cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Fractional-N DPLL With Calibration-Free Multi-Phase Injection-Locked TDC and Adaptive Single-Tone Spur Cancellation Scheme

This paper proposes a fractional-N digital phase locked loop (DPLL) architecture with calibration-free multi-phase injection-locked time-to-digital converter (TDC) and gradient-based adaptive single-tone spur cancellation scheme. By using the injection-locked ring oscillator, the TDC quantization step is automatically tracked with the period of the digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) over PVT, and hence is free of calibration. The multi-phase TDC further achieves a fine resolution of 7 to 12 ps, depending on the DPLL's operating frequency. The proposed single-tone spur cancellation scheme achieves more than 40 dB spur suppression. The proof-of-concept DPLL prototype is implemented in 65 nm CMOS technology and synthesizes frequencies from 2.7 to 4.8 GHz with a 1V supply, consuming 21.2 mW. The measured in-band phase noise is −92 dBc/Hz at 40 kHz offset, the far out phase noise is −130 dBc/Hz at 3 MHz offset, with a reference spur of −86.5 dBc.
Forecasting annual cyanobacterial bloom biomass to inform management decisions in Lake Erie

Abstract Blooms of the toxic cyanobacteria, Microcystis aeruginosa , have been both a public health and ecological concern in Lake Erie for over a decade. Although models were previously developed to forecast cyanobacterial bloom severity, the recent few years of bloom severity observations indicate the need to update these empirical models. The models that best estimate the bloom biomass use the Maumee River discharge or total bioavailable phosphorus (TBP) loading from March through July. TBP is the sum of the dissolved reactive phosphorus and the proportion of particulate phosphorus that is bioavailable, corrected for loss due to settling in the river. In years when average June water temperatures were too low for Microcystis growth (
Neutron spectrometry and source location using solid-state detectors

Semiconductor neutron detectors (SCND) devices have undergone dramatic improvements over the last ten years, with reported single detector thermal intrinsic efficiencies approaching 30%. The proposed spectrometer design consists of several alternating layers of SCND's and neutron absorbers/reflectors. A 3-D array of SCND's is embedded into a hydrogenous media, creating a single detection layer that moderates fast neutrons to thermal energies, where they are subsequently detected. The absorption/separation layers, consisting of 1 mm of cadmium and 2 mm of bismuth, provide increased separation of detector layer responses to mono-energetic incident neutrons. The GEANT4 toolkit was used to extensively model and optimize the proposed design. The devices in each detection layer were arranged in a radial-arm array; simulations of this configuration resulted in an azimuthal angular resolution of 0.75 degrees, while polar angular resolution was found to be dependent on the number of detection layers present. A response library was built by simulating mono-energetic neutrons, ranging from 0.01 eV to 12 MeV, incident to the face of the first detection layer. This library was then used with a maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) algorithm to unfold the spectrometer response to several mono- and poly-energetic neutron sources. The unfolded spectra exhibited excellent agreement with the simulated sources, demonstrating discrimination between different neutron source types, but also between sources of the same type.
Preparation, Characterization, and Cationic Functionalization of Cellulose-Based Aerogels for Wastewater Clarification

Aerogels are a series of materials with porous structure and light weight which can be applied to many industrial divisions as insulators, sensors, absorbents, and cushions. In this study, cellulose-based aerogels (aerocelluloses) were prepared from cellulosic material (microcrystalline cellulose) in sodium hydroxide/water solvent system followed by supercritical drying operation. The average specific surface area of aerocelluloses was 124 m2/g. The nitrogen gas (N2) adsorption/desorption isotherms revealed type H1 hysteresis loops for aerocelluloses, suggesting that aerocelluloses may possess a porous structure with cylindrically shaped pores open on both ends. FTIR and XRD analyses showed that the crystallinity of aerocelluloses was significantly decreased as compared to microcrystalline cellulose and that aerocelluloses exhibited a crystalline structure of cellulose II as compared to microcrystalline cellulose (cellulose I). To perform cationic functionalization, a cationic agent, (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride, was used to introduce positively charged sites on aerocelluloses. The cationized aerocelluloses exhibited a strong ability to remove anionic dyes from wastewater. Highly porous and low cost aerocelluloses prepared in this study would be also promising as a fast absorbent for environmental pollutants.
The Canadian health care system: should we adopt it?

There is a growing body of data indicating that evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAEs) can be used to accurately and efficiently screen for identification of neonatal hearing impairment. The goal of neonatal hearing screening is to identify those infants at risk for significant peripheral hearing loss. Several studies have found that in the absence of external and middle ear pathology transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) are robust and broad-band in normally hearing neonates, infants, and young children and absent in children with hearing losses of 40-50 dB or greater. In addition, in a quiet and/or sleeping neonate TEOAE screening of both ears can be completed in about 10 minutes or approximately half the time typically required for auditory brainstem response (ABR) screening
Graph-Theoretic Approach for Increasing Participation in Social Sensing

Participatory sensing enables individuals, each with limited sensing capability, to share measurements and contribute towards developing a complete knowledge of their environment. The success of a participatory sensing application is often measured in terms of the number of users participating. In most cases, an individual's eagerness to participate depends on the group of users who already participate. For instance, when users share data with their peers in a social network, the engagement of an individual depends on its peers. Such engagement rules have been studied in the context of social networks using the concept of k-core, which assumes that participation is determined solely by network topology. However, in participatory sensing, engagement rules must also consider user heterogeneity, such as differences in sensing capabilities and physical location. To account for heterogeneity, we introduce the concept of (r, s)-core to model the set of participating users. We formulate the problem of maximizing the size of the (r, s)-core using 1) anchor users, who are incentivized to participate regardless of their peers, and by 2) assigning capabilities to users. Since these problems are computationally challenging, we study heuristic algorithms for solving them. Based on real-world social networks as well as random graphs, we provide numerical results showing significant improvement compared to random selection of anchor nodes and label assignments.
Abstract P236: Relationship Between Red Cell Distribution Width and Alcohol Intake: An Analysis of the NHANES, 1999 to 2006

Introduction: Moderate alcohol intake has been associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is an emerging cardiovascular risk marker, that is increasingly gaining recognition. No prior study has evaluated the association between alcohol intake and RDW. Methods: We evaluated 6,424 nationally representative individuals participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 to 2006, free of cardiovascular co-morbidities (including coronary heart disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure, stroke and myocardial infarction) at baseline. RDW was divided into quartiles [Quartile 1 (Q1) ≤12 (reference category), Q2: 12.1-12.5; Q3: 12.6-13; Q4: >13] and alcohol intake was categorized by number of drinks per day [ Results: Mean RDW levels varied inversely with number of drinks per day (12.9 in reference alcohol category versus 12.5 in ≥3 drinks/day, p Conclusion: Moderate alcohol intake [1 to 2 drinks /day] is associated with more favorable levels of RDW. The association appears to be independent of nutritional deficiencies, inflammatory markers and other conventional cardiovascular risk factors.
Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Surgical Residents.

Importance Medical malpractice litigation against surgical residents is rarely discussed owing to assumed legal doctrine ofrespondeat superior, or “let the master answer.” Objective To better understand lawsuits targeting surgical trainees to prevent future litigation. Design, Setting, and Participants Westlaw, an online legal research database containing legal records from across the United States, was retrospectively reviewed for malpractice cases involving surgical interns, residents, or fellows from January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2015. Infant-related obstetric and ophthalmologic procedures were excluded. Exposures Involvement in a medical malpractice case. Main Outcomes and Measures Data were collected on patient demographics, case characteristics, and outcomes and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results During a 10-year period, 87 malpractice cases involving surgical trainees were identified. A total of 50 patients were female (57%), and 79 were 18 years of age or older (91%), with a median patient age of 44.5 years (interquartile range, 45-56 years). A total of 67 cases (77%) resulted in death or permanent disability. Most cases involved elective surgery (61 [70%]) and named a junior resident as a defendant (24 of 35 [69%]). Cases more often questioned the perioperative medical knowledge, decision making errors, and injuries (53 [61%]: preoperative, 19 of 53 [36%]) and postoperative, 34 of 53 [64%]) than intraoperative errors and injuries (43 [49%]). Junior residents were involved primarily with lawsuits related to medical decision making (21 of 24 [87%]). Residents’ failure to evaluate the patient was cited in 10 cases (12%) and lack of direct supervision by attending physicians was cited in 48 cases (55%). A total of 42 cases (48%) resulted in a jury verdict or settlement in favor of the plaintiff, with a median payout of $900 000 (range, $1852 to $32 million). Conclusions and Relevance This review of malpractice cases involving surgical residents highlights the importance of perioperative management, particularly among junior residents, and the importance of appropriate supervision by attending physicians as targets for education on litigation prevention.
Changing the Criminal Lifestyle

In this chapter I explores interventions designed to alter a criminal lifestyle. Principles derived from individuals who have changed on their own, a process known as natural recovery or unassisted change, are used to construct a model of assisted change. The three phases of lifestyle change (preparation, action, and follow-up) are outlined and then applied to the case history first introduced in Chap. 6. Three principles from nonlinear dynamical systems theory (sensitive dependence on initial conditions, bifurcation, and self-organization) figure prominently in this chapter.
Association of Habitual Activity and Body Mass Index in Survivors of Congenital Heart Surgery: A Study of Children and Adolescents With Tetralogy of Fallot, Transposition of the Great Arteries, and Fontan Palliation

Background:Obesity is associated with increased lifelong morbidity and reduced life span and is increasingly prevalent in the congenital heart disease population. Habitual exercise is an important ...
Free Behavior and Brain Stimulation

Publisher Summary Of the methods used to investigate the neurophysiological basis of behavior, perhaps the most direct and dramatic is electrical stimulation of the brain. Direct stimulation of the brain is considered a crude method for the exploration of cerebral functions, and the understanding of the results is limited. The chapter describes methodology for cinemanalysis, telerecording, and telestimulation to study free behavior during brain stimulation. It also demonstrates that spontaneous activities are recorded, identified and quantified, allowing the systematic study of free and evoked behavior on both individual and social levels. The chapter also discusses the types and significance of behavior evoked by brain stimulation in unrestrained subjects and presents a theory of fragmental organization of behavior. Brain stimulation evokes (1) stereotyped tonic or phasic activity without any emotional disturbance, (2) driving activity to reach an objective with a motor performance adapted to the relations between subject and purpose, (3) changes in behavioral tuning that are detected in isolated animals because of the lack of manifestations, but may modify decisively the character of response to normal stimuli, (4) inhibition of spontaneous or evoked behavior, and (5) abnormal effects such as tremor or seizures.
Time Patterns of Mental Health Outcomes

This study investigates whether children and adolescents in treatment systematically vary in their speed of improvement and if speed of improvement is predictable from baseline information. Two studies were conducted using the Fort Bragg Evaluation sample of 984 treated children. In the first study, a cluster analysis of cases sorted the Child Behavior Checklist timelines over 18 months into four patterns of outcome. Three categories showed that youths improved at different rates while one group showed no improvement. This finding was replicated using an independent sample from another study. In a second study, none of 43 child and family characteristics known at intake distinguished early improvers from later improvers of equal severity. Claims to identify how much treatment a child will need should be viewed skeptically until valid prediction has been demonstrated; for now, concurrent monitoring offers an alternative for determining when further treatment yields diminishing returns.
Studying Individual Differences in Cognitive Abilities: Implications for Cross-Cultural Studies

It so happens that I have had little involvement with cross-cultural studies of mental abilities, and I have never designed and conducted a study with the specific aim of investigating mental abilities cross-culturally. To my mind, studies of individual differences in cognitive abilities even in just one culture (my own very heterogeneous culture, however one might define it) present enough problems of methodology and theory to keep one well occupied. But as I read some of the literature in cross-cultural differential psychology, I am strengthened in my conviction that the problems of theory and methodology are universal, applying just as much to cross-cultural studies as to “unicultural” studies, if not more so. It is almost trite to observe that in the social sciences, we shall never be working in a context that is completely acultural, not even when we are studying something as simple as visual reaction time.
Digital forestry in the Wildland-Urban Interface

Growing human populations have led to the expansion of the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) across the southeastern United States. The juxtaposition of buildings, infrastructure, and forests in the VVUI creates challenges for natural resource managers. The presence of flammable vegetation, high rates of human-caused ignitions and high building densities combine to increase risks of catastrophic loss from wildfire in the WUI. At the same time, fragmentation of large ownerships into smaller parcels and changing demographics may limit the possibilities for managing fuels with prescribed fire. To make effective decisions in this environment, land managers will need to integrate a large volume of information characterizing the physical features, biological characteristics, and human dimensions of these landscapes. Remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies are crucial in this regard, but they must also be integrated with field surveys, fire behavior models, and decision-support tools to carry out risk assessments and develop management plans for the WUI. This chapter outlines the types of geospatial datasets that are currently available to map fuels and fire risk, provides examples of how GIS has been applied in the WUI, and suggests future directions for the integration of GIS datasets and spatial models to support forest management in the WUI.
Pediatric Otitis Media with Effusion

A computerized Ovid search of MEDLINE 1966–January 2004 was performed. The terms “otitis media” and “antibiotics” were exploded and the resulting articles were cross-referenced, yielding 1947 trials. Given the known richness of the otitis media literature and the authority of higher levels of evidence, these articles were then limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), resulting in 302 articles. These articles were then reviewed to identify those that met the following inclusion criteria: 1) patient population <18 years of age with documented otitis media with effusion (OME), 2) intervention with amoxicillin therapy alone versus placebo control, 3) outcome measured in terms of presence or absence of middle ear effusion (MEE) with a statistical analysis. Articles comparing intervention with amoxicillin/clavulanate, cephalosporins, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and erythromycin with placebo were excluded here but are presented separately in this chapter. The bibliographies of articles that met these inclusion criteria were manually examined to determine if any further relevant articles could be identified.
Elastic wave propagation in 3-D periodic composites: Band gaps incorporating microstructure effects

Abstract A new model for determining band gaps for elastic wave propagation in three-dimensional (3-D) periodic two-phase composites is developed using a modified couple stress theory that accounts for microstructure effects. Three types of composites, each containing a different kind of inclusion – spherical, cubic, and cube with square-rod connections, are considered, with the third one representing a co-continuous composite. The plane wave expansion method and the Bloch theorem for periodic media are employed to solve the elastic wave equations in each case, which are converted to an eigenvalue problem. The band gaps are determined from solving the characteristic equation and plotting the resulting eigen-frequencies. The new non-classical model reduces to the classical elasticity-based model when microstructure effects are suppressed. To quantitatively illustrate the newly developed model, a parametric study is conducted for 3-D periodic composites with the three kinds of inclusions. The numerical results reveal that the first band gap values predicted by the current non-classical model are smaller than those predicted by the classical elasticity-based model, and the difference between the two sets of band gap values is large when the unit cell size is very small. Also, it is seen that the volume fraction and inclusion shape have significant effects on the band gap size. These indicate that large band gaps can be attained by tailoring microstructural parameters including the unit cell size, volume fraction and inclusion shape.
A binary decision diagram based algorithm for solving a class of binary two-stage stochastic programs

We consider a special class of two-stage stochastic integer programming problems with binary variables appearing in both stages. The class of problems we consider constrains the second-stage variables to belong to the intersection of sets corresponding to first-stage binary variables that equal one. Our approach seeks to uncover strong dual formulations to the second-stage problems by transforming them into dynamic programming (DP) problems parameterized by first-stage variables. We demonstrate how these DPs can be formed by use of binary decision diagrams, which then yield traditional Benders inequalities that can be strengthened based on observations regarding the structure of the underlying DPs. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach on a set of stochastic traveling salesman problems.
Caregivers' Experiences With Medical Aid-In-Dying in Vermont: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Context Eight jurisdictions in the U.S. currently permit medical aid-in-dying (AID), yet little is known about the direct experience of caregivers in supporting a loved one through the process. Objectives To explore the experiences of lay caregivers involved with AID in the U.S., focusing on the day of death. Methods Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with caregivers of terminally ill patients who pursued AID under Vermont's 2013 “Patient Choice and Control at End of Life” Act. Deidentified interview transcripts were analyzed using an inductive iterative approach. Results The final sample included 19 caregivers who had cared for a total of 11 patients. Most caregivers were females (89%), and more than half were close friends. Their mean age was 60.3. Social support provided by caregivers on the day of an AID death fell into two broad categories: emotional and instrumental. These overarching forms of support were further distributed between four distinct temporal phases: preparation, ingestion, waiting, and after death. Conclusion Although AID is often presented as a simple matter of individual choice and autonomy, most patients who pursue it do so with tremendous support from caregivers, who are in turn deeply implicated, socially and morally, in the process. Including caregivers in education and planning, where warranted, can mitigate feelings of unpreparedness and ensure a smoother experience for everyone involved.
Epidemiology and treatment of central cord syndrome in the United States.

Background: The objective of this study is to demonstrate the epidemiology and trends in management of patients with central cord syndrome (CCS) who present to the emergency department. Recent literature has reported that surgical treatment for CCS have increased over the previous decades. Methods: The National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) was queried from 2009 through 2012 to generate national estimates of patients who presented to the emergency department in the United States and were diagnosed with CCS. Results: From 2009 through 2012, there were 11,975 emergency room visits for CCS (mean age 60 years). The two most common injury mechanisms were: fall (55%) and motor vehicle accident (15%). Concomitant cervical fractures were found in 10% patients. Ninety-three percent of patients were admitted to the hospital directly or after transfer to another facility, and 7% were discharged home. Fifty-five percent of patients were treated non-operatively, 39% were treated with cervical fusion surgery and 6% were treated with laminoplasty. Of patients who underwent cervical fusion, 62% received anterior decompression and fusion, 32% received posterior decompression and fusion, and 6% received combined anterior-posterior decompression and fusion. The incidence of in-hospital mortality was 2.6%. Mortality was associated with older patient age (OR 1.06, P Conclusions: Majority of patients who presented to the emergency room for CCS in the United States were treated non-operatively. Advanced age and greater comorbidities were the factors that were most associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with CCS.
Early Melanoma Nodal Positivity and Biopsy Rates Before and After Implementation of the 7th Edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual

Importance There has been a continued increase in the incidence of newly diagnosed melanomas, most of which are T1 melanomas. The associations between changes in tumor staging, implemented with the 7th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (AJCC 7), and sentinel lymph node biopsy rates and nodal positivity rates remain to be seen. Objective To evaluate the change that the implementation of the AJCC 7 had on staging criteria and the distribution of thin melanomas requiring nodal surgery and nodal positivity rates. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cross-sectional study from 2004 through 2013 of all adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with a T1 (Breslow depth ≤1.0 mm) melanoma using The National Cancer Database that captures 70% of all newly diagnosed cancers from accredited Commission on Cancer organizations, including both academic and community settings. Data were analyzed in May 2017. Exposures Patients were grouped together based on year of diagnosis, before and after 2009. Main Outcomes and Measures To determine the sentinel lymph node biopsy rate before and after the implementation of the AJCC 7. Results A total of 141 280 patients met inclusion criteria. Of 86 846 patients diagnosed from 2004 through 2009, 53.7% (49 644) were male and had a mean (SD) age of 57.7 (16.4) years. Of 54 434 patients diagnosed from 2010 through 2013, 54.3% (31 086) were male and had a mean (SD) age of 59.5 (15.9) years. After 2010, there was a 3.8% decrease in the number of nodal surgeries performed (32 485 of 86 846 patients [37.6%] vs 18 379 of 54 434 patients [33.8%]; P < .001). The nodal positivity rate decreased 1.0% from (9.8% [3166 of 86 846] to 8.8% [1618 of 54 434]) (P < .001). An increase in the proportion of T1b melanomas being evaluated, from 48.8% to 62.2%, was seen (P < .001). Of T1b melanomas that underwent nodal evaluation from 2004 through 2009, 74.0% had Clark level IV (invasion of the reticular dermis) or Clark level V (invasion of the deep, subcutaneous tissue) and 9.5% were ulcerated. From 2010 through 2013, of the T1b melanomas undergoing nodal evaluation, 82.6% had an elevated mitotic rate only, 3.7% were ulcerated, and 13.7% had both ulceration and an elevated mitotic rate. Conclusions and Relevance It appears that after the institution of AJCC 7, there was an overall decrease in the number of T1 melanomas undergoing nodal biopsy without a clinically relevant change in sentinel lymph node positivity, with an increase in the number of T1b melanomas undergoing nodal evaluation.
Ambient Mercury Observations near a Coal-Fired Power Plant in a Western U.S. Urban Area.

We report on the continuous ambient measurements of total gaseous mercury (TGM) and several ancillary air quality parameters that were collected in Colorado Springs, CO. This urban area, which is located adjacent to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, is the second largest metropolitan area in Colorado and has a centrally located coal-fired power plant that installed mercury (Hg) emission controls the year prior to our study. There are few other Hg point sources within the city. Our results, which were obtained from a measurement site < 1 km from the power plant, show a distinct diel pattern in TGM, with peak concentrations occurring during the night (1.7 ± 0.3 ng m−3) and minimum concentrations mid-day (1.5 ± 0.2 ng m−3). The TGM concentrations were not correlated with wind originating from the direction of the plant or with sulfur dioxide (SO2) mixing ratios, and they were not elevated when the atmospheric mixing height was above the effective stack height. These findings suggest that the current Hg emissions from the CFPP did not significantly influence local TGM, and they are consistent with the facility’s relatively low reported annual emissions of 0.20 kg Hg per year. Instead, variability in the regional signal, diurnal meteorological conditions, and/or near-surface emission sources appears to more greatly influence TGM at this urban site.
Tumor-associated macrophage expression of interferon regulatory Factor-8 (IRF8) is a predictor of progression and patient survival in renal cell carcinoma

Tumor-associated macrophages have been well-characterized in solid malignancies, including renal cell carcinoma and generally correlate with poor prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms which govern intratumoral macrophage behavior and patient outcome are unclear. Here, we investigated whether alterations in macrophage expression of the transcriptional regulator for myeloid commitment and function, interferon regulatory factor-8 (IRF8), could predict survival of clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients. Transcriptional analysis of publicly available data revealed elevated IRF8 expression was associated with prolonged disease-free survival. Evaluation of protein expression within histologic sections of primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma patient samples showed intensity of IRF8 by CD68+ macrophages correlated inversely with stage. Survival outcomes of patients with primary or metastatic disease could be stratified on the basis of IRF8 levels by macrophages. Patients with high levels of IRF8 expression within metastatic sites had prolonged overall survival (log-rank P < 0.01, HR = 0.44, 95% C.I.: 0.23–0.84) compared to patients with low levels of IRF8 expression. When patient cohorts were further separated based on macrophage infiltration within metastatic lesions, patients with a macrophagelo IRF8hi profile had a more than 10 year increase in median overall survival compared to patients with a macrophagelo IRF8lo profile (log-rank, P < 0.001). In summary, we report that macrophage expression of IRF8 is inversely correlated with tumor mass and directly related to survival outcome. These findings support the utilization of IRF8 expression by macrophages to predict patient outcome, which may have important implications for guiding treatment decisions for renal cell carcinoma patients with metastatic disease.
Use of microdialysis to assess short-term soil soluble N dynamics with biochar additions

Abstract To date there has been little effort to assess fine-scale soil solution nitrogen (N) dynamics over time and space in response to biochar application within days. Herein we applied microdialysis to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of free amino acids (AA), ammonium (NH 4 + ), and nitrate (NO 3 − ) following biochar application to a column containing sandy loam forest soil. Wood biochar (diameter ≤ 5 mm) was applied either at surface or mixed through the entire soil column. Biochar stimulated localized soluble N diffusive fluxes, and the vertical distribution of AA and NH 4 + hotspots gradually matched the distribution of biochar particles in the soil matrix over time. Increases in soil AA and NH 4 + concentrations were more homogeneous along soil profile when biochar was mixed through the soil core and were more concentrated at the surface when biochar was surface applied. Increases in NO 3 − concentrations were only observed at surface soil layers following biochar addition regardless of the application strategy and generally exhibited a high degree of variation over the course of the experiment. Microdialysis sampling allowed for quantification of ‘hotspots’ of soil soluble N in association with the “charosphere” across time and space.
Why health policies should be transnational: A case for East Asia Pacific countries

This paper argues that health policies should transcend national boundaries yet should not reach the supranational level. Along with multinational global health efforts, such cross-national health policies are essential to leverage joint efforts by countries learning from their peers that experience similar health system challenges. In our analysis, we used World Bank Health, Nutrition, and Population (HNP) data from 1995 to 2014 for East Asia Pacific (EAP) countries to explore health system comparability across member nations. We applied a hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward's method and a squared Euclidean distance approach to classify 24 EAP countries into four relatively stable clusters based on their (dis)similarities over nine selected health expenditure and health system performance related indicators. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the discreteness of the formed clusters. Each cluster had unique characteristics based on the included indicators and health system performance of the member countries. We present transnational health policy recommendations for the EAP region based on both our use of robust methodology and the resulting comparative clusters.
Comparison of head pose tracking methods for mixed-reality neuronavigation for transcranial magnetic stimulation

Purpose: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is an important treatment option for medication resistant depression. It uses an electromagnetic coil that needs to be positioned accurately at a specific location and angle next to the head such that specific brain areas are stimulated. Existing image-guided neuronavigation systems allow accurate targeting but add cost, training and setup times, preventing their wide-spread use in the clinic. Mixed-reality neuronavigation can help mitigate these issues and thereby enable more widespread use of image-based neuronavigation by providing a much more intuitive and streamlined visualization of the target. A mixed-reality neuronavigation system requires two core functionalities: 1) tracking of the patient's head and 2) visualization of targeting-related information. Here we focus on the head tracking functionality and compare three different head tracking methods for a mixed-reality neuronavigation system. Methods: We integrated three head tracking methods into the mixed reality neuronavigation framework and measured their accuracy. Specifically, we experimented with (a) marker-based tracking with a mixed reality headset (optical see-through head-mounted display (OST-HMD)) camera, (b) marker-based tracking with a world-anchored camera and (c) markerless RGB-depth (RGB-D) tracking with a world-anchored camera. To measure the accuracy of each approach, we measured the distance between real-world and virtual target points on a mannequin head. Results: The mean tracking error for the initial head pose and the head rotated by 10° and 30° for the three methods respectively was: (a) 3.54±1.10 mm, 3.79±1.78 mm and 4.08±1.88 mm, (b) 3.97±1.41 mm, 6.01±2.51 mm and 6.84±3.48 mm, (c) 3.16±2.26 mm, 4.46±2.30 mm and 5.83±3.70 mm. Conclusion: For the initial head pose, all three methods achieved the required accuracy of < 5 mm for TMS treatment. For smaller head rotations of 10°, only the marker-based (a) and markerless method (c) delivered sufficient accuracy for TMS treatment. For larger head rotations of 30°, only the marker-based method (a) achieved sufficient accuracy. While the markerless method (c) did not provide sufficient accuracy for TMS at the larger head rotations, it offers significant advantages such as occlusion-handling and stability and could potentially meet the accuracy requirements with further methodological refinements.
Behavioral assessment of rimonabant under acute and chronic conditions

Cannabinoid subtype 1 receptor (CB1R) antagonists were originally developed as anti-obesity agents. Unfortunately, SR1417116A (rimonabant), the first marketed inverse agonist of CB1R, produced CNS-related adverse effects including depression and suicidal ideation, and thus it was withdrawn from the market. These effects of rimonabant became evident in patients following chronic dosing. Standard preclinical toxicity studies failed to detect these adverse effects. The goal of these studies was to perform an integrated battery of behavioral assays to better understand the behavioral effects of rimonabant following both acute and chronic administration. In the present study, acute dosing with rimonabant in rats significantly decreased food consumption; decreased measures of locomotor activity; increased scratching, grooming and wet-dog shakes; and increased defecation. Subsequently, animals were tested using a chronic dosing regimen but prior to drug administration for that day. The highest dose of rimonabant tested significantly decreased marble burying behavior, presumably anxiolysis. There were also significant effects in social interaction after chronic dosing. Our results did not reveal significant rimonabant-induced anxiogenic behaviors. Future studies to characterize behavioral screens for anxiogenic effects of CB1 antagonists in rodents should further explore social interaction paradigms and potential comorbid factors of rimonabant dosing such as sex, age, and obesity.
An Eye Tracking Study of Web Search by People With and Without Dyslexia

Web search is a key digital literacy skill that can be particularly challenging for people with dyslexia, a common learning disability that affects reading and spelling skills in about 15% of the English-speaking population. In this paper, we collected and analyzed eye-tracking, search log, and self-report data from 27 participants (14 with dyslexia) to confirm that searchers with dyslexia struggle with all stages of the search process and have markedly different gaze patterns and search behavior that reflect the strategies used and challenges faced. Based on these findings, we discuss design implications to improve the cognitive accessibility of web search.
Sequential delay and probability discounting tasks in mice reveal anchoring effects partially attributable to decision noise

Delay discounting and probability discounting decision making tasks in rodent models have high translational potential. However, it is unclear whether the discounted value of the large reward option is the main contributor to variability in animals9 choices in either task, which may limit translatability to human discounting data. Male and female mice underwent sessions of delay and probability discounting in sequence to assess how choice behavior adapts over experience with each task. To control for "anchoring" (persistent choices based on the initial delay or probability), mice experienced "Worsening" schedules where the large reward was offered under initially favorable delay or probability conditions that became less favorable during testing, followed by "Improving" schedules where the large reward was offered under initially unfavorable conditions that improved over a session. During delay discounting, both male and female mice showed elimination of anchoring effects over training. In probability discounting, both sexes of mice continued to show some anchoring even after months of training. One possibility is that noisy action selection could contribute to these anchoring effects, rather than persistent fluctuations in value discounting. We fit choice behavior in individual animals using models that included both a value-based discounting parameter and a decision noise parameter that captured variability in choices deviating from value maximization. Changes in anchoring behavior over time were tracked by changes in our decision noise parameter, not the value parameter. Thus, changes in discounting behavior in mice can result from changes in exploration of the environment rather than changes in reward valuation.
Clinical approaches to dementia

Publisher Summary Dementia—like mental retardation—is a symptom and not a disease. For the age group 50–90 years, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia predominate; whereas in younger patients, AIDS would lead the list in many countries. The effects of aging with a presumed disease process—such as Alzheimer's disease—make studies of dementia difficult. The cholinergic hypothesis has resulted in a variety of therapeutic attempts to increase acetylcholine in brain. Based on the precursor strategy, successfully employed in the use of L-dopa in Parkinson's disease, cholinergic precursors—such as lecithin—have been tried, but without significant success. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has approved tacrine (tetrahydroaminoacridine) for treatment of dementia. This approval is based primarily on a prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 480 patients. The results suggest that Tacrine reverses signs of dementia in some patients with Alzheimer's disease. Further, neurochemical studies have indicated that Alzheimer's disease is not a deficiency of a single transmitter. It is found that gangliosides also have potential as neuroprotective or neurorehabilitative agents.
The Mediating Effect of Leptin on the Relationship Between Body Weight and Knee Osteoarthritis in Older Adults

Objective Obesity is associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Emerging evidence suggests that adipokines, substances produced by adipose tissue, may play a role in the development of knee OA. The aim of this study was to determine whether the inflammatory adipokine leptin partially mediates the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and knee OA. Methods We used baseline data from 653 participants who were 70 years of age or older in the population-based Maintenance of Balance, Independent Living, Intellect, and Zest in the Elderly Boston Study. Height and weight were measured, and participants were assessed for knee OA using clinical criteria. Serum leptin was measured using a microsphere-based assay. Results The average BMI and the average serum leptin level were 27.5 kg/m2 and 589 pM, respectively; the prevalence of knee OA was 24.7%. In regression models adjusted for covariates, we found that a 5-kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with 32% increased odds of knee OA (odds ratio [OR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.10, 1.58); a 200-pM increase in serum leptin levels was associated with 11% increased odds of knee OA (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05, 1.17). The ratio of the standardized coefficients for the indirect:total effect calculated using the product-of-coefficients method was 0.49, suggesting that approximately half of the total effect of BMI on knee OA may be mediated by serum leptin. The estimated 95% CIs for the mediated effect suggest that this effect is statistically significant. Similarly, mediation analysis using a counterfactual approach suggested that the effect of leptin mediation was statistically significant. Conclusion We found that almost half of the association between elevated BMI and knee OA could be explained by the inflammatory adipokine leptin.
Libraries to labs: Managing public access computer labs in an academic library environment

Summary The contemporary academic library increasingly provides one or more public access computer labs. Students use these labs for word processing, Internet browsing, creating spreadsheets, and other related applications. Providing these types of computer labs in academic libraries is a relatively new development and requires effective management techniques. The purpose of this article is to examine some of the current management concepts, including background, funding, design and implementation, staffing, equipment, software, security and control, and patron relations. Effective management relies on a combination of physical and internal measures as well as a knowledgeable support staff. With the advancement of the Internet and other emerging technologies, the library must strive to maintain its position as a leader in the university environment. Providing computer labs is a valid response to the increasing demand by patrons for electronic resources.
Telomere Dysfunction in Human Genetic Disease

Telomeres are specialised deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structures that cap the ends of chromosomes to protect genomic DNA. Telomerase is the enzyme that regulates telomere length to maintain the protective functions of telomeres. A major risk factor for some human diseases is telomere and telomerase dysfunction. Bone marrow deficiency syndromes as well as diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis have all been linked to alterations to telomeres or mutations in telomerase genes. The precise biological mechanisms involved in most of the diseases, however, are poorly understood. Research aimed at describing the biological processes that underlie these pathologies may elucidate the precise roles that telomeres and telomerase play in the progression of these diseases. Markers of telomere dynamics, such as telomere length and screening for telomerase mutations, may have some prognostic value related to these disorders. Key Concepts: Telomeres are repeats of the nucleic acid sequence TTAGGG. T-loop structure is composed of telomeric DNA and shelterin proteins. Telomeres help maintain genomic stability in the cell. Progressive telomeric repeat loss occurs due to the end-replication problem and genotoxic stress. Telomerase in an enzyme that adds TTAGGG repeats to 3′ ends of telomeres. Bone-marrow failure syndromes, such as dyskeratosis congenita, aplastic anaemia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have been linked to telomere and telomerase dysfunctions. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes have also been linked to telomere alterations. In vitro and in vivo research may demonstrate the precise role telomeres play in these disease processes. In vivo studies may lead to development of diagnostic markers and therapies for these diseases. Keywords: telomeres; telomerase; bone-marrow failure syndromes; dyskeratosis congenita; aplastic anaemia; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Policy induced price volatility transmission: Linking the U.S. crude oil, corn and plastics markets

Abstract Policy changes and the evolution of green technology have induced new linkages in commodity markets. In this research, we study a representative market system, the U.S. crude oil, corn and plastics markets affected by policies promoting corn-based energy and corn-based bioplastics production. A vector error correction model (VECM) is estimated to study price transmission among markets in the United States, especially price volatility spillover effects. We find that plastics prices and corn futures prices move together in the long run, but that the crude oil futures prices are weakly exogenous to this system. We identify significant bidirectional volatility transmission between the corn futures and plastics markets, which brings new challenges to stakeholders in both markets. Moreover, we demonstrate that EISA 2007 has strengthened linkages between the corn futures and crude oil futures markets. In addition, changes in the linkages across the three markets are associated with the fuel ethanol–gasoline consumption ratio. The potential application of these findings for policy makers and risk managers is discussed.
The Extra Stage Cube: A Fault-Tolerant Interconnection Network for Supersystems

The Extra Stage Cube (ESC) interconnection network, a fault-tolerant structure, is proposed for use in large-scale parallel and distributed supercomputer systems. It has all of the interconnecting capabilities of the multistage cube-type networks that have been proposed for many supersystems. The ESC is derived from the Generalized Cube network by the addition of one stage of interchange boxes and a bypass capability for two stages. It is shown that the ESC provides fault tolerance for any single failure. Further, the network can be controlled even when it has a failure, using a simple modification of a routing tag scheme proposed for the Generalized Cube. Both one-to-one and broadcast connections under routing tag control are performable by the faulted ESC. The ability of the ESC to operate with multiple faults is examined. The ways in which the ESC can be partitioned and permute data are described.