cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of the standardized chipping hammer test specified in ISO 8662-2.

Objectives: Prolonged exposure to severe chipping hammer vibration may cause hand–arm vibration syndrome. A reliable test method is required to select appropriate tools and assist in the development of better chipping hammers. In the present study, the ISO standardized test method (ISO 8662-2, 1992) was examined through an investigation of the vibration characteristics of chipping hammers operating on the energy absorber specified in the standard. Methods: The energy absorber and test setup were designed and constructed based on those specified in the standard. The experiment employed six subjects and used two pneumatic chipping hammers and three different feed forces (50, 100 and 200 N). The subject posture was the same as that specified in the standard. Results: The vibration emission at the tool dominant frequency (or air blow rate) generally declined with an increase in feed force, thus decreasing the frequency-weighted accelerations. The increase in feed force, however, resulted in an increase in the unweighted vibration emission at high frequencies. The chipping hammer vibration emission operating on the energy absorber at the high feed force (200 N) was inconsistent. Conclusions: The measurement method has a good repeatability except at a high feed force. The feed force has a significant effect on the vibration emission. The single feed force specified in the standard may not be sufficient to test the tool behaviors. Multiple levels of feed force should be used for the chipping hammer test. Doing so may provide a more appropriate basis for tool screening.
Information processing and antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 infection

Computerized reaction time (RT) tasks are sensitive measures of subclinical HIV-related mental slowing. We previously reported that nondemented HIV-seropositive patients on antiretroviral therapy at the time of testing had faster choice RTs compared to matched untreated seropositive participants. In the present study, we evaluated the performance of 163 nondemented HIV-seropositive participants on a reaction time version of the Stroop task as a function of antiretroviral status. Persons on antiretroviral therapy at the time of testing had significantly faster reaction times than untreated individuals, although treated asymptomatic participants showed significantly less Stroop interference than treated symptomatic participants. These effects could not be attributed to differences in demographic variables, disease status, substance abuse, or psychological distress. These data indicate that central information processing is faster for patients treated with antiretroviral compounds compared to untreated patients, and suggest that reaction time tasks may have significant potential utility in clinical trials of neuroprotective compounds.
The Era of Increased Violence in the United States: Age, Period, or Cohort Effect?

An age/period/cohort analysis is conducted for homicide rates during the years 1952–1976, a period during which rates of violent crimes escalated substantially in U. S. society. This increase is sh...
Validation of a Measure of Normative Beliefs About Smokeless Tobacco Use.

Introduction Validated methods to evaluate consumer responses to modified risk tobacco products (MRTPs) are needed. Guided by existing literature that demonstrates a relationship between normative beliefs and future intentions to use tobacco the current research sought to (1) develop a measure of normative beliefs about smokeless tobacco (ST) and establish the underlying factor structure, (2) evaluate the structure with confirmatory factor analysis utilizing an independent sample of youth, and (3) establish the measure's concurrent validity. Methods Respondents (smokers and nonsmokers aged 15-65; N = 2991) completed a web-based survey that included demographic characteristics, tobacco use history and dependence, and a measure of attitudes about ST adapted from the Normative Beliefs about Smoking scale. A second sample of youth (aged 14-17; N = 305) completed a similar questionnaire. Results Exploratory factor analysis produced the anticipated three-factor solution and accounted for nearly three-quarters of the variance in the data reflecting (1) perceived prevalence of ST use, (2) popularity of ST among successful/elite, and (3) approval of ST use by parents/peers. Confirmatory factor analysis with data from the youth sample demonstrated good model fit. Logistic regression demonstrated that the scales effectively discriminate between ST users and nonusers and are associated with interest in trying snus. Conclusions Assessment of MRTPs for regulatory purposes, which allows messages of reduced risk, should include measurement of social norms. Furthermore, surveillance efforts that track use of new MRTPs should include measures of social norms to determine how norms change with prevalence of use.
Using annotations in online group chats

Annotating documents has long been a widely used strategy for distilling important contents and externalizing related thoughts and ideas in context. No one has studied the activity of annotating dynamic texts, such as online chat, although online conversation is an important communication media for global companies. In this paper, we investigate Instant Annotation (IA), a real-time annotation-enhanced chat tool. We contrast the use of the enhanced chat tool to a standard chat tool for multilingual groups doing a brainstorming and decision-making task. Results show that group satisfaction and perceived control of the conversation are enhanced for the participants who used IA. We also report new patterns of annotation use and discuss design implications for group chat tools.
Motion based vehicle surround analysis using an omni-directional camera

Omni-directional cameras which give 360 degree panoramic view of the surroundings and have recently been used in many applications such as robotics, navigation and surveillance. This paper describes the application of motion estimation on omni camera to perform surround analysis using an automobile mounted camera. The system detects and tracks the surrounding vehicles by compensating the ego-motion and detecting objects having independent motion. Prior knowledge about ego-motion and calibration is optimally combined with the information from the image gradients to get better motion compensation.
Theranostic pretargeted radioimmunotherapy of colorectal cancer xenografts in mice using picomolar affinity ⁸⁶Y- or ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTA-Bn binding scFv C825/GPA33 IgG bispecific immunoconjugates.

GPA33 is a colorectal cancer (CRC) antigen with unique retention properties after huA33-mediated tumor targeting. We tested a pretargeted radioimmunotherapy (PRIT) approach for CRC using a tetravalent bispecific antibody with dual specificity for GPA33 tumor antigen and DOTA-Bn–(radiolanthanide metal) complex. PRIT was optimized in vivo by titrating sequential intravenous doses of huA33-C825, the dextran-based clearing agent, and the C825 haptens 177Lu-or 86Y-DOTA-Bn in mice bearing the SW1222 subcutaneous (s.c.) CRC xenograft model. Using optimized PRIT, therapeutic indices (TIs) for tumor radiation-absorbed dose of 73 (tumor/blood) and 12 (tumor/kidney) were achieved. Estimated absorbed doses (cGy/MBq) to tumor, blood, liver, spleen, and kidney for single-cycle PRIT were 65.8, 0.9 (TI 73), 6.3 (TI 10), 6.6 (TI 10), and 5.3 (TI 12), respectively. Two cycles of PRIT (66.6 or 111 MBq 177Lu-DOTA-Bn) were safe and effective, with a complete response of established s.c. tumors (100 – 700 mm3) in nine of nine mice, with two mice alive without recurrence at >140 days. Tumor log kill in this model was estimated to be 2.1 – 3.0 based on time to 500-mm3 tumor recurrence. In addition, PRIT dosimetry/diagnosis was performed by PET imaging of the positron-emitting DOTA hapten 86Y-DOTA-Bn. We have developed anti-GPA33 PRIT as a triple-step theranostic strategy for preclinical detection, dosimetry, and safe targeted radiotherapy of established human colorectal mouse xenografts.
A Novel Admission Control for Multimedia LEO Satellite Networks

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks are deployed as an enhancement to terrestrial wireless networks in order to provide broadband services to users regardless of their location. In addition to global coverage, these satellite systems support communications with hand-held devices and offer low cost-per-minute access cost, making them promising platforms for personal communication services (PCS). LEO satellites are expected to support multimedia traffic and to provide their users with some form of quality of service (QoS) guarantees. However, the limited bandwidth of the satellite channel, satellite rotation around the Earth and mobility of end-users makes QoS provisioning and mobility management a challenging task. One important mobility problem is the intra-satellite handoff management. While global positioning systems (GPS)-enabled devices will become ubiquitous in the future and can help solve a major portion of the problem, at present the use of GPS for low-cost cellular networks is unsuitable. RADAR??-??refined admission detecting absence region??-??a novel call admission control and handoff management scheme for LEO satellite networks is proposed in this chapter. A key ingredient in this scheme is a companion predictive bandwidth allocation strategy that exploits the topology of the network and contributes to maintaining high bandwidth utilization. Our bandwidth allocation scheme is specifically tailored to meet the QoS needs of multimedia connections. The performance of RADAR is compared to that of three recent schemes proposed in the literature. Simulation results show that our scheme offers low call dropping probability, providing for reliable handoff of on-going calls, and good call blocking probability for new call requests, while ensuring high bandwidth utilization.
Questioning the Effectiveness of Mandatory Agency Disclosure Statutes

This paper examines the topic of agency disclosure based on the results of the National Association of Realtors® 2004 Home Buying and Selling Survey. Currently, the practice of agency disclosure is required by statute in 49 out of 50 states. However, the findings of this study indicate that there are some problems with the effectiveness of current practices. In particular, the level of reported agency disclosure is found to vary substantially from one state to the next. In addition, certain cohorts within the home buying population such as first-time home buyers, Asians, Hispanics, and elderly buyers report disclosure at significantly lower rates than the rest of the population. Possible explanations for these findings are provided.
International Networks and Soft Power: Sino-American Educational Collaboration

Sino-American relations are at the heart of most international politics with soft power the fulcrum. Independent observers often deem this relationship as a rivalry, not on the basis of hard power (e.g. 19th century Great Power relations) or in Cold War proxy conflict but in terms of soft power. Indeed, soft power has been the basis for interactions between the two states as economic and cultural forces achieve center stage. Soft power’s weapon of excellence has emerged as education. Collaboration between the two world powers has been quite effective and has shown the unusual effect of being a mutually beneficial Nash equilibrium. For example, china has the most rapidly educating population in the world and has by and large educated its most promising students in the United States. Emerging from this relationship has been collaboration rather than mere conflict. Hence, we appreciate, as Jonathan Adams defined, a new “fourth age” developing in both research and pedagogy, connecting people beyond individual, institutional, and national borders. International and collaborative papers have higher impact and feature, on average 20% higher levels of citations. Key to collaborations between Chinese and American researchers are Asian-Americans who possess a higher degree of betweenness centrality. Furthermore, these networks are often self-sustaining, generating new research and connections after the initial investment period. Many of these effects generate soft power, which also provides diplomatic and political benefits. Collaboration can also work in resolving tension and finding mutually beneficial alternatives. Improved technical writing and international collaboration can help benefit both countries in their future endeavors. Given these points, collaboration not only generates soft power but also furthers humanity and fosters peace.
Information Without Rolling Dice

The deterministic notions of capacity and entropy are studied in the context of communication and storage of information using square-integrable and bandlimited signals subject to perturbation. The $(\epsilon ,\delta )$ -capacity that extends the Kolmogorov $\epsilon $ -capacity to packing sets of overlap at most $\delta $ is introduced and compared with the Shannon capacity. The functional form of the results indicates that in both Kolmogorov and Shannon’s settings, capacity and entropy grow linearly with the number of degrees of freedom, but only logarithmically with the signal to noise ratio. This basic insight transcends the details of the stochastic or deterministic description of the information-theoretic model. For $\delta =0$ , the analysis leads to a tight asymptotic expression of the Kolmogorov $\epsilon $ -entropy of bandlimited signals. A deterministic notion of error exponent is introduced. Applications of the theory are briefly discussed.
Intersectional discrimination in the European legal systems: Toward a common solution?

In the past few years, the phenomenon of multi-grounded discrimination has been debated in the European legal and socio-logical arena under the term “intersectional discrimination”. Intersectional discrimination is referred to where an individual is discriminated against on several grounds at the same time and in such a way that these are mutually constitutive and inseparable. Over time, new manifestations of disadvantage at the intersections between gender, religion, race, and disability emerged in a multicultural Europe. Nevertheless, the European legislature seems to follow a single-axis approach banning only single-grounded discrimination. Although some European courts tried to deal with cases of intersectional discrimination and a number of non-governmental organizations and researchers have devoted considerable time and resources in addressing the effect of multiple forms of discrimination, there is an urgent need to ensure full and systematic recognition of intersectional discrimination at the legi...
Effects of Light on the Resonant Tunneling in Silicon Quantum Dot Diode

The resonant tunneling via nanoscale silicon particles embedded in an a-SiO2 matrix in a diode structure has revealed a range of intriguing observations such as extremely sharp peaks and steps and periodic oscillations in (conductance-voltage) G-V measurements. Recently we have discovered a drastic sharpening of the conductance peak with light. Phase measurements show that the effects of light may be understood by invoking the filling of charged traps.
Evaluation of Two Sampling Methods for Their Influence on the Population Statistics of Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Larva Infestations in Alfalfa

Two sampling methods, systematic and simple random sampling, were evaluated for possible effects on the estimated population statistics of three variables for determining the degree of alfalfa weevil (AW), Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), larva infestations in alfalfa. We found no significant differences between the two sampling methods for estimated mean densities or variances of number of AW larvae, terminal buds that exhibited feeding, or length of alfalfa stems. Analyses concerning relative net cost and time required for collecting these samples indicated that the systematic method was the more desirable of the two. We also compared our estimates of AW larva densities and stem length with those of a second sampler, who used the single 3D-stemestimate recommended by Kentucky’s Integrated Pest Management Program. Results of these comparisons indicated that interperson variability as well as the number of samples used to estimate AW larva densities should be considered when designing integrated pest management sampling plans for AW. The only consistent source of bias we found was associated with the shake-bucket technique which was used to dislodge AW larvae from alfalfa stems. We found that the shake-buck technique consistently underestimated the number of AW larvae present in the samples.
Knockout of Heregulin (HRG) Expression Reverts Paclitaxel-Resistance and Promotes Mesenchymal Epithelial Transition (MET) of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

The growth factor Heregulin (HRG) is expressed in about 30% of breast cancer tumors, and induces tumorigenicity and metastasis of breast cancer cells. We have demonstrated previously that HRG overexpression renders breast cancer cells resistance to the microtubule-interfering agent Taxol, a drug of choice for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The mechanism by which HRG induces Taxol resistance is largely unknown. It is also known that triple negative breast cancer tumors do express high levels of HRG and unfortunately they do not respond to HRG. Our studies were aimed at targeting HRG with the goal of achieving a therapeutic target as well as restoring the response to Taxol, while preventing the formation of metastasis. Thus, we knocked-down HRG expression in three different breast cancer cell lines: MDA-MB-23, HS578T and BT549. Our data demonstrates that HRG expression is an absolute requirement for the anchorage-independent growth for triple negative breast cancer cells, since none of the breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231, HS578T and BT549 stable expressing the silencing (shRNA) for HRG, were capable of forming colony in soft agar. Furthermore, these cells, not only no longer were not anchorage-independent were no longer resistant to Taxol, to the contrary the shRNA/HRG cells were exquisitely sensitive to Taxol, to induce growth inhibition and apoptosis. More importantly, we observed that the disorganized structured observed in 3D matrigel culture observed for triple negative cells, was completely abolished once HRG was knockdown and a very organized structure. These characteristics resembled an EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET). This should be deemed a potential target in developing therapies for triple negative breast carcinomas. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 1142.
Resolution of cranial neuropathies following treatment of intracranial aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device

Object Intracranial aneurysms, especially those of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA), can present with cranial nerve (CN) palsies. The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) has demonstrated safety and efficacy in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms by flow diversion, but little data exist reporting the outcomes of cranial neuropathies following treatment with the device. Methods The prospectively maintained Barrow Neurological Institute's endovascular database was reviewed for all patients treated with the PED after presenting with one or more CN palsies secondary to a cerebral aneurysm since May 2011. Patient charts and digital subtraction angiograms were reviewed to report clinical and angiographic outcomes. Only patients with clinical follow-up were included in the analysis. Results A total of 127 patients were treated with the PED at the authors' institution after FDA approval. Twentytwo patients presented with cranial neuropathies, for initial inclusion in this study. Of these, ...
Low-cost attitude determination system using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm

Attitude determination is one of the most important subsystems in spacecraft, satellite, or scientific balloon mission s, since it can be combined with actuators to provide rate stabilization and pointing accuracy for payloads. In this paper, a low-cost attitude determination system with a precision in the order of arc-seconds that uses low-cost commercial sensors is presented including a set of uncorrelated MEMS gyroscopes, two clinometers, and a magnetometer in a hierarchical manner. The faster and less precise sensors are updated by the slower, but more precise ones through an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF)-based data fusion algorithm. A revision of the EKF algorithm fundamentals and its implementation to the current application, are presented along with an analysis of sensors noise. Finally, the results from the data fusion algorithm implementation are discussed in detail.
Practical Tool for Prioritizing Rehabilitation and Preventive Maintenance in Pavements

This paper describes the development of a practical tool for selecting and prioritizing rehabilitation (RH) and preventive maintenance (PM) activities in roadway pavements. The development was based on data collected through a survey of district engineers of the Texas Department of Transportation (DOT). The survey collected data on the key factors used for selecting the projects to be treated and for deciding on RH versus PM treatments: pavement condition and distress scores, average daily traffic, surface age, ride score, and past PM expenditures. Weight factors were developed for each key factor by fitting simple logit curves to data obtained by surveying the 25 Texas DOT districts. These weights were aggregated into a prioritization score for PM treatment and another for RH treatments. This process was implemented into an Excel-based tool. The output of this tool was successfully compared with actual district decisions on the type of treatment applied and the priority assigned to pools of projects.
Gamer Guys: Playing with Civic Responsibility in Ludic Fiction

This chapter presents texts that respond to the generational fear that digital technology and its many platforms for leisure activities are spawning generations of young people who are “wasting time, tuning out, and losing out on real life” (McGonigal, Reality Is Broken Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World. New York: Penguin, p. 11, 2011). To the contrary, as gaming has become a legitimate field of academic study, it is also becoming an important vehicle for imaginary activism across a wide body of science fiction, dystopian, and fantasy texts. Numerous realistic examples from authors including Salman Rushdie, Steve Brezenoff, and G. Neri likewise frame gaming as a means of developing approaches to civic responsibility and gender equality in young male gamers.
Four‐month‐old infants individuate and track simple tools following functional demonstrations

Two experiments examined whether 4-month-olds (n = 120) who were induced to assign two objects to different categories would then be able to take advantage of these contrastive categorical encodings to individuate and track the objects. In each experiment, infants first watched functional demonstrations of two tools, a masher and tongs (Experiment 1) or a marker and a knife (Experiment 2). Next, half the infants saw the two tools brought out alternately from behind a screen, which was then lowered to reveal only one of the tools (different-objects condition); the other infants saw similar events except that the same tool was shown on either side of the screen (same-object condition). In both experiments, infants in the different-objects condition looked reliably longer than those in the same-object condition, and this effect was eliminated if the demonstrations involved similar but non-functional actions. Together, these results indicate that infants (a) were led by the functional demonstrations they observed to assign the two tools to distinct categories, (b) recruited these categorical encodings to individuate and track the tools, and hence (c) detected a violation in the different-objects condition when the screen was lowered to reveal only one tool. Categorical information thus plays a privileged role in individuation and identity tracking from a very young age.
Multidisciplinary Approach to Esophageal Achalasia: A Single Center Experience.

Abstract Background: The treatment of achalasia is palliative. Pneumatic dilatation (PD) or laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) just eliminates the outflow obstruction allowing easier emptying of the esophagus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of a multidisciplinary approach to esophageal achalasia. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of patients with achalasia treated by a multidisciplinary esophageal team consisting of radiologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons in a quaternary care center between May 2008 and April 2015 were analyzed. Results: A total of 147 patients with achalasia underwent LHM and partial fundoplication. Sixty-two patients (42%) had been treated preoperatively with PD and/or botulinum toxin (BT). The preoperative Eckardt score (ES) was 6.4 ± 2. At a median follow-up of 22 months, 128 patients (87%) did well and required no further treatment (ES 0.1). The remaining 19 patients (13%) had recurrence of symptoms and required further treatment: 12 were treated w...
GDNF (including Nurturin)

Abstract The discovery of GDNF as a potent trophic factor for dopamine neurons has led to more than two decades of research on the cellular and molecular properties of the protein, its receptors and identification of other family members. GDNF and the closely related trophic factor NTRN have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The field is now in a challenging era, where three Phase 1 clinical trials have yielded encouraging results, while the four Phase 2 studies have been failed to demonstrate a significant level of improvement over placebo controls. Analysis of the clinical trials strongly suggests that efficacious therapeutic approaches require site-specific delivery of trophic factors using methodology to optimize target tissue distribution and initiation of treatment in the first years after diagnosis. Because of significant placebo-associated benefits, therapeutic efficacy must be assessed in double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials.
Percolation analysis of large-scale wireless balloon networks

Abstract Recent advancements in wireless technology have tested Wireless Balloon Networks (WBNs) as an ideal solution for the provision of internet facilities in deprived and challenging areas. A few high profile companies, such as Google, Space Data Inc., etc., have already made news by initiating projects based on high-altitude WBNs in order to provide internet facilities in remote areas. Unfortunately, the technical details have mainly been kept confidential so far. In this paper, we attempt to analyze the percolation properties of large-scale WBNs, considering both homogenous and heterogenous wireless nodes. In order to do so, we modeled a WBN as a large-scale random network where the path-loss models of homogenous and heterogenous WBNs were reduced to GDM (Gilbert's Disk Model) and RGDM (Random Gilbert's Disk Model), respectively. The bounds of the critical density regime were derived for both percolation models. Additionally, this paper implemented an experimental test bed for the WBN percolation model. Consequently, the findings of this research may prove crucial in estimating critical network properties.
Curriculum and the Publishing Industry

Publishers of curricula play a powerful role in the kinds of texts and official knowledge available in schools, as textbooks are often the dominant textual resource used by teachers and students. As textbook production becomes an increasingly privatized and globalized process, the influence that publishers have on what counts as knowledge in schools increases. The authors argue that attention should be given to who makes consequential decisions about the production and codification of knowledge in the form of curricular materials, and who is benefiting – economically, politically, and culturally – from these globalized and unequal processes of production and consumption.
Wilsonianism and transatlantic relations

A century after President Woodrow Wilson led the United States into the European war against Imperial Germany in 1917, his role and legacy have continued as important subjects not only in the schol...
DataViz: visualization of high-dimensional data in virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) simulations promote interactivity and immersion, and provide an opportunity that may help researchers gain insights from complex datasets. To explore the utility and potential of VR in graphically rendering large datasets, we have developed an application for immersive, 3-dimensional (3D) scatter plots. Developed using the Unity development environment, DataViz enables the visualization of high-dimensional data with the HTC Vive, a relatively inexpensive and modern virtual reality headset available to the general public. DataViz has the following features: (1) principal component analysis (PCA) of the dataset; (2) graphical rendering of said dataset’s 3D projection onto its first three principal components; and (3) intuitive controls and instructions for using the application. As a use case, we applied DataViz to visualize a single-cell RNA-Seq dataset. DataViz can help gain insights from complex datasets by enabling interaction with high-dimensional data.
The Role of Transaction Costs in Douglass North’s Understanding of the Process of Change in Economic History

The purpose of this chapter is an attempt to reconstruct the evolution of North’s approach to understanding economic history. Underlying this evolution has been an increasing recognition of the role that transaction costs play in explaining the economic performance of different societies through time. I argue that, as a by-product of North’s emphasis on transaction costs throughout his scholarship, he transitioned from a neoclassical to an Austrian understanding of the process of economic change. The implications of North’s growing emphasis on transactions costs throughout his career was a growing importance of other complementary features of economic theory, shared by Austrians, to explain processes of institutional change throughout economic history. These features of Austrian economic theory include: methodological subjectivism; competition and discovery under uncertainty; a dynamic conception of learning through time; and the role of ideology in structuring the patterns of meaning and purpose attached to human action.
Incident infection following acute kidney injury with recovery to baseline creatinine: A propensity score matched analysis.

Background Severe acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with subsequent infection. Whether AKI followed by a return to baseline creatinine is associated with incident infection is unknown. Objective We hypothesized that risk of both short and long term infection would be higher among patients with AKI and return to baseline creatinine than in propensity score matched peers without AKI in the year following a non-infectious hospital admission. Design Retrospective, propensity score matched cohort study. Participants We identified 494 patients who were hospitalized between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2009 and had AKI followed by return to baseline creatinine. These were propensity score matched to controls without AKI. Main Measures The predictor variable was AKI defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes and by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definition, with return to baseline creatinine defined as a decrease in serum creatinine level to within 10% of the baseline value within 7 days of hospital discharge. The outcome variable was incident infection defined by ICD-9 code within 1 year of hospital discharge. Results AKI followed by return to baseline creatinine was associated with a 4.5-fold increased odds ratio for infection (odds ratio 4.53 [95% CI, 2.43–8.45]; p<0.0001) within 30 days following discharge. The association between AKI and subsequent infection remained significant at 31–60 days and 91 to 365 days but not during 61–90 days following discharge. Conclusion Among patients from an integrated health care delivery system, non-infectious AKI followed by return to baseline creatinine was associated with an increased odds ratio for infection in the year following discharge.
Impact of PMU Data Errors on Modal Extraction Using Matrix Pencil Method

Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) provide information on the dynamic response of power systems that can be used to extract modal information and determine the mode shape of electromagnetic oscillations in real-time. Modal analysis introduces a significant improvement in determining and assessing stability margins and provides insights into the dynamics of the power system for monitoring and preventive control. Performance of modal analysis depends primarily on the availability and quality of the time-domain signals. However, PMU data is often delivered with various data quality issues. This paper examines the impact of different data quality issues on the performance of the Matrix Pencil Method (MPM), which has been used for power system modal analysis. The paper also explores the ability of the MPM to accurately identify dominant system modes in presence of defective data, including noise, outliers, and un-updated data. The results are illustrated through six examples ranging in size from a single signal up to results from a 2000-bus system.
Acute toxicity “six-pack” studies supporting approved new drug applications in the U.S., 2015–2018

The acute toxicity "six-pack" is a battery of animal tests used to evaluate acute systemic toxicity by three routes of exposure, skin and eye irritation/corrosion, and skin sensitization. A perception exists that these tests are not required for pharmaceuticals. For the four years from 2015 through 2018, we tallied the number of corresponding tests submitted by sponsors in approved, original new drug applications, as reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in publicly available reviews. In 125 reviews, we identified 228 single dose acute toxicity studies, 62 in vivo local tolerance studies, and 32 in vivo skin sensitization studies, as well as 37 in vitro or ex vivo local tolerance studies. A total of 4798 animals were used in these studies; however, FDA's reporting was inconsistent, and we estimate the actual number of animals used to be 8998. For the evaluation of single dose acute toxicity, we accessed two guidance documents with conflicting recommendations regarding routes of administration and number of species to be used. For the evaluation of local tolerance and skin sensitization, most studies examined were conducted by routes other than that intended for human administration. Non-animal methods used to evaluate skin sensitization were not reported.
Graph Theory and Classifying Security Events in Grid Security Gateways

In recent years, the use of security gateways (SG) located within the electrical grid distribution network has become pervasive. SGs in substations and renewable distributed energy resource aggrega...
Ionic Strength and pH Effects on Water–Rock Interaction in an Unconventional Siliceous Reservoir: On the Use of Formation Water in Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydraulic fracturing employs a mixture of freshwater and chemical additives. Substituting produced formation water for freshwater conserves freshwater resources, but formation water possessing a hi...
Evaluating Operator Performance on Automated Tactical Systems

The U.S. Army's Patriot missile system features many advanced automated capabilities. The sophistication of this system raises the possibility that human intervention will actually degrade its performance. Efforts are underway to develop a performance measure that may be used to gauge these effects. A tentative measure has been derived and is currently being validated and refined. Present and future applications for such a metric are discussed. Language: en
Development of a Closed Circuit System for Pediatric Anesthesia and On-line VO 2 Monitoring

At previous ISOTT-meetings an automatic feed back controlled closed circuit anesthesia ventilator system has been described (Physioflex) [1, 2]. In brief: in an internal circuit system gas is moved unidirectionally by a blower at 70 1/min. This internal circuit (which is connected to the patient) is separated from the external pressurized circuit by metal membranes in four membrane chambers. By changing the pressure in the external circuit the metal membranes move, resulting in ventilation of the lungs. O2, N2O and volatile anesthetics are introduced into the internal system and the concentrations of these gases are feed back controlled. On-line registration of flow, tidal volume and respiratory pressures, as well as a capnogram, lung compliance and oxygen consumption (VO2) are of great value [1]. Nowadays the Physioflex is accepted for routine anesthesia in adults.
Anti-Erythropoietin Antibody Associated Pure Red Cell Aplasia Resolved after Liver Transplantation

Patients undergoing antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C often develop anemia secondary to ribavirin and interferon. Recombinant erythropoietin has been used to improve anemia associated with antiviral therapy and to minimize dose reductions, which are associated with decreased rates of sustained virologic response. A rare potential side effect of recombinant erythropoietin is anti-erythropoietin antibody associated pure red cell aplasia. In chronic kidney disease patients with this entity, there have been good outcomes associated with renal transplant and subsequent immunosuppression. In this case, a chronic liver disease patient developed anti-erythropoietin associated pure red cell aplasia and recovered after liver transplantation and immunosuppression. It is unclear whether it is the transplanted organ, the subsequent immunosuppression, or the combination that contributed to the response. In conclusion, anti-erythropoietin associated pure red cell aplasia is a serious complication of erythropoietin therapy, but this entity should not be considered a contraindication for solid organ transplantation.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6

The autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) are a genetically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive motor incoordination, in some cases with ataxia alone and in others in association with additional progressive neurological deficits. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is the prototype of a pure cerebellar ataxia, associated with a severe form of progressive ataxia and cerebellar dysfunction. SCA6, originally classified as such by Zhuchenko et al. (1997), is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the CACNA1A gene which encodes the α1A subunit of the P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel. SCA6 is one of ten polyglutamine-encoding CAG nucleotide repeat expansion disorders comprising other neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease. The present review describes clinical, genetic, and pathological manifestations associated with this illness. Currently, there is no treatment for this neurodegenerative disease. Successful therapeutic strategies must target a valid pathological mechanism; thus, understanding the underlying mechanisms of disease is crucial to finding a proper treatment. Hence, this chapter will discuss as well the molecular mechanisms possibly associated with SCA6 pathology and their implication for the development of future treatment.
Data science on the ground: Hype, criticism, and everyday work

Modern organizations often employ data scientists to improve business processes using diverse sets of data. Researchers and practitioners have both touted the benefits and warned of the drawbacks associated with data science and big data approaches, but few studies investigate how data science is carried out "on the ground." In this paper, we first review the hype and criticisms surrounding data science and big data approaches. We then present the findings of semistructured interviews with 18 data analysts from various industries and organizational roles. Using qualitative coding techniques, we evaluated these interviews in light of the hype and criticisms surrounding data science in the popular discourse. We found that although the data analysts we interviewed were sensitive to both the allure and the potential pitfalls of data science, their motivations and evaluations of their work were more nuanced. We conclude by reflecting on the relationship between data analysts' work and the discourses around data science and big data, suggesting how future research can better account for the everyday practices of this profession.
Finite state controllers for stabilizing switched systems with binary sensors

This paper presents a systematic, semi-automated, constructive procedure for designing switching controllers to stabilize pairs of unstable, homogeneous second order systems based on binary sensor measurements. The plant is first approximated by a finite state machine, and a bound on the quality of approximation is established. A control law is then designed to robustly stabilize the nominal finite state machine model in the presence of admissible approximation uncertainty. The resulting controller thus consists of a finite state machine observer and a corresponding full state feedback switching control law. The design procedure is demonstrated on a simple benchmark example.
Levels of Evidence and Clinical Guidelines-Considerations for the Practicing Urologist.

Abstract Introduction It is important for urologists to remain up‐to‐date regarding research and clinical guidelines within their specialty. This has become increasingly difficult as the volume of research increases while the quality of evidence has not followed suit. It is, therefore, important for urologists to understand the methodology of critical appraisal of evidence, for both the assessment of individual journal articles as well as the construction of organizational clinical guidelines. Methods The methodology for clinical guideline creation used by the American Urological Association (AUA) is reviewed along with that of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Two popular grading schemas are then reviewed to provide an overview of existing methods for the critical analysis of research. We conclude with a description of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE)—a classification system that attempts to unify various grading systems and is rapidly gaining popularity among well‐reputed national organizations. Results The AUA uses a systematic and evidence‐based approach to creating clinical guidelines. The USPSTF is similar to the AUA in its approach to reviewing the literature and creating guidelines. The Centre for Evidence Based Medicine offers a novel approach to evidence‐based literature review, providing a metric for the analysis of the literature to answer specific clinical questions. GRADE is working toward the development of a more transparent and standardized approach to the creation and reporting of clinical guidelines. Conclusions A number of organizations have attempted to standardize and clarify the literature review process to provide physicians with tools to critically evaluate higher quality evidence and apply guidelines to clinical practice. As urologists, we must understand how national organizations review the literature and develop clinical guidelines. Additionally, we must develop our own process for reviewing the literature in order to answer questions that have not yet been addressed by these organizations. Kirby EW, Borawski KM, and Smith AB. Levels of evidence and clinical guidelines—Considerations for the practicing urologist. Sex Med Rev 2013;1:17–23.
Human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency. The molecular defect in a patient with gout (HPRTAshville).

The genetic basis of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency has been identified by nucleotide sequence analysis of HPRT cDNAs cloned from a patient with gout. A single nucleotide change was identified in two independent clones: an A to G transition at nucleotide 602. Confirmation of a mutation at this site was provided by RNase mapping analysis. The predicted consequence of this transition is an aspartic acid to glycine substitution at amino acid 201. We have designated this variant HPRTAshville. Prior to this report, enzyme activity in HPRTAshville had not been detected by routine assay. Using more sensitive techniques, including an in situ gel assay for HPRT activity, we were able to demonstrate electrophoretic, kinetic, and structural differences between HPRTAshville and normal HPRT. Electrophoretic migration of HPRTAshville is more cathodal than normal, consistent with the predicted amino acid change. Additionally, HPRTAshville has elevated Michaelis constants for 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate and hypoxanthine. Predicted secondary structural alterations may result from the aspartic acid to glycine substitution.
Efficient production of hyperpolarized bicarbonate by chemical reaction on a DNP precursor to measure pH.

Purpose To produce hyperpolarized bicarbonate indirectly via chemical reaction from a hyperpolarized precursor and utilize it for the simultaneous regional measurement of metabolism and pH. Methods Alpha keto carboxylic acids are first hyperpolarized by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). These precursor molecules are rapidly reacted with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to decarboxylate the species, resulting in new target molecules. Unreacted H2O2 is removed from the system by reaction with sulfite. Interrogation of the ratio of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) to bicarbonate can be used to determine pH. Results Conversion of hyperpolarized alpha keto acids to bicarbonate and CO2 results in a minimal loss of the spin order. The reaction can be conducted to completion within seconds and preserves the nuclear spin polarization. Conclusion Through a rapid chemical reaction, we can conserve the nuclear spin order of a DNP precursor to generate multiple hyperpolarized bioprobes otherwise unamenable to polarization. This indirect technique for the production of hyperpolarized agents can be applied to different precursor compounds to generate additional novel probes. Magn Reson Med 74:1406–1413, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Ties Made in the Harvest: Nicaraguan Farm‐worker Networks in Costa Rica's Agricultural Exports

Traditional and nontraditional export agriculture expansion dramatically changed the social and economic landscapes in the global south. An examination of one aspect of south-south international migration, Nicaraguan migrant economic integration into Costa Rica's export agriculture sector, reveals how production systems in the traditional and nontraditional agricultural sectors shape migrant social networks in distinct ways in the global south and its significance for both migrant workers and the agricultural sectors they work in. The rapid expansion of nontraditional export agriculture - the essence of agricultural development in Costa Rica - depends on the traditional crop production structure of coffee farms. The experiences of Nicaraguan migrant workers and their social ties to each other in nontraditional export agriculture and the coffee farms in Costa Rica demonstrate how different production structures call for distinct fragile and conflicted social networks ties between migrants. The economic integration of migrant workers relies on opportunistic and weak ties that are both gendered and contradictory.