cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards graphene plasmon-based free-electron infrared to X-ray sources

Rapid progress in nanofabrication methods has fuelled a quest for ultra-compact photonic integrated systems and nanoscale light sources. The prospect of small-footprint, high-quality emitters of short-wavelength radiation is especially exciting due to the importance of extreme-ultraviolet and X-ray radiation as research and diagnostic tools in medicine, engineering and the natural sciences. Here, we propose a highly directional, tunable and monochromatic radiation source based on electrons interacting with graphene plasmons. Our complementary analytical theory and ab initio simulations demonstrate that the high momentum of the strongly confined graphene plasmons enables the generation of high-frequency radiation from relatively low-energy electrons, bypassing the need for lengthy electron acceleration stages or extreme laser intensities. For instance, highly directional 20 keV photons could be generated in a table-top design using electrons from conventional radiofrequency electron guns. The conductive nature and high damage threshold of graphene make it especially suitable for this application. Our electron–plasmon scattering theory is readily extended to other systems in which free electrons interact with surface waves. Scientists theoretically show infrared to X-ray sources that can be implemented on-chip by scattering high-energy electrons with graphene plasmons and predict that they are capable of producing tunable radiation.
Metabolic syndrome in relation to Barretts esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma: Results from a large population-based case-control study in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes local chronic inflammation that increases risks of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA), yet symptomatic GERD is absent in approximately half of all such patients. Obesity exacerbates GERD and is also a component of metabolic syndrome (MetS). We evaluated the hypothesis that MetS is a GERD-independent mechanism by which obesity is associated with increased risks of BE and EA using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. BE cases (n=10,215) and EA cases (n=592) were each individually matched to five population controls based on age, sex, and general practice. MetS was defined as occurrence of at least three of the following: obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression. MetS was marginally associated with BE (OR=1.12, 95%CI 1.00-1.25). Similar effects were found for the individual component factors of obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol. History of GERD modified the association (P-effect modification <1E-5), with the MetS-BE association confined to patients without a history of GERD (OR=1.33, 95%CI 1.12-1.58). No association between MetS and risk of EA was detected in the main or stratified analyses. In this large population-based case-control study, individuals with MetS had a marginally increased risk of BE in the absence of GERD. The systemic inflammatory state (MetS) may represent a reflux-independent inflammatory pathway that increases the risk of BE. MetS did not increase risk of EA in this study population.
Electrophoretic heterogeneity of leucocyte alkaline phosphatase in normal man and in patients with polycythemia vera.

SummaryThe leucocyte alkaline phosphatase of 7 normal men and 3 patients with polycythemia rubra vera was examined by starch gel electrophoresis. Three bands of activity were seen in each group. A significant shift toward the cathode of the fastest band was noted in the polycythemic phosphatase.
Popular Support, Violence, and Territorial Control in Civil War:

I study civilians’ cooperation with an armed group in an irregular war. In the model, civilians differ in their valuation of siding with the armed group and make cooperation decisions without knowing others’ motivations or cooperation choices. I find that a superior military force is not sufficient to bring high cooperation and that full cooperation can only be attained if military power is complemented by expectations of punishment for helping the enemy. The model challenges the idea that random violence aimed at punishing enemy cooperators is used when selectivity is difficult to implement, and it shows that indiscriminate reprisals induce lower levels of cooperation, even when enemy cooperators are less likely to be punished with selective methods. Finally, I find that communities that have a highly centralized process of decision making are expected to give their support to only one group of combatants and to be exposed to less violence.
Detection of echovirus 30 causing aseptic meningitis outbreak in Quanzhou and analysis on its genetic characteristics and molecular evolution

Objective To understand the pathogen causing an aseptic meningitis outbreak in Quanzhou in 2011 and pathogen's genetic characteristics and molecular evolution.Methods Clinical specimens were collected from the aseptic meningitis cases to detect enterovirus 71(EV71),coxsackievirus A16(Cox A16) and universal RNA by using real-time RTPCR.The complete nucleotide sequencing of VP1 region of 5 random positive specimens were conducted,BLAST program was used to identify the genotype by nucleotide pairwise-alignment with al1 available sequences in GenBank database,and the phylogenetic tree was drawn to compare with other enterovira1sequences.Results Real-time RT-PCR indicated that 39 of 47 clinical specimens were universal enterovirus positive but not EV71 or Cox A16.The complete nucleotide sequence of VP1 region of 5 enterovirus isolates was 876nt with homology of 98.9%,and had closer relationships with echovirus 30.These strains had close distance with the strains isolated in Henan and Zhejiang in 2008 and far distance with those isolated in Taiwan of China(2001) and India(2011).When compared with echovirus 30 prototype strain Bastianni,the distance was farthest.Conclusion Echovirus 30 circulated in Quanzhou in 2011 and caused aseptic meningitis outbreak in some areas.Phylogenetic trees analyses showed that the strains isolated from this outbreak had close distance with these isolated in China in recent years and far distance with those isolated abroad.
Loss of the mismatched human leukocyte antigen haplotype in two acute myelogenous leukemia relapses after haploidentical bone marrow transplantation with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide.

Loss of the mismatched human leukocyte antigen haplotype in two acute myelogenous leukemia relapses after haploidentical bone marrow transplantation with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide
The Case of the Strangerationist: Re-interpreting Critical Technical Practice

We describe a method for critically informed development of new technical systems by combining analysis of historical discourse with critical technical practice. We take the case of social recommender systems, a class of algorithms that calculate which people should be recommended to whom. We demonstrate similarities between limitations of "social network" rhetoric in contemporary social matching algorithms and discourse on planning in Artificial Intelligence. We develop an algorithm for social matching that recombines "lost" ideas from the history of AI, orienting around situated behavior and algorithmic transparency. By implementing this approach in a functioning prototype called "the Strangerationist", we examine directly how conceptual commitments inform low-level technical decisions, and how available technologies shape conceptual vision. Our goal is not to design a "better" algorithm but to explore the challenges and opportunities of weaving together historical discourse and critical analysis of values embedded in technology with the experience of designing it.
Hydroxysteroid 17-Beta Dehydrogenase Type 10 Disease in Siblings.

Hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase type 10 (HSD10) deficiency (HSD10 disease) is a rare X-linked neurodegenerative condition caused by abnormalities in the HSD17B10 gene. A total of 10 mutations have been reported in the literature since 2000. Described phenotypes include a severe neonatal or progressive infantile form with hypotonia, choreoathetosis, seizures, cardiomyopathy, neurodegeneration, and death, as well as an attenuated form with variable regression. Here we present the second report of a c.194T>C (p.V65A) mutation in two half-brothers with a clinical phenotype characterized by neurodevelopmental delay, choreoathetosis, visual loss, cardiac findings, and behavioral abnormalities, with regressions now noted in the older sibling. Neither has experienced a metabolic crisis. Both of the siblings had normal tandem mass spectroscopy analysis of their newborn screening samples. The older brother’s phenotype may be complicated by the presence of a 3q29 microduplication. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion, as the characteristic urine organic acid pattern may escape detection. The exact pathogenic mechanism of disease remains to be elucidated, but may involve the non-dehydrogenase functionalities of the HSD10 protein. Our report highlights clinical features of two patients with the less fulminant phenotype associated with a V65A mutation, compares the reported phenotypes to date, and reviews recent findings regarding the potential pathophysiology of this condition.
A Relational Reasoning Approach to Text-Graphic Processing

We propose that research on text-graphic processing could be strengthened by the inclusion of relational reasoning perspectives. We briefly outline four aspects of relational reasoning: analogies, anomalies, antinomies, and antitheses. Next, we illustrate how text-graphic researchers have been conducting research aligned with aspects of relational reasoning, although not deliberately. We call for future research on intentionally designed text-graphic pairings that should be empirically tested for their ability to support relational reasoning. Finally, we argue that relational reasoning may help explain some of the mixed results and unintended outcomes that often appear in the text-graphic research literature.
Observations on the Salado Presence at Grasshopper Pueblo

A discussion is presented which describes the variability within the ceramic assemblage found at Grasshopper Pueblo with special reference to the Salado polychromes. Stylistic, locational, and other data are employed as possible explanations for the Salado presence at Grasshopper.
Deaths Due to Use of Lethal Force by Law Enforcement: Findings From the National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 U.S. States, 2009-2012.

Introduction Several high-profile cases in the U.S. have drawn public attention to the use of lethal force by law enforcement (LE), yet research on such fatalities is limited. Using data from a public health surveillance system, this study examined the characteristics and circumstances of these violent deaths to inform prevention. Methods All fatalities (N=812) resulting from use of lethal force by on-duty LE from 2009 to 2012 in 17 U.S. states were examined using National Violent Death Reporting System data. Case narratives were coded for additional incident circumstances. Results Victims were majority white (52%) but disproportionately black (32%) with a fatality rate 2.8 times higher among blacks than whites. Most victims were reported to be armed (83%); however, black victims were more likely to be unarmed (14.8%) than white (9.4%) or Hispanic (5.8%) victims. Fatality rates among military veterans/active duty service members were 1.4 times greater than among their civilian counterparts. Four case subtypes were examined based on themes that emerged in incident narratives: about 22% of cases were mental health related; 18% were suspected "suicide by cop" incidents, with white victims more likely than black or Hispanic victims to die in these circumstances; 14% involved intimate partner violence; and about 6% were unintentional deaths due to LE action. Another 53% of cases were unclassified and did not fall into a coded subtype. Regression analyses identified victim and incident characteristics associated with each case subtype and unclassified cases. Conclusions Knowledge about circumstances of deaths due to the use of lethal force can inform the development of prevention strategies, improve risk assessment, and modify LE response to increase the safety of communities and officers and prevent fatalities associated with LE intervention.
Salvage Therapy with Standard Dose Cytarabine Is Appropriate for Patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Refractory to Front-Line Therapy with Hypomethylating Agents.

Treatment without cytarabine (ara-C) is increasingly being used as initial therapy for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) particularly in patients (pts) deemed ineligible, usually on the basis of age, for standard ara-C-containing therapy; prime examples are the hypomethylating agents decitabine (DAC) and 5-azacitidine (Aza). This practice raises the question whether it is useful for patients whose disease fails to respond to hypomethylating agents to receive ara-C as salvage. Thirty-five pts treated from 2001 to 2006 failed to respond to initial therapy with decitabine/azacitidine. Twenty-five pts subsequently received ara-C as salvage and 10 received other salvage regimens. We compared their complete remission (CR) rates (Table 1). Although more pts who received non ara-C salvage had poor prognosis karyotype, CR rates in pts with standard-risk karyotype receiving ara-C and non ara-C salvage therapy were 7/20 (35%) vs. 0/6 (0%) respectively. Although this difference was not significant (p=.15) the 95% confidence limits for the true difference, computed so as to account for the small sample size, was [−.69, .11] indicating as much evidence for a true difference of 58% as for a true difference of 0% since zero and 58% are equidistant from the midpoint of the confidence interval (−0.29). Although future improvements in results with non ara-C containing salvage therapies will impact decision, the results suggest that it is worthwhile to give pts who fail initial therapy with decitabine or azacitidine, standard dose ara-C salvage provided the pts do not have −5/−7 (CR rate 0/5).
Thromboprophylaxis in Cancer Patients Receiving Bevacizumab

Background: Thrombosis is one of the leading causes of death in cancer patients. Anti-angiogenic inhibitors like bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor, increase the risk of thrombosis. Thromboprophylaxis must be provided to patients receiving bevacizumab. Methods: An up-to-date, comprehensive literature search using PubMed for studies performed on bevacizumab from January 2003 to the present was performed. Key words searched included bevacizumab, avastin, thromboprophylaxis, and anticoagulation in cancer patients. Results: Thrombosis risk is increased with bevacizumab therapy. Anticoagulation therapy with bevacizumab may increase bleeding risks; however, these risks are generally low and for minor bleeding. Current guidelines approve thromboprophylaxis in a subset of cancer patients; however, they are not specific for patients receiving anti-angiogenesis therapy. Conclusion: Thromboprophylaxis should be considered for patients receiving bevacizumab, as the benefits outweigh the small risk of adverse effects such as bleeding.
A Comparison of ArcGIS and QGIS for Animation

I compare two GIS programs which can be used to create cartographic animations—the commercial Esri ArcGIS and the free and open-source QGIS. ArcGIS implements animation through the “Time Slider” while QGIS uses a plugin called “TimeManager.” There are some key similarities and differences as well as functions unique to each plugin. This analysis examines each program’s capabilities in mapping time series data. Criteria for evaluation include the number of steps, the number of output formats, input of data, processing, output of a finished animation, and cost. The comparison indicates that ArcGIS has more control in input, processing, and output of animations than QGIS, but has a baseline cost of $100 per year for a personal license. In contrast, QGIS is free, uses fewer steps, and enables more output formats. The QGIS interface can make data input, processing, and output of an animation slower.
The identity-value model of self-regulation: Integration, extension, and open questions.

We are grateful for the careful consideration, thoughtful comments, and insightful critiques that were provided in response to the target article (Berkman, Livingston, & Kahn, this issue). We are b...
Current Clinical Approaches to Protecting the Ovary: GnRH Analogues

The option for fertility preservation that does not require cryopreservation of reproductive cells/tissues involves medical treatments that may protect the ovary. The most widely used agents are gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. Initial studies using GnRH agonist co-treatment with chemotherapy demonstrated promising results for fertility preservation. However, subsequent clinical trials and meta-analysis reported conflicting results regarding to the effect of GnRH agonists. Based on current evidence, the role of GnRH agonists as ovarian protection agents remains controversial and unproven. However, given the absence of clear evidence of harm, coupled with the potential negative long-term effects of infertility on the quality of life, consideration of GnRH agonists for possibly protecting the ovary outside of a clinical trial setting may be warranted. GnRH agonist treatment can be offered as sole treatment or as an adjunct to other fertility preservation options.
NEW IPSILATERAL BALLOON OCCLUSION TECHNIQUE FOR PERCUTANEOUS CLOSURE AFTER TRANSFEMORAL AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT AND COMPARISON WITH ROUTINE CROSSOVER BALLOON OCCLUSION TECHNIQUE

Vascular complications are associated with increased mortality following TAVR. The novel ipsilateral balloon occlusion technique (IBOT) involves passage of a balloon catheter from the ipsilateral superficial femoral artery to enable controlled closure of large-sheath access-site. This study compares
Comparison of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Whole Brain Hippocampal Sparing Treatment Plans Based on Radiobiological Modeling.

Introduction: In this article, we report the results of our investigation on comparison of radiobiological aspects of treatment plans with linear accelerator-based intensity-modulated radiation therapy and volumetric-modulated arc therapy for patients having hippocampal avoidance whole-brain radiation therapy. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study using the dose-volume histogram, we calculated and compared biophysical indices of equivalent uniform dose, tumor control probability, and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for 15 whole-brain radiotherapy patients. Results and Discussions: Dose-response models for tumors and critical structures were separated into two groups: mechanistic and empirical. Mechanistic models formulate mathematically with describable relationships while empirical models fit data through empirical observations to appropriately determine parameters giving results agreeable to those given by mechanistic models. Conclusions: Techniques applied in this manuscript could be applied to any other organs or types of cancer to evaluate treatment plans based on radiobiological modeling.
Evaluation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration validated method for detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis in high-risk fresh produce matrices and a method modification for a prepared dish.

Abstract The performance of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) validated method for regulatory detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis in leafy greens and berries was evaluated in additional high-risk fresh produce items and in a dish prepared with these produce commodities. The method was robust and reproducible in basil, parsley, shredded carrots, shredded cabbage and carrot mix, and could detect as few as 5 oocysts in 25 g samples. Some differences in C. cayetanensis detection were found among the fresh produce analyzed. Significantly lower target gene copy numbers per reaction were obtained with shredded carrots, and shredded cabbage and carrot mix compared to leafy greens, which highlights the importance of evaluating the performance characteristics of validated methods in different food matrices. In the prepared dish, coleslaw with dressing, the method was optimized to detect 5 oocysts in a 25 g sample by using 1.0% Alconox® in the washing solution instead of 0.1% as originally described. These data are important to assess the prevalence of C. cayetanensis in different produce items and to support outbreak investigations.
Trends, correlates, and survival of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and its subtypes.

OBJECTIVE To identify the live-birth prevalence, trends, correlates, and neonatal and 1-year survival rates of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. METHODS Using a population-based, retrospective cohort study design, we examined 1,025 cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia from the 1998-2012 Florida Birth Defects Registry. We used Poisson and joinpoint regression models to compute prevalence ratios and temporal trends, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to describe neonatal and 1-year survival and estimate hazard ratios representing the predictors of infant survival. RESULTS The birth prevalence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia was 3.19 per 10,000 live births (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.00-3.39); there was a 4.2% yearly increase among multiple cases only. Among all cases, maternal education less than high school (prevalence ratio: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.02-1.53), high school/associate degree/GED (prevalence ratio: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.32), multiple birth (prevalence ratio: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.05-1.81), and male sex (prevalence ratio: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05-1.32) were associated with increased risk for congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The 24-hr, neonatal, and 1-year survival rates were 93.6%, 79.8%, and 71.2%, respectively. The highest hazard ratio of 17.87 (95% CI: 1.49-213.82) was observed for neonatal mortality among cases associated with chromosomal anomalies and born <37 weeks at < 1,500 g. Among isolated cases, multiple birth (hazard ratio: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20-0.86) was associated with decreased 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION Low maternal education and multiple birth may be linked to congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The trends in prevalence, epidemiologic correlates, and predictors of early survival can differ between congenital diaphragmatic hernia subtypes-isolated, multiple, and chromosomal.© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Janus POCOP Pincer Complexes of Nickel

A phosphinite-based dinickel pincer complex, {2,3,5,6-(iPr2PO)4C6}Ni2Cl2, is synthesized by heating a mixture of 1,2,4,5-tetrahydroxybenzene, iPr2PCl, NiCl2, and Et3N at 150 °C in a microwave reactor or refluxing 1,2,4,5-(iPr2PO)4C6H2 with NiCl2 and Et3N at 175–250 °C in a flask. Substitution of chlorides by hydrides (from LiAlH4 or LiEt3BH) and methyl groups (from MeLi) generates {2,3,5,6-(iPr2PO)4C6}Ni2H2 and {2,3,5,6-(iPr2PO)4C6}Ni2Me2, respectively. Protonation of the methyl complex with HCO2H gives {2,3,5,6-(iPr2PO)4C6}Ni2(OCHO)2. Spectroscopic and crystallographic data of these Janus POCOP pincer complexes are compared to those of the analogous mononuclear complexes {2,6-(iPr2PO)2C6H3}NiX (X = Cl, H, Me, and OCHO). The hydride complex {2,3,5,6-(iPr2PO)4C6}Ni2H2 reacts with phenylacetylene and CO2 to give insertion products. It also catalyzes the reduction of CO2 with catecholborane (HBcat) to yield CH3OBcat and catBOBcat with a turnover frequency of 7.5 min–1. The stoichiometric and catalytic activi...
New ex vivo model of corneal endothelial phacoemulsification injury and rescue therapy with mesenchymal stromal cell secretome.

Purpose To develop a reproducible ex vivo model of corneal endothelial cell injury using phacoemulsification in porcine eyes and to evaluate the effects of mesenchymal stromal cell secretome in this injury model. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA. Design Experimental study. Methods A corneal endothelial injury model was optimized using different powers and durations of ultrasound energy inside ex vivo porcine eyes. Conditioned media from corneal mesenchymal stem cells was collected under serum-free conditions from passages 4 to 6. Immediately after the phacoemulsification injury, the anterior chamber fluid was replaced with unconditioned media or conditioned media and incubated at 37°C for 4 hours. At the end, endothelial cell viability was evaluated using trypan blue staining and analyzed with ImageJ software. Results Using specific parameters (50% power for 30 seconds), phacoemulsification inside fresh porcine eyes led to a consistent level of endothelial cell injury. Incubation with corneal mesenchymal stromal cell–conditioned media after the injury significantly reduced endothelial cells loss compared with unconditioned media (mean 1.29% ± 0.91% [SD] and 5.33% ± 3.24%, respectively, P Conclusions Phacoemulsification inside fresh porcine eyes provided a reproducible model to study endothelial cell injury. Treatment with corneal mesenchymal stromal cell secretome after injury appeared to significantly enhance the survival of corneal endothelial cells. This might provide a new strategy for preventing corneal endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification or other endothelial injuries. Further in vivo studies are necessary to determine the therapeutic potential.
Consumer Expectations: Micro Foundations and Macro Impact

Richard Curtin has directed the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment surveys for more than four decades. His analyses of recent trends in consumer expectations are regularly covered in the worldwide press. In this book, Curtin presents a new theory of expectations. Whereas conventional theories presume that consumers play a passive role in the macro economy, simply reacting to current trends in incomes, prices, and interest rates, Curtin proposes a new empirically consistent theory. He argues that expectations are formed by an automatic process that utilizes conscious and nonconscious processes, passion and reason, information from public and private sources, and social networks. Consumers ultimately reach a decision that serves both the micro decision needs of individuals and reflects the common influence of the macro environment. Drawing on empirical observations, Curtin not only demonstrates the importance of consumer sentiment, but also how it can foreshadow the cyclical turning points in the economy.
Coding the Continuum

In 2001, as early high-speed networks were deployed, George Gilder observed that “when the network is as fast as the computer's internal links, the machine disintegrates across the net into a set of special purpose appliances.” Two decades later, our networks are 1,000 times faster, our appliances are increasingly specialized, and our computer systems are indeed disintegrating. As hardware acceleration overcomes speed-of-light delays, time and space merge into a computing continuum. Familiar questions like “where should I compute,” “for what workloads should I design computers,” and "where should I place my computers” seem to allow for a myriad of new answers that are exhilarating but also daunting. Are there concepts that can help guide us as we design applications and computer systems in a world that is untethered from familiar landmarks like center, cloud, edge? I propose some ideas and report on experiments in coding the continuum.
A Note About: Critical Review of BugSwarm for Fault Localization and Program Repair.

Datasets play an important role in the advancement of software tools and facilitate their evaluation. BugSwarm is an infrastructure to automatically create a large dataset of real-world reproducible failures and fixes. In this paper, we respond to Durieux and Abreu's critical review of the BugSwarm dataset, referred to in this paper as CriticalReview. We replicate CriticalReview's study and find several incorrect claims and assumptions about the BugSwarm dataset. We discuss these incorrect claims and other contributions listed by CriticalReview. Finally, we discuss general misconceptions about BugSwarm, and our vision for the use of the infrastructure and dataset.
A safety trial of a bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in feedlot calves

During 1985, 4 separate groups of steer calves (total number = 422) were observed for 28 days after arrival at a feedlot. 213 calves had been vaccinated with 2 ml of modified-live bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine before arrival. A booster vaccination was given 2 weeks later. 209 calves were unvaccinated. No adverse local or systemic reactions were seen in the vaccinated calves. No statistical differences were seen in morbidity and mortality rates, average sick days and average daily weight gain between the vaccinated and control calves.
Assessing the personal impact of epilepsy in a population-based cohort of Veterans.

Abstract Purpose Epilepsy impacts patient lives in multidimensional ways. Although previous work has investigated epilepsy impact on health status, little is known about the overall quantified impact of epilepsy in Veterans. Our goal was to describe the impact of epilepsy on Veterans' lives using the Personal Impact of Epilepsy Scale (PIES) and determine the patient and clinical characteristics most strongly correlated with epilepsy impact. We described cohort characteristics and developed regression models to determine which characteristics were most strongly associated with PIES subscale (seizure, medication, comorbidity) scores and quality of life (QOL). Results Approximately 36% of those who were invited responded to the survey. Of the 438 respondents included in the analyses, roughly 50% were aged 45–64 years (35% > 65; 14% 18–44); 19% were women. Almost 90% had previously received care by an epilepsy specialist, 37% of which was in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and 38% in both VHA and community. The PIES scores were moderately low (mean: 88.68, [standard deviation (SD) = 63.24]; 300 total). The PIES overall and subscale scores were significantly lower for older Veterans with epilepsy (VWE) (> 65) compared with younger (18–44 years) and middle-aged (45–64 years) VWE [p 1/month, > 2/month) and diagnoses of dementia significantly predicted higher (more negative) Seizure Severity PIES score [all p 1/month), number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and diagnosis of dementia predicted negative impact, and older age predicted positive impact for medication subscale. Frequent seizures (> 1/month) and diagnoses of depression and dementia predicted negative mood and social impact [all p 2/month) was the only variable that significantly predicted lack of excellent QOL [p Conclusions Findings were similar to a prior study of generic health outcomes in younger and older VWE using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Seizure frequency was consistently associated with negative impact of epilepsy in all age groups. While dementia and other diagnosed health conditions also contributed to epilepsy impact, older VWE had significantly lower PIES scores even after controlling for physical conditions and dementia. Lower (better) scores for comorbidity and medication scales in older VWE may be due to fewer diagnosed psychiatric comorbidities and psychiatric medication that have similar cognitive impact as AEDs, and which may also interact with AEDs. Implementation of patient self-management programs to improve seizure control may reduce epilepsy impact for Veterans and reduce Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare utilization. The PIES may also be useful to measure outcomes of self-management interventions.
Carcass and muscle characteristics of Yorkshire, Meishan, Yorkshire x Meishan, Meishan x Yorkshire, Fengjing x Yorkshire, and Minzhu x Yorkshire pigs.

Five barrows and five gilts from each of the following breed types, Yorkshire (Y), Meishan (Ms), Fengjing x Y, Minzhu x Y, Ms x Y, and Y x Ms were slaughtered at an average live weight of 103 kg. Carcass composition and muscle characteristics were evaluated at 24 h postmortem. Chemical characteristics and palatability attributes were evaluated on the longissimus and semimembranosus muscles. No significant interactions between breed x muscle, breed x sex, or muscle x sex were observed so data were pooled across muscle and sex. Yorkshire had higher (P < .05) carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, trimmed and boneless ham and loin weights, and boneless picnic weight than Ms and the crossbreds were intermediate between Y and Ms. Yorkshire had higher (P < .05) muscling score, untrimmed ham weight, trimmed picnic weight, and juiciness score. Yorkshire had a lower cholesterol content than Ms or crossbreds, and Y had the highest water-holding capacity. The longissimus muscle from Ms and the crossbreds was firmer than that from Y (P < .05), and muscle from Ms had a higher pigment concentration (P < .05). Yorkshire and Fengjing x Y had higher tenderness scores (P < .05).
Disparities in Health Effects and Access to Health Care Among Houston Area Residents After Hurricane Harvey.

ObjectivesAlthough research shows that public health is substantially affected during and after disasters, few studies have examined the health effects of Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall on t...
Archaeological surveying with airborne LiDAR and UAV photogrammetry: A comparative analysis at Cahokia Mounds

Abstract Remote sensing technologies are becoming indispensable for archaeological fieldwork, helping archaeologists be more efficient and focused in their excavations. Assessing technological feasibility and capability is therefore an essential skill for archaeologists. This research compares digital elevation models from publicly available airplane Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and unpiloted aerial vehicle (UAV or drone) images to analyze the quality, costs, and benefits of both. Data were collected at the Grand Plaza, which served as the ceremonial center for the civilization at Cahokia Mounds, Illinois, USA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. GPS elevation data and the Local Binary Pattern (LBP) texture operator were applied to evaluate topographical fidelity in the DEM imagery. We find that photogrammetry is a suitable replacement for LiDAR in specific areas, namely areas with low-lying vegetation. Thus, archaeologists have multiple surveying options and must carefully weigh the technologies available to them based on time and resource constraints.
Analysis of the Tidal Model and Its Implications in Late-Life Suicidality:

Late-life suicide is a public health issue in the United States, and recent CDC data show that the number of deaths related to suicide in older adults continue to increase. Still, few researchers focus on a theoretical framework for the clinical assessment and care of older adults at risk for suicide. We performed a review and critical analysis of the Tidal Model, using Fawcett and DeSanto-Madeya's framework, to increase our understanding of the clinical presentation of older adults with suicidal ideation and present strategies for caring for this population. The Tidal Model is a well-structured theory with relevant concepts and propositions founded on a highly patient-centered and pragmatic approach that facilitates its application in late-life suicidality. The model provides a framework for nursing and healthcare practice in psychiatry and mental health with goals and boundaries that help promote a better assessment of the clinical picture of older adults with suicidal ideation.
Embedding Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Education in the Resident Clinical Learning Environment

Purpose: In 2012, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) launched the Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) program. One aspect of the CLER program evaluates how residents learn and apply QI/PS concepts and skills. The Residency Program’s first CLER visit in 2014 revealed an opportunity to improve QI/PS education. Methods: We used Kern’s theory of curriculum development to design our curriculum for pediatric residents. Our committee performed a targeted needs assessment and identified …
Evaluating the Impact of Medial Arterial Calcification on Outcomes of Infrageniculate Endovascular Interventions for Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background:Medial arterial calcification (MAC) of the tibial and pedal arteries has been associated with an increased risk of amputation among people with diabetes. Endovascular interventions on in...
Last-mile delivery efficiency: en route transloading in the parcel delivery industry

In the last few years, many consumers have shifted their shopping locations from traditional brick-and-mortar stores to online shopping sites to take advantage of larger product selections and conv...
High-Dimensional Uncertainty Quantification in a Hybrid Data + Model-Based Submodeling Method for Refined Response Estimation at Critical Locations

AbstractThis study presents frameworks to build nonintrusive polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) models with regression and Smolyak sparse-grid quadrature to perform high-dimensional uncertainty propa...
Improving Dependability of Onboard Deep Learning with Resilient TensorFlow

As the dawn of a new age in spaceflight approaches, the drive to equip future spacecraft with high-performance computing capabilities is increasing. Many within the industry are looking to leverage solutions enabled by machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence to enhance mission efficiency. Tasks such as image processing and object tracking are desired for long-duration spaceflight and extravehicular activities. In order to realize these applications in practice, enhancements to onboard processing are needed. ML applications require state-of-the-art processors and hardware accelerators, such as GPUs. However, GPUs are heavily susceptible to radiation-induced single-event effects (SEEs). Additionally, missions require a level of safety-criticality, which is unable to be met by existing commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) GPUs. In an effort to create an end-to-end solution, this work aims to bridge ML-application development with device-architectural awareness to deliver a fault-aware implementation of the TensorFlow framework called Resilient TensorFlow (RTF). By building customized operations into the TensorFlow framework and employing them within the graph of various models, RTF demonstrates an ability to mask faults that occur during processing while minimizing overhead. Reducing faults during the processing of deep-learning applications brings the space computing industry closer to realizing onboard high-performance computing.
Gonads and Singing Play Separate, Additive Roles in New Neuron Recruitment in Adult Canary Brain

New neurons are constantly added to the high vocal center (HVC) of adult male canaries, Serinus canaria . Singing and testosterone (T) are known to promote this addition, but it is not known whether either variable can act on its own and what is their effect when acting together. We studied this question by castrating adult male canaries in late summer and quantifying their song in early fall. Intact birds served as controls. A 5 d systemic treatment of two daily injections of the cell birth marker 3 H-thymidine started 10 d after surgery. Twenty days after the first 3 H-thymidine injection and for a period of 1 month, we quantified the singing of all birds, which were then killed. Amount of singing, syllable diversity, and song stability were similar in intacts and castrates. When castrates and intacts that sang comparable amounts were compared, the number of 3 H-labeled HVC neurons was 2.6 times higher in intacts than in castrates. In castrates with plasma T levels that were undetectable, the mean amount of singing was positively related to the number of new neurons. We suggest that singing and gonadal factors promote, separately, the recruitment of new neurons and that when they exert this effect together they do so in an additive manner.
The Development and Implementation of a Minority Recruitment Plan: Process, Strategy and Results

Abstract The authors identify and discuss the planning process and results of a three-year minority recruitment effort. The recruitment principles and framework used to influence decisions are explained. The recruitment and retention effort consisted of six phases: Gauging the environment, preinitiation, program planning and development, implementation, evaluation, and institutionalization. Each phase is discussed along with the tasks and strategies which proved to be effective.
Comparison of phytase from genetically engineered Aspergillus and canola in weanling pig diets.

Ninety-six crossbred pigs with an average weight of 9.0 kg were used in a 5-wk trial to compare the efficacy of genetically engineered Aspergillus ficuum phytase, expressed in Aspergillus niger (Natuphos) or in canola seed (Phytaseed), for enhancing the utilization of phytate P in corn-soybean meal-based diets fed to young pigs and to evaluate the safety of Phytaseed phytase. Three levels of the two sources of phytase (250, 500, or 2,500 U/kg of diet) were added to a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing .35% total P, .09% available P, and .50% Ca. There were six pens per treatment (one barrow and one gilt/pen), except that the diet without added phytase was fed to 12 pens of pigs. Pen feed consumption and BW were recorded weekly. During wk 5, pen fecal samples were collected for determination of apparent digestibilities of DM, Ca, and P. At the end of wk 5, all barrows were killed, and the 10th rib on both sides was removed for determination of shear force and energy. Thirty pigs (six from the diet without added phytase and the diets with 500 and 2,500 U/kg phytase from both sources) were randomly selected for gross necropsy and histologic evaluation of liver, kidney, and bone tissues. Both sources of phytase were equally effective in increasing (P < .05) daily gain, gain:feed, apparent digestibilities of DM, P, and Ca, and 10th rib measurements. Fecal P excretion was reduced with phytase addition. Feed intake was increased by phytase levels during wk 4 to 5. No significant abnormalities were seen in any of the 30 pigs necropsied. The fit of a nonlinear function revealed that most measurements were reaching a plateau at 2,500 U/kg phytase. In summary, based on performance, bone measurements, and digestibilities of P, Ca, and DM of young pigs, the efficiency of Phytaseed was similar to that of Natuphos for enhancing the utilization of phytate P in corn-soybean meal-based diets. General necropsy and histologic examination of tissues indicated no toxic effect of phytase.
Systematic Analysis of Defenses against Return-Oriented Programming

Since the introduction of return-oriented programming, increasingly complex defenses and subtle attacks that bypass them have been proposed. Unfortunately the lack of a unifying threat model among code reuse security papers makes it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of defenses, and answer critical questions about the interoperability, composability, and efficacy of existing defensive techniques. For example, what combination of defenses protect against every known avenue of code reuse? What is the smallest set of such defenses? In this work, we study the space of code reuse attacks by building a formal model of attacks and their requirements, and defenses and their assumptions. We use a SAT solver to perform scenario analysis on our model in two ways. First, we analyze the defense configurations of a real-world system. Second, we reason about hypothetical defense bypasses. We prove by construction that attack extensions implementing the hypothesized functionality are possible even if a 'perfect' version of the defense is implemented. Our approach can be used to formalize the process of threat model definition, analyze defense configurations, reason about composability and efficacy, and hypothesize about new attacks and defenses.
Fast Block Clustering Based Optimized Adaptive Mediod Shift

We present an optimal approach to unsupervised color image clustering, suited for high resolution images based on mode seeking by mediod shifts. It is shown that automatic detection of total number of clusters depends upon overall image statistics as well as the bandwidth of the underlying probability density function. An optimized adaptive mode seeking algorithm based on reverse parallel tree traversal is proposed. This work has contribution in three aspects. 1) Adaptive bandwidth for kernel function is proposed based on the overall image statistics; 2) A novel reverse parallel tree traversing approach for mode seeking is presented which drastically reduces number of computational steps as compared to traditional tree traversing. 3) For high resolution images block clustering based optimized Adaptive Mediod Shift (AMS) is proposed where mode seeking is done in blocks and then the local modes are merged globally. The proposed method has made it possible to perform clustering on variety of high resolution images. Experimental results have shown our algorithm time efficient and robust.
X-Ray Measurements of the Dark Matter Content of Galaxy Clusters

Accurate characterization of the cluster baryon fraction depends on measuring the temperature and gas density profile of a large sample the clusters out to the full extent of the cluster atmosphere. Simulations show that the cluster baryon fraction depends on radius and that the present measurements are biased in different ways depending on the radius to which they are calculated. A present limitation is that few clusters have accurate radial temperature profiles; this will change with XMM and Chandra observations. Even with the present data, cluster baryon fractions have become quite stable when calculated out to a standard radius of 2.5 Mpc and typically fall between 20 – 30%. The real remaining uncertainty at this point is in possible systematic errors. Hard X-ray observatories, such the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, can test one of the important assumptions of the model: that the cluster magnetic field is dynamically unimportant at all radii. While the observations are not yet sensitive enough to constrain a dynamically important magnetic field, several planned hard X-ray experiments will.
8-amino-p-cymene from p-cymene-trichloramine-aluminum chloride-t-butyl halide

Abstract p-Cymene was aminated on the isopropyl side-chain with trichloramine-aluminum chloride-t-butyl halide. At optimum conditions (p-cymene:trichloramine:aluminum chloride:t-butyl bromide = 1:0·1:0·2:0·3: 0–10°), 8-amino-p-cymene was obtained in 80% yield. Changes in temperature resulted in slightly lower yields. A 10-fold molar excess of p-cymene was required for best results. The indicated activity was found for various catalysts, aluminum chloride > aluminum bromide ⋍ titanium tetrachloride. The efficiency of the t-alkyl halide additive was in the order, t-butyl bromide > t-butyl chloride. Isopropyl bromide was ineffective. The yield of 8-amino-p-cymene passed through a maximum with rising concentration of the t-alkyl halide. Concerning the mechanistic aspects, a hydride transfer is postulated in which the carbonium ion generated from the t-alkyl halide abstracts α-isopropyl hydrogen. The resulting p-methyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl cation then reacts with a nitrogen-containing nucleophile to form the amine eventually. In the process isobutane was produced from the t-butyl halide.