cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative Antiplatelet Efficacy of a Novel, Nonpeptide GPIIb/IIIa Antagonist (XV454) and Abciximab (c7E3) in Flow Models of Thrombosis

Abstract —Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa is pivotal in homotypic platelet aggregation and may also be involved in the heterotypic adhesion of leukocytes and tumor cells to platelets. This study was primarily undertaken to compare the antiplatelet efficacy of a novel, nonpeptide GPIIb/IIIa antagonist, XV454, to that of abciximab in 2 flow models of platelet thrombus formation: (1) direct shear-induced platelet aggregation imposed by a cone-and-plate rheometer and (2) platelet adhesion onto von Willebrand factor (vWF)/collagen I followed by aggregation in a perfusion system. XV454 inhibited platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner in both experimental models. Maximal inhibition of aggregation was achieved by XV454 at ≈70% receptor occupancy, which is lower than the ≥85% previously reported for abciximab. At similar levels of receptor blockade (≈45%), XV454 appeared to be relatively more effective than abciximab in suppressing platelet aggregation. Neither XV454 nor abciximab inhibited platelet adhesion to collagen. Pretreatment of surface-adherent platelets with either XV454 or abciximab inhibited the attachment of monocytic THP-1 cells under flow. In contrast, the rapidly reversible GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor orbofiban failed to suppress these heterotypic interactions. These findings demonstrate that XV454 is a potent GPIIb/IIIa antagonist with a long receptor-bound lifetime like abciximab and may be beneficial for the treatment/prevention of thrombotic complications.
Effect of the Cold Pressor Test on Memory and Cognitive Flexibility

Cognitive flexibility is affected by stress. The cold pressor test is a known adrenergic stressor that impairs memory, but the effect on cognitive flexibility is unknown. Sixteen subjects were given cognitive flexibility and memory tasks with and without one hand immersed in cold water. Memory was impaired in the cold pressor condition but there was no effect on cognitive flexibility. The lack of a cold pressor effect on cognitive flexibility may result from an isolated effect on the peripheral noradrenergic system, whereas indirect effects due to nociception on memory may occur.
Infantile exposure to lead and late-age cognitive decline: Relevance to AD

Abstract Background Early-life lead (Pb) exposure induces overexpression of the amyloid beta precursor protein and its amyloid beta product in older rats and primates. We exposed rodents to Pb during different life span periods and examined cognitive function in old age and its impact on biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Morris, Y, and the elevated plus mazes were used. Western blot, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to study the levels of AD biomarkers. Results Cognitive impairment was observed in mice exposed as infants but not as adults. Overexpression of AD-related genes (amyloid beta precursor protein and β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1) and their products, as well as their transcriptional regulator—specificity protein 1 (Sp1)—occurred only in older mice with developmental exposure to Pb. Conclusions A window of vulnerability to Pb neurotoxicity exists in the developing brain that can influence AD pathogenesis and cognitive decline in old age.
Service-Oriented User Interface Modeling and Composition

Traditional service-oriented applications mainly focus on machine-to-machine interaction. However, human-machine interaction in applications also plays an important role. A better user interface can provide better usability and make the system user friendly. A user can be considered a service provider, where the user interaction is a workflow as a part of the system workflow and a user can place SOA User Interface (SOAUI) design into an overall system design. Traditionally, user interface design follows the MVC (Mode-View-Controller) architectural pattern. The SOAUI is a complement to the existing solution by providing the view for the application to the end-user.
An updated history of the thyratron lifetimes at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center

The Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) has been in almost continuous operation since the middle 1960s, providing a remarkable opportunity to amass high power thyratron lifetime and reliability data. This paper continues the review of the history of the Linac thyratron usage, with the primary focus during the Stanford Linear Collider (SLC) era, specifically, the last four years of accelerator operation. The 24 hour a day, extended operation of the 243 modulator Linac, provides a significant amount of data. Nominal SLC operational parameters for the Linac thyratrons are: 46 kV anode voltage (Epy), 6.3 kA peak current, 5.4 us esp, with a repetition rate of 120 pps. The Linac does support other on-going experiments, usually at a lower repetition rate. Within these constraints of operation, this paper explores the historical thyratron lifetimes and some of the common failure modes found at SLAC. With this information, an estimate can be made as to how long these thyratrons can be expected to operate in the Linac before failure. This information is also being used to validate reliability modeling for the Next Linear Collider (NLC). The goal is to support high power thyratron development for the NLC, to have a commercially available product, that will operate with a 50,000 hour Mean Time Before Failure.
Diet and measurement techniques affect small intestinal digesta viscosity among dogs

Abstract Because increasing viscosity of gastrointestinal tract contents has been shown to alter physiologic responses in many species, and no single standardized method of intestinal viscosity measurement exists, effects of diet and measurement techniques were studied in a canine model. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of mixer viscometry, effects of freezing, centrifugation, time of sampling, and dilution of digesta, and effects of diet on viscosity of canine ileal digesta and simulated small intestinal digesta viscosity. Digesta viscosity values measured at 21°C were within 5% of those at 21°C after a 24-hour freeze. Viscosity constants of whole digesta sampled between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm daily ranged from 6575 to 32 692 mPa · s and 7.47 to 9.03 mPa · s after centrifugation. Digesta sampled between 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm daily had viscosity constants of whole digesta ranging from 7137 to 17 345 mPa · s and 6.42 and 9.46 mPa · s after centrifugation. Digesta samples diluted with Millipore filtered water, to determine whether a dilution factor could be used to estimate viscosity, had drastically underestimated viscosity constants. Ileal digesta viscosity constants were similar for dogs fed test diets varying in carbohydrate source and ranged from 6901 to 12 590 mPa · s. During simulated small intestinal simulation, viscosity peaked between 6 and 9 hours. Data indicate that alteration of digesta by centrifugation or dilution underestimates viscosity data. Viscosity of whole digesta can be measured using mixer viscometry. Variations in diet ingredients appear to alter intestinal digesta viscosity, indicating further need for investigation of the role of diet in viscosity.
Are Myxobacteria intelligent

“Intelligence” is understood in different ways. Because humans are proud of their ability to speak, intelligence often includes the ability to communicate with others, to plan for the future, and to solve frequently encountered problems. Myxobacteria are among the most socially adept and ubiquitous of bacteria that live in the soil. To survive in nature, Myxobacteria communicate with their peers, using signals that elicit specific responses. Both swarming-growth and starvation-induced fruiting body development depend upon the specificity and effectiveness of signals passed between cells. Dynamic swarms spread outward, forming regular multi-cellular and multi-layered structures as they spread. Several different extra-cellular signals have been identified for fruiting body development and one is hypothesized for swarm development. Some extra-cellular signals are small, diffusible molecules. Others are protein molecules. The swarm signal appears to consist of structurally complex, protein to protein, contact junctions between pairs of side by side aligned cells. Each junction persists for less than a minute before disconnecting. After separating, both cells move on to make similar, transient connections with other cells. Eventually, the signal spreads across a prescribed population of communicating cells.
Carbon nanotube–polyaniline core–shell nanostructured hydrogel for electrochemical energy storage

Conductive polymer hydrogels, which synergize the advantageous features of hydrogels and conductive materials, have been utilized in many electrochemical energy storage applications. Here, we introduce phytic acid as (1) a dispersing agent for pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in aqueous solution containing aniline and as (2) a gelator to form polyaniline (PANI)-based hydrogels after polymerization. The PANI-based hydrogels exhibit nanowire-based mesoporous networks with high surface area and electrical conductivity. The nanostructured core (MWNT)–shell (PANI) hydrogels show an improvement on the electrical conductivity from 0.21 to 1.54 S cm−1 as the loading of MWNTs increases from 0 to 5.0 wt%. The conducting nanowire-based networks with MWNT loadings of 3.0 wt% in the hydrogel provide efficient electron transport pathways that exhibit a maximal specific capacity of 609 F g−1. The scalable and facile synthesis demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance, rendering it attractive for sensing, energy conversion, and energy storage applications.
A Numerical Simulation Study to Develop an Acceptable Wake Encounter Boundary for a B737-100 Airplane

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting research with the goal of enabling safe improvements in the capacity of the nation''s air transportation system. The wake-vortex upset hazard is an important factor in establishing the minimum safe spacing between aircraft during landing and take-off operations, thus impacting airport capacity. A batch simulation study was conducted to assess the sensitivity of various safe landing criteria in the development of an acceptable wake encounter boundary. A baseline six-degree-of-freedom simulation of a B737-100 airplane was modified to include a wake model and the vortex-induced forces and moments. The guidance and control input for the airplane was provided by an auto-land system. The wake strength and encounter geometry were varied. A sensitivity study was also conducted to assess the effects of encounter modeling methods and accuracy.
Computer Society Connection [includes Awards]

The IEEE Computer Society presented Kenneth Batcher with the 2007 Seymour Cray Computer Science and Engineering Award. The IEEE Computer Society awarded David Keyes the 2007 Sidney Fernbach Award. The IEEE Foundation announced that Gordon E. Moore will receive the 2008 IEEE Medal of Honor.
Comparing the ocean color measurements between MOS and SeaWiFS: a vicarious intercalibration approach for MOS

The Modular Optoelectronic Scanner (MOS) was launched in the spring of 1996 on the Indian IRS-P3 satellite. With the successful launch of NASA's Sea-viewing Wide Field of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) in the summer of 1997, there are now two ocean color missions in concurrent operation, and there is interest to compare data from these two sensors. In this paper, we describe our efforts to retrieve ocean-optical properties from both SeaWiFS and MOS using consistent methods. We first briefly review the atmospheric correction, which removes more than 90% of the observed radiances in the visible, and then we describe how the atmospheric-correction algorithm used for the SeaWiFS data can be modified for application to other ocean color sensors. Next, since the retrieved water-leaving radiances in the visible between MOS and SeaWiFS are significantly different, we developed a vicarious intercalibration method to recalibrate the MOS spectral bands based on the optical properties of the ocean and atmosphere derived from the coincident SeaWiFS measurements. Furthermore, because of the strange calibration behavior of the MOS 750 nm band, we modified the atmospheric correction such that the MOS 685 and 868 nm bands can also be used. We present and discuss the MOS-retrieved, ocean-optical properties before and after the vicarious calibration using both the MOS 685 and 750 nm coupled with 868 nm bands in comparison with results from SeaWiFS and demonstrate the efficacy of this approach. We show that it is possible and efficient to vicariously intercalibrate sensors between one and another.
Confined acoustic phonons in a free-standing quantum well and their interaction with electrons

The Lagrangian of an isotropic continuous medium and Lagrangian formalism are used to consistently derive acoustic eigenmodes, to normalize them, and to determine the acoustic phonons (confined acoustic phonons) in a free-standing quantum well. These phonons may be classified as shear, dilatational, and flexural phonons in accordance with the acoustic terminology for eigenmodes. The Hamiltonians describing interactions of the confined acoustic phonons with electrons in the approximations of the deformation potential and the piezoelectric scattering potential are obtained and analyzed.
When critical illness becomes chronic: informational needs of patients and families.

Abstract Purpose A large and growing group of intensive care unit survivors are “chronically critically ill,” with ongoing respiratory failure and poor outcomes for postdischarge survival and functional recovery. In this qualitative study, we investigated what information is relevant and important for clinician-patient/family communication when critical illness becomes chronic, as indicated by tracheotomy for prolonged mechanical ventilation. Methods We conducted focus groups and structured interviews of patients who survived chronic critical illness, of surrogates of such patients and of nonsurvivors, and of clinicians with relevant experience. Discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded theory. Results Twenty-five subjects participated (4 survivors, 7 survivors' surrogates, 4 nonsurvivors' surrogates, 10 clinicians). We found broad agreement on 6 major domains of information that are relevant and important: (1) nature of illness/treatments, (2) prognosis, (3) impact of treatment, (4) potential complications, (5) expected care needs after hospitalization, and (6) alternatives to continuation of treatment. Participants endorsed the multidisciplinary family meeting as an effective communication strategy. Conclusions Given poor outcomes for most patients and high costs and burdens of treatment, effective communication is essential when critical illness enters a chronic phase. Our findings provide a framework for such communication and a basis for further research.
Complementary arrangements of organizational factors and outcomes of negotiated transfer price

Abstract Since internal transfers of intermediate products between divisions of firms take place under a wide range of organizational factors and their arrangement, understanding transfer pricing involves a consideration of how these factors are arranged; that is, do they complement or fit with each other or not. The current research experimentally investigates the impact of complementarity of sourcing (internal versus external) and compensation structure (based on division or firm profit) on transfer pricing in the case when such prices are negotiated between the trading divisions. The dependent variables were perceived fairness of the transfer pricing policy, inter-divisional conflict, the economic outcome measure of firm profit, and the time taken by the managers to negotiate an agreement (since time is an important economic resource to the manager) and firm profit efficiency. Overall, the results indicate that whether or not the arrangement of the organizational factors was complementary had a considerable influence on negotiated transfer prices. Specifically, complementary arrangements significantly increased perception of fairness, and reduced both conflict between the trading divisions and the time taken to reach an agreement. However, the economic outcome of firm profit was explained more by the negotiators' competitve behavior which occurs as a consequence of organizational factor arrangements.
Computationally efficient exhaustive search algorithm for rate-constrained motion estimation

A computationally efficient exhaustive search algorithm for rate-constrained motion estimation is presented. The motion vectors are selected from a search window based on a rate-distortion criterion by successively eliminating the search positions depending on the rate constraint. The performance of the proposed algorithm is identical to the performance of the rate-constrained full search algorithm, with considerable reduction in computation. The number of matching calculations decreases as the constraint imposed on the rate increases.
Theoretical, numerical, and experimental study of dynamic axial crushing of thin walled pentagon and cross-shape tubes

Abstract Rectangular thin walled tubes are commonly used in front rail structures of automotive chassis, and are designed to absorb maximum amount of energy during frontal impact. With increasing emphasis over the last few decades on building lighter and faster vehicles by auto manufacturers, researchers are actively exploring opportunities to improve crashworthiness of vehicles by exploiting structural and material optimization approaches. In this paper, two new shapes, Pentagon and Cross, were studied for two materials, aluminum and steel, with the objective of improving the crashworthiness of automobiles without adding any additional weight (within the same type of material) to the chassis. The tubes were initially analyzed using finite element method. The performances of proposed tubes were compared with a rectangular cross-section tube by comparing the average mean force (required to crush the tube under 35 mph impact velocity) and the total specific energy absorbed. A theoretical plastic analysis was carried out by evaluating the folding mechanisms of tubes for Pentagon and Cross shapes and an analytical model was developed that predicted the mean force necessary to crush the tubes. The numerical and theoretical analysis showed that for equivalent tube wall areas, the aluminum and steel Pentagon and Cross tubes absorbed 31–60% and 48–92% more energy than the rectangular tube. The outputs of proposed predictive theoretical model for the Pentagon and Cross tubes were compared reasonably well with the mean force values calculated through numerical method. An experimental study was conducted on cross tube samples machined from Aluminum AA6061–T6511 blocks with the purpose of validating numerical and theoretical approaches used in the present study. Experimental results for the mean force demonstrated a good correlation with numerical and theoretical approaches with approximately 1% and 6% variation, respectively. In addition, the deformation modes observed in the experiment matches reasonably well with the ones observed in the finite element analysis (FEA) simulations.
Adaptive Grid Design for Finite Element Analysis In Optimization: Part 1, Review of Finite Element Error Analysis

Finite element gridding is regarded as an optimal design problem which yields the optimal grid adaptively by applying the optimality criteria method. Finite element approximation error analysis is critically reviewed to determine the effect of grid distortion which is a key factor of the irregular distribution of approximation error in flux and stress. Based on this study, appropriate error measures are defined for the optimal grid design problem as well as error indicators which estimate the total amount of approximation error.
Tang Kristensen og tidlig feltforsking In Danmark: National etnografi og folklore 1850–1920 [Tang Kristensen and early field research in Denmark: National ethnography and folklore 1850–1920]

Evald Tang Kristensen (1843–1929) is widely recognized as the single most prolific collector of folklore in the world. Focusing his collecting efforts almost exclusively on the Danish peninsula of ...
Immunohistochemical investigation of the necrotrophic phase of the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in the biocontrol of hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata; Papilionaceae).

 Premise of the study: Fungal plant pathogens exert much of their effect on plant cells through alterations in the host cell walls. However, obtaining biochemical proof for this change is diffi cult because of the relatively small number of cells that are affected by the pathogen relative to the bulk of host tissue. In this study, we examined the differences in host wall composition between infected and uninfected areas of seedlings of the weed hemp sesbania ( Sesbania exaltata ) that were treated with the biocontrol agent Colletotrichum gloeosporioides .  Methods: To determine the changes in cell wall composition, we used semi-thin sections and a battery of antibody probes that recognize components of the cell wall and immunogold-silver cytochemistry to visualize the probes.  Key results: A loss of specifi c plant cell wall polysaccharides in the region surrounding the primary fungal infection and the creation of a defensive layer by the plant to limit the fungal invasion were the two most obvious changes noted in this study. At the invasion site, there was signifi cant loss of rhamnogalacturon-1 (RGI) and esterifi ed and de-esterifi ed homogalacturonan (HG)-reactive epitopes from the cell walls. In contrast, boundary tissue between the vascular tissue and the fungal lesion reacted more strongly with antibodies that recognize arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) and xyloglucans than in unaffected areas.  Conclusions: These data strongly indicate a role of pectinases in the invasion of the biocontrol agent and the importance of extensins, AGPs, and xyloglucans as defense by the host.
Interaction of a C–F Bond with the π-System of a C═C Bond or “Head On” with a Proximate C–H Bond

We describe the synthesis and preliminary study of two molecules, in which a fluorine atom is positioned proximately above the π-orbitals of a C═C bond or else wherein a C–F bond interacts in a “head on” fashion with a proximate C–H bond. The spectroscopic characteristics of these unusual interactions are documented, X-ray crystallographic analyses are reported, and theoretical calculations are employed to support the observed spectroscopy.
Depth Estimation and Specular Removal for Glossy Surfaces Using Point and Line Consistency with Light-Field Cameras

Light-field cameras have now become available in both consumer and industrial applications, and recent papers have demonstrated practical algorithms for depth recovery from a passive single-shot capture. However, current light-field depth estimation methods are designed for Lambertian objects and fail or degrade for glossy or specular surfaces. The standard Lambertian photoconsistency measure considers the variance of different views, effectively enforcing point-consistency , i.e., that all views map to the same point in RGB space. This variance or point-consistency condition is a poor metric for glossy surfaces. In this paper, we present a novel theory of the relationship between light-field data and reflectance from the dichromatic model. We present a physically-based and practical method to estimate the light source color and separate specularity. We present a new photo consistency metric, line-consistency , which represents how viewpoint changes affect specular points. We then show how the new metric can be used in combination with the standard Lambertian variance or point-consistency measure to give us results that are robust against scenes with glossy surfaces. With our analysis, we can also robustly estimate multiple light source colors and remove the specular component from glossy objects. We show that our method outperforms current state-of-the-art specular removal and depth estimation algorithms in multiple real world scenarios using the consumer Lytro and Lytro Illum light field cameras.
Nurses’ Pain Management for Hospitalized Elderly Patients With Postoperative Pain:

Using the theory of planned behavior, the study aim was to determine the relationships among nurses’ beliefs, attitudes, perceived norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and behavior regarding pain management for hospitalized elderly patients with postoperative pain. A cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 140 nurses working in adult surgical units at three hospitals. Based on path analyses, nurses’ behavioral, normative, and control beliefs, respectively, had direct effects on their attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding pain management. Nurses’ attitudes and perceived norms had direct effects on their pain management intentions. However, nurses’ intentions had no direct effect on their behavior (measured by responses to questions about case study vignettes). This study highlights the need for education that enhances nurses’ perceptions of pain management benefits, the influence of normative referents, and their ability to assess pain and a...
Screening for depression: use of patient questionnaires

Despite the prevalence of depression, it is consistently underdiagnosed. As a result, many depressed patients fail to receive adequate treatment and may experience serious consequences, including suicide. Various screening instruments have been developed to identify depression in patients whose symptoms might go unrecognized. Despite the risks associated with screening, many benefits may result. These include increased recognition of depression, alteration of treatment plans and improved clinical outcome.
Lower Extremity Acute Bacterial Skin and Soft Tissue Infection Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Although total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common orthopedic procedures, its association with subsequent acute bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (ABSSTIs) in the ipsilateral limb has not been studied. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients with prior unilateral TKA who were diagnosed with ABSSTI 4 weeks or more postoperatively in the absence of surgical site infection. The odds of ABSSTI in the TKA limb was compared to that of the contralateral "control" limb in the same patient in the presence or absence of local predisposing factors for ABSSTI in the lower extremities (e.g., chronic venous insufficiency). Results Of 94 patients studied, 58 (62%) were women; mean age was 74.5 years. The mean body mass index was 33.1kg/m 2 . One or more local predisposing factors were present in 53 (56.4%) patients. The mean interval between TKA and ABSSTI was 65.1 months (range: 1-239 months), with cellulitis alone diagnosed in 88 (94%) patients. ABSSTI involved the TKA limb of 68 (72.3%) patients and was significantly more likely to be diagnosed in the same limb in the absence of local predisposing factors (36 of 41 patients, odds ratio=7.2, 95% CI: 2.8-23.5); the odds of TKA limb involvement was also higher in the presence of such factors but did not quite reach statistical significance (odds ratio=1.5, 95% CI: 0.8-2.8). Conclusions TKA appears to predispose to ABSSTIs in the ipsilateral lower extremity often years after the procedure, particularly in the absence of other local factors.
Approach to the evaluation of adverse antibiotic reactions in patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract Background Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to antibiotics in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are common and often mislabeled as allergies. The labeling of an antibiotic reaction as an allergy can lead to the use of antibiotics that are less efficacious, are more expensive, or have a greater risk of adverse effects. Objective To establish a safe approach for the evaluation of ADRs to antibiotics in patients with CF to help clarify future use of these medications. Methods Patients with CF whose antibiotic allergies were causing difficulty in their medical management were referred for an allergy evaluation that consisted of a thorough drug allergy history and antibiotic testing if appropriate. If the history was not consistent with a true hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) and test results were negative, the patient underwent a challenge to the offending agent(s) to rule out an HSR. Challenges were only performed if the medication was indicated for future use. Results A total of 17 patients (mean age, 32.4 years) underwent a thorough allergy evaluation. A total of 17 antibiotic challenges were performed in 11 patients without a reaction consistent with an HSR or severe delayed reaction. Only 2 medications had a history consist with an HSR, and it was recommended that they undergo a desensitization procedure if the drug was required. Conclusion If treatment with appropriate antibiotics becomes difficult in patients with CF because of drug allergies, then referral to an allergist can help safely identify treatment options. Our findings suggest that a thorough evaluation by an allergy specialist can lead to more appropriate treatment options in patients with CF.
Electrochemically Controlled Ion-exchange Property of Carbon Nanotubes/Polypyrrole Nanocomposite in Various Electrolyte Solutions

The electrochemically controlled ion-exchange properties of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT)/electronically conductive polypyrrole (PPy) polymer composite in the various electrolyte solutions have been investigated. The ion-exchange behavior, rate and capacity of the electrochemically deposited polypyrrole with and without carbon nanotube (CNT) were compared and characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It has been found that the presence of carbon nanotube backbone resulted in improvement in ion-exchange rate, stability of polypyrrole, and higher anion loading capacity per PPy due to higher surface area, electronic conductivity, porous structure of thin film, and thinner film thickness providing shorter diffusion path. Chronoamperometric studies show that electrically switched anion exchange could be completed more than 10 times faster than pure PPy thin film. The anion selectivity of CNT/PPy film is demonstrated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Initializing Abstract Models with Data Command Files

Data command files allow users to define set and parameter data that can be used to construct a model instance from an abstract Pyomo model. This chapter discusses the format of these data commands, as well as the various data declarations that Pyomo supports. Pyomo’s data commands include both direct specifications of data, as well as specifications that indicate how data is to be extracted from a variety of different sources: ASCII table files, CSV files, spreadsheets, and databases.
Descartes' Cogito : The Five Ways

Often a system of philosophy rests on a central claim. The rest of the system is so tightly interwoven with that central claim that changing it changes the system, challenging it challenges the system. The system is like a spider's web: Touch the spider, and the whole web reverberates. The central claim of the logical positivists of early twentieth-century Vienna, and of their immediate successors, was the principle of verification: A sentence of a language was meaningful if and only if it was either analytically true or empirically verifiable. On the basis of such a central claim, a new philosophy was defined; metaphysics was eliminated; a new critique of ethics and theology was propounded; an alternative account of personal identity was suggested; and a fresh view of the nature of logical and mathematical propositions was touted. With the alteration of the principle of verification, the system was altered. When a final successful assault was launched on said principle, the system as a whole tottered. As a consequence, metaphysics began to flourish again. In Descartes' philosophy, the cogito is the central claim. Consequently, it is quite important to be as clear as possible about the precise nature of this claim. Thus: Is the cogito an argument? Why is this problem so important? Why is it necessary to settle the issue of whether or not the cogito is an argument?
The Uses of Qualitative Research: Powerful Methods to Inform Evidence-Based Practice in Education

This article offers a rationale for the contributions of qualitative research to evidence-based practice in special education. In it, I make the argument that qualitative research encompasses the ability to study significant problems of practice, engage with practitioners in the conduct of research studies, learn and change processes during a study, and provide expansive data sets that help clarify both independent and dependent variables. Qualitative methodologies can shape and advance important questions of educational practice and policy. The concern with the degree to which qualitative research can contribute to the research base may be a reflection of the degree to which our field as a whole adequately prepares its researchers to understand and engage in high-quality qualitative research that adheres to benchmarks for internal and external validity from inception through dissemination of results.
HIV multicentric Castleman: rituximab sans maintenance.

Whether maintenance therapy adds value in the treatment of HIV-associated multicentric Castleman disease (HIV+MCD) is unknown. In this issue of Blood, Dalla Pria et al have analyzed a prospective cohort to advocate that it is not.1
Review of U.S. Registries for Psoriasis

Background: Patient registries are databases comprised of standardized clinical data for a specific population of patients with a particular disease or medical condition. Information from patient r...
Secure Computation Based on Leaky Correlations: High Resilience Setting

Correlated private randomness, or correlation in short, is a fundamental cryptographic resource that helps parties compute securely over their private data. An offline preprocessing step, which is independent of the eventual secure computation, generates correlated secret shares for the parties and the parties use these shares during the final secure computation step. However, these secret shares are vulnerable to leakage attacks.
Signal processing for MicroBooNE experiment

The MicroBooNE experiment is a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) detector located in the Booster Neutrino Beamline (BNB) at Fermilab at a baseline of 470 m and contains an active mass of 89 tons. The detector consists of a 2.5m × 2.3m × 10.4m TPC and includes an array of 32 PMTs used for triggering purposes. The inner TPC is housed in an evacuable and foam insulated cryostat vessel with a fiducial mass of 60 ton of LAr. Primary electrons from an ionizing track drift along a uniform electric field to the sensitive wire planes composed with two induction wire planes (U, V planes) and one collection wire plane (Y plane) in sequence with 3 mm pitch for a total of 8,256 signal channels. Small bipolar signals are induced on the U and V induction planes, and a large unipolar signal is induced on the collection Y plane. All current signals formed on the sensitive wires are processed and read out by the front end electronics. We present the process of converting the input raw digitized current waveforms with the beam data which are a convolution of detector field response, electronics response, and noise, to the deconvoluted signal (in charge and time). These ingredients are critical for the correct event reconstruction which is essential for the future physics analysis with LArTPCs.
The Cell Life Cycle and the G1 Period

The classical experiment of Howard and Pelc (1) showed that the reproductive cycle of plant root cells was divisible into four periods of time: G1, S, G2, and M. This organization of cell reproductive events has come to serve as a conceptual foundation for the study of cell reproduction in a wide variety of unicellular and multicellular organisms. It is generally accepted that the cell cycle is a sequence of events that is based in turn on a set of specific genes termed the cell cycle genes. Presumably, the sequential occurrence of these cell cycle events is established by causal relationships between successively functioning products of cell cycle genes, e.g. in the simplest sense the occurrence of one event triggers the next, and so on. Thus, the orderliness of the events by which a cell progresses from division to division resides in underlying causal relationships among these events based on the cell cycle genes.
A comprehensive Movement and Motion training program improves mobility in Parkinson's disease.

Mobility in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is restricted due to impairments in gait and postural control. Although typical dance-based movement programs are beneficial in PD, many did not improve gait which may be due to the nature of the training, limited data, or both. Moreover, the investigation of the effects of a dance program specifically designed for people with PD is scarce. To examine the effects of our newly developed, PD-specific, dance-based training program Movement and Motion (M&M), on mobility in people with PD. Nineteen participants with mild-to-moderate PD (Hoehn and Yahr score 1–2) participated in a 10-week M&M training program (two 1-h sessions per week). Several quantitative and objective indices of stride-to-stride gait, posture, and range of motion and clinical scores were obtained pre- and post-M&M training. The significance of the changes in these measures after the training was tested using paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test and changes were considered significant at p < 0.05. Gait velocity, stride length, double support and stance durations, the degree of arm swing, and turning significantly improved after the training. Moreover, the time taken to initiate movement shifts and target reach significantly decreased after the training. In addition, the range of motion at many major joints significantly increased. The improvements in the gait, posture, and range of motion measures indicate greater gait stability, posture control, and flexibility, respectively, after M&M training. The movements involved in M&M training address specific impairments in PD, such as decreased amplitude and speed of movements, increased stiffness, and altered posture control during leaning and reaching. Results indicate that regular practice of PD-specific M&M training can alleviate the targeted impairments and, thus, may lead to improved mobility and quality of life for people with PD.
A Bayesian Nonparametric Markovian Model for Nonstationary Time Series

Stationary time series models built from parametric distributions are, in general, limited in scope due to the assumptions imposed on the residual distribution and autoregression relationship. We present a modeling approach for univariate time series data, which makes no assumptions of stationarity, and can accommodate complex dynamics and capture nonstandard distributions. The model for the transition density arises from the conditional distribution implied by a Bayesian nonparametric mixture of bivariate normals. This implies a flexible autoregressive form for the conditional transition density, defining a time-homogeneous, nonstationary, Markovian model for real-valued data indexed in discrete-time. To obtain a more computationally tractable algorithm for posterior inference, we utilize a square-root-free Cholesky decomposition of the mixture kernel covariance matrix. Results from simulated data suggest the model is able to recover challenging transition and predictive densities. We also illustrate the model on time intervals between eruptions of the Old Faithful geyser. Extensions to accommodate higher order structure and to develop a state-space model are also discussed.
Divergence in drought‐response traits between sympatric species of Mimulus

Differential adaptation to local environmental conditions is thought to be an important driver of speciation. Plants, whose sedentary lifestyle necessitates fine-tuned adaptation to edaphic conditions such as water availability, are often distributed based on these conditions. Populations occupying water-limited habitats may employ a variety of strategies, involving numerous phenotypes, to prevent and withstand desiccation. In sympatry, two closely related Mimulus species-M. guttatus and M. nasutus-occupy distinct microhabitats that differ in seasonal water availability. In a common garden experiment, we characterized natural variation within and between sympatric M. guttatus and M. nasutus in the ability to successfully set seed under well-watered and drought conditions. We also measured key phenotypes for drought adaptation, including developmental timing, plant size, flower size, and stomatal density. Consistent with their microhabitat associations in nature, M. nasutus set seed much more successfully than M. guttatus under water-limited conditions. This divergence in reproductive output under drought was due to differences in mortality after the onset of flowering, with M. nasutus surviving at a much higher rate than M. guttatus. Higher seed set in M. nasutus was mediated, at least in part, by a plastic increase in the rate of late-stage development (i.e., fruit maturation), consistent with the ability of this species to inhabit more ephemeral habitats in the field. Our results suggest adaptation to water availability may be an important factor in species maintenance of these Mimulus taxa in sympatry.
Path Effects in Strong Motion Seismology.

Abstract : Records of earthquake- and explosion- induced motions are studied by seismologists: 1) to learn the details of earthquake and explosion sources; 2) to determine earth structure; and 3) from the knowledge of sources and structures, to predict the shaking at the surface of the earth from earthquakes and explosions. This paper explores methods of computing the motions that result from elastic waves propagating through complex structures. We apply these methods to understand the effect of laterally varying near-surface geologic structure on ground motions. Strong ground motion waveforms recorded by seismic stations on soft rock sites are generally more complicated than those recorded on hard rock sites. Unfortunately, from a modeling point of view, most earthquakes occur in complicated geologic settings. Since cities, and therefore strong-motion instruments, tend to be in basins interpretations of the strongest motion records require consideration of propagation through complex structures. Some progress has been made in modeling longer period waveforms, particularly from nuclear blasts. Fewer parameters suffice to describe explosions than earthquakes and they are generally better known. Some aspects of explosion modeling are reviewed. A source description is developed for use in 2-dimensional finite difference or finite element methods that can produce approximate point source seismograms that include the effects of complex structures.
Assessment of ovarian function in adolescents and young adults after childhood cancer treatment—How accurate are young adult/parent proxy‐reported outcomes?

Background Providers often rely on self-reported ovarian function in adolescent and young adult (AYA)-aged childhood cancer survivors when making clinical decisions. This study described reported menstrual patterns and the agreement between respondent-reported and biochemical premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in this population. Procedure This was a cross-sectional study of survivors (or their parent proxy) aged 13-21.9 years who received gonadotoxic therapy and were enrolled in a longitudinal health survey. Participants reported menstrual regularity, hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) use, and ovarian dysfunction. Respondent-reported POI was defined as the survivor taking HRT for ovarian failure or having been told she had ovarian failure. Biochemical POI was defined as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level ≥40 mIU/mL. The agreement between respondent-reported and biochemical POI was determined using Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) and analyzed by demographic and clinical factors. Results Among 182 AYA-aged survivors (72.5% non-Hispanic White, 46.7% leukemia survivors), 14.8% reported requiring HRT to have menses but 55.5% reported regular menses without HRT use. Among survivors with FSH measurements (n = 130), 17.7% reported POI whereas 18.5% had FSH ≥40 mIU/mL (κ = 0.66, sensitivity 70.8%, specificity 94.3%). The highest agreement between respondent-reported and biochemical POI was with young adult self-report (κ = 0.78) and survivors with >5 survivor clinic (κ = 0.83) and/or >5 endocrinologist (κ = 1.00) visits. Conclusions The majority of AYA-aged survivors reported having regular menses without HRT support. The accuracy of respondent-reported POI increased with repeated survivor clinic or endocrinologist visits, highlighting the importance of continued education. Survivors must be informed about their ovarian function to enable them to advocate for their reproductive health.
Non-asymptotic Coded Slotted ALOHA

Coding for random access communication is a key challenge in Internet of Things applications. In this paper, the well-known scheme of Coded Slotted Aloha (CSA) is considered and its performance is analyzed in the non-asymptotic regime where the frame length and the number of users are finite. A density evolution framework is provided to describe the dynamics of decoding, and fundamental limits are found on the maximum channel load (i.e., the number of active users per time slot) that allows reliable communication (successful decoding). Finally, scaling laws are established, describing the non-asymptotic relation between the probability of error, the number of users, and the channel load.
Structured handoff communication between affiliated health care sites.

182Background: The affiliate program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (St. Jude) allows more children access to pediatric oncology care closer to the patient’s home. Currently 8 clinics, lo...
Heavy-traffic Analysis of the Generalized Switch under Multidimensional State Space Collapse

Stochastic Processing Networks that model wired and wireless networks, and other queueing systems, have been studied in heavytraffic limit under the so-called Complete Resource Pooling (CRP) condition. When the CRP condition is not satisfied, heavy-traffic results are known only in the special case of an input-queued switch and bandwidth-sharing network. In this paper, we consider a very general queueing system called the 'generalized switch' that includes wireless networks under fading, data center networks, input-queued switch, etc. The primary contribution of this paper is to present the exact value of the steadystate mean of certain linear combinations of queue lengths in the heavy-traffic limit under MaxWeight scheduling algorithm. We use the Drift method, and we also present a negative result that it is not possible to obtain the remaining linear combinations (and consequently all the individual mean queue lengths) using this method. We do this by presenting an alternate view of the Drift method in terms of an (under-determined) system of linear equations. Finally, we use this system of equations to obtain upper and lower bounds on all linear combinations of queue lengths.