aluminum- plasticcomposite pipe; 94. 2% and plastic products,94. 4%. Meanwhile,3 947 salesmen were investigated with aspects of sanitary regulation,product manufacturing and marketing,and the awareness rate had been increasing through the period. Conclusion The sanitary safety condition of the commercially available water pipe fittings in Zingong is comparatively well.
Morphologic aspects of the placenta in gestational diabetes seen by phase-contrast microscopy. An anatomicoclinical correlation.

A study of 54 placentas from patients with gestational diabetes as determined by a rapid intravenous glucose tolerance test was carried out by phase-contrast microscopy and compared with 65 placentas from normal uncomplicated pregnancies. There were no gross pathologic abnormalities in either group. Microscopically, the type of placental pathology was found to be more important than the presence of indiscriminate pathology. The pathology of the placenta was found to include: (a) detachment, rupture, or disappearance of the syncytium; subsyncytial edema and hyperplasia of the syncytium (syncytial pathology alone); (b) edema and intravillous hemorrhage (stromal pathology alone) ; and (c) mixed syncytial and stromal pathology. The mixed syncytial and stromal pathology or stromal pathology alone with severe edema and intravillous hemorrhage was associated with the poorest fetal outcome. All neonatal complications and perinatal deaths occurred with variants of this type of pathology. Syncytial pathology alone did not appear to adversely affect the infant. Although the pathology of the placenta in gestational diabetes is not specific, it may provide a method of establishing a postnatal prognosis for the infant which cannot be anticipated otherwise.
Detecting sedimentation impacts to coral reefs resulting from dredging the Port of Miami, Florida USA

The federal channel at Port of Miami, Florida, USA, was dredged between late 2013 and early 2015 to widen and deepen the channel. Due to the limited spatial extent of impact-assessment monitoring associated with the project, the extent of the dredging impacts on surrounding coral reefs has not been well quantified. Previously published remote sensing analyses, as well as agency and anecdotal reports suggest the most severe and largest area of sedimentation occurred on a coral reef feature referred to as the Inner Reef, particularly in the sector north of the channel. A confounding regional warm-water mass bleaching event followed by a coral disease outbreak during this same time frame made the assessment of dredging-related impacts to coral reefs adjacent to the federal channel difficult but still feasible. The current study sought to better understand the sedimentation impacts that occurred in the coral reef environment surrounding Port of Miami, to distinguish those impacts from other regional events or disturbances, and provide supplemental information on impact assessment that will inform discussions on compensatory mitigation requirements. To this end, in-water field assessments conducted after the completion of dredging and a time series analysis of tagged corals photographed pre-, during, and post-dredging, are used to discern dredging-related sedimentation impacts for the Inner Reef north. Results indicate increased sediment accumulation, severe in certain times and places, and an associated biological response (e.g., higher prevalence of partial mortality of corals) extended up to 700 m from the channel, whereas project-associated monitoring was limited to 50 m from the channel. These results can contribute to more realistic prediction of areas of indirect effect from dredging projects needed to accurately evaluate proposed projects and design appropriate compliance monitoring. Dredging projects near valuable and sensitive habitats subject to local and global stressors require monitoring methods capable of discerning non-dredging related impacts and adaptive management to ensure predicted and unpredicted project-related impacts are quantified. Anticipated increasing frequency and intensity of seasonal warming stress also suggests that manageable- but- unavoidable local stressors such as dredging should be partitioned from such seasonal thermal stress events.
Mal de débarquement syndrome.

Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is typified by a prolonged rocking sensation - for a month or longer - that begins immediately following a lengthy exposure to motion. The provoking motion is usually a sea voyage. About 80% of MdDS sufferers are women, and most of them are middle-aged. MdDS patients are troubled by more migraine headaches than controls. Unlike dizziness caused by vestibular disorders or motion sickness, the symptoms of MdDS usually improve with re-exposure to motion. The long duration of symptoms - a month or more - distinguishes MdDS from land-sickness. Treatment of MdDS with common vestibular suppressants is nearly always ineffective. Benzodiazepines can be helpful, but their usefulness is limited by the potential for addiction. Studies are ongoing regarding treatment with visual habituation and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Frequency multiplexing tickle tones to determine harmonic coupling weights in nonlinear systems

Obtaining the Jacobian parameters for a nonlinear system, such as in X-parameter or S-function measurement, requires excitation of tickle tones either on or slightly off of the main harmonic frequencies. Traditional off-frequency measurements involve simultaneous excitation with tickle tones both slightly above and/or below a single harmonic frequency at a time. This paper describes a multiplexing technique for the excitation of the system with perturbations at all harmonics simultaneously. This technique requires both frequency and cross-frequency noninterference for successful results from the measurements. If these conditions exist for the nonlinear system, the off-frequency multiplexing technique for tickle tones can reduce the measurements necessary to find the Jacobian matrices by a factor equal to the number of harmonics considered in the polyharmonic distortion. These methods provide exact results for memoryless polynomial nonlinearities.
Berberine Encapsulated PLGA-PEG Nanoparticles Modulate PCSK-9 in HepG2 Cells.

Background The developments of new parenteral approaches to target PCSK-9 for the treatment of LDL-Cholesterol has yielded impressive results; and have shown significant decreases in the risk of mortality associated with hypercholesterolemia. However improved and convenient alternate approaches that exploit the beneficial drug target properties of PCSK-9 also need to be explored and developed. One such approach is the oral administration of Berberine using nanotechnology. Methods Nanoprecipitation encapsulation and physiochemical characterization of Berberine Chloride in PLGA-PEG-PLGA block copolymer has been developed and characterized in Hep-G2 cells using Berberine Chloride encapsulated nanoparticle (Bc-NP). Evaluation of PCSK-9, SREBP- 1, LDL-r, HNF-1alpha mRNAs and PCSK-9 protein expression was performed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of flow cytometric studies respectively. Pearson's correlation analysis of PCSK-9 mRNA and protein levels in Berberine chloride delivery was performed. Results The PCSK-9 mRNA and protein expression shows a relationship to the release of Berberine from the encapsulating PLGA-PEG-PLGA polymer in a time dependent manner. Conclusion PCSK-9 modulation by oral administration of Berberine using nanotechnology approach can improve its pharmacokinetic profile. Further studies are needed to maximize its delivery efficiency.
Perioperative pregnancy interval, contraceptive counseling experiences, and contraceptive use in women undergoing bariatric surgery.

Background Reproductive-aged women represent about half of those undergoing bariatric surgery in the United States. Obstetric and bariatric professional societies recommend that women avoid pregnancy for 12-18 months postoperatively due to concern for increased pregnancy risks, and that providers should counsel women about these recommendations and their contraceptive options. However, knowledge about women’s experience with perioperative counseling and postoperative contraceptive use is limited. Objective We sought to: (1) determine prevalence of perioperative contraceptive and pregnancy interval discussions among women who have recently undergone bariatric surgery; and (2) describe postoperative contraceptive use within the first year of surgery in this population. Study Design We performed a cross-sectional study of US women, aged 18-45 years and recruited through Facebook, who underwent bariatric surgery within the last 24 months. Results We enrolled 363 geographically diverse women. Three-quarters recalled perioperative pregnancy or contraceptive discussions, the majority with a bariatric provider. Half felt it was “very important” to discuss these issues perioperatively, and 41% of those who reported discussions wished they had had more. Of the 66% of women who reported using contraception in the first 12 months postoperatively, 27% used oral contraceptives and 26% used an intrauterine device. One third of contraceptive users who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a combined restrictive-malabsorptive procedure, were using oral contraceptives. Perioperative contraceptive or pregnancy discussions were independently associated with increased postoperative contraceptive use (odds ratios, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–4.3, P Conclusion A substantial proportion of women who had undergone bariatric surgery reported having had no perioperative pregnancy or contraception counseling, and many women who had felt the discussions were insufficient. Those who had had perioperative discussions were more likely to use contraception postoperatively. Reproductive-aged women should be routinely counseled perioperatively about pregnancy and contraception in the context of their reproductive desires, so they can make informed decisions about perioperative pregnancy prevention and contraceptive method use.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases : Comparison of lung carcinoma vs. non-lung tumors

In the medical literature, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases results in rates of local control of 65 to 85%. To define patient selection criteria, we measured the survival in a population with a high proportion of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NCS lung) metastases that occurred soon after primary diagnosis. Between 9/89 and 10/93 30 adults (21 M, 9 F) had SRS for metastatic NSC lung carcinoma (14 patients) vs. non-lung carcinomas (16 patients having breast (3), renal (3), melanoma (3), GI (2, thyroid (1) or carcinoma of unknown origin (4)). The metastases were solitary for 22 patients and multiple for 8 patients. Average ages (y) (± SD) were 58.6 ± 10.4 for NSC lung patients and 53.4 ± 12.5 (p=0.32) for non-lung patients. The average interval (months) from diagnosis of the primary to metastasis was 23.8 ± 41.4 for all patients. This interval was shorter for NSC lung patients: 3.1 ± 6.0 vs. 48.0 ± 51.7 (p < 0.001) for non-lung patients. Twenty seven patients had conventional radiotherapy (XRT) before (24 patients) or after (3 patients) SRS. Doses (cGy) were 3303 ± 841 for 13 NSC lung patients and 4256 ± 992 for 14 non-lung patients (p = 0.034). The median time from primary diagnosis to SRS was shorter for the NSC lung patients (11 mo) compared to the non-lung patients (35 mo). SRS was given for recurrence of metastases after XRT for 11/14 NSC lung patients and 13/16 non-lung patients. The doses (cGy) of SRS were 1579 ± 484 vs. 1682 ± 476 (p=0.45) for the NSC lung and non-lung groups, respectively. After SRS a decrease in metastasis diameter was observed in 10 of 14 NSC lung patients vs. 12 of 16 non-lung patients (p=0.85 Chi-square). Twenty-seven of the 30 patients have died. For all patients, the median survival after diagnosis of the primary and after radiosurgery was 31.3 and 8.4 months, respectively. The median survival (95% CI) from primary diagnosis was 24.3 months (13.2–27.3) for NSC lung patients and 46.5 months (39.2–65.5) for non-lung patients (p=0.005 logrank test). The median survival (95% CI) after SRS was 7.9 months (3.0–14.3) for the NSC lung patients and 8.4 (2.9–11.9) months for the non-lung patients (p=0.98 logrank test). Within the two groups, no difference in survival was observed for patients who had SRS sooner (< 1 yr for NSC lung; < 3 yr for non-lung) after primary diagnosis: 9.3 vs. 6.5 mo for NSC lung (p = 0.21) and 10.5 vs. 7.2 mo for non-lung (p=0.87). In this series, the shortened intervals from primary diagnosis to SRS for NSC lung metastases was associated with post-SRS survivorship that was equivalent to the more favorable non-lung group.
INTRACELLULAR LOCATION OF 3,4-DIHYDROXYPHENYLACETALDEHYDE AND ACETALDEHYDE OXIDATION IN RAT LIVER

Publisher Summary This chapter presents intracellular location of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde and acetaldehyde oxidation in rat liver. In rat liver, acetaldehyde does not inhibit the oxidation of the aldehyde derived from dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-acetaldehyde (DOPAL). It was found that both aldehydes are oxidized primarily in the matrix of the mitochondria. Two isozymes of aldehyde dehydrogenase were found to exist in the matrix, both possessing low Km's for acetaldehyde and DOPAL. Disulfiram, administered to the animal, inhibits primarily one matrix isozyme of aldehyde dehydrogenase and as acetaldehyde oxidation. The lack of inhibition of DOPAL oxidation by acetaldehyde can be rationalized by postulating that the disulfiram sensitive isozyme is primarily responsible for acetaldehyde oxidation while the other matrix is required for DOPAL oxidation.
A Pivotal Role for Thiamine Deficiency in the Expression of Neuroinflammation Markers in Models of Alcohol-Related Brain Damage.

Background Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is associated with neurotoxic effects of heavy alcohol use and nutritional deficiency, in particular thiamine deficiency (TD), both of which induce inflammatory responses in brain. Although neuroinflammation is a critical factor in the induction of ARBD, few studies have addressed the specific contribution(s) of ethanol (EtOH) versus TD. Methods Adult rats were randomly divided into 6 conditions: chronic EtOH treatment (CET) where rats consumed a 20% v/v solution of EtOH for 6 months; CET with injections of thiamine (CET + T); severe pyrithiamine-induced TD (PTD); moderate PTD; moderate PTD during CET; and pair-fed controls. After the treatments, the rats were split into 3 recovery phase time points: the last day of treatment (time point 1), acute recovery (time point 2: 24 hours posttreatment), and delayed recovery (time point 3: 3 weeks posttreatment). At these time points, vulnerable brain regions (thalamus, hippocampus, frontal cortex) were collected and changes in neuroimmune markers were assessed using a combination of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and protein analysis. Results CET led to minor fluctuations in neuroimmune genes, regardless of the structure being examined. In contrast, PTD treatment led to a profound increase in neuroimmune genes and proteins within the thalamus. Cytokine changes in the thalamus ranged in magnitude from moderate (3-fold and 4-fold increase in interleukin-1β [IL-1β] and IκBα) to severe (8-fold and 26-fold increase in tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6, respectively). Though a similar pattern was observed in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, overall fold increases were moderate relative to the thalamus. Importantly, neuroimmune gene induction varied significantly as a function of severity of TD, and most genes displayed a gradual recovery across time. Conclusions These data suggest an overt brain inflammatory response by TD and a subtle change by CET alone. Also, the prominent role of TD in the immune-related signaling pathways leads to unique regional and temporal profiles of induction of neuroimmune genes.
Effects of dietary protein content on hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis aureus × O. niloticus) performance, common microbial off-flavor compounds, and water quality dynamics in an outdoor biofloc technology production system

Abstract Given tilapia grown in the biofloc technology production system can consume the biofloc, it should be possible to optimize formulated diet protein content to account for nutrition derived from consuming biofloc. The present study, conducted in an outdoor biofloc technology production system, evaluated impacts on fish production indices, common microbial off-flavors, and water quality dynamics for hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis aureus × O. niloticus) fed diets formulated to contain 22.5%, 27.7%, and 32.3% digestible protein (DP) and 6% lipid. Fingerlings (32.2 ± 10.1 g/fish) were stocked in tanks (18.6 m2; 16.6 m3) in May 2016 at 25/m2 (29/m3) and grown for 5 months to market size. At harvest, fish fed the 22.5% DP diet were significantly smaller (518 g/fish) and had significantly higher feed conversion (1.5) than those fed the higher DP diets (553–564 g/fish and 1.4, respectively). Feed nitrogen input and nitrification rate increased linearly with increased DP. Results of this study suggest that by using ideal protein theory to formulate diets supplemented with the first four limiting amino acids (Lys, Met, Thr, Ile) digestible protein can be reduced from 32.3% to 27.7% without adversely affecting hybrid tilapia productivity indices. Market size distributions, nutrient retention, 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin off-flavors, and pond water quality dynamics in relation to diet DP also are discussed.
Poster: Towards Self-Managing and Self-Adaptive Framework for Automating MAC Protocol Design in Wireless Networks

Wireless protocols are continuously evolving to meet new and more complex service requirements. The current methods for protocol design are mainly human-based and thus are burdened with various limitations. Design of new protocols is time-consuming and requires a specialized knowledge that is not trivial to acquire. This is especially limiting in the context of modern networking domain, i.e., IEEE 802.11 protocol that is continuously evolving nowadays to meet new requirements and conditions through the addition of new amendments. In this poster, we explain the design steps of an intelligent framework that designs MAC protocols by interacting with environment. In this framework IEEE 802.11 MAC protocols are decomposed into core functionalities in which the intelligent Deep Q-Learning (DQL) agent designs an efficient protocol by selecting the optimum set of building blocks in response to network dynamics. A preliminary version of this system has been implemented in [1, 2]. In the following, we explain briefly the main design parts of the proposed system.
Vulnerable Populations’ Access to Health Care: A study of the nomadic “Gypsy’ Narikuravars in Tamil Nadu, India

This article explores how the nomadic Narrikurovar, also know as the “Gypsy,” from Tamil Nadu India, access health care. The analysis is based on fifty-one open-ended, qualitative interviews conducted in early 2017, with Narikuravar women. This study differs from previous studies that explore how the poor, marginalized, and most vulnerable access health insurance in India by adding a new dimension: nomadism. Other work conducted with Romani (Gypsy) and nomadic communities concluded that these communities are reluctant to use state and private health care services. Our study concludes something very different. Not only did the Narrikurovar women in our study actively seek health care access, they were eager to use government provided health insurance schemes. However, due to their limited education, poverty and mobile life style, they received health care only in emergency situations, and often needed to pay for those services from their small earnings, which increased their financial burden. We recommend further detailed research with the Narikuravar community, so that we can understand which health challenges they face. Also, development of policies to enhance women’s education and employment is also a must. Such policies will translate into better access to health care as a basic human right.
Antiretroviral Therapy Administration in Healthy Rhesus Macaques Is Associated with Transient Shifts in Intestinal Bacterial Diversity and Modest Immunological Perturbations.

Gastrointestinal (GI) immune system competency is dependent upon interactions with commensal microbiota, which can be influenced by wide-ranging pharmacologic interventions. In simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected Asian macaque models of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, we previously noted that initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with a specific imbalance (dysbiosis) of the composition of the intestinal bacteriome. To determine if ART itself might contribute to dysbiosis or immune dysfunction, we treated healthy rhesus macaques with protease, integrase, or reverse transcriptase inhibitors for 1 to 2 or for 5 to 6 weeks and evaluated intestinal immune function and the composition of the fecal bacterial microbiome. We observed that individual antiretrovirals (ARVs) modestly altered intestinal T-cell proinflammatory responses without disturbing total or activated T-cell frequencies. Moreover, we observed transient disruptions in bacterial diversity coupled with perturbations in the relative frequencies of bacterial communities. Shifts in specific bacterial frequencies were not persistent posttreatment, however, with individual taxa showing only isolated associations with T-cell proinflammatory responses. Our findings suggest that intestinal bacterial instability and modest immunological alterations can result from ART itself. These data could lead to therapeutic interventions which stabilize the microbiome in individuals prescribed ART.IMPORTANCE Dysbiosis of the fecal microbiome is a common feature observed in ARV-treated people living with HIV. The degree to which HIV infection itself causes this dysbiosis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that medications used to treat HIV infection can influence the composition of the GI tract immune responses and its microbiome in the nonhuman primate SIV model.
Introducing the System for Observing Medical Alliances (SOMA): A Tool for Studying Concordance in Patient-Physician Relationships.

We developed the System for Observing Medical Alliances (SOMA) to study relationships between medical providers and patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). Based on literature in health...
“Languaging Race” - “Racing Language” - “Raciolinguistics” in the Contested Multicultural/Multilingual/Multiracial World

Raciolinguistics: How language shapes our ideas about race is a sweeping examination of the myriad ways that language shapes ethnoracial identities, and how those identities, in turn, shape languag...
Electronic patient-reported symptom monitoring in patients recovering from ambulatory minimally invasive gynecologic surgery: A prospective pilot study.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the feasibility of an electronic symptom-tracking platform for patients recovering from ambulatory surgery. Method We assessed user response to an electronic system designed to self-report symptoms. Endpoints included compliance, postoperative symptoms, patient satisfaction. An 8-item symptom inventory (pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, fever, swelling, discharge, redness) was developed and made available on postoperative days (POD) 2–6. Responses exceeding defined thresholds of severity triggered alerts to healthcare providers. Symptoms, alerts, actions taken, urgent care center (UCC) visits, hospital admissions were tracked until POD 30. Patient satisfaction was evaluated on POD 7. A patient was defined as “responder” if at least 5/8 items on at least 3 PODs were completed. The assessment method was deemed successful if 64/100 patients responded. Results 97/102 patients were evaluable; 65 met “responder” criteria (67% responder rate; 95% CI 57–76%). 321 surveys were completed (median 4/patient), 248 (77%) in ≤2 min. Involving caregivers and allowing additional symptom-reporting improved the responder rate to 72% (95% CI 58–84%). Most commonly-reported moderate, severe, very severe symptoms were pain, nausea, swelling; 71% reported moderate to very severe pain on POD 2. Phone calls and adjustment of medications adequately addressed most symptoms. Two patients (2%) presented at UCC before, 6 (6%) after, POD 6; 1 (1%) was admitted. Most agreed or strongly agreed that electronic symptom-tracking was helpful, easy to use, and would recommend it to others. Conclusion Electronic symptom-tracking is feasible for patients undergoing ambulatory gynecologic cancer surgery. Symptom burden is high in the early postoperative period. Addressing patient-reported symptoms in a timely, automated manner may prevent severe downstream adverse events, reduce UCC visits and admission rates, and improve outcomes.
Exceptional Point Behavior of Non-Hermitian Microcavity Laser Arrays

Coherently coupled 2-element laser diode arrays near the modal exceptional point have equal photon-photon and carrier-photon resonances with indistinguishable supermodes. Experimentally the relative intensity noise is suppressed near the exceptional point.
To Eat or Not to Eat: Framing of GMOs in American Media and Its Effects on Attitudes and Behaviors:

This study examined the framing of genetically modified organisms in two American newspapers, The New York Times and the Washington Post (2000-2016) and tested the impact of risk and opportunity fr...
Use of explicit processes during a visually guided locomotor learning task predicts 24-h retention after stroke.

This study found that stroke survivors used implicit and explicit processes similar to age-matched healthy adults during a visually guided locomotion learning task. The amount of explicit processes...
Transcriptomics in rare diseases

Abstract The unprecedented technological advances in nucleic acid analysis methods and platforms of the past two decades have enabled the interrogation not only of the human genome but also of its transcriptome at a high degree of granularity. From the original analysis of short sequences to arrays encompassing all known genes and more recently high-throughput sequencing methodologies, transcriptomics has offered a unique insight into the regulation and translation of human variation from the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) level toward protein expression. Combinatorial analyses of DNA and ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing have improved genetic diagnostic yield for some phenotypes, due to the opportunity that RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) offers in detecting disease-relevant mechanisms that had remained invisible through DNA analyses alone. Prominent examples involve aberrant and often tissue-specific splicing, differential expression of genes in disease-derived tissues compared to control profiles, and cases of monoallelic expression of disease variants, a phenomenon through which heterozygous DNA variants can mimic a recessive state. Despite the fact that transcriptomic analyses represent a snapshot of cellular biology in time, they offer an orthogonal view into how DNA variant information translates into disease biology. As current transcriptomic limitations such as experimental variability, access to relevant tissues, and assembly of adequate control populations improve, our understanding of rare diseases will also likely broaden. This chapter provides an overview of the methodologies used to study the human transcriptome, reviews the knowledge emerging from recent discoveries that successfully demonstrate the utility of RNA-seq in diagnosing rare disorders, and offers a balanced discussion on the next hurdles that need to be overcome in order to maximize the potential utility of this approach in studying the biology of disease and potentially for molecular diagnostics.