cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How to tell an airport from a home: techniques and applications

Today's Internet services increasingly use IP-based geolocation to specialize the content and service provisioning for each user. However, these systems focus almost exclusively on the current position of users and do not attempt to infer or exploit any qualitative context about the location's relationship with the user (e.g., is the user at home? on a business trip?). This paper develops such a context by profiling the usage patterns of IP address ranges, relying on known user and machine identifiers to track accesses over time. Our preliminary results suggest that rough location categories such as residences, workplaces, and travel venues can be accurately inferred, enabling a range of potential applications from demographic analyses to ad specialization and security improvements.
A Computational Framework for the Topological Analysis and Targeted Disruption of Signal Transduction Networks

In this article, optimization-based frameworks are introduced for elucidating the input-output structure of signaling networks and for pinpointing targeted disruptions leading to the silencing of undesirable outputs in therapeutic interventions. The frameworks are demonstrated on a large-scale reconstruction of a signaling network composed of nine signaling pathways implicated in prostate cancer. The Min-Input framework is used to exhaustively identify all input-output connections implied by the signaling network structure. Results reveal that there exist two distinct types of outputs in the signaling network that either can be elicited by many different input combinations or are highly specific requiring dedicated inputs. The Min-Interference framework is next used to precisely pinpoint key disruptions that negate undesirable outputs while leaving unaffected necessary ones. In addition to identifying disruptions of terminal steps, we also identify complex disruption combinations in upstream pathways that indirectly negate the targeted output by propagating their action through the signaling cascades. By comparing the obtained disruption targets with lists of drug molecules we find that many of these targets can be acted upon by existing drug compounds, whereas the remaining ones point at so-far unexplored targets. Overall the proposed computational frameworks can help elucidate input/output relationships of signaling networks and help to guide the systematic design of interference strategies.
Dynamic Security Risk Management Using Bayesian Attack Graphs

Security risk assessment and mitigation are two vital processes that need to be executed to maintain a productive IT infrastructure. On one hand, models such as attack graphs and attack trees have been proposed to assess the cause-consequence relationships between various network states, while on the other hand, different decision problems have been explored to identify the minimum-cost hardening measures. However, these risk models do not help reason about the causal dependencies between network states. Further, the optimization formulations ignore the issue of resource availability while analyzing a risk model. In this paper, we propose a risk management framework using Bayesian networks that enable a system administrator to quantify the chances of network compromise at various levels. We show how to use this information to develop a security mitigation and management plan. In contrast to other similar models, this risk model lends itself to dynamic analysis during the deployed phase of the network. A multiobjective optimization platform provides the administrator with all trade-off information required to make decisions in a resource constrained environment.
Mining Marketing Meaning from Online Chatter: Strategic Brand Analysis of Big Data Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation:

Online chatter, or user-generated content, constitutes an excellent emerging source for marketers to mine meaning at a high temporal frequency. This article posits that this meaning consists of extracting the key latent dimensions of consumer satisfaction with quality and ascertaining the valence, labels, validity, importance, dynamics, and heterogeneity of those dimensions. The authors propose a unified framework for this purpose using unsupervised latent Dirichlet allocation. The sample of user-generated content consists of rich data on product reviews across 15 firms in five markets over four years. The results suggest that a few dimensions with good face validity and external validity are enough to capture quality. Dynamic analysis enables marketers to track dimensions' importance over time and allows for dynamic mapping of competitive brand positions on those dimensions over time. For vertically differentiated markets (e.g., mobile phones, computers), objective dimensions dominate and are similar acr...
Formal verification for analysis and design of logic controllers for reconfigurable machining systems

We present a hierarchical structure and framework for the modeling, specification, analysis and design of logic controllers for a reconfigurable machining system (RMS). This hierarchical framework allows one to integrate controllers at various levels of coordination in the machining system. Our approach is modular and "object oriented." This allows reusability and rapid reconfigurability of the controller as the machining system is reconfigured. We utilize the concept of timed transition models (TTM) to model a RMS. To specify the desired controlled behavior of the RMS, we use the tools of real-time temporal language introduced by Manna and Pnueli (1995). In this framework, the controller analysis problem can be posed as the problem of verifying that certain logical formulae are valid. Such verification can be carried out using either theorem proving techniques or model checking. We present some analytical results on a problem of system reconfiguration. An iterative approach for designing a controller based on the analysis result mentioned above is also presented. Using this approach, we can design a controller for a given set of closed-loop properties which guarantees correctness of the closed-loop system. The paper also illustrates how the state explosion problem inherent in model checking can be handled effectively by performing modular verification.
Empty Nose Syndrome: What are We Really Talking About?

The problem with empty nose syndrome is probably not that it does not exist, it is that we cannot adequately explain its existence by what we currently understand about the nose. The result of empty nose syndrome or iatrogenic atrophic rhinitis as a consequence of turbinectomy remains a controversial topic that deserves further scrutiny. It is clear from the literature, that not everyone undergoing a turbinectomy procedure suffers from the debilitating symptoms of either atrophic rhinitis or empty nose syndrome. Thus, it behooves us to evaluate this latter entity with a more critical eye, so that we can avoid creating future sufferers and provide relief to those who have already been afflicted.
Buffering the effects of violence: communication and problem‐solving skills as protective factors for adolescents exposed to violence

Although many adolescents exposed to violence evidence negative outcomes, some report few deleterious effects, indicating the presence of moderating variables. This study examined the moderating role of family communication and problem solving on positive and negative outcomes in adolescents exposed to school and neighborhood violence. Participants were 90 adolescents and their parents, who completed measures of violence exposure, psychological and behavioral functioning, and communication and problem-solving skills. Results indicated that after controlling for demographic variables and violence exposure in the home, communication and problem-solving skills moderated the association between school and neighborhood violence exposure and psychological distress. There was no moderation of the violence exposure-positive outcome association. The findings suggest that family communication and problem-solving skills might serve a protective function for adolescents, thereby decreasing psychological distress in the face of school and neighborhood violence exposure. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cognitive-Behavioral Profiles of Neurodegenerative Dementias: Beyond Alzheimer's Disease

The neurocognitive and behavioral profiles of vascular dementia and vascular cognitive impairment, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease with dementia, and dementia syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degenerations are compared and contrasted with Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Vascular dementia/vascular cognitive impairment is characterized by better verbal memory performance, worse quantitative executive functioning, and prominent depressed mood. Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease with dementia are equally contrasted with AD by defective processing of visual information, better performance on executively supported verbal learning tasks, greater attentional variability, poorer qualitative executive functioning, and the presence of mood-congruent visual hallucinations. The frontal variant of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (frontotemporal dementia) differs from AD by better multimodal retention on learning tasks, different patterns of generative word fluency, defective qualitative executive functioning, and by markedly impairment of comportment. For temporal variants of frontotemporal lobar degenerations, progressive aphasia and semantic dementia, worse language performance relative to AD is typically characteristic.
5-HT3R Binding of lerisetron: an interdisciplinary approach to drug–Receptor interactions

Abstract The design, synthesis, and use of lerisetron-based molecular probes to investigate the 5-HT 3 R binding site are described. A SAR study, which involved distance and electronic parameter modifications of lerisetron's N -benzyl group, resulted in the discovery of a partial agonist.
Peri‐epithelial origin of prostanoids in the human colon

The biology of prostanoids in the normal human colon is only beginning to be understood. We used in situ and in vitro techniques to define the lineage, number, per cell enzyme content, and epithelial functional effect of prostaglandin-generating cells, identified by the presence of cyclooxygenase 1 (COX 1). Immunohistochemical results were quantitated densitometrically, and cell surface staining in situ was verified by flow cytometry of isolated cells and by Western blotting. Three populations of COX 1(+) mucosal cells were identified, based on their morphology and local distribution in human mucosa; these were in the intra-epithelial, crypt apical, and lamina propria regions, with each containing a similar amount of COX 1 protein on a per cell basis. The most numerous were COX 1(+) mononuclear cells in the lamina propria, identified as CD3(+) T lymphocytes, both in situ and ex vivo. In toto, 21% of lamina propria mononuclear cells were COX 1(+), and over 50% of these cells were CD3(+) T cells. Findings were similar in the colon with mild-moderate inflammation due to ulcerative colitis. Using established surface markers, intra-epithelial and crypt apical COX 1(+) cells were non-lymphoid CD45(+) leukocytes; neither IgA (B-lymphocytes) nor alpha-smooth muscle actin (myelofibroblasts) was co-expressed on these COX 1(+) cells. Examining the effect of a major product of COX 1 in an in vitro system of human colonic epithelial monolayers, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in low concentration (10(-6) M) enhanced epithelial barrier function and partially protected epithelia from the barrier-disruptive consequences of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, IFN-gamma. We conclude that the human colon contains three tiers of cell types for local synthesis of prostanoids, distinguishable by their location, morphology, and cell lineage. Further, maintenance of the barrier function of colonic epithelium may be added to other cell functions in mucosa regulated, in part, by prostanoids.
Synthesis of carbon‐13 enriched nitrobenzene

Synthesis of nitrobenzene enriched in 13C at specific ring positions has been accomplished. The literature conditions for one of the reactions employed were found defective and are corrected. The nature of a second reaction is amplified and apparent thermodynamic control was discovered.
Swallow physiology in patients with trach cuff inflated or deflated: A retrospective study

Background. Past research has suggested that medical diagnosis and trach cuff conditions may contribute to swallow physiology changes in patients with tracheostomy. This study attempts to investigate the differences in swallow physiology between patients with trach cuff-inflated and trach cuff–deflated conditions with respect to four medical diagnostic categories: neuromuscular disorder, head and neck cancer, respiratory diseases, and general medical diagnosis. Methods. Retrospective database analysis of videofluoroscopic study results in 623 patients with tracheostomies with trach cuff-inflated or cuff–deflated conditions. Swallow disorders were examined for each patient. Results. The frequencies of reduced laryngeal elevation and silent aspiration were found to be significantly higher in the cuff-inflated condition than the cuff–deflated condition. Significant swallow physiology changes were also found to be significantly different among various medical diagnostic categories. Conclusions. It is important to evaluate changes in swallow physiology under both the trach cuff-inflated and cuff–deflated conditions to fully assess swallow function. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: XXX–XXX, 2005
Synthesis and characterization of polymerizable bisphthalonitrile monomers

The reactions of 4-aminophthalonitrile (APN) with 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPTDA), and with 1,2,3,4-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PMDA) have been studied to optimize the conditions for the synthesis of monomeric thermosetting bisphthalonitrile compound. Suitable procedures for the synthesis of the two monomers are presented. Elemental analyses, IR spectra, dynamic thermogravimetric analyses, differential scanning calorimetry, 1H-NMR, and mass spectral studies have been used to characterize these compounds. Preliminary observations show that these materials can be polymerized to give high-temperature-resistant materials.
Misleading performance in the supercomputing field

The problems of misleading performance reporting and the evident lack of careful refereeing in the supercomputing field are discussed in detail. Included are some examples that have appeared in recently published scientific papers. Some guidelines for reporting performance are presented, the adoption of which would raise the level of professionalism and reduce the level of confusion in the field of supercomputing. >
Film Crystallographic Texture and Substrate Urface Roughness in Layered Aluminum Metallization

Material anisotropy implies that many film properties are affected by crystallographic orientation in the growth direction (out-of-plane texture) and / or in the plane of growth (in-plane texture). Physical vapor deposited (PVD) Ti and Al-alloy films deposited on silicon dioxide substrates typically exhibit strong fiber textures in the growth direction with little in-plane-texture observed. The strength of these fiber textures has been found to vary substantially depending on the details of the deposition process(es) and, to a lesser degree, on any post-deposition anneals. In this paper the role of the substrate surface roughness in defining film texture is reported. It was found that the substrate surface roughness determines the overlying film crystallographic orientation for Ti and Ti/AlCu films deposited on various oxides. Furthermore, it was found that the texture of the initial metal “seed” layer defines the texture in subsequently deposited films (texture inheritance). Modifications to the oxide surface which decrease the surface roughness lead to an improved crystallographic texture in Ti, AlCu, Ti/AlCu and Ti/TiN/AlCu films. Film orientation was determined from crystallographic pole figures measured using x-ray diffraction (XRD). The oxide surface roughness was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and glancing incidence x-ray reflectivity (GIXR).
Effect of Interleukin-10 and Laminar Shear Stress on Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Nitric Oxide in African American Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Background: African Americans have a pre­disposition to heightened systemic inflamma­tion and a high prevalence of hypertension. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of interleukin-10 (IL- 10) and laminar shear stress (LSS) on African American endothelial cells by measuring to­tal endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression and its phosphorylated form (p-eNOS) at Serine 1177, and nitric oxide (NO) levels, in response to IL-10 incubation and high physiological levels of LSS, used as an in vitro mimetic for aerobic exercise training (AEXT). Design: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from an African American donor were cultured. The experimental conditions included Static , Static with IL-10 Incubation, LSS at 20 dynes/cm 2 , and LSS at 20 dynes/cm 2 with IL-10 Incubation . West­ern blotting was used to measure eNOS and p-eNOS protein expression in the cells. A modified Griess assay was used to measure NO metabolites in the cell culture media. Results: There were significant increases in p-eNOS, eNOS, and NO in the LSS at 20 dynes/cm 2 and LSS at 20 dynes/cm 2 with IL-10 Incubation experimental conditions when compared to the Static experimental condition. There were no other statistically significant differences demonstrating that IL- 10 did not have an additive effect on eNOS activity in our study. Conclusion: The significant increases in p-eNOS, eNOS, and NO as a result of LSS in African American HUVECs suggest that AEXT may be a viable, nonpharmacologic method to improve vascular inflamma­tion status and vasodilation, and thereby contribute to hypertension reduction in the African American population. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(4):413-418; doi:10.18865/ ed.25.4.413
Chiral Corrections to Nucleon Two- and Three-Point Correlation Functions

We consider multi-particle contributions to nucleon two- and three-point functions from the perspective of chiral dynamics. Lattice nucleon interpolating operators, which have definite chiral transformation properties, can be mapped into chiral perturbation theory. Using the most common of such operators, we determine pion-nucleon and pion-delta couplings to nucleon two- and threepoint correlation functions at leading order in the low-energy expansion. The couplings of pions to nucleons and deltas in two-point functions are consistent with simple phase-space considerations, in accordance with the Lehmann spectral representation. An argument based on available phase space on a torus is utilized to derive the scaling of multiple-pion couplings. While multi-pion states are indeed suppressed, this suppression scales differently with particle number compared to that in infinite volume. For nucleon three-point correlation functions, we investigate the axialvector current at vanishing momentum transfer. The effect of pion-nucleon and pion-delta states on the extraction of the nucleon axial charge is assessed. We show that couplings to finite volume multi-particle states could potentially lead to overestimation of the axial charge. Hence pionnucleon excited states cannot explain the trend seen in lattice QCD calculations of the nucleon axial charge.
Mycotic pulmonary infections

Mycotic infections involve the lungs in the majority of cases. Some of the infections are limited in geographic location, while others are worldwide. Often the patients may present with minimal symptoms, unlike bacterial infections, and these symptoms may persist for a longer duration. In this article the authors describe the clinical and radiographic findings of mycotic infections in humans with emphasis on common features.
Coevolution of male and female reproductive traits drive cascading reinforcement in Drosophila yakuba

When the ranges of two hybridizing species overlap, individuals may ‘waste’ gametes on inviable or infertile hybrids. In these cases, selection against maladaptive hybridization can lead to the evolution of enhanced reproductive isolation in a process called reinforcement. On the slopes of the African island of Sao Tome, Drosophila yakuba and its endemic sister species D. santomea have a well-defined hybrid zone. Drosophila yakuba females from within this zone show increased postmating-prezygotic isolation towards D. santomea males when compared with D. yakuba females from allopatric populations. To understand why reinforced gametic isolation is confined to areas of secondary contact and has not spread throughout the entire D. yakuba geographic range, we studied the costs of reinforcement in D. yakuba using a combination of natural collections and experimental evolution. We found that D. yakuba males from sympatric populations sire fewer progeny than allopatric males when mated to allopatric D. yakuba females. Our results suggest that the correlated evolution of male and female reproductive traits in sympatric D. yakuba have associated costs (i.e., reduced male fertility) that prevent the alleles responsible for enhanced isolation from spreading outside the hybrid zone.
A review of the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: standard therapy and a look to new targets.

Overview:Management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to be challenging, but new treatment options are evolving. A multidisciplinary evaluation will help make the best treatment decisions...
Open tubular liquid chromatography and the analysis of single neurons

Liquid chromatography in open tubular columns (OTLC) offers a means of achieving separations of high resolving power within analysis times of minutes to hours. A theory which predicts the optimal dimensions for an open tubular column for a given set of analytical conditions has been developed [1]. This theory predicts that for a wide range of possible inlet pressures and analysis times the most efficient columns will result when the column inner diameter is between 1.5 and 3 prm. A column of 2 Mrm diameter and 2 meter length should be capable of producing a million theoretical plates for an analyte with a capacity factor of 10 (strongly retained) and a retention time of 100 minutes.
Uncapping of pupal cells by European bees in the United States as responses to Varroa destructor and Galleria mellonella

We investigated the uncapping of pupal cells by honey bees in the United States as responses to infestation with V. destructor and G. mellonella. In a group of 15 colonies, we counted the number of...
Key Technologies for Translation-Based IPv6 Transition

In this paper,we describe several important IPv6 transition technologies based on translation. We describe the working principle,technical characteristics,and advantages and limitations of each technique. We also discuss typical scenarios in which these techniques might be used. IPv6 transition technologies based on translation extend the lifetime of the IPv4 network and allow communication between IPv4 and IPv6. They protect network to the greatest possible extent,and ensure the smooth transition from IPv4 to IPv6. When choosing IPv6 transition technologies,many factors need to be taken into account. Transition technologies must be selected according to the network's individual characteristics.
Sleep pressure correlates of cognitive and behavioral morbidity in snoring children.

Study Objectives: Sleep architecture is not preserved in children with sleep-disordered breathing but, rather, undergoes dynamic changes that exhibit significant correlation with severity of sleep-disordered breathing. A sleep pressure score (SPS) with a cutoff value of 0.25 was derived from analysis of a large cohort of snoring and control children. Neurocognitive batteries were applied to examine the potential effect of SPS. Design: Prospective study. Participants: 199 children who underwent a battery of neurobehavioral tests following an overnight sleep study were assigned to SPS High (> 0.25) or SPS Low (< 0.25) groups, and their neurocognitive performances were compared. Results: Children in the SPS High group were significantly more likely to have deficits in memory, language abilities, verbal abilities, and some visuospatial functions than were children in the SPS Low group. These effects remained highly significant after adjusting for confounding variables and exhibited small to moderate effect sizes. Conclusions: We conclude that a sleep-pressure numerical factor derived from the overnight polysomnogram in snoring children is associated with deficits in neurobehavioral daytime functions that is independent of respiratory disturbance and hypoxemia and suggests a significant role for disturbed sleep homeostasis in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.
Molecular pharmacology of the sodium channel of mammalian brain

The ionic mechanisms underlying electrical excitability in nerve and other excitable tissues have been defined by use of the voltage clamp method (Hodgkin & Huxley, 1952). In this approach the voltage across the excitable membrane is controlled with a feedback amplifier circuit and the ionic currents moving across the membrane in response to step changes in the membrane potential imposed by the experimenter are measured. Experiments with the voltage clamp technique have shown that the initial rapid depolarization during an action potential in nerve axons and most other excitable tissues results from rapid voltage-dependent increases in membrane permeability to sodium ions (Hodgkin & Huxley, 1952; Hille, 1976). Many different lines of evidence indicate that a selective transmembrane sodium channel is responsible for the rapid sodium permeability increase during the action potential. Selective ion permeation is mediated by a hydrophilic pore containing a sodium-selective ion coordination site designated the ion selectivity filter (Hille, 1972).
Evaluation of the Interplay between Uptake Transport and CYP3A4 Induction in Micropatterned Cocultured Hepatocytes

Previously we assessed the inductive response of prototypical inducers in hepatocyte monocultures and the long-term coculture model HepatoPac using cryopreserved hepatocytes from the same donors. We noted that the rifampicin EC50 generated using the HepatoPac model corresponded better to the EC50 based on clinical data compared with data generated in the monoculture system. We postulated that there may be differences in the functioning of uptake transporters between the two systems that may have led to the EC50 difference. In this study, we characterized the functional activity of multiple uptake transporters in the two systems using cryopreserved hepatocytes from the same donors. Our data suggest that uptake transporter activity is higher in HepatoPac compared with the monoculture system. As a follow up to this study, we measured the intracellular concentrations of rifampicin and bosentan, which are known substrates of uptake transporters; we observed significantly higher intracellular concentrations of both compounds in HepatoPac relative to the monoculture system. This finding equated to lower cytochrome P450 isoform 3A4 (CYP3A4) EC50 values in the HepatoPac system compared with the monoculture system for both mRNA and activity. In parallel, no significant EC50 shift was observed for carbamazepine and phenytoin, which are not known to be substrates of uptake transporters. Our data suggest that next generation liver models such as HepatoPac may be a useful in vitro tool to quantitatively predict drug–drug interactions when it is known that the perpetrator is also a substrate of drug transporters.
Evidence for PTEN Deficiency in Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia.

Abstract Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disorder (MDS/MPD) of young children. It is characterized by monocytosis, leukocytosis, elevated fetal hemoglobin, hypersensitivity to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), low percentage of myeloblasts in bone marrow, and absence of the Philadelphia chromosome. The pathogenesis of JMML has been linked to dysregulated signal transduction through the NF1/RAS signaling pathway and PTPN11. This dysregulation results in JMML cells demonstrating selective hypersensitivity to GM-CSF in vitro dose-response assays. PTEN, a major negative regulator of the PI3-kinase pathway by virtue of its PIP3 phosphatase activity, was initially isolated as a tumor suppressor in a variety of malignancies. In order to evaluate the role of PTEN in the pathogenesis of JMML, we examined the status of PTEN in JMML patient samples. Peripheral blood or bone marrow was collected from 40 patients. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated and lysed in lysis buffer at a concentration of 107/ml. Total RNA was extracted from MNCs of patients and 17 normal individuals. Protein and mRNA levels of PTEN were evaluated by Western-blot and relative-quantitative real-time RT-PCR, respectively. We found that PTEN protein was decreased in 18 of 30 (60%) JMML patients, and the patients had significantly lower RNA expression of PTEN than normal controls (p=0.015). With the available samples we also evaluated AKT activity and MAP kinase (MAPK) levels. We found that MAPK levels were correlated well with the status of the PTEN in 12 of 27(44%), and AKT activity in 13 of 25 patients (52%). Our data indicates that PTEN is significantly deficient in JMML patients, and the low PTEN protein level is related to its low transcription of RNA in JMML patients. The role of PTEN in regulation of MAPK and AKT activities in JMML is under further evaluation by studying the upstream status of the RAS pathway prior to PTEN. This is the first investigation of PTEN deficiency in JMML patients, and additional investigations may help to further understand the pathogenetic mechanisms in JMML, as well as to guide the development of targeted therapeutics for JMML.
Optic Nerve Head Drusen Prevalence and Associated Factors in Clinically Normal Subjects Measured Using Optical Coherence Tomography.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of optic nerve head drusen (ONHD) in clinically normal subjects using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to evaluate associated factors. Design Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Participants Total of 130 clinically normal subjects. Methods Serial horizontal and vertical EDI OCT B-scans (interval between scans, ∼30 μm) of the optic nerve head (ONH) were obtained in both eyes of clinically normal subjects. Signs of ONHD were defined as horizontal hyperreflective bands perpendicular to the OCT beam with or without a signal-poor core. The minimum length of isolated hyperreflective bands was determined based on analysis of 34 eyes with clinically definite ONHD. Age, gender, ONH diameter, and axial length were obtained from participants. Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of ONHD in clinically normal subjects and its association with age, gender, ONH diameter, and axial length. Results Based on the measurements of 94 isolated hyperreflective bands in the 34 eyes with clinically definite ONHD, the minimum length of isolated hyperreflective ONHD bands in clinically normal subjects was set as 45 μm (mean minus 2 standard deviations). Among 260 clinically normal eyes (130 subjects; 68 women; mean age, 40±17 years), EDI OCT was positive for horizontal hyperreflective ONHD bands in 28 eyes (10.8%) of 19 subjects (14.6%). Of these 28 eyes, 25 eyes (9.6% of total 260 eyes) of 16 subjects (12.3% of total 130 subjects) showed isolated hyperreflective bands with no signal-poor core, and 3 eyes (1.2% of total 260 eyes) of 3 subjects (2.3% of total 130 subjects) showed a signal-poor core surrounded by hyperreflective bands. No significant differences were found in mean age (44 vs. 39 years; P = 0.121) or gender distribution (56% vs. 52% female; P = 0.766) between clinically normal subjects with hyperreflective ONHD bands and those without. Logistic regression analysis showed that a decrease in ONH diameter by 100 μm and axial length by 1 mm increased the odds of ONHD presence by 1.5-fold (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56 [confidence interval (CI), 1.22–2.00]; P P = 0.015), respectively. Conclusions Subclinical ONHD may be more prevalent than previously believed. Significant associations of subclinical ONHD with smaller ONH and shorter axial length were found.
Not all mucous plugs are created equal

• Mucous plugs do not always cause a resistance to suction catheter even though it is completely obstructing the airway.
Ukrop's Savings Spot

Ukrop's has developed a unique coupon dispenser that is placed in front of the store. Customers with Ukrop's loyalty card can use this system to obtain coupons that are customized for them. The case explores the impact of this system on customer loyalty and store profitability. The case presents an opportunity to discuss the process of establishing the return on investment from such a loyalty program. Excerpt UVA-M-0753 Ukrop's Savings Spot Company Background Ukrop's was a family-owned and -operated supermarket chain located primarily in the Richmond, Virginia, area. “We have an advantage [of] being local,” said Jim Ukrop. “We live here; we have our friends here. We talk to our neighbors [and] hear what they like and what they don't like. We're able to put our arms around our business. We can do a lot of things that companies with branches can't do.” But the Ukrop's name and its reputation had spread far beyond southern Virginia. “The stores [Ukrop's] have a national reputation for excellence,” said Bill Bishop, a food retailing analyst with Willard Bishop Consulting in Barrington, Illinois. For more details on Ukrop's history, current competitive situation, and marketing strategy, see these links: · www.ukrops.com · http://www.timesdispatch.com/cva/ric/news/business.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-06-13-0048.html Supermarket Industry . . .
Alternative Aerodynamic Uncertainty Modeling Approaches for Flutter Reliability Analysis

A newly developed Monte Carlo simulation-based computational capability for uncertain aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic systems is used to study flutter prediction statistics, accounting for aerodyn...
Biomarkers for Early Detection of Acute Kidney Injury.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in hospitalized patients and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and cost. Currently, AKI is diagnosed after symptoms manifest; available diagnostic tests (e.g., serum creatinine, urine microscopy, urine output) have limited ability to identify subclinical AKI. Because of the lack of treatment strategies, AKI typically is managed with supportive measures. However, strategies exist that may prevent renal insults in critically ill patients; therefore, early recognition of AKI is crucial for minimizing damage propagation. Content: Experimental and clinical studies have identified biomarkers that may facilitate earlier recognition of AKI or even identify patients at risk of AKI. Such biomarkers might aid in earlier implementation of preventive strategies to slow disease progression and potentially improve outcomes. This review describes some of the most promising novel biomarkers of AKI, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), interleukin 18 (lL-18), liver-type fatty-acid-binding protein (L-FABP), insulin-like-growth-factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2). Summary: We discuss biomarker test characteristics, their strengths and weaknesses, and future directions of their clinical implementation.
Synthesis of YBa2Cu3O7− x by chemical precursors

An alternative synthetic route for obtaining bulk forms of the high temperature superconductor YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}}{sub {ital x}} has been investigated. The approach is based on first preparing the phases Y{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}O{sub 5} and BaCuO{sub 2}, followed by a single sintering of an appropriate mixture of these intermediate compounds to produce the superconducting phase. The resulting materials are largely single-phase as shown by x-ray diffraction, and have densities as high as 86% of the theoretical value, and superconducting onset temperatures of 93 K with magnetic shielding factors ranging from 0.85 to 1.02 ({plus minus}0.05). Metallography and scanning electron microscopy data were also obtained on the best (high {ital T}{sub {ital c}}, high shielding factors) of the samples. This synthesis approach is believed to be simpler, more reproducible, and has the potential of producing better materials than previously used bulk synthesis methods.
Strategic Communication in MBA Curricula: A Qualitative Study of Student Outcomes:

Using qualitative methods, this study demonstrates that the strategic communication curriculum is an important MBA program component. An audit was performed of syllabi used by schools teaching stra...
Augmenting the household affluence construct

Marketers often use net worth or income as indicators of household affluence. Unfortunately, net worth is problematic conceptually and quantitatively, and income alone is insufficient because it ov...
Seizure triggers in epilepsy patients: a national perspective (S37.002)

Objective: To identify common seizure triggers in a US epilepsy population using the EpiWatch research app. Background: Medical research can be performed using mobile devices and computer networks to transmit encrypted patient data. We used this approach to estimate the relative frequency of different seizure triggers in a US population of patients with epilepsy. Design/Methods: Participants tracked their seizures using the EpiWatch app which uses the Research Kit framework for e-consenting and encrypted data transmission from the Apple Watch and iPhone. Seizure tracking included collection of biosensor data and responsiveness testing on the Apple Watch. Participants completed a post-seizure survey on the Apple Watch after each tracked seizure, including questions about seizure type, aura, loss of awareness, and possible seizure triggers. Results: 598 patients enrolled in the EpiWatch study during an initial 10-month study period; 40% tracked a total of 1485 seizures. 177 participants reported seizure triggers. These by frequency were: stress (37%); missing sleep (18%); menses (12%), overexertion (11%), diet (9%), missed medications (7%), and fever/infection (6%). Participants reporting vs. not reporting seizure triggers had generally similar demographics and seizure types (similar gender distribution; median age 32). Seizure triggers did not vary by types of seizures. Stress was more commonly reported as a trigger among participants working full-time (35.0%), compared to those working part time (20.8%), unemployed participants (27.3%), or disabled participants (28.6%). Anticonvulsant non-adherence was reported only slightly more frequently among younger participants (16–25 years; n=43), among whom 39.5% reported a missed medication as a trigger, compared to older participants (26 to 66 years; n=127), among whom 33.8% reported a missed medication. Conclusions: Mobile technology can be used to perform clinical research in a national cohort of epilepsy patients. Many patients are aware of potential triggers for their seizures. Stress is the most commonly reported trigger. Medication non-adherence is also a commonly reported trigger. Study Supported by: InHealth Research Grant, Johns Hopkins University Disclosure: Dr. Ge has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gonzalez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lee has nothing to disclose. Dr. Carmenate has nothing to disclose. Dr. Collard has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dixon-Salazar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Crone has nothing to disclose. Dr. Krauss has nothing to disclose.
Beauveria bassiana (Deuteromycotina: Moniliales) Effects on Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae)

The fungal entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, was isolated from a naturally-infected tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), in Arkansas. This is the first report of a tarnished plant bug naturally infected with B. bassiana. In laboratory tests this isolate (ARSEF 3769) was highly infective to L. lineolaris nymphs and adults. The LC50 for nymphs and adults was 9 × 104 and 8.4 × lfj4 conidia per ml deionized water containing 0.01% Tween 80, respectively, when mortality was recorded 7 days after treatment. In a 1993 field test, cotton plants treated with ARSEF 3769 conidia at a rate of 5.8 × 107 conidia per ml deionized water containing 0.01% Tween 80 resulted in 88.8% and 100% mortality (n = 143) in exposed L. lineolaris adults at 5 and 7 days after treatment, respectively, compared with 7.4% and 11.4% mortality in the controls (n = 150). Persistence tests on field cotton showed that B. bassiana conidia could infect adult L. lineolaris for up to 4 days under ambien...
Metrics matter: The effect of parasite richness, intensity and prevalence on the evolution of host migration

Parasites have long been thought to influence the evolution of migration, but precisely determining the conditions under which this occurs by quantifying costs of infection remains a challenge. Her...
Association of Conflicts of Interest for Public Speakers for the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee of the US Food and Drug Administration With Their Statements

This study uses transcripts from the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drug Advisory Committee of the US Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the association of conflicts of interest for public speakers at committee meetings with the speakers’ statements.
A 7-day high-PUFA diet reduces angiopoietin-like protein 3 and 8 responses and postprandial triglyceride levels in healthy females but not males: a randomized control trial.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have beneficial effects on hypertriglyceridemia although their effect on angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs), specifically ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4 and ANGPTL8 is unknown. To determine whether a high-PUFA diet improves postprandial triglyceride (TG) levels through reducing ANGPTL responses following high saturated fat (SFA) meals. Twenty-six adults were randomized into a PUFA diet (n = 16) or a control diet group (n = 10). Participants completed a pre-diet visit (v1) where they were given two SFA-rich, high-fat meals. Blood draws were taken at fasting and every 2 h postprandially for a total of 8 h. After v1, participants completed a 7d diet of the same macronutrient proportions (50% carbohydrate, 35% fat, 15% protein) but with different fatty acid (FA) compositions (PUFA = 21% of total energy from PUFAs vs. Control = 7% of total energy from PUFA). All participants then completed the post-diet visit (v2) identical to v1. In the PUFA group, females, but not males, reduced TG concentrations (Area under the curve (AUC): 141.2 ± 18.7 vs. 80.7 ± 6.5 mg/dL/h, p = 0.01, for v1 vs. v2, respectively). Fasting and postprandial AUC levels of ANGPTL3 and 8, but not ANGPTL4, also decreased from v1 to v2 in PUFA females, but not males. No changes from v1 to v2 were seen in either sex in the control group. A PUFA-rich diet improves TG levels in response to high-SFA meals with reductions in ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL8. PUFAs may be more protective against hypertriglyceridemia in females, compared to males since no diet effect was observed in males. NCT02246933 .
Ultrasound Elastography to Assess Botulinum Toxin A Treatment for Post-stroke Spasticity: A Feasibility Study.

Introduction Post-stroke spasticity, a leading cause of disability, affecting 12 million stroke survivors in the world. Local muscle injection of Botulinum Toxin (BoNT) is a common treatment for post-stroke spasticity, which is lack of quantitative assessment in the effectiveness of the treatment. Commonly used Modified Ashworth Scale in clinical assessment is subjective. Ultrasound elastography has proven to be useful in the assessment of muscle mechanical properties. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound elastography to assess the efficacy of BoNT treatment for post-stroke spasticity of the upper limb. Methods We received IRB approval and written inform consents prior to the ultrasound scanning. In this prospective study, we performed ultrasound elastography (ultrasound strain elastography and ARFI based shear wave elastography) of the spastic biceps muscle in seven subjects (5 men and 2 women, mean age 45 years) who underwent biceps muscle BoNT injection for post-stroke spasticity of the upper limb. We measured ultrasound elastography parameters including axial strain ratio (Strain ratio=muscle strain/reference subcutaneous tissue strain), longitudinal strain ratio, and shear wave velocity of the spastic biceps muscle immediately prior to and 17-30 days (mean 22 days) after BoNT injection treatment. Statistical analyses: Two-tailed paired t-test was used to examine the difference in ultrasound elastography parameters of the treated muscles before and after BoNT injection, and the results was showed with box-and-whicker plots. Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rs) was applied to analyze the correlation of ultrasound elastography parameters to clinical assessment with Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Tardieu Scale (TS). Results The difference in ultrasound elastography parameters before and after BoNT injection was significant (p Conclusion Our results suggest that ultrasound elastography is feasible to assess the effectiveness of BoNT treatment for post-stroke spasticity of the upper limb. Further study on validating ultrasound elastography in post-stroke spasticity management in large population is warranted.
Effects of Agricultural Conservation Practices on Oxbow Lake Watersheds in the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain

Knight S.S., Locke M.A., Smith S., Jr. (2013): Effects of agricultural conservation practices on oxbow lake wa tersheds in the Mississippi River alluvial plain. Soil & Water Res., 8: 113–123. Agricultural lands are considered to be a major source of nonpoint source pollutants such as sediment, pes ticides and nutrients in the United States. Conservation practices have been tested for their effectiveness in reducing agricultural related pollutants on smaller scales, but farm watershed scale assessments of these prac tices are limited and few of these have evaluated the impacts on downstream ecology. Several projects focused on oxbow lake watersheds in the Mississippi River alluvial plain were designed to utilize working farms to evaluate primary pollutants in water resources and to identify conservation practices that are most effective in reducing the transport of those pollutants in surface and ground water on a watershed scale. Major findings of these studies include: (1) conservation practices reduced sediment in oxbow lakes, resulting in improved water clarity, plankton growth, and fish stocks; (2) total phosphorus in lakes decreased between 39–50% following application of conservation practices; (3) conservation tillage and cover crops reduced NO 3 -N losses by 73%, sediment losses by 70; and (4) riparian areas mitigated the transport of sediment in runoff and enhanced the degradation of pesticides.
Gradient Descent Converges to Minimizers: Optimal and Adaptive Step-Size Rules

As mentioned in Chap. 3, gradient descent (GD) and its variants provide the core optimization methodology in machine learning problems. Given a C1 or C2 function \(f: \mathbb {R}^{n} \rightarrow \mathbb {R}\) with unconstrained variable \(x \in \mathbb {R}^{n}\), GD uses the following update rule: $$\displaystyle x_{t+1} = x_{t} - h_t \nabla f\left (x_t\right ), $$ where ht are step size, which may be either fixed or vary across iterations. When f is convex, \(h_t < \frac {2}{L}\) is a necessary and sufficient condition to guarantee the (worst-case) convergence of GD, where L is the Lipschitz constant of the gradient of the function f. On the other hand, there is far less understanding of GD for non-convex problems. For general smooth non-convex problems, GD is only known to converge to a stationary point (i.e., a point with zero gradient).