cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-Variable Agent decomposition for DCOPs

The application of DCOP models to large problems faces two main limitations: (i) Modeling limitations, as each agent can handle only a single variable of the problem; and (ii) Resolution limitations, as current approaches do not exploit the local problem structure within each agent. This paper proposes a novel Multi-Variable Agent (MVA) DCOP decomposition technique, which: (i) Exploits the co-locality of each agent's variables, allowing us to adopt efficient centralized techniques within each agent; (ii) Enables the use of hierarchical parallel models and proposes the use of GPUs; and (iii) Reduces the amount of computation and communication required in several classes of DCOP algorithms.
Detection of Helix Fraying in Transmembrane Helices with Interfacial Histidine Residues

Transmembrane helices of integral membrane proteins often are flanked by interfacial aromatic residues that may serve as anchors to aid the stabilization of a tilted transmembrane orientation. The synthetic neutral peptide GWALP23 (acetyl-GG2ALWLALALALALALALWLAG22A-amide) with two interfacial Trp residues has proved to be surprisingly well-behaved with minimal dynamic averaging in a stable transmembrane orientation in lipid-bilayer membranes of varying thickness. To further investigate the effect of interfacial His residues, we have substituted G2 and G22 with histidine in HWALP23 (acetyl-GH2ALWLALALALALALALWLAH22A-amide). In addition, to explore the fraying or uncoiling of the ends of the peptide, we have incorporated 2H-Ala labels at positions A3 and A21 (underlined above), which are sensitive to helix integrity, outside the core region of the peptide, to compare the influence of interfacial residues on the extent of unwinding of the helix ends. Solid-state 2H NMR spectra of macroscopically aligned DOPC lipid bilayer samples and in the presence of 10% and 20% cholesterol confirmed that one or both helix ends are frayed in DOPC bilayers alone and in the presence of up to 20% cholesterol. To further understand the effects of histidine in transmembrane helices, we have also substituted W5 and W19 with histidine in GHALP23 (acetyl-GGALH5LALALALALALALH19LAGA-amide) with 2H-Ala labels at A3 and A21. “Geometric Analysis of Labeled Alanines” (GALA) shows the extent of coiling or unwinding at the terminals for HWALP23 and GHALP23. It is plausible that the helix fraying may be critical for the stability of the transmembrane helix orientation in lipid bilayer membranes.
Phase I study of the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of the oral inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) INCB024360 in patients (pts) with advanced malignancies.

3025 Background: INCB024360 is a potent, selective inhibitor of IDO1. As the catabolism of tryptophan (Trp) to kynurenine (Kyn) by IDO1 inhibits immune responses and IDO1 expression is elevated in ...
An Interactive Approach to Alternative Ranking Involving Inverse Decision Aiding

Abstract We present an iterative and interactive aonroach to aid a decisionmaker in selecting an alternative from a finite set of alternatives under conditions of outcome uncertainty. This approach allows parameters, i.e., probabilities and utilities, to be described imprecisely. The decisionmaker can: determine the impact of imprecise oarameter values on alternative ranking, determine the implications of a wholistically determined alternative ranking on parameter values, and elect to more precisely describe the values of the parameters. The intent of iteratively performing these three tasks is to determine descriptions of parameter values and an alternative ranking that are acceptable, consistent, and support the selection of the most preferred alternative.
Factors in the Success and Failure of Microbial Control in Turfgrass

Turfgrass is an important component of urban landscapes and turf associated products and services are valued at about $45 billion in the US alone. Turf insecticide market is about $500 million per year of which microbial insecticides constitute less than 0.1%. Major factors in the poor market penetration of microbial insecticides include low damage thresholds, narrow spectrum of activity, a definite pest monitoring requirement, shortage of quality products, and competition with the newly registered less-toxic chemical insecticides. Enhancement of market share of microbial insecticides in turf will depend upon successful development of more appropriate application strategies, an increase in the availability of quality products, and the development of a systems approach in which microbial insecticides are used together with chemical insecticides in a more compatible manner. The long-term benefits derived from the use of microbial insecticides must be documented to enhance acceptance of microbial control.
Lacrimal gland and extensive subcutaneous tissue involvement by mantle cell lymphoma.

![Figure][1] A 57-year-old woman presented with bilateral upper eyelid swelling and excessive tearing for 1 month. Physical examination showed nontender enlarged lacrimal glands and a salmon-colored right-sided conjunctival mass (panel A). Routine laboratory workup was remarkable for a mild
A Degree Theory for Compact Perturbations of Monotone Type Operators and Application to Nonlinear Parabolic Problem

Let be a real locally uniformly convex reflexive Banach space with locally uniformly convex dual space . Let be maximal monotone, be bounded and of type and be compact with such that lies in (i.e., there exist and such that for all ). A new topological degree theory is developed for operators of the type . The theory is essential because no degree theory and/or existence result is available to address solvability of operator inclusions involving operators of the type , where is not defined everywhere. Consequently, new existence theorems are provided. The existence theorem due to Asfaw and Kartsatos is improved. The theory is applied to prove existence of weak solution (s) for a nonlinear parabolic problem in appropriate Sobolev spaces.
The affirming affects of entrepreneurial redevelopment: Architecture, sport, and local food in Oklahoma City:

This paper draws on assemblage thinking—especially Deleuze and Guattari’s conception of territorialization—to analyze urban redevelopment processes in Oklahoma City, a mid-sized city in the central...
Randomised clinical trial of an early palliative care intervention (SUPPORT) for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and their caregivers: protocol and key design considerations.

Introduction Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive life-limiting lung disease affects approximately 128 000 newly diagnosed individuals in the USA annually. IPF, a disease of ageing associated with intense medical and financial burden, is expected to grow in incidence globally. Median survival from diagnosis is 3.8 years, and many of these patients succumb to a rapid death within 6 months. Despite the fatal prognosis, we have found that patients and caregivers often fail to understand the poor prognosis as the disease relentlessly progresses. Based on feedback from patients and families living with IPF, we developed the S-Symptom Management, U-Understanding the Disease, P-Pulmonary Rehabilitation, P-Palliative Care, O-Oxygen Therapy, R-Research Considerations and T-Transplantation (‘SUPPORT9) intervention to increase knowledge of the disease, teach self-management strategies and facilitate preparedness with end of life (EOL) planning. Methods This study is a randomised trial to test the efficacy of SUPPORT intervention compared with routine care in patients with IPF and their caregivers delivered after three clinical visits. We are recruiting a cohort of 64 new IPF patient/caregiver dyads (32 for each dyad). Results The trial will evaluate whether the SUPPORT intervention decreases stress, improves symptom burden, quality of life, preparedness and advance care planning for patients and caregivers, quality of dying and death for caregivers if the patient dies during the course of the study, as well as assess the impact of primary palliative care on healthcare resource use near the EOL. Conclusion By increasing knowledge of the disease, teaching self-management strategies and facilitating preparedness with EOL planning, we will address a critical gap in the care of patients with IPF. Trial registration number NCT02929017; Pre-results.
Evaluation of Accessibility of Course Websites for Foundations of Engineering Classes

Many programs around the nation are starting or have already implemented digitally mediated courses. Since this form of learning is somewhat new, there is still room for improvement in many areas of this digital learning system. Based on student responses, there could be “better features to better enable interaction and communication.” Also, there has not been much improvement on assisting or helping students with any sort of disabilities. This literature culminates in the research questions: “Does the types of webpage created influence the number of accessibility errors on a webpage?” and “Does the individual instructor who created the content for the webpage influence the number of accessibility errors?” To properly understand and answer these research questions, it was necessary to take both a qualitative and quantitative approach to the research questions. Qualitatively, scales and numeric classifications were applied to qualitative aspects such as page type and teaching experience. Quantitatively, regression models were complied to predicted which independent variables are impactful for total accessibility errors. Additionally ANOVA tests and post hoc tests were utilized to understand if there was significance within the independent variables presented. All p values for all three of the experiments were found to be highly significant. Additionally the post hoc tests denoted that there are significant differences between particular types of web pages and the instructors who produce the content for those pages.
Retention Efficiency, Perceptual Bias, and Active Choice as Mechanisms of Food Selection by Suspension-Feeding Zooplankton

Suspension-feeding Zooplankton live in environments in which nutritious algae are mixed with particles of low food value, such as silt, detritus, and indigestible or toxic algae (Porter 1977). In this situation an ability to select nutritious particles should be advantageous, provided that the cost of handling and rejecting individuals particles is low. Nonetheless suspension feeding is often considered synonymous with “filter feeding”, a term which suggests a passive, mechanical mode of food collection. For a filter feeder, food selection is largely a function of the range of particle sizes which can be retained by the feeding apparatus and successfully ingested (Boyd 1976). Within the past 10 years, however, a rapidly growing number of studies have shown that many taxa of Zooplankton are not mechanical filter feeders but are able to use complex behaviors to select between individual particles which differ size or nutritional value (reviewed by Price 1988).
Echographic evaluation of a patient with diabetes and dense vitreous hemorrhage: an avulsed retinal vessel may mimic a tractional retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To report that an avulsed retinal vessel may appear as a tractional retinal detachment on echographic evaluation. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 57-year-old diabetic woman presented with a nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage of 2 months duration in the left eye. Echography was consistent with a localized tractional retinal detachment on longitudinal sections; transverse sections demonstrated a pinpoint opacity in the vitreous cavity. Intraoperatively, an avulsed retinal vessel was noted in the area of echographic abnormality. CONCLUSION: An avulsed retinal vessel may mimic tractional retinal detachment on echography. Although trained ophthalmic echographers routinely perform both longitudinal and transverse sections during an echographic evaluation, less skilled observers must be aware of the importance of performing both longitudinal and transverse sections for accurate echographic diagnosis.
Anal Sphincter Achalasia and Ultrashort Hirschsprung’s Disease

Internal anal sphincter achalasia is defined as the inability of the internal anal sphincter to relax. The term achalasia is derived from the Greek word χαλααξ (loose, relaxed), in its negative form αχαλασξ (rigid, firm). The concept of anal sphincter achalasia originated with Fenwick [1], who believed a spasm of the internal anal sphincter muscle to be responsible for the development of the so-called idiopathic megarectum. Hurst [2] also recognized that the pathological substrate for the megarectum is situated in the internal anal sphincter, but at the same time demonstrated that the cause of the achalasia is not a spasm, but rather—similar to the situation in the lower esophageal segment—an inability of the sphincter to open. Several histology studies [3–6], electromanometric investigations [7, 8], roentgenological examinations [9], and immunocytochemical analyses [10–12] have shown that various causes can underlie the obstructive behavior of the internal anal sphincter.
A Narrative Approach to Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Narrative therapy is proposed as an effective treatment for body dysmorphic disorder. A case example illustrates the clinical application. Implications for the theory and practice of body dysmorphic disorder are considered.
Web Exclusive. Annals On Call - Fusobacterium Pharyngitis Debate.

In this episode of Annals On Call, Dr. Centor discusses the diagnosis and treatment of pharyngitis in adolescents and young adults with Dr. Jeffrey Linder of Northwestern University.
Hope in the Wobbles: Negotiations into, Out of, and between Critical Dispositions

ABSTRACTThere is an ever-present need for scholarship that addresses how to prepare preservice teachers to approach literacies as political, learn with children who have different cultural, linguis...
Neurologic examination in the elderly

Clinical evaluation of neurologic disorders in the elderly requires seeking a thorough history and performing an age-appropriate neurologic examination with special attention to changes that occur with normal aging. The history should be obtained from the patient as well as collateral sources close to the patient to ensure accuracy and should include contextual elements such as medical history, social, economic, and psychological background, as well as an assessment of current functional state beyond activities of daily living. The safety of the patient, including the presence of physical, psychological, and financial threats, should be addressed during the interview. The neurological examination in older adults may need to be modified to circumvent disabilities such as hearing and visual impairment. Some elements of the neurological examination are expected to be affected by the process of aging, including pupillary reactivity, presbyopia, difficulty with ocular pursuit and up-gaze, reduced or absent distal reflexes, slower motor speed, and reduced ability to tandem walk, among others. In addition to a screening neurological assessment, evaluation of older adults with a particular complaint may require additional interview queries and examination manoeuvres. Common symptoms in the elderly include cognitive difficulties, balance and gait disorders, tremors, and neuropathy. A specialized approach to patients with cognitive difficulties must include assessment of each cognitive domain, including attention, executive function, learning and memory, perceptual-motor function, and social cognition. Balance and gait are essential parts of the neurological examination, and in patients with a history of falls or mobility issues, should become a central part of the evaluation. In patient with tremors, careful observation of the tremor quality (amplitude, frequency, and alleviating/exacerbating factors such as rest, movement, and posture) can aid diagnosis. Evaluation of neuropathy includes determining modality (numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness) and the distribution of symptoms in order to localize the site of nerve injury, which can be supplemented with nerve conduction studies/electromyography, to guide further diagnostic workup and treatment. A combination of detailed history and examination often will suggest a likely underlying neurodegenerative disorder and guide further diagnostic workup to establish a specific diagnosis.
Platoon Signal Priority in Connected-Autonomous Vehicle Environments: Algorithm Development and Testing

As traffic congestion increases day by day, it becomes necessary to improve the existing roadway facilities to maintain satisfactory operational and safety performances. New vehicle technologies, such as Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) have a potential to significantly improve transportation systems. Using the advantages of CAVs, this study developed signalized intersection control strategy algorithm that optimizes the operations of CAVs and allows signal priority for connected platoons. The algorithm was tested in VISSIM microsimulation using a real-world urban corridor. The tested scenarios include a 2040 Do-Nothing scenario, and CAV alternatives with 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% CAV penetration rate. The results show a significant reduction in intersection delays (26% - 38%) and travel times (6% - 20%), depending on the penetration rate, as well as significant improvements on the network-wide level. CAV penetration rates of 50% or more have a potential to significantly improve all operational measures of effectiveness.
Comparison of Low- Versus High-Dose Four-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (4F-PCC) for Factor Xa Inhibitor–Associated Bleeding: A Retrospective Study:

Background:Although andexanet alfa was recently approved as a specific reversal agent for apixaban and rivaroxaban, some providers still elect to administer 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate...
Closed-Loop Pulse-Width Modulation Microwave Heating With Infrared Temperature Control for Perfusion Measurement

Measurement of blood flow/perfusion using temperature response of a heated region of tissue has been quite well-known, where the temperature of the tissue is raised by a heating device and the temperature response is recorded by a sensor. However, the existing methods are invasive (heating element/sensor embedded in the tissue) and/or rely on the conduction heating, which is sensitive to the heating element/sensor’s contact with the tissue and the surrounding air convection. In this article, a system with a combined microwave heating (MWH) antenna and infrared (IR) temperature sensor, with closed-loop feedback control with pulse-width modulation (PWM), for noninvasive measurement of flow/perfusion, is introduced for the first time. Applying PWM is efficient and readily implementable and circumvents the need for expensive and complex power-adjustable microwave sources often used in MWH applications. A novel phantom is also introduced for the first time to be able to create quantifiable perfusion from flow circulated by a tubing system. For an MWH source with 2.1-W power at 2.4 GHz and a proportional feedback coefficient of $K_{p} = 0.88$ W/°C, the measurement results in terms of the phantom temperature read by the IR sensor and the average PWM voltage demonstrate a clear differentiation between perfusion values of 0.07 versus 0.23 mL/min/gr (0.5 °C and 0.5 V difference for temperature and average PWM voltage responses, respectively, within 2–3 min). These promising results signify the flexibility offered by the closed-loop temperature and PWM responses for low-cost evaluation of flow/perfusion using combined MWH and IR temperature sensing.
Total body water by BIA in children and young adults with normal and excessive weight.

Background Estimation of total body water (TBW) is essential for clinical care. Objective Evaluation of changes in TBW by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in children and young adults with excessive weight. Design Data was collected in individuals aged 3–21 years with normal (n = 202) or excessive body weight (n = 133). The BIA results from individuals with normal weight were compared with two previously published studies in children by isotope dilution methods. Results Individuals with excessive weight had a higher mean TBW (27.87 L, SE 0.368) for height and age as compared to individuals with normal weight (23.95 L, SE 0.298), P<0.001. However, individuals with excessive weight had lower mean TBW (24.93 L, SE 0.37) for weight and body surface area (BSA) as compared to individuals with normal weight (26.94 L, SE 0.287), P<0.001. Comparison with two previously published studies showed no significant differences in mean TBW with one ((p = 1.00) but a significant difference with another study (p = 0.001). Conclusions Individuals with excessive weight had 16.5% higher mean TBW for height and age and 7.4% lower TBW for weight and BSA as compared to normal weight individuals. Our study validates the feasibility of data collection in pediatric outpatient setting by BIA.
Post-Launch Analysis of Swift's Gamma-Ray Burst Detection Sensitivity

The dependence of Swift's detection sensitivity on a burst's temporal and spectral properties shapes the detected burst population. Using simplified models of the detector hardware and the burst trigger system I find that Swift is more sensitive to long, soft bursts than CGRO's BATSE, a reference detector because of the large burst database it accumulated. Thus Swift has increased sensitivity in the parameter space region into which time dilation and spectral redshifting shift high redshift bursts.
Electroencephalography resting-state networks in people with Stroke.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to characterize resting-state cortical networks in chronic stroke survivors using electroencephalography (EEG). METHODS Electroencephalography data were collected from 14 chronic stroke and 11 neurologically intact participants while they were in a relaxed, resting state. EEG power was normalized to reduce bias and used as an indicator of network activity. Correlations of orthogonalized EEG activity were used as a measure of functional connectivity between cortical regions. RESULTS We found reduced cortical activity and connectivity in the alpha (p < .05; p = .05) and beta (p < .05; p = .03) bands after stroke while connectivity in the gamma (p = .031) band increased. Asymmetries, driven by a reduction in the lesioned hemisphere, were also noted in cortical activity (p = .001) after stroke. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that stroke lesions cause a network alteration to more local (higher frequency), asymmetric networks. Understanding changes in cortical networks after stroke could be combined with controllability models to identify (and target) alternate brain network states that reduce functional impairment.
A Differential Flatness-Based Approach for Autonomous Helicopter Shipboard Landing

This paper presents a differential flatness-based approach to trajectory planning and tracking for helicopters and demonstrates this strategy for time-optimal autonomous helicopter shipboard landing. For planning and outer-loop tracking control, helicopter dynamics are captured by a simplified nonlinear model that is shown to be differentially flat, which enables the transformation of the original nonlinear system dynamics into an equivalent linear form with endogenous nonlinear constraints. For time-optimal trajectory planning, this equivalent model is used to construct a computationally-efficient optimization problem for free end-time end-state problems, where the decision-space is that of the trajectories of the flat outputs and their derivatives. While the attitude dynamics are stabilized by an inner loop controller, for tracking the planned trajectory a flatness-based outer loop control law is designed to stabilize the unstable zero dynamics. Further, analytical guarantees that relate inner loop tracking error to outer loop robust stability and tracking performance are derived. Simulations are performed on a high-fidelity numerical UH-60 helicopter model under ground effect and ship airwake disturbances, together with ship motion profiles collected from a naval environment to validate the proposed approach for realistic landing scenarios.
Barriers to Clinical Practice Guideline Implementation Among Physicians: A Physician Survey.

Introduction Clinical practice guidelines can help physicians provide evidence-based, standardized clinical decisions. We aimed to assess physician attitudes toward and barriers to guideline adherence. Methods We conducted a single center, cross-sectional, survey-based study. Physicians from many specialties participated in the study. All outcomes were measured using a validated survey tool. The primary outcome of interest was barriers to guideline adherence. Secondary outcomes included general attitudes toward guidelines and factors that could improve adherence to guidelines. Outcomes were measured by the survey tool. All outcomes were reported on a 5-point Likert scale. Results The email survey was received by 1819 physicians with 400 responders (22% response rate). About 50% (n=200) were in practice for >5 years, while 27% (n=107) were still in training. Trainees were less likely to understand the process of guideline development (RR= 0.76 [0.65-0.88], p=0.0017), to have input in guideline development (RR= 0.52 [0.41-0.65], p<0.0001), and to report up-to-date knowledge in practice guidelines (RR=0.53 [0.30-0.73], p=0.0002). Three factors were identified as major barriers to guideline adherence: complexity of guideline documents (61%, n=240), high number of weak or conditional recommendations (62%, n=245), and time constraints due to clinical responsibilities (65%, n=255). Factors that would improve guideline adherence included access to relevant guidelines at the point of care (87%), improved focus on guidelines during training (82%), and transparency on physician commercial affiliation (62%). Conclusion Improved focus on guidelines during training and access to relevant guidelines at the point of care may be important to improve adherence to guidelines.
A prototype of tunable surface acoustic wave filter

A prototype of tunable surface acoustic wave filter has been developed. The device consists of 11 interdigital transducers paralleled in the SAW propagation path. Different SAW filter configurations are realized by selecting or combining various IDTs, resulting in the tunability of both center frequency and 3 dB bandwidth. The center frequencies of the SAW filter ranges from 126.8 MHz to 199.1 MHz while the 3 dB bandwidth range from 18.8 MHz to 58.9 MHz. Changes between different SAW filter configurations is implemented by RF switches.
Comparison of the inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores and MS2 bacteriophage by MIOX, ClorTec and hypochlorite

Aims: To compare the disinfection ability of two widely used electrolytic generation systems (ClorTec and MIOX) and the conventional chlorine disinfectant (sodium hypochlorite) using three strains of Bacillus subtilis spores and MS2 bacteriophage. Methods and Results: Three B. subtilis aerobic spore strains (ATCC1A1, 35021 and 35946) and the bacteriophage MS2 (ATCC 15597-B1) were propagated and sporulated. Four indicator organisms were exposed to four disinfectant treatments for comparing the effectiveness of inactivation: hypochlorite, ClorTec, MIOX and MIOX-anode. The results indicated that the two electrolytic generation systems were as effective as the conventional chlorination for the inactivation of micro-organisms used. Some data points showed the variation using anova analysis, in which the inactivation of MIOX and ClorTec was higher than that of hypochlorite. Conclusions: The ClorTec and MIOX systems are quite similar to hypochlorite in the inactivation-effectiveness for aerobic spores and bacteriophage in drinking water. Significance and Impact of the Study: Laboratory-scale investigation proved that gaseous chlorine could be replaced by either ClorTec or MIOX systems for the drinking water treatment utilities, which still could maintain the same disinfection efficiency.
Metadata Competencies for Entry-Level Positions: What Employers Expect as Reflected in Position Descriptions, 2000–2013

The emergence of metadata schema and implementation of Resource Description and Access changed the technical services workplace environment and demands increased regarding complex education requirements for metadata librarians and catalogers across the country. The proliferation of bibliographic description formats required practitioners to pursue extensive training and professional development opportunities. The researcher employed a descriptive content analysis methodology and examined 146 entry-level position announcements posted from September 2000 through August 2013. Conducting a descriptive content analysis enabled the researcher to describe substance and form characteristics examined in the position announcements and to make inferences to the community of catalog librarian practitioners.
Serotypic and genotypic characterization of human serotype 10 rotaviruses from asymptomatic neonates

Human rotaviruses were isolated from asymptomatic neonates at various hospitals and clinics in the city of Bangalore, India, and were found to be subgroup I specific and possess long RNA patterns (M. Sukumaran, K. Gowda, P. P. Maiya, T. P. Srinivas, M. S. Kumar, S. Aijaz, R. R. Reddy, L. Padilla, H. B. Greenberg, and C. D. Rao, Arch. Virol. 126:239-251, 1992). Three of these strains were adapted to tissue culture and found by serotype analysis and neutralization assays to be of serotype 10, a serotype commonly found in cattle but infrequently found in humans and not previously identified in neonates. By RNA-RNA hybridization, a high level of relatedness to a serotype 10 bovine rotavirus strain and a low-to-medium level of relatedness to a human rotavirus strain were observed. Since this human isolate shares a genogroup with bovine rotavirus, it is likely that it originated by interspecies transmission. A human rotavirus strain isolated from asymptomatic neonates and similar to bovine rotavirus might represent a good vaccine candidate.
Reproductive/Developmental Toxicity Assessment of Biopharmaceuticals in Nonhuman Primates

Developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) evaluation of biopharmaceuticals frequently necessitates the use of nonhuman primate models (NHPs) owing to species specificity. NHPs offer several advantages over rodents and rabbits with regard to DART because of similarity to human. This article provides a state-of-the-art account on the feasibility and limitations of using NHPs for DART evaluation in the context of preclinical development of biopharmaceuticals. Keywords: nonhuman primate models (NHPs); developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART); embryofetal development studies; study design; postnatal development; prenatal development
Characterizing the evolution of perioperative outcomes and costs of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Objective The purpose of this study is to characterize the evolution in perioperative outcomes and costs of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (EVAR) by detailing changes in adjusted outcomes and costs over time. Methods National Inpatient Sample (2000-2011) data were used to evaluate patient characteristics, outcomes, and perioperative costs for elective EVAR performed for intact AAA. Outcomes were adjusted for patient demographics and comorbidities, and hospital factors by multivariate analysis. Costs were calculated from hospital cost to charge ratio files and adjusted to 2011 dollars. Results From 2000 to 2011, 185,249 patients underwent elective EVAR for intact AAA. The absolute rates of in-hospital major morbidity, mortality, and procedural costs all decreased significantly over time ( P Conclusions From 2000-2011, the perioperative outcomes of EVAR improved significantly despite a higher prevalence of comorbidities among patients undergoing repair. Concurrently, procedure-associated costs declined. Advanced technology is often implicated in escalating healthcare spending, and the value of novel techniques is often questioned. These findings highlight that, in the case of EVAR, procedural outcomes have improved while the initial costs of repair have declined over time. EVAR offers an interesting example for stakeholders to consider in the era of cost-containment pressures and criticism of nascent, expensive technology in healthcare.
Performance correlates of social behavior and organization: Effects of group formation on operant performance in rhesus monkeys (M. mulatta)

The performance of six adult rhesus monkeys on a fixed interval 1-min reinforcement schedule was examined under conditions where the reinforcement probabilities were either 1.00 or .80. The animals were tested with a reinforcement probability of 1.00 immediately after removal from their social group, tested again several months later with reinforcement probabilities of 1.00 and .80, and then retested with a reinforcement probability of .80 before, during, and after the formation of a new social group with the six monkeys. The results supported an earlier report in which it was found that high ranking animals responded at a lower rate under a reinforcement probability of 1.00 than did low ranking animals and that the former also had a higher ratio of nonreinforced to reinforced responses than the lower ranked animals. These relationships were present in five of the six animals immediately after removal of the animals from their original group and during and after formation of the new group. They did not appear on tests conducted after the animals had been out of a social group for several months. A third result was a suppression of operant performance which appeared in all animals following group formation. The magnitude and duration of this effect was inversely related to social rank and the time the animal had been a member of the group. The data are discussed in terms of a carry-over of the effects of recent social experience on two factors: a more deliberate rate of response by higher ranking animals under 100% reinforcement and an inhibition of response bursting following omission of reinforcement by the lower ranking monkeys.
On the D-optimality of orthogonal and nonorthogonal blocked main effects plans

Abstract In this paper, we consider experimental situations where a main effects plan is to be used to study m two-level factors using n runs which are partitioned into b blocks of equal size k = n / b . For the case n ≡ 2 ( mod 8 ) and k > 2 where k is even, sufficient conditions are derived for certain designs having all main effects orthogonal to blocks to be D -optimal among all available designs. For n ≡ 2 ( mod 8 ) we also give conditions under which one type of design not having all main effects orthogonal to blocks is D -optimal among all available designs.
Ratio of Static Electric-Quadrupole Moments of K = 3 and K = 0 States in Yb 172

The ratio of the electric-quadrupole interaction frequencies between the ${3}^{+}$ 1174-keV state and the 79-keV ${2}^{+}$ state has been measured using time-differential perturbed angular correlation techniques. The measured ratio $\frac{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}(1174)}{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}(79)}=0.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06$ corresponds to a ratio of the static quadrupole moments of $\frac{Q(1171)}{Q(79)}=1.33\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15$, which, combined with the value of $Q(79)$ derived from Coulomb-excitation transition probabilities, yields a value of $Q(1174)=2.92\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.33$ b.
Gene expression profiling reveals alteration of caspase 6 and 14 transcripts in normal skin of keloid-prone patients.

Excessive scar formation in keloids points to altered tissue modeling and repair mechanisms. Dysregulation of cytokine and apoptotic cascades and their downstream signaling pathways might have a role in keloid development. Total RNA was isolated from biopsied keloidal tissue and adjacent normal skin of black patients, white patient’s scars, and normal skin of black and white patients, with normal wound healing. Apoptosis, cytokine and NFkB pathway microarrays were used to study and compare gene expression levels. Real-time PCR was used to verify microarray results in original samples and a separate, validation-set of samples. Significant differences were observed in the expression levels of members of caspase, cytokines and MAP kinase pathways, between the normal skin of keloid-prone and normal skin of keloid-resistant patients. Specifically, expression of caspase 6, and caspase 14 genes were different between normal skin of keloid-prone individuals and normal skin of keloid-resistant patients. Our results suggest that normal skin of keloid-prone individuals constitutively expresses a distinct gene profile which might contribute to their susceptibility to develop keloids.
Aging and Exercise: Are They Compatible in Women?

The benefits of physical exercise and fitness have long been understood. With the aging of society and longevity of women relative to men, interest finally is being given to the female population. There are many benefits to maintaining an active lifestyle as women age. These benefits include maintenance of bone mineral density and prevention of osteoporosis, decreased susceptibility to falls, and decreased susceptibility to breast cancer and other chronic diseases. There are great psychologic benefits to maintaining an active lifestyle, and the connection between cardiovascular fitness and lowering the incidence of cardiac disease is well established. Finally, physical activity and exercise can decrease the symptoms of arthritis. The Centers for Disease Control recommends at least 30 minutes of moderately intensive activity on most days of the week. In older women, the loss of lean body mass (sarcopenia) can be diminished through a strength training program. With these benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle, healthcare providers should become proactive in emphasizing the benefits of physical activity to the older female population.
Sequencing by hybridization with errors: handling longer sequences

Sequencing by hybridization (SBH) is a method for reconstructing a DNA sequence given the set of all subsequences of length k of the target sequence. This set, called the spectrum of the sequence, can be obtained from hybridization with a universal DNA chip. However, the hybridization experiments are error prone, so this leads to the computational problem of reconstructing a sequence from a noisy spectrum. Halperin et al. gave an algorithm for this problem with provable performance in the presence of both false positive and false negative errors. Assuming, for example, that the false positive rate is small, and the probability of false negative is 0.1, the algorithm can reconstruct a random sequence of length O(20.7k) with an arbitrary small probability of failure. In this paper, we give an algorithm that can reconstruct longer sequences: under the assumptions above, our algorithm can reconstruct sequences of length O(20.942k). This bound is almost optimal as the bound for the errorless case is Θ(2k).
Pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation: State at the art

Abstract Prognosis for pediatric cardiopulmonary is currently bleak. Tyre are main gaps ill our knowledge regarding optimal prevention and treatment of pediatric arrest. This article will review our current knowledge in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation, identify gaps in our knowledge, and discuss recent changes in guidelines for pediatric basic and advanced cardiac life support.
Simultaneous integrated IMRT boost for locally advanced gynecological cancers: Radiobiological and dosimetric considerations

Purpose/Objective: Whole pelvic irradiation (WPI) followed by a boost to the tumor site is the standard of practice for the radiotherapeutic (RT) management of locally advanced gynecologic cancers. The boost is frequently carried out using intracavitary brachytherapy or occasionally using external beam RT (EBRT) when brachytherapy is not appropriate. The widespread use of EBRT for the boost has been hampered by the problem of target localization and movement. Recently, Low et al have proposed the use of applicator-guided IMRT for the boost after the EBRT. To effectively utilize this applicatorguided technology, we propose to use IMRT simultaneous integrated boost (SIB), which is a single-phase process, to replace the conventional two-phase process involving WPI plus an EBRT or a HDR brachytherapy boost. Radiobiological modeling is used to design appropriate regimes for the IMRT SIB. To demonstrate feasibility, a dosimetric study is carried out on sample patients.
Exact solution for contaminant transport with nonlinear sorption

Abstract We study a contaminant transport model with a cubic approximation for Langmuir sorption. It is shown that the aqueous concentration profile can be obtained exactly in the form of a traveling wave front. We outline the methodology of obtaining the exact solution and present two possible closed form solutions.
Light-induced interaction of CCl4 with GaAs(110)

Abstract We have studied the interaction of CCl4 with well-defined n-type and p-type GaAs(110) surfaces under ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) conditions in the presence of ultraviolet laser and visible light illumination. Without illumination, CCl4 was found to adsorb molecularly and nondissociatively. Using thermally programmed desorption (TPD), we have studied the effect of illumination on the CCl4-covered GaAs with a 193, 248, 351, 515 nm laser and visible/near infrared lamp. All the wavelengths were found to lead to CCl4 bond cleavage and the formation of a surface chloride product, manifested as desorbed GaCl in TPD. The amount of GaCl formed saturated for CCl4 coverages above one monolayer. We suggest that this surface chlorination is initiated by photocarriers formed in the GaAs substrate. With 193 nm illumination, additional photofragment products were seen by using the time-of-flight detection technique and TPD. At this incident wavelength, laser-ejection of Cl atoms occured for > 1 ML of adsorbed CCl4 accompanied by the formation of C2Cl6dimers. For submomolayer CCl4 coverages, strong quenching of the ejected atomic Cl signal was observed. Similar atomic Cl ejection was observed from CCl4multilayers on sapphire substrates with no quenching occuring for submonolayer coverages. The ejection of atomic Cl is believed to result from direct absorption in the condensed adsorbate layer.
Partisan and Nonpartisan Message Content and Voter Mobilization: Field Experimental Evidence

This article reports the results of a randomized field experiment designed to compare directly the mobilization impact of partisan versus nonpartisan messages delivered via commercial phone banks. The experiment, conducted during the November 2005 municipal elections in Albany, New York, incorporates a series of design innovations to improve on extant research and to assuage skepticism about the internal and external validity of previous studies conducted along these lines. The author finds that partisan messages delivered by professional call centers are no more effective than nonpartisan messages in mobilizing voters.
Comparison of lens regeneration in adult newts, Triturus viridescens, between light and dark preadapted and non-preadapted animals.

It is well known that if the original lens is removed from the eyeball in certain Urodeles, a new lens will regenerate from the dorsal iris. Experiments were designed to study the different effects on lens regeneration in the newt, Triturus viridescens, between the light and dark preadapted animals and light and dark non-preadapted animals. The preadapted animals were preadapted to continuous light or dark for 90 days prior to lentectomy. The newts remained in the same controlled environments postlentectomy for 25 days to test the effect of light preadaptation on lens regeneration. The non-preadapted animals were placed in the light controlled environment immediately after lentectomy for a 25-day regeneration period. The results indicated that there was no difference in the rate of regeneration between continuous light preadapted and non-preadapted animals. However, the dark non-preadapted animals regenerated new lenses at a much slower rate than the dark preadapted animals. The rate of lens regeneration was similar among the controls with 12 hours of light per 24-hour period, the dark preadapted, the continuous light preadapted, and continuous light non-preadapted groups.
Microscopic Modeling of Traffic Signal Operations: Comparative Evaluation of Hardware-in-the-Loop and Software-in-the-Loop Simulations

Currently, there are three different methods to model traffic signal operations in microscopic simulation models: the simulation model's controller emulator, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, and software-in-the-loop simulation. Although all three methods can be based on the same industry standard code, their different implementations suggest potential operational differences. This study investigates operational differences of the three methods by examining how each method operates in five experimental scenarios. Each of the scenarios differs from the others in network size (one intersection to five intersections) and operational strategies (pretimed, actuated, actuated-coordinated, and two different signal transition logics). Ten 75-min simulation runs with 100-ms simulation resolution were executed for each experiment with the three signal control modeling alternatives. The results showed that for basic signal control operations, such as pretimed and isolated actuated operations, the three alternatives p...
Manufacturing of metal-based microparts: Fabrication strategies and surface engineering applications

Abstract A wide range of industrial applications, current and anticipated, drive the process of miniaturization of thermal and chemical devices. In certain cases, metal-based microsystems enjoy advantages of performance, cost, or both, over silicon-based counterparts. The critical bottleneck restricting the use of metal-based microsystems in actual applications has often been the lack of effective and economical manufacturing methods for metal-based microparts. In this paper, our recent efforts in fabrication of metal-based high aspect ratio microscale structures through various replication strategies, such as compression molding and roll molding, are summarized. The need for engineering surfaces of microscale replication tools through conformal coating deposition is illustrated. Two attempts to experimentally measure shear strength of coating/substrate interfaces are described. An estimate of the limiting shear strength of coating/substrate interfaces is achieved through examination of transverse coating cracks induced by substrate tensile loading. Experimental data obtained from two series of TiN/Cr/steel and TiN/Ti/steel specimens are presented. Issues associated with this approach are discussed. Direct failure of coating/substrate interfaces has been induced through compression loading of micro pillars containing inclined coating/substrate interfaces. Preliminary experimental results obtained from TiN/Ti/Si micro pillars are presented.