cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient Video Encoding for Automatic Video Analysis in Distributed Wireless Surveillance Systems

In many distributed wireless surveillance applications, compressed videos are used for performing automatic video analysis tasks. The accuracy of object detection, which is essential for various video analysis tasks, can be reduced due to video quality degradation caused by lossy compression. This article introduces a video encoding framework with the objective of boosting the accuracy of object detection for wireless surveillance applications. The proposed video encoding framework is based on systematic investigation of the effects of lossy compression on object detection. It has been found that current standardized video encoding schemes cause temporal domain fluctuation for encoded blocks in stable background areas and spatial texture degradation for encoded blocks in dynamic foreground areas of a raw video, both of which degrade the accuracy of object detection. Two measures, the sum-of-absolute frame difference (SFD) and the degradation of texture in 2D transform domain (TXD), are introduced to depict the temporal domain fluctuation and the spatial texture degradation in an encoded video, respectively. The proposed encoding framework is designed to suppress unnecessary temporal fluctuation in stable background areas and preserve spatial texture in dynamic foreground areas based on the two measures, and it introduces new mode decision strategies for both intra- and interframes to improve the accuracy of object detection while maintaining an acceptable rate distortion performance. Experimental results show that, compared with traditional encoding schemes, the proposed scheme improves the performance of object detection and results in lower bit rates and significantly reduced complexity with comparable quality in terms of PSNR and SSIM.
Transportation Infrastructures and Socioeconomic Statuses: A Spatial Regression Analysis at the County Level in the Continental United States, 1970–2010

There is a large body of literature examining transportation impacts on population and employment growth. However, the possible impacts that transportation infrastructures have on socioeconomic statuses are less clear. This study fills the gap in the literature by associating education and income—two socioeconomic status measures—with transportation infrastructures. In specific, this study examines the associations of railroads, highways, and airports collectively with high school, Bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, and income change in the continental United States for the period between 1970 and 2010. Data come from various sources, such as National Transportation Atlas Database, Decennial Census, Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles, and Land Developability Index. Standard regression and spatial analysis are conducted at decade levels and at the entire study period to test the consistency of the associations between transportation infrastructures and education and income. The study shows that railroads have a distributive and highways have a facilitative association with both education and income. Airports behave as a growth factor with education and as a facilitator with income. The findings clearly show the increased complexity of the roles performed by transportation infrastructures and do not show straightforward behaviors as has been considered for a long time. This study provides new insights into the role of transportation infrastructures for transportation planning and decision making.
Crystallization of amorphous complex oxides: New geometries and new compositions via solid phase epitaxy

Abstract The crystallization of amorphous complex oxides via solid phase epitaxy enables a wide range of opportunities in the formation of oxide materials in new geometries and with previously inaccessible compositions. Emerging methods for controlling crystallization from the amorphous form arise from recent advances in the deposition of amorphous oxides, the formation and placement of crystalline seeds, and have built on an expanded understanding of the kinetics of nucleation and crystal growth. Key discoveries include methods for the creation of epitaxial layers in perovskite, spinel, and pyrochlore complex oxides. The creation of nanoscale homoepitaxial and heteroepitaxial seeds has the potential to enable new directions in the integration of complex oxides with semiconductors and in devices based on oxygen ion transport. Future opportunities include the creation of complex oxides in morphologies and compositions exhibiting electronic, thermal, and magnetic phenomena enabling a variety of applications.
Impact of Age on Sinus Surgery Outcomes

Objectives/hypothesis To evaluate the impact of age on patient-reported quality of life (QOL) following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Study design Prospective cohort study. Methods Six hundred thirty-six patients with CRS were recruited from 11 otolaryngologic practices and completed the sinonasal-specific, 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) and general health-related EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaires at baseline and 12 and 24 months after ESS. Patients were grouped chronologically to determine whether age at time of ESS was associated with clinical outcomes. Results Ages ranged from 18 to 80 years (mean ± standard deviation = 48.5 ± 14.4). Improvement was observed in postoperative SNOT-22 scores at 12 and 24 months for all decades of life. Similar improvements were observed for EQ-5D-based health utility value (HUV) scores in all decades of life, except for the eldest cohort (ages 70-80, N = 33), who did not exceed the minimal clinically important difference at either 12 or 24 months following ESS. In regression analysis, age was not associated with sinonasal-specific outcomes (change in SNOT-22 scores) at 12 (P = .507) or 24 months (P = .955). In general health-related outcomes, however, age was significantly associated with change in EQ-5D-based HUV scores from baseline to 12 months following ESS after adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical history (P = .049). Conclusions This study demonstrates that ESS for adult CRS sufferers offers improved QOL outcomes through the eighth decade of life. The impact of comorbidities on QOL needs to be carefully considered when assessing older patients for sinus surgery. Level of evidence 2b Laryngoscope, 128:2681-2687, 2018.
A Civil War Vignette that Explains Modern Civ-Mil Relations

This essay is a shortened version of a chapter appearing in the author’s forthcoming book on American strategic civil-military relationships, tentatively titled A Necessary Measure. This essay describes a lesser-known American Civil War story in which President Lincoln relied on Charles Dana (a newspaper man and War Department appointee) to "spy" on U.S. Grant during the later stages of his campaign in the Western Theater. Lincoln used this "self-help" technique to assure himself of Grant's motives and abilities in the face of growing public concerns about his alcohol use and condemnation by jealous and less able generals. In this way, the episode sheds light on a way in which a civilian political "principal" can reign in, moderate, or establish proper boundaries with this military "agent" in the field.
Gain characteristics of InGaN quantum wells with AlGaInN barriers

A reduction of the threshold current density of InGaN quantum well (QW) lasers is found from the usage of AlGaInN barriers. Large bandgap and strain-managing AlGaInN barriers surrounding the InGaN quantum wells’ (QWs) active regions are investigated via the 6-band self-consistent k·p formalism for their spontaneous emission, material gain, and threshold current density properties. In this study, quaternary AlGaInN alloys both lattice-matched and tensile-strained to GaN, with bandgaps ranging from 3.4 eV to 5.2 eV, are employed as thin barriers (∼1 nm) surrounding the InGaN active region. The AlGaInN barriers provide strong carrier confinement, which improves the electron and hole wavefunction overlap by ∼25%, while simultaneously reducing the strain relaxation in the active region. This study shows that InGaN QWs surrounded by AlGaInN barriers improve the material gain by ∼30%, reduce the threshold carrier density by ∼18%, and reduce the threshold current density by ∼40% over the conventional InGaN/GaN QW structure. Our results indicate that the AlGaInN barriers substantially enhance the radiative efficiency and reduce the power consumption for light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs), making them very attractive candidates for the design of low threshold optoelectronic devices.
Dielectric properties, effect of geometry, and quality changes of whole, nonfat milk powder and their mixtures associated with radio frequency heating

Abstract Radio frequency (RF) heating is a promising pasteurization technique providing a fast and more uniform heat generation throughout a sample. In this paper, the effect of composition, frequency (1–30 MHz) and temperature (20–90 °C) on the dielectric properties of whole, nonfat milk powder and their mixtures were studied to develop an effective RF pasteurization. Moreover, the effect of the shape and dimension of the container on RF heating were evaluated. Milk powders were loaded into rectangular and cylindrical boxes with the same volume and different heights (3, 6 and 9 cm), and heated in a 6 kW, 27.12 MHz pilot scale free-running oscillator RF oven. The heating rate, temperature profile, penetration depth, and electric field strength were determined. The quality of the RF heated milk powders was evaluated by measuring moisture content, water activity, solubility, and color. Overall, heating milk powder in the 6 cm height cylindrical box showed a relatively more uniform temperature distribution than 6 cm height rectangular box, with moderate heating rate as well as improved quality in the finished product with less changes in moisture content, water activity, solubility and color. Electric field strength increased with the increase in the height of the container.
Implementation of a Stewardship Initiative on Respiratory Viral PCR-based Antibiotic Deescalation

OBJECTIVE Respiratory viral polymerase chain reaction (RV PCR) tests assist in rapidly identifying viral pathogens and differentiating viral versus bacterial causes of pneumonia. Studies evaluating the use of RV PCR tests on antibiotic use in adults have demonstrated mixed results. We implemented an antimicrobial stewardship (ASP) intervention for patients with a positive RV PCR test result who were receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics and aimed to assess the impact on antibiotic usage. METHODS Retrospective quasi-experimental study of adult hospitalized patients comparing time to antibiotic deescalation, duration of antibiotic therapy, and antiviral use preintervention (January-March 2016) and postintervention (January-March 2017). RESULTS Of 172 ASP alerts reviewed, 55 (32%) were considered actionable. Of these, 47% of interventions were accepted. No significant difference was observed in median time to antibiotic deescalation (pre: 2.7 days vs post: 2.3 days, p=0.88). Time to discontinuation of antimicrobial therapy pre- and postintervention was reduced from 4 to 1.9 days (p=0.057) for piperacillin-tazobactam, from 2.7 to 1.8 days (p=0.75) for ceftriaxone, and from 3.6 to 2 days (p=0.4) for levofloxacin, respectively. Time to initiation of oseltamivir for influenza was significantly shorter in the postintervention group (pre: 11.3 hrs vs post: 3.6 hrs, p=0.02). CONCLUSION A third of patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics with a positive RV PCR had an opportunity for antimicrobial optimization, although this did not translate into a significant impact on the time to antibiotic deescalation or overall antibiotic use. Combination of RV PCR results with biomarkers to rule out bacterial coinfections and chest radiographic findings may help enhance the likelihood of accepted antibiotic deescalation recommendations and represents an area of future research.
Improved quantification of the cyanobacteria metabolite, β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) using HPLC-MS/MS detection of its dansyl chloride derivative referenced to a 15N-labeled internal standard

Environmental exposure to the cyanotoxin, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), has been implicated as the etiological agent of a human neurodegenerative disease possessing the combined neuropathologies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC). However, the hypothesis linking dietary exposure to BMAA in isolated populations to their elevated incidence of ALS/PDC has been criticized due to methodological issues that include a failure to separate BMAA from co-eluting and/or isobaric compounds during quantification. We developed an improved HPLC-MS/MS quantification method for the total fraction of the dansyl chloride (DNS) derivatives of BMAA, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB), and N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine (AEG). The use of 15N-labelled BMAA as a stable isotope-labeled (SIL) internal standard (15N-BMAA) provides a direct comparison for quantification of total BMAA, and generates a more robust (>20 : 1 peak area) and stable (25.8% vs. 68.2% mean deviation of peak area) MS quantification transition as compared to the deuterated analogue, 2H3-BMAA, used in prior studies. Partial method validation using 15N-BMAA as a SIL internal standard provided high accuracy and precision (R2 > 0.999; S = 0.004) over a wide range of L-BMAA concentrations (0–100 μg g−1 lyophilized material), with improved lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) and detection (LOD) of 22.9 and 2.8 ng g−1 lyophilized material, respectively. BMAA was detected at several sites in the Lower Columbia River (USA) above the LOD, and at concentrations ranging from 23.5 ± 4.5 to 63.3 ± 18.1 ng g−1 lyophilized-material. Use of dansyl chloride derivatization provides a comparable alternative to 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysccinimidyl carbamate (AQC)-based methods. We note that the use of deuterated SIL standard variants and the derivatization buffer pH used in prior BMAA quantification studies, based on data-dependent acquisition/tandem mass spectrometry methods, may have led to false-negative results, and therefore contributed to the historic disagreement regarding the prevalence and abundance of BMAA.
"If there is no water, we cannot feed our children": The far-reaching consequences of water insecurity on infant feeding practices and infant health across 16 low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives Infant feeding plays a critical role in child health and development. Few studies to date have examined the link between household water insecurity and infant feeding, and none in a cross-cultural context. Therefore, we examined the perceived impact of household water insecurity in four domains: breastfeeding, non-breastmilk feeding, caregiver capabilities, and infant health. Our research was conducted as part of the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) study. Methods We interviewed respondents from 19 sites in 16 low- and middle-income countries (N = 3303) about the link between water insecurity and infant feeding. We then thematically analyzed their open-ended textual responses. In each of the four domains (breastfeeding, non-breastmilk feeding, caregiver capabilities, infant health), we inductively identified cross-cultural metathemes. We analyzed the distribution of themes across sites quantitatively and qualitatively. Results Water was perceived to directly affect breastfeeding and non-breastmilk feeding via numerous pathways, including timing and frequency of feeding, unclean foods, and reduced dietary diversity. Water was perceived to indirectly affect infant feeding through caregiver capabilities by increasing time demands, exacerbating disease, undernutrition, and mortality, and requiring greater efficacy of caregivers. Respondents made connections between water challenges and infant health, for example, increased risk of infectious diseases, undernutrition, and mortality. Conclusions These findings suggest that water presents many, and sometimes unexpected, challenges to infant feeding. By systematically investigating biocultural pathways by which water impacts infant and young child feeding, it will be possible to understand if, and how, water security can be leveraged to improve child nutrition and health.
Assessing biological factors affecting postspeciation introgression.

An increasing number of phylogenomic studies have documented a clear "footprint" of postspeciation introgression among closely related species. Nonetheless, systematic genome-wide studies of factors that determine the likelihood of introgression remain rare. Here, we propose an a priori hypothesis-testing framework that uses introgression statistics-including a new metric of estimated introgression, Dp-to evaluate general patterns of introgression prevalence and direction across multiple closely related species. We demonstrate this approach using whole genome sequences from 32 lineages in 11 wild tomato species to assess the effect of three factors on introgression-genetic relatedness, geographical proximity, and mating system differences-based on multiple trios within the "ABBA-BABA" test. Our analyses suggest each factor affects the prevalence of introgression, although our power to detect these is limited by the number of comparisons currently available. We find that of 14 species pairs with geographically "proximate" versus "distant" population comparisons, 13 showed evidence of introgression; in 10 of these cases, this was more prevalent between geographically closer populations. We also find modest evidence that introgression declines with increasing genetic divergence between lineages, is more prevalent between lineages that share the same mating system, and-when it does occur between mating systems-tends to involve gene flow from more inbreeding to more outbreeding lineages. Although our analysis indicates that recent postspeciation introgression is frequent in this group-detected in 15 of 17 tested trios-estimated levels of genetic exchange are modest (0.2-2.5% of the genome), so the relative importance of hybridization in shaping the evolutionary trajectories of these species could be limited. Regardless, similar clade-wide analyses of genomic introgression would be valuable for disentangling the major ecological, reproductive, and historical determinants of postspeciation gene flow, and for assessing the relative contribution of introgression as a source of genetic variation.
Tricuspid regurgitation and in-hospital outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in high-risk patients.

Background The prognostic impact of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is uncertain, and the management of patients with severe aortic stenosis and significant TR undergoing TAVR is unclear. Methods Retrospective study investigating the role of TR severity on hospital outcomes in high risk patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR. Results A total of 174 participants were included in the present study. The median age was 84 years and 48% were women. The median (IR) STS score was 7.3 (4.7-13.6). The pre-procedural mean (SD) aortic valve area (AVA) was 0.69 (0.2) cm2 and the average (SD) peak and mean gradients were 71 [23]/42 [15] mmHg. Pre TAVR, 28.7% of patients had significant (moderate or severe) TR. Significant TR pre-TAVR increased the risk of in-hospital cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause and mortality [adjusted relative risk (RR) (95% CI): 14.67 (1.35-159.51) and 5.09 (1.14-22.72), respectively], and those with severe TR post-TAVR had longer hospital stay [median (IR): 9.9 (2.9-17.0) days]. No improvement or worsened TR (greater than mild) post-TAVR was associated with higher CV and all-cause mortality [adjusted RR (95% CI): 21.5 (1.81-255.96) and 8.19 (1.67-40.29), respectively]. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was independently associated with TR severity pre and post TAVR. Conclusions Significant TR was common among patients undergoing high risk TAVR, and is associated with increased in hospital mortality and longer hospital stay. Patients with elevated RVSP and persistent moderate or severe TR after TAVR are at higher risk of in hospital death.
Distributed Data Analysis and Reliable Operation of Cyberphysical Systems

The articles in this special section focuses on distributed data analysis and the reliable operations of cyber-physical systems.
Predicting Longitudinal Cognitive Scores Using Baseline Imaging and Clinical Variables

Predicting the future course of a disease with limited information is an essential but challenging problem in health care. For older adults, especially the ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease, accurate prediction of their longitudinal trajectories of cognitive decline can facilitate appropriate prognostic clinical action. Increasing evidence has shown that longitudinal brain imaging data can aid in the prediction of cognitive trajectories. However, in many cases, only a single (base-line) measurement from imaging is available for prediction. We propose a novel model for predicting the trajectory of cognition, using only a baseline measurement, by leveraging the temporal dependence in cognition. On both a synthetic dataset and a real-world dataset, we demonstrate that our model is superior to prior approaches in predicting cognition trajectory over the next five years. We show that the model's ability to capture nonlinear interaction between features leads to improved performance. Further, the proposed model achieved significantly improved trajectory prediction in subjects at higher risk of cognitive decline (those with genetic risk and worse clinical profiles at baseline), highlighting its clinical utility.
Serological monitoring reports of a population at high risk of brucellosis in Qian'an County of Hebei Province in 2011

Objective To study the current situation of human brucellosis infection in a population at high risk in Qian'an,and to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of the disease.Methods Towns with centralized residents working in sheep breeding,transporting,slaughtering and processing in Jianchangying,Muchangkou and Xiaguanying of Qian'an were selected.In each selected town,2-3 villages with relatively centralized households working in sheep farming,transportation and slaughtering were chosen.All of the people who contacted the sheep or their excrement were chosen as monitoring objects,and serological antibody was tested with rose Bengal plate test(RBPT) and serum agglutination test(SAT).Regional,gender,age and occupational distribution of brucellosis were analyzed.Results A total of 367 blood samples were tested,46 of them were positive in both RBPT and SAT with a ratio of 12.53％ (46/367).Male positive rate [13.51％ (30/222)] was slightly higher than that of females [11.03％(16/145)].The rate in Jianchangying was higher than that of other two towns with a ratio of 13.38％(40/299).The veterinary population had the highest ratio of 33.33％(1/3).Conclusions It is necessary to carry out the surveillance on brucellosis and to further strengthen communication with the animal husbandry department,and strengthen protection on key population.At the same time,in order to control the spread of the disease,extensive health education and intervention measures should be carried out. Key words: Brucellosis ; Serology; Epidemiology
In Vitro Recapitulation of Murine Thymopoiesis from Single Hematopoietic Stem Cells

We report a serum-free, 3D murine artificial thymic organoid (M-ATO) system that mimics normal murine thymopoiesis with the production of all T cell stages, from early thymic progenitors to functional single-positive (CD8SP and CD4SP) TCRαβ and TCRγδ cells. RNA sequencing aligns M-ATO-derived populations with phenotypically identical primary thymocytes. M-ATOs initiated with Rag1-/- marrow produce the same differentiation block as seen in the endogenous thymus, and Notch signaling patterns in M-ATOs mirror primary thymopoiesis. M-ATOs initiated with defined hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and lymphoid progenitors from marrow and thymus generate each of the downstream differentiation stages, allowing the kinetics of T cell differentiation to be tracked. Remarkably, single HSCs deposited into each M-ATO generate the complete trajectory of T cell differentiation, producing diverse TCR repertoires across clones that largely match endogenous thymus. M-ATOs represent a highly reproducible and efficient experimental platform for the interrogation of clonal thymopoiesis from HSCs.
Assessing Risks and Modeling Threats in the Internet of Things

Threat modeling and risk assessments are common ways to identify, estimate, and prioritize risk to national, organizational, and individual operations and assets. Several threat modeling and risk assessment approaches have been proposed prior to the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) that focus on threats and risks in information technology (IT). Due to shortcomings in these approaches and the fact that there are significant differences between the IoT and IT, we synthesize and adapt these approaches to provide a threat modeling framework that focuses on threats and risks in the IoT. In doing so, we develop an IoT attack taxonomy that describes the adversarial assets, adversarial actions, exploitable vulnerabilities, and compromised properties that are components of any IoT attack. We use this IoT attack taxonomy as the foundation for designing a joint risk assessment and maturity assessment framework that is implemented as an interactive online tool. The assessment framework this tool encodes provides organizations with specific recommendations about where resources should be devoted to mitigate risk. The usefulness of this IoT framework is highlighted by case study implementations in the context of multiple industrial manufacturing companies, and the interactive implementation of this framework is available at http://iotrisk.andrew.cmu.edu.
Learning to Question: Categories of Questioning Used by Preservice Teachers During Diagnostic Mathematics Interviews

Developing appropriate questioning techniquesis an important part of mathematics teachingand assessment. This study examined thequestioning strategies used by 48 preserviceteachers during one-on-one diagnosticmathematics interviews with children. Eachparticipant conducted an audiotaped interviewwith one child, followed by an analysis andreflection of the interview. Data wereanalyzed to develop general categories ofquestions used by the preservice teachers. These categories included: 1) checklisting, 2) instructing rather thanassessing, and 3) probing and follow-upquestions. The analyses and reflectionscompleted by preservice teachers indicated thatusing the diagnostic interview format allowedthem to recognize and reflect on effectivequestioning techniques. Through an examinationof these categories of questions, we offersuggestions for teaching the skill ofmathematics questioning in preservice teachereducation courses.
Wind-Compressed Disks and Dust Formation in B[e] Stars

We investigate whether the Wind Compressed Disk (WCD) model can reproduce the spectral energy distribution of B[e] stars. In particular, we model the LMC B[e] star R126. Using a Monte Carlo radiative equilibrium and radiation transport code, we calculate the dust condensation radius, the 2-D temperature distribution, and the emergent flux as a function of viewing angle for a WCD model geometry. We find that the WCD model is consistent with the observational data if the dust is composed of hydrogenated amorphous carbon instead of an MRN mixture containing silicates. We also determine a criterion for dust condensation and show that the densities in the WCD outflow are large enough to form dust while spherically symmetric winds cannot form dust. This explains why B[e] stars have dust emission while normal supergiants do not.
Stability of BaCe0.8Gd0.2 O 3 in a H 2 O ‐Containing Atmosphere at Intermediate Temperatures

Barium cerate-based electrolytes have been extensively studied for intermediate-temperature (600 to 800°C) solid-state ionic devices because of their high ionic conductivities at these temperatures. However, the long-term stability of these materials under the conditions of intended applications, such as in a water vapor-containing atmosphere, has been controversial in recent literature. In this study, a gadolinium-doped barium cerate, BaCe 0.8 Gd 0.2 O 3 , has been tested in an atmosphere containing 50 volume percent water vapor at 600 and 700°C for 1000 h. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis, and electrochemical measurements indicate that there is no creditable evidence to suggest an observable decomposition of BaCe 0.8 Gd 0.2 ,O 3 to Ba(OH) 2 and CeO 2 under the testing conditions for up to 1000 h, further confirming the stability of the material under fuel cell conditions demonstrated by others.
Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic primary repair of acute iatrogenic colonic perforation: case report

Background Colonic perforation during colonoscopy is a rare complication and is usually considered a surgical emergency. Traditionally, such perforations have required laparotomy with repair or resection. Minimally invasive approaches have recently been successfully implemented. We describe our initial experience with a robotic-assisted laparoscopic technique for primary colorrhaphy following colonoscopic perforation. Methods An 84 year-old female presented with an acute sigmoid perforation identified during colonoscopy. Laparoscopic exploration revealed a full-thickness tear into the sigmoid mesentery, which was primarily repaired using robotic-assisted technique. Results The procedure was successfully completed in 135 min with an estimated blood loss of 25 ml. There were no intraoperative complications or need for open conversion. The patient was discharged after 4 days without further hospitalization or secondary surgical intervention. Conclusion In the presented case, robotic primary colorrhaphy was demonstrated to be a safe and feasible alternative for the management of acute colonoscopic perforation and may warrant consideration in the emergency setting. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The residual risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury at the American Red Cross (2008-2011): limitations of a predominantly male-donor plasma mitigation strategy.

Background The American Red Cross began preferentially distributing plasma from male donors in 2007 and subsequently observed an 80% decrease in reported cases of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) after plasma transfusion. Plasma distributions from male donors now exceed 99% for groups A, B, and O, but only approximately 60% for group AB. We evaluated the ongoing risk of TRALI and the ABO blood group of involved plasma donors. Study Design and Methods The rate of suspected TRALI per distributed components before (2006) and after (2008-2011) implementing the predominantly male-donor plasma strategy is compared. Results The risk of TRALI from the general inventory of distributed plasma decreased significantly from 18.6 cases per million units in 2006 to 4.2 cases per million units in 2008 to 2011 (p < 0.0001). However, the risk from AB plasma did not change (26.3 cases per million units) and was significantly greater than group A, B, and O plasma in 2008 to 2011 (1.8 per million units; odds ratio 14.5; 95% confidence interval, 6.8-30.9). Group AB plasma from female donors with HLA or HNA antibodies accounted for 14 of 28 (50%) of TRALI cases but less than 4% of all plasma units distributed in 2008 to 2011. Conclusion The risk of TRALI after plasma transfusion has been markedly reduced for blood groups A, B, and O but not for AB, reflecting continued reliance on group AB plasma from female donors to meet increasing demand.
Membrane properties and discharge characteristics of guinea pig dorsal cochlear nucleus neurons studied in vitro

Intracellular recordings were made from neurons of the guinea pig dorsal cochlear nucleus in an in vitro brain slice preparation. The membrane properties of the cells were studied, and the membrane potentials were manipulated by current injection to determine how intrinsic conductances might alter the cell discharge patterns. Eleven cells were marked with Lucifer yellow. Ten of these cells were identified as the large pyramidal cells of layer 2 of this nucleus, and 1 cell was identified as a “vertical” cell in layer 3. Two kinds of action potentials were observed: simple spikes and complex spikes. This report discusses only cells with simple spikes. Simple spiking cells (60/72 recorded cells; all stained cells were simple spiking cells) discharged in a regular fashion with depolarization, and had linear frequency-current relationships up to 2 nA with a mean slope of 116 Hz/nA. The discharge rate was approximately constant throughout the current pulse. Responses of simple spiking cells to depolarizing current steps superimposed on a steady-state membrane hyperpolarization were studied. When the membrane has been held hyperpolarized, small current pulses produce a long-latency regular train of action potentials. Larger current pulses superimposed on membrane hyperpolarization can produce a short-latency action potential followed by a long silent interval (i.e., a long first interspike interval), and finally a regular train of spikes. It is concluded that the membrane conductances of DCN pyramidal cells are capable of generating at least 3 discharge patterns (regular firing, long first spike latency, and long first interspike interval) depending on the state of the membrane potential prior to a depolarizing current step. These responses are similar to the “chopper,” “buildup,” and “pauser” discharge patterns reported for these cells in vivo in response to tone bursts. The modulation of the intrinsic membrane conductances by membrane polarization and the possible contribution of these conductances to the generation of DCN discharge patterns provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the responses of DCN cells to acoustic stimuli.
Switching-Cycle Capacitor Voltage Control for the Modular Multilevel DC/DC Converters

This paper presents a Switching-Cycle Capacitor Voltage Control (SCCVC) scheme that can be used in realizing the capacitor voltage balancing Modular Multilevel DC/DC Converters (MMDC). The capacitor voltage will follow the reference in every switching cycle by controlling the average currents that flow through the capacitors to zero. With the new control scheme, the MMDC can directly convert energy in between HVDC and MVDC or between MVDC and LVDC, avoiding the intermediate AC stage with high power density. The MMDC family can be promising alternatives for the MVDC distribution inside the city or any other DC grids interconnections.
Controlled synthesis of BaTiO3-coated multiwall carbon nanotubes

We report the success in synthesis of BaTiO3 (BTO) coating on acid-treated functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Functionalization treatment, coating temperature, and coating time were optimized in order to obtain the dense coating of BTO. Contact angle measurements were conducted on MWCNT surface to quantify the effectiveness of functionalization and were correlated with percentage coating. Coating thickness in the range of 5–15 nm was confirmed by using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to confirm the formation of BTO perovskite phase. Microstructural characterization and elemental analysis were performed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy to confirm the homogeneous coating with high yield. Possible application of these fully coated MWCNTs can be in flexible pressure sensors.
CSN6 positively regulates c-Jun in a MEKK1-dependent manner

c-Jun is a proto-oncoprotein that is commonly overexpressed in many types of cancer and is believed to regulate cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and apoptosis by controlling AP-1 activity. Understanding the c-Jun regulation is important to develop treatment strategy for cancer. The COP9 signalosome subunit 6 (CSN6) plays a critical role in ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation. MEKK1 is a serine/threonine kinase and E3 ligase containing PHD/RING domain involved in c-Jun ubiquitination. Here, we show that CSN6 associates with MEKK1 and reduces MEKK1 expression level by facilitating the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of MEKK1. Also we show that CSN6 overexpression diminishes MEKK1-mediated c-Jun ubiquitination, which is manifested in mitigating osmotic stress-mediated c-Jun downregulation. Thus, CSN6 is involved in positively regulating the stability of c-Jun. Overexpression of CSN6 correlates with the upregulation of c-Jun target gene expression in cancer. These findings provide new insight into CSN6-MEKK1-c-Jun axis in tumorigenesis.
Review of "Architecture and Artifacts of the Pennsylvania Germans: Constructing Identity in Early America" by C.G. Falk

Cynthia G. Falk ; Architecture and Artifacts of the Pennsylvania Germans: Constructing Identity in Early America ; University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2008, xiv + 241 pp., 103 b/w illus. $45.00, ISBN 027103338X In November 1794, a European traveler, Theeophile Cazenove, visited the home of a prosperous Pennsylvania German farmer named Leonard Elmaker. Despite the farmer's wealth, Cazenove described the scene inside the Elmaker home with distaste, noting that "the whole family (seven children) were having a very bad dinner around a very dirty little table, and the furniture in the main room was not worth 200 dollars" (47). According to author Cynthia G. Falk, Cazenove's account echoed the common view of Pennsylvania Germans as industrious but ignorant and "overly thrifty" (47). Such stereotypes privileged ethnic identity as the main factor characterizing the group. Studying reports such as Cazenove's, along with other primary documents (probate inventories, wills, contracts), architecture, and material culture, Falk explores how Pennsylvania Germans used objects to express various sorts of identity in the late eighteenth century. Falk's primary interest is how outsiders of the time used material culture to characterize the Pennsylvania Germans versus how that group created its own collective and individual identity. She notes that although the Pennsylvania Germans of the eighteenth century were often seen as a homogeneous group (as they still are seen today), they were of diverse social and economic status, religious affiliation, occupation, and other factors. In particular, Falk looks …
MOTILE MARINE BACTERIA I. : Techniques, Ecology, and General Characteristics

Leifson, Einar (Loyola University, Chicago, Ill.), B. J. Cosenza, R. Murchelano, and R. C. Cleverdon. Motile marine bacteria. I. Techniques, ecology, and general characteristics. J. Bacteriol. 87:652–666. 1964.—Aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria were isolated from the waters of the Long Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, Atlantic Ocean, and from the intestine of a variety of marine animals found along the shore of the Long Island Sound. A total of about 600 cultures of motile bacteria were studied morphologically and physiologically, with special emphasis on flagellar characteristics. The great majority of the bacteria isolated from the water were polar flagellate, nonfermentative, nonpigmented, and gramnegative. Most of these were straight, capsulated rods, but a considerable number were curved like vibrios. Yellow-pigmented isolates were often nonmotile, and the motile forms were most frequently subpolar flagellate. Several rosette-forming bacteria, including Caulobacter species, were isolated. Two typical spirilla and one flagellated coccus were found. Peritrichous flagellate bacteria, both gram-positive and gram-negative, were rare except in bottom mud. The normal intestinal flora of marine animals, such as fish and shellfish, consisted of polar flagellate, fermentative, non-pigmented, gram-negative, straight rods. Curved forms, like vibrios, were less common. Polar multitrichous flagellate forms were not uncommon and included all the luminescent types isolated. A considerable proportion of the polar monotrichous flagellate rods swarmed over the surface of agar media. When grown on solid media, all of these showed mixed polar and lateral flagellation; in liquid media, mainly polar flagellation was found. The ecology and general taxonomy of marine bacteria are discussed.
Behavioral analysis of the escape response in the juvenile lobster Homarus americanus over the molt cycle

Summary 1. Components of the escape response of the American lobster were compared over the molt cycle. Number of tailflips, frequency, duration and distance were measured. Velocity, acceleration, force and work were computed from the above measurements, using time-lapse video-recordings of escaping lobsters. 2. Soft-shelled postmolt lobsters (stage B) traveled further, spent more time tailflipping and performed a larger number of tailflips than hard-shelled premolt lobsters (stage D). Hard-shelled lobsters had a more forceful initial power swim, achieved a higher overall velocity and acceleration and, therefore, produced more forceful swims with greater energy expenditure (measured by work output) than soft-shelled animals. 3. Among hard-shelled lobsters, velocity, acceleration, force and work fell off markedly in the latter part of their subsequent swims as a consequence of the prolonged duration and reduced frequency of these swims. Soft-shelled lobsters sustained their swimming velocity, acceleration, force and work for their entire subsequent swimming response. 4. There are likely to be large molt-related differences in energy metabolism, endocrinology and nerve and muscle physiology which lead to the observed differences in the escape response.
Description of the larva of Somatochlora margarita (Odonata: Corduiiidae)

Abstract The larva of Somatochlora margarita is described from a specimen reared from the egg to the final stadium. The larva, previously unknown, is morphologically similar to the larvae of S. calverti, S. filosa, S. ozarkensis, and S. provocans. Combinations of diagnostic characters are given for distinguishing these species. Growth of this species is discussed with respect to other species of Somatochlora and Odonata.
The glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) localizes in discrete nuclear foci that associate with ND10 bodies and are enriched in components of the 26S proteasome.

The glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein-1 (GRIP1) is a member of the steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) family of transcriptional regulators. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions were made to full-length GRIP1, and a series of GRIP1 mutants lacking the defined regulatory regions and the intracellular distribution of these proteins was studied in HeLa cells. The distribution of GRIP1 was complex, ranging from diffuse nucleoplasmic to discrete intranuclear foci. Formation of these foci was dependent on the C-terminal region of GRIP1, which contains the two characterized transcriptional activation domains, AD1 and AD2. A subpopulation of GRIP1 foci associate with ND10s, small nuclear bodies that contain several proteins including PML, SP100, DAXX, and CREB-binding protein (CBP). Association with the ND10s is dependent on the AD1 of GRIP1, a region of the protein previously described as a CBP-interacting domain. The GRIP1 foci are enriched in components of the 26S proteasome, including the core 20S...
Testosterone concentrations in plasma of dairy cows with ovarian cysts.

Abstract Testosterone in plasma was measured by radioimmunoassay in cows with ovarian cysts and in cows during the estrous cycle. Concentrations of testosterone in plasma (60.8±2.7 pg/ml; mean±standard error) in cows with ovarian cysts were variable but within the range in cows during the estrous cycle. Mean concentrations of testosterone in plasma increased from 46.3 pg/ml at estrus to 85.1 pg/ml on day 13 of the estrous cycle. In cows with ovarian cysts, concentrations of testosterone in plasma declined within 24h following prostaglandin F 2 α and tended to increase by 9 days following gonadotropin releasing hormone. The role of testosterone in estrual behavior and inhibiting resumption of ovarian cycles is likely minimal.
Trends in violence among psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents: 1969 and 1979 compared.

This paper reports the results of a comparison of degrees of violence in adolescents psychiatrically hospitalized in the late 1960s and adolescents hospitalized 10 years later. The authors studied a random sample of 51 adolescents, including 26 boys and 25 girls in the late 1960s, and a random sample of 51 adolescents matched for sex and race 10 years later. Psychiatrically hospitalized girls in the 1970s were significantly more violent than psychiatrically hospitalized girls in the 1960s. The implications of these findings are discussed.
On multiple-method studies

In this paper we review statistical models that describe measurements from a multiple-method study such as in the development of a reference material. We also review requirements for the so-called GUM compliance, as this appears to be an important criterion for choosing a model and a method for assigning a value to a measurand of interest and calculating its uncertainty. For each modelling approach, we identify groups of competing methods and evaluate their status with respect to their statistical characteristics and GUM compliance.
Point-like and line-like melting of the vortex lattice in the universal phase diagram of layered superconductors

The phase diagram of layered superconductors in the vortex state is studied by Monte Carlo simulations of the three-dimensional uniformly frustrated $\mathrm{XY}$ model with different anisotropy parameters. In the London regime the phase diagram of layered superconductors is shown to be universal if plotted in scaled temperature and field with the field scale being the two-dimensional (2D)-three-dimensional (3D) crossover field ${B}_{\mathrm{cr}}.$ We find a very broad crossover region between quasi-two-dimensional and line-like melting regimes ranging from $\ensuremath{\sim}{B}_{\mathrm{cr}}$ to $\ensuremath{\sim}10{B}_{\mathrm{cr}}.$ The region is characterized by several distinct features: (i) the melting of the lattice occurs when the Josephson energy is suppressed to 64% of its bare value; (ii) the latent heat at the transition does not change much with the anisotropy parameter; (iii) the jump of the Josephson energy at the transition is equal to the jump of the in-plane energy. The entropy jump reaches a maximum value of $0.45{k}_{B}$/vortex/layer at a field $\ensuremath{\sim}10{B}_{\mathrm{cr}}$ and decreases with decreasing field due to an increase in the transition temperature. This behavior is found to be in a good agreement with experimental observations after the renormalization due to the temperature dependence of superconducting parameters is taken into account. The pancake alignment above the transition increases with increasing of the Josephson coupling. At high fields the melting is accompanied by a significant drop in the coupling energy and the destruction of vortex lines, while at small fields the vortex lines preserve at the transition. In the studied region of parameters we find that the line liquid does not have superconductivity along the direction of magnetic field in the thermodynamic limit.