cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary fungal infections after bone marrow transplantation

Of 319 pediatric patients treated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) during a 10-year period, 27 developed pulmonary fungal infections (PFI). Only 2 patients (7%) survived. Twenty-three patients (85%) had been treated with systemic antifungal therapy immediately before or at the time of diagnosis. Nineteen patients (70%) were neutropenic, and 4 of the 8 patients who were not neutropenic were being treated with systemic steroids for graft vs. host disease (GVHD). Seven patients (26%) died within 7 days of diagnosis. The diagnosis was made ante-mortem in 9 patients (33%). Radiographic abnormalities were variable. At the onset of chest X-ray (CXR) change, the pulmonary infiltrates were unilateral in 14 patients (52%) and, at diagnosis, bilateral in 18 (66%). At diagnosis the infiltrates were interstitial in 3 patients (11%), alveolar in 20 (74%) and mixed in 4 (15%). Six patients (22%) developed cavitary lesions. The infecting agents were Aspergillus in 21 patients (78%), Candida in 7 (26%), Mucormycosis in 3 (11%), and Fusarium in 1 (4%). Five patients (19%) had mixed fungal infections and 7 (26%) had concurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) pulmonary infections. Although the radiographic changes are often nonspecific in PFI, alveolar or nodular infiltrates in neutropenic patients or in those being treated for GVHD should strongly suggest a fungal etiology.
Development of microbial-enzyme-mediated decomposition model parameters through steady-state and dynamic analyses.

We developed a microbial-enzyme-mediated decomposition (MEND) model, based on the Michaelis-Menten kinetics, that describes the dynamics of physically defined pools of soil organic matter (SOC). These include particulate, mineral-associated, dissolved organic matter (POC, MOC, and DOC, respectively), microbial biomass, and associated exoenzymes. The ranges and/or distributions of parameters were determined by both analytical steady-state and dynamic analyses with SOC data from the literature. We used an improved multi-objective parameter sensitivity analysis (MOPSA) to identify the most important parameters for the full model: maintenance of microbial biomass, turnover and synthesis of enzymes, and carbon use efficiency (CUE). The model predicted that an increase of 28C (baseline temperature 128C) caused the pools of POC-cellulose, MOC, and total SOC to increase with dynamic CUE and decrease with constant CUE, as indicated by the 50% confidence intervals. Regardless of dynamic or constant CUE, the changes in pool size of POC, MOC, and total SOC varied from � 8% to 8% under þ28C. The scenario analysis using a single parameter set indicates that higher temperature with dynamic CUE might result in greater net increases in both POC-cellulose and MOC pools. Different dynamics of various SOC pools reflected the catalytic functions of specific enzymes targeting specific substrates and the interactions between microbes, enzymes, and SOC. With the feasible parameter values estimated in this study, models incorporating fundamental principles of microbial-enzyme dynamics can lead to simulation results qualitatively different from traditional models with fast/slow/passive pools.
HVDC Strengthening in Southern Africa

Africa is characterized by dispersed loads and generation sources spanning hundreds and in some cases thousands of kilometers. Connecting these generating sources and load centers is a challenge and one solution to address this challenge is via high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission. This paper briefly discusses some potential HVDC projects in the Southern African region and discusses in more detail a possible HVDC transmission link to the Cape, fed from generation sources in predominantly the north of the country.
The impact of network noise at large-scale communication performance

The impact of operating system noise on the performance of large-scale applications is a growing concern and ameliorating the effects of OS noise is a subject of active research. A related problem is that of network noise, which arises from shared use of an interconnection network by parallel processes. To characterize the impact of network noise on parallel applications we conducted a series of simulations and experiments using a newly-developed benchmark. Experiment results show a decrease in the communication performance of a parallel reduction operation by a factor of two on 246 nodes. In addition, simulations show that influence of network noise grows with the system size. Although network noise is not as well-studied as OS noise, our results clearly show that it is an important factor that must be considered when running large-scale applications.
Distinguishing design flaws from misconduct: a new approach to electricity market analysis

The power industry is perhaps the only industry where industry-wide economy heavily depends on engineering operation. Economic inefficiency can be a consequence of either Market Participants' Misconducts (MPM) or engineering operation difficulties associated with Market Design Flaws (MDF). Based on the characteristic of engineering operation and economic studies of strategic behavior, we suggest that the independence of errors in engineering control can be used as a measure of market functioning. It is also possible to distinguish the market problems of MPM and MDF by studying a matrix of correlations of engineering variables and economic indices. This paper proposes a method of empirical analysis by analyzing the significance of dependence of engineering control variables. An application to the ERCOT real-time market is also presented to illustrate the method.
Constructing real-time group communication middleware using the Resource Kernel

Group communication is a widely studied paradigm which is often used in building real-time and fault-tolerant distributed systems. RTCAST is a real-time group communication protocol which has been designed to work with commercial, non-real-time, off-the-shelf hardware and operating systems, such as Solaris, Linux and Windows NT. RTCAST makes probabilistic real-time guarantees based on assumptions about the performance of the underlying system. Unfortunately, the high variability of the access to system resources that these operating systems provide may limit the predictability of the real-time guarantees provided by RTCAST. By taking advantage of a service that provides resource scheduling and reservation in these operating systems, both the hardness and timing granularity of RTCAST's real-time services can be greatly improved. This paper describes an implementation of RTCAST which makes use of the Resource Kernel to provide highly predictable, real-time communication guarantees.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Regulates the Innate Immunity Critical Transcription Factor IRF3

IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) regulates early type I IFNs and other genes involved in innate immunity. We have previously shown that cells undergoing an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response called the unfolded protein response produce synergistically augmented IFN-β when stimulated with pattern recognition receptor agonists such as LPS. Concomitant ER stress and LPS stimulation resulted in greater recruitment of the IRF3 transcription factor to ifnb1 gene regulatory elements. In this study, we used murine cells to demonstrate that both oxygen-glucose deprivation and pharmacologic unfolded protein response inducers trigger phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of IRF3, even in the absence of exogenous LPS. Different ER stressors used distinct mechanisms to activate IRF3: IRF3 phosphorylation due to calcium-mobilizing ER stress (thapsigargin treatment, oxygen-glucose deprivation) critically depended upon stimulator of IFN gene, an ER-resident nucleic acid-responsive molecule. However, calcium mobilization alone by ionomycin was insufficient for IRF3 phosphorylation. In contrast, other forms of ER stress (e.g., tunicamycin treatment) promote IRF3 phosphorylation independently of stimulator of IFN gene and TANK-binding kinase 1. Rather, IRF3 activation by tunicamycin and 2-deoxyglucose was inhibited by 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride, a serine protease inhibitor that blocks activating transcription factor 6 processing. Interfering with ER stress-induced IRF3 activation abrogated IFN-β synergy. Together, these data suggest ER stress primes cells to respond to innate immune stimuli by activating the IRF3 transcription factor. Our results also suggest certain types of ER stress accomplish IRF3 phosphorylation by co-opting existing innate immune pathogen response pathways. These data have implications for diseases involving ER stress and type I IFN.
Terrorism: A Peace Psychological Analysis

Peace psychologists emphasize the importance of recognizing both direct and structural bases of peace and conflict. In the peace psychological analysis of terrorism presented here, I attempt to further our understanding of the bases of terrorism in the context of how inequities in political, economic, and social structures may feed into or exacerbate terrorism. I analyze the effectiveness of responses to terrorism in terms of the tripartite peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding model of nonviolent response to violence.
New challenges in delay testing of nanometer, multigigahertz designs

Less predictable path delays and many paths with delays close to the clock period are the main trends affecting the delay testability of deep-submicron designs. We examine the challenges in meeting the quality requirements of gigascale integration, and explore functional testing as well as statistical models and methods that could alleviate some of those problems.
Effect of hot extrusion, other constituents, and temperature on the strength and fracture of polycrystalline MgO

Improved agreement was confirmed between the Petch intercept and single-crystal yield stresses at 22°C. Hot-extruded MgO crystal specimens (recrystallized with no obvious grain boundary phases or residual porosity), stressed parallel with the resultant (100) axial texture (1) gave the highest and least-scattered strength–grain size results at 22°C, (2) showed direct fractographic evidence of microplastic initiated fracture at 22°C and showed macroscopic yield at 1315° and especially 1540°C, and (3) fractured entirely via transgranular cleavage, except for intergranular failure initiation from one or a few grain boundary surfaces exposed on the subsequent fracture surface, mainly at 1540°C. Hot-extruded, hot-pressed MgO billets gave comparable strength when fracture initiated transgranularly, but lower strength when fracture initiated from one or especially a few grain boundary surfaces exposed on the fracture (with residual pores). The extent and frequency of such boundary fracture increased with test temperature. While oxide additions of ≤5% or impurities in hot-pressed or hot-extruded MgO can make limited strength increases at larger grain sizes, those having limited solubility can limit strength at finer grain sizes, as can coarser surface finish (the latter especially at 22°C). Overall, MgO strength is seen as a balance between flaw and microplastic controlled failure, with several parameters shifting the balance.
Social accessibility: achieving accessibility through collaborative metadata authoring

Web content is under the control of site owners, and therefore the site owners have the responsibility to make their content accessible. This is a basic assumption of Web accessibility. Users who want access to inaccessible content must ask the site owners for help. However, the process is slow and too often the need is mooted before the content becomes accessible. Social Accessibility is an approach to drastically reduce the burden on site owners and to shorten the time to provide accessible Web content by allowing volunteers worldwide to - renovate' any webpage on the Internet. Users encountering Web access problems anywhere at any time will be able to immediately report the problems to a social computing service. Volunteers can be quickly notified, and they can easily respond by creating and publishing the requested accessibility metadata--also helping any other users who encounter the same problems. Site owners can learn about the methods for future accessibility renovations based on the volunteers' external metadata. There are two key technologies to enable this process, the external metadata that allows volunteers to annotate existing Web content, and the social computing service that supports the collaborative renovations. In this paper, we will first review previous approaches, and then propose the Social Accessibility approach. The scenario, implementation, and results of a pilot service are introduced, followed by discussion of future directions.
Rethinking Jazz Through the 1970s

The 1970s has been a vexed and vexing decade in the field of jazz studies, as it has been in other areas of historical and cultural analysis. As a relatively proximate “time of great uncertainty,” ...
Crib Bumpers Continue to Cause Infant Deaths: A Need for a New Preventive Approach.

Objectives To assess whether clutter (comforters, blankets, pillows, toys) caused bumper deaths and provide an analysis of bumper-related incidents/injuries and their causal mechanisms. Study design Bumper-related deaths (January 1, 1985, to October 31, 2012) and incidents/injuries (January 1, 1990, to October 31, 2012) were identified from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) databases and classified by mechanism. Statistical analyses include mean age, 95% CIs, χ 2 test for trend, and ANOVA with a paired-comparisons information-criterion post hoc test for age differences among injury mechanisms. Results There were 3 times more bumper deaths reported in the last 7 years than the 3 previous time periods (χ 2 (3) = 13.5, P ≤ .01). This could be attributable to increased reporting by the states, diagnostic shift, or both, or possibly a true increase in deaths. Bumpers caused 48 suffocations, 67% by a bumper alone, not clutter, and 33% by wedgings between a bumper and another object. The number of CPSC-reported deaths was compared with those from the National Center for the Review and Prevention of Child Deaths, 2008-2011; the latter reported substantially more deaths than CPSC, increasing the total to 77 deaths. Injury mechanisms showed significant differences by age (F 4,120 = 3.2, P Conclusion The effectiveness of public health recommendations, industry voluntary standard requirements, and the benefits of crib bumper use were not supported by the data. Study limitations include an undercount of CPSC-reported deaths, lack of denominator information, and voluntary incident reports.
Afferent pathways for cardiac-somatic motor reflexes in rats

The present study used a rat model in which algogenic chemicals were infused into the pericardial sac to evoke spasmlike contractions in paraspinal muscles. The following techniques were used to study the roles of sympathetic (SCA) and vagal cardiac afferents (VCA) in electromyographic (EMG) responses to pericardial algogenic chemicals: chemical stimulation, electrical stimulation, and nerve transection. Activation with bradykinin (n = 46) produced a significantly higher peak response than infusion of an algogenic mixture (n = 53) containing chemicals that also activate VCA. Electrical stimulation of SCA produced bilateral EMG activities (7 of 7). Electrical stimulation of VCA did not evoke EMG activity but inhibited the chemically evoked EMG response (12 of 12). The chemically evoked response was decreased after transection of the left sympathetic chain (n = 22) and was increased after bilateral vagotomy (n = 19). These results suggest an excitatory and inhibitory role for SCA and VCA, respectively. Therefore, in addition to spinothalamic convergence of somatic and visceral afferents, activation of SCA to generate spasmlike muscle contractions could account in part for anginal pain, and VCA activation could attenuate this effect.
Banking Sector Performance and Credit Spread

This study investigates the dynamic effect of credit spread on the performance of banking sector. Based on the analysis of monthly data from 1941M2 to 2013M6, the results indicate that return on the S&P 500 Banks Index 4010 significantly drops following credit spread shock. The decline becomes worse for a few months following the shock to credit spread. The Granger causality Wald test also indicates that there is a causal linkage between return on the S&P 500 Banks Index 4010 and credit spread.
Evidence That the “Lid” Domain of Nicastrin Is Not Essential for Regulating γ-Secretase Activity

Understanding of the structure of the γ-secretase complex consisting of presenilin (PS), anterior pharynx-defective 1 (APH-1), nicastrin (NCT), and presenilin enhancer 2 (PEN-2) is of significant therapeutic interest for the design of γ-secretase modulators for Alzheimer disease. The structure of γ-secretase revealed by cryo-EM approaches suggested a substrate binding mechanism for NCT, a bilobar structure that involved rotation of the two lobes around a central pivot and opening of a "lid" region that facilitates substrate recruitment. To validate this proposal, we expressed NCT that lacks the lid entirely, or a variety of NCT variants that harbor mutations at highly conserved residues in the lid region inNCT-deficient cells, and then assessed their impact on γ-secretase assembly, activity, and stability. In addition, we assessed the impact of mutating a critical residue proposed to be a pivot around which the two lobes of NCT rotate. Our results show that neither the mutations on the lid tested here nor the entire lid deletion has any significant impact on γ-secretase assembly, activity, and stability, and that NCT with the mutation of the proposed pivot rescues γ-secretase activity inNCT-deficient cells in a manner indistinguishable from WT NCT. These findings indicate that the NCT lid is not an essential element necessary for γ-secretase assembly, activity, and stability, and that rotation of the two lobes appears not to be a prerequisite for substrate binding and γ-secretase function.
Association between adenoma location and risk of recurrence

Background and Aims The biological environment varies across the colorectum and may therefore affect neoplastic growth differently in the proximal and distal colon. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk for recurrent adenomas and their anatomic location based on adenoma location at baseline colonoscopy. Methods Data were extracted from 3 adenoma prevention trials (n = 2430). Participants had at least 1 adenoma at baseline colonoscopy and underwent subsequent surveillance colonoscopy, at which time metachronous adenomas could be detected. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for metachronous adenomas by location of the baseline lesion and considered the impact of advanced neoplasia and multiplicity. Results At baseline, 522 patients (21.5%) had adenomas only in the proximal colon, 1266 patients (52.1%) had adenomas only in the distal colorectum, and 642 (26.4%) had adenomas in both regions. Overall, 877 patients (36.5%) had metachronous adenomas during the follow-up period. Those with only proximal adenomas at baseline had a higher risk of metachronous adenomas compared with patients with only distal adenomas (RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01–1.35). A greater proximal risk was found after restricting the analysis to patients with multiple proximal adenomas versus multiple distal adenomas (RR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.10–1.67). The risk of recurrent adenomas on the same side was 48% higher for patients with only proximal adenomas at baseline compared with those with only distal adenomas at baseline (RR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.22–1.80). Conclusions Patients with proximal adenomas only have a modestly greater risk of adenoma recurrence than patients with adenomas limited to the distal colon, and have a greater likelihood of adenoma recurrence on the same side compared with patients with distal adenomas. This observation suggests that biological factors may differentially affect neoplasia growth across the colon.
Behavioral Orientation for Oviposition in Aedes vexans

Behavioral orientation for oviposition is demonstrated in Aedes vexans, the inland floodwater mosquito. Wall stimulus is an independent oviposition cue, with a threshold height of 13 mm for the attraction of ovipositing mosquitoes. As wall height is increased, more eggs are laid close to the wall.
A Contribution to the Phylogeny of the Mycetophilidae

The interest of the author was drawn to the study of thoracic sclerites as possible aids in the determination of the relationships of insects. In 1925, Dr. Crampton presented data to indicate the interrelationship of the non-tipuloid Nematocera based on a study of thoracic sclerites. From time to time, the author had made random observations on the shape of pleural sclerites in the Mycetophilidae, but until the present time, no attempt has been made to classify this family by the use of these sclerites.
Anxiety and depression: Discrete diagnostic entities?

Some forms of anxiety and affective disorder, such as panic disorder and major depression, appear distinct, while other forms, such as generalized anxiety disorder and chronic depression or dysthymia, may lie on a continuum and blend with each other. However, even panic disorder and major depression have many common features. Moreover, for reasons not yet clear, they occur together frequently, and their combined occurrence in the same patient has been associated with greater severity and chronicity, decreased treatment responsiveness, and, possibly, increased familial prevalence of anxiety and/or depression. Finally, studies of primary care patients suggest the frequent occurrence of a mixed anxiety-depressive disorder that may often be subsyndromal by DSM-III-R criteria but is nevertheless associated with prominent distress and/or impairment.
Effect of dietary cholestyramine on carotenoid utilization by the chicks.

Abstract Cholestyramine, 3 an anion exchange resin, has been reported to reduce plasma cholesterol levels in man and some animal species (Bergen et al., 1959; Tennent et al. 1960). This effect of the resin is reported to be due to its capability to bind bile acids in the intestinal tract, and thus increase the oxidation of cholesterol. Since bile acids are known to assist in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, this led to the studies concerning the effect of the resin on the absorption and utilization of certain fat-soluble vitamins (Robinson et al., 1964; Whiteside et al., 1965). During the course of our studies with carotenoid metabolism, we considered it of interest to determine the influence of cholestyramine on the utilization of these pigments by the chick. The results are presented in this report. Five-week old female Vantress × Arbor Acre chicks weighing 850 to 900 grams were used. The basal diet . . .
96 DYAMIC CONTRAST-ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING PHARMACODYNAMIC STUDY OF SORAFENIB IN METASTATIC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED, PHASE II TRIAL.

Background Sorafenib is an oral antiangiogenic agent with activity in renal cell cancer (RCC). We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to investigate if dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is a pharmacodynamic (PD) marker for sorafenib. Method Patients were randomized in a double-blind manner to placebo, 200 mg bid sorafenib, or 400 mg bid sorafenib. DCE-MRI was performed at baseline and after 28 days of therapy, at which time placebo patients were rerandomized to low- or standard-dose sorafenib. RECIST-based progression was determined by CT scans performed every 12 weeks. DCE-MRI parameters, including the area under the contrast concentration versus time curve for 90 seconds after contrast injection (IAUC90), were calculated for a tumor region of interest in a blinded manner. Plasma steady-state sorafenib concentrations were obtained on day 28. Results To date, 43 of a planned 66 patients have been enrolled, and 34 have undergone two protocol-defined MRIs, of which 33 are technically evaluable for the study end points. All analyses were conducted using the log ratio of the mean IAUC90 at 4 weeks versus the mean at baseline. The estimates of the log ratio and the corresponding standard deviations in the placebo, 200 mg, and 400 mg cohorts were 0.032 (± 0.235), −0.066 (± 0.138), and −0.281 (± 0.430), respectively (p = .0156 for linear trend between dose and the log ratio of IAUC90). These correspond to relative changes of +3%, −6%, and −24% in the placebo, 200 mg, and 400 mg cohorts, respectively. In the 27 patients with available plasma sorafenib levels, change in IAUC90 did not correlate with sorafenib steady-state levels (p = .7507). Current median follow-up is 20 weeks. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, IAUC90 change is not a significant predictor of progression-free survival (p = .229). The mean arterial pressure increased with sorafenib dose, but no correlation with IAUC90 change was detected (p = .445). Conclusions DCE-MRI is a PD marker for sorafenib, and intrapatient variability is similar to previous reports, but the magnitude of effect in this prospective blinded study is less than previously reported. Ongoing analyses seek to assess the value of other DCE-MRI markers, such as Ktrans, and to correlate the DCE-MRI markers with more mature clinical follow-up data.
From Trust Personality and Trust Relationship to Trust Culture——Trust: the Social Capital of Development and Harmony

Trust is a central issue in modern society. It is the essential social resource of the sustained and harmonious development of economy and politics. The formation of trust shows us an extending concentric circle from trusting personality and trusting relationship to trusting culture. Trust can promote the economic development and political construction. It can help form social agreement and cultural containment. It can also help improve individual personality and interpersonal cooperation.
Prior cancer does not adversely affect survival in locally advanced lung cancer: A national SEER-medicare analysis

Abstract Introduction Management of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer is among the most highly contested areas in thoracic oncology. In this population, a history of prior cancer frequently results in exclusion from clinical trials and may influence therapeutic decisions. We therefore determined prevalence and prognostic impact of prior cancer among these patients. Materials and methods We identified patients>65years of age diagnosed 1992–2009 with locally advanced lung cancer in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked dataset. We characterized prior cancer by prevalence, type, stage, and timing. We compared all-cause and lung cancer-specific survival between patients with and without prior cancer using propensity score-adjusted Cox regression. Results 51,542 locally advanced lung cancer patients were included; 15.8% had a history of prior cancer. Prostate (25%), gastrointestinal (17%), breast (16%), and other genitourinary (15%) were the most common types of prior cancer, and 76% percent of prior cancers were localized or in situ stage. Approximately half (54%) of prior cancers were diagnosed within 5 years of the index lung cancer date. Patients with prior cancer had similar (propensity-score adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94–0.99; P =0.005) and improved lung cancer-specific (HR 0.84; 95% CI, 0.81–0.86; P Conclusions For patients with locally advanced lung cancer, prior cancer does not adversely impact clinical outcomes. Patients with locally advanced lung cancer and a history of prior cancer should not be excluded from clinical trials, and should be offered aggressive, potentially curative therapies if otherwise appropriate.
Acute effects of lateral shoe wedges on joint biomechanics of patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis during stationary cycling.

Abstract Cycling is commonly prescribed for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) but very little biomechanical research exists on the topic. Individuals with OA may be at greater risk of OA progression or other knee injuries because of their altered knee kinematics. This study investigated the effects of lateral wedges on knee joint biomechanics and pain in patients with medial compartment knee OA during stationary cycling. Thirteen participants with OA and 11 paired healthy participants volunteered for this study. A motion analysis system and a customized instrumented pedal were used to collect 5 pedal cycles of kinematics and kinetics, respectively, during 2 minutes of cycling in 1 neutral and 2 lateral wedge (5° and 10°) conditions. Participants pedaled at 60 RPM and an 80 W workrate and rated their knee pain on a visual analog scale during each minute of each condition. There was a 22% decrease in the internal knee abduction moment with the 10° wedge. However, this finding was not accompanied by a decrease in knee adduction angle or subjective pain. Additionally, there was an increase in vertical and horizontal pedal reaction force which may negate the advantages of the decreased internal knee abduction moment. For people with medial knee OA, cycling with 10° lateral wedges may not be sufficient to slow the progression of OA beyond the neutral riding condition.
Parties and Leadership Recruitment

In 1996 there were 931 persons who somehow got their names on the ballots in the states as candidates for the 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives. In addition, 68 persons were granted candidacy for 34 seats in the United States Senate. In the race for president, there were at least twelve Republican candidates and a scattering of Democrats who considered a candidacy but none of whom seriously challenged President Clinton. There was, however, Ross Perot, who was a real, live presidential candidate, having won 18.9 percent of the 1992 vote. At the state and local levels, probably 20,000 persons somehow got their names on the ballot for legislative, executive, and judicial positions. Of the millions of Americans who could have tried, or could have been instigated, to be political candidates, only a minuscule percentage made it. Why and how did these 20,000+ candidates make it? How did they get by those “gatekeepers” who made these candidate-selection decisions? How do we go about doing this screening process in the United States? And is our recruitment process satisfactorily done?
Design Index for Deep Neural Networks

Abstract In this paper, we propose a Deep Neural Networks (DNN) Design Index which would aid a DNN designer during the designing phase of DNNs. We study the designing aspect of DNNs from model-specific and data-specific perspectives with focus on three performance metrics: training time, training error and, validation error. We use a simple example to illustrate the significance of the DNN design index. To validate it, we calculate the design indices for four benchmark problems. This is an elementary work aimed at setting a direction for creating design indices pertaining to deep learning.
The use of premixed bioceramic materials in endodontics

Abstract With both antimicrobial and sealing properties, premixed bioceramic materials are unique materials available in endodontics that contribute to the success of both the microbial control phase (instrumentation, irrigation, intra-canal medication) and the filling phase (root and top filling) of root canal treatment. Bioceramic material may be an essential element in the indirect and direct pulp capping and pulpotomy procedures that are an integral part of endodontic therapy's goal of maintaining the vital pulp to ensure a healthy periradicular periodontium. For all these reasons, premixed bioceramic materials are now the material of choice for pulp capping, pulpotomy, perforation repair, root-end filling, and obturation of immature teeth with open apices, as well as for sealing root canal fillings of mature teeth with closed apices.
Economic analysis of a data center virtual power plant participating in demand response

Data centers represent a large load for the grid, and the number of data centers are increasing at a high rate. The transmission network in the grid is becoming congested as a result of the load growth. Data centers have underutilized energy resources, such as backup generators and battery storage, which can be used for demand response (DR) to benefit both the electric power system and the data center. Therefore, in this paper, data center energy resources, including renewable energy, are aggregated and controlled using an energy management system (EMS) to operate as a virtual power plant (VPP). The data center as a VPP participates in a day-ahead DR program to relieve network congestion and improve market efficiency. A case study is conducted in which the data center is connected to bus 8 of the modified IEEE 30-bus test system to evaluate the potential economic savings by participating in the DR program, coordinated by the Independent System Operator (ISO). We show that the savings of the data center operating as a VPP and participating in the DR program far outweighs the expense due to operating its own generators.
A self-tuning variable frequency control for multi-level contactless Electric Vehicle charger

This paper proposes a self-tuning controller for a multi-level inductive Electric Vehicle (EV) battery charger application. By controlling the energy injection frequency of the Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) system, multiple charging levels (4 in number) are achieved. Maximum performance is leveraged by the proposed IPT system using its capability of self-tuning the switching operations to the natural resonant frequency of the IPT system, thereby benefiting from soft-switching operations (zero-current switching).Either a digital or analog control circuit can be used to implement the proposed controller. The results are shown by simulating the proposed controller with different charging levels using MATLAB/Simulink. These results show that the proposed controller effectively enables IPT-based contactless EV charging at multiple charging levels, with soft-switching operations. This self-tuning capability is specifically useful in IPT systems that have variable resonance frequency.
Thinking in Terms of Multiteam Systems

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast of the United States. With storm surges ranging from 12 to 27 feet in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, Katrina took more than 1,300 lives, displaced hundreds of thousands more, and inflicted well more than $25 billion in damages. But it was not just the winds and storm surge that led to such damage. The select bipartisan committee charged with investigating the disaster concluded the following:We are left scratching our heads at the range of inefficiency and ineffectiveness that characterized government behavior right before and after this storm. But passivity did the most damage. The failure of initiative cost lives, prolonged suffering, and left all Americans justifiably concerned our government is no better prepared to protect its people than it was before 9/11, even if we are. (Select Bipartisan Committee 2006, p. 359)Soon after the disaster, analysts blamed the problems on “a colossal failure of leadership” (Clift, 2005) and pervasive management problems throughout the system: “At every turn, political leaders failed Katrina’s victims …. There’s plenty of blame to go around-the White House, Congress, federal agencies, local governments, police and even residents of the Gulf Coast who refused orders to evacuate” (Moss Kanter, 2005). Whereas such conclusions may well be warranted, it has since become clear that pervasive problems could be found throughout the entire system, which was designed to deal with such events. Again, from the congressional committee:Leadership requires decisions to be made even when based on flawed and incomplete information. Too often during the immediate response to Katrina, sparse or conflicting information was used as an excuse for inaction rather than an imperative to step in and fill an obvious vacuum. Information passed through the maze of departmental operations centers and ironically named “coordinating” committees,losing timeliness and relevance as it was massaged and interpreted for internal audiences.” (Select Bipartisan Committee, 2006, p. 359)The take-away message is that the system designed to deal with natural disasters (e.g., Katrina) represents a complex web of relationships among (1) local, city, state, and federal governments; (2) public, private, and military organizations; (3) paid and volunteer workers; (4) emergency planners and first responders; and (5) myriad other constituencies. The system that was designed to anticipate such disasters, to minimize their consequences, and to help people respond efficiently and effectively after they occur failedand failed miserably. Moreover, although hundreds of recommendations for improvement have been proffered, few clear-cut remedies to prevent similar circumstances in the future have been forthcoming.
Mammary Tumors Induce Central Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Expression, but Not Behavioral Deficits in Balb/C Mice.

Breast cancer survivors are more likely to develop mood disorders and cognitive deficits than women in the general population. Previous studies suggest that peripheral tumors elicit central pro-inflammatory cytokine production, in turn leading to depression and cognitive deficits. In the current study, two cohorts of female Balb/C mice received bilateral orthotopic injections of syngeneic 67NR, 4T07, or 4T1cells (1 × 105 cells per injection) to induce mammary tumors. Approximately three weeks later, learned fear (via fear conditioning) or depressive-like behavior (via tail suspension and forced swim test) was assessed. Proinflammatory cytokine levels were increased in the serum (IL-1β, TNFα, IFNγ) and livers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα) of mice with 4T07 or 4T1 tumors compared to 67NR tumors and the vehicle control. IL-1β was increased in both the hippocampus and cortex of mice injected with 4T07 or 4T1 cell lines relative to the other treatment groups. However, mammary tumors had no effect on hippocampal doublecortin + and did not alter depressive-like behavior or learned fear. These data demonstrate that similarly sized tumors can produce differential immune responses and that tumor-induced central pro-inflammatory cytokine production can exist in the absence of depressive-like behavior or cognitive deficits.
Cyclic hypersomnolence with symptoms of narcolepsy with cataplexy: An unusual presentation of probable immune-mediated encephalitis

We report a case of probable encephalitis presenting as narcolepsy with cataplexy, but with cyclical exacerbation and cognitive difficulties. Our patient continued to worsen despite treatment for narcolepsy and later was thought to have an immune-mediated encephalopathy. Treatment with intravenous gamma immunoglobulin (IVIG) led to complete recovery. Cyclic symptoms of narcolepsy with cataplexy are thus one presentation of probable immune-mediated encephalitis.
Grand Unified Theories without Superheavy Magnetic Monopoles

Grand unified theories have many very attractive features, such as the approximately correct prediction of the Weinberg angle, the prediction of proton decay, and the possible explanation of the baryon asymmetry of the universe. However, one serious problem that has received much attention recently1–6 is that many grand unified theories predict the existence of superheavy magnetic monopoles. These monopoles may have been produced prolifically soon after the big bang and could very well contribute too much to the energy density of the universe. In this talk I will briefly review the subject and then describe a model that I have developed in collaboration with S.-Y. Pi6 in which the superheavy monopoles would never have been produced.
Introduction to Biomaterials

In the treatment of disease or injury it has been found that a variety of nonliving materials are of use. Commonplace examples include sutures and tooth fillings. A biomaterial is a synthetic material used to replace part of a living system or to function in intimate contact with living tissue. The Clemson University Advisory Board for Biomaterials has formally defined a biomaterial to be “a systemically and pharmacologically inert substance designed for implantation within or incorporation with living systems.” By contrast, a biological material is a material such as bone matrix or tooth enamel, produced by a biological system. Artificial materials that simply are in contact with the skin, such as hearing aids and wearable artificial limbs are not biomaterials since the skin acts as a barrier with the external world. The uses of biomaterials, as indicated in Table 1-1, include replacement of a body part that has lost function due to disease or trauma, to assist in healing, to improve function, and to correct abnormalities. The role of biomaterials has been influenced considerably by advances in many areas of medicine. For example, with the advent of antibiotics, infectious disease is less of a threat than in former times, so that degenerative disease assumes a greater importance. Moreover, advances in surgical technique have permitted materials to be used in ways that were not possible previously.
Localization of androgen receptors in rat testis: biochemical studies.

Rat testis has been shown to contain an intracellular receptor protein for testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (1–5) which is thought to mediate the androgenic stimulus to spermatogenesis. Further identification of the androgen receptor within specific testicular cell types has proved difficult due to their heterogeneity. Localization of receptors in germ cells and/or supporting cells would help establish the mechanism of androgen action in spermatogenesis. In this report, we have measured receptor concentrations in isolated tubules, in a germ cell-free testis obtained from prenatally irradiated rats, and in nonirradiated controls. The data suggest that the androgen receptor is present both in germ cells, interstitial and Sertoli cells.
Kidney as modulator and target of “good/bad” HDL

The strong inverse relationship between low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) led to the designation of HDL as the "good" cholesterol. The atheroprotection is thought to reflect HDL's capacity to efflux cholesterol from macrophages, followed by interaction with other lipoproteins in the plasma, processing by the liver and excretion into bile. However, pharmacologic increases in HDL-C levels have not led to expected clinical benefits, giving rise to the concept of dysfunctional HDL, in which increases in serum HDL-C are not beneficial due to lost or altered HDL functions and transition to "bad" HDL. It is now understood that the cholesterol in HDL, measured by HDL-C, is neither a marker nor the mediator of HDL function, including cholesterol efflux capacity. It is also understood that besides cholesterol efflux, HDL functionality encompasses many other potentially beneficial functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, anti-apoptotic, and vascular protective effects that may be critical protective pathways for various cells, including those in the kidney parenchyma. This review highlights advances in our understanding of the role kidneys play in HDL metabolism, including the effects on levels, composition, and functionality of HDL particles, particularly the main HDL protein, apolipoprotein AI (apoAI). We suggest that normal apoAI/HDL in the glomerular filtrate provides beneficial effects, including lymphangiogenesis, that promote resorption of renal interstitial fluid and biological particles. In contrast, dysfunctional apoAI/HDL activates detrimental pathways in tubular epithelial cells and lymphatics that lead to interstitial accumulation of fluid and harmful particles that promote progressive kidney damage.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

A PDA is a condition where the ductus (connection between pulmonary artery and aorta) remains patent. A PDA is usually diagnosed in infancy or early childhood but may remain hemodynamically insignificant until the adult years. This section will review the physiology of the lesion and anesthetic considerations of parturients with this cardiac anomaly.
Assessment of the influence of food attributes on meal choice selection by socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity among women living in Chicago, USA: A discrete choice experiment

Abstract Large and persistent obesity disparities exist in the US by socioeconomic status (SES) and race/ethnicity, and weight loss interventions have traditionally been less effective in these populations. Thus, a better understanding is needed of the behavioral, economic, and geographic factors that influence obesity risk factors such as eating behaviors. We used a discrete choice experiment to evaluate the impact of different meal attributes on meal choice and to test whether the relative importance of these attributes varied by SES and race/ethnicity. Study participants (n = 228) were given a series of 10 choice tasks and asked to choose among 4 meals, each rated based on the following attributes: taste; healthfulness; preparation time; travel time to food outlet for meal/ingredients; and price. SES was measured using education and self-reported difficulty paying for basics. Race/ethnicity was categorized as Hispanic/Latina, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic other. Data were analyzed using mixed logit regression models with interaction terms to determine whether meal attributes influenced meal choices differentially by SES and race/ethnicity. Healthfulness and taste were the most important attributes for all participants. Price was a more important attribute among those in the lowest SES group compared with those in the higher SES groups. Travel was the least important attribute for low SES participants, and it was not significantly related to meal choice in these groups. Discrete choice experiments as illustrated here may help pinpoint the most salient targets for interventions to improve eating behaviors and reduce obesity disparities. Specifically, our findings suggest interventions should incorporate strategies to target the pricing of healthy and unhealthy food options.