cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CP-EDCA analysis under realistic wireless channel conditions

The foray of wireless sensor networks into time-sensitive applications demands support for emergency services with guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) bounds. We introduced CP-EDCA, a channel preemptive enhancement to the IEEE 802.11e EDCA standard, for guaranteed emergency medium access in distributed wireless environments. The performance results for emergency traffic depicted 50% uniform decrease in channel access delays, deterministic delay bounds and insensitivity to routine traffic competition, even under heavy loads. The initial analysis primarily aimed at validating the distributed preemption concept and was performed under ideal channel conditions. In this paper, we analyze the CP-EDCA protocol under realistic wireless channel conditions to quantify the performance of our scheme in real environments with channel impairments. The results suggest that under typical wireless scenarios (10-2 error rate), the preemptions provide useful performance gains and most importantly the emergency performance is uniform and deterministic, even under increasing routine traffic load. Though the magnitude of improvements is reduced as the channel conditions get bad, the emergency treatment in CP-EDCA scheme still had perceivable improvements relative to the EDCA scheme. We also measure the CP-EDCA trade-off, which is the degradation of routine traffic throughput under normal operating conditions.
Group closures of one-to-one transformations

For a semigroup S of transformations of an infinite set X let G s be the group of all the permutations of X that preserve S under conjugation. Fix a permutation group H on X and a transformation f of X , and let 〈 f : H 〉 = 〈{ hfh −1 : h ∈ H }〉 be the H -closure of f . We find necessary and sufficient conditions on a one-to-one transformation f and a normal subgroup H of the symmetric group on X to satisfy G 〈 f : H 〉 = H . We also show that if S is a semigroup of one-to-one transformations of X and G S contains the alternating group on X then Aut( S ) = Inn( S ) ≅ G S .
The High-Resolution, Three-Dimensional Solution Structure of Human Interleukin-4 Determined by Multidimensional Heteronuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy?,$

The high-resolution three-dimensional solution structure of recombinant human interleukin-4 (IL-4), a protein of - 15 kDa which plays a key role in the regulation of B and T lymphocytes, has been determined using three- and four-dimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The structure is based on a total of 2973 experimental NMR restraints, comprising 25 15 approximate interproton distance restraints, 102 distance restraints for 51 backbone hydrogen bonds, and 356 torsion angle restraints. A total of 30 structures was calculated by means of hybrid distance geometry-simulated annealing, and the atomic rms distribution about the mean coordinate positions for residues 8-129 is 0.44 f 0.03 A for the backbone atoms, 0.83 f 0.03 A for all atoms, and 0.51 f 0.04 A for all atoms excluding disordered side chains. The N- and C-terminal residues (1-7 and 130-133, respectively) appear to be disordered. The structure of IL-4 is dominated by a left-handed four-helix bundle with an unusual topology comprising two overhand connections. The linker elements between the helices are formed by either long loops, small helical turns, or short strands. The latter include a mini anti-parallel P-sheet. A best fit superposition of the NMR structure of IL-4 with the 2.25 A resolution crystal structure (Wlodawer, A., Pavlovsky, A., & Gutschina, A. (1992) FEBS Lett. 309, 59-64) yields a backbone atomic rms difference of 1.37 A which can be mainly attributed to tighter packing of the helices in the crystal structure. This is indicated by an approximately 20% reduction in the axial separation of three pairs of helices (CYA-CYC, CYA-CYD, and CYCCYD) in the crystal structure relative to the NMR structure and may reflect the greater flexibility of the molecule in solution which is reduced in the crystal due to intermolecular contacts. Comparison of the NMR structure of IL-4 with the X-ray structures of two other related proteins, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor ( Diedrichs, K., Boone, T., & Karplus, P. A. (1992) Science 254,1779-17821 and human growth hormone (de Vos, A. M., Ultsch, M., & Kossiakoff, A. A. (1992) Science 255, 306-3121, that bind to the same hematopoietic superfamily of cell surface receptors reveals a remarkably similar topological fold, despite the absence of any significant overall sequence identity, and substantial differences in the relative lengths of the helices, the lengths and the nature of the various connecting elements, and the pattern and number of disulfide bridges. Indeed, the Ca atom coordinates of 72 and 79 residues of IL-4 can be superimposed on the Ca coordinates of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and human growth hormone with rms differences of - 1.7 and 2.0 A, respectively.
Do markets favor agents able to make accurate predictions

Blume and Easley (1992) show that if agents' have the same savings rule, those who maximize the expected logarithm of next period's outcomes will eventually hold all wealth (i.e. are "most prosperous"). However, if no agent adopts this rule then the most prosperous are not necessarily those who make the most accurate predictions. Thus, agents who make inaccurate predictions need not be driven out of the market. In this paper, it is shown that, among agents who have the same intertemporal discount factor (and who choose savings endogenously), the most prosperous are those who make accurate predictions. Hence, convergence to rational expectations obtains because agents who make inaccurate predictions ar1e driven out of the market.
Disease Registers: Use of Databases to Generate New Medical Knowledge

Our interest in using computers in medicine stems largely from the potential that we see these systems have. We see computers managing the tasks of processing data around us and can easily see that use of computers will improve the practice of medicine. At the same time, looking at the outcome of the use of computers in medicine it appears that the effect is not yet great. While a number of particularly onerous tasks are well served by using computers we find that the impact of computer technology in the more intellectually demanding tasks has been minimal. This paper is addressed to the issue of tasks to be done in the area of information handling to help fullfil the potential of computing and indicate how some of them may be done. We do include some examples of research which has addressed these issues.
Land subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley, California, USA, 2007–2014

Abstract. Rapid land subsidence was recently measured using multiple methods in two areas of the San Joaquin Valley (SJV): between Merced and Fresno (El Nido), and between Fresno and Bakersfield (Pixley). Recent land-use changes and diminished surface-water availability have led to increased groundwater pumping, groundwater-level declines, and land subsidence. Differential land subsidence has reduced the flow capacity of water-conveyance systems in these areas, exacerbating flood hazards and affecting the delivery of irrigation water. Vertical land-surface changes during 2007–2014 were determined by using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), Continuous Global Positioning System (CGPS), and extensometer data. Results of the InSAR analysis indicate that about 7600 km2 subsided 50–540 mm during 2008–2010; CGPS and extensometer data indicate that these rates continued or accelerated through December 2014. The maximum InSAR-measured rate of 270 mm yr−1 occurred in the El Nido area, and is among the largest rates ever measured in the SJV. In the Pixley area, the maximum InSAR-measured rate during 2008–2010 was 90 mm yr−1. Groundwater was an important part of the water supply in both areas, and pumping increased when land use changed or when surface water was less available. This increased pumping caused groundwater-level declines to near or below historical lows during the drought periods 2007–2009 and 2012–present. Long-term groundwater-level and land-subsidence monitoring in the SJV is critical for understanding the interconnection of land use, groundwater levels, and subsidence, and evaluating management strategies that help mitigate subsidence hazards to infrastructure while optimizing water supplies.
SECTION ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES: The Complete Relief of Mitral Stenosis: Ten Years of Progress Toward This Goal

The surgical treatment of mitral stenosis has developed in the short span of a decade from a basically unsatisfactory palliative operation to one which now holds out the hope for a complete cure for the great majority of patients with this lesion. This is the result of a careful re-appraisal of the anatomical, pathological and physiological aspects of mitral stenosis together with the practical experience gained from thousands of cases. The new operation aims at the creation, de novo, of a mobile septal leaflet out of the usually irretrievably mutilated mitral valve. To achieve optimal results and a minimal operative mortality rate, it has been found advisable to support the systemic arterial circulation during the operative procedure by a left ventricular bypass, and to leave a small atrial septal defect post-operatively to permit the possibility of temporary decompression of the left atrium whenever necessary. The open technique of surgery for mitral stenosis finally has become the operative method of choice in most patients, since it carries basically no greater risk and offers many advantages, particularly in very severely damaged valves.
PROPANE FUEL MONITORING IN PULSE DETONATION ENGINES USING A DIODE-LASER SENSOR

Characterization of fuel charging in pulse detonation engines (PDEs) is of fundamental importance to improve engine performance, to realize active engine control, and to enable comparison between experimental data and simulations. Here we report the development of a diode-laser-based C3H8 (propane) sensor and its applications in PDE facilities at Stanford University (SU) and at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). In its application to the SU PDE, this sensor measures the C3H8 concentration history quantitatively and facilitates the optimal valve and ignition timing. The quantitatively measured fuel concentration also enhances the value of our database for C3H8-detonation for validating simulations. In its application to the NPS PDE, this sensor monitors quantitative C3H8 concentration, demonstrating the sensor’s utility in high-repetition-rate engines. The success achieved in these applications shows the promise of diode-laser sensors as a tool for both fundamental PDE research and practical engine development.
Outpost assembly using the ATHLETE mobility system

A planetary surface outpost will likely consist of elements delivered on multiple manifests, that will need to be assembled from a scattering of landings. Using the All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer (ATHLETE) limbed robotic mobility system, the outpost site can be prepared in advance through leveling, paving, and in-situ structures. ATHLETE will be able to carry pressurized and non-pressurized payloads overland from the lander descent stage to the outpost location, and perform precision docking and assembly of components. In addition, spent descent stages can be carried to assembly locations to form elevated decks for external work platforms above the planet surface. This paper discusses several concepts that have been studied for possible inclusion in the NASA Evolvable Mars Campaign human exploration mission scenarios.
Vitamin D in Patients with Hypoparathyroidism/Hypocalcemia

A 36-year-old female was seen in consultation at the endocrinology clinic for postsurgical hypoparathyroidism after she underwent a total thyroidectomy, 5 years ago, due to compressive symptoms from a nontoxic multi-nodular goiter. The patient has had since then considerable issues with symptomatic hypocalcemia, requiring multiple hospitalizations and emergency department visits. She cannot tolerate serum calcium levels less than 9 mg/dL (normal range, 8.9–10.3 mg/dL). Her symptoms included severe peripheral paresthesia, laryngospasm, severe dyspnea, severe tetany, and sometimes altered mental status. She also had a cardiac event due to severely symptomatic hypocalcemia. The management has been challenging given recurrent hyperphosphatemia (due to treatment with calcitriol), with calcium and phosphorus product reaching 120, with persistent symptomatic hypocalcemia.
Abstract 1228: Indolo-pyrido-isoquinolin based alkaloid inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness via activation of p53-miR34a axis

The tumor suppressor p53 plays a critical role in suppressing cancer growth and progression and is the most frequently mutated and functionally inactivated gene in all human malignancies. Owing to its widespread alteration/inactivation in cancer, p53 is an attractive target for the development of new targeted therapies. We synthesized several indolo-pyrido-isoquinolin based alkaloids to restore/activate p53 function and examined their therapeutic efficacy using NCI-60 screening. Here, we provide molecular evidence that one of these compounds, 11-Methoxy-2,3,4,13-tetrahydro-1H-indolo[2’,3’:3,4]pyrido[1,2-b]isoquinolin-6-ylium-bromide (termed P18 or NSC-768219) inhibits growth and clonogenic potential of cancer cells. P18 treatment results in downregulation of mesenchymal markers and concurrent upregulation of epithelial markers as well as inhibition of migration and invasion. Experimental epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) induced by exposure to TGFβ/TNFα is also completely reversed by P18. Importantly, P18 also inhibits mammosphere-formation along with a reduction in the expression of stemness factors, Oct4, Nanog and Sox2. We show that P18 induces expression, phosphorylation and accumulation of p53 in cancer cells. P18-mediated induction of p53 leads to increased nuclear localization and elevated expression of p53 target genes. Using isogenic cancer cells differing only in p53 status, we show that the alteration of mesenchymal and epithelial genes, inhibition of migration and invasion of cancer cells mediated by P18 is p53-dependent. Furthermore, P18 increases miR-34a expression in p53-dependent manner and inhibition of mammosphere-formation by P18 is further enhanced by miR-34a mimic. Collectively, these data provide evidence that p53-miR-34a activation by P18 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the inhibition of growth and progression of cancer. Citation Format: Arumugam Nagalingam, Dimiter. B Avtanski, Joesph Tomaszewski, Risbood Prabhakar, Michael Difillippantonio, Brian Mears, Neeraj Saxena, Sanjay Malhotra, Sanjay Malhotra, Dipali Sharma. Indolo-pyrido-isoquinolin based alkaloid inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness via activation of p53-miR34a axis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1228.
Cardiovascular Actions of Vasopressin

Although the cardiovascular actions of vasopressin (VP) have been examined systematically only in recent years, Oliver and Schafer (1895) first observed the vaso-pressor activity of pituitary gland extracts in 1895. This was soon confirmed by three other investigators (Howell, 1898; Livon, 1898; von Cyon, 1898) and Howell demonstrated that the pressor principle resided in extracts of the posterior lobe. It was from these early observations that VP derived its name. The antidi-uretic actions of VP were not observed until 1913, when two physicians working independently, Farini (1913), in Italy, and Von den Velden (1913), in Germany, reported successful treatment of patients with diabetes insipidus by injections of posterior pituitary extracts. With the 1924 demonstration of the antidiuretic effects of posterior pituitary extracts on the isolated kidney by Starling and Verney (1924), the antiduretic role of the neurohypophysis became the predominant aspect of interest related to VP. It became clear that this hormone was of vital importance for the conservation of body fluids and that, although pressor activity was widely observed, it was evident that these actions required amounts far in excess of those required for maximal antidiuretic activity (Saameli, 1968; Sawyer, 1971; Nakano, 1974). These important antidiuretic actions of VP are reviewed in Chapter 9.
Shortening of the hemodialysis procedure and mortality in "healthy" dialysis patients.

The influence of shortening chronic hemodialysis on mortality was studied by following cumulative survival in "ideal" nondiabetic dialysis patients, who had no other diseases besides their renal disease when beginning dialysis. It was hoped that thereby problems of shortening dialysis could be separated from problems inherent in the patient. Otherwise healthy dialysis patients (n = 556) were divided into age groups (less than 50, 51-75, and greater than 75 years) and studied during four periods, 1966-75, 1976-82, 1983-85, and 1986-88. Dialysis time was shortened from 17 to 2.7 hr per treatment during that time, but a Kt/V of 1.3 maintained. Generally, both first- and four-year cumulative survival improved as dialysis was shortened, and four-year cumulative survival was best in all age groups during 1986-88 when dialysis was shortest. During this time, the four-year cumulative survival was no different from that of the age-matched total U.S. population. Shortening of dialysis time and increasing efficiency while keeping at least a 4.0, stable, weekly Kt/V has not been harmful to healthy patients on dialysis, but has led to continued improvement on cumulative survival.
The Tyrophostin Adaphostin (NSC680410) Inhibits Multiple Myeloma Bone Marrow Angiogenesis In Vitro and In Vivo.

Our own and other previous studies demonstrate marked anti-proliferative activity of the tyrophostin adaphostin (NSC680410) in a variety of hematologic malignancies including chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), chronic lymphcytic leukemia (CLL), acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), and Multiple Myeloma. Here we show that adaphostin (NSC680410), similar to bortezomib, additionally inhibits tumor angiogenesis within the MM bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. This effect is elicited both indirectly by inhibition of VEGF production and secretion in MM cells, as well as directly by abrogation of endothelial cell growth. Specifically, adaphostin triggers marked downregulation of nuclear c-Myc expression in MM cells. Both adaphostin, as well as specific downregulation of c-Myc using siRNA, lead to a decrease in cobalt chloride- induced Hif-1alpha- expression and Hif-1alpha activity, as evidenced by western blot analysis and expression of Hif-1alpha- driven luciferase, respectively. Indeed secretion of the Hif-1alpha target gene VEGF is markedly inhibited in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Importantly, neither knockdown of c-Abl expression nor exogenous overexpression of caspase- cleavage- induced c-Abl fragment abrogates drug- induced Hif-1alpha downregulation or inhibition of its activity. Taken together, these results indicate the existence of a c-Myc/ Hif-1alpha- dependent, but c-Abl- independent, pathway modulating MM cell production and secretion of VEGF. In contrast, we demonstrate a direct antiangiogenic effect of adaphostin on endothelial cells, similar to H2O2, is mediated via c-Jun upregulation, inhibition of cell proliferation, and the induction of cell apoptosis. Moreover, our data further demonstrate activity of adaphostin within the BM microenvironment. Adaphostin, similar to bortezomib, significantly inhibits VEGF secretion triggered by adhesion of MM cells to BMSCs and endothelial cells. Consequently, conditioned medium derived from adaphostin- treated co-cultures markedly inhibits endothelial cell growth and tubule formation in a dose- dependent manner. Finally, we confirmed these in vitro results using an in vivo xenograft mouse model of human MM. Specifically, western blot analysis, as well as immunohistochemistry, demonstrate marked downregulation of both Hif-1alpha and CD31 in tumors isolated from adaphostin- treated animals versus control animals, confirming the in vivo antiangiogenic effect of adaphostin. Similar effects were obtained using a SCIDhu mouse model as well as a significant decrease of MM- related bone disease, due to anti- VEGF activity of adaphostin. Taken together, these data provide the rationale for the clinical evaluation of adaphostin to target both MM cells and the BM milieu to improve patient outcome in Multiple Myeloma.
Empire of timber: labor unions and the Pacific Northwest forests

The growing historiography of environmental labour history is greatly enhanced by Erik Loomis’ Empire of Timber, for he successfully merges a study of forest and mill workplaces with the ecosystems...
Variance Reduction in Outlier Ensembles

The theoretical discussion in the previous chapter establishes that the error of an outlier detector can be decomposed into the squared bias and the variance. Ensemble methods attempt to reduce the overall error by reducing either the squared bias or the variance.
Educator and practitioner views of professional competencies for macro social work practice

To effectively prepare students for practice, macro social work educators need to keep pace with employers’ demands. This article reports findings from a survey of social work educators (n = 52) an...
The Cerutti Mastodon

ABSTRACTA claim that an assemblage of broken mastodon bones and associated cobbles provides evidence of human behavior in North America dated 130 ka is not adequately supported. The article appeared in the journal Nature, which means that it will be widely read and cited. Before the claim can be accepted, we must have a much clearer description of the stratigraphy, and especially of the possible effects that heavy earth-moving equipment might have had on the bones. Bone-breakage by construction activity has been documented in at least one fossil proboscidean site and is probable at others. The dating by 230Th/U radiometric analysis has a possible problem in that no strictly local source of uranium uptake in the bones was available to sample. Another problem is the absence of reputable archaeological traces of such a long-distance dispersal into North America by unknown hominins from Asia.
Mechanistic Investigations of the Iron(III)-Catalyzed Carbonyl-Olefin Metathesis Reaction.

Iron(III)-catalyzed carbonyl-olefin ring-closing metathesis represents a new approach toward the assembly of molecules traditionally generated by olefin–olefin metathesis or olefination. Herein, we report detailed synthetic, spectroscopic, kinetic, and computational studies to determine the mechanistic features imparted by iron(III), substrate, and temperature to the catalytic cycle. These data are consistent with an iron(III)-mediated asynchronous, concerted [2+2]-cycloaddition to form an intermediate oxetane as the turnover-limiting step. Fragmentation of the oxetane via Lewis acid-activation results in the formation of five- and six-membered unsaturated carbocycles.
Probabilistic robust parity relation for fault detection using polynomial chaos

Abstract In this paper, a robust parity relation approach is proposed for fault detection of linear systems with the probabilistic time-invariant parameter uncertainties. To deal with polynomial dependence on uncertain parameters, a set of parity relations with polynomial parameterization is derived to decouple the unknown initial condition. Due to the polynomial structure having a finite degree, the generated residual vector admits an exact polynomial chaos expansion with the same degree, which enables an efficient online computation for quantifying the moments of the residual vector. The obtained moments are used to calculate a confidence set for checking the consistency between the observed system behavior and the parity relations. Compared to deterministic robust parity relation methods, the employment of probabilistic information allows a less conservative way to ensure a low false alarm rate while maintaining a high fault detection rate. In contrast to the existing polynomial chaos-based fault diagnosis literature, our proposed approach avoids truncation errors of polynomial chaos expansions, and is less computationally demanding. The proposed approach is illustrated by using a two-tank system example.
Brian C. Bowen, MD, PhD.

It is with sadness that I am writing to inform the members of the ASNR of the death of our colleague Brian Bowen, MD, PhD (1946–2018). Brian grew up in Southern California and graduated from Stanford University, where he majored in Chemical Engineering; subsequently, he obtained a PhD in
Length of Barrett's segment predicts failure of eradication in radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's esophagus: a retrospective cohort study.

We aim to investigate factors that may contribute to failure of eradication of dysplastic Barrett’s Esophagus among patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation treatment. A retrospective review of patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for treatment of Barrett’s Esophagus was performed. Data analyzed included patient demographics, medical history, length of Barrett’s Esophagus, number of radiofrequency ablation sessions, and histopathology. Subsets of patients achieving complete eradication were compared with those not achieving complete eradication. A total of 107 patients underwent radiofrequency ablation for Barrett’s Esophagus, the majority white, overweight, and male. Before treatment, 63 patients had low-grade dysplasia, and 44 patients had high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma. Complete eradication was achieved in a majority of patients (57% for metaplasia, and 76.6% for dysplasia). Failure of eradication occurred in 15.7% of patients. The median number of radiofrequency ablation treatments in patients achieving complete eradication was 3 sessions, compared to 4 sessions for failure of eradication (p = 0.06). Barrett’s esophagus length of more than 5 cm was predictive of failure of eradication (p 5 cm was found to be predictive of failure of eradication in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation.
Reasoning about Infinite State Systems Using Boolean Methods

The logic of Counters, Lambdas, and Uninterpreted functions (CLU) is a subset of first-order logic satisfying the twin properties that 1) the validity of a CLU formula can be decided by generating a Boolean formula and using a Boolean satisfiability (SAT) checker to show the formula is unsatisfiable, and 2) it has sufficient expressive power to construct models of a variety of interesting software and hardware systems. We describe this logic and show its modeling capabilities.
Murine in vitro whole bladder physiology.

The function of the bladder is twofold: 1) to store urine at low pressure, and 2) under control of the nervous system, to generate a contractile force coordinated with a lowered urethral resistance that allows for emptying.20 Clinically, this system is most commonly affected by bladder outlet obstruction, and the response of the detrusor is remarkable in its variability. Experimentally, most investigators agree that after outlet obstruction, there is an increase in bladder mass seen irrespective of the model used. Within most experimental models of partial obstruction (as with humans), there exists a degree of variability in terms of detrusor response. Some bladders enter a state of compensation and are able to sustain elevated voiding pressures and empty satisfactorily. Others enter a state of decompensation and lose their ability to empty effectively.15 The molecular mechanisms for such decompensations are under current investigation, and may involve alterations in cytosolic calcium handling,19,21 disruptions in mitochondrial function,4 and changes in the expression of contractile filaments.1 In the late stages, as the bladder slides into the decompensated state, major depositions of extracellular matrix are seen in a variety of species.3,9,11
Tight Skin 2 Mice Exhibit Delayed Wound Healing Caused by Increased Elastic Fibers in Fibrotic Skin.

Rationale: The Tight Skin 2 (Tsk2) mouse model of systemic sclerosis (SSc) has many features of human disease, including tight skin, excessive collagen deposition, alterations in the extracellular matrix (ECM), increased elastic fibers, and occurrence of antinuclear antibodies with age. A tight skin phenotype is observed by 2 weeks of age, but measurable skin fibrosis is only apparent at 10 weeks. We completed a series of wound healing experiments to determine how fibrosis affects wound healing in Tsk2/+ mice compared with their wild-type (WT) littermates. Method: We performed these experiments by introducing four 4 mm biopsy punched wounds on the back of each mouse, ventral of the midline, and observed wound healing over 10 days. Tsk2/+ mice showed significantly delayed wound healing and increased wound size compared with the WT littermates at both 5 and 10 weeks of age. We explored the potential sources of this response by wounding Tsk2/+ mice that were genetically deficient either for the NLRP3 inflamm...
Straightening out chest tubes: what size, what type, and when.

Although chest tube placement is one of the most common procedures in managing patients with pleural disease, it is not clear what size and type of chest tube is indicated for various conditions. Chest tubes can be divided into small- (≤14 French [Fr]) and large-bore (>14 Fr) and can be placed by blunt dissection, guidewire (Seldinger), or trocar guidance. Recently a trend has been seen toward using smaller chest tubes for most indications, given their relative ease and patient comfort. This article summarizes the rationale for using different chest tubes depending on the clinical scenario.
Pitch of Harmonic Complex Tones: Rate Coding of Envelope Repetition Rate in the Auditory Midbrain.

Envelope repetition rate (ERR) is an important cue for the pitch of harmonic complex tones (HCT), especially when the tone consists entirely of unresolved harmonics. Neural synchronization to the stimulus envelope provides a prominent cue for ERR in the auditory periphery, but this temporal code becomes degraded and gives way to rate codes in higher centers. The inferior colliculus (IC) likely plays a key role in this temporal-to-rate code transformation. Here we recorded single IC neuron responses to HCT at varying fundamental frequencies (F0). ERR was manipulated by applying different inter-harmonic phase relationships. We identified a subset of neurons that showed a 'non-tonotopic' rate tuning to ERR between 160 and 1500 Hz. A comparison of neural responses to HCT and sinusoidally amplitude modulated (SAM) noise suggests that this tuning is dependent on the shape of stimulus envelope. A phenomenological model is able to reproduce the non-tonotopic tuning to ERR, and suggests it arises in the IC via synaptic inhibition.
Calcium Channel Blockers and Risk of Lymphedema among Breast Cancer Patients: Nested Case-Control Study.

Background: To assess the risk of lymphedema associated with the use of calcium channel blockers (CCB) among breast cancer patients. Methods: A nested case–control study of adult female breast cancer patients receiving an antihypertensive agent was conducted using administrative claims data between 2007 and 2015. Cases were patients with lymphedema who were matched to 5 controls based on nest entry date (±180 days), age (±5 years), number of hypertensive drug classes, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), thiazide exposure, and insurance type. Exposure to CCBs and covariates was identified in the 180-day period prior to event date. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess the impact of exposure among cases and controls. Results: A total of 717 cases and 1,681 matched controls were identified. After matching on baseline characteristics, mastectomy (7.8% vs. 4.8%; P = 0.0039), exposure to radiotherapy (27.1% vs. 21.7%; P = 0.0046), taxane-based chemotherapy (11.7% vs. 7.4%; P = 0.0007), anthracycline-based chemotherapy (6.0% vs. 3.6%; P = 0.0073), CCB use (28.3% vs. 23.3%; P = 0.0087), and CCI (19.8% vs. 12.7%; P Conclusions: CCB use was significantly associated with the development of lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Impact: CCBs should be avoided or used with caution in breast cancer patients to reduce the risk for developing lymphedema.
A proactive approach to assess system safety in clinical operations at a comprehensive cancer center.

245Background: Traditional approaches to improve safety in clinical operations focus on reacting to adverse events and intervening at the process level to prevent recurrence. A need exists to proac...
A General Arbitration Model for Robust Human-Robot Shared Control with Multi-Source Uncertainty Modeling.

Shared control in teleoperation leverages both human and robot's strengths and has demonstrated great advantages of reducing the difficulties in teleoperating a robot and increasing the task performance. One fundamental question in shared control is how to effectively allocate the control power to the human and robot. Researchers have been subjectively defining the arbitrate policies following conflicting principles, which resulted in great inconsistency in the policies. We attribute this inconsistency to the inconsiderateness of the multi-resource uncertainty in the human-robot system. To fill the gap, we developed a multi-source uncertainty model that was applicable to various types of uncertainty in real world, and then a general arbitration model was developed to comprehensively fuse the uncertainty and regulate the arbitration weight assigned to the robotic agent. Beside traditional macro performance metrics, we introduced objective and quantitative metrics of robotic helpfulness and friendliness that evaluated the assistive robot's cooperation at micro and macro levels. Results from simulations and experiments showed the new arbitration model was more effective and friendly over the existing policies and was robust to coping with multi-source uncertainty. With this new arbitration model, we expect the increased adoption of human-robot shared control in practical and complex teleoperation tasks.
Strategic Tripod in Internet-Enabled Market: Consumer Self-Construal Level, Consumer Involvement, and Firm Resources: An Abstract

The construal level theory and the idea of consumer involvement are two important topics in contemporary consumer research, yet few studies have previously examined their interaction, especially in the online context. Current trends indicate that internet-enabled markets play a pivotal role in a firm’s revenue generation. The alignment of the customer’s perceived value (i.e., value to customers) and firm value (i.e., value from customers) is also of extreme importance in creating consumer value, consumer satisfaction, loyalty, and a firm’s ultimate profitability (Kumar and Reinartz 2016). Thus, it is time to investigate the interaction among consumer self-construal level, consumer involvement, and firm resources in the context of internet-enabled markets.
Risks of preterm birth and growth restriction in second births after a first-born male infant.

Abstract Purpose A first-born male infant may lead to an exaggerated immune response in the mother in subsequent pregnancies, increasing the risk of preterm birth (PTB) and growth restriction. This study investigated whether risks of PTB and growth restriction are greater among infants preceded by a first-born male infant and evaluated if the associations differ by paternity change or the second-born's sex. Methods We conducted a population-based cohort study using 2003–2014 Washington State birth certificate data and included mothers and birth year frequency-matched second live-born infants preceded by a first-born male (n = 58,704) or by a first-born female infant (n = 58,704). Using stratified analyses, we estimated adjusted relative risks (RRs) of PTB, low birthweight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA). Results Second-born infants preceded by a first-born male had greater risks of PTB (RR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.09–1.19), LBW (RR = 1.17; 1.10–1.24), and SGA (RR = 1.13; 1.08–1.18). The RR was elevated for indicated PTB (RR = 1.19; 1.10–1.29), preterm premature rupture of membranes (RR = 1.15; 1.01–1.32), and spontaneous PTB (RR = 1.12; 1.05–1.20). Associations did not differ by second-born infant's sex or paternity change. Conclusion Having a first-born male infant was associated with a greater risk of PTB, LBW, and SGA in the second-born infant.
Flexibility and Interpersonal Skills

Employers want flexible workers who have the potential to perform a variety of tasks and jobs as necessary because they are responsible, have a good attitude, and are willing to learn and undergo regular on the job training. An HR manager for an engineering firm describes the types of flexibility she needs from young workers and how she identifies these workers through recruitment and interviewing. Workers who demonstrate good interpersonal skills are more likely to keep jobs and get promotions. Employers profiled describe the need for good social skills to get along with coworkers in small businesses, salespeople who can get along with clients, and teamwork skills necessary to work on creative design teams.
Feeling Left Out: Revising Business School History and Inserting Lyrical Sociology

As management education has become more global, the experiences that we draw upon for our research and teaching often do not reflect this diversity. In this essay, I examine what counted as experie...
Archival critique and activism: memory, preservation, and digital visual cultures in post-revolutionary Egyptian heterotopias

Many might argue that the prospects of a progressive politics and democratic governance that the 2011 Egyptian revolution sought to realize have completely vanished. Those revolutionary aspirations...
Polynomial Time Scheduling of Low Level Computer Vision Algorithms on Networks of Heterogeneous Machines

Defining an optimal schedule for arbitrary algorithms on a network of heterogeneous machinesis an NP complete problem. This paper focuses on data parallel deterministic neighborhood computer vision algorithms. This focus enables the polynomial time definition of a schedule which minimizes the distributed execution time by overlapping computation and communication cycles on the network. The scheduling model allows for any speed machine to participate in the concurrent computation but makes theassumption of a master/slave control mechanism using a linear communication network. Several vision algorithms are presented and described in terms of the scheduling model parameters. The theoretical speed up of these algorithms is discussed and empirical data is presented and compared to theoretical results.
Characterization of human antibody responses to four corners hantavirus infections among patients with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a human disease caused by a newly identified hantavirus, which we will refer to as Four Corners virus (FCV). FCV is related most closely to Puumala virus (PUU) and to Prospect Hill virus (PHV). Twenty-five acute HPS serum samples were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibody reactivities to FCV-encoded recombinant proteins in Western blot (immunoblot) assays. All HPS serum samples contained both IgG and IgM antibodies to the FCV nucleocapsid (N) protein. FCV N antibodies cross-reacted with PUU N and PHV N proteins. A dominant FCV N epitope was mapped to the segment between amino acids 17 and 59 (QLVTARQKLKDAERAVELDPDDVNKSTLQSRRAAVSALETKLG). All HPS serum samples contained IgG antibodies to the FCV glycoprotein-1 (G1) protein, and 21 of 25 serum samples contained FCV G1 IgM antibodies. The FCV G1 antibodies did not cross-react with PUU G1 and PHV G1 proteins. The FCV G1 type-specific antibody reactivity mapped to a segment between amino acids 59 and 89 (LKIESSCNFDLHVPATTTQKYNQVDWTKKSS). One hundred twenty-eight control serum samples were tested for IgG reactivities to the FCV N and G1 proteins. Nine (7.0%) contained FCV N reactivities, 3 (2.3%) contained FCV G1 reactivities, and one (0.8%) contained both FCV N and FCV G1 reactivities. The epitopes recognized by antibodies present in control serum samples were different from the epitopes recognized by HPS antibodies, suggesting that the control antibody reactivities were unrelated to FCV infections. These reagents constitute a type-specific assay for FCV antibodies. Images
Extracellular Na+ dependence of changes in free Ca2+, 45Ca2+ efflux, and total cell Ca2+ produced by angiotensin II in cultured arterial muscle cells

Angiotensin II (ANG II) evoked a rapid efflux of 45Ca2+ which was largely, but not completely, prevented by the removal of extracellular Na+. ANG II had little, if any, effect on a fast component of 45Ca2+ uptake, although the hormone increased a slow component of 45Ca2+ uptake by 2.5-fold. ANG II decreased total cell Ca2+ by about 40% within 1 min of hormone addition. The replacement of extracellular Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine or K+ nearly prevented ANG II from decreasing total cell Ca2+. ANG II caused a 5-fold increase in free Ca2+ which reached a peak about 10 s after hormone addition. Free Ca2+ decreased rapidly from the peak to a plateau phase which lasted for several min. Free Ca2+ during the plateau phase was about 1.5 times the basal level. Removing extracellular Na+ caused a more than 2-fold increase in the free Ca2+ concentration that was maintained during the plateau phase, and Na+, added during the plateau phase, rapidly decreased free Ca2+. These findings suggest that the transient nature of the increase in free Ca2+ produced by ANG II is due in part to a net efflux of Ca2+ which is largely dependent on external Na+ and probably mediated by Na+/Ca2+ exchange.
Equality and Economy: The Global Challenge

Equality and Economy: The Global Challenge. Michael Blim. New York: AltaMira Press, 2005. 243 pp.
Towards a Systematic Study of Representational Guidance for Collaborative Learning Discourse.

The importance of collaborative and social learning processes is well established, as is the utility of external representations in supporting learners' active expression, examination and manipulation of their own emerging knowledge. However, research on how computerbased representational tools may support collaborative learning is in its infancy. This paper motivates such a line of research, sketches a theoretical analysis of the roles of constraint and salience in the representational guidance of collaborative learning discourse, and reports on an initial study that compared textual, graphical, and matrix representations. Differences in the predicted direction were observed in the amount of talk about evidential relations and the use of epistemological categories.
A Search for Direct CP Violation in Two-Body Cabibbo-Suppressed Decays of Neutral Charmed Mesons

Presented are the results of a search for direct CP violation in Cabibbo-suppressed decays of D{sup 0} to two charged daughters. The analysis described was performed on {approx}230 fb{sup -1} of the BABAR data sample, recorded at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and using the PEP-II electron storage rings. We measure CP asymmetries for decay to the KK and {pi}{pi} final states, as well as for the branching ratio, and develop a new technique for tagging-efficiency correction using the Cabibbo-favored K{pi} final state. We find some evidence for CP violation in decays to the KK final state and results that suggest CP violation in the {pi}{pi} final state as well.
Associations among hydrologic classifications and fish traits to support environmental flow standards

Classification systems are valuable to ecological management in that they organize information into consolidated units thereby providing efficient means to achieve conservation objectives. Of the many ways classifications benefit management, hypothesis generation has been discussed as the most important. However, in order to provide templates for developing and testing ecologically relevant hypotheses, classifications created using environmental variables must be linked to ecological patterns. Herein, we develop associations between a recent US hydrologic classification and fish traits in order to form a template for generating flow–ecology hypotheses and supporting environmental flow standard development. Tradeoffs in adaptive strategies for fish were observed across a spectrum of stable, perennial flow to unstable intermittent flow. In accordance with theory, periodic strategists were associated with stable, predictable flow, whereas opportunistic strategists were more affiliated with intermittent, variable flows. We developed linkages between the uniqueness of hydrologic character and ecological distinction among classes, which may translate into predictions between losses in hydrologic uniqueness and ecological community response. Comparisons of classification strength between hydrologic classifications and other frameworks suggested that spatially contiguous classifications with higher regionalization will tend to explain more variation in ecological patterns. Despite explaining less ecological variation than other frameworks, we contend that hydrologic classifications are still useful because they provide a conceptual linkage between hydrologic variation and ecological communities to support flow–ecology relationships. Mechanistic associations among fish traits and hydrologic classes support the presumption that environmental flow standards should be developed uniquely for stream classes and ecological communities, therein. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
A final focus system for the Next Linear Collider

The final focus of the Next Linear Collider (NLC) demagnifies electron and positron beams of 250-750 GeV energy down to a transverse size of about 2.5/spl times/350 nm/sup 2/ at the interaction point (IP). The basic layout, momentum bandwidth, vibration tolerances, wakefield effects, and the tunability of the proposed final focus design are discussed. Also a perspective is given on the crab cavity and on effects of the solenoid field in the interaction region.
Selection on the reconfigurable mesh

A Theta (log n) time algorithm to select the kth smallest element in a set of n elements on a reconfigurable mesh with n processors is obtained. This improves on the previous fastest algorithm's running time by a factor of log n. It is also shown that variants of this problem can be solved even faster. Finally, a proof of Omega (log log n) lower bound time for the rmesh selection problem is given. >