cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A light-weight approach to reducing energy management delays in disks

Today's enterprise computing systems routinely employ a large number of computers for tasks ranging from supporting daily business operations to mission-critical back-end applications. These computers consume a lot of energy whose monetary cost accounts for a significant portion of an enterprise's operating budget. Consequently, enterprises employ energy saving techniques such as turning machines off overnight and dynamic energy management during the business hours. Unfortunately, dynamic energy management, especially that for disks, introduces delays when an accessed disk is in a low power state and needs to be brought into an active state. Existing techniques mainly focus on reducing energy consumption and do not take advantage of enterprise-wide resources to mitigate the associated delays. Thus, systems designers are faced with a critical trade-off: saving energy reduces operating costs but may increase the delays exposed to the users, conversely, reducing access latencies and making the system more responsive may preclude energy management techniques. In this paper, we propose System-wide Alternative Retrieval of Data (SARD) that exploits the large number of machines in an enterprise environment to transparently retrieve binaries from other nodes, thus avoiding access delays when the local disk is in a low power mode. SARD uses a software-based approach to reduce spin-up delays while eliminating the need for major operating system changes, custom buffering, or shared memory infrastructure. The main goal of SARD is not to increase energy savings, rather reduce delays associated with energy management techniques, which will encourage users to utilize energy management techniques more frequently and realize the energy savings. Our evaluation of SARD using trace-driven simulations as well as an actual implementation in a real system shows over 71% average reduction in delays associated with energy management. Moreover, SARD achieves an additional 5.1% average reduction in energy consumption for typical desktop applications compared to the widely-used timeout-based disk energy management.
A highly robust process integration with scaled ONO interpoly dielectrics for embedded nonvolatile memory applications

We have developed a process sequence for a flash EEPROM memory embedded in an advanced microcontroller circuit. This process simultaneously forms a thick top oxide on the interpoly ONO dielectric in the memory array and a stacked gate-oxide for the logic transistors. We have fabricated one-transistor, flash bit-cells with good data retention characteristics that incorporate a 17 nm ONO film along with high-quality stacked gate oxides. >
ANTIMUSCARINIC SYNDROME AFTER PROPOFOL ADMINISTRATION IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Antimuscarinic syndrome (AS), a rare but serious adverse event associated with propofol should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who develop agitation after its administration. We report a case of antimuscarinic syndrome that developed in an emergency department patient immediately after receiving propofol for the reduction of an elbow dislocation. The patient had received therapeutic doses of meperidine and promethazie several hours before the administration of propofol, and had an estimated serum ethanol level of 64 mg/dL about 1 h before sedation. The patient was successfully treated with physostigmine. Administration of propofol in conjunction with other substances known to have antimuscarinic effects may increase the risk of developing AS.
The mtfA Transcription Factor Gene Controls Morphogenesis, Gliotoxin Production, and Virulence in the Opportunistic Human Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is the leading causative agent of invasive aspergillosis (IA). The number of cases is on the rise, with mortality rates as high as 90% among immunocompromised patients. Molecular genetic studies in A. fumigatus could provide novel targets to potentially set the basis for antifungal therapies. In the current study, we investigated the role of the transcription factor gene mtfA in A. fumigatus. Our results revealed that mtfA plays a role in the growth and development of the fungus. Deletion or overexpression of mtfA leads to a slight reduction in colony growth, as well as a reduction in conidiation levels, in the overexpression strain compared to the wild-type strain. Furthermore, production of the secondary metabolite gliotoxin increased when mtfA was overexpressed, coinciding with an increase in the transcription levels of the gliotoxin genes gliZ and gliP with respect to the wild type. In addition, our study showed that mtfA is also necessary for normal protease activity in A. fumigatus; deletion of mtfA resulted in a reduction of protease activity compared to wild-type levels. Importantly, the absence of mtfA caused a decrease in virulence in the Galleria mellonella infection model, indicating that mtfA is necessary for A. fumigatus wild-type pathogenesis.
Gibberellin/Abscisic Acid Antagonism in Barley Aleurone Cells: Site of Action of the Protein Kinase PKABA1 in Relation to Gibberellin Signaling Molecules

The antagonism between gibberellins (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) is an important factor regulating the developmental transition from embryogenesis to seed germination. In barley aleurone layers, the expression of genes encoding α-amylases and proteases is induced by GA but suppressed by ABA. It has been shown that an ABA-induced protein kinase, PKABA1, mediates the ABA suppression of α-amylase expression. Using a barley aleurone transient expression system, we have now localized the site of action of PKABA1 relative to other signal transduction components governing the expression of α-amylase. The expression of α-amylase can be transactivated by the transcription factor GAMyb, which is itself induced by GA. A truncated GAMyb containing the DNA binding domain but lacking the transactivation domain prevents the GA induction of α-amylase, further supporting the notion that GAMyb mediates the GA induction of α-amylase expression. Although ABA and PKABA1 strongly inhibit the GA induction of α-amylase, they have no effect on GAMyb-transactivated α-amylase expression. Using a GAMyb promoter–β-glucuronidase construct, we also show that both ABA and PKABA1 repress the GA induction of GAMyb. In the slender mutant, GAMyb and α-amylase are highly expressed, even in the absence of GA. However, this constitutive expression can still be inhibited by ABA, PKABA1, or an inhibitor of cGMP synthesis. On the basis of these observations, we suggest that PKABA1 acts upstream from the formation of functional GAMyb but downstream from the site of action of the Slender gene product. Because PKABA1 inhibits the GA induction of the GAMyb promoter–β-glucuronidase construct, it appears that at least part of the action of PKABA1 is to downregulate GAMyb at the transcriptional level.
Building biomarker libraries with novel chemical sensors: correlating differential mobility spectrometer signal outputs with mass spectrometry data

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is a widely used analytic tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile and semi-volatile compounds. However, GC/MS use is limited by its large size, lack of portability, high cost and inherent complexity. Smaller instruments capable of high-throughput analysis of volatile compounds have the potential of combining MS-like sensitivity with portability. The micromachined differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) is a miniature sensor capable of registering volatile compounds in sub-parts-per-million (ppm) concentrations. It is small, portable, and can be coupled with multiple other compound separation methods. Here we describe paired volatile sample analyses using both GC/MS and GC/DMS which show that the DMS is capable of registering known compounds as verified by MS. Furthermore, we show that MS can be used to help build a library for our unique DMS sensor outputs and detect compounds in chemically complex backgrounds.
GIS, modeling, and politics: On the tensions of collaborative decision support

A tension exists at the heart of efforts to support collaboration with GIS. Many scholars and practitioners seek to support two separate objectives: (1) problem solving and (2) the exploration of diverse problem understandings. GIS applications designed for problem solving often pre-define the problem space by structuring the kind of information that can be considered or the way in which the problem is conceptualized. In doing so, they necessarily privilege particular perspectives and understandings of the problem while marginalizing others. As a result, these initiatives undermine their second objective. This is problematic in the context of contentious environmental decisions which have broad-reaching impacts on people with diverse perspectives and interests. In such contexts, I argue that equitable collaboration is impossible without first emphasizing the exploration of diverse problem understandings. I support this argument theoretically by turning to the literatures on collaborative planning and spatial decision support, and empirically in my analysis of a case study of an effort to construct a GIS for supporting collaborative water resource management in rural Idaho. Reflecting upon the case, I provide a set of recommendations to those seeking to better negotiate the tensions of supporting collaboration with GIS in the context of contentious environmental and natural resource decisions.
An Interweaved HMM/DTW Approach to Robust Time Series Clustering

We introduce an approach for model-based sequence clustering that addresses several drawbacks of existing algorithms. The approach uses a combination of Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) for sequence estimation and Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) for hierarchical clustering, with interlocking steps of model selection, estimation and sequence grouping. We demonstrate experimentally that the algorithm can effectively handle sequences of widely varying lengths, unbalanced cluster sizes, as well as outliers.
Generic representations of parabolic subgroups. Case I - SO(2n,C)

We construct the set of generic representations for parabolic sub-groups of the complex orthogonal group SO(2n + 1C) and show that the set O p of generic representations of an arbitrary parabolic subgroup P ⊂ S O(2n + 1, C) can be explicitly described in terms of unitary representations of some smaller reductive group G p . More preciselyO p is either homeomorphic to the unitary dual of G p or can be written as a disjoint union , where h >0 and each set is homeomorphic to Ĝ p .
Algorithms for realizing degree sequences of directed graphs

The Havel-Hakimi algorithm for constructing realizations of degree sequences for undirected graphs has been used extensively in the literature. A result by Kleitman and Wang extends the Havel-Hakimi algorithm to degree sequences for directed graphs. In this paper we go a step further and describe a modification of Kleitman and Wang’s algorithm that is a more natural extension of Havel-Hakimi’s algorithm, in the sense that our extension can be made equivalent to Havel-Hakimi’s algorithm when the degree sequence has equal in and out degrees and an even degree sum. We identify special degree sequences, called directed 3-cycle anchored, that are illdefined for the algorithm and force a particular local structure on all directed graph realizations. We give structural characterizations of these realizations, as well as characterizations of the illdefined degree sequences, leading to a well-defined algorithm.
Mode of delivery and obstetric outcomes in Asia

Evaluation of: Lumbiganon P, Laopaiboon M, Gulmezoglu A et al.: Method of delivery and pregnancy outcomes in Asia: the WHO global survey on maternal and perinatal health 2007–2008. Lancet 375(9713), 490–499 (2010). In a multinational survey of 122 medical facilities in nine Asian countries, the WHO analyzed data on 107,950 deliveries. Compared with spontaneous vaginal deliveries, any type of cesarean was associated with a 2.7–14.5-fold increase in the odds of the maternal mortality and morbidity index. Antepartum cesarean with indications and intrapartum cesarean demonstrated similar perinatal outcomes when compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery; patients who underwent an intrapartum cesarean without indication had a 2.1-fold increase in the odds of the perinatal mortality and morbidity index. Cesarean delivery decreased perinatal morbidity when performed for noncephalic presentation. Operative vaginal deliveries were also associated with a 2.1-fold increase in the odds of maternal morbidity or mortal...
Value Congruence and Satisfaction with a Leader: An Examination of the Role of Interaction

Organizations are increasing their use of sophisticated techniques, including video, to communicate with employees. They are also relying more on the use of "stories" and "legends" about leaders as a way of reinforcing their culture. An important issue in both of these trends is the relationship between the actions or behavior of the leader as depicted in the story or message and the values of the individuals who are the target of the story or message. This study examined this issue as it related to interpersonal affect. Sixty-three banking executives, 61 evening MBA students, and 102 full-time undergraduate students completed a work values survey and later viewed one of two video-taped presentations of leadership behavior. Results showed that congruence between a subject's values and the rated values of a leader was associated with greater anticipated satisfaction with the leader. This effect did not depend on the uncertainty of the leader's behavior, but seemed to be contingent on the subject having had...
Estimating 3-D location parameters using dual number quaternions

This paper describes a new algorithm for estimating the position and orientation of objects. The problem is formulated as an optimization problem using dual number quaternious. The advantage of using this representation is that the method solves for the location estimate by minimizing a single cost function associated with the sum of the orientation and position errors and thus is expected to have a better performance on the estimation, both in accuracy and in speed. Several forms of sensory information can be used by the algorithm. That is, the measured data can be a combination of measured points on an object’s surfaces and measured unit direction vectors located on the object. Simulations have been carried out on a Compaq 386/20 computer and the SiIIIUkItiOU reSUltS are analyzed. 0 1991 Academic press, inc.
The gene structure of the Drosophila melanogaster proto-oncogene, kayak, and its nested gene, fos-intronic gene.

Abstract We present herein a new model for the structure of the Drosophila kayak gene as well as preliminary data on the functional differences of its various isoforms. kayak is a homolog of the human proto-oncogene, c-fos . kayak has three different starts of transcription, and therefore promoters (P) kay-α , (P) kay-β and (P) kay-γ . These three promoters lead to four different transcripts: kay-α , kay sro , kay-β and kay-γ . (P) kay-α produces two different transcripts: kay-α and kay sro where the other two promoters, (P) kay-β and (P) kay-γ , produce a single transcript each. The transcripts kay-α , β and γ all splice into the mainbody of the kay gene, which codes for the DNA binding domain and leucine zipper; kay sro is not spliced. Also, within this region is a nested gene, fos-intronic gene (fig) which is transcribed in the opposite direction. fig codes for a predicted PP2C phosphatase. fig has two different promoters which produce two different transcripts, both in the same reading frame, fig-α and β . This is an unusual gene structure for Drosophila . Only 13% of Drosophila genes have multiple promoters and only 7% have a nested gene. RT-PCR was performed on each transcript to determine the relative amounts of each RNA produced. All spliced kay transcripts appear to have equal abundance. The unspliced kay sro transcript has a lower abundance than kay-α . Both fig transcripts are also detected in all stages tested. Lethal phase analysis and complementation testing suggest that the three isoforms of kayak may have different functions.
Recall in the sedated ICU patient

Abstract The effect of sedation on ICU patient recall is uncertain. Ensuring suppression of awareness and, particularly, recall, may prevent post-ICU-psychological problems. Development of ICU sedation pathways and improved neurophysiologic monitoring techniques may help clinicians provide good levels of recall suppression and sedation when they are most needed by ICU patients.
Feedback Based Adaptive Sensor Uncertainty Compensation for Control of LTI Systems

In this paper, the problem of adaptively compensating sensor uncertainties is addressed in a feedback based framework. In this study, sensor characteristics are modeled as parametrizable uncertain functions and a compensator is constructed to adaptively cancel the effects of sensor uncertainties, to generate an adaptive estimate of the plant output. Such an estimated output is used for the feedback control law. Adaptive control schemes using a model reference approach with sensor uncertainty compensation are developed for LTI plants with either known or unknown plant dynamics. A new feedback controller structure is developed for the case when the plant dynamics is unknown, to handle the plant and sensor uncertainties. Simulation results are presented to show that the proposed adaptive sensor uncertainty compensation designs significantly improve system tracking performance.
Performance entitlement by exploiting transistor's BTI recovery

The inherent problem in signal probability (α) prediction has limited the scope of exploiting the transistor's BTI recovery at circuit level. In this paper, we present a design-for-reliability (DFR) methodology for digital designs, BTI_Refresh, that instead of relying on predicting α, sets it to a known value (~0.5) such that the BTI stress effects are alleviated and a predicted recovery effect could be guaranteed at circuit level. The technique can be applied equally to both NBTI and PBTI. Experimental results using Cadence Relxpert on critical paths extracted from industry designs show that with a negligible power, area overhead, a significant improvement (50%) in the total degradation of critical path performance with respect to end-of-life models is achievable.
Myofibroblastic Conversion and Regeneration of Mesothelial Cells in Peritoneal and Liver Fibrosis

Mesothelial cells (MCs) form a single epithelial layer and line the surface of body cavities and internal organs. Patients who undergo peritoneal dialysis often develop peritoneal fibrosis that is characterized by the accumulation of myofibroblasts in connective tissue. Although MCs are believed to be the source of myofibroblasts, their contribution has remained obscure. We determined the contribution of peritoneal MCs to myofibroblasts in chlorhexidine gluconate (CG)-induced fibrosis compared with that of phenotypic changes of liver MCs. CG injections resulted in disappearance of MCs from the body wall and the accumulation of myofibroblasts in the connective tissue. Conditional linage tracing with Wilms tumor 1 ( Wt1 )-CreERT2 and Rosa26 reporter mice found that 17% of myofibroblasts were derived from MCs in peritoneal fibrosis. Conditional deletion of transforming growth factor-β type II receptor in Wt1 + MCs substantially reduced peritoneal fibrosis. The CG treatment also induced myofibroblastic conversion of MCs in the liver. Lineage tracing with Mesp1 -Cre mice revealed that Mesp1 + mesoderm gave rise to liver MCs but not peritoneal MCs. During recovery from peritoneal fibrosis, peritoneal MCs, but not liver MCs, contribute to the regeneration of the peritoneal mesothelium, indicating an inherent difference between parietal and visceral MCs. In conclusion, MCs partially contribute to myofibroblasts in peritoneal and liver fibrosis, and protection of the MC layer leads to reduced development of fibrous tissue.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE CONCEPTUAL ECOLOGICAL MODEL

With a surface area of nearly 1,800 square kilometers, Lake Okeechobee is a prominent central feature of the South Florida aquatic ecosystem. The lake provides regional flood protection, supports a prized recreational fishery, provides habitat for migratory waterfowl and regional wading bird populations, and is a source of fresh water for irrigation, drinking, and restoration of downstream ecosystems. The main stressors on Lake Okeechobee are (1) large inputs of phosphorus from agricultural and other anthropogenic land uses in the watershed, (2) unnatural variation in water levels due to channelization of inflows and dike containment, and (3) rapid expansion of non-native plants. Ecological effects are complicated due to three distinct in-lake zones with different water chemistry, physical properties, and biota. A central pelagic zone has turbid, nutrient-rich water and phytoplankton dominance; a shallow south and western near-shore zone has submerged plant or phytoplankton dominance (at low vs. high water levels, respectively); and a western littoral zone is dominated by emergent wetland plants. Changes in water level influence the flow of nutrients between zones, thereby creating a synergistic effect between stressors. Under high water conditions, there is considerable advective transport of nutrients from the pelagic zone into the littoral zone. Under low water conditions, the littoral zone is cut off hydrologically and is a rainfall-driven oligotrophic wetland. Low water also facilitates drying and wildfires in the littoral zone, which in turn has an influence on expansion of non-native plants and recovery of native plants from buried seed banks. All of these factors influence fish, wading birds, and other animals, which depend on littoral and near-shore plant communities for nesting and foraging habitat. This paper describes our current knowledge of these complex processes, the lake’s expected responses to ongoing and planned restoration programs, and key areas of uncertainty requiring future research.
Overview and U.S. Perspective

This paper is both an overview of the eleven national reports on the impact of electronic technology on workplace disputes, and a sketch of U.S. developments respecting this issue. It is premised on the proposition that a new, global community of employee interests is developing respecting the use of electronic technology because the creation and operation of these new technologies requires heightened levels of coordination, communication, interaction, and interchangeability among workers in distant parts of the world who use the same types of hardware, who often share the same software, and who apply the same performance techniques and standards. When such conditions have occurred with respect to seafarers, airline flight crews, professional athletes, and others in mass entertainment industries, common transnational work place norms, standards and rules have emerged. The national reports reveal that such changes are taking place respecting the impact of electronic technology on workplace disputes and will be accelerated to the extent that decision makers consciously seek guidance in the solutions that are being adopted in other legal systems. For example, the national reports indicate that a consensus is developing that grants employee pay and benefits protections to those who work at home based on the functional subordination or dependence of the relationship with the enterprise for whom the work is performed regardless of the formal contractual trappings of that arrangement. In addition, a normative standard is emerging that allows an employer to compel at-home work only if it can justify that insistence by business necessity and only if the intrusion is not unduly burdensome. On the other hand, it is less evident whether, in the interest of protecting the sanctity of the home, most legal systems will limit employer investigations of at-home working conditions to those situations in which substantial public interests in safety or health justify the intrusion. Wherever electronic technology is used, many legal systems restrict or prohibit monitoring of personal communications and, at a minimum, a growing number of legal systems require that workers be informed regarding all electronic monitoring methods used by the employer. The paper also examines the differences in approaches to such issues as the impact of technological advances on the use of at-home workplaces as a means of accommodating disabled workers, problems of using or abusing electronic advances in monitoring work, recording work time and applying general minimum pay and premium pay standards to those who perform such work, and the employee's right to reimbursement for the costs of utilities, equipment and equipment maintenance.
Zinc oxide Chemical Bath Deposition on Functionalized organic thin films: Formation of nanorods, nanorockets and nanoflowers

Abstract Controlling the morphology of nanostructured materials is critical for their use in technological applications including in sensing, electronics and energy harvesting. In this paper we investigate the reaction pathways involved and their dependence on reactant concentrations in the formation of ZnO nanomaterials on –COOH terminated self-assembled monolayers using a simple chemical bath deposition process which employs zinc acetate, which acts as the Zn source, and ethylenediamine, which acts as both the O source and a complexing agent for Zn2 +. At a deposition temperature of 318 K (45 °C) our data shows that the concentration of Zn2 + as well as the deposition bath pH, which is controlled by the ethylenediamine concentration, is critical in determining the ZnO morphology. Above 0.01 M zinc acetate at low bath pH (~ 7.7–8.5), nanorods and nanorockets are observed to form. The nanorods exhibit a clear interface in the middle indicating that they are composed of two crystals. At lower zinc acetate concentrations over a wide pH range (~ 8.0–10.5) nanoflowers form. The nanorockets and nanoflowers grow via a modified La Mer mechanism in which there are multiple nucleation and crystallization steps. The initial nuclei are sphelurites (nanoflowers) or nanocrystallites (nanorockets). Since the reagent concentrations limit the reaction, for these initial precursor crystallites to increase in size, it is required dissolution and re-precipitation must occur. Thus at later times nanorockets or nanoflowers develop.
Tree Nests of Chipmunks with Comments on Associated Behavior and Ecology

Four additional species of Eutamias ( amoenus, cinereicollis, palmeri , and ruficaudus ), added to E. minimus, speciosus , and sibericus , bring to seven the number of tree-nesting chipmunks. Tree nests were at heights of 2.6 to 23 meters. Those made of grass by E. amoenus and ruficaudus were about 30 centimeters in diameter and were used for more than one year. Most tree nests were in conifers (three in woodpecker holes), one was in a clump of young willows, and one was in a cottonwood. It is during the period of weaning and exploration just before the young disperse that tree nests are used by a mother and her family. Chipmunks appear to be the only sciurids and possibly the only rodents in which the mother and her family use both underground and arboreal nests in a given year. Feeding in the pygmy forest of bushes, chipmunks occupy a special niche between those of ground squirrels and tree squirrels.
Evaluation of the Power Law and Patchiness Regressions with Regression Diagnostics

We used regression diagnostics to evaluate the robustness of the least-squares regression method for estimating the power law and patchiness regression parameters for 3 data sets of insect counts, specifically for the Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, and the squash bug, Anasa tristis (De Geer). Extreme values in the independent variable, x, and dependent variable, y, were detected with the leverage term, h i , and standardized residuals, e s , respectively. The assumption of homogeneity of variances was evaluated with plots of e s against x for all regressions, and significant autocorrelations were tested with the Durbin-Watson statistic. For both techniques, we compared least-squares regression results for all data with regressions obtained after outlier data points were removed. We also calculated power law regressions excluding means (m) <2 and variances (s 2 ) <4 to reduce possible bias resulting from small mean densities. Outlier data points did not have a significant effect on the power law regressions, but they had a strong influence on some patchiness regressions. The distribution of standardized residuals of some power law regressions were biased toward positive values for low mean densities, indicating underestimation of variances. Additionally, least-squares regression estimates for m ≥2, s 2 ≥4 indicated a general increase in slopes for the power law. The distribution of standardized residuals for patchiness regressions indicated strong heteroscedasticity; therefore, the assumption of constant variance for y was not fulfilled. Our results show that suitability of least-squares regression assumptions should be considered whenever pest management decisions are based on the power law or patchiness regressions.
Sustainable urban rodent management strategy in Chinese cities

For centuries,people have recognized that urban rodent is not only a nuisance but also is a public health problem.Rattus norvegicus,Rattus tanezumi and Mus musculus often live in close association with humans and can be serious pests under certain conditions.With the rapid urbanization development,sustainable management strategy is getting more and more important.The program of integrated pest management(IPM) is the core ingredient sustainable management strategy.The four key components of an IPM program are survey,tolerance limit,intervention,and evaluation.In addition,sustainable management strategy is a long-term,effective and holistic approach to managing urban rodent combining various interventions(e.g.criterions and regulations,risk assessment,resistance,integrated monitoring,health education and community participation)in ways that minimize environmental hazards that affect people's health.
Evaluation of 2 portable ion-selective electrode meters for determining whole blood, plasma, urine, milk, and abomasal fluid potassium concentrations in dairy cattle

Two low-cost ion-selective electrode (ISE) handheld meters (CARDY C-131, LAQUAtwin B-731; Horiba Ltd., Albany, NY) have recently become available for measuring the potassium concentration ([K(+)]) in biological fluids. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the analytical performance of the ISE meters in measuring [K(+)] in bovine whole blood, plasma, urine, milk, and abomasal fluid. We completed 6 method comparison studies using 369 whole blood and plasma samples from 106 healthy periparturient Holstein-Friesian cows, 138 plasma samples from 27 periparturient Holstein-Friesian cows, 92 milk samples and 204 urine samples from 16 lactating Holstein-Friesian cows, and 94 abomasal fluid samples from 6 male Holstein-Friesian calves. Deming regression and Bland-Altman plots were used to characterize meter performance against reference methods (indirect ISE, Hitachi 911 and 917; inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy). The CARDY ISE meter applied directly in plasma measured [K(+)] as being 7.3% lower than the indirect ISE reference method, consistent with the recommended adjustment of +7.5% when indirect ISE methods are used to analyze plasma. The LAQUAtwin ISE meter run in direct mode measured fat-free milk [K(+)] as being 3.6% lower than the indirect ISE reference method, consistent with a herd milk protein percentage of 3.4%. The LAQUAtwin ISE meter accurately measured abomasal fluid [K(+)] compared to the indirect ISE reference method. The LAQUAtwin ISE meter accurately measured urine [K(+)] compared to the indirect ISE reference method, but the median measured value for urine [K(+)] was 83% of the true value measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. We conclude that the CARDY and LAQUAtwin ISE meters are practical, low-cost, rapid, accurate point-of-care instruments suitable for measuring [K(+)] in whole blood, plasma, milk, and abomasal fluid samples from cattle. Ion-selective electrode methodology is not suitable for measuring [K(+)] in bovine urine.
Possible consequences of regionally based bundled payments for diabetic amputations for safety net hospitals in Texas.

Abstract Objective Ongoing health reform in the United States encourages quality-based reimbursement methods such as bundled payments for surgery. The effect of such changes on high-risk procedures is unknown, especially at safety net hospitals. This study quantified the burden of diabetes-related amputation and the potential financial effect of bundled payments at safety net hospitals in Texas. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of diabetic amputation burden and charges using publically available data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the Texas Department of Health from 2008 to 2012. Using hospital referral region (HRR)-level analysis, we categorized the proportion of safety net hospitals within each region as very low (0%-9%), low (10%-20%), average (20%-33%), and high (>33%) and compared amputation rates across regions using nonparametric tests of trend. We then used charge data to create reimbursement rates based on HRR to estimate financial losses. Results We identified 51 adult hospitals as safety nets in Texas. Regions varied in the proportion of safety net hospitals from 0% in Victoria to 65% in Harlingen. Among beneficiaries aged >65, amputation rates correlated to the proportion of safety net hospitals in each region; for example, patients in the lowest quartile of safety net had a yearly rate of 300 amputations per 100,000 beneficiaries, whereas those in the highest quartile had a yearly rate of 472 per 100,000 ( P = .007). Charges for diabetic amputation-related admissions varied almost 200-fold, from $5000 to $1.4 million. Using reimbursement based on HRR to estimate a bundled payment, we noted net losses would be higher at safety net vs nonsafety net hospitals ($180 million vs $163 million), representing a per-hospital loss of $1.6 million at safety nets vs $700,000 at nonsafety nets ( P Conclusions Regions with a high proportion of safety net hospitals perform almost half of the diabetic amputations in Texas. Changes to traditional payment models should account for the disproportionate burden of high-risk procedures performed by these hospitals.
Agent modeling in expert critiquing systems

Expert critiquing systems are a type of human-computer collaborative system in which a computer agent presents reasoned opinions about a human agent's problem-solving process for a given task. The challenge in such systems is to provide timely critiques relevant to the user's focus of attention. A problem with many expert critiquing systems is that their critiques are not always timely or relevant; consequently such systems interfere with problem-solving rather than provide assistance. The problem arises in part from insufficient representations of the human's problem-solving processes. In this paper, we discuss the flexible use of an agent model based on a task-decomposition hierarchy of human experts in a critiquing system called SEDAR. The model differs from previous research efforts in three ways: 1) the structure of the model, 2) the function the model performs in the expert critiquing system, and 3) the influence of the model on communication between the computer and human agents. A prototype of SEDAR was implemented for the flat and low-slope roof design domain. The results of early testing on the prototype show that SEDAR assists users effectively and reduces the error rate.
Evaluating the significance of wetland restoration scenarios on phosphorus removal

Abstract Freshwater resources are vital for human and natural systems. However, anthropogenic activities, such as agricultural practices, have led to the degradation of the quality of these limited resources through pollutant loading. Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs), such as wetlands, are recommended as a valuable solution for pollutant removal. However, evaluation of their long-term impacts is difficult and requires modeling since performing in-situ monitoring is expensive and not feasible at the watershed scale. In this study, the impact of natural wetland implementation on total phosphorus reduction was evaluated both at the subwatershed and watershed levels. The study area is the Saginaw River Watershed, which is largest watershed in Michigan. The phosphorus reduction performances of four different wetland sizes (2, 4, 6, and 8 ha) were evaluated within this study area by implementing one wetland at a time in areas identified to have the highest potential for wetland restoration. The subwatershed level phosphorus loads were obtained from a calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. These loads were then incorporated into a wetland model (System for Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis IntegratioN-SUSTAIN) to evaluate phosphorus reduction at the subwatershed level and then the SWAT model was again used to route phosphorus transport to the watershed outlet. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the spatial impact of wetland size and placement on phosphorus reduction. Overall, the performance of 2 ha wetlands in total phosphorus reduction was significantly lower than the larger sizes at both the subwatershed and watershed levels. Regarding wetland implementation sites, wetlands located in headwaters and downstream had significantly higher phosphorus reduction than the ones located in the middle of the watershed. More specifically, wetlands implemented at distances ranging from 200 to 250 km and 50–100 km from the outlet had the highest impact on phosphorus reduction at the subwatershed and watershed levels, respectively. A multi criteria decision making (MCDM) method named VIKOR was successfully executed to identify the most suitable wetland size and location for each subwatershed considering the phosphorus reduction and economic cost associated with wetland implementation. The methods introduced in this study can be easily applied to other watersheds for selection and placement of wetlands while considering environmental benefits and economic costs.
Abstract P6-05-05: The expression of lysyl oxidase and fibrotic focus is related to inflammation in breast cancer

Background: Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is an extracellular matrix enzyme that catalyzes the cross-linking of collagens or elastin. Our hypothesis is that LOX contributes to the formation of a fibrotic focus (FF), which is related to inflammation in breast carcinogenesis. In this study, we analyzed the association between the expression LOXs and FF, and investigated prognostic significance in breast cancer. Methods: Tissue microarrarys were constructed from the specimens of 444 patients with primary invasive breast cancer. Immunohistochemical staining for LOX, LOXlike (LOXL)-, LOXL-2 and LOXL-3 was performed. The status of FF within the tumor was assessed. The number of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD68+ macrophages was counted, and intratumoral and peritumoral lymphocyte infiltration were evaluated. The clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients were analyzed. Result: The percentage of positive FF was 39.2% and positive rate of LOX expression was 50% in primary breast cancer tissues. FF was found to be significantly associated with intratumoral and peritumoral inflammation, lymph node metastasis, high histologic grade, larger tumor size. LOX was associated with intratumoral and peritumoral inflammation, CD8+ T cells and menopausal status. LOXL-3 was significantly associated with positive expression of ER and PR, and molecular subtype. Conclusions: FF and the expression of LOX were associated with inflammation in breast cancer in this study. Our results suggest that LOXs may contribute to the formation of a FF indirectly in relation with inflammation in breast cancer. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of LOXs, FF and inflammation in tumorigenesis and prognostic value of them in breast cancer. Citation Format: Park SH, Jeong YJ, Bong JG, Oh HK. The expression of lysyl oxidase and fibrotic focus is related to inflammation in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-05-05.
Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Access: What Influences Obesity in Rural Children?

The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of diet, physical activity, and access to fruits, vegetables on weight status of children who reside in a low-income rural area. 153 3rd–6th graders were assessed for physical activity, sedentary behavior, fruit and vegetable consumption and access to physical activity, fruits and vegetables. Physical activity and sedentary behavior was objectively assessed via accelerometery. Fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed by direct observation and a recall questionnaire. Access was assessed by a questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to determine relationships with weight status as measured by BMI. On average children met physical activity requirements (71 min of MVPA) per day which significantly related to children’s weight status (p = .016). Sedentary behavior was also related to weight status (p = < 0.001). Participants’ access to physical activity opportunities near the home was not significantly related to their physical activity levels or weight status. Fruit and vegetable consumption was not related to BMI or access to fruits and vegetables. The results of this study suggested that children’s physical activity and sedentary behavior impacts weight status of children residing in a rural environment.
Analysis and design of high-power and efficient, millimeter-wave power amplifier systems using zero degree combiners

ABSTRACTWe present the analysis and design of high-power millimetre-wave power amplifier (PA) systems using zero-degree combiners (ZDCs). The methodology presented optimises the PA device sizing and the number of combined unit PAs based on device load pull simulations, driver power consumption analysis and loss analysis of the ZDC. Our analysis shows that an optimal number of N-way combined unit PAs leads to the highest power-added efficiency (PAE) for a given output power. To illustrate our design methodology, we designed a 1-W PA system at 45 GHz using a 45 nm silicon-on-insulator process and showed that an 8-way combined PA has the highest PAE that yields simulated output power of 30.6 dBm and 31% peak PAE.
Intelligent Systems in Manufacturing

Abstract Manufacturing is one of the most complex things that people do collectively. Consideration of advanced or automated manufacturing systems means not merely mechanizing today's processes and methods. It really means addressing the entire functional way that manufacturing is carried out and addressing it with new methods and new kinds of systems. This paper will outline some of the issues and techniques associated with four manufacturing areas. The areas chosen to illustrate these issues are a) materials, b) process control, c) inspection, and d) assembly
Human occipital bone sexual dimorphism in an Archiac period archaeological population

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study of sexual dimorphism in the human occipital region of the skull using the remains of 39 prehistoric adults from the prehistoric Windover (6,000-8,000 BP). The results of a discriminant analysis classified 64% of the individuals correctly (using osteologically identified sex). Sexual dimorphism in this population may not be prevalent due to environmental stress.
No Standard for Standards: Understanding the ICT Standards-Development Ecosystem

There is no standard for standards. Technology standards are created, maintained and propagated in a bewildering variety of ways, by a diverse set of actors. This Chapter attempts to explain this ironic and complex reality, and to provide a framework for understanding different standards development models in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry.
A reverse transcriptase ribozyme.

All known living things share the same genetic machinery, traditionally called the central dogma. According to this dogma, genes in DNA produce messages made from a similar molecule called RNA. These RNA messengers provide the instructions to make proteins, which then form structures and act as molecular machines inside cells. This process is found in all modern living things, but early life must have been much simpler. Many biologists believe that the earliest life only used RNA, which can both store information like DNA and perform tasks like a protein. Life evolved from this so-called ‘RNA world’ because DNA provides a more reliable long-term store of information, whilst proteins are more versatile and able to perform more tasks. This key step in evolution allowed life to move beyond basic chemistry and develop the size, complexity and diversity we see today. Yet, how this transition happened is not well understood. In particular, many believe an RNA molecule must have evolved the ability to make DNA from an RNA template, allowing early life to build the first genetic material made from DNA. This molecule would be referred to as a reverse transcriptase ribozyme. Modern living things do not contain such a molecule. Yet based on their previous work using RNA molecules to make copies of other RNAs, Samanta and Joyce attempted to develop an artificial reverse transcriptase ribozyme. The goal was to show that these ribozymes can be made and could theoretically have evolved naturally. The molecule Samanta and Joyce created was able to reliably produce short sections of DNA, with rare errors. This ribozyme is slower and makes more mistakes than molecular systems in modern biology, but it proves that reverse transcriptase ribozymes are possible. Using a process called test-tube evolution, which uses the same concepts as natural evolution to improve the qualities of biological molecules, Samanta and Joyce now plan to improve their ribozyme. The aim is to confirm that a reverse transcriptase ribozyme could have been a transformative early step in evolution of life on Earth that led to the first DNA genomes. This will be a critical addition to scientists’ understanding of how life became more complex and how the first cells formed.
Estimation of a Latent Variable Regression Growth Curve Model for Individuals Cross-Classified by Clusters.

ABSTRACTThe cross-classified multiple membership latent variable regression (CCMM-LVR) model is a recent extension to the three-level latent variable regression (HM3-LVR) model which can be utilized for longitudinal data that contains individuals who changed clusters over time (for instance, student mobility across schools). The HM3-LVR model can include the initial status on growth effect as varying across those clusters and allows testing of more flexible hypotheses about the influence of initial status on growth and of factors that might impact that relationship, but only in the presence of pure clustering of participants within higher-level units. This Monte Carlo study was conducted to evaluate model estimation under a variety of conditions and to measure the impact of ignoring cross-classified data when estimating the incorrectly specified HM3-LVR model in a scenario in which true values for parameters are known. Furthermore, results from a real-data analysis were used to inform the design of the si...