cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cottage Cheese by Ultrafiltration

Abstract Cottage cheese making by direct ultrafiltration with retentates of maximum protein concentration (15%) was explored. Other ultrafiltration forms applied included single and double diafiltration and simultaneous fermentation with or without diafiltration. The flavor of Cottage cheese made from single layer cooked retentates obtained by diafiltration with simultaneous fermentation approached those conventionally manufactured, but the curd, though uniformly smooth, displayed a gelatin-like quality and minimum cream dressing absorption. Cottage cheese from the retentates of high protein concentration displayed consistently lower scores for color and general appearance. Making ultrafiltrated curds into whipped cream Cottage cheese improved color and appearance. Internal heating of direct acidified and lactic acid fermented retentate curds as single layers with direct steam at atmospheric pressure was rapid; less than 5 s exposure achieved a uniformly cooked body. The future success of making Cottage cheese from skim milk retentates, concentrated 1:5, is dependent upon solving problems of cooking curds and developing proper texture and cream absorption.
National Park stewardship and ‘vital signs’ monitoring: a case study from Channel Islands National Park, California†

1. Place-based conservation strategies require that stewards know and understand the targeted ecosystems, restore impaired resources, protect the ecosystems, and connect people wholeheartedly to the places. Knowledge of ecosystem structure and functioning is the cornerstone of stewardship. 2. This paper describes the design, implementation, and application of an ecological monitoring programme in Channel Islands National Park, California, USA. Experience from this programme showed that monitoring ecological ‘vital signs’ was a quick, sure, and inexpensive way to discover and track ecosystem dynamics. 3. Monitoring ecological ‘vital signs’ determined status and trends of ecosystem integrity and established limits of normal variation of key ecosystem features. It also provided early warnings of situations that required intervention and helped frame research questions to determine chains of cause and consequence. 4. The strong influence and probabilistic nature of biological interactions in ecosystems precluded effective use of deterministic modelling to predict ecosystem behaviour accurately. Therefore, ongoing monitoring was required to increase knowledge of system dynamics reliably. The US National Park Service has begun to identify and monitor the ecological ‘vital signs’ in 32 networks of 270 parks. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feature based techniques for auto-detection of novel email worms

This work focuses on applying data mining techniques to detect email worms. We apply a feature-based detection technique. These features are extracted using different statistical and behavioral analysis of emails sent over a certain period of time. The number of features thus extracted is too large. So, our goal is to select the best set of features that can efficiently distinguish between normal and viral emails using classification techniques. First, we apply Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to reduce the high dimensionality of data and to find a projected, optimal set of attributes. We observe that the application of PCA on a benchmark dataset improves the accuracy of detecting novel worms. Second, we apply J48 decision tree algorithm to determine the relative importance of features based on information gain. We are able to identify a subset of features, along with a set of classification rules that have a better performance in detecting novel worms than the original set of features or PCA-reduced features. Finally, we compare our results with published results and discuss our future plans to extend this work.
Do I Know What I Need to Do? A Social Communication Intervention for Children With Complex Clinical Profiles

Purpose: Speech-language pathologists frequently address social communication difficulties in children with diverse clinical profiles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a social communication intervention for a school-age child with a complex cognitive and behavioral profile secondary to diagnosis of a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Method: A case study is presented to describe the implementation of the intervention targeting mental state verb production and social cognitive skills. The intervention included group role play of social scripts and a checklist to elicit the participant’s statements about others’ perspectives and strategies for completing the social script. Treatment data monitored the participant’s responses to the checklist questions. Probe sessions, consisting of theory of mind false belief tasks, were used to examine mental state verb use. Results: Treatment data demonstrated that the participant stated more strategies in response to checklist questions. Th...
Fundamental Principles of Lagrangian Dynamics: Mechanical Systems with Non-ideal, Holonomic, and Nonholonomic Constraints

This paper deals with the foundations of analytical dynamics. It obtains the explicit equations of motion for mechanical systems that are subjected to non-ideal holonomic and nonholonomic equality constraints. It provides an easy incorporation of such non-ideal constraints into the framework of Lagrangian dynamics. It bases its approach on a fundamental principle that includes non-ideal constraints and that reduces to D'Alembert's Principle in the special case when all the constraints become ideal. Based on this, the problem of determining the equations of motion for the constrained system is reformulated as a constrained minimization problem. This yields a new fundamental minimum principle of analytical dynamics that reduces to Gauss's Principle when the constraints become ideal. The solution of this minimization problem then yields the explicit equations of motion for systems with non-ideal constraints. An illustrative example showing the use of this general equation for a system with sliding Coulomb friction is given.
Enzyme Activity: Allosteric Regulation

Cells can respond to changes in their environment by altering the flow through special, regulated metabolic steps performed by allosteric enzymes. These enzymes adopt either an active or inactive conformation in response to binding positive or negative effectors. As the energy difference between the two conformations is normally modest, the binding of a small metabolite ligand is adequate to stabilise the conformation that binds it. Most allosteric enzymes are K-type, denoting that the principal feature that is altered is their affinity for their substrate, measured as the K M constant. This enables them to become more or less active when the substrate concentration in the cell remains largely constant. A small, but important, subset of enzymes are V-type, denoting that the important change is in their maximum activity, defined as V max. These normally inactive enzymes can increase their activity by up to a million-fold. Key Concepts: All protein enzymes are sufficiently flexible to modestly alter their folded structure and experience two or more different conformational states under normal physiological conditions. Such conformational changes may modestly alter the position of amino acids around the catalytic site, thereby making the ability of the substrate to bind at this site more, or less, favourable. The change in the free energy for such different conformations is quite modest (normally in the range of 2–7 kcal mol−1). Then, if one of these conformations has an appropriately formed binding site for a regulatory ligand, the binding energy with such a ligand binding with simple noncovalent interactions (normally in the range of 2–7 kcal mol−1) is adequate to stabilise that particular conformation, and make it more abundant in the cell. For about a third of all enzymes there exist one or more cellular metabolite(s) that can bind to and stabilise either the more active or the less active conformation. Many allosteric enzymes may also be regulated by being covalently modified, via the attachment of some chemical group. Though more than 20 different types of such regulatory adducts have been observed, phosphorylation is most common, being used with almost half of all allosteric enzymes. Allosteric enzymes are defined as K-type (approximately 30% of all enzymes) or V-type (less than 1% of enzymes), depending on whether the major regulatory feature is their change in affinity (K M) or their change in maximum activity (V max). More than 90% of K-type enzymes display positive cooperativity, as they are converted from a fairly inactive T conformation to the active R conformation. A fairly small subset of K-type enzymes displays negative cooperativity, resulting when many of the catalytic sites, either in a single enzyme oligomer, or in the overall enzyme ensemble, have a normal affinity for the substrate, while the remaining sites have a much lower affinity. This feature greatly extends the concentration range over which the substrate can be used. Keywords: allosteric; conformation; enzyme; negative cooperativity; positive cooperativity; regulation
Location Privacy for Users of Wireless Devices through Cloaking

The continued growth in online services that provide users with content based on location presents a unique privacy concern for the user. Since the user cannot control the use of the data included in his network transactions once they leave the device, nor can he control the response from the location-based system (LBS), he must assume that information is available to an unknown observer who could use the information to estimate the user's location. This paper presents a cloaking system that preserves a user's location privacy by submitting multiple requests from disparate false locations to the LBS in rapid succession in order to confuse the observer and meet the user's pre-determined location privacy threshold.
Surgical options in subaortic stenosis associated with endocardial cushion defects.

Abstract Over a 15-year period, 12 patients with endocardial cushion defects undergoing correction had subaortic stenosis requiring operative intervention. Ages ranged from 4 months to 17 years (mean, 7 ± 6 years) and subaortic gradients from 15 to 100 mm Hg (mean, 60 ± 25 mm Hg). Subaortic stenosis was due to discrete fibromuscular tissues in 7 patients, mitral valve malattachment in 3, and tunnel outflow in 2. In 2, the subaortic stenosis was clinically significant at the time of endocardial cushion defects repair, whereas in 10 it was noted 2 to 14 years postoperatively (mean, 6.3 ± 5 years). Surgical relief of subaortic stenosis was accomplished by resection of muscle tissues in 7, apicoaortic conduit insertion in 2, modified Konno procedure (aortic valve preserved) in 2, and lifting of malattached mitral valve from the outflow in 1. There was no early death and one late death (infected conduit). Severe mitral insufficiency developed in the patient who had the mitral valve lifted and necessitated valve replacement. Postoperative echocardiographic gradient in 9 patients ranged from 0 to 36 mm Hg (mean, 10.5 ± 14 mm Hg). Clinically significant subaortic stenosis has not developed in any patient in 15 years of follow-up (mean, 5 ± 4 years). We conclude that in subaortic stenosis associated with endocardial cushion defects, resection is effective for discrete obstruction, whereas a modified Konno procedure is preferable for obstruction due to tunnel outflow or mitral valve malattachment.
Dynamic in vivo imaging and cell tracking using a histone fluorescent protein fusion in mice

Advances in optical imaging modalities and the continued evolution of genetically-encoded fluorescent proteins are coming together to facilitate the study of cell behavior at high resolution in living organisms. As a result, imaging using autofluorescent protein reporters is gaining popularity in mouse transgenic and targeted mutagenesis applications. We have used embryonic stem cell-mediated transgenesis to label cells at sub-cellular resolution in vivo, and to evaluate fusion of a human histone protein to green fluorescent protein for ubiquitous fluorescent labeling of nucleosomes in mice. To this end we have generated embryonic stem cells and a corresponding strain of mice that is viable and fertile and exhibits widespread chromatin-localized reporter expression. High levels of transgene expression are maintained in a constitutive manner. Viability and fertility of homozygous transgenic animals demonstrates that this reporter is developmentally neutral and does not interfere with mitosis or meiosis. Using various optical imaging modalities including wide-field, spinning disc confocal, and laser scanning confocal and multiphoton excitation microscopy, we can identify cells in various stages of the cell cycle. We can identify cells in interphase, cells undergoing mitosis or cell death. We demonstrate that this histone fusion reporter allows the direct visualization of active chromatin in situ. Since this reporter segments three-dimensional space, it permits the visualization of individual cells within a population, and so facilitates tracking cell position over time. It is therefore attractive for use in multidimensional studies of in vivo cell behavior and cell fate.
Commentary: Forensic Evaluation of Military Personnel

Forensic psychiatric evaluations of military personnel in civil litigation are reportedly infrequent. One such case involved former prisoners of war after Operation Desert Storm. These evaluations presented many challenges to the evaluators with regard to resources and time limitations. Discussion of these issues is relevant to forensic evaluations generally.
Single-Wafer Processing And Real-Time Process Control For Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Manufacturing

For 300 mm and larger diameter silicon wafer processing, it is clear that single-wafer processing will play a dominant role. In addition to current use of single-wafer processing for lithography, plasma etch, and metal deposition, recent research has shown that single-wafer processing will even displace most batch furnace processes and wafersurface preparation processes. In addition, the implementation of in-situ sensors will allow the use of real-time process control to improve process reproducibility and equipment utilization.
Weighted voting of sparse representation classifiers for facial expression recognition

We present a new algorithm for facial expression recognition that is robust to occlusion. The facial image is divided into equal sized regions, and a Sparse Representation Classifier (SRC) classifies the facial expression in each region. These classification decisions must be combined and different voting methods were considered. A weighted voting method where the vote assigned to each class in a region was based on the class representation error led to the best recognition results under a variety of occlusion conditions. The recognition rate of our algorithm remains very high for un-occluded images (95.3% success). With large occluded regions (≥25% of the image), it significantly outperforms an SRC algorithm based on the entire image and a Gabor-based algorithm. Since each subimage problem can be solved independently before combining decisions, processing can be done in parallel leading to a fast SRC based classification decision if implemented on a multi-core system.
Face Recognition Algorithms Surpass Humans Matching Faces Over Changes in Illumination

There has been significant progress in improving the performance of computer-based face recognition algorithms over the last decade. Although algorithms have been tested and compared extensively with each other, there has been remarkably little work comparing the accuracy of computer-based face recognition systems with humans. We compared seven state-of-the-art face recognition algorithms with humans on a face-matching task. Humans and algorithms determined whether pairs of face images, taken under different illumination conditions, were pictures of the same person or of different people. Three algorithms surpassed human performance matching face pairs prescreened to be "difficult" and six algorithms surpassed humans on "easy" face pairs. Although illumination variation continues to challenge face recognition algorithms, current algorithms compete favorably with humans. The superior performance of the best algorithms over humans, in light of the absolute performance levels of the algorithms, underscores the need to compare algorithms with the best current control-humans.
Transcription factor ETS1 is critical for human uterine decidualization.

The aim of this study was to examine whether the transcription factor ETS1 plays a critical role in the regulation of human decidualization. Decidual fibroblast cells were decidualized in vitro by treatment with medroxyprogesterone, estradiol (E 2 ) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP or prostaglandin E2 in the absence or presence of an ETS1 antisense oligonucleotide (oligo) that blocks the translation of ETS1 mRNA. Control experiments were performed using a control oligo that did not affect ETS1 expression and the induction of specific marker genes for decidualization. The ETS1 antisense oligo markedly inhibited ETS1 protein expression and significantly inhibited downstream targets of ETS1 action. On day 6 of culture, the decidualized fibroblast cells that had been exposed to the ETS1 antisense oligo contained 40–90% less mRNAs for prolactin, insulin growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) and other decidualization-specific markers (laminin, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 [TIMP3], endometrial bleeding associated factor [EBAF] and decorin) than those of control cells that had not been exposed to the ETS1 antisense oligo. GAPDH mRNA levels, which do not change during decidualization, were unaffected by either the ETS1 antisense or the control oligo. The cells decidualized in the presence of the ETS1 antisense oligo also released significantly less prolactin, EBAF and IGFBP-1 protein, determined by western blot analyses, than the control cells. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that ETS1 plays a critical role in the induction of human decidualization.
"Dangerous Things": A Symbolic Domain for Killer Bees

Viewing usage of words in culture as key symbols, Sherry B. Ortner's indicators were applied to an analysis of the lay-public's use of "killer bee", "Africanized Honey Bee", and "honey bee". While conducting social impact study in southern Nevada, the author noticed that informants were not associating "killer bee" with "honey bee" imagery. Interviews were conducted with residents in the community of Boulder City, Nevada focusing upon symbolic linkage between the expressions: honey bee, killer bee and Africanized Honey Bee. It was determined that people do not link these expressions together in the same symbolic domain. Ethnohistory of the human/bee relationship was presented to show how human cultures have conceptualized and prized honey bees over time. Further, this article is an examination of why separate symbolic domains are established for different categorical meanings applied to honey bees.
Friction Force Microscopy Measurements: Normal and Torsional Spring Constants for V-Shaped Cantilevers

A combination of finite element analysis (FEA ) calculations and resonant frequency measurements are applied for determining normal and lateral spring constants of microfabricated ceramic/gold cantilevers for friction force microscopes. The cantilever Si 3 N 4 and Au layers are combined analytically into an equivalent single composite layer. Bending and torsion behavior of the cantilever under typical operating forces are determined through FEA. Effective Young's modulus for the composite Si 3 N 4 -Au beam from 172 to 185 GPa is determined through assimilation of FEA and fundamental resonant frequency measurements. Several current analytical solutions are compared to the full FEA evaluation. A new analytical expression is derived for obtaining the ratio of lateral to normal spring constants and thereby evaluation of absolute values of friction coefficients. Calibration plots are presented for assessment of both vertical and torsion spring constants of bicomponent cantilevers by measuring their resonant frequencies and thickness of gold overlay.
All-fermion electrodynamics and fermion number anomaly inflow

We demonstrate that ($3+1$)-dimensional quantum electrodynamics with fermionic charges, fermionic monopoles, and fermionic dyons arises at the edge of a ($4+1$)-dimensional gapped phase with short-range entanglement. The ground state of this phase cannot be adiabatically connected to a product state, even in the absence of any symmetry. Our construction provides independent evidence for the obstruction found by Wang et al. [Science 343, 629 (2014)] to a ($3+1$)-dimensional short-distance completion of all-fermion electrodynamics. The nontriviality of the bulk is demonstrated by a fermion number anomaly.
Mutagenic and chemical analyses provide new insight into enzyme activation and mechanism of the type 2 iron-sulfur l-serine dehydratase from Legionella pneumophila.

The crystal structure of the Type 2 l-serine dehydratase from Legionella pneumophila (lpLSD), revealed a "tail-in-mouth" configuration where the C-terminal residue acts as an intrinsic competitive inhibitor. This pre-catalytic structure undergoes an activation step prior to catalytic turnover. Mutagenic analysis of residues at or near the active site cleft is consistent with stabilization of substrate binding by many of the same residues that interact with the C-terminal cysteine and highlight the critical role of certain tail residues in activity. pH-rate profiles show that a residue with pK of 5.9 must be deprotonated and a residue with a pK of 8.5 must be protonated for activity. This supports an earlier suggestion that His 61 is the likely catalytic base. An additional residue with a pK of 8.5-9 increases cooperativity when it is deprotonated. This investigation also demonstrates that the Fe-S dehydratases convert the enamine/imine intermediates of the catalytic reaction to products on the enzyme prior to release. This is in contrast to pyridoxyl 5' phosphate based dehydratases that release an enamine/imine intermediate into solution, which then hydrolyzes to produce the ketoamine product.
Retaining Black Teachers: An Examination of Black Female Teachers’ Intentions to Remain in K-12 Classrooms

Sixty years after Brown v. Board of Education, retention trends indicate that there is a Black teacher shortage. Research shows that Black teachers’ retention rates are often lower than the retention rates of White teachers. Black teachers report low salaries, lack of administrative support, and other school variables as reasons for leaving the teaching profession. Seeking to alter the predominantly White, middle class teaching force and potentially impact students’ educational experiences, this qualitative study examines twelve Black female teachers’ intentions to remain in the K-12 classroom. Utilizing conventional content analysis, three themes emerged regarding the retention of Black female teachers. Conclusions, recommendations, and implications are offered for school administrators and educational policymakers.
Skin therapies: dermatologic perspective on the rheumatology-dermatology interface

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin condition in which up to 42% of patients may develop psoriatic arthritis. Consequently, dermatologists and rheumatologists frequently manage the same patient for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, respectively. Hence, it is important for the two specialties to understand one another and work together to optimise care of patients with psoriatic disease. This article discusses several areas of clinical concern in which coordination of care is especially critical. First, when selecting a therapeutic modality, it is best to use treatments that improve both the joints and the skin, and exercise caution while using options that can rarely worsen the skin, such as systemic steroids. Second, a close working relationship between the two specialties is critical in making prompt and early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. Dermatologists often are on the frontlines for detecting early signs of joint involvement, and the prevalence of undiagnosed PsA among patients with psoriasis is estimated to be 15.5%. Third, in the rare instance of anti-TNF induced paradoxical worsening of the skin disease, it is highly recommended that these patients be referred to dermatologists as soon as possible for optimal management of the skin manifestations. Lastly, dermatologists in the US have a long history of undertreating generalised psoriasis, especially with regards to the use of systemic agents. Therefore, the consideration of systemic agents by the rheumatologist may greatly benefit the patient by treating both the joint and skin manifestations. In summary, this article highlights the importance of interdisciplinary coordination between rheumatologists and dermatologists for which both specialties offer unique and complementary expertise to the care of patients with psoriatic disease.
Effect of phenobarbitone on the nucleocytoplasmic transport of ribonucleic acid in vitro

The transport of nucleic acids from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is a potential site for modification of normal cellular processes by drugs and hormones. In this study the effect of phenobarbitone on nucleocytoplasmic transport of ribosomes was measured in an assay system in vitro. The transport of radioactive ribosomes from isolated rat hepatic nuclei to unlabelled post-microsomal supernatant was measured in rats treated with 80 mg of phenobarbitone/kg body wt. or saline 3h before death. With either treatment, transport was linear with time, and dependent on temperature and the presence of ATP. However, phenobarbitone treatment increased transport of ribonucleoproteins over saline-treated animals nearly twofold. The effect of phenobarbitone was mediated through the cytosol, but was not the result of altered stability of the RNA transported to the cytosol. Cycloheximide (5 mg/kg body wt.) given 3.5 h before death inhibited the stimulation of transport by phenobarbitone. The data indicate that phenobarbitone increased the transport of RNA by stimulating the synthesis of cytosol factors that regulate transport of RNA from the nucleus.
Posthume Wirkung und Stationen der Rezeption

Die Thesen Uber den Begriff der Geschichte waren der erste Text Benjamins, der posthum veroffentlicht wurde. Er erschien 1942 in dem hektographierten Band Walter Benjamin zum Gedachtnis, den das Institut fur Sozialforschung als Sonderband der Zeitschrift Jur Sozialforschung herausgab. Die Zeitschrift hatte im Jahr zuvor ihr Erscheinen eingestellt. Neben Benjamins Text und einer bibliographischen Notiz zu seinen Schriften enthalt die Broschure zwei Aufsatze Horkheimers und einen Essay von Adorno.
Effects of Sensorimotor EEG Feedback Training on Sleep and Clinical Manifestations of Epilepsy

The formal application of behavioral conditioning techniques for therapeutic purposes in epilepsy is of relatively recent origin. A comprehensive review of this area of investigation is currently being prepared for publication by Mostofsky and Balaschak at Boston University. One of the first definitive papers on this subject, however, appeared in the mid-50s when Efron reported the interruption and eventual elimination of generalized tonic-clonic seizures in one female patient with a 26-year history of the disorder. This patient experienced a well-developed aura which was inevitably followed by a grand mal seizure. When a specific sensory stimulus (strong, unpleasant odor) was applied early in the aura, Efron (1956) reported that further seizure development was consistently prevented. Application of the stimulus late in the aura resulted either in a partial seizure or a failure to abort. In further studies on this patient, Efron (1957) successfully paired the olfactory stimulus to a nonspecific visual stimulus consisting of a silver bracelet. Staring at this bracelet for several moments soon became effective in preventing seizure development, and eventually simply thinking about it was sufficient. This patient remained free of clinical seizures for 14 months. During the later months of this follow-up period the incidence of warning auras had sharply decreased, also, in spite of complete withdrawal of anticonvulsant medication.
A Nonlinear Programming Approach to Determine a Generalized Equilibrium for N-Person Normal Form Games

A generalized equilibrium (GE) for finite n-person normal form games is defined as a collection of mixed strategies with the following property: no player in some subset B of the players can achieve a better expected payoff if players in an associated set G change strategies unilaterally. A GE is proved to exist for a game if and only if the maximum objective function value of a certain nonlinear programming problem is zero, in which case the solution to the nonlinear program yields a GE.
Role of language discordance in complication and readmission rate after infrainguinal bypass.

Abstract Objective Studies have shown that language discordance between treatment teams and patients leads to worse patient outcomes, including longer hospital stays, higher rates of readmission, impaired comprehension of discharge instructions, and lower treatment adherence. Yet, there is a paucity of data evaluating the effects of language discordance on postoperative outcomes among vascular surgery patients. This study compared 30-day postoperative complications and readmissions after nonemergent infrainguinal bypass between non-English-speaking (NES) and English-speaking (ES) patients. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent nonemergent infrainguinal bypass for claudication, ischemic rest pain, and tissue loss at an urban, academic medical center between 2007 and 2014 were identified. Patients were stratified into NES or ES groups by their self-identified primary language. Crude comparisons and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the association of primary language status with 30-day wound infections, adverse graft events (wound infections, graft thromboses, or hematomas), readmissions, and Emergency Department return visits. Results The study included 261 patients who underwent an infrainguinal bypass: 51 NES and 210 ES patients. The NES patients were older (67.4 ± 9.8 vs 63.1 ± 9.9 years; P = .005) and had a higher rate of diabetes (78.4% vs 58.6%; P = .009) and a lower rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (5.9% vs 28.6%; P = .001). Other comorbidities were comparable between the two groups. The NES patients were more likely to be Medicaid beneficiaries (51.0% vs 21.4%; P P = .095), adverse graft events (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.62-2.45; P = .556), readmissions (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 0.77-2.95; P = .478), or Emergency Department return visits (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.58-2.83; P = .546). Conclusions Our study suggests that language discordance does not affect 30-day complication and readmission rates after infrainguinal bypass.
Restoring Europe’s Luster

What has Europe accomplished that other parts of the world could not? Which aspects of its economic model are unsustainable? Which changes are needed now, and which can wait? These are the questions that this paper asks. The short answers: Europe has achieved economic growth and convergence that is unprecedented. Most countries in Europe are doing well in trade and finance, many in enterprise and innovation, but far fewer are doing well in labor and government. So Europe needs many changes to make its governments and labor markets work better, fewer to foster innovation and productivity growth in enterprises, and fewer still to reform finance and trade. These deficiencies are rooted in how some activities are organized and they will need to be reorganized. Stalled productivity, declining populations, and growing fiscal imbalances have made some changes urgent. But in addressing these shortcomings, Europeans should not forget the successes of their growth model. By fostering a regional economic integration unique in both depth and scope, Europe has become a “convergence machine.” By engineering an entrepreneurial dynamism in the countries that balanced market forces and social responsibility, it has made “brand Europe” globally valued. And by allowing a balance between life and work, it made Europe the world's “lifestyle superpower.” Europeans now have to do three progressively tougher tasks: restart the convergence machine, rebuild Europe’s global brand, and recalibrate the balance between work and leisure to make their lifestyles affordable.
Regression to Mediocrity? Surnames and Social Mobility in England, 1200-2009

This paper reports on a preliminary investigation of surname distributions as a measure long run social mobility. In England this suggests two surprising claims. First, England, all the way from the heart of the Middle Ages in 1200 to 2009, is a society without persistent social classes, at least among the descendants of the medieval population. It was a world of complete social mobility, with no permanent over-class and under-class, a world of complete equal opportunity. However, for some recent immigrant groups it may no longer be true. Instead of moving from a world of immobility and class rigidity in medieval England to a world of equal opportunity, we may have moved in the opposite direction. Other modern societies such as the US and Brazil also show sign of persistent social classes. There was, however, a gain from being in the upper class before 1800 in any generation in the form of leaving more copies of your DNA permanently in later populations.
Philosophical Perspectives on Home

Home is one of the oldest themes in the texts of our culture; it is central, for example, to the Jewish Bible and the Homeric epics. It is a prominent theme in the philosophical and political writing of Ancient Greece. Subsequently, medieval Christian writers and philosophical writers of the modern world – notably John Locke and Karl Marx – brought substantial depth to the conception of home. In the contemporary world, it is the phenomenological philosopher Martin Heidegger who has most advanced the study of home.
Two-Photon Transition Driven by Parametrically Down-Converted Light: A Linear Intensity Dependence

Over the years, few subjects have received more attention than the interaction of light with atoms. On a parallel track, studies of non-classical states of the radiation field have generated substantial interest within the quantum optics community. Recent progress in the generation and detection of non-classical light1 leads naturally to a consideration of how this radiation would interact with atoms. In this paper we investigate the two-photon excitation of an atom by light which is generated via the process of degenerate parametric down-conversion. We obtain a surprising result for this inherently non-linear process: At low intensity, the two-photon transition rate exhibits a linear intensity dependence. This peculiar behavior is due to the high degree of photon correlations in the parametrically down-converted light.
Real-Time Emergency Department Electronic Notifications Regarding High-Risk Patients: A Systematic Review

Background: To systematically review evidence on the feasibility and efficacy of real-time electronic notifications about patients at high risk of emergency department (ED) recidivism. Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched for empirical studies of real-time ED-based electronic tools, identifying adult patients at high risk of frequent utilization. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Qualitative data synthesis and assessment of strength of evidence were conducted through consensus discussion. Results: Of 2,256 records found through the search, 210 were duplicates, 2,004 were excluded based on abstract review, and 31 were excluded after full text review. The final sample consisted of 10 studies described in 11 articles describing the effect of real-time ED-based electronic notifications for high-risk patients. Three were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). All notifications were based on prespecified markers of risk. Seven studies integrated complex care plans into the electronic health record. Effect on ED use and length of stay (LOS) was mixed: nine studies reported decreased ED use, although results were statistically significant in only three studies; for LOS, one study reported a statistically significant reduction. Impact on cost and financial metrics was promising, with three (of three studies reporting this metric) showing improved organizational financial metrics. Three RCTs reported a reduction in opioid prescriptions. Conclusions: Real-time electronic notifications of ED providers regarding patients at high risk of ED recidivism are feasible. They may help reduce resource utilization and costs. Large knowledge gaps remain regarding patient- and provider-centered outcomes.
Validation of Risk Score in Predicting Early Readmissions in Decompensated Cirrhotic Patients: A Model Based on the Administrative Database.

Early readmission in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis leads to an enormous burden on health care use. A retrospective cohort study using the 2013 and 2014 Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) was conducted. Patients with a diagnoses of cirrhosis and at least one feature of decompensation were included. The primary outcome was to develop a validated risk model for early readmission. Secondary outcomes were to study the 30-day all-cause readmission rate and the most common reasons for readmission. A multivariable logistic regression model was fit to identify predictors of readmissions. Finally, a risk model, the Mumtaz readmission risk score, was developed for prediction of 30-day readmission based on the 2013 NRD and validated on the 2014 NRD. A total of 123,011 patients were included. The 30-day readmission rate was 27%, with 79.6% of patients readmitted with liver-related diagnoses. Age 30%) risk of 30-day readmissions. Conclusion: One third of patients with decompensated cirrhosis are readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The use of a simple risk scoring model with high generalizability, based on demographics, clinical features, and interventions, can bring refinement to the prediction of 30-day readmission in high-risk patients; the Mumtaz readmission risk score highlights the need for targeted interventions in order to decrease rates of readmission within this population.
High-speed random access optical scanning using a linear MEMS phased array.

We demonstrate a high-speed linear microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) phase modulator capable of random access scanning at 350 kHz, so that any state can be accessed in 2.9 μs from any other state. 670 scan lines with a .87 deg field of view (FOV) are demonstrated in a Fourier regime, with a projected far-field response of 660 lines with an 18 deg FOV after magnification.
Signaling and Regulation of the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response

The mitochondrial proteome encompasses more than a thousand proteins, which are encoded by the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Mitochondrial biogenesis and network health relies on maintenance of protein import pathways and the protein-folding environment. Cell-extrinsic or -intrinsic stressors that challenge mitochondrial proteostasis negatively affect organellar function. During conditions of stress, cells use impaired protein import as a sensor for mitochondrial dysfunction to activate a stress response called the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). UPRmt activation leads to an adaptive transcriptional program that promotes mitochondrial recovery, metabolic adaptations, and innate immunity. In this review, we discuss the regulation of UPRmt activation as well as its role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis in physiological and pathological scenarios.
Order of orifices: sequence of condom use and ejaculation by orifice during anal intercourse among women: implications for HIV transmission.

Author(s): Gorbach, Pamina M; Pines, Heather; Javanbakht, Marjan; Weiss, Robert E; Jeffries, Robin; Cranston, Ross D; Fuchs, Edward J; Hezerah, Marjan; Brown, Stephen; Voskanian, Alen; Anton, Peter | Abstract: BackgroundFor women, the order of penile insertion, condom use, and ejaculation by orifice during sexual events affects the probability of HIV transmission and design of HIV prevention methods.MethodsFrom October 2006 to June 2009, 431 women in Los Angeles and Baltimore in a rectal health study reported the sequence of penile insertion, condom use, and ejaculation by orifice location by computer-assisted self-interview. Multinomial logistic regression identified predictors of condom use by orifice among women who reported vaginal intercourse (VI) during their last anal intercourse (AI) event.ResultsOf the 192 reporting on a last AI event, 96.3% (180/187) reported VI. Of these, 83.1% had VI before AI. Including the 36% who ejaculated in both the rectum and vagina, 66% report any ejaculation in the vagina and 45% in the rectum. One-third used a condom for both VI and AI, l10% for VI only or AI only, and half used no condoms. After adjusting for race, partner type, and substance use, compared with women who used condoms for both VI and AI at last AI, being older (units = 5 years) [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.76; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60 to 0.96], with serodiscordant partners (AOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.61), and HIV-positive with seroconcordant partners (AOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.54) were associated with not using condoms.ConclusionsFor most of the women in our study VI accompanied AI, with AI usually occurring after VI. This evidence for use of multiple orifices during the same sexual encounter and low use of condoms across orifices supports the need for a multicompartment HIV prevention strategy.
Low Levels of Air Pollution and Health: Effect Estimates, Methodological Challenges, and Future Directions.

Fine particle (PM2.5) levels have been decreasing in the USA over the past decades. Our goal was to assess the current literature to characterize the association between PM2.5 and adverse health at low exposure levels. We reviewed 26 papers that examined the association between short- and long-term exposure to PM2.5 and cardio-respiratory morbidity and mortality. There is evidence suggesting that these associations are stronger at lower levels. However, there are certain methodological and interpretational limitations specific to studies of low PM2.5 levels, and further methodological development is warranted. There is strong agreement across studies that air pollution effects on adverse health are still observable at low concentrations, even well below current US standards. These findings suggest that US standards need to be reevaluated, given that further improving air quality has the potential of benefiting public health.
Constraints on the global topology and size of the universe from the cosmic microwave background

We study the possibility that the universe is flat, but with one or more space directions compactified. Using the seven-year WMAP data, we constrain the size of the compact dimension to be L/L0 ≥ 1.27,0.97,0.57 at 95% confidence for the case of three, two and one compactified dimension, respectively, where L0 = 14.4 Gpc is the distance to the last scattering surface. We find a statistically significant signal for a compact universe, and the best-fit spacetime is a universe with two compact directions of size L/L0 = 1.9, with the non-compact direction pointing in a direction close to the velocity of the Local Group.
Continuum mechanics of moving defects in growing bodies

Growth processes in many living organisms create thin, soft materials with an intrinsically hyperbolic geometry. These objects support novel types of mesoscopic defects - discontinuity lines for the second derivative and branch points - terminating defects for these line discontinuities. These higher-order defects move "easily", and thus confer a great degree of flexibility to thin hyperbolic elastic sheets. We develop a general, higher-order, continuum mechanical framework from which we can derive the dynamics of higher order defects in a thermodynamically consistent manner. We illustrate our framework by obtaining the explicit equations for the dynamics of branch points in an elastic body.
Traditional Tracking with Kalman Filter on Parallel Architectures

Power density constraints are limiting the performance improvements of modern CPUs. To address this, we have seen the introduction of lower-power, multi-core processors, but the future will be even more exciting. In order to stay within the power density limits but still obtain Moore's Law performance/price gains, it will be necessary to parallelize algorithms to exploit larger numbers of lightweight cores and specialized functions like large vector units. Example technologies today include Intel's Xeon Phi and GPGPUs. Track finding and fitting is one of the most computationally challenging problems for event reconstruction in particle physics. At the High Luminosity LHC, for example, this will be by far the dominant problem. The most common track finding techniques in use today are however those based on the Kalman Filter. Significant experience has been accumulated with these techniques on real tracking detector systems, both in the trigger and offline. We report the results of our investigations into the potential and limitations of these algorithms on the new parallel hardware.
Trends in Academic Dentistry and Oral Health Research Funding by Gender

Introduction:Dental and oral health researchers compose a small share of the research workforce, and within this group female researchers form a much smaller share than male researchers. Additional...
A versatile Johansson-type tender x-ray emission spectrometer.

We present a high energy resolution x-ray spectrometer for the tender x-ray regime (1.6–5.0 keV) that was designed and operated at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource. The instrument is developed on a Rowland geometry (500 mm of radius) using cylindrically bent Johansson analyzers and a position sensitive detector. By placing the sample inside the Rowland circle, the spectrometer operates in an energy-dispersive mode with a subnatural line-width energy resolution (∼0.32 eV at 2400 eV), even when an extended incident x-ray beam is used across a wide range of diffraction angles (∼30° to 65°). The spectrometer is enclosed in a vacuum chamber, and a sample chamber with independent ambient conditions is introduced to enable a versatile and fast-access sample environment (e.g., solid/gas/liquid samples, in situ cells, and radioactive materials). The design, capabilities, and performance are presented and discussed.