cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PET image reconstruction using anatomical information through mutual information based priors

We propose a non-parametric method for incorporating information from co-registered anatomical images into PET image reconstruction through priors based on mutual information. Mutual information between feature vectors extracted from the anatomical and functional images is used as a priori information in a Bayesian framework for the reconstruction of the PET image. The computation of mutual information requires an estimate of the joint density of the two images, which is obtained by using the Parzen window method. Preconditioned conjugate gradient with a bent Armijo line-search is used to maximize the resulting posterior density. The performance of this method is compared with that using a Gaussian quadratic penalty, which does not use anatomical information. Simulation results are presented for PET and MR images generated from a slice of the Hoffman brain phantom. These indicate that mutual information based penalties can potentially provide superior quantitation compared to Gaussian quadratic penalties
Software reconnaissance: mapping program features to code

Maintainers of old code often need to discover where particular program features are implemented. This paper presents a method, called ‘software reconnaissance’ for answering this question through an analysis of the execution of different test cases. The method is quite easy to implement, requiring only a test coverage monitor, some simple tools, and a surprisingly small number of test cases. A statistical case study is presented that shows the kind of results that can be obtained on a typical medium-sized program. The method seems to be effective in identifying a small number of code components that are unique to a particular program feature, though it may not find all components that make up the feature's delocalized plan. A small protocol case study shows that professional programmers can learn to use the method quickly and can use the information that it produces. Software reconnaissance may be a simple but useful addition to the maintainer's tool kit in that it provides starting points for understanding a large program and a way of recovering some requirements traceability information from old code. For the researcher, it also provides a novel functionality ‘view’ of software that maps features to program components at different levels of precision.
Establishing a fertility preservation database: no time like the present

Fertility preservation (FP) was developed with the explicit purpose of helping young women and men overcome complications of infertility associated with cancer-related treatments. Currently, no databases in the USA follow cancer or noncancer patients who undergo FP. Hence, the number and demographics of women and men who seek these services, as well as the efficacy, benefits, risks, success rates and quality of care of FP are unknown. Two feasibility studies on young women seeking FP in southern California are discussed. In addition, barriers, funding, a needs assessment, and approaches to establishing and evaluating a database are presented. A FP database would provide oncologists, reproductive endocrinologists and other medical specialists with an invaluable resource for evidence-based decisions; a foundation of knowledge that could alleviate patients’ fears so that they can make informed decisions; public health surveillance; and research opportunities.
An assessment of patterning options for 15nm half-pitch

Despite the challenges in scaling below 20nm half-pitch, several technology roadmaps show applications with 15nm half-pitch patterning requirements as early as 2014∼2015. These include 15nm node NAND wordlines, and possibly active/STI and bitline; as well as 15nm node fin patterning for Logic, if the FinFET technology is adopted. This timing, however, is well in advance of the EUV manufacturing tool roadmaps for 3rd or 4th generation EUV scanners; the current 15nm proof of concept used a laboratory configuration combining high numerical aperture (>0.3), off-axis illumination from a synchrotron light-source, and pseudo-phase-shift-masks1. Therefore, the industry will most likely need to turn to process integration schemes and apply density multiplication techniques to achieve the 15nm half-pitch from existing manufacturing technologies.
String Tightening as a Self-Organizing Phenomenon

The phenomenon of self-organization has been of special interest to the neural network community throughout the last couple of decades. In this paper, we study a variant of the self-organizing map (SOM) that models the phenomenon of self-organization of the particles forming a string when the string is tightened from one or both of its ends. The proposed variant, called the string tightening self-organizing neural network (STON), can be used to solve certain practical problems, such as computation of shortest homotopic paths, smoothing paths to avoid sharp turns, computation of convex hull, etc. These problems are of considerable interest in computational geometry, robotics path-planning, artificial intelligence (AI) (diagrammatic reasoning), very large scale integration (VLSI) routing, and geographical information systems. Given a set of obstacles and a string with two fixed terminal points in a 2-D space, the STON model continuously tightens the given string until the unique shortest configuration in terms of the Euclidean metric is reached. The STON minimizes the total length of a string on convergence by dynamically creating and selecting feature vectors in a competitive manner. Proof of correctness of this anytime algorithm and experimental results obtained by its deployment have been presented in the paper.
CMEA: effective but cumbersome political economy

The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance is primarily a forum for bilateral bargaining between the Soviet Union and each of the other CMEA countries. The bilateral negotiations are conducted with tremendous concern for Soviet long-term preferences and for the short-term economic-political stability of East European countries. The CMEA provides the Soviet Union with an effective but cumbersome politico-economic policy-making apparatus that is becoming less effective and increasingly cumbersome over time. From the East European perspective, the CMEA tends to solidify the positions of the East European leaders yet generate long-term economic costs. What are the preferences upon which the CMEA is constructed? How are CMEA characteristics related to these preferences? What are the economic costs and benefits to member countries in static and dynamic terms? Why have costs for all member countries risen over time? How is intra-CMEA trade likely to change during the next decade?
Determination of normalizing constants for simulated tempering

Abstract In this paper, we propose to estimate the normalizing constants for simulated tempering by a modified histogram algorithm, the so-called contour Monte Carlo algorithm, and compare the efficiency of simulated tempering and parallel tempering. Our analysis reveals that simulated tempering tends to mix faster than parallel tempering at low temperature levels for simulating from complex systems. The reason why simulated tempering is better than parallel tempering is discussed at length.
Dirac Hamiltonian for strong Coulomb fields

We study the essential self-adjointness of the Dirac Hamiltonian in the Coulomb field of a heavy point nucleus. For\(\tfrac{1}{2} \sqrt 3 1, we construct a distinguished self-adjoint extension and compute the energy eigenvalues. The energy of the ground state does not approach the negative-energy continuum, as would be necessary for a «charged vacuum» to exist.
Media choice for complex and knowledge-intensive processes

In this paper we present a theoretical framework that focuses on examining the implications of the process characteristics of complexity and knowledge intensity on the media quality of communication. Communication quality is defined along the dimensions of interactiveness, richness, and precision. Using this three-dimensional construct of communication quality, we provide a classification schema for the common media types. This schema classifies media choices into eight groups of unique communication quality. The three-dimensional framework provides managers with an analytical tool to make decisions regarding the choice of media choice based on the communication quality needs of the processes. Our thesis is that managers should develop a communication infrastructure that is capable of providing appropriate communication supports to the various processes. In organizations where media choice decision making and process set up have followed a different pathway, the communication quality supported by the already installed communication technologies may differ that required by the process setup within the organizations. The framework presented in this paper can be used by managers as a diagnostic tool to identify the process-communication misfits for correctional measures.
Glutamate, a Window on Liver Intermediary Metabolism

In isotopic experiments, the labeling pattern of glutamate opens a window on hepatic metabolism, particularly the citric acid cycle, gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. This is because glutamate is in isotopic equilibrium with alpha-ketoglutarate, whose labeling pattern is influenced by the following: 1) the contributions of glucose and fatty acids to acetyl-CoA, 2) the relative contributions of pyruvate carboxylase and pyruvate dehydrogenase to the entry of pyruvate carbon into the citric acid cycle, and 3) the rate of gluconeogenesis in relation to citric acid cycle activity. In humans and primates, hepatic glutamate can be sampled noninvasively via urinary phenylacetylglutamine, which is formed in liver from phenylacetate (a side product of phenylalanine catabolism) and glutamine (which equilibrates with liver glutamate and alpha-ketoglutarate). The (14)C- or (13)C-labeling pattern of the glutamate moiety of phenylacetylglutamine can be measured by sequential degradations to (14)CO(2), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). When phenylacetylglutamine is labeled from singly labeled [(14)C]- or [(13)C]substrates, relative metabolic rates can be computed from the labeling pattern using Landau's model. In diabetic patients infused with [3-(13)C]pyruvate, the noninvasive sampling of hepatic glutamate via phenylacetylglutamine allows one to test the degree of liver insulinization via the (pyruvate carboxylase)/(pyruvate dehydrogenase) activity ratio. This ratio regulates gluconeogenesis in part. Its measurement may allow the identification of patients who might benefit from the intraperitoneal administration of insulin, or from recently developed antidiabetic drugs.
Preoperative impairment is associated with a higher postdischarge level of care

Background Although preoperative risk factors have been shown to lead to postdischarge institutionalization, an association between preoperative risk factors, preoperative level of required care, and discharge to higher levels of care has not previously been demonstrated.
Twenty years of forest change in the woodlots of Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract Webster, C. R. (School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931), M. A. Jenkins (Twin Creeks Natural Resources Center, 1314 Cherokee Orchard Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN 37738), and J. H. Rock (Twin Creeks Natural Resources Center, 1314 Cherokee Orchard Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN 37738). Twenty years of forest change in the woodlots of Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 132: 280–292. 2005.—Changes in forest composition and structure were investigated by comparing two decades of permanent plot records (1977–1978 and 1995–2002) for the woodlots of Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. The importance of late-successional shade-tolerant species, such as Tsuga canadensis L. Carr. (eastern hemlock), increased in the understories and overstories of all of the forest types examined. The most significant increas...
Effects of Early Noise Exposure on Subsequent Age-Related Changes in Hearing

Estimates of the prevalence of hearing loss in the adult population of the United States have suggested that 28 million (NIDCD 1989) to 29 million (Agrawal et al. 2008) Americans had hearing loss in the speech frequency range (defined by the investigators as 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz). The number rises to 55 million Americans when high-frequency hearing loss (defined as 3, 4, and 6 kHz) is also considered (Agrawal et al. 2008). Estimates suggest that as much as 40% of the population has hearing impairment (defined as 25 dB or greater threshold average of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz in at least one ear) by age 65 (Gates et al. 1990; Cruickshanks et al. 1998). By age 85, the percentage of people living with hearing loss (defined as above) is ­estimated at 60–80% (Gates et al. 1990; Desai et al. 2001). Thus, within the elderly segment of our society, hearing loss is among the most prevalent handicapping ­conditions. Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) continues to be an expanding health care problem for the aging U.S. population, one that has a major influence on the fields of medicine, audiology, and hearing science. Although numerous factors can contribute to hearing loss (pathology to the conductive auditory system, ototoxic medications, ear trauma, ear disease, etc.), much of the hearing loss affecting the adult population can be attributed to two factors: noise and aging. Although the exact contribution of each of these to an individual’s hearing loss is impossible to determine, in most adults with hearing loss one or both of these factors is present, and their relative contributions have been widely discussed.
Enterocystoplasty: The long-term effects on bone mineral density

Summary Background Studies show that enterocystoplasty has a negative effect on bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term impact of enterocystoplasty on BMD. We used dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans to determine BMD and identify patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis who are at potential long-term risk for fracture. Materials and methods We reviewed our database of >200 individuals, who had undergone enterocystoplasty or continent diversion for both neurogenic and non-neurogenic reasons during childhood. We chose to study the non-neurogenic group first for a number of technical reasons, and identified 24 individuals who had undergone the procedure for non-neurogenic reasons, and had more than 15 years of follow-up. In addition we had a control group of 10 individuals born with bladder exstrophy, who had undergone primary closure before the year 2000, without enterocystoplasty. We used DEXA scan T- and Z-scores to identify patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis. Results Eleven of 24 patients had normal DEXA scans with normal T- and Z-scores; seven had identifiable osteopenia and increased long-term risk for fracture. Six had osteoporosis; three of whom had reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Eight of the 10 individuals in the control group had a normal DEXA scan. Conclusions Enterocystoplasty during childhood can lead to loss of BMD. This does not seem to be related to the enterocystoplasty alone. It is more pronounced in individuals who have other risk factors, such as reduced GFR. The identification of BMD loss makes it possible to intervene before osteoporosis occurs and leads to pathologic fracture.
Cardiac ion channels

The movement of ions across cardiac cell membranes generates the electrical potentials that activate the heart. Today's molecular biology is providing breathtaking new insights into the regulation of this electrical activity, which is the basis of electrocardiography. Whereas only a few years ago depolarization and repolarization of heart cells were attributed to changing membrane resistance, cardiac action potentials are now understood in terms of structural changes in the proteins that control ion fluxes across the plasma membrane. Ions cross hydrophobic lipid membranes by passing through regulated pores formed by members of an extended family of ion-channel proteins. The opening and . . .
Cephaloascus Albidus, A New Heterothallic Yeastlike Fungus

SUMMARY The new species Cephaloascus albidus was isolated from cranberry pumace in Nova Scotia, Canada. It differs from the only other known species of Cephaloascus, C. fragrans, in assimilating a greater number of compounds and in being nonpigmented and heterothallic. Methods for carrying out fermentation and assimilation tests, and procedures for morphological examination were previously given by Wickerham (1951). Single ascospore isolates were obtained by micro- manipulation. All cultures used in this study are maintained by the ARS Culture Collection at the Northern Regional Research Center. Mycelium to be examined by transmission electron microscopy was fixed in 1% potassium permanganate for 1 h and dehydrated through a graded ethanol series (25%, 50%, 75%, 95%, 100%, 100%, 30-min intervals). Fixation and dehydration were carried out at 5 C. Fol- lowing fixation, the mycelium was embedded in Spurr epoxy resin
A dual detector Fourier transform electrostatic linear ion trap utilizing in-trap potential lift

Abstract Ion capture from an external nano-electrospray ionization source in an electrostatic linear ion trap has been effected by in-trap potential lift so as to avoid a time-dependent frequency drift of trapped ions. This phenomenon was observed when using mirror switching for capturing ions and compromised the mass resolution when using Fourier transform techniques for mass determination. A dual image charge detection approach was also implemented to compensate for losses in mass resolution associated with increasing the length of the electrostatic trap to accommodate the lift region. The potential lift approach for ion capture led to no detectable frequency shifts, thereby enabling the achievement of pressure-limited theoretical resolutions. For example, a resolution of roughly 11,000 M/ΔM FWHM was observed for a carborane anion population of average m / z = 520 at a transient length of 125 ms. The use of the dual detector approach led to an increase (∼12%) in the ion frequencies used for mass analysis, which more than compensated for the effect of increasing the length of the electrostatic trap. Although the implementation of the potential lift approach and dual detectors were successful in their objectives, these changes resulted in a narrower m / z range for a single ion injection event relative to mirror switching. Furthermore, the dual detector approach resulted in a higher noise floor and a more complicated frequency spectrum due to asymmetries in the electric fields of the ion trap.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Pregnant Women and Their Newborns

Along with increasing knowledge of factors that put infants at risk for mother-to-infant HIV transmission (e.g., maternal-viral load, HIV-disease state, prematurity, and prolonged membrane rupture), there are new approaches to reducing the likelihood of such transmission (e.g., zidovudine treatment). Additional means of reducing transmission may become available in years to come. In this context, prenatal voluntary identification of HIV-infected women is vital. Finally, appropriate use of early diagnostic tests in HIV-exposed infants will allow effective use of prophylactic and therapeutic means.
Strategies for stabilising tetanus toxoid towards the development of a single-dose tetanus vaccine

The stability of tetanus toxoid (TT) has been investigated for the purpose of enhancing its immunogenicity when encapsulated in TT-polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microspheres. In this paper we describe our simulations of various potential inactivating events during microsphere processing and release of the antigen. These include: i) processing aqueous TT solutions in the presence of organic solvents, ii) exposing lyophilized TT to moisture, and iii) incubating vaccine with the degrading PLGA. At 37 degrees C, TT began to aggregate in solution a few hours after the addition of either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate to form a single oil-water interface. Similarly, exposure of the lyophilized vaccine to elevated humidity caused the antigen to lose solubility. Previous analysis of moisture-induced aggregates has revealed that formaldehyde, which is stored in labile linkages in the vaccine following its detoxification, is the precursor to the reactive species in the principal aggregation pathway [1]. Methods to inhibit this mechanism, such as blocking nucleophilic amino groups of TT with succinic anhydride, were verified. Succinylation of TT resulted in the incorporation of 10-fold greater antigenically active vaccine in PLGA microspheres relative to the unmodified TT following processing by double-emulsion/solvent evaporation with ethyl acetate, strongly suggesting the formaldehyde-mediated aggregation pathway also occurs during the deleterious conditions of microsphere processing. Incubation of solutions of TT in the presence of excess blank (unloaded) poly (D,L) lactide (mol. wt. 2000) microspheres led to a dramatic reduction in pH (approximately 3.2 units after one day at 45 degrees C) and simultaneous precipitation of TT. Stabilisation in the presence of the degrading polymer is likely to be the final obstacle before controlled-release preparations can be formulated to release antigenically active TT over extended time periods. Hence, mechanistic analyses as described here may be crucial for the development of effective single-dose vaccines.
Advances in in vivo EPR Tooth BIOdosimetry: Meeting the targets for initial triage following a large-scale radiation event

Several important recent advances in the development and evolution of in vivo Tooth Biodosimetry using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) allow its performance to meet or exceed the U.S. targeted requirements for accuracy and ease of operation and throughput in a large-scale radiation event. Ergonomically based changes to the magnet, coupled with the development of rotation of the magnet and advanced software to automate collection of data, have made it easier and faster to make a measurement. From start to finish, measurements require a total elapsed time of 5 min, with data acquisition taking place in less than 3 min. At the same time, the accuracy of the data for triage of large populations has improved, as indicated using the metrics of sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve. Applying these standards to the intended population, EPR in vivo Tooth Biodosimetry has approximately the same diagnostic accuracy as the purported 'gold standard' (dicentric chromosome assay). Other improvements include miniaturisation of the spectrometer, leading to the creation of a significantly lighter and more compact prototype that is suitable for transporting for Point of Care (POC) operation and that can be operated off a single standard power outlet. Additional advancements in the resonator, including use of a disposable sensing loop attached to the incisor tooth, have resulted in a biodosimetry method where measurements can be made quickly with a simple 5-step workflow and by people needing only a few minutes of training (which can be built into the instrument as a training video). In sum, recent advancements allow this prototype to meet or exceed the US Federal Government's recommended targets for POC biodosimetry in large-scale events.
Análisis De La Imagen En Campañas Políticas | Image Analysis In Political Campaigns

Este articulo reflexiona sobre las imagenes en campanas politicas, conocidas como “campanas negativas”, que en distintos momentos han sido cruciales para apoyar a un candidato. A partir de algunos ejemplos, la intencion es comprender de que manera la imagen logra perfilar el concepto de lo politico, el programa de un partido o la personalidad de un lider. Con ello se busca explorar el potencial iconografico y epistemologico de la imagen en procesos politicos coyunturales, en la antesala visual de una eleccion.
Direct measurement of heat transfer coefficient augmentation at multiple density ratios

Knowing the heat transfer coefficient augmentation is imperative to predicting film cooling performance on turbine components. In the past, heat transfer coefficient augmentation was generally measured at unit density ratio to keep measurements simple and uncertainty low. Some researchers have measured heat transfer coefficient augmentation while taking density ratio effects into account, but none have made direct temperature measurements of the wall and adiabatic wall to calculate hf/h0 at higher density ratios. This work presents results from measuring the heat transfer coefficient augmentation downstream of shaped holes with a 7° forward and lateral expansion at DR = 1.0, 1.2, and 1.5 on a flat plate using a constant heat flux surface. The results showed that the heat transfer coefficient augmentation was low while the jets were attached to the surface and increased when the jets started to separate. At DR = 1.0, hf/h0 was higher for a given blowing ratio than at DR = 1.2 and DR = 1.5. However, when velocity ratios are matched, better correspondence was found at the different density ratios. Surface contours of hf/h0 showed that the heat transfer was initially increased along the centerline of the jet, but was reduced along the centerline at distances farther downstream. The decrease along the centerline may be due to counter-rotating vortices sweeping warm air next to the heat flux plate toward the center of the jet, where they sweep upward and thicken the thermal boundary layer. This warming of the core of the coolant jet over the heated surface was confirmed with thermal field measurements.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Cardiovascular Safety of Celecoxib, Naproxen, or Ibuprofen for Arthritis

BackgroundThe cardiovascular safety of celecoxib, as compared with nonselective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), remains uncertain. MethodsPatients who required NSAIDs for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis and were at increased cardiovascular risk were randomly assigned to receive celecoxib, ibuprofen, or naproxen. The goal of the trial was to assess the noninferiority of celecoxib with regard to the primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death (including hemorrhagic death), nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. Noninferiority required a hazard ratio of 1.12 or lower, as well as an upper 97.5% confidence limit of 1.33 or lower in the intention-to-treat population and of 1.40 or lower in the on-treatment population. Gastrointestinal and renal outcomes were also adjudicated. ResultsA total of 24,081 patients were randomly assigned to the celecoxib group (mean [±SD] daily dose, 209±37 mg), the naproxen group (852±103 mg), or the ibuprofen group (2045±246 mg) for a mean tr...
Tradition, Religion, and Democratic Citizenship

Walhof argues that democratic theorists cast religion primarily in epistemological terms, as assent to a set of theological beliefs, which tends to treat religion as apolitical and ahistorical in its essence. He develops an alternative approach built on Gadamer’s twofold conception of tradition: first, tradition as that which forms our unreflective prejudgments or prejudices and, second, tradition as an ongoing, collective re-narration of the past. Highlighting the tradition-structure of religion makes apparent the role of democratic politics in both reinforcing unreflective religious prejudices and also re-narrating the identities of religious communities and individuals. Walhof examines the shifting perspectives of evangelical Christians in the US on climate change and same-sex marriage to illustrate this complex relationship between religion and politics.
Active reliability monitor: Defect level extrinsic reliability monitoring on 22nm POWER8 and zSeries processors

Monitoring extrinsic reliability performance in a given technology is often performed in a passive manner. Semiconductor devices (die) are sampled out of production environment, subjected to a series of electrical and mechanical stresses, and finally tested extensively to determine if stressing produced additional fails. This strategy is prone to missing issues which are localized to a lots or wafers and is not likely to identify potential field reliability problems early enough to remove samples prior to shipment to the customer. We have created a system which continuously scans memory array repairs (correctable errors) across multiple test steps including Burn In and Voltage Screen, applies a pattern classification algorithm, and enables reliability information to be collected for every die. We will show that monitoring extrinsic defects at Wafer Final Test and through Burn In on every die for every product in a technology is crucial to a robust technology reliability strategy. Additionally we demonstrate a low cost high efficiency system, the Active Reliability Monitor, which accomplishes that goal using 22nm POWER8 and zSeries processor data. The system is shown to provide similar quality data to traditional reliability screening methods while also allowing for automated real time reaction to reliability indicators, specific-defect-type monitoring, and robust monitoring across products in the technology. The tool has enabled the identification of new screen procedures used for the containment of several problematic lots and rapid evaluation of the reliability degradation for any suspect reliability vintages.
A digital Seasat SAR correlation-simulation program

A correlation-simulation program for processing Seasat SAR data is presented, featuring the use of FORTRAN code to allow simple transference to another computer. The highest attainable azimuthal resolution for Seasat SAR experiments and the ability to generate images with varying quality by varying resolution or the number of looks are additional features. A fiber optics link transfers the Seasat data from high intensity digital tapes to an SEL 32/55 computer, and the least significant bits of the 5 bit data samples are truncated, thus the input data have 4 bits per sample. A total 8192 echoes are processed each time and stored on 8 separate data files on the disk. In addition, a program operating on 1-look high resolution images for performance simulations of proposed radar systems and processing schemes has been completed. Finally, the coding is simple, and 8 hours are required to process one image using this program.
Super-diffusion of excited carriers in semiconductors

The ultrafast spatial and temporal dynamics of excited carriers are important to understanding the response of materials to laser pulses. Here we use scanning ultrafast electron microscopy to image the dynamics of electrons and holes in silicon after excitation with a short laser pulse. We find that the carriers exhibit a diffusive dynamics at times shorter than 200 ps, with a transient diffusivity up to 1,000 times higher than the room temperature value, D_0≈30 cm^2 s^(−1). The diffusivity then decreases rapidly, reaching a value of D_0 roughly 500 ps after the excitation pulse. We attribute the transient super-diffusive behaviour to the rapid expansion of the excited carrier gas, which equilibrates with the environment in 100−150 ps. Numerical solution of the diffusion equation, as well as ab initio calculations, support our interpretation. Our findings provide new insight into the ultrafast spatial dynamics of excited carriers in materials.
HIGH-RISK CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING AND MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT IN A HIV POSITIVE PATIENT

Certain subsets of high-risk mitral valve patients are not suitable candidates for transcatheter therapies. The objective of this report is to present a young patient with combined mitral valve and coronary artery disease to illustrate these challenges.In this report, we present a 47-year-old man with longstanding HIV infection who was referred with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and profound cardiomyopathy to highlight the importance of decision-making and perioperative management.A 47-year-old HIV positive man with New York Heart Association class IV congestive heart failure was found to have severe MR (mixed Carpentier Type I and IIIB pathologies). The last viral load titer of the patient was undetectable. Cardiac catheterization revealed a chronic total occlusion of the middle of left anterior descending artery, ostial obtuse marginal and 70% posterior descending artery lesion, as well as severe pulmonary hypertension (PAP of 70/30 (mean: 43)), and a pulmonary vascular resistance of 4.6 Woods units. Preoperative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed left ventricular ejection fraction of 20%, right ventricular ejection fraction of 30%, nonviable circumflex distribution and scattered viability in the anterior and inferior cardiac walls. He underwent a high-risk coronary artery blood grafting plus mitral valve (MV) replacement (with intra-aortic balloon pump support). The postoperative course was complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding requiring transfusion, aspiration pneumonitis, atrial flutter and difficile colitis. However, the patient recovered appropriately, and remained asymptomatic and healthy in three months follow-up postoperatively. Application of transcatheter MV or device-assisted therapies for high-risk patients with severe MR might be limited due to financial, medical or social situations. In these instances, high-risk mitral valve surgery may still be the choice treatment in the selected patients.
Dynamic Management of In-memory Storage for Efficiently Integrating Compute- and Data-intensive Computing on HPC Systems

In order to boost the performance of data-intensive computing on HPC systems, in-memory computing frameworks, such as Apache Spark and Flink, use local DRAM for data storage. Optimizing the memory allocation to data storage is critical to delivering performance to traditional HPC compute jobs and throughput to data-intensive applications sharing the HPC resources. Current practices that statically configure in-memory storage may leave inadequate space for compute jobs or miss the opportunity to utilize available space for data-intensive applications. In this paper, we explore techniques to dynamically adjust in-memory storage allocation and provide optimum memory to compute jobs. We have developed a dynamic in-memory storage controller, DynIMS, which monitors memory demands of compute tasks in real time and employs a feedback-based control mechanism to adapt the allocation of in-memory storage. We test DynIMS using HPCC and Spark workloads on a HPC cluster. Experimental results show that DynIMS can achieve up to 5X performance improvement compared to systems with static memory allocations.
Sintering aids modified electrocaloric response in BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 bilayer films

Abstract The tunable electrocaloric effect (ECE) is reported in BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 homogeneous bilayer thick films through a minor modification during fabrication process. Two types of sintering aids, LiBiO2 and the mixture of PbO and B2O3, were used to lower the sintering temperature, improving the sintering condition. Compared with the mixture of PbO and B2O3, the LiBiO2 is demonstrated to be more effective in inducing ECE enhancement in the BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 bilayer thick films, where a large electrocaloric temperature change of −3.9 K under 10 MV m−1 around room temperature can be observed. The result reveals the potential of fine tuning additives in improving the electrocaloric effect, providing an effective and affordable route to realize large ECE under low electric fields.
Racial and ethnic disparities in lung transplant listing and waitlist outcomes.

Background The United States lung transplant registry data demonstrate differences in adult waitlist mortality by race/ethnicity. It is unknown whether these differences persist after risk adjustment or occur secondary to disparities in disease severity at the time of listing. Methods Adult lung transplant waitlist candidates between May 4, 2005 and March 5, 2015 were identified and compared by non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), Hispanic and Asian race/ethnicity. A competing risk proportional hazards model was used to assess the association of race/ethnicity with the unadjusted and adjusted risk of waitlist death or removal for too sick, transplant, or removal for other reason. Disease illness severity at transplant listing was compared by race/ethnicity. Results There were 20,684 lung transplant candidates identified (82% NHW, 9% NHB, 6% Hispanic, 2% Asian and 1% other). Non-white candidates had higher unadjusted waitlist mortality, which was fully mitigated by adjusting for other risk factors (NHB: hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93 to 1.18; Hispanic: HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.18; Asian: HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.16). Adjusted waitlist access to transplant was lower in non-white candidates (NHB: HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.94; Hispanic: HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.94; Asian: HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.96). NHW candidates with obstructive lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis were older with less illness severity at listing than non-white candidates. Conclusions Within the current lung allocation system, there is no difference in risk-adjusted waitlist mortality by race/ethnicity, but non-white waitlist candidates have lower risk-adjusted access to lung transplant. Non-white candidates are generally younger with greater disease-specific illness severity at the time of lung transplant listing.
Reading and Writing One’s Way to Wellness: The History of Bibliotherapy and Scriptotherapy

This chapter provides a brief overview of the history and research of bibliotherapy and scriptotherapy. Closely aligned practices in terms of purpose, both therapies tout the ability to provide a means for healthy self-expression and emotional release. In bibliotherapy, the intended goal of wellness is achieved through the reading of books, whereas writing proves the source of well-being ascribed to scriptotherapy. Although the terms bibliotherapy and scriptotherapy are relatively new, the foundations of these practices date back to ancient times.
Effectiveness of an advance care planning patient navigator on advance directive completion by electronic versus staff-based referrals at a major cancer hospital.

20Background: Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a central component of patient-centered care, helping ensure patient values and preferences guide clinical decisions. Patient navigators have been utilized effectively in healthcare for numerous roles, and more recently for ACP. At City of Hope National Medical Center (COH), an ACP-focused navigator was hired to support patients, families, and staff with Advance Directive (AD) notarization and primary ACP conversations. Methods: The Department of Supportive Care Medicine at COH with significant institutional collaboration and administrative support created a patient-centered ACP program and marketing campaign, called “Plan Today for Tomorrow.” In 2016, an ACP navigator joined the team to facilitate AD completion. Referral to the ACP navigator occurred either through staff endorsement and/or the institution’s technological screening platform deployed in a majority of COH outpatient clinics. Staff referrals came from physicians, clinical social workers, nurses, o...
Guest Editorial—Selected Papers From the 2011 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC)

The six papers in this special issue were selected from those presented at the 2011 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC). These papers cover topics related to biological and healthcare applications.
The Social Context of Dietary Behaviors: The Role of Social Relationships and Support on Dietary Fat and Fiber Intake

• Positive role modeling with structured meals in the home, increased fruit and vegetable availability, decreased availability of snacks high in saturated fats, and supportive school policies may be necessary to address the child obesity epidemic.
Parallel Importation: An Empirical Investigation of Online Unauthorized Distribution Channels for Luxury Fashion Goods

Parallel importation is prevalent as billions of dollars worth of genuine products are sold by unauthorized distributors across countries. In this research, we offer one of the first empirical investigations of online parallel importation. We find that for luxury handbags, less expensive products, products with greater market interests and products available via the authorized channel have more parallel importation activities. In addition, there are fewer parallel importation activities for the more prestigious brand.
How to Teach Total Knee Reconstruction Using Computer-Assisted Navigation

The original goals of applying computer-assisted surgical techniques to knee reconstructive procedures were to (1) increase the accuracy with which implants and limbs were aligned and soft tissues balanced and (2) improve the reliability with which the procedures were performed (i.e., reduce the incidence of alignment and soft-tissue balancing “outliers”) [18, 80]. These goals were based upon the well-established observations that the clinical and functional outcomes of knee reconstructive procedures and the durability of these procedures were correlated with the accuracy of implant and limb alignment and the quality of soft-tissue balancing [1, 3, 4, 20, 21, 26, 30, 38–40, 49, 50, 59, 61, 62, 68, 69, 75, 78, 84–86, 89].
Computer and Web Based Simulators

There has been tremendous growth in the field of screen-based simulation over the past 20 years, corresponding with advances in computer technology and a need for fresh approaches to the growing problem of how to best develop and maintain a skilled health-care workforce amid budgetary constraints, duty-hour restrictions, and ongoing scrutiny of the safety and reliability of patient-care practices. While screen-based simulators are designed to recreate only limited aspects of the physical environment, published studies indicate that those meeting contemporary technical standards achieve a level of fidelity sufficient to impart procedural knowledge better than traditional textbook or paper-based methods and possibly as well as mannequin simulation. Moreover, the unparalleled reliability and throughput capacity of screen-based simulators make them highly promising tools for assessing and tracking cognitive performance for research or administrative purposes. The recent emergence of web-enabled simulators will make screen-based simulations easier for learners to access, easier for institutions to install, and easier to revise through downloadable updates. The Internet also opens up a host of potential new directions for screen-based simulation, including a capacity to support multiple participants who manage a simulated scenario as a team, in a real-time, networked environment. Going forward, screen-based simulation stands to play a major role in research designed to identify performance deficiencies that can be translated into opportunities for targeted curricular and care process improvement.
Proteus : Detecting Android Emulators from Instruction-Level Profiles

The popularity of Android and the personal information stored on these devices attract the attention of regular cyber-criminals as well as nation state adversaries who develop malware that targets this platform. To identify malicious Android apps at a scale (e.g., Google Play contains 3.7M Apps), state-of-the-art mobile malware analysis systems inspect the execution of apps in emulation-based sandboxes. An emerging class of evasive Android malware, however, can evade detection by such analysis systems through ceasing malicious activities if an emulation sandbox is detected. Thus, systematically uncovering potential methods to detect emulated environments is crucial to stay ahead of adversaries. This work uncovers the detection methods based on discrepancies in instruction-level behavior between software-based emulators and real ARM CPUs that power the vast majority of Android devices. To systematically discover such discrepancies at scale, we propose the Proteus system. Proteus performs large-scale collection of application execution traces (i.e., registers and memory) as they run on an emulator and on accurate software models of ARM CPUs. Proteus automatically identifies the instructions that cause divergent behavior between emulated and real CPUs and, on a set of 500K test programs, identified 28K divergent instances. By inspecting these instances, we reveal 3 major classes of root causes that are responsible for these discrepancies. We show that some of these root causes can be easily fixed without introducing observable performance degradation in the emulator. Thus, we have submitted patches to improve resilience of Android emulators against evasive malware.
If I Had a Million Cryptos: Cryptowallet Application Analysis and a Trojan Proof-of-Concept

Cryptocurrencies have gained wide adoption by enthusiasts and investors. In this work, we examine seven different Android cryptowallet applications for forensic artifacts, but we also assess their security against tampering and reverse engineering. Some of the biggest benefits of cryptocurrency is its security and relative anonymity. For this reason it is vital that wallet applications share the same properties. Our work, however, indicates that this is not the case. Five of the seven applications we tested do not implement basic security measures against reverse engineering. Three of the applications stored sensitive information, like wallet private keys, insecurely and one was able to be decrypted with some effort. One of the applications did not require root access to retrieve the data. We were also able to implement a proof-of-concept trojan which exemplifies how a malicious actor may exploit the lack of security in these applications and exfiltrate user data and cryptocurrency.