cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring end-user availability on the Web: practical experience

For service applications on a network, measuring availability, performance, and quality of service is critical. Yet traditional software and hardware measures are both inadequate and misleading. Better measures of availability that incorporate end-user experience will lead to meaningful benchmarks and progress in providing high availability services. We present the results of a series of long-term experiments that measured availability of select Web sites and services with the goal of duplicating the end-user experience. Using our measurements, we propose a new metric for availability that goes beyond the traditional sole measure of uptime.
Policy Versus Place Luck: Achieving Local Economic Prosperity:

This research focuses on the relative impact of place luck and economic development policy in contributing to long-term economic growth. Using a unique national data set composed of surveys of public officials, three decades of census data, and a variety of other data covering climate, health, amenities, and so on, the following research questions are addressed: (a) Is economic prosperity better explained by local development policy or simple place luck? (b) Are particular economic development policies more strongly related to prosperity than others? (c) Are there other attributes of cities such as school quality, service quality, and safety, for example, that appear to enhance economic health?
Visual simulation by means of a transputer network for a driving simulator

Visual simulation is one of the most important parts of a driving simulator. Unfortunately it is in general the most expensive part too. CGI-manufacturers tend to develop more complex systems because of the demands of the military market. The common systems are strongly hardware-oriented. On the basis of a new type of microprocessor, the transputer, a more software-oriented approach is introduced. Transputers in connection with the new high-level language occam are well suited for pipelining and parallelization owing to their communication concept. The advantages of this approach are reduced costs and development time, and also the capability for fast and cheap changes in algorithms. The achievable performance meets the requirements for a driving simulator very well.
Ultrastructural evidence for nutritional exchange between brooding unionid mussels and their glochidia larvae

. The life history of unionid bivalve molluscs includes retention of developing embryos within the gills of parental mussels. This brooding behavior may facilitate nutrient transfer to the glochidia larvae, i.e., matrotrophy. To address this possibility, morphological relationships between brood chambers and developing larvae of Pyganodon cataracta and Utterbackia imbecillis were examined with TEM, and larval shells were observed with SEM, for features that could be associated with the uptake of dissolved materials. Early in brooding, glochidia are enclosed in a vitelline membrane that physically contacts numerous cilia and microvilli of the epithelial cells lining the brood chamber (marsupium). The vitelline membrane subsequently disappears. Lamellar tissues of parental mussels initially have large deposits of glycogen that diminish during the course of brooding. Septa separating brood chambers from adjacent secondary water tubes have numerous mitochondria and microvilli, suggesting the potential for active transport of materials into or out of the marsupia. Since punctae (pores) in the larval shells become filled with an organic matrix early in brooding, they are unlikely to be involved in nutrient exchange. Ultrastructure of the brood chamber and physical contact between the parental mussel and larvae are consistent with a nutritive role for retention of glochidia in the marsupia.
The effect of fan-reliability and cooling-performance on electronic-chassis reliability

A tractable model for predicting the failure rates of electronic chassis cooled by fans with finite failure rates is developed. The model accounts for two regimes prior to electronics failure: the electronic chassis is operated at a temperature which occurs with a fan that is operational and the electronic chassis is operated at a temperature which occurs when the fan has failed. Fan failures alone do not constitute a failure of the chassis. Such a model applies where cooling fans are not actively monitored, and where their failure is noticed only during the maintenance associated with an electronic failure of the chassis, i.e., the model accounts for the fact that the electronics in general continues to operate for a period of time following a fan failure. The model directly applies to cost/benefit studies in electronics packaging, including the determination of the improvement in mean time between failures (MTBF) to be anticipated when a chassis is implemented with a cooling fan, and the determination of the performance benefit to be anticipated when fans are actively monitored and replaced upon failure. >
Student Attitudes Toward Accelerated Reader: Thanks for asking"

The Accelerated Reader program was designed by Renaissance Learning to increase studentsâ€™ motivation to read and studentsâ€™ achievement in reading; however, a review of the literature reveals inconsistent findings about its outcomes. The Renaissance Learning company reports several research studies on their website that suggest the program is meeting its goals. Independent research studies about studentsâ€™ attitudes toward the program, however, have been varied, some reporting favorable attitudes toward the program and others indicating unfavorable results. What do students really think about the Accelerated Reader program, a widely used supplemental, independent reading program in which students read fiction and non-fiction books of their choice and take brief online comprehension quizzes about the books? The results from our study on studentsâ€™ attitudes toward AR in Grades 3-8 from student focus group interviews are described in this article.
The role of race in cesarean delivery rate case mix adjustment

Objective Primary cesarean delivery rates vary by race and ethnicity. We determined whether the inclusion of race and ethnicity substantially improved predictive ability in predictive models for primary cesarean delivery. Study Design Data from 371,468 women who were at risk for primary cesarean delivery were obtained from 2003 California birth certificates. A logistic regression model for primary cesarean delivery was built with maternal age, race and ethnicity, medical conditions, gestational age, multiple births, insurance, nulliparity, complications of pregnancy, and the trimester in which prenatal care began. The model's predictive validity was then compared with a model that excluded race and ethnicity. Results The C statistics (also called the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for models) with (0.766) and without (0.764) race and ethnicity were similar and demonstrated that the addition of race and ethnicity did not substantially increase the predictive discrimination of the model. Additionally, there was no substantial difference in model calibration. Conclusion Risk-adjustment models with and without race and ethnicity do not differ substantially in discrimination or calibration.
Differences in the timing of germination and reproduction relate to growth physiology and population dynamics of Sonoran Desert winter annuals.

Premise of the study Trait differences can promote distinct survival and fecundity responses to environmental fluctuations. In a Sonoran Desert winter annual plant community, we have identified a tradeoff between relative growth rate (RGR) and water-use efficiency (WUE) that predicts interannual variation in reproductive success. Here we test the hypothesis that traits underlying RGR and WUE differences are linked to seasonal phenology. Methods We use long-term demographic data and finer-scale, short-term data to investigate timing of germination, reproduction, and death of several winter annual species in multiple years in open and under-shrub habitats. We hypothesized that species with high WUE and less interannual demographic variability would have life cycle transitions early in the winter to spring growing season. This would be due to an ability to use small amounts of rain and photosynthesize at low temperatures. By contrast, we hypothesized that species with low WUE whose survival and reproductive rates vary greatly from year to year would have life cycle transitions later in the season. Key results In any given year, species with high WUE germinated and reproduced earlier in the season than species with low WUE, whereas low-WUE species germinated later and had shorter reproductive phases. Conclusions Our results demonstrate a direct relationship between phenology and physiological trait differences. This link between phenology and physiology is of interest because it clarifies the mechanism by which trait differences determine species' relative abundances.
Hybrid simulation for embedded software energy estimation

Software energy estimation is a critical step in the design of energy-efficient embedded systems. Instruction-level simulation techniques, despite several advances, remain too slow for iterative use in system-level exploration. In this paper, we propose a methodology called hybrid simulation, which combines instruction set simulation with selective native execution (execution of some parts of the program directly on the simulation host computer), thereby overcoming the disadvantages of instruction-level simulation (low speed) and pure native execution (estimation accuracy, inapplicability to target-dependent code), while exploiting their advantages. Previously developed techniques for software energy macromodeling are utilized to estimate energy consumption for natively executed sub-programs. We identify and address the main challenges involved in hybrid simulation, and present an automatic tool flow for it, which analyzes a given program and selects functions for native execution in order to achieve maximum estimation efficiency while limiting estimation error. We have applied the proposed hybrid simulation methodology to a variety of embedded software programs, resulting in an average speed-up of 70% and estimation error of at most 6%, compared to one of the fastest publicly-available instruction set simulators.
Fentanyl in the out-of-hospital setting: variables associated with hypotension and hypoxemia.

e Abstract—Background: Previous out-of-hospital fentanyl analgesia studies are limited by retrospective nature or low numbers. Study Objectives: This study sought to prospectively assess fentanyl safety in a large out-of-hospital group, to identify variables associated with post-fentanyl hypotension (HN; systolic blood pressure [SBP] < 90) or hypoxemia (HX; SpO2 < 90%). Methods: As part of a new protocol requiring documentation of peri-dose vital signs and adverse effects associated with fentanyl bolus doses, our Emergency Medical Services helicopter service assessed 500 consecutive patients receiving fentanyl from July through September 2006. By a priori plan, we assessed HN and HX descriptively (median with interquartile range, exact confidence intervals [CIs]) and with multivariate regression. Results: In 1055 patients, post-fentanyl HN was noted 52 times (4.9%), being a continuation of pre-fentanyl HN in 24 patients (46.2%); HN was new in 28 patients (2.7% of 1055, 95% CI 1.8 –3.8%). Regression showed no association between dependent variables HN (assessed for 1055 doses) or HX (528 doses in non-intubated) and independent variables age, diagnosis, gender, scene/inter-facility mission, dose, or total transport dose. Pre-and post-fentanyl SpO 2 means were unchanged: 98.8% (95% CI 98.5–98.9) vs. 98.6% (95% CI 98.3–99.0), respectively. Post-fentanyl HN was seen in patients with pre-fentanyl intubation (odds ratio [OR] 5.3, p 0.002) and with pre-fentanyl low SBP (OR 40, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In a closely monitored out-of-hospital population, fentanyl incurs a low risk of significant hypoxemia. The risk of fentanylassociated hypotension is also very low, but difficult to predict in the absence of acuity markers such as preexisting hypotension. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. e Keywords—analgesia; Emergency Medical Services; pain control; fentanyl
Soft switching high frequency AC-link DC-DC buck-boost converters

This paper proposes a modified control scheme for bidirectional and unidirectional dc-dc parallel ac-link universal power converters, and studies their performance under both variable and fixed switching frequency. Moreover, this paper proposes two novel unidirectional dc-dc topologies to reduce the number of active switches while keeping the advantages of original configuration; i.e. high frequency ac link and soft switching. All the converters introduced here belong to a relatively new class of power converters called parallel ac-link universal power converters that can be configured as dc-dc, dc-ac, ac-dc, ac-ac, or hybrid converters. These converters are extensions of dc-dc buck boost converter. However, several modifications have been applied that results in high-frequency ac link inductor current with no dc component. At the same time, all switches benefit from the zero voltage turn-on and soft turn-off. This converter can offer galvanic isolation by adding a high frequency transformer to the link. Parallel ac-link universal converters have a complex control scheme; therefore, a microcontroller is usually used to control the switches; however, such digital control methods can limit the link frequency due to long execution time and delays. FPGAs may operate faster; however, they are costly. In this paper new control methods, which are implemented in analog domain, are investigated. The proposed control schemes allow having very high frequency ac link and consequently a compact converter. Moreover, the use of analog circuit instead of a microcontroller or FPGA reduces the cost of the system. Simulation and experimental results are given in this paper.
Tense Shifting in Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners

Young monolingual children typically demonstrate frequent tense shifting during narrative development, whereas older children maintain a consistent narration tense. Therefore, inconsistent tense usage in older children could be an indication of overall limited language skills. However, information regarding tense use in bilinguals has been lacking. This study examines the frequency of tense shifting in the English and Spanish of kindergarten- to third-grade Spanish-speaking English Language Learners (ELLs). In addition, it investigates whether the amount of shifting is dependent on children’s relative proficiency in each language, and whether the use of regular and irregular verbs affects tense shifting. The main results of the study are that tense shifting for ELLs occurs mainly in English, grade level does not affect tense shifting, and relative proficiency in first language (L1) and second language (L2) is the critical variable for tense shifting.
Residual disease after re‐excision lumpectomy for close margins

Introduction: While a positive margin after an attempt at breast conservation therapy (BCT) is a reason for concern, there is more controversy regarding close margins. When re-excisions are performed, there is often no residual disease in the new specimen, calling into question the need for the procedure. We sought to examine the incidence of residual disease after re-excision for close margins and to identify predictive factors that may better select patients for re-excision. Methods: Our IRB-approved prospective breast cancer database was queried for all breast cancer patients who underwent a re-excision lumpectomy for either close or positive margins after an attempt at BCT. Close margins are defined as � 2 mm for invasive carcinoma and � 3m m for DCIS. Clinicopathologic features were correlated with the presence of residual disease in the re-excision specimen. Results: Three hundred three patients (32%) underwent re-operation for either close (173) or positive (130) margins. Overall, 33% had residual disease identified, 42% of DCIS patients and 29% of patients with invasive disease, nearly identical to patients with positive margins. For patients with DCIS, only younger age was significantly related to residual disease. For patients with invasive cancer, only multifocality was significantly associated with residual disease (OR 3.64 [1.26‐10.48]). However, patients without multifocality still had a substantial risk of residual disease. Discussion: The presence of residual disease appears equal between re-excisions for close and positive margins. No subset of patients with either DCIS or invasive cancer could be identified with a substantially lower risk of residual disease. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:99–103. 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Trust-based Decision-making for the Adaptation of Public Displays in Changing Social Contexts

Public displays may adapt intelligently to the social context, tailoring information on the screen, for example, to the profiles of spectators, their gender or based on their mutual proximity. However, such adaptation decisions should on the one hand match user preferences and on the other maintain the user’s trust in the system. A wrong decision can negatively influence the user’s acceptance of a system, cause frustration and, as a result, make users abandon the system. In this paper, we propose a trust-based mechanism for automatic decision-making, which is based on Bayesian Networks. We present the process of network construction, initialization with empirical data, and validation. The validation demonstrates that the mechanism generates accurate decisions on adaptation which match user preferences and support user trust.
Career-Related Success-Learning Experiences of Academically Underachieving Urban Middle School Students:

Evidence has supported the effectiveness of educational and psychosocial interventions that include strengths and promote the competence enhancement of schoolchildren. Nevertheless, students in low-income, culturally diverse urban schools who are academically underachieving may be the least likely but most in need to experience feedback about their strengths and potential competence for academic and career development. In the context of providing a preventative career exploration intervention, this instrumental case study of eight low-income Hispanic and Black urban middle school students identified as academically underachieving explored how four theoretically based types of success-learning experiences were associated with their evolving career-related interests and ability beliefs. Results include analyses of qualitative and quantitative data, themes (including those not captured by theoretical constructs), and narrative summaries of the accomplishment stories of these youth, as derived from interviews...
An Input Adjustable Tree Algorithm for Evolutionary Testing

This paper proposes an Input Adjustable Tree Algorithm for the flag problems of evolutionary testing (ET). With the algorithm, the dependencies of input and internal/flag variables can be determined. Based on that, ET guides the search efficiently with the presence of flag variables in the source code.
Topoisomerase IIbeta is required for proper retinal development and survival of postmitotic cells

Topoisomerase IIbeta (Top2b) is an enzyme that modulates DNA supercoiling by catalyzing the passage of DNA duplexes through one another. It is ubiquitously expressed in postmitotic cells and known to function during the development of neuromuscular junctions in the diaphragm and the proper formation of laminar structure in the cerebral cortex. However, due to the perinatal death phenotype of the traditional constitutive and brain-specific Top2b knockout mice, the precise in vivo function of Top2b, especially during postnatal neural development, remains to be determined. Using both the constitutive and retina-specific knockout mouse models, we showed that Top2b deficiency resulted in delayed neuronal differentiation, degeneration of the plexiform layers and outer segment of photoreceptors, as well as dramatic reduction in cell number in the retina. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis by RNA sequencing revealed that genes involved in neuronal survival and neural system development were preferentially affected in Top2b-deficient retinas. Collectively, our findings have indicated an important function of Top2b in proper development and the maintenance/survival of postmitotic neurons in the retina.
Regression Models for Linkage Heterogeneity Applied to Familial Prostate Cancer

Linkage heterogeneity frequently occurs for complex genetic diseases, and statistical methods must account for it to avoid severe loss in power to discover susceptibility genes. A common method to allow for only a fraction of linked pedigrees is to fit a mixture likelihood and then to test for linkage homogeneity, given linkage (admixture test), or to test for linkage while allowing for heterogeneity, using the heterogeneity LOD (HLOD) score. Furthermore, features of the families, such as mean age at diagnosis, may help to discriminate families that demonstrate linkage from those that do not. Pedigree features are often used to create homogeneous subsets, and LOD or HLOD scores are then computed within the subsets. However, this practice introduces several problems, including reduced power (which results from multiple testing and small sample sizes within subsets) and difficulty in interpretation of results. To address some of these limitations, we present a regression-based extension of the mixture likelihood for which pedigree features are used as covariates that determine the probability that a family is the linked type. Some advantages of this approach are that multiple covariates can be used (including quantitative covariates), covariates can be adjusted for each other, and interactions among covariates can be assessed. This new regression method is applied to linkage data for familial prostate cancer and provides new insights into the understanding of prostate cancer linkage heterogeneity.
Targeting Magnetic Nanoparticles in High Magnetic Fields for Drug Delivery Purposes

Biodegradable magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized using Poly(L-Lactic Acid) and magnetite nanoparticles (∼14 nm) at different dosages, and then these nanaoparticles (nanocomposites) and pure magnetic particles were targeted in external magnetic fields by changing the test parameters. The magnetic field test results showed that magnetic saturation, fluid speed, magnetic field distance and particle size were extremely effective for a magnetic guidance system that is needed for an effective drug delivery approach. Thus, it is assumed that such nanoparticles can carry drugs (chemotherapy) to be able to cure cancer tumors as well as many other diseases.
Paving Power: Western Urban Planning and Imperial Space from the Streets of Meiji Tokyo to Colonial Seoul

This article examines street improvement projects in Tokyo and Seoul as case studies for tracing the active participation of Japanese urban planners in the global flow of urban planning concepts an...
THE CASE OF E AND THE THIRTY THIRSTY RATS

This paper considers the relation of the statistician and his client and argues that their motives and methods are the same.
Calcium channel blockers in psychiatry.

Abstract Calcium channel blockers have an established role in the treatment of various cardiovascular disorders and potential applications in psychiatry. Preliminary reports based on limited numbers of patients indicate that they are promising for mania, of uncertain utility for depression or schizophrenia, and deserving of further investigation for a number of other psychiatric disorders. The authors conclude their review with guidelines for clinical use and precautions to preclude possible undesirable drug interactions.
Network laws

Many networks, physical and social, are complex and scale-invariant. This has important implications from the spread of epidemics and innovations to protection from attack.
S‐ and C‐band modified PIFAs in MIMO arrangement on cylindrical ground plane

An omni-directional antenna in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) arrangement is presented that covers S-band (2.3–2.5 GHz) and C-band (4.4–5.1 GHz) wireless communication applications. One pair of modified PIFA-like radiating structures is used for each of the two bands. These elements are placed on a cylindrical ground plane with bents which is cut from a cylindrical conducting surface to accommodate a device which has a unique shape. Simulated and measured MIMO parameters such as the total active reflection coefficient (TARC), envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), mean effective gain (MEG), and channel capacity loss (Closs) are computed and presented. Performance results are very satisfactory for a MIMO antenna. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2137–2143, 2016
Multiple Lucent Lesions

Multiple lucent lesions are most often the result of infectious diseases. Multiple cavities frequently complicate virulent bacterial, tuberculous, and parasitic or fungal infections. Septic emboli cause multiple cavities that are in the periphery of the lungs but may often resemble the appearance of necrotizing pneumonia. The distinction of septic emboli from necrotizing pneumonia is often based on patient history. A patient with a known malignant tumor may have multiple cavitary metastases that must be distinguished from cavitary opportunistic infections. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a chronic disease that causes ischemic necrosis with recurrent cavities. Chronic diseases that cause bronchiectasis, bullae, or multiple cysts are all possible causes of multiple lucent lesions that must be distinguished from cavities.
Dormancy and Sprouting

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the internal factors that accompany and possibly regulate dormancy progression and early sprout growth.. The existence of dormancy in primitive Archaean phyla suggests that dormancy was a very early adaptation to environmental extremes. Plant dormancy has been further subdivided into three distinct (but often overlapping) types: endodormancy, paradormancy, and ecodormancy. In endodormancy, a meristem is arrested by physiological factors arising from within the affected structure; in paradormancy, a meristem is arrested by external physiological factors; and in ecodormancy, a meristem is arrested by external environmental factors. During their life-cycle, potato tubers can exhibit all three types of dormancy. Tuber dormancy is unlike that of other plant meristems in that there are no specific environmental cues required for dormancy exit. Much has been learned about the effects of tuber dormancy status on gene expression, protein levels, enzyme activities, and hormone content. In this scenario, dormancy exit would occur as a result of a progressive decline in one or more inhibitory factor(s) or the gradual accumulation of growth-promoting factor(s). The application of molecular genetics and biotechnology to dormancy research will undoubtedly reveal new insights into dormancy-control mechanisms. Regardless of the approaches taken, new information concerning the internal processes controlling potato tuber sprouting will result in improved storage technologies, enhanced market and nutritional value, and reduced post-harvest losses due to physiological and pathogen-induced deterioration.
A human-robot collaborative Traveling Salesman Problem: Robotic site inspection with human assistance

In this paper, we consider a collaborative human-robot Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), where a robot is tasked with site inspection and target classification, under a limited motion energy budget and with a limited access to a human operator. More specifically, a robotic field operation is considered where a robot has to co-optimize seeking human assistance (via asking questions) and selective TSP tour design (for a closer inspection) based on an initial remote sensing. The robot has a limited budget for both communication with the human operator and site inspection motion consumption. By utilizing our past work on the target classification performance of humans and robots, we show how the collaborative human-robot TSP can be solved under limited resources. We further theoretically characterize the average correct classification probability as a function of the given number of questions to the human operator and the given motion energy budget. Extensive simulation results confirm our theoretical derivations.
Biology of Cartilage Regeneration

Hyaline articular cartilage is an avascular, low-friction, and wear-resistant weight bearing surface that has limited capacity for self-repair. The optimal treatment for cartilage lesions has yet to be established. Various treatment methods are employed to reestablish a stable cartilage surface, including microfracture, autologous and allograft osteochondral transplantation, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), matrix-associated chondrocyte implantation (MACI), and allograft juvenile cells (De Novo NT ®). In this chapter, a brief summary of cartilage function, repair capacity, treatment options, outcomes, and future directions are reviewed and summarized.
National trends in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy in the United States.

SummaryWhat is known and objective The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy continues to rise and it remains a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Patients diagnosed with diabetic nephropathy are actively excluded from most trials involving diabetic medications and it is important to understand the prescription patterns in this subset of patients with diabetes. Methods Using the IMS Health's National Disease and Therapeutic Index, we analysed the medication prescription patterns for six classes of medications from 2010 to 2014 among patients, 35 years or older, with diabetic nephropathy. Results Annual office visits increased from 772 860 (95% confidence interval (CI), 755, 470–790, 249) in 2010 to 1 868 618 (95% CI, 1 834 422–1 902 814) in 2013 and declined to 830 596 (95% CI, 809 167–852 025) in 2014. Sulfonylureas and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors) were the most frequently used of the four classes of diabetic medications included in this study. DPP-4 inhibitors use increased gradually and was used in 54% (95% CI 49–58) of treatment visits by the last quarter of 2014. Across these years, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs and ARBs) were prescribed in the majority of treatment visits with peaks above 90%. However, there were some periods when utilization of these antihypertensives was low. What is new and conclusions Significant increases occurred in the uptake of new diabetic medications; DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT-2 inhibitors and in the utilization of ACEIs and ARBs compared to the findings reported in other studies with increased complexity in the treatment of patients with diabetic nephropathy. Improved and continued used of these medications may be beneficial in improving patient outcomes.
Hospital Admissions for Myocardial Infarction and Stroke Before and After the Trans-Fatty Acid Restrictions in New York

Importance Trans-fatty acids (TFAs) have deleterious cardiovascular effects. Restrictions on their use were initiated in 11 New York State (NYS) counties between 2007 and 2011. The US Food and Drug Administration plans a nationwide restriction in 2018. Public health implications of TFA restrictions are not well understood. Objective To determine whether TFA restrictions in NYS counties were associated with fewer hospital admissions for myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke compared with NYS counties without restrictions. Design, Setting, and Participants We conducted a retrospective observational pre-post study of residents in counties with TFA restrictions vs counties without restrictions from 2002 to 2013 using NYS Department of Health’s Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System and census population estimates. In this natural experiment, we included those residents who were hospitalized for MI or stroke. The data analysis was conducted from December 2014 through July 2016. Exposure Residing in a county where TFAs were restricted. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was a composite of MI and stroke events based on primary discharge diagnostic codes from hospital admissions in NYS. Admission rates were calculated by year, age, sex, and county of residence. A difference-in-differences regression design was used to compare admission rates in populations with and without TFA restrictions. Restrictions were only implemented in highly urban counties, based on US Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Urban Influence Codes. Nonrestriction counties of similar urbanicity were chosen to make a comparison population. Temporal trends and county characteristics were accounted for using fixed effects by county and year, as well as linear time trends by county. We adjusted for age, sex, and commuting between restriction and nonrestriction counties. Results In 2006, the year before the first restrictions were implemented, there were 8.4 million adults (53.6% female) in highly urban counties with TFA restrictions and 3.3 million adults (52.3% female) in highly urban counties without restrictions. Twenty-five counties were included in the nonrestriction population and 11 in the restriction population. Three or more years after restriction implementation, the population with TFA restrictions experienced significant additional decline beyond temporal trends in MI and stroke events combined (−6.2%; 95% CI, −9.2% to −3.2%; P P = .002) and a nonsignificant decline in stroke (−3.6%; 95% CI, −7.6% to 0.4%; P = .08) compared with the nonrestriction populations. Conclusions and Relevance The NYS populations with TFA restrictions experienced fewer cardiovascular events, beyond temporal trends, compared with those without restrictions.
Geographic Biases are 'Born, not Made': Exploring Contributors' Spatiotemporal Behavior in OpenStreetMap

The evolution of contributor behavior in peer production communities over time has been a subject of substantial interest in the social computing community. In this paper, we extend this literature to the geographic domain, exploring contribution behavior in OpenStreetMap using a spatiotemporal lens. In doing so, we observe a geographic version of a 'born, not made' phenomenon: throughout their lifespans, contributors are relatively consistent in the places and types of places that they edit. We show how these 'born, not made' trends may help explain the urban and socioeconomic coverage biases that have been observed in OpenStreetMap. We also discuss how our findings can help point towards solutions to these biases.
A M18L6 metal–organic nanocapsule with open windows using mixed macrocycles

We present here the preparation of a M18L6 hexameric metal–organic nanocapsule using a pyrogallol[3]resorcin[1]arene mixed macrocycle. The introduction of resorcinol moieties within the assembly leads to the formation of two open windows. This study demonstrates that introducing defects into the existing structure of nanocapsules may act as an effective method to tailor the composition and geometry, and introduce new properties.
Factors associated with sedative use and misuse among heroin users.

Abstract Background Rates of both opioid and sedative use and misuse are rising. Comorbid opioid and sedative use is associated with especially severe consequences (e.g., overdose and poor health outcomes). Heroin users report multiple motivations for sedative use, including self-medication. We aimed to understand differences in lifetime substance use characteristics between heroin users with different sedative use histories. Methods Substance use data were collected from 385 non-treatment seeking heroin users. Subjects were divided into four lifetime sedative-use groups: no use, medical use only, non-medical use only, and mixed medical and non-medical use. We examined patterns of use of various substances of abuse (tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and sedatives) and individual characteristics associated with each. Results Non-medical sedative use (alone or in addition to medical use) was associated with more negative consequences from using all substances. Medical sedative use alone was not related to increased overdose or emergency room visits associated with heroin use. Non-medical sedative use was associated with increases in 15 of the 21 measured heroin consequences and only one of those – health problems – was also associated with medical sedative use. Conclusions Concomitant non-medical sedative use and heroin use is associated with significantly greater negative outcomes than those experienced by heroin users who report use of sedatives only as prescribed. Understanding these differences offers insight into risks related to using both substances and may help treatment providers create targeted harm reduction interventions for this population.
History of the Science

Too often history is considered an irrelevant study, but this is an injustice to past and present contributors of knowledge and experience. Paleontology is devoted to elucidating the history of animal and plant development on earth; so also is the history of a science an evolution of events leading to current concepts. Like a proper taxonomic classification, history allows us to understand not just the evolution of a phylum, but the internal individual phylogenies temporally and spacially. As Robert Service points out, the trails to truth are marked by the pioneers of the past, and those of the future by our own works.
Abstract 3653: Aortic Compliance and Angina in Women without Coronary Artery Calcification: An Analysis from the Dallas Heart Study

Background: Angina in women without CAD (syndrome X) is a morbid illness that may be related to microvascular dysfunction. We sought to determine if there is an association between this entity and large artery dysfunction. Methods: The Dallas Heart Study is a population-based study of subjects ages 30 – 65. MRI images through the ascending aorta were used to determine aortic compliance (AC), which was calculated as the change in aortic volume/ brachial artery pulse pressure. Angina was defined using the Rose Angina questionnaire and coronary artery calcium (CAC) was assessed using CT. The study was restricted to women with no CAC (scores ≤10 Agatston units) who had complete Rose Angina and AC data. Results: Of the 1126 women in this study (mean age 44 ± 9 years, 48% black) 7% (n=83) had angina. Women with angina versus those without had lower AC (22.5 ± 10.6 v. 26.4 ± 12.1 mL/mmHg, p Conclusions : AC is inversely associated with angina in women without CAC. Further studies are needed to determine whether reduced AC contributes to angina directly, or if both reduced AC and syndrome X are the result of similar pathophysiology.
[18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Assessment of Response

During the past 10 years, positron emission tomography with the glucose analog fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG PET) has evolved from a research tool to a clinical test that is used for diagnosis and staging of a variety of malignant tumors. More recently FDG PET has been evaluated for monitoring tumor response to therapy. Most of these studies have used FDG PET after completion of therapy in order to differentiate between viable tumor and therapy-induced fibrosis. However, there are also encouraging data that FDG PET may be used to predict tumor response during therapy. This chapter summarizes the results of recent studies on treatment monitoring by FDG PET and discusses potential clinical applications. Different approaches for quantitative analysis of FDG PET studies are also reviewed, since monitoring tumor response by FDG PET frequently relies on quantifying tumor metabolic activity over time. To put the results achieved by FDG PET in a more general context, the current clinical practice of assessing tumor response and its scientific background are briefly discussed.
Neuronal mechanisms mediating pathological reward-related behaviors: A focus on silent synapses in the nucleus accumbens

Abstract The compulsive drive to seek drugs despite negative consequences relies heavily on drug-induced alterations that occur within the reward neurocircuit. These alterations include changes in neuromodulator and neurotransmitter systems that ultimately lock behaviors into an inflexible and permanent state. To provide clinicians with improved treatment options, researchers are trying to identify, as potential targets of therapeutic intervention, the neural mechanisms mediating an “addictive-like state”. Here, we discuss how drug-induced generation of silent synapses in the nucleus accumbens may be a potential therapeutic target capable of reversing drug-related behaviors.
The role of teacher educators in developing and disseminating global citizenship education strategies in and beyond US learning environments

Current global concerns over refugees, immigration, conflicts, and violent extremism would suggest we still have work to do when it comes to the promotion of understanding, tolerance and friendship...
Understanding the linkage between electric vehicle charging network coverage and charging opportunity using GPS travel data

Abstract Using GPS travel survey data from three metropolitan areas, this paper estimates the relationship between plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) public charging infrastructure coverage and charging opportunity. The former is defined as the percentage of public areas with charging stations installed and the latter represents the drivers probability of accessing a public charger at their trip stops (stop-based) or during at least one stop of their travel day (trip chain-based). Understanding this relationship is important to PEV manufacturers and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) providers, as well as government agencies, for evaluating different levels of EVSE deployment and estimating the impact of its availability on PEV adoption. Heuristic procedures are developed to estimate stop- and trip chain-based charging opportunities. Charging opportunity reflects the visibility of EVSE as the incremental security that charging stations enable, while evaluating the potential of a driver to access EVSE at travel stops or during the day, for different levels of EVSE deployment on the transportation network. The metrics proposed do not assess the probability of completing trips with electric vehicles of a given range. The analysis results indicate that drivers’ trip destinations concentrate in a few popular places and EVSE deployment in these areas could achieve relatively high levels of charging opportunity. This finding is also robust to regional variations.
Kinematically-Informed Interactive Perception: Robot-Generated 3D Models for Classification

To be useful in everyday environments, robots must be able to observe and learn about objects. Recent datasets enable progress for classifying data into known object categories; however, it is unclear how to collect reliable object data when operating in cluttered, partially-observable environments. In this paper, we address the problem of building complete 3D models for real-world objects using a robot platform, which can remove objects from clutter for better classification. Furthermore, we are able to learn entirely new object categories as they are encountered, enabling the robot to classify previously unidentifiable objects during future interactions. We build models of grasped objects using simultaneous manipulation and observation, and we guide the processing of visual data using a kinematic description of the robot to combine observations from different view-points and remove background noise. To test our framework, we use a mobile manipulation robot equipped with an RGBD camera to build voxelized representations of unknown objects and then classify them into new categories. We then have the robot remove objects from clutter to manipulate, observe, and classify them in real-time.
Discontinuous deformation in an elastic material. Part 1. Energy dissipative and storage applications

The concept of energy or work dissipation from a perfectly elastic material, due to a discontinuous deformation mechanism, is developed in this study. Dissipation occurs even from a perfectly elastic material, preferably an elastomer, when subjected to a discontinuous “jump” stretch or “jump” contraction. Stretching an elastomeric member through free extension requires a large amount of work. Such a sudden jump stretch of an elastic material is difficult to accomplish and is equivalent to thermodynamic free compression of a gas. The amount of work required can greatly exceed the strain energy stored in the material if the extension were applied without the jump or “shock” process. Interestingly, only part of the stored energy is recovered on unloading the elastomer the same way (through contraction). Excess work lost in contraction dissipates as heat but is not due to the common viscoelastic/plastic losses associated with internal friction in solids. Dissipation is possible even from a perfectly elastic material. Energy values associated in this jump deformation process are independent of the stress–strain curve path, and depend only on initial and final states for the material. Heat dissipation from an elastic rubber belt is examined and some applications extended from the developed principle are enunciated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1511–1520, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Granulocyte transfusions in patients with skin and soft tissues infections and leukemia: Are they useful?

7022Background: Granulocyte transfusions (GTX) have been proposed to improve clinical outcome of neutropenic patients (pts) with serious infections. We evaluated the impact of unirradiated GTX in p...
Recursive Gaussian Process-Based Adaptive Control, With Application to a Lighter-Than-Air Wind Energy System

This brief presents a nonmodel-based adaptive control technique that combines principles from machine learning and iterative design optimization with those of continuous-time, falsification-based adaptive control. At the crux of the proposed control strategy are two core elements. First, the recursive Gaussian Process (RGP) modeling is used to maintain an online characterization of the system at hand without the need to maintain a complete database of previously collected measurements (which is required in traditional GP modeling). Second, an adaptation strategy is employed that falsifies candidate controllers from a continuous candidate design space based on desired performance specifications and statistical hypothesis testing. In specific, the control parameter design space is explored by selecting points associated with high uncertainty. Through the use of statistical hypothesis testing, regions of the design space determined to be suboptimal at a user-specified level of confidence are rejected in order to converge to an optimal set of control parameters. The RGP-based adaptation is validated through simulations and laboratory-scale experiments using an airborne wind energy case study. Through these studies, the RGP-based adaptation approach is shown to be effective and is shown to exhibit favorable convergence times when compared with a mature adaptive control technique, extremum seeking (ES).