cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scale-up x Scale-out: A Case Study using Nutch/Lucene

Scale-up solutions in the form of large SMPs have represented the mainstream of commercial computing for the past several years. The major server vendors continue to provide increasingly larger and more powerful machines. More recently, scale-out solutions, in the form of clusters of smaller machines, have gained increased acceptance for commercial computing. Scale-out solutions are particularly effective in high-throughput Web-centric applications. In this paper, we investigate the behavior of two competing approaches to parallelism, scale-up and scale-out, in an emerging search application. Our conclusions show that a scale-out strategy can be the key to good performance even on a scale-up machine. Furthermore, scale-out solutions offer better price/performance, although at an increase in management complexity.
Effect of Warm-up Activities on Speed, Strength, and Accuracy

Abstract Three groups of women physical education majors, totaling 31 students, participated in a series of tests to determine the effects of light warm-up activities on speed, strength, and accuracy. The tests used in the study were (1) speed—a ride of one-tenth of a mile on a bicycle ergometer, (2) strength—the maximum distance a subject could throw a Softball and (3) accuracy—the number of successful basketball free throws a subject could score in ten tries. The data were analyzed in terms of the above tests, each of which were performed when preceded by no warming up, by a general warm-up, and by a warm-up related to the test activity. A total of 360 usable tests were recorded. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in the scores made in relation to the three types of warm-up procedures. Also, no injuries or soreness were reported during the testing period.
Recommendations for prevention of childhood obesity.

The majority of US youth are of healthy weight, but the majority of US adults are overweight or obese. Therefore, a major health challenge for most American children and adolescents is obesity prevention—today, and as they age into adulthood. In this report, we review the most recent evidence regarding many behavioral and practice interventions related to childhood obesity, and we present recommendations to health care providers. Because of the importance, we also suggest approaches that clinicians can use to encourage obesity prevention among children, including specific counseling strategies and practice-based, systems-level interventions. In addition, we suggest how clinicians may interact with and promote local and state policy initiatives designed to prevent obesity in their communities.
PD-1 Co-inhibitory and OX40 Co-stimulatory Crosstalk Regulates Helper T Cell Differentiation and Anti-Plasmodium Humoral Immunity

The differentiation and protective capacity of Plasmodium-specific T cells are regulated by both positive and negative signals during malaria, but the molecular and cellular details remain poorly defined. Here we show that malaria patients and Plasmodium-infected rodents exhibit atypical expression of the co-stimulatory receptor OX40 on CD4 T cells and that therapeutic enhancement of OX40 signaling enhances helper CD4 T cell activity, humoral immunity, and parasite clearance in rodents. However, these beneficial effects of OX40 signaling are abrogated following coordinate blockade of PD-1 co-inhibitory pathways, which are also upregulated during malaria and associated with elevated parasitemia. Co-administration of biologics blocking PD-1 and promoting OX40 signaling induces excessive interferon-gamma that directly limits helper T cell-mediated support of humoral immunity and decreases parasite control. Our results show that targeting OX40 can enhance Plasmodium control and that crosstalk between co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory pathways in pathogen-specific CD4 T cells can impact pathogen clearance.
A novel algorithm to separate motion artifacts from photoplethysmographic signals obtained with a reflectance pulse oximeter

Pulse oximeters are mainstays for acquiring blood oxygen saturation in static environments such as hospital rooms. However, motion artifacts prevent their broad in wearable, ambulatory environments. To this end, we present a novel algorithm to separate the motion artifacts from plethysmographic data gathered by pulse oximeters. This algorithm, based on the Beer-Lambert law, requires photoplethysmographic data acquired at three excitation wavelengths. The algorithm can calculate venous blood oxygen saturation (S/sub v/O/sub 2/) as well as arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO/sub 2/). Preliminary results indicate that the extraction of the venous signal, which is assumed to be most affected by motions, is successful with data acquired from a reflectance-mode sensor.
He's Not Going to Talk About In Vitro Predictive Assays Again, Is He?

It is difficult for anyone to determine why oncologists have not paid more attention to the use of in vitro predictive tests in the care of their patients. A review of already completed in vitro-in vivo correlative trials in 2,300 patients indicates percentages of 69 for true positives and 91 for true negatives from predictive assays. These percentages are as good as or better than those seen with already accepted tests, such as estrogen receptor assays or bacterial sensitivity testing systems. Results of a randomized trial of single-agent chemotherapy selections based on a capillary cloning assay versus a clinician's choice indicate the response rate is significantly higher when single-agent chemotherapy is selected by the cloning assay than when it is selected by a clinician (21% vs. 3%). An ongoing randomized trial in which investigators are attempting to corroborate these results in patients with previously untreated small cell lung cancer has been so slow to accrue patients that it is unlikely these trials and others will ever be completed. The usefulness, if any, of these assays and their potential to provide answers to important questions will never be determined unless attitudes are changed about participation in trials. A tool with potential for helping oncologists select patient therapy could be lost unless participation in these trials is obtained.
Impact of added biopsy areas on prostate cancer detection: preliminary analysis.

Objective. To evaluate variations in prostate cancer detection relevant to the number and areas of biopsy cores. Methods. Ninety patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen levels, abnormal physical examination findings, or both had ultrasound examinations plus biopsies. Forty-nine patients had 11 biopsies, and 41 patients had 6 biopsies. The numbers of cancers detected were compared on a patient-by-patient basis and by all biopsy sites grouped together. An analysis of the relationship between a positive gray scale sonographic finding and the presence of adenocarcinoma was done. Results. On a patient-by-patient basis, 43% of patients who had 11 biopsies had adenocarcinoma. In patients who had 6 biopsies, 32% had adenocarcinoma. Thirty-eight percent of the additional cancers found in the 11-biopsy group were in 5 additional areas not sampled in the 6-biopsy group. Of the total of 539 biopsy specimens obtained in the 11-biopsy group, 56 (10%) had adenocarcinoma; 43% of these 56 were positive in the 5 additional areas not sampled in the 6-biopsy group. No statistical differences (P >.05) were found for mean age, mean prostate-specific antigen level, and mean volume in the groups with 11 and 6 biopsies. This indicated that the observed difference was not related to any of these factors. Similar pathologic data were found for patients with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Conclusions. Our data indicate the added value of additional biopsy sites over the usual 6 biopsies to increase the yield of adenocarcinoma and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia detected. The added biopsy sites of the central and midperipheral glands were areas where additional specimens positive for adenocarcinoma and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia were obtained.
Evaluation of cytotoxicity of bevacizumab on VEGF-enriched corneal endothelial cells.

Purpose: To evaluate the cytotoxicity of varying doses of Bevacizumab on corneal endothelial cells in the presence of a range of concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Bevacizumab, a drug widely used in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma neutralizes all isoforms of VEGF and ameliorates neovascularization after intracameral administration. However, the safety of intracameral administration of Bevacizumab and dose–dependent toxicity on corneal endothelial cells has not been established. Methods: Bovine corneal endothelial (BCE) cells were treated with VEGF (50 ng/ml) and/or Bevacizumab (0.1–2 mg/ ml) for 72 h. Cell proliferation was measured with the water soluble tetrazolium salts (WST-1) assay. Morphological changes were recorded by bright-field microscopy of cells. Cytotoxicity in response to Bevacizumab was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion, as well as annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. Results: Bevacizumab was not cytotoxic at the concentrations tested and the percentage of Bevacizumab-treated cells staining positively for both PI and Annexin V was less than 1%. The anti-proliferative effects of Bevacizumab on BCE cells were dose-dependent; a dose of 1.5 mg/ml or 2 mg/ml produced a 33% (p=0.005) or 47% (p=0.001) decrease in cell proliferation compared to controls. Similar results were obtained in cells treated with a combination of Bevacizumab and VEGF. VEGF (50 ng/ml) had no significant effect on cell proliferation compared to controls. Morphology of cells was unchanged after treatment with Bevacizumab and/or VEGF compared to controls. Conclusions: Bevacizumab was safe and not toxic to BCE cells at concentrations commonly used in clinical practice.
Core tracing: depicting connections between features in electron density

Core tracing is a threshold-independent method of determining connectivity (long chains of high-density values) in electron-density maps. It gives visually sparse pictures of large volumes which are useful for initial fitting and for molecular-boundary determination. New methods for visual presentation of the traces are suggested by the way that the connectivity is parameterized in terms of local connections between maxima and the saddle (lowest) points along the connecting paths. The algorithm also partitions the density into small compact volumes containing the maxima. These volumes are useful for localization and statistical analysis.
The value of chest wall resection in the treatment of superior sulcus tumors of the lung.

Abstract The diagnosis of superior sulcus tumor was established in 35 patients at the University of Michigan Medical Center over the sixteen-year period from 1955 through 1970. Twelve patients underwent preoperative irradiation with cobalt 60 followed by radical en bloc excision of the chest wall. None of these patients survived five years. Twenty-three patients received radiation therapy with cobalt 60 only. Three of these patients survived five years free of disease. The absolute five-year survival in the entire group of patients was 8.6%. This study raises the question of the role of radical chest wall excision in the treatment of superior sulcus tumor.
A relation between toughness and the dynamic mechanical properties of polymer films

A relation is shown to exist between toughness and the dynamic mechanical dissipation factor when both are evaluated under the same conditions. In addition to exploring why this relation exists, its limitations are considered.
Stability testing for systems with polynomial uncertainty

We develop a new stability tests for systems with one uncertain parameter and with polynomial uncertainty structure. The test is derived using the resultant determinant for the real and imaginary parts of the polynomial evaluated on the imaginary axis. The resultant determinant is a function of the uncertain parameter as well as frequency. We evaluate the determinant using a known algorithm then test it for roots in a given interval using Sturm's theorem. We apply Sturm's test twice: over the allowable range of the uncertain parameter, and for positive angular frequencies. The procedure yields a necessary and sufficient stability condition with polynomial uncertainty structure and one uncertain parameter. We demonstrate the new test using two numerical examples.
Cytogenetics and molecular genetics of human cancer.

Emphasis has been placed in this special issue on solid tumors, because cytogenetic and molecular genetic progress in the leukemias and lymphomas has far outstripped that in solid tumors— as is evident from the article in this issue by Chen and Sandberg [2002] and the extensive literature in this field. Hence, our aim is to indicate a few of the problems underlying similar studies in solid tumors and the challenges they present. In this Seminars in Medical Genetics dealing with the cytogenetic and molecular aspects of cancer and leukemia, an attempt has been made to bring the reader’s attention to the up-to-date findings in some of the common cancers and leukemias. Space limitations prevent us from presenting articles on numerous other conditions, some of which we refer to or list here in Tables I–III. Most of these conditions (Table I) are associated with complex cytogenetic and molecular changes akin to those of certain of the cancers discussed in this issue (see the article by Sandberg on bladder cancer, for example) [Sandberg, 2002]. Although the genetic changes in these tumors may follow an orchestrated stepwise process, the causative change and subsequent genetic anomalies responsible for the development of the full tumor biological picture (including invasiveness and metastases) have not been established with rigor [Sandberg,
Knickpoint evolution in a vertically bedded substrate, upstream-dipping terraces, and Atlantic slope bedrock channels

We conducted flume experiments to investigate the nature of knickpoint and bedrock channel longitudinal profile evolution for a channel reach underlain by a vertically bedded substrate of alternating resistance. This research was motivated by the presence, behavior, and apparent persistence of impressive knickpoints formed in steeply dipping or steeply foliated bedrock in Atlantic slope drainages of the Appalachian Mountains. The experiments were carried out in a 10-m-long wooden-box flume filled with a very fine– to medium-grained sand alluvial substrate and a single, 30-cm-wide ridge of vertically oriented, lacustrine silt-clay varves designed to simulate a bedrock channel reach. Numerous control experiments established a stable meandering channel form and transport gradient, from which knickpoints were produced by a single, instantaneous base-level fall at the channel mouth. Knickpoint evolution in the alluvial material downstream of the bedrock reach was dominated by inclination of the knick-point face; this resulted in a rapid transition from a waterfall at the point of base-level fall to a broad, convex zone spanning the entire lower alluvial channel reach. A waterfall and plunge pool reformed at the contact between the lower alluvial reach and the simulated bedrock ridge where the knickpoint shortened and steepened. The knickpoint then migrated upstream through the bedrock reach by a combination of parallel retreat and vertical channel incision. The knickpoint evolution process resulted in the formation of upstream-dipping strath terraces, an uncommon landform possibly present in the Holtwood Gorge of the Susquehanna River. As base-level fall effects were transmitted to the alluvial channel above the bedrock reach, a complex channel response, accompanied by pulses of sediment, alternately buried and excavated the bedrock reach. These results illustrate the complex behavior associated with knickpoint evolution, the unsteadiness of the bedrock channel erosion process, and the significant lag times that may exist in natural fluvial systems that are in the process of adjusting to base-level fall.
A framework for supporting quality-based presentation of continuous multimedia streams

The authors investigate a framework for supporting the continuous and synchronized presentations of multimedia streams in a distributed multimedia system. They assume a situation in which the server and network transmissions provide sufficient support for the delivery of media objects. In this context, major issues regarding the enforcement of the smooth presentation of multimedia streams at client sites must be addressed. They develop various presentation scheduling algorithms that are adaptable to quality of service parameters. The proposed algorithms permit the local adjustment of unsynchronized presentations by gradually accelerating or retarding presentation components, rather than abruptly skipping or pausing the presentation materials. This framework can be readily used to facilitate various applications, including education and training.
Effects of Instrumental Use of Curriculum-Based Measurement to Enhance Instructional Programs

This study investigated the importance of instrumental use of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) to planning effective reading programs. Participants were 53 mildly handicapped students and their 29 teachers who had been assigned randomly to CBM and control groups. Teachers implemented their CBM or control treatments for 15 weeks. After the treatment period, student records were inspected to divide the CBM participants into two implementation groups. The CBM-measurement only group comprised 15 students and 9 teachers; these teachers measured students' reading performance as required but did not use the assessment information to structure students' reading programs. The CBM–measurement with evaluation group comprised 21 students and 12 teachers; these teachers measured student performance and used the assessment information to design instructional programs. Analysis of variance revealed that, compared to the control group, pupils in the measurement with evaluation group achieved better than students in the...
The N Terminus of the Centromere H3-Like Protein Cse4p Performs an Essential Function Distinct from That of the Histone Fold Domain

Cse4p is an evolutionarily conserved histone H3-like protein that is thought to replace H3 in a specialized nucleosome at the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) centromere. All known yeast, worm, fly, and human centromere H3-like proteins have highly conserved C-terminal histone fold domains (HFD) but very different N termini. We have carried out a comprehensive and systematic mutagenesis of the Cse4p N terminus to analyze its function. Surprisingly, only a 33-amino-acid domain within the 130-amino-acid-long N terminus is required for Cse4p N-terminal function. The spacing of the essential N-terminal domain (END) relative to the HFD can be changed significantly without an apparent effect on Cse4p function. The END appears to be important for interactions between Cse4p and known kinetochore components, including the Ctf19p/Mcm21p/Okp1p complex. Genetic and biochemical evidence shows that Cse4p proteins interact with each other in vivo and that nonfunctional cse4 END and HFD mutant proteins can form functional mixed complexes. These results support different roles for the Cse4p N terminus and the HFD in centromere function and are consistent with the proposed Cse4p nucleosome model. The structure-function characteristics of the Cse4p N terminus are relevant to understanding how other H3-like proteins, such as the human homolog CENP-A, function in kinetochore assembly and chromosome segregation.
Discordance between microvascular permeability and leukocyte dynamics in septic inducible nitric oxide synthase deficient mice

Introduction Microvascular dysfunction causing intravascular leakage of fluid and protein contributes to hypotension and shock in sepsis. We tested the hypothesis that abrogation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activation would decrease leukocyte rolling, leukocyte adhesion, and microvascular leakage in sepsis. We compared wild-type mice made septic by cecal ligation and puncture with mice deficient in iNOS. Methods Leukocyte dynamics and microvascular permeability were assessed simultaneously by fluorescence intravital microscopy in the cremaster muscle 15 to 20 hours after induction of sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture in C57Bl/6 mice. Rolling and adhesion of leukocytes labeled with rhodamine and leakage of fluorescein isothiocyanateconjugated albumin was measured in single nonbranching venules (25 to 40 μm) and compared among septic wild-type, septic iNOS-deficient transgenic, and sham-operated control mice. Results Leukocyte rolling and adhesion were increased in septic animals (61.6 ± 14.4 cells/minute and 4.1 ± 0.6 cells/ 100 μm per minute, respectively) as compared with control animals (8.5 ± 2.3 cells/minute and 1.1 ± 0.2 cells/100 μm per minute, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). Rolling increased in iNOS-deficient septic mice (to 105.5 ± 30.0 cells/minute, P = 0.048, versus wild-type septic); adhesion was unchanged (5.1 ± 0.5 cells/100 μm per minute, P = 0.30). Sepsis produced an increase in leakage ratio in wild-type septic mice compared with controls (0.36 ± 0.05 versus 0.08 ± 0.01, P < 0.001). Leakage was attenuated in iNOS-deficient septic mice (0.12 ± 0.02, P < 0.001, versus wild-type septic mice). Conclusion Leukocyte adhesion and vascular leakage were discordant in this setting. The finding that septic iNOS-deficient mice exhibited less microvascular leakage than wild-type septic mice despite equivalent increases in leukocyte adhesion suggests an important role for nitric oxide in modulating vascular permeability during sepsis.
A Prader–Willi locus lncRNA cloud modulates diurnal genes and energy expenditure

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a genetic disorder of obesity, intellectual disability and sleep abnormalities, is caused by loss of non-coding RNAs on paternal chromosome 15q11-q13. The imprinted minimal PWS locus encompasses a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcript processed into multiple SNORD116 small nucleolar RNAs and the spliced exons of the host gene, 116HG. However, both the molecular function and the disease relevance of the spliced lncRNA 116HG are unknown. Here, we show that 116HG forms a subnuclear RNA cloud that co-purifies with the transcriptional activator RBBP5 and active metabolic genes, remains tethered to the site of its transcription and increases in size in post-natal neurons and during sleep. Snord116del mice lacking 116HG exhibited increased energy expenditure corresponding to the dysregulation of diurnally expressed Mtor and circadian genes Clock, Cry1 and Per2. These combined genomic and metabolic analyses demonstrate that 116HG regulates the diurnal energy expenditure of the brain. These novel molecular insights into the energy imbalance in PWS should lead to improved therapies and understanding of lncRNA roles in complex neurodevelopmental and metabolic disorders.
Therapeutic antibodies to intracellular targets in cancer therapy

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a proven therapeutic platform, but they cannot readily cross the cell membranes to bind intracellular antigens, while some of the most important disease-associated proteins are intracellular, protected from direct mAb attack. However, the cellular processes of necrosis and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen presentation expose epitopes from intracellular proteins to the extracellular environment or cell surface. Antibodies that exploit these processes can therefore specifically target diseased cells based on their intracellular protein content. These strategies expose important new targets for mAb therapy and expand the potential for effective therapies.
Student Preference Rates for Predominately Online, Compressed, or Traditionally Taught University Courses

Universities and colleges in the United States are actively searching for new ways to increase student enrollment as one means to offset recent government budget cuts in educational funding. One proposal at a particular institution involves transitioning a commuter university from a traditional semester length calendar to one that offers predominately online and compressed courses. University students responded to a survey, based on a number of variables, regarding their impressions of taking considerably more online and compressed courses in lieu of traditionally taught courses. While the students wanted to keep the traditional semester calendar, findings showed that some of the benefits of online and compressed teaching schedules were appealing.
System Combination for Multi-document Summarization

We present a novel framework of system combination for multi-document summarization. For each input set (input), we generate candidate summaries by combining whole sentences from the summaries generated by different systems. We show that the oracle among these candidates is much better than the summaries that we have combined. We then present a supervised model to select among the candidates. The model relies on a rich set of features that capture content importance from different perspectives. Our model performs better than the systems that we combined based on manual and automatic evaluations. We also achieve very competitive performance on six DUC/TAC datasets, comparable to the state-of-the-art on most datasets.
Bone and joint modeling from 3D knee MRI: feasibility and comparison with radiographs and 2D MRI ☆

Abstract Purpose The purpose was to evaluate feasibility of bone and joint segmentations from three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI). Methods Segmented joint models from 3D MRI data set were obtained for 42 patients. Blinded angular and joint space measurements were performed on 3D MRI model, two-dimensional (2D) MRI, and radiography (XR). Results Medial joint space was similar on both XR and 3D MRI ( P =.3). The XR measurements were statistically different but closer to 3D MRI for lateral patellar tilt angle, patellar tendon length, and lateral knee joint space, whereas 2D MRI measurements were closer to XR in terms of trochlear depth, sulcal angle, and patellar length. Conclusion 3D bone and joint segmentations are feasible from isotropic MRI data sets.
A novel N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine-containing delivery vehicle for spermine-condensed plasmid DNA.

A unique method for formulation of plasmid DNA with phospholipids has been devised for the purpose of producing vehicles that can mediate gene delivery and transfection of living cells. The polycation, spermine, was used to condense plasmid DNA within a water-in-chloroform emulsion stabilized by phospholipids. After organic solvent removal, the particles formed could be extruded to a number average size of about 200 nm and retained DNA that was protected from nuclease digestion. This resulted in a relatively high protected DNA-to-lipid ratio of approximately 1 μg DNA/μmol lipid. The size distribution of the preparation was relatively homogeneous as judged by light microscopy and quasi-elastic light scattering. Electron microscopic studies showed structural heterogeneity, but suggested that at least some of the plasmid DNA in this preparation was in the form of the previously observed spermine-condensed bent rods and toroids and was encapsulated within liposomal membranes. Preparations with the fusogenic phospholipid composition, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-dodecanoyl/ 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, showed transfection activity for several cells lines, particularly OVCAR-3 cells. The transfection activity sedimented with the lipid during centrifugation, confirming the association of active plasmid DNA with phospholipids. Transfection efficiency in culture was found to be of the same order of magnitude as cationic lipoplexes but much less toxic to the cells. Significant transfection of OVCAR-3 cells in tissue culture could also be observed, even in the presence of the intraperitoneal fluid from a mouse with an OVCAR-3 ascites tumor. These data indicate a new type of liposomal gene delivery system devoid of cationic lipids, phosphatidylethanolamine, cationic polymers and viral components.
2-(Naphthalen-1-yl)ethanol

The title compound, C12H11OH, crystallizes with two mol­ecules, A and B, in the asymmetric unit with different conformations of the ethanol side chain; one is gauche [torsion angle = 59.58 (17)°] and the other is anti [176.20 (13)°]. In the crystal, [100] chains of alternating A and B mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
CS duration and task Instructions as determiners of extinction of the conditioned eyelid response

Eyelid responses were conditioned while a simultaneous sound intensity judgment was performed. All Ss received eyelid or sound instructions, oriented toward either the eyelid or sound task, and either a 550 or 2550 msec, acquisition CS. Performance in acquisition and extinction decreased with sound task instructions, but showed no significant effect of duration of CS in acquisition or extinction.
The Effect of Vigil Length on Stress and Cognitive Fatigue

Finding effective ways to mitigate the effects of cognitive fatigue is important especially for high risk occupations. Previous work may have been affected by ceiling effects as it did not attempt ...
Pheochromocytoma Masquerading as “Diabetic Ketoacidosis”

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a routinely encountered diagnosis in medicine. Physicians are trained early on to look for precipitants. Most clinicians assess for medication compliance, infection, ischemia, and the like. We present a case of pheochromocytoma presenting as “diabetic ketoacidosis.” The case serves as an example for broadening the differential diagnosis for patients with similar presentations. Additionally, the case helps inform our understanding of the so-called “stress reactions” that are commonly invoked in clinical rationale.
Development of a curriculum and roadside screening tool for law enforcement identification of medical impairment in aging drivers

An estimated one in five drivers will be over 65 by 2030. Compared with their younger counterparts, older adults are more likely to experience health and functional impairments, including cognitive dysfunction, which may interfere with their ability to drive safely. Law enforcement officers, as part of the public safety community, need help in developing the necessary skills to identify and manage these medically affected drivers. To address this need, in partnership with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Training, Research and Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) at the University of California, San Diego, developed a certified two-hour training curriculum. To complement the training, the TREDS team also developed a roadside screening tool to assess for disorientation related to person, place, and time. The tool was developed, validated with a sample of persons with dementia compared to cognitively normal controls, and deployed in the training. A total of 2,018 police officers received instruction at 103 training sessions. At baseline, prior to training, only 26 % of officers had reported drivers to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the previous 6 months. After training, 96 % stated they were likely to use their standard reporting forms, and 90 % reported they were likely to use the roadside screening tool. The certified training and tool were well received and resulted in changes to knowledge, attitudes, and intention to incorporate their new knowledge and tools into roadside screening.
Impact of the neutron matter equation of state on neutron skins and neutron drip lines in chiral effective field theory

We present predictions of the binding energy per nucleon and the neutron skin thickness in highly neutron-rich isotopes of oxygen, magnesium, and aluminum. The calculations are carried out at and below the neutron drip line as predicted by our model. The nuclear properties are obtained via an energy functional whose input is the equation of state of isospin-asymmetric infinite matter. The latter is based on a microscopic derivation of the energy per particle in neutron matter applying chiral few-nucleon forces together with a phenomenological model for the equation of state of symmetric nuclear matter. We highlight the impact of the neutron matter equation of state at different orders of chiral effective field theory on neutron skins and the binding energy per particle and quantify the uncertainty carried by our predictions.
Computer Printers: Everyone’s a Publisher

This chapter deals with the way that the price of computer printers has declined rapidly as their functionality has increased. I suggest that the new computer printers make everyone who owns them potential publishers and the existence of inexpensive print-on-demand publishers, such as Amazon.com’s Create Space, allows people with these printers to actually become publishers. I offer an example of my publishing a little book I wrote on English character and culture. The chapter concludes with a discussion of a new printing technology, 3-D printing, also called “additive manufacturing,” which has revolutionary potentials in everything from manufacturing to medicine.
The Many Modal Interpretations of Prohairetic Logic: Aqvist, Chisholm, Sosa and Hansson

Along with the two towering achievements by Soren Hallden and Georg Henrik von Wright are some less in-depth though equally interesting attempts by philosophers, who while affiliated with Hallden and/or von Wright in their use of an intuitionistic approach, see the issue of evolving a logic of preference differently from what is found in the above two cases. This group of thinkers, composed mainly by Lennart Aqvist, Roderick Chisholm, Ernest Sosa, and Bengt Hansson, represent in part a historical connection between Hallden and, von Wright. Collectively their work constitutes a strong statement as to the influence which Hallden’s treatise had on his contemporaries. In each of the studies to be considered below, one invariably finds some reference to Hallden’s incisive work, as well as the expression of a need to seek a different direction, by way of improving upon what the former had achieved. Individually, however, these writings exhibit a partial historical continuation, in the sense that though Aqvist writes between the time of Hallden’s publication and before the appearance of von Wright’s treatise, Chisholm, Sosa and Hansson present their views subsequent to von Wright’s monongraph in 1963, and are thus not entirely in sequence before von Wright. Their work, however, is influenced more predominantly by Hallden than by von Wright, and thus a discussion of what they have to say deserves attention here rather than further on.
An optimized SNR estimation technique using particle swarm optimization algorithm

Estimation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) has become an integral part of wireless communication systems, particularly in cognitive radio systems. The knowledge of the SNR at any time is essential because it has a significant influence on the performance of the system. Approximating this parameter can help better calculate the occupancy level of different channels of the radio spectrum which is an essential part in decision making process of cognitive radio systems. Recently, a novel SNR estimation approach based on the eigenvalues of the covariance matrix of the received samples was proposed in the literature. This method is highly dependent on a number of parameters including number of input samples, number of eigenvalues, and Marchenko-Pastur distribution size. In the process of SNR estimation, these parameters are chosen based on some factors such as available hardware, channel condition, and the application for which SNR is estimated. In this paper, we analyze the effect of each of the mentioned parameters on the SNR estimation method and show that they need to be optimized. We propose the use of particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm in the eigenvalue-based SNR estimation technique to optimize these parameters. The results of the proposed method are compared with those of the original SNR estimation method. The results validate the improvement achieved by our technique compared to the original technique.
Greater accuracy and broadened applicability of phase reduction using isostable coordinates

The applicability of phase models is generally limited by the constraint that the dynamics of a perturbed oscillator must stay near its underlying periodic orbit. Consequently, external perturbations must be sufficiently weak so that these assumptions remain valid. Using the notion of isostables of periodic orbits to provide a simplified coordinate system from which to understand the dynamics transverse to a periodic orbit, we devise a strategy to correct for changing phase dynamics for locations away from the limit cycle. Consequently, these corrected phase dynamics allow for perturbations of larger magnitude without invalidating the underlying assumptions of the reduction. The proposed reduction strategy yields a closed set of equations and can be applied to periodic orbits embedded in arbitrarily high dimensional spaces. We illustrate the utility of this strategy in two models with biological relevance. In the first application, we find that an optimal control strategy for modifying the period of oscillation can be improved with the corrected phase reduction. In the second, the corrected phase reduced dynamics are used to understand adaptation and memory effects resulting from past perturbations.
The Mutilation of Agamemnon (A. Ch. 439 and S. El. 445)

At two places in Greek tragedy a rare and obscure word, ἐµασχαλίσθη, is used to describe an obscure practice. Most commentators take the word to denote a ritual in which a victim’s body parts are strung underneath his armpits, hence the term ἐµασχαλίσθη, ‘was arm-pitted’. This paper argues that the term denotes a simpler practice and one more suited to the dramatic context, and closes by considering why the word has been misunderstood.
Distribution and Diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Group Bacteria in Sciurids of California

Abstract California has a remarkable diversity of squirrel and chipmunk species (sciurids), and five named and several unnamed genospecies in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group (BBSL) of bacteria as well, many of which utilize sciurids as reservoirs. We investigated the prevalence, spatial distribution, and diversity of BBSL in sciurids of California by literature search, PCR of 585 ear tissue samples from 15 sciurid species prospectively collected across 19 California counties, and DNA sequencing when possible. Seven publications documented BBSL infections in western gray squirrels (Sciurus griseus), fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), Douglas squirrels (Tamiasciurus douglasii), and redwood chipmunks (Tamias ochrogenys) in northern California. Prospective sampling added new BBSL infection records for long-eared chipmunks (Tamias quadrimaculatus), Allen's chipmunks (Tamias senex), and Siskiyou chipmunks (Tamias siskiyou). Infection was detected in the Mendo...
Prospective Postmarketing Surveillance of Acute Myocardial Infarction in New Users of Saxagliptin: A Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE The cardiovascular safety of saxagliptin, a dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitor, compared with other antihyperglycemic treatments is not well understood. We prospectively examined the association between saxagliptin use and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We identified patients aged ≥18 years, starting from the approval date of saxagliptin in 2009 and continuing through August 2014, using data from 18 Mini-Sentinel data partners. We conducted seven sequential assessments comparing saxagliptin separately with sitagliptin, pioglitazone, second-generation sulfonylureas, and long-acting insulin, using disease risk score (DRS) stratification and propensity score (PS) matching to adjust for potential confounders. Sequential testing kept the overall chance of a false-positive signal below 0.05 (one-sided) for each pairwise comparison. RESULTS We identified 82,264 saxagliptin users and more than 1.5 times as many users of each comparator. At the end of surveillance, the DRS-stratified hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CI) were 1.08 (0.90–1.28) in the comparison with sitagliptin, 1.11 (0.87–1.42) with pioglitazone, 0.79 (0.64–0.98) with sulfonylureas, and 0.57 (0.46–0.70) with long-acting insulin. The corresponding PS-matched HRs were similar. Only one interim analysis of 168 analyses met criteria for a safety signal: the PS-matched saxagliptin-pioglitazone comparison from the fifth sequential analysis, which yielded an HR of 1.63 (1.12–2.37). This association diminished in subsequent analyses. CONCLUSIONS We did not find a higher AMI risk in saxagliptin users compared with users of other selected antihyperglycemic agents during the first 5 years after U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug.
A Fast and Convenient Way to Predict Relaxation During a Frequency-Selective Adiabatic Hyperbolic Secant Pulse (HS1 Sech Pulse)

Frequency-selective inversion of magnetization is often achieved by long, low-power adiabatic RF pulses. Because these pulses can last hundreds of milliseconds, substantial relaxation of magnetization can occur during their application. Recently, a numerical model was introduced that allows an approximation of relaxation during frequency-selective adiabatic pulses for fast-tumbling small molecules in non-viscous solutions using only standard T1 and T2 relaxation times. This model is now extended to conditions in which net magnetization is not at its thermodynamic equilibrium prior to the adiabatic inversion. Simulated and experimental data reveal that the amplitude of net magnetization after an adiabatic inversion with the HS1 hyperbolic secant pulse can be approximated by a linear function of the magnetization before the pulse, depending only on T1 and T2 relaxation. The model presented here is particularly applicable to solvent-suppression sequences that utilize multiple adiabatic inversions, such as the multiple inversion-recovery nulling sequence EXCEPT. Tabulated slope and intercept values for the linear relationship are provided to facilitate a convenient optimization of pulse sequences that utilize HS1 frequency-selective adiabatic inversions.
On the popularity of the USB flash drive-shaped electronic cigarette Juul.

Introduced in mid 2015, Juul is currently the most popular electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) with a market share of 49.6% (last four weeks as of 27 January 2018) and year-over-year growth of over 700% based on Nielsen market data.1 Juul is a compact closed system device charged via USB (figure 1) and comes with disposable flavoured pods each of which contains 0.7 mL with 5% nicotine by weight. Each pod is nearly equivalent to one pack of cigarettes or 200 puffs according to official Juul documentation (from http://www.juulvapor.com), which also states that Juul is specifically ‘designed with smokers in mind’ and is ‘for adult smokers seeking a satisfying alternative to cigarettes’. To order Juul online, age verification (+21 years) is required and implemented through a third-party verification service provider. The purpose of this letter is to describe initial observations of recent Juul-related messages on two different social networks (Twitter and Reddit) and traditional media. Figure 1 (A) Juul device as it fits in a palm (courtesy: UW Daily). (B) Juul connected to a MacBook Air via a USB charger (courtesy: Juul Labs website). We collected 250 873 tweets mentioning the word ‘juul’ and its variants ‘juuling’ and ‘juuled’ from 19 October 2017 and 14 February 2018 using Twitter’s free-streaming API service. Due to rate limits imposed by Twitter Inc. on free data collection using their API, this dataset does not represent an exhaustive set of tweets matching our keywords during that period. This is also a filtered set and excludes tweets generated by organisations and users whose user name contains ‘juul’ (potentially part of their actual name). Only a third of the data (84 729 tweets) represent unique tweets, the rest arising from the retweet mechanism. The duplicates from the top 10 retweeted messages account for 29% of the full dataset (72 521 retweets). Next, we make some observations …
Conventional and Endoscopic Approaches to the Pituitary

■ Conventional and endoscopic approaches to the pituitary both lead to satisfactory treatment of pituitary disease, with endoscopic approaches resulting in fewer endonasal complications.
Response Bias and Contextual Effects: When Biased?

Abstract In a very particular but crucial sense of the term, "response bias" may be defined as systematic distortion in the reporting of experience. This chapter challenges the common belief that there is response bias when the judgment of a stimulus can be shown to depend upon the context for judgment. The emphasis is upon my range-frequency theory of how category ratings are determined by the context. The challenge to claims for response bias is also applied to the theories of signal detection and information integration and to the pragmatics of everyday discourse.
Murine c-mpl: a member of the hematopoietic growth factor receptor superfamily that transduces a proliferative signal.

Abstract The murine myeloproliferative leukemia virus has previously been shown to contain a fragment of the coding region of the c-mpl gene, a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily. We have isolated cDNA and genomic clones encoding murine c-mpl and localized the c-mpl gene to mouse chromosome 4. Since some members of this superfamily function by transducing a proliferative signal and since the putative ligand of mpl is unknown, we have generated a chimeric receptor to test the functional potential of mpl. The chimera consists of the extracellular domain of the human interleukin-4 receptor and the cytoplasmic domain of mpl. A mouse hematopoietic cell line transfected with this construct proliferates in response to human interleukin-4, thereby demonstrating that the cytoplasmic domain of mpl contains all elements necessary to transmit a growth stimulatory signal. In addition, we show that 25-40% of mpl mRNA found in the spleen corresponds to a novel truncated and potentially soluble isoform of mpl and that both full-length and truncated forms of mpl protein can be immunoprecipitated from lysates of transfected COS cells. Interestingly, however, although the truncated form of the receptor possesses a functional signal sequence and lacks a transmembrane domain, it is not detected in the culture media of transfected cells.
Minimum Sample Sizes for Two-Sided Tolerance Intervals for Finite Populations

The problem of determining the minimum sample size for two-sided beta-content tolerance intervals when the population size is finite is investigated. It is assumed that a simple random sample is selected from the population. An expression for the tolera..