cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on Corporate Governance: Shareholder Activism in the Obama Era

The first decade of the new millennium has seen repeated efforts by corporate governance activists to extend the shareholder franchise and otherwise empower shareholders to take an active governance role. The major stock exchanges, for example, implemented new listing standards expanding the number of corporate compensation plans that must be approved by shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) and the Model Business Corporation Act (MBCA) were amended to allow corporations to require a majority vote – rather than the traditional plurality – to elect directors. The financial crisis of 2008, the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States, the expansion of Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, and the installation of a Democratic majority at the Securities and Exchange Commission gave these efforts renewed impetus. Echoing such constituencies as unions and state and local government pension plans, Washington Democrats blamed the financial crisis in large part on corporate governance failures. Accordingly, much of their response took the form of new shareholder entitlements. The Department of Treasury's implementation rules for the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), for example, contained a so-called say-on-pay provision requiring TARP-recipient institutions to hold an annual nonbinding shareholder vote on executive compensation. Senator Charles Schumer's (D-NY) proposed Shareholder Bill of Rights Act “would add a new Section 14A to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requiring each proxy statement covered by it to provide for a non-binding shareholder vote on executive compensation as disclosed in the proxy statement,” as well as requiring shareholder approval of golden parachutes in certain acquisition transactions.
Community Development and Community Resilience: An Integrative Approach

Throughout history, communities and civilizations have sought to enhance the quality of community life and the well-being of its people. However, more recently there has been greater interest in attending to the details of community development by capitalizing on the improved ability to capture community well-being and successes scientifically. That interest invites greater attention to the development of indicators that can quantify those qualities of life that lead to strong and healthy communities. The selection of meaningful indicators is dependent upon several factors including a process that stimulates meaningful involvement of community stakeholders, but the single most important is the identification of an underlying model to guide the work. Indicators do not have meaning in themselves. For these measures to provide a coherent assessment of the community, an integrative approach to understanding what constitutes a healthy and strong community in a dynamic environment is required. A resilience pers...
A meta-analysis of the efficacy of intraperitoneal cisplatin for the front-line treatment of ovarian cancer.

Hess LM, Benham-Hutchins M, Herzog TJ, Hsu C-H, Malone DC, Skrepnek GH, Slack MK, Alberts DS. A meta-analysis of the efficacy of intraperitoneal cisplatin for the front-line treatment of ovarian cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2007;17:561-570. Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. First-line chemotherapy offered to patients with ovarian cancer generally consists of an intravenous (IV) platinum plus taxane regimen and has remained virtually unchanged for the past 10 years. A number of recently completed phase III randomized trials in the United States have reported improved progression-free sur- vival (PFS) and/or overall survival (OS) with the intraperitoneal (IP) administration of cisplatin. The pur- pose of this study was to pool the published data to perform a meta-analysis of randomized trials of IP cisplatin in the initial chemotherapy treatment of ovarian cancer patients. This study was initiated to obtain a more valid estimate of the therapeutic impact of IP treatment for these patients. A search strategy was initiated that searched published findings of randomized trials of IP cisplatin therapy from multiple sources from January 1990 through January 2006. Six randomized trials of 1716 ovarian cancer patients were identified and included in this analysis. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for PFS of IP cisplatin as com- pared to IV treatment regimens is 0.792 (95% CI: 0.688-0.912, P ¼ 0.001), and the pooled HR for OS is 0.799 (95% CI: 0.702-0.910, P ¼ 0.0007). These findings strongly support the incorporation of an IP cisplatin regi- men to improve survival in the front-line treatment of stage III, optimally debulked ovarian cancer.
Reduction of New Coronary Events and New Atherothrombotic Brain Infarction in Older Persons With Diabetes Mellitus, Prior Myocardial Infarction, and Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ≥125 mg/dl Treated With Statins

Background. We report the incidence of new coronary events and new atherothrombotic brain infarction (ABI) in older men and women with diabetes mellitus, prior myocardial infarction, and a serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol of � 125 mg/dl treated with statins and with no lipid-lowering drug. Methods. The incidence of new coronary events and of new ABI was investigated in an observational prospective study of 529 diabetics, mean age 79 � 9 years, with prior myocardial infarction and a serum LDL cholesterol of � 125 mg/dl treated with statins (279 persons or 53%) and no lipid-lowering drug (250 persons or 47%). Follow-up was 29 � 18 months. Results. At follow-up, the stepwise Cox regression model showed that after controlling for other risk factors, the use of statins was associated with a 37% significant independent reduction in the incidence of new coronary events and with a 47% significant independent reduction in the incidence of new ABI. Conclusions. Use of statins was associated with a 37% significant, independent reduction in new coronary events and a 47% significant, independent reduction in new ABI in older men and women with diabetes mellitus, prior myocardial infarction, and a serum LDL cholesterol of � 125 mg/dl. Elderly diabetics with prior myocardial infarction and increased serum LDL cholesterol should especially be treated with statins.
Genome of the Extremely Radiation-Resistant Bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans Viewed from the Perspective of Comparative Genomics

The bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans shows remarkable resistance to a range of damage caused by ionizing radiation, desiccation, UV radiation, oxidizing agents, and electrophilic mutagens. D. radiodurans is best known for its extreme resistance to ionizing radiation; not only can it grow continuously in the presence of chronic radiation (6 kilorads/h), but also it can survive acute exposures to gamma radiation exceeding 1,500 kilorads without dying or undergoing induced mutation. These characteristics were the impetus for sequencing the genome of D. radiodurans and the ongoing development of its use for bioremediation of radioactive wastes. Although it is known that these multiple resistance phenotypes stem from efficient DNA repair processes, the mechanisms underlying these extraordinary repair capabilities remain poorly understood. In this work we present an extensive comparative sequence analysis of the Deinococcus genome. Deinococcus is the first representative with a completely sequenced genome from a distinct bacterial lineage of extremophiles, the Thermus-Deinococcus group. Phylogenetic tree analysis, combined with the identification of several synapomorphies between Thermus and Deinococcus, supports the hypothesis that it is an ancient group with no clear affinities to any of the other known bacterial lineages. Distinctive features of the Deinococcus genome as well as features shared with other free-living bacteria were revealed by comparison of its proteome to the collection of clusters of orthologous groups of proteins. Analysis of paralogs in Deinococcus has revealed several unique protein families. In addition, specific expansions of several other families including phosphatases, proteases, acyltransferases, and Nudix family pyrophosphohydrolases were detected. Genes that potentially affect DNA repair and recombination and stress responses were investigated in detail. Some proteins appear to have been horizontally transferred from eukaryotes and are not present in other bacteria. For example, three proteins homologous to plant desiccation resistance proteins were identified, and these are particularly interesting because of the correlation between desiccation and radiation resistance. Compared to other bacteria, the D. radiodurans genome is enriched in repetitive sequences, namely, IS-like transposons and small intergenic repeats. In combination, these observations suggest that several different biological mechanisms contribute to the multiple DNA repair-dependent phenotypes of this organism.
REACTIONS OF MONKEYS TO EXPERIMENTAL MIXED INFLUENZA AND STREPTOCOCCUS INFECTIONS : AN ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIVE ROLES OF HUMORAL AND CELLULAR IMMUNITY, WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF AN INTERCURRENT NEPHRITIC SYNDROME

1. The vital importance of the cellular defense forces in the resistance of the monkey to combined streptococcus and influenza virus infections has been demonstrated. 2. Some of the conditions prejudicial to the maintenance of an optimum cellular reserve in the infected animal have been revealed; viz., undernutrition, physical cold, intratracheal route of infection. 3. The potential threat exerted by latent foci of streptococci, and the importance, in relation to the combined infection with virus, of cellular and humoral immunity, together or separately, have been demonstrated. The essential role of optimum nutrition (notably as concerns the vitamin B complex, and folic acid specifically) in the prevention of disastrous illness from these infectious agents, individually or in combination, would seem to have been proven. 4. Signs of glomerular nephritis appeared in a significant number of monkeys receiving Streptococcus hemolyticus and influenza virus in sequence, followed by reinoculation or spontaneous reappearance of the streptococci. 5. Reinoculation of Streptococcus hemolyticus, group C, resulted in a prompt "booster" increase in the opsonic index. Virus instillation was followed by just as sudden a depression in this index. 6. Reinoculation failed to evoke either the granulocytosis or the leucopenia in monkeys which are characteristic effects of the streptococcus and the virus respectively when these agents are introduced for the first time by way of the nasal mucous membrane. 7. Simultaneous intranasal inoculation of influenza virus, type A, and Streptococcus hemolyticus, group C, in nutritionally normal Macaca mulatta failed to produce obvious signs of disease. In most of the animals, however, a streptococcus-induced leucocytosis followed by a delayed virus-induced granulopenia developed. 8. Inoculation of influenza virus followed in 4 to 17 days by streptococci produced obvious signs of disease in five of eleven animals which had become leucopenic as result of the action of the virus, and fatal streptococcal septicemia in two monkeys. 9. The development of signs of infection in previously healthy monkeys exposed to virus followed by streptococci confirms both the clinical and laboratory experience of other observers, that virus infection may predispose to secondary bacterial invasion, and, that at times, under unfavorable circumstances, the infection may become overwhelming. Although the complete mechanism of resistance is as yet not wholly clear, the depressant or inhibitory effect of the virus on both its cellular and humoral elements has been established.
A fast Fourier transform compiler

The FFTW library for computing the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) has gained a wide acceptance in both academia and industry, because it provides excellent performance on a variety of machines (even competitive with or faster than equivalent libraries supplied by vendors). In FFTW, most of the performance-critical code was generated automatically by a special-purpose compiler, called genfft, that outputs C code. Written in Objective Caml, genfft can produce DFT programs for any input length, and it can specialize the DFT program for the common case where the input data are real instead of complex. Unexpectedly, genfft "discovered" algorithms that were previously unknown, and it was able to reduce the arithmetic complexity of some other existing algorithms. This paper describes the internals of this special-purpose compiler in some detail, and it argues that a specialized compiler is a valuable tool.
The effect of resting blood flow occlusion on exercise tolerance and W

It has previously been postulated that the anaerobic work capacity (W′) may be utilized during resting blood flow occlusion in the absence of mechanical work. We tested the hypothesis that W′ would...
GENERALIZATION OF AND EFFECTS OF PRE-EXPOSURE ON COLOR-AVOIDANCE LEARNING BY RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS (AGELAIUS PHOENICEUS)

We report two experiments designed to assess whether quality of color (and shades) influences food-aversion learning by Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). In Experiment 1, Red-wings were given food paired with one of two shades of red or green followed by toxicant-induced sickness. In subsequent tests for generalization of the learned aversions, avoidance of red was generalized broadly to other shades of red, whereas avoid- ance of green appeared to be relatively stimulus specific. In Experiment 2, we pre-exposed Red-wings to a single shade of red or green in a feeding context for 4 days. Then the birds were conditioned as in Experiment 1 and tested for expression of learned color aversions. Although pre-exposure weakened expression of aversions to both colors, such effects were more pronounced for green. The effects were greater for birds pre-exposed to the condi- tioning color in close association with the food than for birds pre-exposed to the condition- ing color away from food. Generalization of conditioned aversions and resistance to the effects of pre-exposure may reflect adaptations of Red-wings for prey selection. It would appear adaptive for birds to generalize avoidance learning broadly for conspicuously col- ored, noxious prey and to exhibit such learning regardless of prior experience with the color. Conversely, because few cryptically colored (e.g. green) prey are noxious, it would be adap- tive for learning to be specific for the noxious individuals alone. Finally, we believe that the generalization of learned aversions could serve as a useful criterion in selecting appro- priate color stimuli for use in bird control (i.e. repellency) and that the methods presented here could provide one empirical means of assessing such generalizations. Received 24 June 1982, accepted 3 January 1983.
An evaluation of sex- and ancestry-specific variation in sacral size and shape using geometric morphometrics.

Objectives Sex estimation using the human sacrum has primarily been limited to the use of non-statistical, visual observations of sacral size and shape with no quantifiable measure of certainty. Qualitative sex estimates rely primarily on generalizations of two aspects of sacral morphology: dorso-ventral curvature and the S1/alae breadth ratio. Additionally, the use of sacral morphology for ancestry estimation has largely been ignored. The goals of this study are to detail sex- and ancestry-specific variation in sacral form using geometric morphometrics and to evaluate the contributions of dorso-ventral curvature and the S1/alae breadth ratio to such variation. Materials and Methods Twenty-five sacral landmarks were digitized from a sample of 201 human individuals of known sex, age, and ancestry at the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection. Three-dimensional coordinate data were used to calculate independent measures of shape and size using generalized Procrustes analysis. We computed discriminant functions using two configurations of Procrustes coordinates, representing disparate aspects of sacral morphology, centroid size, and interlandmark distances to evaluate the classification potential of each dataset. Results Cross-validated classification accuracies ranged from 60.2 to 98.0% for sex estimation and 60.0 to 95.8% for ancestry estimation depending on the variables and aspects of sacral morphology represented by each dataset. Our results confirm the important role of the S1/alae breadth ratio for sex estimation, while dorso-ventral curvature shows more utility in estimating ancestry than sex, contrary to traditional use. Discussion: Sex estimations based on vague, “eyeballed” observations ignore the amount of variation within sexes and may produce incorrect estimates. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of the catalytic base for alcohol activation in choline oxidase.

Choline oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of choline to glycine betaine through a two-step, four-electron reaction with betaine aldehyde as an intermediate. Oxygen is the final electron acceptor. Alcohol oxidation is initiated by the removal of the substrate hydroxyl proton by an unknown active site residue with a pKa value of ∼7.5. In the crystal structure of the enzyme in complex with glycine betaine, H466 is ≤3.1 A from the carboxylate oxygen of the reaction product, suggesting a possible role in the proton abstraction reaction catalyzed by the enzyme. H466, along with another potential candidate, H351, was previously mutated to alanine, but this failed to establish if either residue was involved in activation of the substrate. In this study, single variants of choline oxidase with H466 and H351 substituted with glutamine were prepared, purified, and characterized. The kcat and kcat/Km values of the H351Q enzyme in atmospheric oxygen were 45- and 5000-fold lower than those of the wild-type enzyme, respec...
FRI0054 Elevated 14-3-3 eta in rheumatoid arthritis and arthritogenic viral infections

Background The 14-3-3 proteins are ubiquitously-expressed intracellular chaperonins. Expression of the η (eta) isoform is restricted to synovial and CNS tissues.1 Extracellular 14-3-3η induces proinflammatory MAPK and NFkB cascades in THP-1 cells in vitro.2 Extracellular 14-3-3η has been proposed as a novel biomarker for joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis, with serum elevation occurring in early RA. 14-3-3η positivity may add diagnostic sensitivity to laboratory RA markers such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and citrullinated cyclic peptide antibody (CCP).3 However, 14-3-3η expression in arthritogenic viral infection has not been studied. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of elevated 14-3-3η in patients with RA and in those with HCV, acute EBV, or acute B19 infections. Methods We have developed a quantitative 14-3-3η sandwich ELISA and verified the reference range using 134 serum specimens from healthy donors (67 males, 67 females; ages 18-65). 14-3-3η was measured in de-identified residual clinical specimens originally submitted for routine RA or infectious disease diagnostic testing. Results The 14-3-3η 95th-percentile reference range was defined as 20.0 ng/mL. Six healthy subjects (4%) had elevated 14-3-3η levels; 2 of them were weakly RF positive. RF+/CCP+ subjects had the highest frequency of elevated 14-3-3η (56%) and the highest 14-3-3η median level (Table). Frequency of elevated 14-3-3η was lower in the RF+/CCP- and virus-infected groups and was comparable among the groups. None of the RF-/CCP+ subjects had elevated 14-3-3η, but the number of subjects was small (n=10). Frequency of elevated 14-3-3η in the RF-/CCP- group was 5%. Of 23 subjects with elevated 14-3-3η in the HCV group, 1 was RF+/CCP+, 13 RF+/CCP-, and 9 RF-/CCP-. Of 6 subjects with elevated 14-3-3η in the EBV group, 1 was RF+/CCP+, 2 RF+/CCP-, and 3 RF-/CCP+. All 5 subjects with elevated 14-3-3η in the B19 group were RF-/CCP-. Conclusions 14-3-3η elevation was most frequent among patients with RF+/CCP+ results (consistent with an RA diagnosis). 14-3-3η elevation also occurred less frequently in the RF+/CCP-, RF-/CCP-, HCV, EBV, and B19 groups. The data suggest that RA and some HCV, EBV, and parvovirus B19 infections may share pathogenetic mechanisms characterized by synovial release of 14-3-3η. Of note, the median abnormal 14-3-3η level was higher in the RF+/CCP+ group than in the virus-infected groups, suggesting less synovitis in viral arthritis than in RA, which is consistent with clinical observations. References Kilani et al. J Rheum 34:1650-7, 2007. Marotta A. Arth Rheum 63 suppl 10: 1836, 2011 Maksymowych et al. Arth Rheum 64 suppl 10:977, 2012. Disclosure of Interest O. Zhukov Employee of: Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, R. Abolhosn Employee of: Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, J. Popov Employee of: Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, S. Naides: None Declared
Quantum Interference Control Of Injected Photocurrents Based On Carrier Envelope Phase

Quantum interference control of photocurrents in a semiconductor occurs due to interference between one- and two-photon absorption. When the photons come from an octave spanning pulse, the photocurrent measures the carrier-envelope phase of the pulse.
Cardioprotective Effects of Red Raspberries in Obesity-prone Rats

The intake of red raspberry fruit is inversely related to cardiac risk factors and cardiovascular disease. In this study, the effect of red raspberry intake was assessed in obesity-prone, Zucker Fa...
Influence of bathymetry and oceanic currents on the development of carbonate platforms: Northern Carnarvon Basin, Northwest Shelf of Australia

Abstract Cenozoic continental-shelf deposition in the Northern Carnarvon Basin was dominated by heterozoan carbonates until siliciclastic sediments prograded across the shelf in the late-middle Miocene to Pliocene. These siliciclastic sediments were deposited as outer-shelf and shelf-edge deltas, which created subtle bathymetric highs. Interpretation of extensive, high-quality multichannel seismic data shows broad, flat-topped carbonate platforms overlying the remaining bathymetric highs following the retreat of deltaic sedimentation. Platform geometries suggest that a combination of relative sea-level changes and ocean currents controlled their internal architectures. Clinoforms on the northeastern flanks of the platforms are more steeply dipping than those on the southwestern flanks and this platform architecture may reflect strengthening, or initiation, of a proto-Leeuwin Current. The earliest platform developed in the northeast and successive platforms migrated southwest (along strike), a process that could have resulted either from differential compaction of the underlying clastic depocenters, or variable rates of tectonic subsidence along depositional strike, probably in combination with environmental factors.
Investigation on Rabies-related KAP of Residents in Chengdu

Objective To understand the situation of rabies prevention and control knowledge among residents in Chengdu,find out the awareness bias,and provide evidence for promoting the health education on rabies.Methods Stratified cluster sampling survey was adopted to 20 districts(city) and counties in Chengdu.Result Totally 8 167 persons were investigated,in which 2.93% were bitten by dogs;9.91% had risk behaviors;awareness rate of rabies-related knowledge was 75.90%;awareness rate of rabies transmission knowledge was 84.46%;97.05% residents were willing to vaccinate after being bitten.Conclusion Residents in Chengdu are lack of the knowledge about preventing rabies,and the rate of risk behaviors is quite high.It is extremely necessary to enhance the residents' knowledge about rabies prevention.
Pharmaceutical patents and some international trade issues: Canada, the United States, and NAFTA.

This paper traces the evolution of a more aggressive US policy for the protection of the intellectual property rights of its citizens, individual and corporate, who do business aborad. It focuses on the pharmaceutical industry and, in particular, the harmonization of conflicting US and Canadian policies. In reconciling these policy differences, the United States unilaterally applied relatively new procedures authorized under section 301 and Special 301 of its trade laws. It also utilized the bilateral dispute mechanism mandating cooperation "in the Uruguay Round ... to improve protection of intellectual property," as provided in the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement. These efforts were successful; Canada amended its patent law in 1993 to conform to current international practices. These changes were incorporated into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), making it a state-of-the-art example of the protection of intellectual property rights. The intellectual property chapter of NAFTA will serve as the model for US intellectual property rights negotiations for the foreseeable future.
Delinquency and Crime in Racine

Having established the social nature of delinquency and crime in the United States and their changing types and patterns we shall now examine the nature of delinquency and crime in Racine. Racine’s urban scene is a miniature of Chicago. As the sociologist sees it, human behavior is a product of how people have been socialized to deal with life problems in the sub-sector of society of which they are a part. These problems are encapsulated to a considerable degree within neighborhoods and clusters of neighborhoods. It is how the elements of behavior which are acquired in a given stratum of society or types of neighborhoods are put together to carry out and justify delinquent and/or criminal acts that is the major concern of sociologists. And it is here that sociologists differ from psychologists and psychiatrists.
Improved Outcomes for Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in Advanced Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Abstract Allogeneic marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is the only curative treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Historically, transplantation for MDS has produced long-term disease-free survival rates of 30–40%, partially due to high procedural mortality (~40%) in this patient population. Although transplant outcomes in younger patients with low-risk disease have been favorable, inferior results are seen in older patients and those with more advanced disease. Evidence suggests that the lower transplant-related mortality (TRM) and improved graft-versus-leukemia seen with PBSCT may translate into improved clinical outcomes for MDS patients. Forty-four patients, aged 12–73 years (median 50) received a PBSCT from a matched related sibling donor (MRD). Patients aged Download : Download high-res image (139KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Evaluation of Altered Drug Pharmacokinetics in Critically Ill Adults Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-support modality used in patients with refractory cardiac and/or respiratory failure. A significant resurgence in the use ECMO has been seen in recent years as a result of substantial improvements in technology and survival benefit. With expanding ECMO use, a better understanding of how ECMO affects drug pharmacokinetics (PK) is necessary. The vast majority of PK studies in patients receiving ECMO have been conducted within neonatal or pediatric populations or within a controlled environment (e.g., in vitro or ex vivo). Because of significant differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, it may be inappropriate to extrapolate these PK data to adults. Thus, the aims of this review are to evaluate the changes in drug PK during ECMO and to summarize the available PK data for common drugs used in the adult critically ill patients during ECMO support. A search of the PubMed (1965-July 2016), EMBASE (1965-July 2016), and Cochrane Controlled Trial Register databases was performed. All relevant studies describing PK alterations during ECMO in ex vivo experiments and in adults were included. Evaluation of the data indicated that drug PK in adults receiving ECMO support may be significantly altered. Factors influencing these alterations are numerous and have intricate relationships with each other but can generally be classified as ECMO circuit factors, drug factors, and patient factors. Commonly used drugs in these patients include antimicrobials, sedatives, and analgesics. PK data for most of these drugs are generally lacking; however, recent research efforts in this patient population have provided some limited guidance in drug dosing. With an improved understanding of altered drug PK secondary to ECMO therapy, optimization of pharmacotherapy within this critically ill population continues to move forward.
Covariate‐adjusted borrowing of historical control data in randomized clinical trials

The borrowing of historical control data can be an efficient way to improve the treatment effect estimate of the current control group in a randomized clinical trial. When the historical and current control data are consistent, the borrowing of historical data can increase power and reduce Type I error rate. However, when these 2 sources of data are inconsistent, it may result in a combination of biased estimates, reduced power, and inflation of Type I error rate. In some situations, inconsistency between historical and current control data may be caused by a systematic variation in the measured baseline prognostic factors, which can be appropriately addressed through statistical modeling. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical model that can incorporate patient-level baseline covariates to enhance the appropriateness of the exchangeability assumption between current and historical control data. The performance of the proposed method is shown through simulation studies, and its application to a clinical trial design for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is described. The proposed method is developed for scenarios involving multiple imbalanced prognostic factors and thus has meaningful implications for clinical trials evaluating new treatments for heterogeneous diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Effects of the temporal pattern of subthalamic deep brain stimulation on the neuronal complexity in the globus pallidus

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) but, despite clinical efficacy, the mechanisms of DBS still require investigation. Recent evidence suggests that the temporal pattern of the electrical pulses may be critical to the therapeutic merit of DBS and carefully-designed, non-regular patterns could ameliorate some of the motor symptoms in PD. It is unclear, though, how different stimulation patterns affect the neural activity in the basal ganglia and whether this is related to the pathophysiology of PD. In this study, a non-human primate was treated with DBS of the subthalamic nucleus while single-unit recordings were collected in the animal's globus pallidus internus (GPi). Three stimulation patterns were applied (one regular, two non-regular) and the stimulation effects on the GPi spike trains were assessed via point process modeling. On a preliminary set of 23 GPi neurons, we show that regular DBS maximized the neuronal complexity, which is a measure of the amount of information that a single neuron can encode, and significantly increased the dependency of the neurons' spike trains on the background ensemble activity through an articulated balance of excitation and inhibition. Overall, regular DBS caused the largest modulation in the neurons' spiking pattern and the largest increment in encoding capabilities. Both results may be relevant to the mechanisms of therapeutic DBS.
A Perspective on Recent Hospital Strategies to Reduce Heart Failure Readmissions and Improve Outcomes

Heart failure is a complex and expensive disease that represents an increasing burden to the healthcare system. Regulatory changes that affect payments for inpatient care have influenced the way we practice medicine. Hospitals have struggled to employ strategies to improve publically reported metrics. Resources are available yet there is no clear recommendation on best practice. There is a debate whether the 30-day readmission metric represents favorable patient outcomes. There will be continued debate on how to best define quality for heart failure care; provider engagement is necessary as pressures on healthcare value will certainly remain.
Hardware-in-the-loop testing of high switching frequency power electronics converters

In this paper, we present the Hardware-In-The-Loop (HIL) usage of a new simulation approach recently introduced by the authors and discuss the programmable logic interface required for the HIL simulation of high switching frequency power electronics converters. As a test case, we simulate a notional ship power system where one converter is externally controlled using the developed HIL simulation platform. The ship system is composed of eight converters all operating at 100kHz, the real-time simulation is performed using a FPGA-based platform and a 50 nanosecond simulation time step.
Governance framework for enterprise analytics and data

This paper introduces a reusable framework for analytics governance accelerating the use of data and analytics across organizations. The Analytics Governance Framework (AGF) is a set of guiding principles for streamlining the work of managers, analytics practitioners, and data management practitioners. The guiding principles of analytics work are designed to have check points where both managers and analytics practitioners work toward the same outcome. These principles facilitate communication and coordination on the project unique data requirements between practitioners of data management and analytics. This framework enables client organizations to optimize the number of analytics projects they are undertaking to achieve business transformation and to shorten the time of an analytics project to achieve the business impact.
Stability of communication link connectivity against hostile interference

The connectivity of a communication link requires that the signal level be maintained at a threshold level above the noise floor. This is challenging when the link faces adversarial interference. In this paper, the problem of maintaining the link connectivity between a transmitter and receiver facing hostile interference is investigated using a game-theoretical formulation. The strategies for the rivals are the power levels employed by each, yielding a continuum of strategies for each player. Requiring that the signal to interference plus noise (SINR) level is higher than a threshold results in discontinuous player payoffs, and further results in the non-existence of a Nash equilibrium, thereby making the system unstable. However, observing the similarity between this game and the war of attrition game, we extend set of feasible strategies to mixed strategies that belong to the set of all measures over the continuum of feasible power levels. Using this observation, we prove that the equilibrium exists, is unique, and that the extension of the feasible strategies stabilizes the system.
Dynamic RGB-D visual odometry

The aim of this paper is to estimate the ego-motion of an RGB-D camera in dynamic environments. A semi-direct motion estimation pipeline is modified for the RGB-D camera. In order to avoid the impact of dynamic objects, a new mapping method based on scoring mechanism is proposed, which can effectively remove feature points on dynamic objects and results a map contains only static points. The method is evaluated not only with the TUM RGB-D benchmark but also using an Asus Xtion Pro Live camera in a dynamic office environment. The experimental results show that our method has higher accuracy in dynamic environments and has considerable accuracy in static environments. In some high dynamic scenes, the accuracy of our method is more than 7 times higher than other RGB-D visual odometry algorithms.
Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoepigenomics: Impact on Therapeutic Strategies

Recent studies suggest that adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major cause of death and disability. Furthermore, when medications cause no harm, they may be ineffective leading to undesirable consequences [1]. Pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine have the potential to minimize ADRs and improve healthcare quality by tailoring pharmacotherapy to individual patients. Although pharmacogenomic testing is considered a burden on therapeutic cost, one-time pharmacogenomic testing for asymptomatic patients was shown to be cost-effective to minimize lifetime ADRs for a given age group [2]. This should stimulate and encourage preemptive genotyping especially with the recent advances and cost reduction in genomic sequencing technologies.
Automatic Recognition of Complex Three-Dimensional Objects from Optical Images

The possibility of duplicating in a machine the ability of animals and man to interpret visual information has intrigued many investigators. While this problem has been treated with considerable success relative to automatic classification of two-dimensional objects, especially with regard to recognition of printed characters, comparatively little has been achieved in automatic identification of three-dimensional objects. Generally speaking, such successes as have been attained in the latter area can be grouped under two broad headings: 1) scene analysis in which various specialized procedures are used to determine spatial relationships between simple objects such as solid polyhedra, cylinders, cones, etc., and 2) statistical pattern recognition in which certain numerical features of an image of an unknown object are used to classify it and perhaps to estimate its position and orientation [1]. This paper is addressed entirely to the second approach and is concerned with recognition of complex man- made objects rather than natural objects or simple solids.
Arthropod Sampling Methods in Ornithology: Goals and Pitfalls

Methods used to sample arthropods in ornithological studies were reviewed; most studies likely obtained only a partial and potentially biased view of the arthropod community. Results of several studies, including our own, showed that data obtained on both absolute and relative abundance of arthropods varies widely among different sampling techniques. Such differences indicate that several different methods, rather than the single method (e.g., sticky traps) usually used in ornithological studies, must be used if more than a cursory and potentially biased examination of an arthropod community is necessary.
Malaria: A mosquito transformed

Genetic transformation technology could be a way of controlling malaria by creating strains of mosquito that cannot transmit the parasite; at the least, such strains will provide a tool for investigating parasite-insect interaction. A transformation system has now been devised for one species of mosquito,Anopheles stephensi.
Design Considerations of a Matching Circuit for Low Power Wake-Up Receivers

This study explores the analysis and the design of a passive input matching circuit used in low power wake-up receivers. The results show that by using a combination of on-chip components, package parasitics, and an off-chip inductor, a passive gain of 23.23 dB can be achieved at 915 MHz while achieving a return loss of -15 dB.
A Tyrosine Switch on NEDD4-2 E3 Ligase Transmits GPCR Inflammatory Signaling

Ubiquitination is essential for protein degradation and signaling and pivotal to many physiological processes. Ubiquitination of a subset of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) by the E3 ligase NEDD4-2 is required for p38 activation, but how GPCRs activate NEDD4-2 to promote ubiquitin-mediated signaling is not known. Here, we report that the GPCR protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) stimulates c-Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of NEDD4-2 to promote p38 signaling and endothelial barrier disruption. Using mass spectrometry, we identified a unique phosphorylated tyrosine (Y)-485 within the 2,3-linker peptide between WW domain 2 and 3 of NEDD4-2 in agonist-stimulated cells. Mutation of NEDD4-2 Y485 impaired E3 ligase activity and failed to rescue PAR1-stimulated p38 activation and endothelial barrier permeability. The purinergic P2Y1 receptor also required c-Src and NEDD4-2 tyrosine phosphorylation for p38 activation. These studies reveal a novel role for c-Src in GPCR-induced NEDD4-2 activation, which is critical for driving ubiquitin-mediated p38 inflammatory signaling.
End-of-Life Care Planning: The Importance of Older Adults' Marital Status and Gender.

Background: As the U.S. population ages, dramatic shifts are occurring in the proportion of older adults who are divorced and widowed. Health status and behaviors are known to differ across marital status groups, yet research on end-of-life (EOL) care planning has only compared married and unmarried persons, overlooking differences between divorced and widowed individuals, by gender. Objective: This study aimed to examine marital status differences in EOL care planning by comparing the likelihood of discussions about EOL care, designation of medical durable power of attorney (MDPOA) for health care decisions, and completion of a living will for married, divorced, and widowed older adults, by gender. Methods: Analyses used data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study for 2243 adults (50 years of age and older), who died during the course of the study. Post-death, proxy respondents reported on the decedents' EOL care discussions, living will completion, and establishment of an MDPOA. Multivariate regressions were estimated to test differences in care planning across marital status groups, for men and women. Results: Divorced men were less likely than married men to have had care discussions and to have engaged in any of the three planning behaviors. Widowers were more likely to have established an MDPOA. Both divorced and widowed women were more likely to have performed any of these EOL planning activities than married women. Conclusions: Divorced men and married women are at risk for lacking EOL care planning. Practitioners are encouraged to discuss the importance of such planning as they encounter these at-risk groups.
Understanding and evaluating diplopia

Diplopia or double vision is a frequent reason for ophthalmology consultation. Monocular diplopia is usually ocular or retinal in origin, whereas binocular diplopia is often due to neurological causes. Detailed history beginning with any childhood visual disorders or head tilt and covering comorbid conditions and drug intake is essential. The alignment of images and direction of maximum separation point to the muscle(s) are involved. Temporal profile including onset, progression, and fluctuations along with comorbid conditions helps to narrow down the etiology. Refraction, ocular examination, and fundoscopy can identify ocular and retinal conditions; meticulous examination of ocular ductions and versions is mandatory to localize the cause of diplopia and to initiate investigations for the underlying disease process. Isolated ocular motor palsies are mostly due to microvascular ischemia; in the absence of red flags, investigation may be deferred for 6–8 weeks. Large vertical fusional amplitudes may be a clue to a decompensated congenital trochlear palsy. A partial third nerve palsy with early pupillary involvement, progressive signs, involvement of multiple cranial nerves, and elderly patients with rapid Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) are some situations warranting early imaging and other investigation. Myasthenia gravis and thyroid disease may present with diplopia and ophthalmic manifestations alone without systemic symptomatology. Immunoglobulin G4-related orbital myositis and anti-GQ1b antibody-mediated ocular neuropathies are relatively recently recognized immune-mediated conditions that may present with diplopia to an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmoplegic migraine has been renamed recurrent ophthalmoplegic neuropathy and is a diagnosis of exclusion at initial presentation.
Using Skeletal Age to Better Predict Upper Extremity Growth

Hypothesis: The Multiplier Method is a simple predictor for ultimate limb length based upon chronological age and is predictive of future discrepancies. It is also used to predict appropriate timing for intervention. Studies of the overall height, spinal length and lower extremity length have found skeletal maturity more predictive of ultimate lower limb length and discrepancy than chronological age in adolescents. We hypothesize that skeletal age and peak height velocity …
Computational Watermark Enhancement in Leonardo’s Codex Leicester

A better understanding of the inner structural features (watermarks and chain line/wire intervals) of the manuscript papers of Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) can provide valuable information regardi...
Disparities in Ocular and Periocular Cancer Outcomes: Assessing Survival in Patients of Hispanic Origin.

A nationwide cancer database was used to perform a retrospective cohort study to compare the overall survival and cause-specific survival in patients with ocular and periocular cancer from varying Hispanic origins. A total of 19,831 cases from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries between 1973 and 2015 were obtained for analysis. All-cause and cause-specific mortality risk, with adjustment for age group, sex, race, tumor site, tumor histology, grade, summary stage, laterality, surgery status, radiotherapy status, and chemotherapy status, was examined using Cox proportional hazard models. Of the patients included 19,194 patients were non-Spanish-Hispanic-Latino, and 637 patients were Spanish-Hispanic Latino. The Spanish-Hispanic-Latino population was further subdivided as 398 of Mexican origin, 44 of Puerto Rican origin, 135 of South or Central American (excluding Brazil) origin, and 60 of other Spanish/Hispanic origin (including Europe origin). The mean (+/-SD) follow-up period was 98.57 (+/-93.23) months. In adjusted Cox regression, patients of Spanish-Hispanic-Latino origin demonstrated increased all-cause (HR, 1.173; 95% CI 1.022-1.347; P = 0.023) and cancer-specific mortality (HR, 1.328; 95% CI 1.099-1.604; P = 0.003) as compared to their non-Spanish-Hispanic-Latino counterparts. Upon subclassification by Hispanic origin, patients of Mexican origin had significantly increased all-cause (HR, 1.229; 95% CI 1.032-1.464; P = 0.021) and cancer-specific mortality (HR, 1.516; 95% CI 1.204-1.909; P < .001) and patients with other Hispanic/Spanish origin, including Europe, had significantly increased all-cause (HR, 1.627; 95% CI 1.16-2.28; P =0.005), but not cancer-specific (HR, 1.243; 95% CI 0.734-2.104; P = 0.418) mortality. Patients of Puerto Rican origin and South or Central American (excluding Brazil) origin had no significant difference in all-cause or cancer-specific mortality compared to those of non-Spanish-Hispanic-Latino origin. Mortality risk from ocular and periocular cancers varies extensively by specific Hispanic origin. A greater understanding of these disparities is essential to identify vulnerable populations and provide adequate treatment to optimize long-term outcomes.