cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RFID-Based Authentication Middleware for Mobile Devices

Ever-growing popularity of mobile devices, such as smart phones and netbooks, coupled with anytime and anyplace availability of high-speed network access is changing the ways how we compute and communicate. Mobile devices play an increasingly important role in our lives and tend to become representations of our digital selves when we trust these devices with sensitive information. Consequently, the problem of securing mobile devices against unauthorized access has never been more important. We present an RFID-based Authentication Middleware (RFID-AM) that combines point of entry and continuous authentication with transparent on-demand encryption of user files. This paper details the architecture of RFID-AM, discusses its fully functional prototype, and presents experimental results demonstrating its performance in various conditions. This paper also surveys different methods and technologies that have been proposed and implemented on mobile devices.
Serotonin modulates multiple calcium current subtypes in commissural interneurons of the neonatal mouse

Calcium currents are critical to the intrinsic properties of neurons and the networks that contain them. These currents make attractive targets for neuromodulation. Here, we examine the serotonergi...
The UW-SMES design

The evolution of the University of Wisconsin (UW) superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) designs for electric utility use is traced from 1970 to the present. The UW-SMES design principles were used in the 1987-90 ETM competition by the EBASCO team of subcontractors (UW, Westinghouse, CBI, and Teledyne). Some recent post-ETM design improvements are discussed. The Wisconsin emphasis on 1.8 K pool cooling, cryogenic stability, and ripple design is stressed. >
Inference of non-overlapping camera network topology by measuring statistical dependence

We present an approach for inferring the topology of a camera network by measuring statistical dependence between observations in different cameras. Two cameras are considered connected if objects seen departing in one camera is seen arriving in the other. This is captured by the degree of statistical dependence between the cameras. The nature of dependence is characterized by the distribution of observation transformations between cameras, such as departure to arrival transition times, and color appearance. We show how to measure statistical dependence when the correspondence between observations in different cameras is unknown. This is accomplished by non-parametric estimates of statistical dependence and Bayesian integration of the unknown correspondence. Our approach generalizes previous work which assumed restricted parametric transition distributions and only implicitly dealt with unknown correspondence. Results are shown on simulated and real data. We also describe a technique for learning the absolute locations of the cameras with Global Positioning System (GPS) side information
Optimized mixed Markov models for motif identification

Identifying functional elements, such as transcriptional factor binding sites, is a fundamental step in reconstructing gene regulatory networks and remains a challenging issue, largely due to limited availability of training samples. We introduce a novel and flexible model, the O ptimized Mi xture Ma rkov model (OMiMa), and related methods to allow adjustment of model complexity for different motifs. In comparison with other leading methods, OMiMa can incorporate more than the NNSplice's pairwise dependencies; OMiMa avoids model over-fitting better than the Permuted Variable Length Markov Model (PVLMM); and OMiMa requires smaller training samples than the Maximum Entropy Model (MEM). Testing on both simulated and actual data (regulatory cis-elements and splice sites), we found OMiMa's performance superior to the other leading methods in terms of prediction accuracy, required size of training data or computational time. Our OMiMa system, to our knowledge, is the only motif finding tool that incorporates automatic selection of the best model. OMiMa is freely available at [1]. Our optimized mixture of Markov models represents an alternative to the existing methods for modeling dependent structures within a biological motif. Our model is conceptually simple and effective, and can improve prediction accuracy and/or computational speed over other leading methods.
Functional Dynamics of Polo-Like Kinase 1 at the Centrosome

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) functions as a key regulator of mitotic events by phosphorylating substrate proteins on centrosomes, kinetochores, the mitotic spindle, and the midbody. Through mechanisms that are incompletely understood, Plk1 is released from and relocalizes to different mitotic structures as cells proceed through mitosis. We used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching to examine the kinetics of this process in more detail. We observed that Plk1 displayed a range of different recovery rates that differ at each mitotic substructure and depend on both the Polo-box domain and a functional kinase domain. Upon mitotic entry, centrosomal Plk1 becomes more dynamic, a process that is directly enhanced by Plk1 kinase activity. In contrast, Plk1 displays little dynamic exchange at the midbody, a process that again is modulated by the kinase activity of Plk1. Our findings suggest that the intrinsic kinase activity of Plk1 triggers its release from early mitotic structures and its relocalization to late mitotic structures. To assess the importance of Plk1 dynamic relocalization, Plk1 was persistently tethered to the centrosome. This resulted in a G2 delay, followed by a prominent prometaphase arrest, as a consequence of defective spindle formation and activation of the spindle checkpoint. The dynamic release of Plk1 from early mitotic structures is thus crucial for mid- to late-stage mitotic events and demonstrates the importance of a fully dynamic Plk1 at the centrosome for proper cell cycle progression. This dependence on dynamic Plk1 was further observed during the mitotic reentry of cells after a DNA damage G2 checkpoint, as this process was significantly delayed upon centrosomal tethering of Plk1. These results indicate that mitotic progression and control of mitotic reentry after DNA damage resides, at least in part, on the dynamic behavior of Plk1.
The Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (MINCAVA) Providing Research, Education, and Access to Information on Violence Against Women and Children

The Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (MINCAVA) was established in 1994 through an appropriation of the Minnesota Legislature. Located at the University of Minnesota, MINCAVA conducts original research, develops extensive collections of translational materials, provides higher education training on family violence prevention, and disseminates information globally. Over a dozen professional and student staff work on projects funded by federal, state, and private sources and collaborate closely with national and global advisory boards and partner agencies as well as local community-based and national advocacy organizations. The Center operates multiple project-specific and general websites that receive millions of unique visits each year from dozens of countries.
Natural convection and solid phase combustion

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) is a combustion process involving two or more solid reactants. The typical SHS configuration consists of a cylindrical preform of mixed powders, placed in an inert gas chamber, and ignited at one end. In past studies, interaction between the solid phase and the ambient gas phase has been limited to heat losses from the solid; the influence of natural convection on the solid phase has never been considered. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used, and it is shown that intense convection flow develops in the proximity of the combustion front. Gas flows adjacent to reacted solid material, heats up, and when it reaches the unreacted solid heat is transferred from the gas to the solid phase, which aids solid phase thermal conduction in preheating the material. The effect is stronger than expected, and it could stabilize the combustion of structured reactants like roll-ups of foils and wires. Combustion parallel and antiparallel to gravity is i...
Central Venous Catheters in Children—Their Placement and Care:

Using a central venous catheter for moni toring venous pressure or for extended in travenous feeding is safe and can be life preserving. A peripheral cutdown is best for catheter insertion with newborns and in fants. Percutaneous placement through a peripheral vein or via subclavian puncture is advised only with children old enough to have adequately large veins. Care must be taken to place the catheter properly and to prevent the complications of air embolism, catheter embolization, fluid extravasation, inadvertent removal, thrombosis and infec tion.
Is It the Intervention or the Students? Using Linear Regression to Control for Student Characteristics in Undergraduate STEM Education Research

Although researchers in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education are currently using several methods to analyze learning gains from pre- and posttest data, the most commonly used approaches have significant shortcomings. Chief among these is the inability to distinguish whether differences in learning gains are due to the effect of an instructional intervention or to differences in student characteristics when students cannot be assigned to control and treatment groups at random. Using pre- and posttest scores from an introductory biology course, we illustrate how the methods currently in wide use can lead to erroneous conclusions, and how multiple linear regression offers an effective framework for distinguishing the impact of an instructional intervention from the impact of student characteristics on test score gains. In general, we recommend that researchers always use student-level regression models that control for possible differences in student ability and preparation to estimate the effect of any nonrandomized instructional intervention on student performance.
Novelty detection on a very large number of memories stored in a Hopfield-style network

Summary form only given, as follows. The Hopfield-style network does not forget any stored memory. Its error-correcting performance, however, degrades rapidly with a large number of stored memories because of the rapid development of spurious memories. The author shows that in spite of this, the network performs well in the case of error detection, specifically novelty detection, even on very large collections of stored memories. The speed with which the network can detect novelty, even on very large collections of stored memories, is the main advantage of this scheme. Efficient distributed storage of large collections of memories is another important advantage. >
Cooperative Spatial Multiplexing in Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

It is well known that a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system can provide spatial diversity gain as well as spatial multiplexing capability. The MIMO concent has been extended to cooperative wireless networks to form distributed MIMO systems using virtual antennas located at cooperating terminals. The primary interest of cooperative MIMO networks, however, has been focused on the cooperative diversity (C-DIV) approaches to achieve spatial diversity gain. Recent work proposed cooperative spatial multiplexing (C-SM) to simplify the transmit and receive processing requirement on the relay nodes while providing significant energy savings. So far C-SM has been only considered for single-hop relaying. In this paper, we propose the use of multi-hop relaying C-SM systems for transmit energy reduction and performance improvement.
Prophylaxis of Retinal Detachment

Prophylactic treatment of retinal breaks can only be justified if the risk of complications from treatment is lower than the risk of breaks leading to clinical retinal detachment. Recommendations for prophylaxis should be based on results from valid controlled studies and not merely on traditional high-risk associations between certain risk factors and clinical retinal detachment. Present evidence supports prophylactic treatment of all symptomatic tractional tears; and is suggestive for the treatment of large, symptomatic operculated tears, high-risk fellow eyes of nontraumatic giant retinal breaks, retinal breaks with subclinical retinal detachments threatening progression, and retinal breaks before cataract surgery. Support for prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic retinal breaks in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes with or without an intact posterior capsule is at best, equivocal. Asymptomatic retinal breaks in phakic eyes with lattice degeneration, high myopia, and fellow eye detachments show no significant benefit from prophylaxis and should be followed without treatment.
Ion-molecule chemistry of C+2: Evidence for the production of excited state dicarbon cation

Abstract Ion-molecule reactions of C + 2 with several neutral partners have been studied using Fourier transform mass spectrometry. The reactant ion was formed by electron impact of various neutral precursors and the internal energy content of the ion estimated using charge transfer/energy-bracketing reactions. These reactions indicate the production of a long-lived excited state ion when C + 2 is formed from C 2 N 2 and the production of a mixture of states when formed from small hydrocarbon molecules. The observed reactions and energetics are consistent with the calculated electronic structure of this ion.
Using Distance Learning to Teach Environmental Problem Solving Skills and Theory

This article explores several questions raised by adapting a negotiation skills course, specifically Environmental Dispute Resolution, to the distance learning format. First, would the distance format be able to teach both the theory of environmental dispute resolution and the basic skills needed to negotiate environmental disputes. Negotiation skills must be taught through the technology-mediated environment of the distance learning platform. Second, since simulations in the face-to-face class are conducted simultaneously, could the asynchronous platform deliver a similar experience? Third, a few simulations have more than five roles. Would technology (bandwidth and software tools) be able to accommodate so many negotiators? Answers to these questions and other observations are provided. This article first explores how the course was developed, the organization of the course, and then explores how instruction takes place in the asynchronous, distance-learning environment.
Providing Care for Underserved Patients: Endodontic Residents’, Faculty Members’, and Endodontists’ Educational Experiences and Professional Attitudes and Behavior

In the United States, access to dental care is often challenging for patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged and/or minority populations and for patients with special health care needs (SHCN). The objectives of this study were to a) explore endodontic residents’, endodontic faculty members’, and private practice endodontists’ perceptions of their education about treating underserved patients, along with their related attitudes and behavior, and b) to determine how their educational experiences were related to their attitudes and behavior concerning these patients. It was hypothesized that the quality of educational experiences related to these issues would correlate with the providers’ professional attitudes and behavior. Methods: Survey data were collected from seventy-eight endodontic residents, forty-eight endodontic faculty members, and seventy-five endodontists in private practice. Results: The residents reported themselves being better prepared to treat these patients than did the endodontists in private practice. The residents and faculty members had more positive attitudes towards patients with SHCN, developmental disabilities, and pro bono cases and were more confident when treating patients with developmental disabilities than private practitioners. However, the three groups did not differ in educational experiences and attitudes concerning patients from different ethnic/racial groups. The better the respondents’ graduate education about certain patient groups had been, the more positive were their attitudes and behavior. Conclusions: Improving endodontic residents’ education about treating underserved patients is likely to improve their attitudes and behavior related to providing much-needed care for these patients. These findings are a call-to-action for dental educators to ensure quality education is being provided about these issues in order to decrease access to care problems for underserved patients.
Sarcoma in Paget's disease of bone.

Sixteen cases of osteogenic sarcoma have been found among 1,753 examples of Paget's disease of bone seen at the Mayo Clinic. A clinical and pathological study of these cases has been presented. The English-language literature has been reviewed, and a total of 128 cases have been discussed and evaluated as a group. The incidence of sarcoma among our 1,753 patients with Paget's disease was 0.9 per cent. The average age of patients in whom the two conditions coexisted was fifty-eight years with a range from thirty-two to seventy-two years. The sex ratio of 1,753 patients with Paget's disease was two to one, males to females, and this ratio was the same in the 128 collected cases of sarcoma in Paget's disease. Pain, swelling or both were present in every case of sarcoma in Paget's disease, and these were the most important clinical features in the diagnosis. Many patients were unaware of the presence of Paget's disease until sarcoma developed. Of the sarcomata iii Paget's disease of the long bones, 18 per cent developed at the site of recent fractures, which may or may not have preceded the onset of sarcoma. All ten of the sarcomata examined microscopically in this series were osteogenic sarcomata. Imi five of the seven cases in which Paget's disease was also noted microscopically, very cellular areas were seen, areas which might be termed presarcomatous. The prognosis of sarcoma in Paget's disease is poor, only one five-year survival being found among 128 cases reported in the literature. Treatment has consisted in amputation or roentgen therapy. Delay in diagnosis and treatment is considered to be one of the factors in the poor prognosis, and suggestions for improvement are made.
Estimating the Co-Development of Cognitive Decline and Physical Mobility Limitations in Older U.S. Adults

This study examines the co-development of cognitive and physical function in older Americans using an age-heterogeneous sample drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2008). We used multiple-group parallel process latent growth models to estimate the association between trajectories of cognitive function as measured by immediate word recall scores, and limitations in physical function as measured as an index of functional mobility limitations. Nested model fit testing was used to assess model fit for the separate trajectories followed by estimation of an unconditional parallel process model. Controls for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and chronic health conditions were added to the best-fitting parallel process model. Pattern mixture models were used to assess the sensitivity of the parameter estimates to the effect of selective attrition. Results indicated that favorable cognitive health and mobility at initial measurement were associated with faster decline in the alternate functional domain. The cross-process associations remained significant when we adjusted estimates for the influence of covariates and selective attrition. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were consistently associated with initial cognitive and physical health but had few relations with change in these measures.
The Constitution and the Goods of Religion

The Constitution forbids the “establishment” (whatever that means) of, “religion,” (whatever that is). Whether this prohibition, or a parallel constraint arising from liberal democracy itself, means that government must refrain from acting on religious, “reasons,” or, “grounds,” is a question that has exercised theorists for a generation or so. But from that general debate we can extract a somewhat narrower question: does the nonestablishment prohibition mean that government cannot act to secure or promote various, “goods,” associated with, “religion?” This essay addresses that question by attempting some sorting out. The essay distinguishes between two different functions, an epistemic and an axiological functions, that religion might serve in political decision-making. Then, within the axiological function, the essay distinguishes among different kinds of goods that might be described as, “religious,” and considers whether these different goods are or are not legitimate bases for law under the Constitution. The essay concludes by suggesting that proponents of secular government often trade on an equivocation: under the general heading of, “religion,” they conflate distinct functions and both permissible and impermissible goods, and thereby condemn measures that are most likely the product of perfectly permissible considerations.
The Experience and Persistence of College Students in STEM Majors

In this study, an online survey was constructed based on the extant literature on college student success. The survey was used to collect data from a sample of college students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors in order to examine their learning experiences and to identify the factors that may influence their persistence to degree completion. The findings support the theoretical modeling of the academic and social aspects of student college experience. Nonetheless, it is the institutional conditions, particularly the quality of academic program and faculty teaching and accessibility, which dominate the STEM students’ college experience and their persistence in academic major and to graduation. Therefore, it is critical for academic institutions to invest in a supportive learning environment by emphasizing quality teaching, accessible academic advising, and related functions in order to successfully engage STEM students in college education and increase their likelihood of degree ...
On a problem of Erdös and Alladi

We give an estimate for the quantity Σ{f(n):n≦x, p(n)≦y}, wherep(n) denotes the greatest prime factor ofn andf belongs to a certain class of multiplicative functions. As an application, we show that for the Moebius function, (Σ{μ(n):n≦x, p(n)≦y}) (Σ{1:n≦x, p(n)≦y})−1 tends to zero, asx→∞, uniformly iny≧2, and thus settle a conjecture of Erdos.
Optimal state feedback control of bilinear systems by a non-quadratic cost function

The necessary formulations for optimal state feedback control of bilinear systems in the global sense are presented. The Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation is employed to find the optimality formulas for a positive definite closed loop Liapunov function, a positive definite nonquadratic cost function, and the optimal control. Two different continuous-time bilinear systems are considered. It is shown that the closed loop nonlinear systems can be globally asymptotically stable by using the state feedback control law with a constant input. Two examples are given. (Author)
Experimental demonstration of an Allee effect in microbial populations

Microbial populations can be dispersal limited. However, microorganisms that successfully disperse into physiologically ideal environments are not guaranteed to establish. This observation contradicts the Baas-Becking tenet: ‘Everything is everywhere, but the environment selects’. Allee effects, which manifest in the relationship between initial population density and probability of establishment, could explain this observation. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that small populations of Vibrio fischeri are subject to an intrinsic demographic Allee effect. Populations subjected to predation by the bacterivore Cafeteria roenbergensis display both intrinsic and extrinsic demographic Allee effects. The estimated critical threshold required to escape positive density-dependence is around 5, 20 or 90 cells ml −1 under conditions of high carbon resources, low carbon resources or low carbon resources with predation, respectively. This work builds on the foundations of modern microbial ecology, demonstrating that mechanisms controlling macroorganisms apply to microorganisms, and provides a statistical method to detect Allee effects in data.
Carbon monoxide induced reductive elimination of disulfide in an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)/thiolate dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC).

Dinitrosyliron complexes (DNICs) are organometallic-like compounds of biological significance in that they appear in vivo as products of NO degradation of iron–sulfur clusters; synthetic analogues have potential as NO storage and releasing agents. Their reactivity is expected to depend on ancillary ligands and the redox level of the distinctive Fe(NO)2 unit: paramagnetic {Fe(NO)2}9, diamagnetic dimerized forms of {Fe(NO)2}9 and diamagnetic {Fe(NO)2}10 DNICs (Enemark–Feltham notation). The typical biological ligands cysteine and glutathione themselves are subject to thiolate-disulfide redox processes, which when coupled to DNICs may lead to intricate redox processes involving iron, NO, and RS–/RS•. Making use of an N-heterocyclic carbene-stabilized DNIC, (NHC)(RS)Fe(NO)2, we have explored the DNIC-promoted RS–/RS• oxidation in the presence of added CO wherein oxidized {Fe(NO)2}9 is reduced to {Fe(NO)2}10 through carbon monoxide (CO)/RS• ligand substitution. Kinetic studies indicate a bimolecular process, r...
High Temperature Stationary Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems in the Renewable Future

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are attractive emerging energy conversion devices. Particularly, SOFC electrochemically react fuel and oxygen to generate electricity efficiently with ultra low pollutant emissions. For SOFC systems to be widely utilized in the future, SOFC will have to be effectively integrated with a wide array of energy resources and conversion devices including base-loaded nuclear and coal as well as renewables. Load following generators and/or energy storage will be required to manage intermittent renewables. Base-loaded fuel cell systems (i.e., present day SOFCs) that use potentially dispatchable fuel resources will be increasingly difficult to market. Fuel generators such as SOFCs that can load follow with ultra-low emissions will become increasingly attractive, particularly in future grid scenarios with increased renewables. Simulations results are shown in the paper that demonstrates the intermittent challenge of renewables and the potential for SOFC systems to provide load following capability. SOFCs have the potential to be very attractive load following generators which achieve high efficiencies at part load with low emissions. Research and development is needed to understand solid oxide fuel cell system and control development to minimize dynamics that can degrade the fuel cell during load following. Understanding of degradation of optimally controlled fuel cell is needed to fully understand the true potential of SOFC systems in future grids with increased intermittent renewable penetration.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Diagnosing Depression Among New Patients In Ambulatory Training Settings

A research-validated instrument, based upon the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III, is used as a “gold standard” to compare physician assessments of depression. Twenty-seven of 294 patients (9.2 percent) presenting to three primary care clinics for the first time met clinical criteria for a depressive disorder. Although the 27 depressed patients differed from the nondepressed patients on sociodemographic characteristics, prior service utilization patterns, and clinical variables, only 7 of the 27 were diagnosed as depressed by their primary care physicians. Factors associated with accurate assessment include comment in the patient’s chart of a prior psychiatric history. Many depressed patients reporting high levels of dysphoria on a screening instrument had no mood symptoms recorded on their charts.
Thoughts on Impetus of Construction of IT Application in Agriculture and Rural Areas in China

With the rapid development of computer science and Internet,we have made great achievement in IT application in agriculture and rural areas.However,there still have been some problems that need to be solved.We should concentrate on investment and address the key points so as to strengthen the construction of National central website and doorway websites.Furthermore,we need to pay more attention on straightening out government website.To increase the government investment on IT application in agriculture and rural areas,we must put stress both on exploitation of IT application in agriculture and rural areas and application of website of IT application in agriculture and rural areas,along with the strengthen management and active introduction.Meanwhile,the construction of website on agriculture and countryside information should keep pace with the development of Internet on international agriculture to fulfill its function.
STATE OF THE ART OF INTERNALCOATING TECHNOLOGY FOR PIPELINE

In this paper,the internal coating technique is introduced,mainly including the selection of coating materials,the preprocessing of internal surface of pipeline,and operation procedure of coating.Besides,the standards for quality inspection,the control of field operation condition,and combined processing of both internal and external coating for pipeline are also elaborated.In accordance with existing problems,some suggestions are put forward.
The Risk of Renal Calculi in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

AbstractA retrospective epidemiologic study of renal calculi was conducted on 5,915 patients from the National Spinal Cord Injury Data Research Center data base. Various risk factors suspected of contributing to the development of renal calculi were identified. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the adjusted odds ratio for the formation of renal calculi for each risk factor. Life-table techniques were used to assess the interval of highest renal stone risk after injury.Spinal cord injury patients in whom renal calculi developed were more likely to be male patients with neurologically complete lesions and histories of bladder stones. Renal stones were most likely to develop within 3 months after injury. The estimated cumulative proportion of patients free of renal stones 8 years after injury was 92 per cent.Although it appears that patients at high risk for renal calculi can be identified with a relatively small set of predictor variables, more definitive urological information is need...
Upfront Systemic Chemotherapy and Short-Course Radiotherapy with Delayed Surgery for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer with Distant Metastases: Outcomes, Compliance, and Favorable Prognostic Factors

Purpose/Objective(s) Optimal treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) with distant metastasis remains elusive. We aimed to evaluate upfront systemic chemotherapy and short-course radiotherapy (RT) followed by delayed surgery for such patients, and to identify favorable prognostic factors. Materials/Methods We retrospectively reviewed 50 LARC patients (cT4 or cT3, <2 mm from the mesorectal fascia) with synchronous metastatic disease. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints were overall survival, treatment-related toxicity, and compliance. We considered P values <0.05 significant. Results At 22 months median follow-up, the median PFS time was 16 months and the 2-year PFS rate was 34.8%. Thirty-five patients who received radical surgery for primary and metastatic tumors were designated the curable group. Six patients with clinical complete response (ypCR) of metastases who underwent radical surgery for only the primary tumor were classified as potentially curable. Nine patients who received no radical surgery (3 received palliative surgery) were deemed the palliative group. The ypCR rate among surgery patients was 13.6%. PFS rates for the curable or potentially curable groups were significantly longer than that of the palliative group (P<0.001). On multivariate analysis, solitary organ metastasis and R0 status were independent prognostic factors for PFS. Conclusions These findings demonstrated that a strong possibility that upfront chemotherapy and short-course RT with delayed surgery are an effective alternative treatment for LARC with potentially resectable distant metastasis, owing to achievement of pathologic down-staging, R0 resection, and favorable compliance and toxicity, despite the long treatment duration.
Magnetic versus manual catheter navigation for ablation of free wall accessory pathways in children.

Background— Transcatheter ablation of accessory pathway (AP)–mediated tachycardia is routinely performed in children. Little data exist regarding the use of magnetic navigation (MN) and its potential benefits for ablation of AP-mediated tachycardia in this population. Methods and Results— We performed a retrospective review of prospectively gathered data in children undergoing radiofrequency ablation at our institution since the installation of MN (Stereotaxis Inc, St. Louis, MO) in March 2009. The efficacy and safety between an MN-guided approach and standard manual techniques for mapping and ablation of AP-mediated tachycardia were compared. During the 26-month study period, 145 patients underwent radiofrequency ablation for AP-mediated tachycardia. Seventy-three patients were ablated with MN and 72 with a standard manual approach. There were no significant differences in demographic factors between the 2 groups with a mean cohort age of 13.1±4.0 years. Acute success rates were equivalent with 68 of 73 (93.2%) patients in the MN group being successfully ablated versus 68 of 72 (94.4%) patients in the manual group ( P =0.889). During a median follow-up of 21.4 months, there were no recurrences in the MN group and 2 recurrences in the manual group ( P =0.388). There were no differences in time to effect, number of lesions delivered, or average ablation power. There was also no difference in total procedure time, but fluoroscopy time was significantly reduced in the MN group at 14.0 (interquartile range, 3.8–23.9) minutes compared with the manual group at 28.1 (interquartile range, 15.3–47.3) minutes ( P <0.001). There were no complications in either group. Conclusions— MN is a safe and effective approach to ablate AP-mediated tachycardia in children.
Immediate effect of CPAP titration on perceived health related quality of life: a prospective observational study

Perceived Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is impaired in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study examines changes in HRQoL aspects occurring immediately after CPAP titration. Furthermore, we analyzed variations in each gender and in patients undergoing home or laboratory-based CPAP titration pathways. Twohundredfive outpatients (151 M) (56.7 ± 10.3 years) were evaluated, before first visit and nocturnal diagnostic examination (T0), and the morning after CPAP titration (T1). Two self-reported HRQoL questionnaires were administered: Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI), composed by six subscales, and 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), including Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summaries (MCS). CPAP titration was performed using auto-adjusting CPAP units at patients’ home or in the sleep laboratory. PGWBI scores at T1 improved compared to T0 (p < 0.0001). A similar improvement was observed in SF-12 MCS (p = 0.0011), but not in SF-12 PCS. Changes were independent from anthropometric parameters, OSA severity and excessive daytime sleepiness. Gender comparisons showed better HRQoL in males at both times. At T0, patients who received home or laboratory CPAP titration pathways did not show any differences in PGWBI and SF-12 scores. At T1, PGWBI and SF-12 MCS improved in both home and laboratory groups. This study gives evidence that first time CPAP application for titration can lead to a general increase in perceived well-being. Gender comparisons showed better perceived HRQoL with more subscales improvements in males after CPAP titration. The improvement was similar with both home and laboratory CPAP titration pathways.
Ventricular interdependence diagnosed by respirophasic mid-diastolic ventricular wall excursion: M-mode redux

A 31-year-old woman presented with lower extremity edema due to postoperative constrictive pericarditis. M-mode demonstrated ventricular interdependence ( Panel A ), with the largest shift occurring in early diastole (E in Panel B ), a lesser shift during late diastole …
Open Turbulent Image Set (OTIS)

A free dataset of sequences acquired through atmospheric turbulence is proposed.Groudtruths are provided for quantitative assessment of restoration algorithms.Possible metrics are discussed to assess the algorithm efficiency. Long distance imaging is subject to the impact of the turbulent atmosphere. This results into geometric distortions and some blur effect in the observed frames. Despite the existence of several turbulence mitigation algorithms in the literature, no common dataset exists to objectively evaluate their efficiency. In this paper, we describe a new dataset called OTIS (Open Turbulent Images Set) which contains several sequences (either static or dynamic) acquired through the turbulent atmosphere. For almost all sequences, we provide the corresponding groundtruth in order to make the comparison between algorithms easier. We also discuss possible metrics to perform such comparisons.
PAM4 silicon photonic microring resonator-based transceiver circuits

Increased data rates have motivated the investigation of advanced modulation schemes, such as four-level pulseamplitude modulation (PAM4), in optical interconnect systems in order to enable longer transmission distances and operation with reduced circuit bandwidth relative to non-return-to-zero (NRZ) modulation. Employing this modulation scheme in interconnect architectures based on high-Q silicon photonic microring resonator devices, which occupy small area and allow for inherent wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM), offers a promising solution to address the dramatic increase in datacenter and high-performance computing system I/O bandwidth demands. Two ring modulator device structures are proposed for PAM4 modulation, including a single phase shifter segment device driven with a multi-level PAM4 transmitter and a two-segment device driven by two simple NRZ (MSB/LSB) transmitters. Transmitter circuits which utilize segmented pulsed-cascode high swing output stages are presented for both device structures. Output stage segmentation is utilized in the single-segment device design for PAM4 voltage level control, while in the two-segment design it is used for both independent MSB/LSB voltage levels and impedance control for output eye skew compensation. The 65nm CMOS transmitters supply a 4.4Vppd output swing for 40Gb/s operation when driving depletion-mode microring modulators implemented in a 130nm SOI process, with the single- and two-segment designs achieving 3.04 and 4.38mW/Gb/s, respectively. A PAM4 optical receiver front-end is also described which employs a large input-stage feedback resistor transimpedance amplifier (TIA) cascaded with an adaptively-tuned continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) for improved sensitivity. Receiver linearity, critical in PAM4 systems, is achieved with a peak-detector-based automatic gain control (AGC) loop.
ACUTE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS OF THE ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT: A CASE REPORT

Acromioclavicular injuries are quite common and approaches to early management of those that are described as a Type III are controversial. The Rockwood Type III classification implies complete disruption of the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments, resulting in inferior positioning of the scapula and, thus, the glenohumeral complex while the clavicle appears more superiorly prominent. Clinical management can include surgical or conservative techniques. This case report outlines the decision making process related to this type of injury, as applied in the diagnosis and management of 61 year-old recreational athlete.
Wait! What About Customer-Based Subtle Discrimination?

In the focal article, Jones, Arena, Nittrouer, Alonso, and Lindsey (2017) provide a review and a conceptual framework for examining subtle discrimination in the workplace. The focal article, however, mainly focuses on subtle discrimination that occurs among coworkers and only mentions customers once. The current commentary delves deeper into this notion and extends their framework by focusing on customer-based subtle discrimination. We mainly focus on research from the service industry, in part because the service industry is the largest industry in the United States, employing more than half of all employees in the United States (Lopez, 2010), and because the service industry involves frequent customer interactions. Whether it is a server in a restaurant, a front-desk clerk at a hotel, a flight attendant on a plane, or an attendant in a retail store, stigmatized service employees often face subtle discrimination. Consistent with the focal article, we argue that the subtle discrimination faced by service employees can be both interpersonal (e.g., rudeness directed toward a stigmatized service employee) and formal (e.g., a lower tip for a stigmatized service employee). The purpose of this commentary is to highlight the research on subtle discrimination by customers, focusing on a discussion of the reasons why stigmatized service employees are particularly vulnerable to subtle discrimination from customers during service encounters.
Protocol for an observational study of delirium in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) as a potential predictor of subsequent postoperative delirium.

Introduction Postoperative delirium can be a serious consequence of major surgery, associated with longer hospital stays, readmission, cognitive and functional deterioration and mortality. Delirium is an acute, reversible disorder characterised by fluctuating course, inattention, disorganised thinking and altered level of consciousness. Delirium occurring in the hours immediately following anaesthesia and delirium occurring in the postoperative period of 1–5 days have been described as distinct clinical entities. This protocol describes an observational study with the aim of determining if delirium in the first hour following tracheal tube removal is a predictor of delirium in the 5 subsequent postoperative days. Improved understanding regarding the development of postoperative delirium would improve patient care and allow more effective implementation of delirium prevention measures. Methods and analysis Patients enrolled to the Electroencephalography Guidance of Anesthesia to Alleviate Geriatric Syndromes (ENGAGES) randomised controlled trial will be eligible for this substudy. A validated delirium assessment method, the 3-min Diagnostic Confusion Assessment Method and the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale will be used to assess 100 patients for delirium at 30 min and 60 min following tracheal tube removal. Patients will also be assessed for delirium over postoperative days 1–5 using three validated methods, the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), CAM for the Intensive Care Unit and structured chart review. Logistic regression analysis will then be performed to test whether immediately postoperative delirium independently predicts subsequent postoperative delirium. Ethics and dissemination This observational substudy of ENGAGES has been approved by the ethics board of Washington University School of Medicine. Enrolment began in June 2016 and will continue until June 2017. Dissemination plans include presentations at scientific conferences and scientific publications. Trial registration number NCT02241655.
Polymicrogyria and Intractable Epilepsy in Siblings With Knobloch Syndrome and Homozygous Mutation of COL18A1.

Knobloch and Layer described a triad of symptoms – vitreoretinal degeneration, high myopia, and congenital encephalocele – in 5 affected siblings in a large consanguineous family.1 The cause of what is now Knobloch syndrome (KS) was identified as mutation of COL18A1, the gene encoding collagen XVIII.2 We present an unusual case of two brothers with severe global developmental delay, medically intractable epilepsy, diffuse polymicrogyria, and high myopia, born to non-consanguineous parents of Palestinian ethnicity. Although the brothers lack typically-associated skull defects, they were found to harbor a novel homozygous pathogenic mutation in COL18A1, leading to a diagnosis of KS on the severe end of the phenotypic spectrum. Epilepsy and brain malformations are uncommon in cases of KS; hence, this report expands the current clinical spectrum and reinforces the diagnostic utility of trio whole exome sequencing analysis in appropriately selected cases of polymicrogyria.
Critique of Diagnostic Formalism

Drs.Pellegrino [12] and Schaffner [17] give admirable accounts of the state of the art of computer Medicine — scholarly statements from the bench, not the bar. Apart from asides, they grind no axes; they write with tempered enthusiasm, neither (as Pellegrino says) in romantic scorn of this interloper into august clinical practice, nor in uncritical adulation of this new organum. Both respect the collective, if unarticulated, wisdom of clinicians. Faced with such writings, the critic too easily turns either to lofty prose about something else, or to nitpicking, “talent snapping at the heels of genius”.
A Statistician Looks for Human Disease Genes

Knowing the location of human disease genes is a first step towards a characterization of the gene, and an eventual understanding of the nature of the defect and the development of therapies or even cures. This process is necessarily within the realm of molecular genetics, but there does seem to be a role for a statistician in at least the early stages of a search. This role is generally centered on an examination of the joint behavior of the disease and a series of marker loci, either within families or within populations.
Pelvic Floor Stimulation: Effect on Urethral Closure Pressure Profile

Pelvic floor stimulation (as discussed in Appendix A) can be utilized to treat not only detrusor overactivity but also genuine stress incontinence. It is believed that the primary effect of electrical stimulation for treatment of genuine stress incontinence is to cause activation of the pelvic floor and periurethral musculature via the pudendal nerve. Repetitively contracting the skeletal muscle around the urethra should create muscular hypertrophy with increasing muscle strength. This translates into an increase in intraluminal urethral pressure with intra-abdominal pressure elevations. Similar to physiotherapy with progressive resistance exercises, it allows patients to develop strong guarding reflexes to prevent leakage of urine with anticipated voluntary increases in intra-abdominal pressure.
The Interphasial Structure

The region near a surface in contact with a solution in which the properties of the region are not those of the bulk of either phase is termed the interphase. A description of the structure of the interphase, that is, the changing arrangement of ions, solvent, and electrons in the interphasial region as a function of distance, is the aim of this chapter. This structure is, in effect, made up of electrons, solvent molecules, and ions which differ in arrangement and local concentration as one proceeds from metal to solution. The ions in the region next to the electrode may take part in the interchange of electrons with the electrode. This interphasial charge transfer (Chapter 3) is the essential step which gives rise to the field of electrochemistry.