cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Entropy Estimator Algorithm and Telecommunications Applications

In this paper we present a novel technique for calculating the entropy of a dataset. We then apply this technique to measure the entropy of traffic streams in high-speed telecommunications networks. The entropy estimation technique is motivated by the Lempel-Ziv universal data compression algorithm, which is well known to asymptotically compress sequences to their entropy. However an LZ based “compression ratio” test has no characterizable statistical signifigance. We utilize a string matching technique, based on the LZ algorithm, but modified to estimate entropy rather than to compress data. This technique provides an estimate in a framework where statistical analysis is possible, and retains the universal properties of Lempel-Ziv. Such a tool is useful because the traffic streams in high-speed networks have distributional properties that are analytically intractable. We represent a network path by G/D/1/∞-FCFS queues connected in series, and use the entropy estimator to calculate the entropy of the queue output processes. We consider queues with two inputs and two outputs, and we examine the entropy of a single output class. Our results show that the entropy can either increase or decrease depending upon the type of input traffic. We show that even with large amounts of data it is not possible to confirm the hypothesis that the entropy converges as the number of queues grows.
Learner-Centered Design: Is Sage on the Stage Obsolete?.

This quantitative research study examined one instructor’s redesign of her introductory Anthropology course (N = 265) from Teacher-Centered (TC) to Learning-Centered (LC) and the resulting impact on her students’ perceptions of Teaching Presence (TP), Social Presence-Interaction (SP-I), Social Presence- Participation (SP-P), Cognitive Presence (CP), and Satisfaction (SAT). Using the Community of Inquiry (CoI) survey (Swan, Richardson, Ice, Garrison, Cleveland-Innes, & Arbaugh, 2008) in a face-to-face classroom environment; results indicated that implementing a LC classroom compared to a TC classroom was found to have a significantly positive impact on students’ perceptions of TP (p = .021), SP-I (p < .001), SP-P (p < .001), CP (p = 002), and SAT (p = .022). Multiple regression results indicated that TP, SP-I-, and SP-P were able to predict 42% of students’ level of satisfaction score with TP having the highest level of prediction (β=.37). Preliminary evidence suggests that instructors who implement LC teaching methodologies can have a positive impact on TP, SP-I, SP-P, CP, and SAT.
Impact of low-income public insurance on survival for children and young adults with bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

10037Background: Racial and ethnic survival disparities have been described for many pediatric malignancies, but the impact of income has not been extensively explored. To assess whether socioecono...
Synthesis and Characterization of (Ph4P)2[Ni2As4S8], (Me4N)2[Mo2O2As2S7], and (Et4N)2[Mo2O2As2Se7]. New One-Dimensional Polymeric Compounds Containing Thio- and Selenoarsenate Ligands

The compounds (Ph4P)2[Ni2As4S8] (I), (Me4N)2[Mo2O2As2S7] (II), and (Et4N)2[Mo2O2As2Se7] (III) were synthesized by the hydrothermal reactions of NiCl2/K3AsS3/Ph4PBr, MoO3/K3AsS3/Me4NCl, and MoO3/K3A...
Encircling India: China Tightens South Asian Noose

Just as the Cold War ended leaving too many loose ends, a neo-liberal trading order opened windows that a globally oriented China and a locally immersed India were set to fully utilize. What looked like a predestined rendezvous of two previous world leaders, China and India, found China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) and India’s Look/Act East strategic policy frameworks set on a collision course across South (and Southeast) Asia. This chapter takes stock of China’s external compacts in this region, and finds India, encircled by those agreements, desperately girdling globally to break that isolation. Among other findings: local, state, and non-state actors locked horns across a fettered and unstable South Asia whose ramifications also spin out globally, as if beckoning China and India deeper into their power rivalry.
Enhancing KCC2 activity decreases hyperreflexia and spasticity after chronic SCI

After spinal cord injury (SCI), the majority of individuals develop spasticity, a debilitating condition involving involuntary movements, co-contraction of antagonistic muscles, and hyperreflexia. By acting on GABAergic and Ca2+-dependent signaling, current anti-spastic medications lead to serious side effects, including a drastic decrease in motoneuronal excitability which impairs motor function and rehabilitation efforts. Exercise, in contrast, decreases spastic symptoms without decreasing motoneuron excitability. These functional improvements coincide with an increase in expression of the chloride co-transporter KCC2 in lumbar motoneurons. Thus, we hypothesized that spastic symptoms can be alleviated directly through restoration of chloride homeostasis and endogenous inhibition by increasing KCC2 activity. Here, we used the recently developed KCC2 enhancer, CLP257, to evaluate the effects of acutely increasing KCC2 extrusion capability on spastic symptoms after chronic SCI. Sprague Dawley rats received a spinal cord transection at T12 and were either bike-trained or remained sedentary for 5 weeks. Increasing KCC2 activity in the lumbar enlargement improved the rate-dependent depression of the H-reflex and reduced both phasic and tonic EMG responses to muscle stretch in sedentary animals after chronic SCI. Furthermore, the improvements due to this pharmacological treatment mirror those of exercise. Together, our results suggest that pharmacologically increasing KCC2 activity is a promising approach to decrease spastic symptoms in individuals with SCI. By acting to directly to restore endogenous inhibition, this strategy has potential to avoid severe side effects and improve the quality of life of affected individuals.
Platelet activation and placenta-mediated adverse pregnancy outcomes: an ancillary study to the Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction trial.

Abstract Background Platelet activation may play a role in the pathophysiology of placenta-mediated obstetric complications, as evidenced by the efficacy of aspirin for preventing preeclampsia, but published data regarding the relationship between biomarkers for platelet activation and adverse obstetric outcomes are sparse. Specifically, it is unknown whether pre-pregnancy biomarkers of platelet activation are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objectives To determine: 1) whether maternal plasma concentrations of platelet factor 4 are associated with risk of placenta-mediated adverse obstetric outcomes, and 2) whether these associations are modified by low-dose aspirin. Study Design This ancillary study included measurement of platelet factor 4 among 1,185 of the 1,228 reproductive-age women enrolled in the Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction (EAGeR) trial with available plasma samples, with relevant outcomes assessed among 584 women with pregnancies lasting at least 20 weeks’ gestation. We measured platelet factor 4 in plasma samples obtained at the pre-pregnancy study visit (prior to randomization to low-dose aspirin or placebo), 12 weeks of gestation, and 28 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was a composite of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, placental abruption, and small-for-gestational age neonate. We estimated relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for the association between platelet factor 4 and the composite and individual outcomes at each time point using log-binomial regression that was weighted to account for potential selection bias and adjusted for age, BMI, education, income, and smoking. To evaluate potential effect modification by aspirin, we stratified analyses by aspirin treatment assignment. Results During follow-up, 95 women experienced the composite adverse obstetric outcome, with 57 cases of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 35 of small-for-gestational age (SGA), and 6 of placental abruption. Overall, pre-pregnancy platelet factor 4 was positively associated with the composite outcome (tertile 3 vs. tertile 1 RR 2.36, 95% CI 1.38, 4.03) and with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (tertile 3 vs. tertile 1 RR 2.14, 95% CI 1.08, 4.23). In analyses stratified by treatment group, associations were stronger in the placebo (tertile 3 vs. tertile 1 RR 3.36, 95% CI 1.42, 7.93) versus the aspirin group (tertile 3 vs. tertile 1 RR 1.78, 95% CI 0.90, 3.50). Conclusions High concentrations of platelet factor 4 prior to pregnancy are associated with increased risk of placenta-mediated adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Aspirin may mitigate the increased risk of these outcomes among women with higher plasma concentrations of preconception platelet factor 4, but low-dose aspirin non-responders may require higher doses of aspirin or alternate therapies to achieve obstetric risk reduction.
Optimization of fluorescence and surface adsorption of citric acid/ethanolamine carbon nanoparticles for subsurface tracers

Abstract The tunable fluorescence and biocompatibility of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (FCNs) makes them appealing tracers in geothermal, environmental, and clinical applications. Here, we address FCNs synthesized from reaction and pyrolysis of citric acid and ethanolamine. We examine the fluorescence and the adsorption of these FCNs as critical parameters that influence their use in applications. FCN fluorescence was observed to develop during pyrolysis and measured at pyrolysis temperatures ranging from 190 to 250 °C. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the FCN average diameter of approximately 13 nm is unaffected by pyrolysis temperature. However, pyrolysis temperature strongly affects fluorescence, which peaks at 210 °C. The surface hydrophobicity of the FCNs increases with pyrolysis temperature as measured by retention on reverse phase chromatography. Together, these results suggest that particle surface functionalities provide both fluorescence and hydrophilicity, and that these surface functionalities are destroyed with excessive pyrolysis. To examine their surface adsorption, quartz crystal microbalance measurements demonstrate that pyrolysis temperature increases FCN adsorption on mineral surfaces. Surfaces with greater hydrophobicity show greater FCN adsorption. Adsorption is unaffected by the presence of mono- or divalent ions in solution. This suggests adsorption by hydrophobic interaction for the Fe2O3, SiO2, and AlSiO surfaces studied.
One small step for worms, one giant leap for small rnas

Two studies in nematodes revolutionized our understanding of gene regulation by identifying and functionally characterizing the first microRNA, lin-4.
Scalable Models of Antibody Evolution and Benchmarking of Clonal Tree Reconstruction Methods

Abstract Affinity maturation (AM) of antibodies through somatic hypermutations (SHMs) enables the immune system to evolve to recognize diverse pathogens. The accumulation of SHMs leads to the formation of clonal trees of antibodies produced by B cells that have evolved from a common naive B cell. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have enabled deep scans of antibody repertoires, paving the way for reconstructing clonal trees. However, it is not clear if clonal trees, which capture micro-evolutionary time scales, can be reconstructed using traditional phylogenetic reconstruction methods with adequate accuracy. In fact, several clonal tree reconstruction methods have been developed to fix supposed shortcomings of phylogenetic methods. Nevertheless, no consensus has been reached regarding the relative accuracy of these methods, partially because evaluation is challenging. Benchmarking the performance of existing methods and developing better methods would both benefit from realistic models of clonal tree evolution specifically designed for emulating B cell evolution. In this paper, we propose a model for modeling B cell clonal tree evolution and use this model to benchmark several existing clonal tree reconstruction methods. Our model, designed to be extensible, has several features: by evolving the clonal tree and sequences simultaneously, it allows modelling selective pressure due to changes in affinity binding; it enables scalable simulations of millions of cells; it enables several rounds of infection by an evolving pathogen; and, it models building of memory. In addition, we also suggest a set of metrics for comparing clonal trees and for measuring their properties. Our benchmarking results show that while maximum likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction methods can fail to capture key features of clonal tree expansion if applied naively, a very simple postprocessing of their results, where super short branches are contracted, leads to inferences that are better than alternative methods.
Liver transplant in a recently COVID-19 positive child with hepatoblastoma.

We describe the successful pediatric liver transplant for unresectable hepatoblastoma in a 4-year-old male with COVID-19 prior to transplant. The first negative NP swab was documented 1 month after initial diagnosis, when SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were also detected. The patient was actively listed for liver transplant after completing four blocks of a SIOPEL-4 based regimen due to his PRETEXT IV disease which remained unresectable. Following three additional negative NP swabs and resolution of symptoms for 4 weeks, he underwent a whole-organ pediatric liver transplant. COVID-19 positivity determined via NP swab SARS-CoV-2 real-time RT-PCR (Hologic Aptima SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay). IgG and IgM total SARS- CoV-2 antibodies detected by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics VITROS® Immunodiagnostics Products Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Test. Patient received standard prednisone and tacrolimus-based immunosuppression without induction therapy following transplant. Post-transplant course was remarkable for neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, with discharge home on post-transplant day #11. Surveillance tests have remained negative with persistent SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies at 6 weeks after transplant. We describe one of the earliest, if not the first case of liver transplant following recent recovery from COVID-19 in a pediatric patient with a lethal malignant liver tumor. A better understanding of how to balance the risk profile of transplant in the setting of COVID-19 with disease progression if transplant is not performed is needed. We followed existing ASTS guidelines to document clearance of the viral infection and resolution of symptoms before transplant. This case highlights that pediatric liver transplantation can be safely performed upon clearance of COVID-19.
Black Children and the Pressing Need for Antiracism in Child Psychiatry.

The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly upended American children's lives as schools, libraries, daycare centers, and parks closed to prevent further viral spread. The effects of the pandemic were not distributed equally. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrated COVID-19's disproportionate impact on Black communities in terms of both infection rates and mortality.1 Further, generations of structural racism in the housing, financial, educational, and occupational systems fueled unequal consequences for the social determinants of mental health.
Churn in the Bitcoin Network

Efficient and reliable propagation of blocks is vital to the scalability of the Bitcoin network. As a result, several schemes, such as the compact block protocol (BIP 152), have been proposed over the last few years to speed up the block propagation. Even so, we provide experimental evidence that (i) the vast majority (97%) of Bitcoin nodes exhibit only intermittent network connectivity ( i.e. , churn), and (ii) this churn results in significant number of unsuccessful compact blocks, roughly three times the statistic for continuously connected nodes. We conduct experiments on the Bitcoin network that show that churn results in a roughly five fold increase in block propagation time ( i.e. , 566.89 ms vs. 109.31 ms) on average. To effect our analysis, we develop a statistical model for churn, based on empirical network data, and use this model to actuate live test nodes on the Bitcoin network. The performance of the system is measured within a novel framework that we developed for logging the internal behavior of a Bitcoin node, and which we share for public use. Finally, to mitigate the problem of missing transactions in churning nodes, we propose and implement into Bitcoin Core a new synchronization protocol, dubbed MempoolSync. Our measurements show that churning nodes implementing MempoolSync experience significantly better performance than standard nodes not implementing MempoolSync, including average block propagation delay reduced by over 50%.
Games in the Classroom: Using Games as a Motivator for Studying Computing: Part 1

Editor's NoteIt's no secret that undergraduate computer science enrollment, which has suffered through one of its periodic downturns, seems to have bottomed out but is now on an upswing. This cyclic behavior has been occurring for many years now, producing many exciting ideas concerning how to revamp introductory computer science courses to make them more exciting and relevant, and to show beginning students that computer science entails more than just programming. Georgia Tech, one of the active participants in this revamp, has developed the concept of (a means to connect chunks of related knowledge across different courses) and is devising techniques to enrich beginning courses using minirobots and multimedia. The present article, the second of two parts, written by Andrew Phelps and his group at the Rochester Institute of Technology, describes a parallel effort to use gaming as a way to improve learning and to demonstrate to students that computer science is indeed exciting and cool.— It's no secret that undergraduate computer science enrollment, which has suffered through one of its periodic downturns, seems to have bottomed out but is now on an upswing. This cyclic behavior has been occurring for many years now, producing many exciting ideas concerning how to revamp introductory computer science courses to make them more exciting and relevant, and to show beginning students that computer science entails more than just programming. Georgia Tech, one of the active participants in this revamp, has developed the concept of (a means to connect chunks of related knowledge across different courses) and is devising techniques to enrich beginning courses using minirobots and multimedia. The present article, written by Andrew Phelps and his group at the Rochester Institute of Technology, describes a parallel effort to use gaming as a way to improve learning and to demonstrate to students that computer science is indeed exciting and cool.
Machine Learning on Small UAVs

Commonly, machine learning (ML) workflows for training and inferencing occur in resource rich environments. Draper Laboratory is pushing ML to the edge. This paper shows the concept of operations (CONOPs), design parameters, and constraints the team faced for edge implementation. The overarching requirement is to fully integrate the machine learning element into the small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone. Given the limited payload capacity and power available on small UAVs, integration of computing resources sufficient to host both ML and Autonomy functions is a challenge. Past efforts have relied on an Intel NUC as the primary processing unit. However, recent advances in GPUs provide greater computational power at low-SWaP, compatibility with ML algorithms, and sufficient CPU resources to host the UAVs autonomy element. More recently developed processing units, designed specifically for ML applications at the edge, enable scaled down variants of the algorithms for integration onto significantly smaller platforms. In this paper, we identify a common software architecting strategy that enables a micro UAV (~ 150 grams) supported by a traditional CPU and a small UAV (3 kg) configured with a GPU. Draper’s automation strategy leverages the open-source Robotic Operating System (ROS). The ML models were built using open-source Python Pytorch libraries. We provide the flight test results for a vehicle detection algorithm. Future applications will include visual navigation and tracking.
694-P: Swimming with Hybrid Closed-Loop: Encouraging Data from Three Swimmers in the Omnipod 5 Trial

Hybrid closed-loop automated insulin delivery systems have been shown to aid glycemic control during exercise in type 1 diabetes, but their performance in the water has not been investigated. Anecdotal patient reports suggest continued function of the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System while swimming, despite reliance on Bluetooth, a radiofrequency with typically limited underwater transmission capability. Three frequent swimmers participating in the Omnipod 5 trial were identified. Omnipod 5 System and glycemic data from their combined 38 separate swimming sessions ranging 30-120 min (mean 48±16 min, total 31 hours) were retrospectively reviewed. Continuous glucose monitor (CGM)-to-Pod wireless communication during swims had a success rate of 58.4%. When sensor communication was lost, mean time without sensor data was 13±10 min (range 5-45 min). Automated mode was used in 74% of swims, of which insulin was automatically suspended in 86%. HypoProtect was activated for 42% of swims. See Table for CGM data. Overall, system communication was reasonable during swims and allowed for frequent insulin suspension. Glycemic control was unchanged across the three time points. These promising initial findings suggest that the Omnipod 5 System may have unique potential for use in water-based activities; further studies to investigate this potential and factors affecting performance are warranted. Disclosure M. S. Hughes: None. R. S. Kingman: Research Support; Self; Insulet Corporation. R. Lal: Consultant; Self; Abbott Diabetes, Biolinq, Capillary Biomedical, Inc., Morgan Stanley, Tidepool. B. A. Buckingham: Advisory Panel; Self; Medtronic, Tolerion, Inc., Research Support; Self; Beta Bionics, Inc., Insulet Corporation, Medtronic, Tandem Diabetes Care. D. P. Zaharieva: None.
Pulmonary blood flow distribution during partial liquid ventilation

Regional pulmonary blood flow was investigated with radiolabeled microspheres in four supine lambs during the transition from conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) to partial liquid ventilation...
GENERIC SCALE INVARIANCE AND SELF-ORGANIZED CRITICALITY

Experience with interacting, many-particle systems teaches most of us that correlation or distribution functions typically decay exponentially at distances or times longer than a finite correlation length, ξ, or time, τ. Only in the presence of certain symmetries or at critical points do we expect to observe infinite correlation lengths and times, and the concomitant algebraically-slow decay of correlations often referred to as “scale invariance” or “self-similarity.” (The name reflects the fact that power laws, unlike exponentials, lack a characteristic length or time that sets a scale for the decay.)
Swords, sandals, and insurgencies: Ancient history goes to the movies

This article explores the question of why so few insurgencies from the ancient world have ever made it onto the big screen. Many of these stories have been made into documentaries, but have been ignored by Hollywood. Even those events that have been made into Hollywood films, like the uprising of Spartacus, do not show any of the successful uprisings, only the defeats. Among the possible reasons may be Hollywood's fascination with big wars and big battles rather than small wars because they are more cinematic. Another reason is that American movies are reluctant to show successful slave uprisings or insurgencies against great powers. In the end, all movies are about the present, not the past, and thus Western bias will side with the imperial power, not the terrorist.
Family history of peripheral artery disease is associated with prevalence and severity of peripheral artery disease: the San Diego population study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the association of family history of peripheral artery disease (PAD) with PAD prevalence and severity.Background: PAD is a significant public ...
Sometimes You’re in, Sometimes You’re out: Undocumented Immigrants and the Fifth Circuit’s Definition of “The People” in United States v. Portillo-Muñoz

On June 29, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in United States v. Portillo-Munoz, upheld a federal statute prohibiting firearms possession by undocumented immigrants by concluding that undocumented immigrants are not part of “the people” granted Second Amendment rights. In doing so, the Fifth Circuit created an unprecedented distinction between types of constitutional rights and used that distinction to determine those to whom the rights apply. This Comment argues that courts should be wary of creating categories of constitutional rights, since such categories invite arbitrary classifications and allow legislatures to grant benefits to some people and not others.
Centrosome reproduction in Xenopus lysates.

Publisher Summary Cytoplasmic extracts have been used to investigate certain aspects of the centrosome reproductive cycle. It is the ability to assemble multiple centrosomes without cell cycle progression that makes egg cytoplasm such an attractive system to study the regulation of the centrosome duplication cycle. This chapter describes development of an extract that would support repeated rounds of centrosome reproduction. For this purpose, Xenopus extract seeded with demembranated sperm heads is cycled. These interphase extracts are then treated with the DNA synthesis inhibitor aphidicolin, which activates the checkpoint that monitors the completion of DNA synthesis, leading to a cell cycle arrest in S phase. Video microscopy, combined with polarization optics, is used to follow centrosome duplication events in real time. It is found that such extracts recapitulated the repeated rounds of centrosome reproduction seen in living zygotes. This chapter details the crafting and use of these S-phase-arrested egg extracts for the study of centrosome reproduction.
Capacity and performance analysis for hybrid selection/maximal-ratio combining in Nakagami fading with unequal fading parameters and branch powers

We consider a hybrid selection/maximal-ratio combining (HS/MRC) diversity system and assume independent Nakagami fading on the diversity branches with unequal fading parameters and unequal signal-to-noise ratios (SNR's). We use the virtual branch technique and two series expressions for the characteristic function (CF) of the sum of independent gamma random variables to derive closed-form expressions for CF, the probability density function (PDF), the mean, and the variance of the instantaneous combiner output SNR. We also obtain closed-form expressions for the outage probability, the channel capacity under different transmission policies, and the average symbol error probability (SEP) for a general class of M-ary modulation schemes (including MPSK, MQAM, BFSK, and MSK) with coherent detection. Our approach provides a canonical structure for the closed-form expressions, which are the closed-form expressions for a single-branch system in different Nakagami fading environments.
Prostate-specific antigen 1.5-4.0 ng/mL: a diagnostic challenge and danger zone.

Study Type – Prognosis (inception cohort) Level of Evidence 1b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Large population screening trials like the ERSPC, PCPT and PLCO have noted that men with seemingly low PSA (even as low as 0.5 ng/dL) still can have prostate cancer. Despite these findings, PSA is still predominantly used as a current indicator for possible presence of prostate cancer rather than also serving as a prognostic marker. This study examines a larger number of men in a diverse US population to determine the prognostic value of a man’s baseline or first PSA. OBJECTIVES • To assess the value of a PSA threshold of 1.5 ng/mL as a predictor of increased prostate cancer risk over a four-year period based on a man’s first PSA test, including racial differences. • To review the risk of progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) based on a similar PSA threshold. PATIENTS AND METHODS • A retrospective review involving 21 502 men from a large Midwestern health system was performed. • Men at least 40 years old with baseline PSA values between 0 and 4.0 ng/mL and at least four years of follow-up after initial PSA test were included. • Optimal PSA threshold and predictive value of PSA for development of prostate cancer were calculated. RESULTS • Prostate cancer rates were 15-fold higher in patients with PSA ≥1.5 ng/mL vs patients with PSA <1.5 ng/mL (7.85% vs 0.51%). • African American patients with baseline PSA <1.5 ng/mL faced prostate cancer rates similar to the whole study population (0.54% vs 0.51%, respectively), while African American patients with PSA 1.5–4.0 ng/mL faced a 19-fold increase in prostate cancer. CONCLUSION • Both Caucasian and African American men with baseline PSA values between 1.5 and 4.0 ng/mL are at increased risk for future prostate cancer compared with those who have an initial PSA value below the 1.5 ng/mL threshold. • Based on a growing body of literature and this analysis, it is recommended that a first PSA test threshold of 1.5 ng/mL and above, or somewhere between 1.5 and 4.0 ng/mL, represent the Early-Warning PSA Zone (EWP Zone). • This should serve to inform patients and clinicians alike to future clinical activities with respect to prostate cancer and BPH.
Alteration of the upper esophageal sphincter belch reflex in patients with achalasia

Abstract Some patients with achalasia have been reported to develop airway obstruction from a massively airdistended esophagus, which may represent an abnormality in the upper esophageal sphincter belch reflex. When questioned carefully, 95% of our achalasia patients reported difficulty with belching. The upper esophageal belch reflex in 23 consecutive achalasia patients and 12 healthy controls was studied using an upper esophageal sphincter sleeve manometry catheter and rapid injection of 20–50 mL of air into the midesophagus. Compared with normal subjects, achalasia patients were significantly less likely to have an esophageal belch for all volumes tested and were more likely to have an increase rather than a decrease in upper esophageal sphincter pressure in response to air injection. This study systematically documents that many achalasia patients have an alteration in the upper esophageal sphincter belch reflex that may be a contributory mechanism for some of the chest and upper airway symptoms reported by some patients during acute esophageal distension.
Hospice Enrollment, Local Hospice Utilization Patterns, and Rehospitalization in Medicare Patients

Abstract Background: Rehospitalizations are prevalent and associated with decreased quality of life. Although hospice has been advocated to reduce rehospitalizations, it is not known how area-level hospice utilization patterns affect rehospitalization risk. Objectives: The study objective was to examine the association between hospice enrollment, local hospice utilization patterns, and 30-day rehospitalization in Medicare patients. Methods: With a retrospective cohort design, 1,997,506 hospitalizations were assessed between 2005 and 2009 from a 5% national sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Local hospice utilization was defined using tertiles representing the percentage of all deaths occurring in hospice within each Hospital Service Area (HSA). Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the relationship between 30-day rehospitalization, hospice enrollment, and local hospice utilization, adjusting for patient sociodemographics, medical history, and hospital characteristics. Results: Rates of patient...
FINITE ELEMENT-BASED ALGORITHMS TO MAKE CUTS FOR MAGNETIC SCALAR POTENTIALS: TOPOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS AND COMPUTATIONAL COMPLEXITY

This paper outlines a generic algorithm to generate cuts for magnetic scalar potentials in 3-dimensional multiply-connected finite element meshes. The algorithm is based on the algebraic structures of (co)homology theory with differential forms and developed in the context of the finite element method and finite element data structures. The paper also studies the computational complexity of the algorithm and examines how the topology of the region can create an obstruction to finding cuts in O(m2 0) time and O(m0) storage, where m0 is the number of vertices in the finite element mesh. We argue that in a problem where there is no a priori data about the topology, the algorithm complexity is O(m2 0) in time and O(m4/3 0) in storage. We indicate how this complexity can be achieved in implementation and optimized in the context of adaptive mesh refinement.
17-O nuclear magnetic relaxation in a protein-water system.

THE phenomenon of nuclear spin-lattice relaxation for 17O in isotopically enriched water has previously been discussed1,2. The relaxation times for 17O compounds are governed entirely by the rotational reorientation times of the molecules, because of the very large electric quadrupole moment of the 17O nucleus. This is not true for spin S = ½ nuclei such as 1H. For these, spin-lattice relaxation is governed both by intramolecular (rotational) motions and intermolecular motions (relative motions of other neighbouring nuclear or electron magnetic moments). Proton relaxation times are very susceptible to the presence of dissolved paramagnetic impurities while 17O relaxation is very much less sensitive. In the past the sensitivity of proton relaxation times to this factor has caused some trouble with the interpretation of relaxation times in solutions of biopolymers3.
Closure on "Frequency characteristics of wavelets"

As a closure to this discussion, the authors thank the discusser, Chen Xiangxun (see ibid., vol.18, no.2, p.655, 2003), for his reply and interest in their original paper "Frequency Characteristics of Wavelets" (see ibid., vol.17, p. 794-99, 2002). They agree that a proper choice or design of wavelet depends on the application; a specific wavelet may be an excellent candidate for one application and be a poor choice for a different application.
Transformation of the Independent Variables

In representing a realationship between a response and a number of independent variables, it is preferable when possible to work with a simple functional form in transformed variables rather than with a more complicated form in the original variables. This paper describes and illustrates a procedure to estimate appropriate transformations in this context.
When is dominance related to smiling? Assigned dominance, dominance preference, trait dominance, and gender as moderators

We investigated gender and different types of dominance measures as potential moderators of the relation between dominance and smiling. We asked participants about their preference for either a dominant or a subordinate role (dominance preference), randomly assigned one of these roles to them (assigned dominance), and assessed trait dominance, felt dominance, and perceived dominance. Participants had two 8-min dyadic interactions in same-gender groups (33 all-women dyads, 36 all-men dyads), in which one was assigned to be the owner of an art gallery and the other was assigned to be the assistant to the owner. Interactions were videotaped, and smiling and perceived dominance were assessed on the basis of the videotapes. Both the particular dominance measure and gender moderated the relation between dominance and smiling. Results showed that for women in subordinate positions, those who wanted to be in a subordinate position smiled more than those who wanted to be in a dominant position. No such effect occurred for men and for participants in assigned dominant positions.
Murder by numbers: monetary costs imposed by a sample of homicide offenders

Prior research on the monetary costs of criminal careers has neglected to focus on homicide offenders and tended to minimize the public costs associated with crime. Drawing on expanded monetization estimates produced by Cohen and Piquero, this study assessed the monetary costs for five crimes (murder, rape, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and burglary) imposed by a sample of (n = 654) convicted and incarcerated murderers. The average cost per murder exceeded $17.25 million and the average murderer in the current sample posed costs approaching $24 million. The most violent and prolific offenders singly produced costs greater than $150–160 million in terms of victim costs, criminal justice costs, lost offender productivity, and public willingness-to-pay costs.
Information and force level interact in regulating force output during two and three digit grip configurations

The experiment examined the force fluctuations during two and three digit grip configurations to investigate the relationship between task performance and inter-digit individuation as a function of force level and visual information intermittency rate over ∼100-fold range (0.21–20 Hz). Subjects grasped an object with either the index finger (two digit grip) or the index and middle finger (three digit grip) opposing the thumb and produced isometric force to match a low and high total force level target. Force accuracy was lower at the large visual intermittency conditions and the higher force level. The force variability was lower in the three digit grip. Inter-digit individuation increased as a function of visual intermittency rate and was greater at the low force level. There was no improvement in performance or inter-digit individuation when visual feedback intermittency was greater than ∼6 Hz (∼150 ms). Linear regression between the measures of task performance and inter-digit individuation yielded a significant negative relationship that was only present in the two digit grip when visual feedback rate was 1.67 Hz or lower and in the three digit grip when the feedback rate was 10 Hz or lower. The greater biomechanical degrees of freedom in the three digit grip configuration enable the subject to use, more effectively, visual information feedback at faster timescales in maximizing task performance by increasing digit independence. The shift from visual to nonvisual dominated motor control processes is dependent on the interaction of informational and biomechanical degrees of freedom.
Compendium and synthesis of bacterial manganese reduction rates

Abstract We have compiled time-series concentration data for the biological reduction of manganese(III/IV) published between 1985 and 2004 and fit these data with a simple hyperbolic rate expression or, when appropriate, one of its limiting forms. The compiled data and rate constants are available in Electronic Annex EA-1 . The zero- and first-order rate constants appear to follow a log–normal distribution that could be used, for example, in predictive modeling of Mn-oxide reduction in a reactive transport scenario. We have also included details of the experimental procedures used to generate each time-series data-set in our compilation. These meta-data—mostly pertaining to the type and concentration of micro-organism, electron donor, and electron acceptor—enable us to examine the rate data for trends. We have computed a number of rudimentary, mono-variate statistics on the compiled data with the hope of stimulating both more detailed statistical analyses of the data and new experiments to fill gaps in the existing data-set. We have also analyzed the data with parametric models based on the log–normal distribution and rate equations that are hyperbolic in the concentration of cells and Mn available for reduction. This parametric analysis allows us to provide best estimates of zero- and first-order rate constants both ignoring and accounting for the meta-data.
The utilization of sirolimus and the impact on wound‐healing complications in obese kidney transplant recipients

Background Wound healing is a known complication associated with sirolimus therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated that obesity is a risk factor for wound-healing complications (WHC) in patients receiving sirolimus therapy; however, the incidence has not been defined. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of de novo kidney transplant recipients (KTR) transplanted with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 between January 2002 and April 2011 receiving sirolimus vs. sirolimus-free maintenance immunosuppression. Results A total of 317 KTR, 71 sirolimus-free patients and 246 sirolimus patients, were eligible for inclusion. There was no difference in the primary outcome of WHC within six months of transplant (sirolimus 32.1% vs. sirolimus-free 29.6%, p = 0.107). Sirolimus exposure was not found to influence WHC (OR 2.906, 95% CI 0.922–9.160); however, BMI Class II (OR 1.830, 95% CI 1.051–3.186) and Class III (OR 3.154, 95% CI 1.484–6.705) were significant predictors of WHC. There was no difference in WHC between the sirolimus group and sirolimus-free group among patients in obesity Class I (27.3% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.064), Class II (36.6% vs. 34.8%, p = 0.195), or Class III (48.0% vs. 53.3%, p = 0.243). Conclusion In our experience, sirolimus does not increase WHC in obese KTR and can be safely used as maintenance immunosuppression immediately following transplant.
The bioethanol-to-ethylene (B.E.T.E.) process

Abstract Ethanol present at low concentration in a fermentation broth which also contains some leftover glucose as well as other fermentation residues, is totally converted into ethylene over a solid superacidic catalyst. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid bound to the silica rich surface of the acidic ZSM-5 zeolite is thermally stable up to 300°C and can catalyse the reaction with nearly complete conversion at a temperature as low as 170°C. Below 200°C, the catalyst is extremely stable even in the presence of the high amount of water found in the feed. A rapid economical evaluation shows that ethylene produced by the B.E.T.E. (bioethanol-to-ethylene) process has a production cost 10% to 40% higher than petroleum ethylene. However, a more promising figure can be envisaged with a better integrated process working with cheaper raw materials.
A micromachined magnetic-field sensor based on an electron tunneling displacement transducer

We describe a micromachined magnetic-field sensor that is based on an electron tunneling transducer. This tunnel sensor is small, very sensitive, operates at ambient temperature and requires very little power. The measured resolution of the sensor is 0.3 nT/√Hz at 1 Hz. The limiting resolution, calculated based on fundamental noise sources, is 0.002 nT/√Hz at 1 Hz. The dominant source of the observed noise in the present device is low frequency air pressure fluctuations.
438: Acute death of the recipient twin after fetoscopic laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome related to maternal hypotension and type of anesthesia during the procedure

laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome related to maternal hypotension and type of anesthesia during the procedure Rodrigo Ruano, Kim Nguyen, Morgen Doty, Anthony Johnson, Michael Belfort, Kenneth Moise Jr Baylor College of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Houston, TX, Texas Children’s Hospital, Anesthesiology, Houston, TX OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between acute recipient fetal demise following fetoscopic placental laser ablation and maternal hypotension associated with maternal anesthesia in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). STUDY DESIGN: Between November 2006 and March 2011, all cases with TTTS that had recipient fetal demise within 24 hours of placental laser ablation were reviewed. For comparison, each case was matched for gestational age at procedure, Quintero staging of the disease and pre-operative Doppler studies with two cases that did not have acute recipient demise. The presence of maternal hypotension (defined as a decline in blood pressure of 20% from pre-operative values) and the duration of the hypotension were evaluated as possible links to acute recipient demise. RESULTS: Acute recipient demise occurred in 5.6% cases (15/267) following laser ablation. Recipient demise was associated with maternal hypotension (OR: 4.9, 95%CI: 1.3-18.7; p 0.02) and the duration of hypotension (OR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.8-13.6; p 0.02). ROC curve analysis showed the threshold for maternal hypotension and duration of hypotension associated with recipient demise to be 20% and 35 minutes, respectively. General anesthesia was related with maternal hypotension (OR: 19.1, 95% CI: 3.9-94.1; p 0.01). The duration of surgery and anesthesia were not associated with maternal hypotension or acute recipient demise (p 0.23 and p 0.90, respectively). CONCLUSION: Acute recipient demise following fetoscopic placental laser ablation for treatment of severe TTTS is associated with maternal hypotension and general anesthesia during the procedure.
Indeterminacy and Electron Spin

SINCE a dipole of magnetic moment M in a magnetic field of intensity H has a potential energy—M.H, two free electrons in magnetized iron with magnetic axes respectively parallel and anti-parallel to the direction of magnetization should differ in potential energy by Heh/2πmc, where H is the effective field intensity acting on a free electron in the iron. It may be of some interest to see whether this difference in energy could be detected in an ideal experiment, for example, by a splitting under magnetization of the photo-electric threshold of iron, or whether the quantum indeterminacy prevents the resolution, as Bohr has shown it must in a Stern-Gerlach experiment on a beam of free electrons1.
Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in agricultural products by a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry based method

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of 56 residual pesticides from commercial crops. For a validation of the method, the recoveries, linearities, limits of detection (LOD), and limits of quantitation (LOQ) of the 56 pesticides were investigated. The linearities, LOD, and mean recoveries of the pesticides ranged 0.9686–0.9999, 0.00–11.54 μg/kg, and 65–82%, respectively. This method was evaluated by its application to monitor 345 agricultural products collected from 9 provinces in Korea 2011. Fifteen pesticides were detected from 39 samples and 2 or more residual pesticides were found in 7 samples. However, none of the compounds were observed above the corresponding maximum residue level. The results reflect that the detected pesticide residues were in a safe range and that residual pesticides in the agricultural products in Korea were properly controlled.