cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the histologic accuracy of needle biopsy before and after renal cryoablation: laboratory and initial clinical experience.

OBJECTIVES To minimize the risk of needle biopsy, including tumor seeding and hemorrhage, we examined the feasibility of needle biopsy after renal cryoablation. METHODS Four cryolesions were created bilaterally on normal porcine renal tissue with an 8-minute double-freeze cycle using a single 17-gauge cryoprobe. Biopsies were obtained with a 16G biopsy needle before and after cryoablation under direct vision. Each biopsy specimen was evaluated for the number of glomeruli and arterioles. We used a two-sample t-test to analyze the data. Subsequently, 10 patients with small renal masses underwent laparoscopic cryoablation using a standard double freeze-thaw cycle. We used an 18G biopsy needle to sample the renal mass with a single core taken before and after cryoablation. A blinded pathologist evaluated the specimens for the histologic accuracy of the two sampling techniques. We used chi-square statistic to determine an association between the diagnostic quality of the core specimens. RESULTS Two hundred biopsies were obtained from porcine renal tissue. The average number of glomeruli for the pre- and postcryoablation sample was 9.6, and 7.8, respectively (P = 0.04). The average number of arterioles for the pre- and postcryoablation group was 2.3 and 1.9, respectively (P = 0.04). During clinical application, seven of 10 precryoablation and seven of 10 postcryoablation biopsies were diagnostic (P = 0.639). Histopathology was established in all 10 cases. There was no significant bleeding from any needle biopsy. CONCLUSIONS The porcine model established the feasibility of histologic diagnosis after cryoablation. Our preliminary clinical experience demonstrates that postcryoablation biopsy has similar diagnostic yields to precryoablation biopsy.
Inhibitory collaterals in genetically identified medium spiny neurons in mouse primary corticostriatal cultures

Inhibitory collaterals between striatal medium spiny neuron (MSN) subtypes have been shown to critically influence striatal output. However, the low rate of inhibitory collateral detection between striatal MSNs in conventional ex vivo slice recordings has made the study of these connections challenging. Furthermore, most studies on MSN collaterals have been conducted either blind or in models, in which only one MSN subtype can be distinguished. Here, we describe a dissociated culture system using striatal and cortical neurons harvested from genetically modified mice at postnatal day 0. These mice express tdTomato and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) downstream of the dopamine D1 and D2 receptor promoters, respectively, allowing for simultaneous distinction between the two major subtypes of MSNs. In vitro, these neurons develop spines, hyperpolarized resting membrane potentials and exhibit up-and-down states, while also maintaining expression of both fluorophores through time. Using paired whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from identified MSNs at 14 days in vitro, we are able to detect a much higher rate of inhibitory functional synapses than what has been previously reported in slice recordings. These collateral synapses release γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and shape the firing patters of other MSNs. Although reduced in vitro models have a number of inherent limitations, the cultures described here provide a unique opportunity to study frequently observed functional collaterals between identifiable MSNs. Additionally, cultured neurons allow for control of the extracellular environment, with the potential to investigate pharmacological regulation of inhibitory MSNs collaterals.
Neurological manifestation of colonic adenocarcinoma

Paraneoplastic neurologic disorders are extremely rare in cancer patients and are most commonly associated with certain tumors, such as ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, and breast cancer. We report here a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome in a 53-year-old man with colonic adenocarcinoma with a solitary liver metastasis. His paraneoplastic syndrome was successfully treated by methylprednisolone and primary oncologic therapies including neoadjuvant chemotherapy and definitive surgery. This is also the first documented case of simultaneous manifestation of a sensory neuropathy and limbic encephalitis with colon cancer.
Application of antimicrobial ice for reduction of foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes) on the surface of fish.

J.-H. SHIN, S. CHANG AND D.-H. KANG. 2004. Aims: The efficacy of antimicrobial ice was evaluated for the reduction of foodborne pathogens on the surface of fish. Methods and Results: Antimicrobial ice containing chlorine dioxide (ClO2) was utilized to control foodborne pathogens in laboratory media and on fish skin. Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenesstrains were treated with antimicrobial ice for 30 min on plates of selective agar and for 120 min on fish skin at room temperature, and then incubated for enumeration. After treatment with 100 ppm ClO2 for 30 min, 5AE4, 4AE4 and 3AE2 log10reduction was obtained withE. coliO157:H7,Salm.Typhimurium andL. monocytogenes on laboratory media, respectively. When antimicrobial ice (100 ppm ClO2) was applied to fish skin for 120 min, total reduction of E. coli O157:H7, Salm. Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes was 4AE8, 2AE6 and 3AE3 log10, respectively. Conclusion: The initial load of foodborne pathogens was reduced by antimicrobial ice and the lowered microbial level was maintained during treatment. Significance and Impact of the Study: The application of antimicrobial ice is a simple and effective method for the safe preservation of fish.
The distribution and purity of anorthosite across the Orientale basin: New perspectives from Moon Mineralogy Mapper data

[1] The Orientale basin is a multiring impact structure on the western limb of the Moon that provides a clear view of the primary lunar crust exposed during basin formation. Previously, near-infrared reflectance spectra suggested that Orientale's Inner Rook Ring (IRR) is very poor in mafic minerals and may represent anorthosite excavated from the Moon's upper crust. However, detailed assessment of the mineralogy of these anorthosites was prohibited because the available spectroscopic data sets did not identify the diagnostic plagioclase absorption feature near 1250 nm. Recently, however, this absorption has been identified in several spectroscopic data sets, including the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), enabling the unique identification of a plagioclase-dominated lithology at Orientale for the first time. Here we present the first in-depth characterization of the Orientale anorthosites based on direct measurement of their plagioclase component. In addition, detailed geologic context of the exposures is discussed based on analysis of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Narrow Angle Camera images for selected anorthosite identifications. The results confirm that anorthosite is overwhelmingly concentrated in the IRR. Comparison with nonlinear spectral mixing models suggests that the anorthosite is exceedingly pure, containing >95 vol % plagioclase in most areas and commonly ~99–100 vol %. These new data place important constraints on magma ocean crystallization scenarios, which must produce a zone of highly pure anorthosite spanning the entire lateral extent of the 430 km diameter IRR.
An Analysis of Writing Activities: A Study of Language Arts Textbooks.

This study examined three recent language arts textbook programs to determine the frequency of writing activities, the nature of writing tasks, and the frequency of process-approach activities such as selecting topics, prewriting, sharing, revising, and publishing. Results indicate that elementary school students receive in the central part of the lessons in their language arts textbooks opportunities to write an averange of approximately one piece of extended writing per week. Typically, the topic of the piece is selected by the text rather than the student; there is no prewriting activity; the piece is not shared with a teacher or peers; revision, which is seldom suggested, focuses on editing surface features, not content; and students' products are not published. Recommendations for improvements in writing activities are considered.
Adaptive applications for ubiquitous collaboration in mobile environments

The wide availability of networked devices has become one of the main challenges for designers of collaborative applications. Mobile devices are not as "standardized" as stationary computers but much more diverse with respect to computing resources, connection bandwidth and display capabilities. This paper presents a framework for development of applications adaptive to the client's computing platform. The framework supports adaptation of both shared data and user interface to user preferences and display characteristics. Shared data and the user interface are each specified by an XML document. The user interface XML document species the interface by a generic "interface graph", which also includes the list of the valid data types. The generic interface graph is transformed into a device-dependant interface graph for individual client devices, using predefined device-specific mapping rules.
Individual and Systemic Influences on Turnout: Who Votes? 1984

While Wolfinger and Rosenstone's (1980) analysis of turnout in presidential elections focused on individual demographic characteristics, several scholars (Patterson and Caldeira 1983; Cox and Munger 1989) have emphasized the importance of state-level systemic variables (e.g., per capita income, party competition, and campaign spending) in predicting turnout. This paper addresses three main questions. First, are individual demographic characteristics as influential in predicting turnout in 1984 as Wolfinger and Rosenstone found they were in 1972? Second, do individual characteristics lessen in importance when systemic factors are controlled for? And, third, to what extent does the effect of individual characteristics vary across different regions? Data on individual demographic characteristics are taken from the Census Bureau's November 1984 Current Population Survey and merged with systemic data. We find that race and sex have become much stronger predictors of turnout than they were in 1972, though educa...
Myogenic conversion of human non-muscle cells for the diagnosis and therapy of neuromuscular diseases.

Control of tissue-specific gene expression in eukaryotes represents one of the central unanswered questions in developmental biology. Davis et al (1) isolated a muscle regulatory cDNA called MyoD from mouse cells: when transfected into fibroblasts or adipocytes, MyoD converts these cells to myoblasts, which, under appropriate conditions, can fuse and differentiate. Later, several additional genes, myd (2), myogenin (3) and Myf-5 (4), also capable of stably converting non-muscle cells to myoblasts were isolated. The availability of these probes will lead to a better understanding of the ordered regulation of gene expression in muscle and other differentiating tissues. These factors that can produce myogenic conversion may also have practical applications in the diagnosis or even the treatment of hereditary human myopathies, such as Duchenne Muscular dystrophy (DMD). This will be the theme of this presentation.
The Spatial Diffusion of Voting Participation: Qualitative and Quantitative Predictions as Solutions to the Laplace Equation

Political scientists have offered much evidence that political behavior and attitudes can spread or diffuse through society. For the most part, however, proof of diffusion is limited to excluding other alternatives and showing that a model is “consistent with” a social diffusion process. In legal terms, one might say that the evidence is circumstantial. This paper sets a higher goal for determining whether a diffusion process is behind a spatial distribution. Results will show that social diffusion of voting participation can lead to highly specific and predictable behavior patterns across a country, as seen in the United States and Russia, and that one can test for these patterns with qualitative and quantitative analyses.
What is a Church? A Look at Tax Exemptions for the Original Kleptonian Neo-American Church and the First Church of Cannabis

The tax definition of "church," as well as the definition of "religion," have evolved. For years, the IRS defined churches with a fourteen factor test. More recent cases and rulings, however, have used an "associational" test.This article applies these two definitions to two "marijuana churches" -- the Original Kleptonian Neo-American Church, founded in the 1960's, and the First Church of Cannabis, founded in 2015. I conclude that both churches either would already pass muster under either definition, or could easily do so with a bit of tweaking and some lawyerly advice. Therefore, it would not be too difficult to game the system, and to create a religious organization and a church for tax purposes, even when that status is not legitimate.However, in light of First Amendment concerns, there are no alternative definitions that would do the job any better. The risk that an occasional illegitimate organization might derive the tax benefits of being a religious organization or church is an acceptable price to pay for a robust First Amendment.
Marked neonatal breast hypertrophy in a male with transient hyperprolactinemia.

A male neonate with marked breast hypertrophy associated with transient hype rprolactinemia is reported. The breast hypertrophy resolved when the serum prolactin levels decreased to normal. Ultrasonographic finding of the breast hypertrophy are presented. It is not known if the hyperprolactinemia was etiologically related to the breast hypertrophy.
International Personal Data Protection and Digital Identity Management Tools

International guidelines establish principles for the treatment of personal data. Might digital identity management tools simultaneously allow the interests of government, the private sector, and the citizen to be met - namely, legitimate government access to and sharing of personal data, efficiency in web-services exchanges, and effective protections for personal data?
Biases in choices about fairness: Psychology and economic inequality

This paper investigates choices about “distributional fairness” (sometimes called “distributive justice”), i.e., selection of the proper way for resources to be distributed in group. The study finds evidence that several of the same biases of risky decision making also apply to choices about distributional fairness, in particular focusing on the key biases that lead to prospect theory. This finding is achieved by introducing a novel thought experiment regarding the fairness of resource distributions, then manipulating the percentage of individuals who gain or lose in these distributions, and changing the sizes of gains and losses. Shared biases may mean similar heuristics are being employed. The mechanism behind this result leaves room for future exploration, as do the implications of the finding for related applications in inequality research.
Characterizing a Firefighter’s Immediate Thermal Environment in Live-Fire Training Scenarios

Detailed characterization of a firefighter’s typical thermal exposures during live-fire training and responses can provide important insights into the risks faced and the necessary protections, protocols, and standards required. In order to gather data on representative thermal conditions from a firefighter’s continually varying local environment in a live-fire training exercise, a portable heat flux and gas temperature measurement system was created, calibrated, and integrated into firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE). Data were collected from 25 live-fire training exposures during seven different types of scenarios. Based on the collected data, mild training environments generally exposed firefighters to temperatures around 50°C and heat fluxes around 1 kW/m2, while severe training conditions generally resulted in temperatures between 150°C and 200°C with heat fluxes between 3 kW/m2 and 6 kW/m2. For every scenario investigated, the heat flux data portrayed a more severe environment than the temperature data when interpreted using established thermal classes developed by the National Institute for Standards and Technology for electronic equipment used by first responders. Local temperatures from the portable measurement system were compared with temperatures measured by stationary thermocouples installed in the training structure for 14 different exposures. It was determined the stationary temperatures represented only a rough approximate bound of the actual temperature of the immediate training environment due to the typically coarse distribution of these sensors throughout the structure and their relative (fixed) distance from the fire sets. The portable thermal measurement system has provided new insights into the integration of electronic sensors with firefighter PPE and the conditions experienced by firefighters in live-fire training scenarios, which has promise to improve the safety and health of the fire service.
Light Saturation of Photosynthesis

Light-driven reactions of photosynthesis have to fit downstream biochemical reactions that become limiting at increasing light intensities. As a consequence, photosynthesis displays a light saturation curve. Dissipation of excess absorbed energy by non-photochemical energy quenching, although it is responsible for diminishing light utilization efficiency, is essential for protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from photo-oxidative stress.
Feasibility of blind aortic catheter placement in the prehospital environment to guide resuscitation in cardiac arrest.

Background Aortic catheter-based resuscitation therapies are emerging with laboratory investigations showing benefit in models of trauma-related noncompressible torso hemorrhage and nontraumatic cardiac arrest. For these investigational aortic catheter-based therapies to reach their greatest potential clinical benefit, the ability to initiate them in the prehospital setting will be important. Feasibility of prehospital aortic catheterization without imaging capability supports this potential and is described in this report. Methods A physician prehospital response system was created in cooperation with the local emergency medical services system to provide invasive hemodynamic monitoring during cardiac arrest. Physicians were dispatched to all known or suspected prehospital cardiac arrests covered by the emergency medical services system. Physicians responded with a specialized vascular catheterization pack and a monitor with invasive pressure monitoring capability. The physicians performed blind thoracic aortic and central venous catheterizations in cardiac arrest patients in the prehospital setting to measure coronary perfusion pressure, to optimize closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique, and to administer intra-aortic epinephrine. Results During a 2-year period, 22 medical cardiac arrest patients underwent prehospital invasive hemodynamic monitoring to guide resuscitation. Most patients had both aortic and central venous catheters inserted. The combination of intra-aortic epinephrine and adjustments in closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique resulted in improved coronary perfusion pressure. Return of spontaneous circulation with survival to hospital admission was achieved in 50% (11 of 22) of these patients. Conclusion This report demonstrates the feasibility of successful blind aortic and central venous catheterizations in the prehospital environment and supports the potential feasibility of other emerging aortic catheter-based resuscitation therapies.
Post-stinging behavior of worker honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Following sting autotomy, honey bee workers continue to participate in colony defense by following and harassing potential predators. Bees that pursue a human observer are highly likely to have previously stung a leather target at the colony entrance, Wing wear and other characteristics of the pursuing bees suggest that they are soldier or guard bees rather than foragers or younger bees. We compared the responses of different behavioral castes by inducing a bee to sting and then assessing the response of that bee to other bees; after stinging, guard bees displayed heightened activity, but soldiers, foragers, or hive bees did not. Removal of the sting in cold-narcotized bees showed that the physiological stimulus for pursuit behavior was not solely the removal of the sting. The continued defensive role for bees that have lost their sting retains the residual value of individual workers to the colony.
Incidence of Communicable Diseases in Linshui County From 1996 to 2006

Objective The present study was designed to gain insight into the dynamic epidemic situation and the epidemiological characteristics of the notifiable communicable diseases in Linshui County from 1996 to 2006, and to provide scientific facts for the formulation and improvement of the strategies for the prevention and control of communicable diseases.Methods Descriptive epidemiology was employed to analyze the data on the incidences of the communicable diseases and their order and the change in the diseases among the residents in Linshui in the 11 years. Results It was found that the average annual incidence rate of the communicable diseases in the 11 years was 193.10/105,with an annual mortality rate of 0.54/105(55 cases).The total incidence rate of the communicable diseases presented wavelike decrease.The pulmonary tuberculosis,different types of hepatitis,dysentery,measles and epidemic encephalitis B accounting for 95.83% of the total cases. Conclusion The total incidence rate of the communicable diseases assumed wavelike decrease in the 11 year in Linshui County. The prevention and control of the main communicable diseases still need to be taken seriously.
An Exploratory Human Laboratory Experiment Evaluating Vaporized Cannabis in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain From Spinal Cord Injury and Disease.

Abstract Using 8-hour human laboratory experiments, we evaluated the analgesic efficacy of vaporized cannabis in patients with neuropathic pain related to injury or disease of the spinal cord, most of whom were experiencing pain despite traditional treatment. After obtaining baseline data, 42 participants underwent a standardized procedure for inhaling 4 puffs of vaporized cannabis containing either placebo, 2.9%, or 6.7% delta 9-THC on 3 separate occasions. A second dosing occurred 3 hours later; participants chose to inhale 4 to 8 puffs. This flexible dosing was used to attempt to reduce the placebo effect. Using an 11-point numerical pain intensity rating scale as the primary outcome, a mixed effects linear regression model showed a significant analgesic response for vaporized cannabis. When subjective and psychoactive side effects (eg, good drug effect, feeling high, etc) were added as covariates to the model, the reduction in pain intensity remained significant above and beyond any effect of these measures (all P Perspective A crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled human laboratory experiment involving administration of vaporized cannabis was performed in patients with neuropathic pain related to spinal cord injury and disease. This study supports consideration of future research that would include longer duration studies over weeks to months to evaluate the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in patients with central neuropathic pain.
Dewey Hates Hobbits: Fantasy and Imagination in the Work of John Dewey

In 2010, David Waddington published a paper in Studies in Philosophy of Education entitled “Troublesome Sentiments: The Origins of Dewey’s Antipathy to Children’s Imaginative Activities.” In this article, Waddington embarks on a genealogical account of Dewey’s “apparent hostility toward children’s imaginative pursuits.” (p. 351). This paper extends and refines Waddington’s argument, arguing that the distinction between fantasy and creative imagination is an important one to understanding Dewey. I conclude that Dewey’s antipathy is really focused on fantasy. This antipathy extends throughout much of his educational, psychological, and aesthetic work. Dewey’s distain for fantasy rests on his arguments about the creative and productive purposes of thought and activity. He feels that fantasy, dealing with the unreal and overly emotional aspects of thought, is unproductive and, occasionally, dangerous. I argue that this is an underestimation of fantasy, one that rests on a conflation of fantasy as an activity with the fantastic as subject matter . I argue that Dewey underestimates fantasy, demonstrating that it might serve the moral and aesthetic purposes that drive his account of imagination.
A hierarchical approach to robust background subtraction using color and gradient information

We present a background subtraction method that uses multiple cues to detect objects robustly in adverse conditions. The algorithm consists of three distinct levels, i.e., pixel level, region level and frame level. At the pixel level, statistical models of gradients and color are separately used to classify each pixel as belonging to background or foreground. In the region level, foreground pixels obtained from the color based subtraction are grouped into regions and gradient based subtraction is then used to make inferences about the validity of these regions. Pixel based models are updated based on decisions made at the region level. Finally, frame level analysis is performed to detect global illumination changes. Our method provides the solution to some of the common problems that are not addressed by most background subtraction algorithms, such as fast illumination changes, repositioning of static background objects, and initialization of background model with moving objects present in the scene.
Ensemble Learning (EL) Independent Component Analysis (ICA) Approach to Derive Blood Input Function from FDG-PET Images in Small Animal

To extract the blood time-activity curves (TACs) from the PET image of a mouse heart is very difficult due to the limited spatial resolution of the PET system, small size of the heart, partial volume effects and cardiac motion. Ensemble Learning ? Independent Component Analysis (EL-ICA), a recently developed Bayesian method, has been implemented to extract clear TACs from the PET images and also been proved to be a useful method for image segmentation. The advantage of EL-ICA is it decomposes the images into different independent components while imposing strong nonnegativity constraints, which can maintain the independence and nonnegativity of the component images and TACs simultaneously. A down-sampled, segmented CT data set has been used to generate simulated PET data to best represent the structure of a real cardiac image. From the results of the simulation, we can show that EL-ICA was able to extract the TACs of the sample data. We have also applied EL-ICA to FDG images in mice. In this study, we show that myocardium and blood pool components can be separated successfully by EL-ICA, and the according TACs obtained. The EL-ICA method can be used to extract the arterial input function directly from the dynamic PET images to avoid the need for multiple blood sampling of the small animal.
Experimental and numerical characterization of freely propagating ozone-activated dimethyl ether cool flames

Abstract Experimental flame characterization is necessary for the development and validation of chemical kinetics models. Low temperature oxidation produces a cool flame, which is a combustion phenomenon resulting from negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior. Kinematic stabilization of premixed, freely propagating, ozone-activated, cool flames of dimethyl ether (DME) has been investigated at sub-atmospheric pressure of 7.3 kPa using a laminar flat flame Hencken burner. This platform permits estimation of laminar propagation speed, as well as spatially-resolved temperature and species mole fractions along the burner axis. Stability mapping for a range of equivalence ratios ( ϕ ) was performed to determine the range of ozone concentrations for which a cool flame can be sustained. Based on the results of stability mapping, an ozone concentration of 6.1% in oxygen was chosen to investigate the characteristics of DME cool flames over a range of equivalence ratios from ϕ = 0.4 to 1.4. Two distinct cool flame stabilization modes were observed in experiments: a burner-stabilized mode at low reactant flow rates, and a freely propagating mode at higher flow rates. From the transition between the two modes, cool flame propagation speeds from ϕ = 0.4 to 1.4 were determined. Flame temperatures were measured at these equivalence ratios, with maximum temperatures decreasing from 885 K at ϕ = 0.4 to 779 K at ϕ = 1.4. A single equivalence ratio of ϕ = 0.6 was chosen for detailed investigation of the flame structure, including spatial measurements of temperature and species as a function of height above the burner. Experimental results were compared to numerical simulations of a ϕ = 0.6 cool flame. Experimental propagation speed was found to be within 25% of the numerical value, and significant agreement between experimental and numerical species profiles was observed.
Young Children’s Rough and Tumble Play: Apprehensions and Opportunities

Young children in early childhood settings are engaging in rough and tumble play, sometimes to the dismay of the educators seeking to guide their behaviour. The children at play often display expressions of delight, as educators become concerned that someone might get hurt. Rough and tumble play evokes levels of apprehension while also affording opportunities for unique experiences. This article highlights research investigating the rough and tumble play of young children and the perceptions of educators and parents who guide the play. The study resulted in an increased understanding of rough and tumble play for early childhood educators and child development specialists seeking awareness and opportunities to effectively interpret and manage the play.
A Compromise Approach to Multiresponse Optimization

Practitioners oftenmust choose optimum operating conditions for several responses simultaneously. Rarely is the resulting "optimum" truly optimal for all of the individual responses taken individually. Instead, the optimum represents ome expli..
A real-time smartphone-based floor detection system for the visually impaired

According to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) more than 25 million people in the U.S. suffer from total or partial vision loss. Assistive technologies have been a pivotal tool to enhance blind people's lives in the last 20 years. Fall prevention (FP) is a research area that has been active for over a decade to improve people's lives through the use of pervasive computing. This work introduces a smartphone-based fall prevention system for the blind and elaborates on the first module: a floor detection system for indoor environments using a smartphone's camera. Image-based floor detection encompasses multiple stages that makes the entire process remarkably difficult. This difficulty is increased due to the complexity of current algorithms, the limited amount of resources available in mobile devices, the movement of the camera while walking, and the real time nature of the system. This paper provides a general description of the fall prevention system along with its challenges and current solutions. Then, a detailed description of the floor detection system is provided including its five modules: smoothing, edge detection, line detection, wall-floor boundary detection, and floor detection. Finally, the floor detection module evaluation shows an accuracy of 82%, a precision of 90.3%, and a recall of 75%.
Reprint of – Deep-sea coral and hardbottom habitats on the west Florida slope, eastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Until recently, benthic habitats dominated by deep-sea corals (DSC) appeared to be less extensive on the slope of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) than in the northeast Atlantic Ocean or off the southeastern US. There are relatively few bioherms (i.e., coral-built mounds) in the northern GOM, and most DSCs are attached to existing hard substrata (e.g., authigenically formed carbonate). The primary structure-forming, DSC in the GOM is Lophelia pertusa , but structure is also provided by other living and dead scleractinians, antipatharians (black corals), octocorals (gorgonians, soft corals), hydrocorals and sponges, as well as abundant rocky substrata. The best development of DSCs in the GOM was previously documented within Viosca Knoll oil and gas lease blocks 826 and 862/906 (north-central GOM) and on the Campeche Bank (southern GOM in Mexican waters). This paper documents extensive deep reef ecosystems composed of DSC and rocky hard-bottom recently surveyed on the West Florida Slope (WFS, eastern GOM) during six research cruises (2008–2012). Using multibeam sonar, CTD casts, and video from underwater vehicles, we describe the physical and oceanographic characteristics of these deep reefs and provide size or area estimates of deep coral and hardground habitats. The multibeam sonar analyses revealed hundreds of mounds and ridges, some of which were subsequently surveyed using underwater vehicles. Mounds and ridges in L . pertusa . An extensive rocky scarp, running roughly north-south for at least 229 km, supported lower abundances of scleractinian corals than the mounds and ridges, despite an abundance of settlement substrata. Areal comparisons suggested that the WFS may exceed other parts of the GOM slope in extent of living deep coral coverage and other deep-reef habitat (dead coral and rock). The complex WFS region warrants additional studies to better understand the influences of oceanography and geology on the occurrence of DSC and associated organisms. Protection measures are being considered to ensure the long-term integrity of this diverse ecosystem.
Rates of CO2 Mineralization in Geological Carbon Storage

ConspectusGeologic carbon storage (GCS) involves capture and purification of CO2 at industrial emission sources, compression into a supercritical state, and subsequent injection into geologic formations. This process reverses the flow of carbon to the atmosphere with the intention of returning the carbon to long-term geologic storage. Models suggest that most of the injected CO2 will be “trapped” in the subsurface by physical means, but the most risk-free and permanent form of carbon storage is as carbonate minerals (Ca,Mg,Fe)CO3. The transformation of CO2 to carbonate minerals requires supply of the necessary divalent cations by dissolution of silicate minerals. Available data suggest that rates of transformation are highly uncertain and difficult to predict by standard approaches. Here we show that the chemical kinetic observations and experimental results, when they can be reduced to a single cation-release time scale that describes the fractional rate at which cations are released to solution by miner...
Engineered production and evaluation of 6'-deoxy-tallysomycin H-1 revealing new insights into the structure-activity relationship of the anticancer drug bleomycin.

The bleomycins (BLMs), a family of glycopeptide antibiotics, are currently used clinically in combination with a number of other agents for the treatment of malignant tumors. Other members of the BLM family include tallysomycins (TLMs), phleomycins and zorbamycin (ZBM). We previously cloned and characterized the biosynthetic gene clusters for BLMs, TLMs and ZBM. Applications of combinatorial biosynthesis strategies to the three biosynthetic machineries enabled the engineered production of several BLM analogs with unique structural characteristics and varying DNA cleavage activities, thereby providing an outstanding opportunity to study the structure–activity relationship (SAR) for the BLM family of anticancer drugs. We now report the engineered production of a new BLM–TLM–ZBM hybrid metabolite, named 6′-deoxy-TLM H-1, which consists of the 22-desmethyl-BLM aglycone, the TLM A C-terminal amine and the ZBM disaccharide, by heterologous expression of the zbmGL genes from the ZBM biosynthetic gene cluster in the Streptoalloteichus hindustanus ΔtlmH mutant strain SB8005. Evaluation of the DNA cleavage activities of 6′-deoxy-TLM H-1 as a measurement for its potential anticancer activity, in comparison with TLM H-1 and BLM A2, reveals new insight into the SAR of BLM family of anticancer drugs.
I hate/don’t hate/still hate group projects! A tripartite ethical framework for enhancing student collaboration

AbstractStudents often say they hate group projects, because they don’t want their grade held hostage by someone else’s effort (or lack thereof) and/or because they’ve had the experience previously of having to do other people’s work for them. For the instructor, the challenge is to figure out how to provide students with the valuable lessons and learning experience of collaborative work while avoiding the common pitfalls. How should one, and how can one, balance individual accountability—one’s grade is a reflection of one’s own work—with the shared responsibility of meaningful collaborative work—one’s grade is a reflection of the group’s effort and ability to work together? To answer this question, this essay offers a tripartite ethical framework with which to critically evaluate the design of group projects and assignments. Building upon the foundation provided by the ethical philosophies of Emmanuel Levinas and Mikhail Bakhtin, and supplemented by a generalized account of accountability, this essay wil...
Early life exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and mid-childhood lipid and alanine aminotransferase levels.

Abstract Background Growing evidence suggests that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may disrupt lipid homeostasis and liver function, but data in children are limited. Objective We examined the association of prenatal and mid-childhood PFAS exposure with lipids and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in children. Methods We studied 682 mother-child pairs from a Boston-area pre-birth cohort. We quantified PFASs in maternal plasma collected in pregnancy (median 9.7 weeks gestation, 1999–2002) and in child plasma collected in mid-childhood (median age 7.7 years, 2007–2010). In mid-childhood we also measured fasting total (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and ALT. We then derived low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from TC, HDL-C, and TG using the Friedewald formula. Results Median (interquartile range, IQR) perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDeA) concentrations in child plasma were 6.2 (5.5), 4.3 (3.0), and 0.3 (0.3) ng/mL, respectively. Among girls, higher child PFOS, PFOA, and PFDeA concentrations were associated with detrimental changes in the lipid profile, including higher TC and/or LDL-C [e.g., β per IQR increment in PFOS = 4.0 mg/dL (95% CI: 0.3, 7.8) for TC and 2.6 mg/dL (−0.5, 5.8) for LDL-C]. However, among both boys and girls, higher plasma concentrations of these child PFASs were also associated with higher HDL-C, which predicts better cardiovascular health, and slightly lower ALT, which may indicate better liver function. Prenatal PFAS concentrations were also modestly associated with improved childhood lipid and ALT levels. Conclusions Our data suggest that prenatal and mid-childhood PFAS exposure may be associated with modest, but somewhat conflicting changes in the lipid profile and ALT levels in children.
Comparison of face-to-face interaction and the electronic medical record for venous thromboembolism risk stratification using the 2005 Caprini score.

Abstract Objective Perioperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk can be quantified with the 2005 Caprini score. The Caprini score has previously been validated by review of the electronic medical record (EMR) in >3000 plastic surgery patients. However, the accuracy of Caprini-based risk stratification using the EMR, as opposed to face-to-face contact with the patient, remains unknown. Methods Plastic and reconstructive surgery patients who had surgery under general anesthesia, required postoperative admission, and were started on enoxaparin prophylaxis were identified. The 2005 Caprini scores were calculated retrospectively using EMR review only (no direct contact with the patients) to establish cohort 1. The 2005 Caprini scores were calculated prospectively using face-to-face interaction with the patients, followed by EMR review, to establish cohort 2. For all included patients, EMR review or face-to-face screening was personally performed by the authors. We compared the proportions of patients with identified Caprini risk factors and the aggregate risk scores of patients between cohorts. Results Complete data were available for 536 unique patients in the EMR review cohort and 207 unique patients in the face-to-face cohort. Patients whose risk scores were calculated face to face had higher Caprini scores than those calculated by EMR review alone. The face-to-face cohort had a higher proportion of patients risk stratified as Caprini 7-8 (29.5% vs 24.8%) and Caprini >8 (26.6% vs 10.5%) compared with the EMR review cohort. Patients risk stratified by face-to-face discussion were significantly more likely to be stratified into a higher risk Caprini stratum. Face-to-face discussion identified a 2-fold increase in patients with personal history of deep venous thrombosis (12.6% vs 6.3%; P = .005), a 3-fold increase in patients with family history of VTE (16.9% vs 5.2%; P Conclusions When it is used in isolation, the EMR may provide inaccurate estimation of patient-level VTE risk using the 2005 Caprini score. This study demonstrates that EMR review may miss key VTE risk factors, such as personal or family history of VTE, history of pregnancy loss, and others; this omission results in lower estimates of perioperative VTE risk. The importance of provider-patient interaction for accurate VTE risk stratification cannot be overstated.
Ecostratigraphy’s Basis, using Silurian and Devonian Examples, with Consideration of the Biogeographic Complication

Ecostratigraphy enables one to use a combined community ecologic and biogeographic analysis to provide a far more detailed, evolutionarily based biostratigraphy. It makes clear the lower level correlation precision all too commonly present between biotas from different biogeographic and ecologic units. It capitalizes on the improved correlation precision made possible by combining data from adjoining, either intertonguing or mixed, ecologic and biogeographic units. It emphasizes the importance of careful taxonomic work on the phyletically evolving species within generic lineages, typically the uncommon to rare genera within any community group. It emphasizes the critical importance of working with large fossil collections that have a much better chance of recovering the uncommon to rare genera, the rarefaction phenomenon.
Inhibition of ventilation by carotid body hypocapnia during sleep.

Apneas and hypopneas during sleep, however caused, are typically preceded by hyperventilation and concomitant hypocapnia (Dempsey & Skatrud, 1986). This hypocapnia is a transient event and would most likely be sensed primarily by the carotid body chemoreceptors. We asked, therefore, whether hypocapnia isolated to the carotid body would inhibit ventilation and, if so, whether this inhibition would be dependent on state of consciousness. To answer this question we studied unanesthetized dogs during normal sleep and wakefulness using a preparation in which blood gases in the perfusate supplying the carotid sinus region could be controlled in isolation from the systemic circulation.
Managing dog, cat, and human bite wounds

All bite wounds require the same general approach regarding history and physical exam, selective ancillary testing, wound cleaning, and immobilization. Primary closure should be considered only for bites in which the concerns about cosmetic outcome outweigh the risk of infection. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be initiated for patients with high-risk bite wounds and for those who are at risk for serious wound infection complications. The chosen antibiotic should cover beta-lactamase-producing aerobic and anaerobic organisms, including Pasteurella species in animal bites and E corrodens in human bites.
Catharine Cockburn’s Enlightenment

That Catharine Cockburn, nee Trotter, was enlightened there can be no doubt. Her wit, her learning and her standing in cultivated and polite society are sufficient proof of this. That her enlightenment is a paramount expression of the philosophical Enlightenment and that this may also be said with high assurance, is the thesis of this chapter. Although I will have occasion to remark on most of her philosophical writings and some of her correspondence, these remarks will be preliminary to a discussion of the main themes of her last writings, written in defence of the metaphysical and moral opinions of the theologian, metaphysician and natural philosopher Samuel Clarke (1675–1729). It is in these writings that we may discover the perfection of her enlightenment and discern most clearly its distinguishing marks. In justifying the claim of paramountcy for her, I hope to correct an injustice done to her no doubt because of her sex, which was to treat her work as that of a minor figure whose thoughts were altogether derivative, deferential, and yet not fully comprehended by her, gleaned from her reading of the work of others, who were certified great thinkers, all male; and because it seemed that, out of deference, she refashioned her thoughts to fit those of the particular author who momentarily had commanded her attention, dutifully entering one train of thought that happened to head in a direction contrary to the one along which she had previously made her way, she has been charged with inconsistency, and even worse, with unwitting inconsistency.
Statistics, Statisticians, and the Internet of Things

Within the overall rubric of big data, one emerging subset holds particular promise, peril, and attraction. Machine-generated traffic from sensors, data logs, and the like, transmitted using Internet practices and principles, is being referred to as the “Internet of Things” (IoT). Understanding, handing, and analyzing this type of data will stretch existing tools and techniques, thus providing a proving ground for other disciplines to adopt and adapt new methods and concepts. In particular, new tools will be needed to analyze data in motion rather than data at rest, and there are consequences of having constant or near-constant readings from the ground-truth phenomenon as opposed to numbers at a remove from their origin. Both machine learning and traditional statistical approaches will coevolve rapidly given the economic forces, national security implications, and wide public benefit of this new area of investigation. At the same time, data practitioners will be exposed to the possibility of privacy breaches, accidents causing bodily harm, and other concrete consequences of getting things wrong in theory and/or practice. We contend that the physical instantiation of data practice in the IoT means that statisticians and other practitioners may well be seeing the origins of a post-big data era insofar as the traditional abstractions of numbers from ground truth are attenuated and in some cases erased entirely.
Factors affecting same-day cancelation of outpatient pediatric oncologic procedural sedation.

Background: Children with cancer undergo serial invasive, painful procedures as a part of their diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance regimens that require procedural sedation (PS). Some may have ...