cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Checklist for Assessing Graduate Student Competencies in Voice Disorders

Low-incidence clinical disorders such as voice, nasal resonance, and fluency present challenging areas for graduate-level speech-language pathology training programs to help students acquire necessary knowledge and skills. A checklist of competencies for fluency disorders exists in the literature. The authors are presently collecting pretest/posttest data on the fluency disorders checklist over several cohorts of graduate students to determine student level of proficiency and confidence regarding these competencies. Preliminary data analysis suggests significant student perception of growth as a result of completing course requirements. These data have been useful to the second author, who teaches a course in fluency disorders and utilizes the checklist for purposes of course design and case-based project development to help students gain competence. The authors observed that a similar checklist of competencies for voice disorders would be useful for training programs as well as for other reasons describe...
A calculating profession: Victorian actuaries among the statisticians.

Historians of science naturally tend to express interest in other forms of intellectual activity only when these intersect with science. This tendncy has produced a number of enlightening studies of what happens when science and (for instance) law or theology come into contact, but little by way of how science enters into the calculations and social status of such forms of knowledge after the conjuction has passed. Recent work in the sociology of professions, in contrast, has focused attention precisely on those moments when the expert knowledge produced by different group does not overlap. This has been the contribution of Andrew Abbortt's theory of “jurisdictional boundaries” between competing professions. The case of Victorian actuaries who worked hard to maintain unique intellectual claims in the competitive life insurance industry while maintainiing strong social connections and overlaps in knowledge with organized science, challenges the way both historians of science and sociologists of professions view contending knowledge claims. By observing what motivated actuaries to forge an alliance with men of science in the 1820s, then tracing their gradual recognition of a need to distance themselves from certain of the “scientific” values that had earlier informed their collective identity, it is possible to make sense of connections as well as disconnections between science and other forms of knowledge. A history of quantification from the actuaries' perspective, in other words, allows us to view science both as and in context.
Center for Statistical Ecology and Environmental Statistics

The Center for Statistical Ecology and Environmental Statistics is a unit in the Department of Statistics of the Pennsylvania State University and was initiated with Professor G.P. Patil as its founding director under a cooperative agreement between the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Pennsylvania State University as a formal substitute for the earlier Penn State Program in Statistical Ecology and Environmental Statistics in operation since 1969. The Center is the first of its kind in the nation and in the world, and enjoys a national and international reputation. Broad research areas of the Center relate to statistical ecology, environmental statistics, and quantitative risk analysis with emphasis on mathematical statistics, statistical methodology, and data interpretation and improvement for future use. The adopted approach is to advance statistics for environment, ecology, and environmental health, and to advance environmental and ecological theory and practice using valid statistics. Keywords: digital governance; cross-disciplinary classroom; Ecometrics and Environmetrics; Environmental and Ecological Statistics; Environmental Statistics; International Statistical Ecology Program; observational economy and environmental sampling; quantitative risk analysis; statistical ecology; Surveillance Geoinformatics
Secure time synchronization service for sensor networks

In this paper, we analyze attacks on existing time synchronization protocols for wireless sensor networks. We propose a secure time synchronization toolbox to counter these attacks. This toolbox includes protocols for secure pairwise and group synchronization of nodes that lie in each other's power ranges and of nodes that are separated by multiple hops. We provide an in-depth analysis of security and energy overhead of the proposed protocols.
Transit Bus Scheduling with Limited Energy

In this paper, we propose a vehicle-scheduling model for electric transit buses with either battery swapping or fast charging at a battery station, and a vehicle-scheduling model with the maximum route distance constraint for compressed natural gas, diesel, or hybrid-diesel buses. Both of these scheduling models are NP-hard. We develop column-generation-based algorithms to solve the scheduling problems. We conduct extensive case studies based on real-world instances and instances randomly generated in a practical setting. Our computational experiments show that our algorithms demonstrate very good computational performances. We also use real-world transit data to systematically analyze the number of buses needed, the total operational costs, and the vehicle emissions generated when compressed natural gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric buses are used in service.
Early Adjustment, Gender Differences, and Classroom Organizational Climate in First Grade

Abstract We examined gender differences in the first‐grade transition, exploring child and classroom contributions to self‐control and achievement in a rural sample. Teachers (n = 36) reported on children's (n = 172) initial adjustment difficulty and end‐of‐year self‐control. Observed classroom organization and teacher‐reported classroom chaos measured complementary aspects of classroom organizational climate. Children's literacy and mathematics skills were assessed in the fall and spring. Boys had more difficulty than girls adjusting to first grade, and initial adjustment fully explained gender differences in self‐control. Neither observed organization nor teacher‐reported chaos predicted self‐control, and there were no gender differences in achievement. However, children in well‐organized and low‐chaos classrooms achieved greater literacy gains than those in poorly organized and chaotic classrooms. Boys made greater gains in mathematics in low‐chaos classrooms, whereas no association existed between mat...
Developing natural resource models using the object modeling system: feasibility and challenges

Current challenges in natural resource management have created demand for integrated, flexible, and easily parameterized hydrologic models. Most of these monolithic models are not modular, thus modifications (e.g., changes in process representation) require considerable time, effort, and expense. In this paper, the feasibility and challenges of using the Object Modeling System (OMS) for natural resource model development will be explored. The OMS is a Java-based modeling framework that facilitates simulation model development, evaluation, and deployment. In general, the OMS consists of a library of science, control, and database modules and a means to assemble the selected modules into an application-specific modeling package. The framework is supported by data dictionary, data retrieval, GIS, graphical visualization, and statistical analysis utility modules. Specific features of the OMS that will be discussed include: 1) how to reduce duplication of effort in natural resource modeling; 2) how to make natural resource models easier to build, apply, and evaluate; 3) how to facilitate long-term maintainability of existing and new natural resource models; and 4) how to improve the quality of natural resource model code and ensure credibility of model implementations. Examples of integrating a simple water balance model and a large monolithic model into the OMS will be presented.
A burst modulation/demodulation method for short-packet wireless communication systems

This paper presents a burst modulation/demodulation method for narrowband wireless communication systems, whose traffic is especially dominated by short packet bursts. In order to improve transmission efficiency and burst synchronization performance, the proposed method provides a preamble-less frame structure with minimum number of training symbols. This paper also presents the experimentally measured performance of hardware prototypes of the proposed modulator and demodulator. The basic operation and practical performance are confirmed through testbed studies.
FANCB is essential in the male germline and regulates H3K9 methylation on the sex chromosomes during meiosis

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a recessive X-linked and autosomal genetic disease associated with bone marrow failure and increased cancer, as well as severe germline defects such as hypogonadism and germ cell depletion. Although deficiencies in FA factors are commonly associated with germ cell defects, it remains unknown whether the FA pathway is involved in unique epigenetic events in germ cells. In this study, we generated Fancb mutant mice, the first mouse model of X-linked FA, and identified a novel function of the FA pathway in epigenetic regulation during mammalian gametogenesis. Fancb mutant mice were infertile and exhibited primordial germ cell (PGC) defects during embryogenesis. Further, Fancb mutation resulted in the reduction of undifferentiated spermatogonia in spermatogenesis, suggesting that FANCB regulates the maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonia. Additionally, based on functional studies, we dissected the pathway in which FANCB functions during meiosis. The localization of FANCB on sex chromosomes is dependent on MDC1, a binding partner of H2AX phosphorylated at serine 139 (γH2AX), which initiates chromosome-wide silencing. Also, FANCB is required for FANCD2 localization during meiosis, suggesting that the role of FANCB in the activation of the FA pathway is common to both meiosis and somatic DNA damage responses. H3K9me2, a silent epigenetic mark, was decreased on sex chromosomes, whereas H3K9me3 was increased on sex chromosomes in Fancb mutant spermatocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that FANCB functions at critical stages of germ cell development and reveal a novel function of the FA pathway in the regulation of H3K9 methylation in the germline.
CAN TESTS FOR IgA, IgG, OR IgM ANTIBODIES TO CARDIOLIPIN OR PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE SUBSTITUTE FOR LUPUS ANTICOAGULANT ASSAYS IN SCREENING FOR ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES?

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APL) are detected by both ELISA and tests for lupus anticoagulants (LA). We evaluated ELISA tests for IgG, IgM, and IgA isotopes of antibodies binding cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidylserine (PS) in samples from LA patients presenting with recurrent miscarriages. All values were expressed in multiples of the normal median (MOM). In 32% (11/34) of cases, not only were all ELISA values at or below 2.5 MOM, but the distribution of these ELISA MOM values within the normal range was similar to distribution of values from LA negative controls with the same history. Neither the use of PS as the antigen nor the addition of IgA assays improved the correlation of ELISA results with the presence of LA. ELISAs are inadequate as the sole screening test for these separate, but often associated, families of APL.
Three findpath problems

Three findpath problems are considered. First, the problem of finding a collision-free trajectory for a tentacle manipulator is examined. Second, a new findpath algorithm for a mobile robot rover is presented. This algorithm differs from earlier ones in its use of quantitative information about the uncertainty in the position of the robot to keep the robot away from obstacles without going too near them and without going too far out of its way to avoid them. Third, a method for coordinating two moving arms so that they avoid collisions with each other is presented. The two-arm findpath algorithm here is restricted to cases where coordinated collision-free trajectories can be found by controlling the velocities of the arms. Each of these findpath problems suggests a heuristic to find its solution and these are discussed at the end of the paper.
Analysis of the demand for imported meat in Switzerland using a dynamic specification: Implications for the European Union

The study identifies the long-run equilibrium (steady-state) relationship of the demand for imported meat in Switzerland and the speed of adjustment of the short-run demand using the Error Correction Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (EC-LA/AIDS). Results indicate that imports of meat into Switzerland have a long-run equilibrium relationship with price and real expenditure. The study also finds that the demand for pork is price elastic, while the demand for beef, chicken, and mutton is price inelastic. Results will have important implications for the EU meat industry to adjust its export supply in response to changes in prices resulting from the bilateral trade agreements in which Switzerland is expected to reduce or abolish nontariff barriers, further open its market, and reduce or abolish all duties and export subsidies. [EconLit citations: Q110, Q130, Q170 © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 23: 497–510, 2007.
Wnt-5a inhibits the canonical Wnt pathway by promoting GSK-3–independent β-catenin degradation

Wnts are secreted signaling molecules that can transduce their signals through several different pathways. Wnt-5a is considered a noncanonical Wnt as it does not signal by stabilizing β-catenin in many biological systems. We have uncovered a new noncanonical pathway through which Wnt-5a antagonizes the canonical Wnt pathway by promoting the degradation of β-catenin. This pathway is Siah2 and APC dependent, but GSK-3 and β-TrCP independent. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Wnt-5a also acts in vivo to promote β-catenin degradation in regulating mammalian limb development and possibly in suppressing tumor formation.
THE MODE OF SPREAD OF A FRIEDLANDER BACILLUS-LIKE RESPIRATORY INFECTION OF MICE.

A spontaneous respiratory disease of mice incited by Friedlander like bacilli has been described. The bacilli inducing the disease, while morphologically and culturally indistinguishable from the usual varieties of Friedlander bacilli, are antigenically distinct from the common type strains known. The bacilli grow better in cultures at 23 degrees C. than at 37 degrees C. The disease in mice displayed an incubation period of about 48 hours. About 50 per cent of an exposed population succumbed to septicemic and acute hemorrhagic, pneumonic processes. Among the exposed animals were some individuals which remained apparently well and carried the pathogenic bacilli in their nasal passages. The several manifestations of the spontaneous disease were reproduced by instilling small numbers of the cultured bacilli into the nasal passages. 48 hours after inoculation, certain mice had already succumbed; the deaths continued to occur, so that by the end of the 2nd week, 70-80 per cent of the animals had died. Among the survivors certain carriers of the bacilli in the nasal passages occurred; a few appeared entirely refractory to the infection. The succumbing mice showed at autopsy and by culture septicemia and diffuse pneumonic inflammation. No fluctuation in virulence could be detected in bacilli derived from mice while the disease was spreading spontaneously at the periods of epidemic rise, interepidemic interval, or postepidemic quiescence. Moreover, the bacilli cultured from the nares of apparently healthy carriers were equally pathogenic with those taken from the blood and lungs of animals succumbing quickly. No rough colony variants were cultured at any phase of the spontaneous disease, although they were readily obtainable by artificial culture. The variant strains proved stable and of low virulence. This Friedlander bacilli infection in mice takes several clinical courses, depending on variations in host reaction and not depending on bacterial variation. The particular type of infection manifested is determined by the degree of resisting power displayed by the infected animals at the moment that the infection occurred and progressed.
SOME EFFECTS OF NITROGEN NUTRITION ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY OF MARROW‐STEM KALE

Marrow-stem kale plants grown on plots receiving frequent additions of sulphate of ammonia showed a 40% increase in length of internode and a 25% increase in number of nodes per plant, and the leaf size was increased by between 50 and 70% over plants in plots receiving no N fertilizer. Leaves of kale continue to increase in area until they turn yellow, and the high N leaves showed a greater rate of increase in area at every stage in the life of the leaf. Various features of leaf structure, such as stomatal index, and thickness of palisade and mesophyll, were unaffected by N treatment. The size of the epidermal cells of the leaves was very variable, and although the high N leaves showed a 12% increase in area per epidermal cell over the low N leaves, this difference is not statistically significant. The increased area of the high N leaves can therefore be attributed mainly to increased cell division during the life of the leaf. Only a very slight increase in rate of cell division is necessary to produce the observed effect. The greater leaf area of the high N plants can be attributed mainly to increased size of individual leaves, but there was also a significantly greater number of living functional leaves per plant on the high N plants; at 23 weeks from sowing the high N plants had an average of 13.4 living leaves, while the low N plants had only 11.7 living leaves per plant. There was an appreciable degree of N succulence in the high N kale leaves, which showed a 2% greater moisture content than the low N leaves. A seasonal drift in epidermal cell size, palisade thickness, and total leaf thickness, is shown to be fully significant, statistically. Marked variations in stomatal frequency are barely significant at the 5% level.
Ambient atmosphere effect on dry laser cleaning efficiencies for sub-micron particles on critical surfaces

The effects of viscous air drag and Brownian particle motion on dry laser cleaning efficiencies are discussed for 10/sup -2/-1 /spl mu/m spherical particle contaminants on critical surfaces.
Animal-Related Fatalities in the United States—An Update

Abstract Objective.—To evaluate the causes of human fatalities in the United States from 1991 to 2001 that were caused by venomous and nonvenomous animal encounters exclusive of zoonotic infections or animal-vehicle collisions. Methods.—An inquiry of CDC Wonder, a database for epidemiologic research, was used to provide information on animal-related fatalities on the basis of ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. Results.—From 1991 to 2001, 1943 persons died in the United States after venomous and nonvenomous animal encounters. An average of 177 fatalities per year were recorded. Venomous animal encounters were responsible for 39% of the fatalities. White males appear to be the group most likely to die from an encounter. Most fatalities occurred in the southern United States. Conclusions.—Although the average number of fatalities from animal encounters has increased compared with the previous decade, the death rate has remained essentially unchanged. The medical and financial costs from both fatal and nonfatal animal e...
Evaluation of Flooding for Cultural Control of Sparganothis sulfureana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Cranberry Bogs

We evaluated mortality of Sparganothis sulfureana (Clemens) caused by exposing submerged insects to hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions. Taking advantage of the harvest flood in New Jersey, we measured changes in dissolved oxygen (DO) in a cranberry bog and the mortality of first-instar larvae submerged for 1 d. The DO in floodwater rose to 9.2 ppm during the day, dropped during the night to 7.1 ppm at sunrise, and increased again during the morning. Larval mortality was 3.5 ± 2.1%. In the laboratory, we evaluated the effect of submerging first-instar larvae in water at different DO for 1 d. Larval mortality was similar in all treatments but tended to increase with submergence in water with low DO. When first- through third-instar larvae were submerged in water at 15°C and 6.1 ppm DO for different periods of time, their mortality increased with longer submergence. Although long submergence (9 d) caused substantial mortality of S. sulfureana larvae, especially second and third instars, we conclude that a flood of similar duration will likely not be used because if applied to nondormant vines it could potentially impact the cranberry plant. Two important cautions for future studies were identified: (1) mortality can be substantially overestimated if hypoxia-induced lethargy is mistaken for death and (2) the impact of hypoxia may be underestimated if delayed mortality after removal from the water is not considered.
Is the GUDID a GOOD IDea

It is well known that there are limitations to our assessment of safety and effectiveness of medical products due to the nature of clinical research. For example, clinical studies, when required, are designed to support safety and efficacy claims based upon data that have been gathered from only a
Low loss Si-SiO 2 -Si 8nm slot waveguides

Quasi-TM-mode propagation loss of 1.83 dB/cm at lambda = 1.565 mum is achieved in horizontal Si(amorphous)-SiO2-Si(crystalline) slot waveguides with 8.3 nm slots fabricated on silicon-on-insulator. Waveguide loss is measured using a ring resonator with Q ~ 3x105.
Cognitive Science: New horizons: Dynamical systems and situated cognition

Overview Throughout this book we have been working through some of the basic consequences of a single principle. This is the principle that cognition is information processing. It is in many ways the most important framework assumption of cognitive science. The historical overview in Part I explored how researchers from a number of different disciplines converged on the information-processing model of cognition in the middle of the twentieth century. In Part III we looked at different ways of thinking about information processing – the physical symbol system hypothesis and the neural networks model. Despite their very significant differences, the physical symbol system and neural network approaches share a fundamental commitment to the idea that cognitive activity is essentially a matter of transforming representational states that carry information about the agent and about the environment. In this chapter we turn to some of the new horizons opened up by two different ways of modeling cognitive abilities. Sections 13.1 and 13.2 explore how some cognitive scientists have proposed using the mathematical and conceptual tools of dynamical systems theory to model cognitive skills and abilities. One of the particular strengths of dynamical systems theory is the time-sensitivity that it offers. Dynamical models can be used to plot how a system evolves over time as a function of changes in a small number of system variables.
Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the β2-adrenergic receptor to donor hearts enhances cardiac function

Gene transfer to modify donor heart function during transplantation has significant therapeutic implications. Recent studies by our laboratory in transgenic mice have shown that overexpression of beta2-adrenergic receptors (beta2-ARs) leads to significantly enhanced cardiac function. Thus, we investigated the functional consequences of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the human beta2-AR in a rat heterotopic heart transplant model. Donor hearts received 1 ml of solution containing 1 x 1010 p.f.u. of adenovirus encoding the beta2-AR or an empty adenovirus as a control. Five days after transplantation, basal left ventricular (LV) pressure was measured using an isolated, isovolumic heart perfusion apparatus. A subset of hearts was stimulated with the beta2-AR agonist, zinterol. Treatment with the beta2-AR virus resulted in global myocardial gene transfer with a six-fold increase in mean beta-AR density which corresponded to a significant increase in basal contractility (LV + dP/dtmax, control: 3152.1 +/- 286 versus beta2-AR, 6250.6* +/- 432.5 mmHg/s; n = 10, *P < 0.02). beta2-AR overexpressing hearts also had higher contractility after zinterol administration compared with control hearts. Our results indicate that myocardial function of the transplanted heart can be enhanced by the adenovirus-mediated delivery of beta2-ARs. Thus, genetic manipulation may offer a novel therapeutic strategy to improve donor heart function in the post- operative setting.
Signal amplification in enzyme-based amperometric biosensors.

A unique mode of current amplification was investigated in reagentless biosensors based on the clinically significant enzymes including alcohol dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glucose oxidase. The biosensors were designed by sandwiching the enzyme–polymer film between an electrode and Nafion film. In particular, each enzyme and its cofactor were covalently attached to the chains of polysaccharide chitosan and mixed with carbon nanotubes on the electrode surface. The coating of such biosensors with Nafion resulted in the current increase by up to 1000%, depending on the enzyme. The results were analyzed considering the interplay between the enzyme activity–pH profiles and the Nafion-induced pH increase in the underlying chitosan film. The data were collected by using the rapid (<5 min) amperometric enzyme assays and pH-sensitive iridium oxide films. The increase in the biosensor current was attributed to the pH-driven increase in the enzyme activity...
Effects of Non-Specific Immunostimulation of Prepartum Mares on Colostral Quality and Foal Immune Function1

Abstract Only a few reports exist in the literature concerning the types of leukocytes present in the colostrum and milk of mares. Recent studies in other farm animals suggest a role for colostral leukocytes in the transfer of immunity from dam to neonate. This report investigated the influence of EqStim® (Propionobacterium acnes; Immunovet, Tampa, FL) and levamisole, two immunomodulators, on colostral quality of mares and immune function of their foals in the immediate postpartum period. Although no enhancement in colostral quality or the immune function of foals by either immunomodulator was detected, no negative side effects to either treatment were observed. In addition, we believe this to be the first report to characterize the population of leukocytes present in colostrum obtained from clinically healthy mares. The mean percentage (± SE) of neutrophils, macrophages, epithelial cells, and lymphocytes was 13.2 (± 4.99), 22.4 (± 8.57), 1.3 (± 0.52), and 63.2 (± 9.23), respectively. This profile of cell types present in the colostrum of the mare provides a reference point for future studies investigating the role of colostral leukocytes in the transfer of immunity from mare to foal.
Characteristics of natal and non-natal kit fox dens in the northern Chihuahuan Desert

We studied kit fox den characteristics of the northern McGregor Range of Fort Bliss Military Reservation, New Mexico, during 1994 to 1995. Twenty radio-collared kit foxes used 132 different dens, including 16 natal dens. Kit fox dens were located primarily in creosote-dominated habitat found in relatively flat, well-drained terrain. Natal dens were virtually indistinguishable from non-natal dens; however, natal den entrances were taller than non-natal den entrances. Entrances found at all dens were oriented more frequently toward the northwest and southwest. Kit foxes used more dens during the breeding (January-February) and pup-rearing season (May-July) than during gestation.
Violent Crime: Assault, Rape, Robbery

In addition to criminal homicide, the main forms of serious violent crime are aggravated assault, forcible rape, and robbery. Technically, assault refers to placing another in fear of bodily harm. Battery designates the actual process of bringing about injury of another person. Thus the phrase, Assault and battery. Aggravated assault is the common term for serious, felonious assault and battery. Minor assaults are misdemeanors and are not emphasized here. Generally speaking, aggravated assault is said to occur when at least one of the following criteria is met: the assailant intended to commit a more serious crime such as murder or rape, a deadly weapon was used, or severe bodily injury resulted. Attacks on police officers are usually designated as aggravated assault even if none of these criteria is met.
A Comparison of Sexual Health and Sexual Behaviors by Sexual Orientation among Hispanic Men Residing along the US-Mexico Border:

Background/significance:High rates of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) related to high-risk sexual behaviors are a public health problem in the United States. Hispanics have the second highest rates of HIV infection among racial/ethnic minorities. Previous research with Hispanic men has identified a number of factors that influence sexual risk and render Hispanic men at risk for HIV/STIs that vary by sexual orientation. Despite these differences in sexual risk by sexual orientation, no study to date has compared the sexual behaviors of Hispanic men by sexual orientation.Objective:The purpose of this study was to compare the sexual behaviors of a sample of Hispanic men residing along the US-Mexico border by sexual orientation.Method:A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 103 Hispanic men in a US-Mexico border community. The sample included fifty heterosexual men and fifty-three men who have sex with men (MSM). Participants completed two measures of...
Communicating with participants during the conduct of multi-center clinical trials.

Background:Communicating with trial participants is an important aspect of study conduct, relevant for informed consent and respect for participants. Group teleconferences are one means to convey information to trial participants. We used group teleconferences during an ongoing large-scale clinical trial to communicate important trial updates.Methods:The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Exploratory Trials in Parkinson’s Disease Longitudinal Study-1 trial studied creatine for treatment of early-stage Parkinson’s disease. A total of 1741 participants enrolled at 45 sites in the United States and Canada to take part in a double-blind randomized trial of 5 years of treatment with creatine versus placebo. The study leadership held two teleconferences with study participants and their caregivers after each of two pre-specified interim analyses, for a total of four teleconferences. Each agenda included a presentation by study leadership followed by an open question and answer period. Telec...
Internet-of-Things Based Smart Resource Management System: A Case Study Intelligent Chair System

Internet of Things (IoT) involves connecting physical objects to the Internet, to provide opportunities to build smart systems or applications by leveraging Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), and universal mobile accessibility advanced technologies. In this paper, we propose an Internet-of-Things Based Smart Resource Management System. To further prove the concept, we implement a case study of Intelligent Chair system, where the chairs are connected to the internet. To be specific, the Intelligent Chair system includes an assembled Arduino system, which is responsible for scanning user ID, obtaining chair occupancy status, and then sending that information to the cloud server. The collected data stored on the cloud can be retrieved at anytime anywhere, and can be displayed on an Android application with authorized user. Additionally, the analyzed data can be used in various commercial/educational systems such as students attendance checking, tutor time tracking management, and dynamic ticketing system. Finally, the energy consumption of the Intelligent Chair system is tested and analyzed in this work.
Impact of body mass index and gender on wound complications after lower extremity arterial surgery

Abstract Objective Wound complications (WCs) after lower extremity arterial surgery (LEAS) are common, resulting in readmissions and reinterventions. Whereas diabetes and obesity are known risk factors for WCs, gender-specific variability in body fat distribution (android vs gynoid) may drive differential risks of WCs after LEAS. We analyzed the independent and synergistic effects of gender and body mass index (BMI) on WCs. Methods We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from a published, randomized, multicenter trial assessing the incidence of WCs (dehiscence, surgical site infections, seroma, and hematoma) after LEAS. Postoperative outcomes were compared between genders. A multivariable regression model assessed the impact of gender and BMI on WCs. Subanalysis focused on the synergy of gender and body habitus, groin-only incisions, and clinical outcomes. Results There were 502 patients who underwent LEAS between October 2010 and September 2013. The cohort was elderly (67.6 ± 10.5 years), mostly male (72%), and overweight (BMI, 27.6 ± 5.7); 225 (45%) patients had a groin-only incision. In 171 patients (37.9%), a WC developed within 30 days, 85% of which were infectious in etiology. On multivariable regression, obesity (odds ratio [OR], 2.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-3.77), morbid obesity (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.32-6.23), and female gender (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06-2.75) were independent predictors of infectious WCs at 30 days. When stratified by groin-only incision, BMI was no longer significant, but female gender (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.24-5.87) was predictive of infectious WCs at 30 days. There was no synergistic effect of BMI and gender on WCs. Conclusions WCs are common after LEAS. BMI is an independent risk factor for the development of any WC. Female gender, a potential surrogate for high hip to waist ratio body habitus, is also an independent predictor of groin WCs, suggesting the clinical importance of gynoid vs android fat distribution.
A systematic review finds limited data on measurement properties of instruments measuring outcomes in adult intensive care unit survivors.

Abstract Background and Objective There is a growing number of studies evaluating the physical, cognitive, mental health, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes of adults surviving critical illness. However, there is little consensus on the most appropriate instruments to measure these outcomes. To inform the development of such consensus, we conducted a systematic review of the performance characteristics of instruments measuring physical, cognitive, mental health, and HRQOL outcomes in adult intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and The Cochrane Library in March 2015. We also conducted manual searches of reference lists of eligible studies and relevant review articles. Two people independently selected studies, completed data abstraction, and assessed the quality of eligible studies using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) initiative checklist. Results We identified 20 studies which explicitly evaluated measurement properties for 21 different instruments assessing outcomes in ICU survivors. Eleven of the instruments assessed quality of life, with few instruments assessing other domains. Of the nine measurement properties evaluated on the COSMIN checklist, six were assessed in Conclusions Although an increasing number of studies measure physical, cognitive, mental health, and HRQOL outcomes in adult ICU survivors, data on the measurement properties of such instruments are sparse and generally of poor to fair quality. Empirical analyses evaluating the performance of instruments in adult ICU survivors are needed to advance research in this field.
738. Engineered MicroRNA Silences C9ORF72 Variants in BAC Transgenic Mouse

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult-onset neurodegenerative disease that affects upper and lower motor neurons causing progressive muscle weakening. Respiratory failure is ultimately the cause of death approximately 2-5 years after symptom onset. The recent discovery of an expanded hexanucleotide repeat located in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72(C9ORF72) now accounts for the majority of familial ALS cases as well as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases. Analysis of patient brain samples have shown that in the presence of the expansion, C9ORF72 mRNA is reduced and RNA sequences complimentary to the expansion aggregate into nuclear foci. Interestingly this RNA can translate by non-ATG repeat associated (RAN) translation into long dipeptide chains. These findings have led to the three following hypothesis on the pathogenies of C9ORF72: 1) An RNA gain-of-function, in which the expanded RNA foci sequester RNA binding and/or splicing proteins. 2) RAN translation from the repeat expansion generates inclusions of toxic poly-dipeptide proteins. 3) Haploinsufficiency, where decreased levels of mRNA lead to insufficient gene product. Our group has generated mice containing a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) composed of exons 1-6 of the human C9ORF72 gene and a 500 repeat hexanucleotide expansion. This mouse model recapitulates the major histopathological features seen in human ALS/FTD patients such as: lower levels of C9ORF72 mRNA, RNA nuclear foci, and the RAN translation products. We have used this mouse as a platform in which to test RNAi therapeutic strategies. To this end we have designed artificial microRNAs that target the human C9ORF72 gene with the purpose of decreasing the mRNA levels to determine if we can reduce the toxic RNA foci and/or RNA dipeptide proteins. We packaged one of the microRNAs into a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) serotype 9 to use with primary neuron cultures and in vivo experiments. Silencing was initially validated in primary cortical neurons from the C9ORF72 mouse model. Our results suggest that AAV9-mediated microRNA not only reduced the mRNA levels of C9ORF72 but also decreased the presence of the most abundant poly dipeptide (GP). Currently, experiments are underway to silence C9orf72 in vivo via intra cranial ventricular (ICV) injection of this microRNA in C9ORF72 transgenic pups and the results will be presented at the meeting.
Phosphorus Furnace Operations. How are they affected by various types of phosphate charges

The results of phosphorus-furnace tests with different phosphate charges have shown that furnaces can be operated satisfactorily with uncalcined phosphates. However, calcination of the phosphates improves operating characteristics of the furnace and reduces electrical energy requirements. When phosphates contain significant amounts of clay as an impurity, agglomeration and induration of the agglomerates are essential for successful phosphorus furnace operation. The use of uniformly sized phosphates, carbon, and silica decreases the tendency for segregation inside the furnace and improves furnace performance.
THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF SERIAL STRESS MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IMAGING IN ASYMPTOMATIC END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENTS AWAITING KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION

Background: The role of serial SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for CAD surveillance in asymptomatic ESRD patients awaiting kidney transplantation (KT) is controversial. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, we analyzed consecutive asymptomatic KT candidates who had 2 MPI studies within 5
C1 neurons mediate a stress-induced anti-inflammatory reflex in mice

C1 neurons, located in the medulla oblongata, mediate adaptive autonomic responses to physical stressors (for example, hypotension, hemorrhage and presence of lipopolysaccharides). We describe here a powerful anti-inflammatory effect of restraint stress, mediated by C1 neurons: protection against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Restraint stress or optogenetic C1 neuron (C1) stimulation (10 min) protected mice from ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The protection was reproduced by injecting splenic T cells that had been preincubated with noradrenaline or splenocytes harvested from stressed mice. Stress-induced IRI protection was absent in Chrna7 knockout (a7nAChR-/-) mice and greatly reduced by destroying or transiently inhibiting C1. The protection conferred by C1 stimulation was eliminated by splenectomy, ganglionic-blocker administration or β2-adrenergic receptor blockade. Although C1 stimulation elevated plasma corticosterone and increased both vagal and sympathetic nerve activity, C1-mediated IRI protection persisted after subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or corticosterone receptor blockade. Overall, acute stress attenuated IRI by activating a cholinergic, predominantly sympathetic, anti-inflammatory pathway. C1s were necessary and sufficient to mediate this effect.
Mediated Growth of Zinc Chalcogen Shells on Gold Nanoparticles by Free-Base Amino Acids

Herein, we report a method that uses free-base amino acids to mediate the controlled hydrothermal growth of amorphous zinc oxide (a-ZnO) or nanocrystalline zinc sulfide (c-ZnS) shells on gold nanoparticles. By screening through a set of 13 candidate amino acids, we have identified four as being capable of mediating inorganic shell growth using an aqueous, low-temperature, one-pot process. In particular, unaggregated and monodisperse sols of exceptional quality are produced using l-histidine, which preserves colloidal stability and mediates the growth of continuous and remarkably uniform a-ZnO shells with a tunable thickness between 2 and 25 nm while avoiding the nucleation of free particles. By coupling spectral extinction measurements with generalized Mie theory calculations, we estimated the complex refractive index of the a-ZnO shell to be 1.47 + i0.09. It is expected not only that our Au@a-ZnO core–shell particles are suitable for both energy and biological applications but also that our process for g...
Arte de Conducta : On Tania Bruguera’s Tatlin’s Whisper Series

This chapter explores Tania Bruguera’s Tatlin’s Whisper series (2006–present) as enactments of an artistic practice that wants to be directly inserted in reality. First, I trace the genealogy of Arte de Conducta as a reaction against the Anglo-European category of “Performance” art, which anchors her work to a cultural tradition outside of the English-speaking context. Then, I discuss how Bruguera’s practice is informed by her engagement with the Escuela de Conducta Eduardo Marante, a short-lived correctional project that sought to re-educate and reintegrate Cuban youths into society. It concludes with an analysis of the Tatlin’s Whisper series and how they activate images from the past to catalyse a critical awareness of the now, and by extension of the future.
"It's all up here": adaptation and improvisation within the modern project

This paper considers organisational improvisation, and in particular, adaptation as a specific component of improvisational work(Miner et al., 2001), and how it may assist in resolving or assisting with some of the challenges surrounding recent shifts in our understanding of project-based management. Examples focus on the use of adaptation to cope with ambiguity and uncertainty, caused by execution in problematic and turbulent organisational environments. The literature on improvisation suggests that adapting previously successful interventions reduces and manages the risk of improvising by engaging with the 'adaptation component of organisational improvisation. This practice assists in ensuring that the additional risk of completely novel activity is avoided. This paper explores adaptation within the project domain, and also unpicks the rhetoric from the reality of adaptation within projects, confirming its benefits, setting out the circumstances where experience informs the practice, and offering readily usable and applicable insights.
Live condition monitoring of switching devices using SSTDR embedded PWM sequence: A platform for intelligent gate-driver architecture

In this paper, Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR) has been implemented for the first time across the gate and the source of a power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) to perform the online degradation monitoring of switching devices as well as the overall converter. To accomplish this, the SSTDR test signal is superimposed with the pulse width modulated (PWM) sequence and the reflected signals from the impedance discontinuities were processed to measure the degradation level of the MOSFET. This superimposed signal can provide device degradation information in a live circuit without altering the circuit's normal operation, and this is the most attractive feature of SSTDR. This unique feature makes this system very efficient for in-situ condition monitoring of power converters in a live circuit especially where high voltages are involved. The aim of this research is to present a platform for intelligent gate-driver architecture that enables real-time health monitoring of high-power semiconductor switches in addition to providing conventional current buffering and protection features. Finally, this in-situ monitoring was conducted on a DC-DC Buck converter, and multiple sets of test data were analyzed to verify the feasibility of the proposed technique. The experimental results demonstrate that the SSTDR test data are consistent with the aging of the power MOSFETs and do not affect the switching performance of the modulation process. The developed technique can also be applied to other power devices such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs.
Sleep, Psychological Trauma, and Quality of Life

This chapter explores the interface among sleep patterns, psychological trauma, and quality of life. This chapter is written with the conceptual model, health-related quality of life (HRQL), as the backdrop for understanding the relationships between sleep, psychological trauma, and HRQL. It incorporates an understanding of the interrelationship of health, biological, social, and psychological markers as it relates to a person’s HRQL. Under this framework, sleep acts as a biological variable that intersects with psychological trauma causing alterations in HRQL. In this chapter, we 1) review the current literature on the characteristics and uniqueness of sleep disturbances that are associated with a psychological trauma, 2) examine the relationship among: sleep, psychological trauma, and quality of life among select groups, and 3) focus on empirical gaps present in our knowledge related to trauma, sleep, and quality of life.