cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Duplex sonography accurately assesses portacaval shunt patency

Among 42 patients who had undergone portacaval shunt (PCS) to treat bleeding esophageal varices, shunt patency was assessed with duplex sonography 1 month to 5 years postoperatively. Patency was confirmed in all patients (100%). Correlative angiograms confirming the sonographic findings were obtained in 24 patients. Duplex scanning showed hepatofugal or stagnant flow in the distal portal vein in all 42 patients. Very low rates of liver-failure-related mortality (6%) and morbidity (6% incidence of encephaloparthy) in this series despite loss of portal perfusion of the liver in patients incriminate factors other than magnitude and direction of portal vein flow as the cause of complications occurring after PCS. Duplex sonography offers accurate and relevant clinical and physiologic data about shunt hemodynamics in patients who have undergone PCS.
Calculation of Direct Exchange Areas Using Finite Volume Method and Direct Integration

Direct integration of direct exchange areas (DEA) usually suffers from singularity problems for neighboring zones, which render numerical integration difficult. While calculation of DEA using other methods, for example, finite volume method (FVM) or monte carlo scheme, require extremely large computational resources and suffer from other problems when two zones are optically far away. In this study, we combine one of the direct integration techniques, mid-point integration, and the finite volume method. Volume-volume DEA of zones of an infinitely long rectangular enclosure with various optical thickness have been calculated using this hybrid method. Comparison with exact solution shows that the maximum error for calculated DEA using the current method is within 5% when the optical thickness of each zone is within 0.1.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Carcass Feeding of Captive Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus): the Effects of a Naturalistic Feeding Program on Oral Health and Psychological Well-being

Abstract Based on preliminary observations of 15 cheetahs at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, a protocol of behaviors associated with feeding was devised. Five animals were then acclimated to videotaping from which comparisons of feeding on commercial and carcass diets were made. Improved appetites, longer feeding bouts and a greater possessiveness of food characterized the carcass-fed animals. Although the commercial diet is nutritionally balanced, these differences indicate that certain non-nutritive requirements are important to psychological health. In addition, the dental abnormalities and oral infections that are found in the captive population could be an indication of the importance of food texture. By recognizing the importance of food texture, flavor and temperature to the effort expended and interest demonstrated in feeding by captive cheetahs, we may enhance their physical and psychological well-being.
Clinical characteristics of Pseudo-dyssynergia

Pseudo-dyssynergia is distinguished from true vesico-sphincter dyssynergia by the voluntary, as opposed to reflex, nature of the sphincteric contraction. Pseudo- dyssynergia (PSD) occurs clinically in association with functional voiding disorders, neurologic disorders and local disorders of the bladder. The diagnosis of PSD depends on the demonstration that dyssynergic contractions of the pelvic floor occur during micturition and that these contractions can be voluntarily suppressed by the patient. Treatment of PSD is based on a combination of pharmacologic, psychologic and educative techniques which are individually discussed.
FORAGING DEPTHS OF SEA OTTERS AND IMPLICATIONS TO COASTAL MARINE COMMUNITIES

We visually observed 1,251 dives, of 14 sea otters instrumented with TDRs in southeast Alaska, and used attribute values from observed dives to classify 180,848 recorded dives as foraging (0.64), or traveling (0.36). Foraging dives were significantly deeper, with longer durations, bottom times, and postdive surface intervals, and greater descent and ascent rates, compared to traveling dives. Most foraging occurred in depths between 2 and 30 m (0.84), although 0.16 of all foraging was between 30 and 100 m. Nine animals, including all five males, demonstrated bimodal patterns in foraging depths, with peaks between 5 and 15 m and 30 and 60 m, whereas five of nine females foraged at an average depth of 10 m. Mean shallow foraging depth was 8 m, and mean deep foraging depth was 44 m. Maximum foraging depths averaged 61 m (54 and 82 for females and males, respectively) and ranged from 35 to 100 m. Female sea otters dove to depths � 20 m on 0.85 of their foraging dives while male sea otters dove to depths � 45 m on 0.50 of their foraging dives. Less than 0.02 of all foraging dives were .55 m, suggesting that effects of sea otter foraging on nearshore marine communities should diminish at greater depths. However, recolonization of vacant habitat by high densities of adult male sea otters may result in initial reductions of some prey species at depths .55 m.
Alterations in the estrogen receptor alpha mRNA in the breast tumors of African American women.

Several recent reports have shown that the mortality rate with breast cancer is about three times higher in African American women than in other populations. In addition, the available data also indicate that the tumors are very aggressive and poorly differentiated with a very low frequency of hormone receptors. To gain an insight into the factors that may be responsible for their aggressive tumors, we investigated the transcript profiles of the estrogen receptor (ER), the most important prognostic factor in breast cancer, in the tumors derived from African American women. We analyzed 24 immunohistochemically ER+ and 6 ER− malignant tumors for ER mRNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using a number of primer pairs. For comparative purposes, 20 ER+ malignant tumor issues derived from Caucasian patients were also included. Our results showed that only 15 of the ER+ tumors from African American women patients had full-length wild-type receptor transcripts and the others exhibited alterations/truncations in exon 8. We also found that the majority of tumors that had alterations/truncations in exon 8 did not express the naturally occurring, more abundant exon 7 deletion transcript. Most of the tumors expressed exon 2, exons 2–3, and exon 5 deletion variant transcripts. Unexpectedly, 2 of the 6 immunohistochemically ER− tumors showed full-length wild-type receptor mRNA but none of the variant transcripts.
The Relationship between Dendritic Branch Dynamics and CPEB-Labeled RNP Granules Captured in Vivo.

Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binding protein (CPEB) is an RNA binding protein involved in dendritic delivery of mRNA and activity-dependent, polyadenylation-induced translation of mRNAs in the dendritic arbor. CPEB affects learning and memory and impacts neuronal morphological and synaptic plasticity. In neurons, CPEB is concentrated in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules that distribute throughout the dendritic arbor and localize near synapses. We tagged full-length CPEB and an inactive mutant CPEB, that is incapable of triggering activity-induced mRNA translation, with fluorescent protein, then imaged rapid dendritic branch dynamics and RNP distribution using 2-photon time-lapse microscopy of neurons in the optic tectum of living Xenopus laevis tadpoles. The density of CPEB-containing RNP granules in dendrites is high and the distribution of granules does not correlate with sites of rapid dendritic branch dynamics. Nevertheless, inactive CPEB accumulates in granules in terminal dendritic branches, supporting the hypothesis that upon activation CPEB and its mRNA cargo are released from granules and are then available for dendritic translation.
Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor B mediates biofilm formation in the absence of calcium

Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of nosocomial infections and a major cause of community-acquired infections. Biofilm formation is a key virulence determinant in certain types of S. aureus infection, especially those involving inserted medical devices. We found in a previous study that the calcium chelators sodium citrate and EGTA inhibit biofilm formation in certain strains of S. aureus but actually augment biofilm formation in other strains. Even two closely related strains, Newman and 10833, exhibited strikingly different biofilm phenotypes in the presence of calcium chelators, in that biofilm formation was inhibited in Newman but augmented in 10833. We also found that the surface protein clumping factor B (ClfB) plays a role in this phenomenon. In this study, we confirm that ClfB is required for biofilm formation under calcium-depleted conditions. We investigated the post-translational regulation of ClfB-mediated biofilm formation and found evidence that both calcium and the protease aureolysin disrupt established ClfB-dependent biofilms. Finally, we investigated the genetic basis for the biofilm-negative phenotype in strain Newman versus the biofilm-positive phenotype in strain 10833 under calcium-depleted conditions and found that strain 10833 contains a deletion that results in a stop codon within the aureolysin gene (aur). When 10833 expressed Newman aur, surface-associated ClfB and the ability to form a biofilm in chelating conditions was lost. Thus, the positive effect of chelating agents on biofilm formation in certain strains can be explained by increased ClfB activity in the absence of calcium and the discrepancy in the response of strains 10833 and Newman can be explained by point mutations in aur. This study reveals a previously unknown, to our knowledge, role for ClfB in biofilm formation and underscores the potential for striking phenotypic variability resulting from minor differences in strain background.
Selective BODIPY® based fluorescent chemosensor for imaging Pb2+ ion in living cells

Abstract A new fluorescent probe has been designed and synthesized by linking dicarboxylate pseudocrown ether to the BODIPY® (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza- s -indacene) fluorophore. The probe allows determination of free lead ions in living cells.
Prevalence of Lifted Finger Behavior and Postures during Two-Button Computer Mouse Use

Two-button computer mouse users may exhibit sustained lifted finger behaviors to prevent inadvertent activations by avoiding finger pressure on the buttons, leading to prolonged finger extensor muscle loading. One hundred graduate students were observed during normal computer work in a university computer facility to qualify and quantify the prevalence of lifted finger behaviors and extended finger postures, as well as wrist/forearm support, during specific mouse activities. The highest prevalences observed were 48% of the students lifted their middle finger during mouse drag activities, and 23% extended their middle finger while moving the mouse. In addition, 98% of the students rested their wrist and forearm (77%) or wrist only (21%) on the workstation surface. These findings indicate that two-button mouse users do lift and hold their fingers during computer work, while supporting their wrist/forearms. Potential applications include ergonomic design strategies to reduce exposure to risk factors that may...
Viral categorization and discovery in human circulation by transcriptome sequencing

Serum is the most common and easily accessible patient specimen in a minimally invasive manner. As a biological resource, RNA in serum has been less explored for its clinical utilization due to prevailing concerns regarding its high degradable nature. In the current study, however, we have documented the use of human serum RNA for viral categorization and discovery through transcriptome sequencing and analysis using well-curated databases and advanced bioinformatic tools. Such an integrated approach may have an immediate application in any clinical situations concerning with viral etiology.
MRI of the painful hip in athletes.

Hip pain is a common complaint in athletes, and may result from an acute injury or from chronic, repetitive trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance arthrography play increasingly important roles in the workup of the athlete who has hip pain. Occult osseous injury and the spectrum of musculotendinous injury are rapidly diagnosed with MRI, thereby guiding clinical and surgical management and helping determine when the athlete may safely return to competition. MR arthrography is the examination of choice for suspected labral and chondral injuries, and optimizes depiction of synovial disease.
The Efficacy of Retesting in Relation to Improved Test Performance of College Undergraduates.

AbstractA causal-comparative analysis was done of the test performance of undergraduate students in five different sections of educational psychology taught over a 3-year period. A pretest-posttest design was used to test the hypothesis that a testing program employing fewer retests than original tests produced significant gains in mean highest test/retest scores. Original tests and retests were of comparable mean difficulty, discrimination, and cognitive level. Correlations between the unretested means and highest test/retest means for retesters in the five sections were statistically significant. Various retesting programs were not found to be significantly different in producing gains in mean test scores among retesters. Subgroup analysis revealed that retesting was used most frequently by students at the lower end of the marking spectrum. Further subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference in the frequency of retesting among sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the five sections. Students’ res...
A Comparison of the Citation Patterns of Doctoral Students in Chemistry versus Chemical Engineering at Mississippi State University, 2002–2011

This study compared subject focuses and uses of research materials in chemistry versus chemical engineering dissertations completed at Mississippi State University, 2002–2011. Unsurprisingly, journal articles and books were the dominant format of cited sources, and conference proceedings and web resources accounted for much of the remainder. Chemical engineering dissertations, however, showed a distinctively higher rate of citations to books. Moreover, chemistry students were notably more likely to cite older references. While the primary purpose of the article was to demonstrate how a local use study might be done, and despite the small sample sizes involved, the results may have some implications for library collection management in comparable schools offering doctorates in both fields.
ACUTE ALCOHOL EXPOSURE MARKEDLY INFLUENCES MALE FERTILITY AND FETAL OUTCOME IN THE MALE RAT

Although it is recognized that drugs ingested by pregnant females produce marked cognitive and physiological deficits in their offspring, the possibility that paternal exposure to drugs prior to mating may have adverse effects on fertility and fetal outcome has not received much attention. The purpose of the present studies was to examine whether a single, acute exposure to alcohol influences the subsequent ability of adult male rats to mate and produce healthy and viable litters. Our results showed that a relatively large dose of alcohol 24 hours prior to breeding had little effect on the mating behavior of male rats, but there were markedly fewer pregnancies in females mated with alcohol-exposed male rats than in controls. Of equal importance, we found that, even when conception occurred and live births were produced, there were striking differences in fetal outcome. Alcohol-treated males sired many fewer pups than control males and there was a markedly enhanced mortality rate in their offspring. Collectively, these data suggest that acute paternal alcohol administration 24 hours prior to breeding does not affect mating behavior, but results in a greatly diminished fertility rate and fewer and less viable offspring. These studies suggest that paternal alcohol use may be as important as maternal alcohol abuse as a negative variable in pregnancy and fetal outcome.
VIRTUAL EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN OPTIMIZATION ON CABLE-DRIVE GLASS GUIDANCE SYSTEM

This paper focuses on utilizing CAE models, DOE, and RSM to conduct a virtual experimental analysis and design on glass guidance system. The methodologies and critical design parameters are presented.
Effects of calcium supplementation on calcium homeostasis and bone turnover in lactating women

Lactation is a time of calcium flux, because women secrete approximately 210 mg calcium/day in breast milk, and they experience a transient bone loss. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of calcium supplementation on adaptive responses in calcium homeostasis during lactation and after weaning. Two cohorts of women participated in a 6-month randomized calcium supplementation trial. Lactation cohort women (97 lactating, 99 nonlactating) were studied during the first 6 months post partum, and weaning cohort women (95 lactating, 92 nonlactating) were studied during the second 6 months post partum. Lactating women in the weaning cohort weaned approximately 1.5 months after enrollment. PTH was 18-30% lower in lactating than in nonlactating women (P < 0.01). Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was 11-16% higher in lactating than in nonlactating women and remained elevated for approximately 1.5 months after weaning (P = 0.06). Calcium supplementation decreased serum PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in lactating and nonlactating women similarly. At 6 months, the calciuric response to calcium supplementation was less in lactating (compared with nonlactating) women (P = 0.06). Biomarkers of bone turnover were higher in lactating than in nonlactating women during lactation and after weaning but were not effected by calcium supplementation. Calcium supplementation has little effect on lactation-induced changes in the calcium economy.
Variable and stable dual-wavelength erbium-doped fiber laser based on fiber acousto-optic variable filter and highly nonlinear fiber

A dual-wavelength erbium-doped fiber (EDF) variable ring laser using a fiber acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) and highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF) is demonstrated. Stable and variable lasing wavelengths were achieved by electronically adjusting the AOTF settings.
Supermedia enhanced human/machine cooperative control of robot formations

This paper presents theoretical and experimental results on supermedia enhanced human/machine cooperative control of robot formations. Supermedia is the collection of all feedback streams rendered for the operator; such as video, haptic, temperature and others. The core idea is to utilize machine intelligence for the control of a robot formation. However, once this intelligence is insufficient to cope with unexpected events, human intervention is an option. To accomplish this, without the need for replanning, perceptive planning and control theory is utilized. This would allow the cooperation of human and machine for the control of the robot formation. To increase the flexibility and efficiency of such systems, commands of different levels of complexity can be issued. This gives rise to a hierarchical command structure, which can be described by a hierarchical perceptive frame that is modeled using automata and languages.
High-accuracy waveforms for binary black hole inspiral, merger, and ringdown

The first spectral numerical simulations of 16 orbits, merger, and ringdown of an equal-mass nonspinning binary black hole system are presented. Gravitational waveforms from these simulations have accumulated numerical phase errors through ringdown of <~0.1 radian when measured from the beginning of the simulation, and <~0.02 radian when waveforms are time and phase shifted to agree at the peak amplitude. The waveform seen by an observer at infinity is determined from waveforms computed at finite radii by an extrapolation process accurate to <~0.01 radian in phase. The phase difference between this waveform at infinity and the waveform measured at a finite radius of r=100M is about half a radian. The ratio of final mass to initial mass is Mf/M=0.951 62±0.000 02, and the final black hole spin is Sf/Mf^2=0.686 46±0.000 04.
Gender Differences in Development of Hypertension in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System

Previous data strongly support a role for androgens in promoting the gender difference in hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat(s) (SHR), but the mechanism is not clear. Because males develop higher blood pressures than do females, we hypothesize that androgens may affect the renin-angiotensin system to promote the development of hypertension in male SHR. The present study was performed to determine the effect of converting enzyme inhibition (CEI) on the development of hypertension in SHR. Male, female, castrated male, and ovariectomized (ovx) female SHR (n=10 per gender per treatment group) received enalapril (250 mg/L) in drinking water for 8 to 10 weeks. Some ovx females were also given testosterone chronically. At 17 to 19 weeks of age, 24-hour protein excretion and mean arterial pressure were measured. By 13 weeks of age, male rats had higher systolic blood pressures by tail plethysmography than did the other rats, and CEI reduced blood pressures to similar levels in all groups. At 17 to 19 weeks, the same trend was found by direct measurement of mean arterial pressure. The ovx females treated with testosterone had serum testosterone and blood pressure levels similar to those found in males. CEI reduced mean arterial pressure to similar levels in all gender groups. Untreated males and ovx females given testosterone had significantly higher levels of urinary protein excretion than did the other groups, and CEI had no effect on proteinuria in any of the rats. These data suggest that the development of hypertension in SHR regardless of sex steroids is mediated by the renin-angiotensin system. However, the data further suggest that androgens promote the exacerbation of hypertension in male SHR via a mechanism involving the renin-angiotensin system.
Overview of algorithms for estimating swing modes from measured responses

Linear-system formulations are often used to describe power-system small-signal electromechanical dynamic properties. Over the past two decades, many techniques have been developed to conduct modal analysis using only actual-system measurements. Some techniques are appropriate for transient signals, others are for ambient signal conditions, and some are for conditions where a known probing signal is exciting the system. An overview of many of the more successful analysis techniques is presented. The theoretical background for these methods is summarized as well as application properties. Examples include computer simulations and actual system experiments from the western North American power system. Analysis goals center on estimating the modal frequency and damping.
Phase II trial of clofarabine and daunorubicin as induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia patients greater than or equal to 60 years of age

We designed a phase II study evaluating the upfront combination of clofarabine and daunorubicin in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients≥60 years old. The median age of the 21 patients was 69 (range 60-85) years. Fourteen patients (67%) had unfavorable risk features. The principal toxicities were grade ≥3 infections and prolonged myelosuppression. Three (14%) deaths occurred from infectious complications. Six (28.6%) patients achieved complete remission including three (21.4%) of 14 patients with unfavorable AML. The median disease-free survival was 6.8 months and the median overall survival was 11.2 months.
Persistence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of lettuce

Aims: The major objective of this study was to determine the effects of low levels of Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination on plant by monitoring the survival of the pathogen on the rhizosphere and leaf surfaces of lettuce during the growth process. Methods and Results: Real-time PCR and plate counts were used to quantify the survival of E. coli O157:H7 in the rhizosphere and leaf surfaces after planting. Real-time PCR assays were designed to amplify the stx1, stx2 and the eae genes of E. coli O157:H7. The detection limit for E. coli O157:H7 quantification by real-time PCR was 2·4 × 103 CFU g−1 of starting DNA in rhizosphere and phyllosphere samples and about 102 CFU g−1 by plate count. The time for pathogens to reach detection limits on the leaf surface by plate counts was 7 days after planting in comparison with 21 days in the rhizosphere. However, real-time PCR continued to detect stx1, stx2 and the eae genes throughout the experimental period. Conclusion: Escherichia coli O157:H7 survived throughout the growth period as was determined by real-time PCR and by subsequent enrichment and immunomagnetic separation of edible part of plants. Significance and impact of the Study: The potential presence of human pathogens in vegetables grown in soils contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 is a serious problem to our national food supply as the pathogen may survive on the leaf surface as they come in contact with contaminated soil during germination.
Chronic Bronchiolitis in Adults

Bronchiolitis (or bronchiolitis obliterans) primarily affects the small conducting airways (3 mm or less in diameter), with limited involvement of interstitium. The small airways, bronchioles, are divided into terminal (membranous) and respiratory bronchioles. Bronchiolitis results from damage to the bronchiolar epithelium resulting in some degree of inflammation, narrowing, or obliteration of the small airways. The severity and persistence of the injury may determine whether there is resolution and recovery or progression to a less reversible intramural or intraluminal fibrotic state. A clinical classification and a histopathologic classification are useful in defining cases of bronchiolitis. A surgical lung biopsy is frequently required to make a definitive diagnosis, especially if there is not a clear predisposition and typical HRCT. Treatment of the various forms of bronchiolitis depends upon the underlying cause or associated disorder.
A unified feature-based registration method for multimodality images

While mutual information-based methods have become popular for image registration, the question of what underlying feature to use is rarely discussed. Instead, it is implicitly assumed that intensity is the right feature to be matched. We depart from this tradition by first beginning with a set of feature images - the original intensity image and three directional derivative feature images. This "feature extraction" is performed on both images in a typical intermodality registration setup. Assuming the existence of a training set of registered images, we find the best projection onto a single feature image by maximizing the normalized mutual information (NMI) between the two images w.r.t. the projection weights. After discovering the best feature to match using normalized mutual information as the criterion, we use the same projection coefficients on new test images. We show that affine NMI-based registration of the test images using the new best "feature" is more noise resistant than using image intensity as the default feature. Results are shown on 2D coronal, axial and sagittal slices drawn from a 3D MRI volume of proton density (PD) and T2-weighted images.
Barely started and already left behind: a descriptive analysis of the mathematics ability demonstrated by young deaf children.

This study examined young deaf children’s early informal/ formal mathematical knowledge as measured by the Test of Early Mathematics Ability (TEMA-3). Findings from this study suggest that prior to the onset of formal schooling, young deaf children might already demonstrate evidence of academic delays. Of these 28 participants (4–6 years of age), for whom data were analyzed, none received a score on the TEMA-3, indicating above-‘‘average’’ ability according to normative ranking. More than half of participants received scores substantially below average with 11 participants receiving scores a year or more behind normative age-equivalent scores. Upon more focused analysis, specific areas of difficulty were found to include word/story problems, skip counting (i.e., counting by twos, threes, etc.), number comparisons, the reading/writing of two to three digit numbers, and addition/ subtraction number facts. A qualitative analysis of the answers participants gave and the behaviors they demonstrated while answering the test items was conducted and revealed possible explanations for why specific test items may have been challenging. Implications of findings for parents, early interventionists, and teachers of young deaf children are discussed.
Compound Resonators and Microweighing Sensors

Simplified derivations of the Quimby compound resonator (QCR) equations are provided, with their reduction to the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) forms, for both the originally assumed condition of negligible transducer piezocoupling, as well as for the much more interesting case where both the transducer and unknown possess arbitrary piezoelectric coupling factors. For the QCM configuration, the accuracy of the mass determination depends somewhat upon where the frequency measurements are made on the impedance circle. For the QCR situation where both transducer and measurand are piezoelectric, the piezocoupling may be determined along with the elastic coefficients, by alterations in the electrical boundary conditions.
Log-structured memory for DRAM-based storage

Traditional memory allocation mechanisms are not suitable for new DRAM-based storage systems because they use memory inefficiently, particularly under changing access patterns. In contrast, a log-structured approach to memory management allows 80-90% memory utilization while offering high performance. The RAMCloud storage system implements a unified log-structured mechanism both for active information in memory and backup data on disk. The RAMCloud implementation of log-structured memory uses a two-level cleaning policy, which conserves disk bandwidth and improves performance up to 6× at high memory utilization. The cleaner runs concurrently with normal operations and employs multiple threads to hide most of the cost of cleaning.
Hybrid hidden Markov model for mixed continuous/continuous and discrete/continuous data modeling

We propose a hybrid hidden Markov model (HMM) for mixed continuous/continuous and discrete/continuous outcomes. The Expectation-Maximization (EM) procedure used for the parameters estimation relies on a combination of local and global quantities that relate to outcomes of a specific type and to all outcomes, respectively. The new model is implemented for discrete outcomes and continuous outcomes that follow Gaussian, Dirichlet, and Gamma distributions. Experiments led with synthetic data show same or better modeling accuracy compared to a fully Gaussian HMM, with less parameters and thus a shorter convergence time for high dimensional data. Finally, the approach is validated with real data in a change detection scenario between a pair of images, one of which has been captured by an optic sensor and the other by a synthesis aperture radar (SAR) sensor. Based on the properties of the noises corrupting these images, a hybrid Gamma-Gaussian HMM is trained and the likelihood of the data with respect to the model is used to detect changes. The obtained results are in line with the most recent approaches for this task with the advantage of providing a very compact representation of the data.
Heterogeneity in Women’s Adherence and Its Role in Optimal Breast Cancer Screening Policies

Most major health institutions recommend women to undergo repeat mammography screening for early diagnosis of breast cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Although the proportion of women who ever had a mammogram is increasing, a majority of women do not get repeat mammograms. This paper analyzes the role of heterogeneity in women’s adherence on optimal mammography screening recommendations. We develop a dynamic modeling framework that considers imperfect and heterogeneous adherence to screening recommendations. We carefully calibrate our model and solve it using real data. Unlike the existing breast cancer screening guidelines, our results suggest that adherence and heterogeneity in women’s adherence behaviors should be explicitly considered. In particular, we find that when screening strategies are optimized assuming average adherence for everyone, the effect on patients with already low adherence would be relatively small, but patients with high adherence would be adversely ...
A clinical comparison of mitral valve repair versus valve replacement in ischemic mitral regurgitation

Severe mitral regurgitation caused by acute myocardial infarction has been a particularly difficult management problem with disappointing clinical results. Over a 75-month period, ending March 31, 1987, 611 patients underwent mitral valve operations at Duke University Medical Center. Within this group, 55 patients had clearly defined ischemic mitral regurgitation, and 37 of these required emergency operations. Thirty-one of the 55 patients had isolated posterior papillary muscle dysfunction, nine had papillary muscle rupture, and 15 had severe ventricular dysfunction and generalized annular dilatation. Thirty-two patients were treated with primary mitral valve replacement, and 23 had mitral valve repair. In 18, repair was accomplished by a transventricular approach, combining the techniques of commissural annuloplasty, papillary muscle shortening or reimplantation, and infarct exclusion. Transventricular mitral valve repair proved to be safe, expeditious, and effective in restoring valve competence. Although the repair and replacement groups were similar with respect to all relevant baseline characteristics, improved operative survival was observed after valve repair, as compared to replacement, both for the overall group (p = 0.03) and for acute papillary muscle dysfunction (p = 0.05). These data suggest that a policy of predominant mitral valve repair, when appropriately applied in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation, offers the potential for improving therapeutic results.
Flow-of-Funds Analysis in Farm Financial Management

A flow-of-funds approach to the business management problems of the family-operated farm is presented. Recorded and projected flow-of-funds statements, in connection with the conventional profit-and-loss and balance-sheet statements, are appropriate tools to aid in financial management and financial control. The probable financial consequences of management decisions, suggested by conventional budgets, can be projected and evaluated, especially the effect of the decisions on the cash-flow position of the farm-family complex. The flow-of-funds statement is illustrated and suggestions are made for its possible applications.
Professional Development for Promoting 21st Century Skills and Common Core State Standards in Foreign Language and Social Studies Classrooms

To help satisfy the pressing need for technology-related professional development for in-service teachers, the Global Academic Essentials Teacher Institute (GAETI) was implemented to provide in-service foreign language and social studies teachers with content, pedagogy, and technology explorations centered on the teaching of the Common Core State Standards and 21st Century Skills. Sixteen teachers attended the institute, which consisted of 20 days during the summer plus one follow-up day in September and one in March. The strongest aspects of GAETI were the demonstration activities that integrated subject-area content, successful pedagogies, and ways to effectively integrate the latest and most effective classroom technologies. Participants not only reflected positively on their experiences with GAETI but also showed a significant level of improvement in all dimensions of technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK). Improvement from pre to post-test was most pronounced in the four dimensions of TPACK most closely associated with technology.
Enhanced Ongoing Royalties: The (Sometimes) Inequitable Equitable Remedy

Since the Supreme Court’s 2006 decision in eBay v. MercExchange, courts in patent infringement cases have haphazardly assessed ongoing royalties after denying injunctive relief. Some courts have concluded that ongoing royalties should be set at compensatory levels, and others have set ongoing royalties at supracompensatory levels. In large part, this inconsistency stems from courts’ failures to evaluate traditional remedial principles, resulting in a disagreement about whether ongoing royalties should account for the defendant’s switching costs or the willfulness of the defendant’s future infringement.This article attempts to answer these questions. In doing so, it first examines the reasons that courts typically deny injunctive relief, looking to cases both in patent law and in other property contexts. It suggests that, in many cases, concerns for patentee opportunism underlie the denial of injunctive relief. The article then evaluates courts’ reasons for preferring ongoing royalties over other solutions, such as lump-sum damages or leaving the patentee to file another lawsuit after the defendant’s future infringement. Using insights gleaned from these rationales, this article argues that switching cost considerations and willfulness enhancements are usually improper components of an ongoing royalty, especially where opportunism concerns prompt the denial of the injunction.
A Preliminary Discussion of Russian Émigré Materials at the Library of Congress

Materials at the Library of Congress (LC) by and about Russian emigres take every form and are distributed throughout the library's many custodial divisions, classification schedules, catalogs, and Web pages. Identifying and locating these materials, whether in print, archival, or even digital collections, may require creative thinking and an understanding of the library's sometimes complex organization. The author attempts here to provide a preliminary overview of the library's Russian emigre collections and some guidance for beginning research on these collections. She includes examples as illustrations and inspiration for further research.
Preservice Music Teachers’ Perceptions of a Mentored Research Experience A Study Within a Study

The purpose of this descriptive case study was to examine three preservice teachers’ views of their participation in a mentored research study. Specific objectives included examining students’ perc...
Constraints on a Late Cretaceous uplift, denudation, and incision of the Grand Canyon region, southwestern Colorado Plateau, USA, from U-Pb dating of lacustrine limestone

The uplift and denudation of the Colorado Plateau is important in reconstructing the geomorphic and tectonic evolution of western North America. A Late Cretaceous (64 ± 2 Ma) U-Pb age for the Long Point limestone on the Coconino Plateau, which overlies a regional erosional surface developed on Permo-Triassic formations, supports unroofing of the Coconino Plateau part of Grand Canyon by that time. U-Pb analyses of three separate outcrops of this limestone gave ages of 64.0 ± 0.7, 60.5 ± 4.6, and 66.3 ± 3.9 Ma, which dates are older than a fossil-based, early Eocene age. Samples of the Long Point limestone were dated using the isotope dilution isochron method on well-preserved carbonates having high-uranium and low-lead concentrations. Our U-Pb ages on the Long Point limestone place important constraints on the (1) time of tectonic uplift of the southwestern Colorado Plateau and Kaibab arch, (2) time of denudation of the Coconino Plateau, and (3) Late Cretaceous models of paleocanyon incision west of, or across, the Kaibab arch. We propose that the age of the Long Point limestone, interbedded within the Music Mountain Formation in the Long Point area, represents a period of regional aggradation and a time of drainage blockage northward and eastward across the Kaibab arch, with possible diversion of northward drainage on the Coconino Plateau westward around the arch via a Laramide paleo-Grand Canyon.
Study on ~3H-MK-801 binding sites in rat brain by receptor autoradiography

Objective It has been found that NMDA receptor plays an important role not only in many physiological activities but also in the pathology of cerebral ischemia,epilepsy and some neuro degeneration disorders The purpose of the study was to determine the characteristics of NMDA receptor distribution in rat brain(level 29). Methods In this study, in vitro quantitative receptor autoradiography in rat brain tissue was used Results 3H MK 801 binding sites distributed widely and unevenly in rat brain sections with the highest concentration in the hippocampal formation(CA1DGmbDGlbCA3),followed by LA,Co,LD,CP,LH MDc,VPM,VPL and LHA in order Conclusions The characteristics of NMDA receptor distribution in rat brain can be showed by 3H MK 801 binding site densities in different brain regions NMDA receptors distribute widely and unevenly in rat brain with the highest density occurring in the CA1 area of the hippocampus,and the higher density in the lateral nucleus amygdala,cerebral cortex, striatum caudoputamen and thalamus,and the lowest in lateral hypothalamic area
Identification and review of mobile applications for travel medicine practitioners and patients

Advancements in technology have led to the development of medical applications (apps). Contents of 44 apps related to travel medicine were assessed demonstrating that many were updated infrequently and several developers had no medical background. There is an opportunity for healthcare professionals to develop apps in travel medicine.
Desmoid tumors of the chest wall. A locally recurrent problem.

Desmoid tumors, in general, are known for their propensity to recur. To evaluate treatment and results, we reviewed the records of 32 patients admitted to our institution with a chest wall desmoid tumor from 1948 to 1988. There were 13 men and 19 women whose ages ranged from 12 to 67 years (median 36 years). Four patients had Gardner's syndrome. Treatment was wide resection. Median follow-up was 110 months. The overall 5-year survival was 93%; 5-year disease-free survival was 71%. The 5-year local recurrence rate was 29%. Since death from disease is uncommon after resection, but local recurrence is common, we recommend aggressive wide resection in patients who have desmoid tumors of the chest wall when seen initially. (J T horac C ardiovasc S urg 1992; 104:900-3)
The External Effects of CSDP Missions

CSDP is a tool to help the EU and its member states to respond more rapidly and efficiently to regional and international crises, conflicts, and natural disasters. The rationale behind CSDP operations is to produce beneficial security outcomes for host states and societies, thereby reinforcing European and global security. Thus, Chapter 3 focuses on the external impact of CSDP operations on host states and societies: the government authorities and populations whom CSDP is designed to assist. CSDP is intended to improve security of the host state and society, to an extent that would not be achieved in the absence of a CSDP operation.
Correlating Filter Diversity with Convolutional Neural Network Accuracy

This paper describes three metrics used to asses the filter diversity learned by convolutional neural networks during supervised classification. As our testbed we use four different data sets, including two subsets of ImageNet and two planktonic data sets collected by scientific instruments. We investigate the correlation between our devised metrics and accuracy, using normalization and regularization to alter filter diversity. We propose that these metrics could be used to improve training CNNs. Three potential applications are determining the best preprocessing method for non-standard data sets, diagnosing training efficacy, and predicting performance in cases where validation data is expensive or impossible to collect.
The End of Phenomenology

(2017). The End of Phenomenology. Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology: Vol. 17, Positive Psychology and Phenomenology, pp. 1-4.
The Pathways Commission: On the Path to Success?

Abstract In 2010, the American Accounting Association (AAA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) organized the Pathways Commission to study the environment of accounting in higher education and discuss “educational pathways to engage and retain the strongest possible community of students, academics, practitioners, and other knowledgeable leaders in the practice and study of accounting” (Behn et al., 2012a). Alternative pathways to the Ph.D., the role of teaching in faculty evaluations, and the value of practitioner-oriented research are among the many issues addressed by the Commission in an effort to strengthen linkages between academics, practitioners, and accounting students. The objective of this research is to determine the practicality of implementing the proposed recommendations by the Pathways Commission. Since accounting faculty will be key players in the success of the Commission’s recommendations, we have surveyed faculty members from a wide range of institutions about both the appropriateness of the Commission’s recommendations and whether they can be practically implemented. This study provides an indication of the likelihood of success of the Commission’s recommendations. Keywords: Pathways Commission, accounting education change, faculty evaluation
Investigation of Tin as a Fuel Additive to Control FCCI

One method to control fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) in metallic fuel is through the use of an additive that inhibits FCCI. A primary cause of FCCI is the lanthanide fission products moving to the fuel periphery and interacting with the cladding. This interaction will lead to wastage of the cladding and eventually to a cladding breach. Tin is being investigated as a potential additive to control FCCI by reacting with the fission product lanthanides. The current study is a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization of a diffusion couple between U-10Zr-4.3Sn (wt%) and the 4 most abundant lanthanide fission products. As the lanthanides move into the fuel, they are interacting with and breaking down the Zr5Sn3 precipitates that formed during fresh fuel fabrication. This reaction produced Ln-Sn precipitates and δ phase (UZr2), which is conducive to normal fuel operation and increased burnups.
Imaginary Companions of Blind, Deaf, and Typically Developing School Children:

Having an imaginary companion (IC) during childhood is associated with developmental advantages. ICs also appear to persist and may serve as a coping mechanism for at-risk children. Few studies hav...
Cache correctness

In this paper, we investigate the problem of providing application scalability through the caching of data persisted in a database system. We develop algorithms for ensuring the cache remains semantically fresh while providing high availability. We utilize memory tables and hashmap indexes on the server to decrease access time to the data in the server.