cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Revisiting widely held SSD expectations and rethinking system-level implications

Storage applications leveraging Solid State Disk (SSD) technology are being widely deployed in diverse computing systems. These applications accelerate system performance by exploiting several SSD-specific characteristics. However, modern SSDs have undergone a dramatic technology and architecture shift in the past few years, which makes widely held assumptions and expectations regarding them highly questionable. The main goal of this paper is to question popular assumptions and expectations regarding SSDs through an extensive experimental analysis using 6 state-of-the-art SSDs from different vendors. Our analysis leads to several conclusions which are either not reported in prior SSD literature, or contradict to current conceptions. For example, we found that SSDs are not biased toward read-intensive workloads in terms of performance and reliability. Specifically, random read performance of SSDs is worse than sequential and random write performance by 40% and 39% on average, and more importantly, the performance of sequential reads gets significantly worse over time. Further, we found that reads can shorten SSD lifetime more than writes, which is very unfortunate, given the fact that many existing systems/platforms already employ SSDs as read caches or in applications that are highly read intensive. We also performed a comprehensive study to understand the worst-case performance characteristics of our SSDs, and investigated the viability of recently proposed enhancements that are geared towards alleviating the worst-case performance challenges, such as TRIM commands and background-tasks. Lastly, we uncover the overheads of these enhancements and their limits, and discuss system-level implications.
On the localization performance measure and optimal edge detection

Summary form only given, as follows. Two measures have been suggested in the literature to characterize the localization performance of an edge detector. The first one was proposed by Abdou and Pratt (1979) and the second one by Canny (1986). The limitations of these localization measures are shown. The former is heuristic, while Canny's measure has not been formulated correctly. The problem of localization of an edge detector has been formulated with the help of the theory of zero-crossings of stochastic processes. The measure of localization of the edge detector proposed is the extent to which it causes the density of maxima to be reduced as we get farther away from the true edge. It is possible to show that with this localization measure and a constraint of the width of the filter, the optimal linear filter for edge detection is the derivative of a Gaussian. >
Posthatching Changes in the Immunoglobulin A Concentration in the Jejunum and Bile of Turkeys

An experiment was conducted to document the age-related changes in IgA concentration in the small intestine of newly hatched turkey poults reared in floor pens and to determine whether infection with stunting syndrome (SS) affects age-related changes. Day-old turkey poults were dose per os with .5 mL of saline carrier (control) or with .5 mL of one of two dilutions (250- or 2.5 x 10(6)-fold) of a "crude" SS-causing inoculum. Inoculation with the 250-fold dilution depressed body weight gain (P less than .01) throughout the experiment and impaired feed efficiency (P less than .05) at 5 and 9 days of age as compared with the control group. After 9 days of age, all inoculated poults utilized feed more efficiently than did control poults (P less than .01). Stunting syndrome did not affect IgA concentrations in either bile or jejunum at any specific age. Age-related changes in IgA concentrations, however, were observed. Bile IgA decreased from 1 to 9 days of age, and then increased until 29 days of age. The IgA concentration in jejunal tissue increased linearly from 1 to 29 days of age (P less than .01), whether expressed as IgA concentration per gram of wet tissue or as percentage of total protein in jejunum. Age-related changes in IgA concentration in both bile and jejunum suggest that the secretory immune system associated with the digestive mucosa is not fully developed at the time of hatch.
Indicators for Monitoring Biodiversity: A Hierarchical Approach

Biodiversity is presently a minor consideration in environmental policy. It has been regarded as too broad and vague a concept to be applied to real-world regulatoy and managernentproblems. This problem can be corrected ifbio- diversity is recognized as an end in itsea and if measurable indicators can be selected to assess the status of biodiversity over time. Biodiversity, as presently understood, encom- passes multiple levels of biological organization. In thispa- per, I expand the three primay attributes of biodiversity recognized by Jerry Franklin - composition, structure, and function - into a nested hierarcby that incorporates ele- ments of each attribute at four levels of organization: re- gional landscape, community-ecosystem, population- species, andgenetic. Indicators of each attribute in terrestrial ecosystems, at the four levels of organization, are identified for environmental monitoring purposes. Projects to monitor biodiversity will benefit from a direct linkage to long-term ecological research and a commitment to test hypotheses relevant to biodiversity conservation. A general guideline is to proceed from the top down, beginning with a coarse-scale invent0 y of landscape pattern, vegetation, habitat structure, and species distributions, then overlaying data on stress lev- els to identiD biologically significant areas at high risk of impoverishment. Intensive research and monitoring can be directed to high-risk ecosystems and elements of biodiversity, while less intensive monitoring is directed to the total land- scape (or samples thereon. In any monitoringprogram, par- ticular attention should be paid to specifying the questions that monitoring is intended to answer and validating the relationships between indicators and the components of bio- diversity they represent
Distribution of Agrobacterium vitis in Grapevines and Its Relevance to Pathogen Elimination.

Agrobacterium vitis, the cause of crown gall disease on grapevine, survives internally in vines and can be spread in cuttings for propagation. The possibility of generating pathogen-free vines through tissue culture makes it essential to understand the distribution of the pathogen in grapevines. A highly sensitive magnetic capture hybridization procedure along with real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to measure the distribution of tumorigenic A. vitis in dormant canes and green shoots of grapevines. Tumorigenic A. vitis was distributed from the basal to apical nodal and internodal tissues of canes as well as in nonlignified green shoots. In experiments conducted in 2013, A. vitis was detected in up to 17% of shoot tips and 52% of meristems of greenhouse-grown plants initiated from known A. vitis-contaminated cuttings. A lower frequency of detection was observed from surface-disinfected shoot tips (7%) as compared with nondisinfected tips (37%), suggesting epiphytic survival on green tissues. In ...
Development, Implementation, and Dissemination of a Minimally Invasive Two-Incision Technique for Total Hip Arthroplasty

The author describes the development of a clinical pathway for a minimally invasive technique for total hip arthroplasty resulting in faster recovery from surgery. Of the first 100 patients enrolled in the outpatient protocol, 92% were discharged the day of surgery. In the subsequent 200 patient group, all returned home the day of surgery without any acute readmissions due to early discharge. The overall complication rate for these 1,525 two-incision total hips done by 7 different surgeons at 6 different institutions was 1.9%. This pathway requires meticulous surgical technique, specialized instrumentation, and special instruction and training.
Education as an Ethical Concern in the Global Era

This article examines the issue of the ethical status of education, particularly as related to individual dignity and freedom. We select cases that have been described in fine detail by social science—the education of girls and the education of all children within counter-hegemonic movements. These cases involve issues of access to equitable and high quality education. Such issues arise when cultural norms and political exigencies place restrictions on who can attend various types of schools, if any, and when students cannot render their own judgments about particular worldviews espoused by their religious, cultural, and sociopolitical communities. We examine recently developed philosophical frameworks that can provide a reasonable respect for cultural traditions and the rights of individuals to shape their own destinies. Then we apply two such frameworks (Amartya Sen’s and Martha Nussbaum’s) to the cases and discuss the relative merits of each. The full text of the article cam be found at 10.18275/fire201502021035
Normal values for pancreozymin-secretin test.

Summary A combined study of the serum amylase and lipase activities and of volume, bicarbonate, and amylase activity of the duodenal contents in 68 patients without pancreatic disease is described. Pancreozymin was given first, followed in 10 minutes by secretin, intravenously. A statistical analysis of the serum enzyme values and of the duodenal content data was accomplished. The least scatter of data in the duodenal contents was in the postsecretin 60-minute volume rate of secretion in milliliters per kilogram, the maximal bicarbonate concentration and the combined postpancreozymin-secretin amylase output, and they were used in the analysis for the norms. Norms have been established for the serum amylase and lipase response and for the volume, bicarbonate, and amylase response to the intravenous administration of pancreozymin and secretin.
Demonstration of a rapidly-swept external cavity quantum cascade laser for rapid and sensitive quantification of chemical mixtures

A rapidly-swept external-cavity quantum cascade laser with an open-path Herriott cell is used to quantify gas-phase chemical mixtures of D2O and HDO at an update rate of 40 Hz (25 ms measurement time). The chemical mixtures were generated by evaporating D2O liquid near the open-path Herriott cell, allowing the H/D exchange reaction with ambient H2O to produce HDO. Fluctuations in the ratio of D2O and HDO on timescales of < 1 s due to the combined effects of plume transport and the H/D exchange chemical reaction are observed. Based on a noise equivalent concentration analysis of the current system, detection limits of 147.0 ppbv and 151.6 ppbv in a 25 ms measurement time are estimated for D2O and HDO respectively with a 127 m optical path. These detection limits are reduced to 23.0 and 24.0 ppbv with a 1 s averaging time for D2O and HDO respectively. Detection limits < 200 ppbv are also estimated for N2O, F134A, CH4, Acetone, and SO2 for a 25 ms measurement time.
Making war, thinking history: David Ben-Gurion, analogical reasoning and the Suez Crisis

AbstractHistorical analogies, and historical reasoning, enable policy-makers to overcome major fundamental difficulties in the process of crisis decision-making. By employing lessons and conclusions from past experience, leaders believe they can avoid future failures and make better choices. This paper identifies, for the first time, the key analogies David Ben-Gurion and other key Israeli policy-makers employed prior to the eruption of the Sinai War of October 1956 and their reasoning. It demonstrates that Ben-Gurion was highly sensitive to historical occurrences, personal, national and international, and exhibited great inclination to engage the crisis with Egypt according to the lessons he drew from it. The analogical framework explains the timing of the offensive against Egypt and its distinct nature.
Sex differences, personality, and ideology: a deeper investigation via contexts in a study of local politics

There is a puzzle in existing research literatures. Some studies suggest that sex differences impact political attitudes and behaviors, others contend there are sex differences in personality, and still other research implies that personality underpins political attitudes and behaviors. Despite empirical trends and studies suggesting tendencies that underpin behavior, there is no theory to suggest how sex, personality, and ideology are related to political behavior. We attempt to wrestle with this puzzle utilizing data from a study of men and women serving on local boards and commissions. Our findings suggest that, indeed, there appear to be types of people in terms of sex, personality, and ideology who gravitate to service on certain types of boards and commissions, but many of the relationships we identify require an understanding of local context and culture that the existing literatures on sex difference and personality do not speak to. This sets the stage for more nuanced studies of why sex, personal...
The nature of the so-called Herring bodies; a study of normal human neurohypophyses.

The neurosecretory end-globules or the so-calledHerring bodies have been investigated with silver carbonate andGomori techniques and the relationship between these end-globules and pituicytes has been discussed.
Min-Max Regret Bidding Strategy for Thermal Generator Considering Price Uncertainty

The electricity price volatility brings challenges to bidding strategies in the electricity markets. In this paper, we propose a minimax regret approach for a market participant to obtain an optimal bidding strategy and the corresponding self-scheduled generation plans. Motivated by recently proposed robust optimization approaches, our approach relies on the confidence intervals of price forecasts rather than point estimators. We reformulate the minimax regret model as a mixed-integer linear program (MILP), and solve it by the Benders' decomposition algorithm. Moreover, we design a bidding strategy based on the price forecast confidence intervals to generate the offer curve. Finally, we numerically test the minimax regret approach, in comparison with the robust optimization approach, on three types of thermal generators by using real electricity price data from PJM to verify the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
Feeding Rate of Larval Clover Root Curculio, Sitona hispidulus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), on Alfalfa Taproots

Larval clover root curculio (CRC), Sitona hispidulus (F.), were sampled with alfalfa host plants at intervals during the spring of 1983. Relationship between larval days (a measure of larval density over time) and amount of taproot damaged by larvae was determined. CRC damaged alfalfa taproots at the rate of 13.03 and 4.35 mm2 per larva per day for fourth and fifth instars, respectively. Second- and third-instar CRC did not contribute significantly to taproot damage. Feeding rate for fourth-instar CRC was estimated at 5.68 and 1.70 mg per larva per day for fresh and dry weight, respectively. The rate for fifth instars was estimated at 1.90 and 0.57 mg per larva per day for fresh and dry weight, respectively.
A Queueing Model with Multiple Types of Server Breakdowns

AbstractIn this paper we consider a general queueing model in which the server may experience several different types of breakdowns. Each type of breakdown requires a finite random number of stages of repair. We obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the stationary queue length distribution to exist. We then show how to compute the queue length distribution by matrix geometric methods, and we find an explicit expression for its mean. We also find properties of several random variables associated with the model, such as the repair time for a server breakdown, a customer’s completion time, the number of stages of repair required to restore service, and some relationships among these variables and between them and the number of breakdowns that occur during a customer’s completion time. We then discuss some interesting special cases of the model.
Investigations of a New Reversible Strain Induced Chromic Transition in Polydiacetylene Elastomers

In-situ visible dichroism/tensile elongation studies of segmented polyurethanes containing conjugated polydiacetylene chains within their hard segment domains have revealed a new reversible mechanochromic transition that manifests itself as a color change from blue to yellow during tensile elongation. This unusual strain induced transition, found in an elastomer whose hard segment structure is derived from hexamethylene diisocyanate and 5,7-dodecadiyne-l,12 diol, closely resembles the thermochromic transition also exhibited by this same material. The color change and the associated shift in the position of the polydiacetylene absorption band to higher energies is not simply an order-disorder transition but reflects a strain induced reorganization of the hard domain structure. It has been found that this blue to yellow transition is reversible as long as the material is not strained beyond about 300%. This represents the first reversible, mechanically induced chromic transition in a cross-polymerized diacetylene containing polymer.
Hexose Content of Guinea Pig γ1 and γ2 Immunoglobulins.

SummaryVarious preparations of normal and antibody guinea pig γ1 and γ2 globulins have been analyzed for their hexose content, using the indol method. The value obtained, when expressed in glucose equivalents, was 0.74% for both types of γ-globulin. Analysis of the different fragments obtained by enzymatic splitting of the molecule of γ2 globulin indicated that most of the hexose was contained in the fast (F) fragment obtained after digestion with papain (piece III of Porter). The fragment obtained after pepsin digestion contained very little if any hexose. The results indicate that guinea pig γ1 globulin does not correspond to the γ1A globulin of man and mouse. It is suggested that γ1 globulin represents a distinct family of im-munoglobulins, possibly also existent in other animal species, which mediates anaphylactic reactions within the species.
Expression of VP1 of Enterovirus 71 in E. coli

The gene encoding the entire capsid protein VP1 of Enterovirus 71 SHZH03 was amplified by RT-PCR.After confirmed by sequence analysis,An expression vector pGEX-5x-1/ vp1 was constructed and expressed in E.coli BL21 induced by IPTG,SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that the fusion protein VP1 with the 60 kDa was as the predicted,Serological research showed that the obtained recombinant protein VP1 was an antigen which reacted specifically with the sera of EV71 patient.
Tumor-Suppressor Genes and Human Neoplasia

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the mechanism and interactions of tumor-suppressor genes with oncogenes and the significance of human neoplasia. At least five methods are employed to identify tumor-suppressor genes in man. The methods listed in the chapter represent only the first step in identification of tumor suppressor genes. Some methods used have been those useful for isolating genes of other types, such as, chromosome walking from linked markers, as in the retinoblastoma case or subtractive hybridization, as in the case of putative suppressors of breast epithelial cell growth. The mechanism of action of tumor-suppressor genes involves four techniques: (1) homozygous inactivation is associated with the development of specific tumors owing to the deficiency of a growth regulator; (2) the gene product interferes in a positive way with the activity of some oncogene by either inhibiting its expression or interfering with its product's action; (3) a single mutant allele is able to interfere with the function of the normal allele and thereby contribute to cell transformation; and (4) deficiency of an extracellular adhesion molecule may contribute to the metastatic character of the cell.
Characterization and validation of a split belt treadmill for measuring hindlimb ground-reaction forces in able-bodied and spinalized felines.

Abstract Background The measurement of ground reaction forces (GRFs) in animals trained to locomote on a treadmill after spinal cord injury (SCI) could prove valuable for evaluating training outcomes; however, quantitative measures of the GRFs in spinal felines are limited. New method A split belt treadmill was designed and constructed to measure the GRFs of feline hindlimbs during stepping. The treadmill consists of two independent treadmill assemblies, each mounted on a force plate. The design allows measurements of the vertical (Fz), fore-aft (Fy) and mediolateral (Fx) ground-reaction forces for both hindlimbs while the forelimbs are resting on a platform. Results Static and dynamic noise tests revealed little to no noise at frequencies below 6 Hz. Validation of the force plate measurements with a hand-held force sensor force showed good agreement between the two force readings. Peak normalized (to body mass) vertical GRFs for intact cats were 4.89 ± 0.85 N/kg for the left hindlimb and 4.79 ± 0.97 N/kg for the right. In comparison, trained spinalized cats peak normalized vertical GRFs were 2.20 ± 0.94 N/kg for the left hindlimb and 2.85 ± 0.99 N/kg for the right. Comparison with other existing methods Previous methods of measuring GRFs used stationary single force plates or treadmill mounted to single force plate. Using independent treadmills for each hindlimb allows measurement of the individual hindlimb’s GRFs in spinalized cats following body-weight supported treadmill training. Conclusions The split belt force treadmill enables the simultaneous recording of ground-reaction forces for both hindlimbs in cats prior to spinalization, and following spinalization and body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWST).
Accelerated Oxygen Atom Transfer and C-H Bond Oxygenation by Remote Redox Changes in Fe3Mn-Iodosobenzene Adducts

We report the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of [Lfe_3(PhPz)_3OMn(^sPhIO)][OTf]_x (3: x=2; 4: x=3), where 4 is one of very few examples of iodosobenzene–metal adducts characterized by X-ray crystallography. Access to these rare heterometallic clusters enabled differentiation of the metal centers involved in oxygen atom transfer (Mn) or redox modulation (Fe). Specifically, ^(57)Fe Mossbauer and X-ray absorption spectroscopy provided unique insights into how changes in oxidation state (Fe^(III)_2Fe^(II)Mn^(II) vs. Fe^(III)_3Mn^(II)) influence oxygen atom transfer in tetranuclear Fe_3Mn clusters. In particular, a one-electron redox change at a distal metal site leads to a change in oxygen atom transfer reactivity by ca. two orders of magnitude.
Association of body mass index with ER, PR and 14-3-3σ expression in tumor and stroma of type I and type II endometrial carcinoma.

// Joseph F. Peevey 1 , Brandon-Luke L. Seagle 2 , Kruti P. Maniar 1 and J. Julie Kim 3 1 Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA 2 Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA 3 Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA Correspondence to: J. Julie Kim, email: j-kim4@northwestern.edu Keywords: endometrial cancer, PR, ER, 14-3-3, obesity Received: January 26, 2017 Accepted: April 06, 2017 Published: April 18, 2017 ABSTRACT Obesity is a prominent risk factor for endometrial cancer (EC) and can impede on surgical and hormonal treatments. Markers of EC, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), phospho(Ser473)-AKT (pAKT) and 14-3-3 sigma (14-3-3σ) were measured in EC tissues in both the tumor and stroma and grouped by body mass index (BMI). Immunohistochemical scoring of 82 cases of Type 1 and Type II EC tissues revealed a significantly increased tumor expression of ER, PR and 14-3-3σ in women with Type I (BMI 40 compared to BMI < 40. Type II EC showed increased expression of ER in the stroma only between high and low BMI. Analysis of the TCGA RNA-Seq mRNA expression of ER, PR, PIK3CA, PTEN and SFN (gene for 14-3-3σ) confirmed increased PR expression in EC of obese women. In conclusion, ER, PR and 14-3-3σ are differentially regulated in Type I compared to Type II EC while PR is dysregulated in obese women with Type I EC. These findings have potential implications for efficacy of progestin treatment in obese women.
The effect of sintering parameters on spark plasma sintering of B4C

Abstract The effects of sintering temperature, heating rate, and holding time on the density and hardness of the spark plasma sintered B4C were investigated. Experimental results are compared with the predictions from computational thermodynamics. It is explained how the choice of sintering parameters can affect the mechanical properties of the sintered samples. The fundamental mechanisms of how the sintering parameters affect the properties of the sintered B4C are discussed with the sintering experiments and the predictions from the CALPHAD (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) approach. The effect of the number of graphite foil layers to pack the powder was also investigated. It is proposed that increasing the number of graphite foil layers may increase the driving force for the C-B2O3 reaction to proceed. Higher density and hardness is thus achieved with the removal of free carbon and B2O3 from the sample.
Church Corporations and Conflict of Laws in Antebellum America

Scholars frequently describe American religious disestablishment using commercial analogies, reckoning that states “privatized” religion or subjected churches to “free market competition” by making them more like commercial businesses, yet churches pioneered many of the corporate devices that came to define American enterprise after the Civil War. Such descriptions are thus anachronistic. Antebellum jurists were not concerned about the similarity of churches to businesses but rather their similarity to states, and the republican fear that churches could be rival sovereign states at first structured the law of disestablishment. In most states, churches gained rights of general incorporation but faced significant limitations on their corporate governance and property holdings. After the Marshall Court reasoned that churches did not govern and should not be considered rival sovereignties, state judges were left without a definite source of law to adjudicate church disputes. Given the vagueness of charters under general incorporation schemes, state courts allowed trust law to function as a conflict of law analysis: Judges treated religious doctrine as a foreign legal system with rules that could be ascertained and accorded respect in American courts. Such a move created a positive, corporate right of religious liberty that becomes obscured if one conceives of religious freedom only as an individual right to be asserted against the state.
Biomarkers to evaluate distress in cancer patients.

251Background: Self-report assessments of stress are a popular, but limiting practice, particularly for underserved populations that may struggle with poor psychological insight and illiteracy. Ass...
Algorithm to Manage Inconclusive RBC Antibodies by Reflex Manual Testing.

Objectives Inconclusive RBC antibody identification (ABID) may delay RBC crossmatch. An increased number of inconclusive ABID was observed, and an algorithm was developed to improve ABID efficiency. Methods RBC antibody screen (AS) and ABID were initially performed using solid-phase RBC adherence assay (SPRCA) and manual tube method. A retrospective analysis of AS and ABID results was performed pre- and postalgorithm implementation. Results The number of inconclusive ABID results decreased from 26 to six per month pre- and postimplementation, respectively. SPRCA became the primary AS method, and manual tube became the gold standard for ABID. SPRCA was used for ABID upon reference specialist secondary review and allowed identification of 30 specific RBC antibodies, for which no patients developed signs or symptoms of a hemolytic transfusion reaction. Conclusions RBC reference workflow using SPRCA and manual tube methods for AS and ABID decreases "inconclusive" ABID without adverse events.
Rudolf E. Kalman’s quest for algebraic characterizations of positivity

Abstract The present paper is a tribute to Professor Rudolf Emil Kalman, father of Mathematical System Theory and a towering figure in the field of Control and Dynamical Systems. Amongst his seminal contributions was a series of results and insights into the role of positivity in System Theory and in Control Engineering. The paper contains a collection of reminiscences by the author together with brief technical references that touch upon the unparalleled influence of Professor Kalman on this topic.
Possible Northward Introgression of a Tropical Lineage of Rhipicephalus sanguineus Ticks at a Site of Emerging Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Abstract Increasing rates of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico underscore the importance of studying the ecology of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the vector in that region. This species is reported to comprise distinct tropical and temperate lineages that may differ in vectorial capacity for RMSF and are hypothesized to be limited in their geographical range by climatic conditions. In this study, lineage was determined for ticks from 9 locations in California, Arizona, and Mexico by DNA sequencing of 12S, 16S, and D-loop ribosomal RNA. As expected, sites in northern California and eastern Arizona had temperate-lineage ticks, and phylogenetic analysis revealed considerable genetic variability among these temperate-lineage ticks. However, tropical-lineage ticks extended north from Oaxaca, Mexico were well established along the entire border from San Diego, California to western Arizona, and were found as far north as Lytle Creek near Lo...
Persons, bodies, minds, and disease.

An introduction to the March 2008 issue of Virtual Mentor on personhood. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Challenges for temporal planning with uncertain durations

We investigate the problem of temporal planning with concurrent actions having stochastic durations, especially in the context of extended-state-space based planners. The problem is challenging because stochastic durations lead to an explosion in the space of possible decision-epochs, which exacerbates the familiar challenge of growth in executable action combinations caused by concurrency.
Caregiving preferences and advance care planning among older adults living with HIV.

With the increase in the US of the number of older adults living with HIV, more research is needed to understand the caregiving and advance care planning needs of this population. This descriptive ...
Convolutional Neural Network Using a Breast MRI Tumor Dataset Can Predict Oncotype Dx Recurrence Score.

BACKGROUND Oncotype Dx is a validated genetic analysis that provides a recurrence score (RS) to quantitatively predict outcomes in patients who meet the criteria of estrogen receptor positive / human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (ER+/HER2-)/node negative invasive breast carcinoma. Although effective, the test is invasive and expensive, which has motivated this investigation to determine the potential role of radiomics. HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that convolutional neural network (CNN) can be used to predict Oncotype Dx RS using an MRI dataset. STUDY TYPE Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved retrospective study from January 2010 to June 2016. POPULATION In all, 134 patients with ER+/HER2- invasive ductal carcinoma who underwent both breast MRI and Oncotype Dx RS evaluation. Patients were classified into three groups: low risk (group 1, RS 30). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 1.5T and 3.0T. Breast MRI, T1 postcontrast. ASSESSMENT Each breast tumor underwent 3D segmentation. In all, 1649 volumetric slices in 134 tumors (mean 12.3 slices/tumor) were evaluated. A CNN consisted of four convolutional layers and max-pooling layers. Dropout at 50% was applied to the second to last fully connected layer to prevent overfitting. Three-class prediction (group 1 vs. group 2 vs. group 3) and two-class prediction (group 1 vs. group 2/3) models were performed. STATISTICAL TESTS A 5-fold crossvalidation test was performed using 80% training and 20% testing. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) were evaluated. RESULTS The CNN achieved an overall accuracy of 81% (95% confidence interval [CI] ± 4%) in three-class prediction with specificity 90% (95% CI ± 5%), sensitivity 60% (95% CI ± 6%), and the area under the ROC curve was 0.92 (SD, 0.01). The CNN achieved an overall accuracy of 84% (95% CI ± 5%) in two-class prediction with specificity 81% (95% CI ± 4%), sensitivity 87% (95% CI ± 5%), and the area under the ROC curve was 0.92 (SD, 0.01). DATA CONCLUSION It is feasible for current deep CNN architecture to be trained to predict Oncotype DX RS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:518-524.
Options of bipolar muscle transfers to restore deltoid function: an anatomical study

To outline the technical details and determine the ranges of two pedicled functioning flaps that are the upper pectoralis major (UPM) and latissimus dorsi (LD) to elucidate their respective indications with regards to deltoid impairment. The UPM and LD bipolar transfers were performed in 14 paired cadaveric shoulders, one on each side. The UPM was flipped 180° laterally over its pedicle to be placed onto the anterior deltoid. The LD flap was elevated on its pedicle to be rotated and positioned onto the deltoid mid-axis. Their respective spans were defined according to the deltoid muscle origin and insertion. The UPM outreached the lateral edge of the anterior deltoid origin with a mean distance of 7.3 cm (range 4–9.1 cm) off the lateral edge of the clavicle. Distally, the flap consistently overcame the proximal end of the deltoid tuberosity for a mean distance of 2.1 cm (range 0.9–3.2 cm). The LD flap mdi-axis could be consistently placed onto the deltoid mid-axis; spans of the anterior and posterior borders of the LD flap averaged 1 cm (range − 1 to 2.3 cm) and 0.2 cm (range −1.8 to 1.9 cm), respectively. The UPM flap optimal indications would be cases with deltoid defects limited to its anterior portion, whereas the LD bipolar transfer could be used in more extensive lesions. Additionally, the distal span of both transfers appears to allow their use in the setting of a reverse shoulder arthroplasty with subsequent humeral lengthening. Non-applicable—basic science study, cadaver dissection.
Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Finite-Element Analysis of Wood–Steel Bolted Joints Subjected to Large Deformations

AbstractThis paper numerically models the behavior of double-shear, single-bolted joints in wood-steel structures when subjected to very large deformations and compares results with test informatio...
Antibody responses against the vaccine antigens Ov -103 and Ov -RAL-2 are associated with protective immunity to Onchocerca volvulus infection in both mice and humans

Background The current strategy for the elimination of onchocerciasis is based on annual or bi-annual mass drug administration with ivermectin. However, due to several limiting factors there is a growing concern that elimination of onchocerciasis cannot be achieved solely through the current strategy. Additional tools are critically needed including a prophylactic vaccine. Presently Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 are the most promising vaccine candidates against an Onchocerca volvulus infection. Methodology/Principal findings Protection induced by immunization of mice with the alum-adjuvanted Ov-103 or Ov-RAL-2 vaccines appeared to be antibody dependent since AID-/- mice that could not mount antigen-specific IgG antibody responses were not protected from an Onchocerca volvulus challenge. To determine a possible association between antigen-specific antibody responses and anti-larvae protective immunity in humans, we analyzed the presence of anti-Ov-103 and anti-Ov-RAL-2 cytophilic antibody responses (IgG1 and IgG3) in individuals classified as putatively immune, and in infected individuals who developed concomitant immunity with age. It was determined that 86% of putatively immune individuals and 95% individuals with concomitant immunity had elevated IgG1 and IgG3 responses to Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2. Based on the elevated chemokine levels associated with protection in the Ov-103 or Ov-RAL-2 immunized mice, the profile of these chemokines was also analyzed in putatively immune and infected individuals; both groups contained significantly higher levels of KC, IP-10, MCP-1 and MIP-1β in comparison to normal human sera. Moreover, human monospecific anti-Ov-103 antibodies but not anti-Ov-RAL-2 significantly inhibited the molting of third-stage larvae (L3) in vitro by 46% in the presence of naive human neutrophils, while both anti-Ov-103 and anti-Ov-RAL-2 antibodies significantly inhibited the molting by 70–80% when cultured in the presence of naive human monocytes. Interestingly, inhibition of molting by Ov-103 antibodies and monocytes was only in part dependent on contact with the cells, while inhibition of molting with Ov-RAL-2 antibodies was completely dependent on contact with the monocytes. In comparison, significant levels of parasite killing in Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 vaccinated mice only occurred when cells enter the parasite microenvironment. Taken together, antibodies to Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 and cells are required for protection in mice as well as for the development of immunity in humans. Conclusions/Significance Alum-adjuvanted Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 vaccines have the potential of reducing infection and thus morbidity associated with onchocerciasis also in humans. The development of cytophilic antibodies, that function in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, is essential for a successful prophylactic vaccine against this infection.
Modeling the Impact of Music on Human Decision-Making

In the previous chapter, I discussed the problem of music recommendation as a sequential decision-making problem, as people’s preferences and expectations are informed by what has been played up to any given point in time. However, there are other ways in which people’s preferences and expectations are influenced by music. A relevant question in the context of studying interactive processes between people and automated systems is how background information, and music in particular, impact the way people make decisions. This chapter focuses on this question in two distinct contexts which engage different decision-making processes.
The Design and Implementation of a Motor Controller

approved: ______________________________________________________ Roger L. Traylor This thesis describes the design and implementation of a motor controller that is a customizable and cost effective replacement for the motor controllers used by Edwards Robotics Company (ERC). Extensive research of comparable products available in the market was conducted. The research formed the basis for the design specifications of the motor controller and a top-down design methodology was used to realize the controller. The controller was implemented and tested and meets all the design specifications. The most notable characteristics are a total cost of materials of approximately $101 and the capability of supplying a motor load with up to 40 amperes of DC current. Furthermore, the motor controller will serve as a viable solution for ERC’s needs.
Low threshold for intracranial imaging in fever of unknown origin associated with cyanotic heart disease in the pediatric population

Intracranial abscess in the pediatric population is an overall rare occurrence—4 in a million. The most common predisposing factor is underlying cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), which is associated with ~ 30% of all cases. We present an unusual case of cerebral abscess in a 17-month-old female with partially treated Tetralogy of Fallot and fever of unknown origin without associated neurologic symptoms. We propose a low threshold for intracranial imaging as part of the fever of unknown origin work-up in children with underlying cyanotic congenital heart disease.
Man, play, and games

From the 1950s to the 1970s, scholars of children’s play established parameters for their growing field. One early play scholar who deserves more attention is the French sociologist Roger Caillois....
Fuzzy Control of the Stabilization Process of Remote-controlled Underwater Robot

The article considers the problem of vertical control of a remote-controlled underwater robot. In this regard, there is a need to build a mathematical model of the robot’s movement and the choice of motion control algorithms, on the basis of which remote control can be implemented. The article substantiates the approach to constructing a mathematical model of underwater vehicles of small elongation, proposes a complete model of spatial motion, corresponding to the results of field tests of the robot. The structure of a fuzzy controller for controlling the stabilization of the speed of the robot, as well as ways to conFigure it is proposed. The results of modeling and testing the controlled motion of an underwater robot in a vertical plane are presented, showing the effectiveness of fuzzy control compared to a proportional differential controller. The results can be used to build automatic control systems for the spatial movement of an underwater robot.
Information and resources important to the quality of life of people living with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, typically progressive immune-mediated disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS), and is associated with a wide range of neurological, physical, and psychosocial effects. For people living with MS, access to relevant, timely, and accessible health information and resources may contribute to effective illness management, psychosocial health, and quality of life (QOL). In this study, we sought to increase understanding of the specific types of information most wanted by people with MS, as well as the sources and effects of this information. Specifically, we surveyed 748 adults with MS about (a) the sources from which they obtain information about MS, (b) the type of information that is most important in terms of improving their QOL, and (c) specific topics about which they would like to have more information, services, or resources. Content analysis of the qualitative results demonstrated the diversity of information sources accessed by people with MS and the importance of providing information through different formats and media. The participants prioritized information related to new MS medications and treatments, physical and mental health and wellness, and local opportunities for support. Implications for practicing rehabilitation counselors are discussed.
Adult obesity and its complications: a pediatric disease?

Purpose of review Approximately 2.6 million people die each year secondary to obesity related diseases. The risk of developing serious comorbidities depends on the age of onset as well as duration of obesity. In this review, we discuss trends in BMI trajectories from early childhood to adulthood with latest evidence on comorbidities in adulthood stemming from pediatric obesity and benefits of early intervention and treatment in childhood obesity. Recent findings Childhood obesity poses high risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and some types of cancer in adulthood. Early life obesity also increases risks of developing menstrual irregularities, infertility, and pregnancy complications. Several grave concerns including malignancies, autoimmune disorders, higher asthma morbidity, and psychiatric implications are found to be associated with childhood obesity. Disease outcomes can be transgenerational, causing suboptimal health in children of mothers with obesity. Encouragingly, many risks associated with childhood obesity can be reduced, delayed, or even reversed by early resolution of obesity necessitating close BMI monitoring and treatment early. Summary Early identification and aggressive management of childhood obesity is critical in prevention of debilitating comorbidities in adult life. Video abstract http://links.lww.com/COE/A19.
Same destination, different paths: When and how does observing others' choices and reasoning alter confidence in our own choices?

Abstract Seeing others make the same decision we do does not always increase choice confidence or tell the whole story of social influence when consumers expect to have to publically discuss their choice and reasoning. Instead, consumers' confidence in their publically stated choices can be diminished if observed others make the same choice but justify the choice using different reasoning. This effect occurs because confidence in one's own reasoning is thrown into doubt, rather than due to a desire to affiliate with the observed other. These effects are eliminated in both private choice contexts and in rejection versus selection tasks.
Creating a diverse student success infrastructure: The key to serving today’s student body and catalyzing cultural change:

While there have long been campus efforts to better support students from diverse backgrounds, these programs, services and interventions have not been systemic. This paper documents student succes...
Complete pericardial agenesis

Abstract A case report of pericardial agenesis identified in the course of a thoracoscopic resection of pulmonary sequestration in a 9-month-old boy.
Further Evidence of Discrimination in New Car Negotiations and Estimates of Its Cause

A 1991 test of new car dealerships in Chicago indicated that dealerships offered significantly lower prices to white male testers than to similarly situated black and-or female testers: white female testers were asked to pay 40% higher markups than white male testers; black male testers were asked to pay more than twice the markup of white male testers; and black female testers were asked to pay more than three times the markup of white male testers.1 This article extends the results of this initial test by presenting not only more authoritative evidence of discrimination but also a new quantitative method of identifying the causes of discrimination. Although the results of the original study were based on 165 negotiations, the original article emphasized that: [t]he most significant methodological weakness concerns the number of testers per tester type .... Only six testers were hired: one white female, one black female, one black male, and three white males. Thus, for example, the results demonstrating discrimination against black females are based on tests conducted by an individual black female (paired with one of three white males).2 This article presents the results of an expanded audit study that corrects for this weakness. In the expanded audits, 38 testers, including 5 black males, 7 black females, and 8 white females, negotiated for over 400 automobiles. The results are more authoritative than