cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
USE OF TRANSPORTABLE RADIATION DETECTION INSTRUMENTS TO ASSESS INTERNAL CONTAMINATION FROM INTAKES OF RADIONUCLIDES PART I: FIELD TESTS AND MONTE CARLO SIMULATIONS

The detonation of a radiological dispersion device or other radiological incidents could result in the dispersion of radioactive materials and intakes of radionuclides by affected individuals. Transportable radiation monitoring instruments could be used to measure photon radiation from radionuclides in the body for triaging individuals and assigning priorities to their bioassay samples for further assessments. Computer simulations and experimental measurements are required for these instruments to be used for assessing intakes of radionuclides. Count rates from calibrated sources of Co, Cs, and Am were measured on three instruments: a survey meter containing a 2.54 × 2.54-cm NaI(Tl) crystal, a thyroid probe using a 5.08 × 5.08-cm NaI(Tl) crystal, and a portal monitor incorporating two 3.81 × 7.62 × 182.9-cm polyvinyltoluene plastic scintillators. Computer models of the instruments and of the calibration sources were constructed, using engineering drawings and other data provided by the manufacturers. Count rates on the instruments were simulated using the Monte Carlo radiation transport code MCNPX. The computer simulations were within 16% of the measured count rates for all 20 measurements without using empirical radionuclide-dependent scaling factors, as reported by others. The weighted root-mean-square deviations (differences between measured and simulated count rates, added in quadrature and weighted by the variance of the difference) were 10.9% for the survey meter, 4.2% for the thyroid probe, and 0.9% for the portal monitor. These results validate earlier MCNPX models of these instruments that were used to develop calibration factors that enable these instruments to be used for assessing intakes and committed doses from several gamma-emitting radionuclides.
Graded Neuronal Modulations Related to Visual Spatial Attention

Studies of visual attention in monkeys typically measure neuronal activity when the stimulus event to be detected occurs at a cued location versus when it occurs at an uncued location. But this approach does not address how neuronal activity changes relative to conditions where attention is unconstrained by cueing. Human psychophysical studies have used neutral cueing conditions and found that neutrally cued behavioral performance is generally intermediate to that of cued and uncued conditions ([Posner et al., 1978][1]; [Mangun and Hillyard, 1990][2]; [Montagna et al., 2009][3]). To determine whether the neuronal correlates of visual attention during neutral cueing are similarly intermediate, we trained macaque monkeys to detect changes in stimulus orientation that were more likely to occur at one location (cued) than another (uncued), or were equally likely to occur at either stimulus location (neutral). Consistent with human studies, performance was best when the location was cued, intermediate when both locations were neutrally cued, and worst when the location was uncued. Neuronal modulations in visual area V4 were also graded as a function of cue validity and behavioral performance. By recording from both hemispheres simultaneously, we investigated the possibility of switching attention between stimulus locations during neutral cueing. The results failed to support a unitary “spotlight” of attention. Overall, our findings indicate that attention-related changes in V4 are graded to accommodate task demands. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Studies of the neuronal correlates of attention in monkeys typically use visual cues to manipulate where attention is focused (“cued” vs “uncued”). Human psychophysical studies often also include neutrally cued trials to study how attention naturally varies between points of interest. But the neuronal correlates of this neutral condition are unclear. We measured behavioral performance and neuronal activity in cued, uncued, and neutrally cued blocks of trials. Behavioral performance and neuronal responses during neutral cueing were intermediate to those of the cued and uncued conditions. We found no signatures of a single mechanism of attention that switches between stimulus locations. Thus, attention-related changes in neuronal activity are largely hemisphere-specific and graded according to task demands. [1]: #ref-42 [2]: #ref-28 [3]: #ref-37
Enriching Education through Data Mining (invited paper)

Education is acknowledged to be the primary vehicle for improving the economic well-being of people [1,6]. Textbooks have a direct bearing on the quality of education imparted to the students as they are the primary conduits for delivering content knowledge [9]. They are also indispensable for fostering teacher learning and constitute a key component of the ongoing professional development of the teachers [5,8]. Many textbooks, particularly from emerging countries, lack clear and adequate coverage of important concepts [7]. In this talk, we present our early explorations into developing a data mining based approach for enhancing the quality of textbooks. We discuss techniques for algorithmically augmenting different sections of a book with links to selective content mined from the Web. For ﬁnding authoritative articles, we ﬁrst identify the set of key concept phrases contained in a section. Using these phrases, we ﬁnd web (Wikipedia) articles that represent the central concepts presented in the section and augment the section with links to them [4]. We also describe a framework for ﬁnding images that are most relevant to a section of the textbook, while respecting global relevancy to the entire chapter to which the section belongs. We pose this problem of matching images to sections in a textbook chapter as an optimization problem and present an eﬃcient algorithm for solving it [2].
Cuidados informales y sistema de salud en Nicaragua

El presente articulo, apunta a realizar una exploracion analitica de los sistemas de cuidados aterrizados a las politicas de salud a partir de la contribucion teorica realizada por las teorias feministas, con especial enfasis en el caso de Nicaragua. Por ende, se retoma como foco central de analisis la relacion existente entre los sistemas de cuidados y las politicas de salud, que integra tambien la dimension subjetiva del sujeto cuidador, en su mayoria familiares que suministran cuidados de forma no remunerada. PALABRAS CLAVE Salud, sistema de cuidados, genero, politicas publicas.
CREBRF variant increases obesity risk and protects against diabetes in Samoans

A genome-wide study in Samoans has identified a protein-altering variant (p.Arg475Gln) in CREBRF as being associated with 1.3-fold increased risk of obesity and, intriguingly, 1.6-fold decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. This variant, which is common among Samoans (minor allele frequency = 26%) but extremely rare in other populations, promotes fat storage and reduces energy use in cellular models.
Comparisons of JOULE 1 rocket thermospheric wind observations in high latitudes with GITM simulations

The JOULE sounding rocket 1 experiment was carried out at Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska around 1200 UT on March 27th, 2003 with two instrumented rockets and one chemical tracer rocket. From the released trimethyl aluminum (TMA) trails, neutral wind measurements showed a wind peak at 120 km altitude and a jet structure around it, which were superposed by a vertically propagating wave. Running global ionosphere thermosphere model (GITM) with a stretched grid structure, sub-degree resolution around the JOULE rocket position was applied. Data-model comparison shows that the GITM simulation reproduced the large neutral wind at 120 km altitude. The simulation also shows a strong vertical wind shear below 120 km, which is generally consistent with observation but with a smaller gradient. The primary discrepancies were the wave features below 115 km and the wind gradient above 120 km altitude, which indicates that the wave forcing besides the ion-drag force plays an important role to the neutral dynamics in the lower thermosphere. The comparison between simulations using different high-latitude drivers was also conducted to emphasize the significance of the electrodynamics to the neutral wind. Using assimilative mapping of ionospheric electrodynamics (AMIE) procedure as the high latitude driver produced more accurate neutral wind patterns than using Weimer empirical model.
Patriotic natural history and sericulture in the French Enlightenment (1730–1780)

Rural practices of silk cultivation came under increasing scrutiny from French savants, state administrators and agricultural improvers during the eighteenth century. The lacklustre performance of the French sericultural industry greatly concerned state administrators at mid century, who viewed dependence on foreign supplies of raw silk as a major source of political and economic weakness. Practitioners of natural history came to champion the disciplined observation of silkworms as vital to the reform of the domestic sericultural industry. Amateur naturalists and provincial savants turned their attention to the anatomical structure and behavior of silkworms, in an attempt to codify sericultural practices that were consistent with the “natural œconomy” of these precious insects. The various techniques that constituted the rapidly expanding field of natural history – dissection, microscopic observation, experimental manipulation and classification – provided a set of tools for making the French sericultural...
Model of instabilities in PdHx and PdDx

Abstract The instability and inhomogeneity of the PdH x and PdD x systems is discussed. A simple model based on the existence of more than one local electronic and or ionic configuration is proposed, and the results of this model are shown to be consistent with several important lattice properties of these systems including a difference between the Pd-H and Pd-D force constants.
Hiraeth : The Celtic Moment in 1980s Alternative Rock

This chapter examines a moment in which the bands U2, Big Country, and the Alarm, from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, respectively, expressed various forms of nationalistic resistance to the neoliberal order central to the socio-economic agenda of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Different in scope, these nationalisms reflect the fundamental critique found in 1980s Britain and Ireland. As such, this chapter seeks to recontextualize the music of these artists within the Celtic world, highlighting in particular the complex and nuanced expressions of cultural nationalism found in the music of these artists.
Potential antioxidants for biodiesel from a softwood lignin pyrolyzate

Abstract Softwood lignin was pyrolyzed to afford a “bio-oil” distillate in which phenols were major products. Extraction with alkali gave a range of lignin-related phenols having molecular weights (MWs) from 110 to 344 amu. The total phenolic extract was at least equal in antioxidant activity to the synthetic compound 2,6-di(tert)butyl-4- methylphenol (BHT). The extract was separated by chromatographic techniques to characterize components potentially responsible for the activity. A series of phenols in the extract exhibited MWs of 274, 302, 316, 330, and 344 and are likely to be dimers responsible for the majority of the observed antioxidant properties. Several of these compounds appear by mass spectrometry to be bifunctional phenolic compounds containing catechol or guaiacol groups. We hypothesize that a type of effective antioxidant for fatty acid esters will contain one phenolic hydroxyl group hydrogen-bonded to the ester and another at a radical-quenching site; monophenols are likely to be ineffective in this system due to the predominance of hydrogen bonding (kinetic solvent effect).
Associations of plasma clusterin and Alzheimer's disease-related MRI markers in adults at mid-life: The CARDIA Brain MRI sub-study.

Author(s): Haight, Thaddeus; Bryan, R Nick; Meirelles, Osorio; Tracy, Russell; Fornage, Myriam; Richard, Melissa; Nasrallah, Ilya; Yaffe, Kristine; Jacobs, David R; Lewis, Cora; Schreiner, Pamela; Sidney, Stephen; Davatzikos, Christos; Launer, Lenore J | Abstract: BackgroundClinical and epidemiological studies of older persons have implicated clusterin in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. In the context of identifying early biomarkers of risk, we examined associations of plasma clusterin and characteristics of AD in middle-aged individuals from the community.Materials and methodsSubjects were 639 cognitively normal individuals (mean age 50 ± 3.5) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Brain MRI sub-study. Clusterin was quantified using ELISA (mean 255± 31 ng/ml). Associations were assessed between clusterin and volumes of brain regions known to atrophy in early AD, including entorhinal cortex (ECV), hippocampus (HV), and medial temporal lobe (MTLV) volumes (cm3). Total brain volume (TBV) and volumes of structures affected in later AD were examined for comparison.ResultsIn multivariable models, higher clusterin had a negative non-linear association with ECV (combined left and right hemispheres), and this association was influenced by the highest clusterin levels. Compared to mean clusterin, 1 and 2 standard deviation (SD) level increases in clusterin were associated with -2.1% (95% CI: -3.3,-0.9) and -7.3% (95% CI: -11.3,-3.3) lower ECV, respectively. Similar relationships were observed between clusterin and HV, although the relationship was stronger for left-side HV than the right-side. However, the association was not significant after adjusting for covariates. Negative non-linear associations between clusterin and MTLV were strongest for the left side: compared to mean clusterin, 1 and 2 SD level increases in clusterin were associated with -0.9% (95% CI: -1.9, 0.1) and -3.7% (95% CI: -7.1, -0.3) lower MTLV. There were no significant associations between clusterin and brain structures affected in later AD.ConclusionsIn middle-aged adults unselected for AD, plasma clusterin was associated with lower volume of the entorhinal cortex, an area that atrophies early in AD. Clusterin could be informative as part of a multi-component preclinical marker for AD.
Towards Scalable Deep Learning via I/O Analysis and Optimization

Deep learning systems have been growing in prominence as a way to automatically characterize objects, trends, and anomalies. Researchers have been investigating techniques to optimize such systems. An area of particular interest has been using supercomputing systems to quickly generate effective deep learning networks, a phase referred to as “training” of the deep neural network. As we scale deep learning frameworks-such as Caffe-on large-scale systems, we notice that parallelism can help improve the computation tremendously, leaving data I/O as the major bottleneck limiting the overall system scalability. In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of the performance bottlenecks of Caffe on large supercomputing systems. The analysis shows that Caffe's I/O subsystem-LMDB-relies on memory-mapped I/O, which can be highly inefficient on large-scale systems because of its interaction with the process-scheduling system and the network-based parallel filesystem. Based on this analysis, we present LMDBIO, an optimized I/O plugin for Caffe that takes into account the data access pattern in order to vastly improve I/O performance. Experimental results show that LMDBIO can improve the overall execution time of Caffe by nearly 20-fold in some cases.
Polarization and the Judiciary

The increased polarization in the United States among the political branches and citizenry affects the selection, work, perception, and relative power of state and federal judges, including justice...
Effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract on fermentation of amino acids, bermudagrass and starch by mixed ruminal microorganisms in vitro.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract (Amaferm) on the in vitro ruminal fermentation of coastal bermudagrass, soluble starch and amino acids. Mixed ruminal microorganisms were incubated in anaerobic media for either 24 h (Amaferm alone, soluble starch, amino acids) or 48 h (bermudagrass). Amaferm was added to the incubation bottles (n = 4) at concentrations of 0, .4 or 1.0 g/liter. When mixed ruminal microorganisms were incubated with only Amaferm, the 1.0 g/liter concentration increased the production of hydrogen (H2; P less than .001), methane (CH4; P less than .01), acetate (P less than .05), butyrate (P less than .01), total VFA (P less than .05) and NH3 (P less than .05). Addition of both levels of Amaferm to soluble-starch fermentations tended to enhance the production of H2 (P less than .11), CH4 (P less than .15), acetate (P less than .29) and total VFA (P less than .19); propionate production was increased (P less than .10) by 1.0 g/liter Amaferm, resulting in a decrease (P less than .05) in the acetate:propionate ratio. Fermentation of amino acids plus 1.0 g/liter Amaferm enhanced the production of acetate (P less than .05), propionate (P less than .05), valerate (P less than .01) and total VFA (P less than .10) and decreased the acetate:propionate ratio (P less than .05). In addition, NH3 production tended (P less than .19) to increase with both levels of Amaferm. When bermudagrass was the substrate, few changes in fermentation products were observed with Amaferm treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Large Integer Programs: Preprocessing and Cutting Planes

All integer linear programming models are not created equal. Linear programming based branch-and-bound is the most commonly used algorithm for optimizing integer programming models. If the linear programming relaxation of the integer program is naturally integer, then no enumeration is needed. Most interesting integer programming models are not naturally integer, but reformulating or tightening the model so that the convex hull of integer solutions more closely approximates the linear programming relaxation polyhedron will greatly reduce the amount of enumeration. Williams [451, 456] was among the first to stress the importance of correctly formulating an integer program. Consider the following examples.
What constitutes optimal surgical revascularization?: Answers from the bypass angioplasty revascularization investigation (BARI)

Abstract Objectives The study was done to derive the optimum definition of complete revascularization in coronary artery bypass surgery. Background “Complete revascularization” has been considered the goal of coronary artery bypass operations, but various definitions of completeness exist. Methods We evaluated the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI) surgical results in the seven years after operation. Different definitions of completeness of revascularization were retrospectively applied to the 1,507 patients in the combined randomized/registry group to derive the definition of complete operative revascularization with the best discrimination in long-term results between those with and without complete revascularization as defined. Four definitions were evaluated: 1) traditional complete revascularization with one graft to each major diseased artery system; 2) functional complete revascularization with one graft to all diseased major or primary segmental vessels; 3) number of distal anastomoses greater than, equal to or less than the number of diseased coronary segments; and 4) number of distal anastomoses to the major coronary systems equal to 1 or greater than 1. Results No independent survival advantage existed for traditional or functional complete revascularization as compared with incomplete revascularization. No survival advantage existed for any of the three arms of definition 3. For definition 4, seven-year death/myocardial infarction was highest (32.9%) when more than one anastomosis was constructed to any non-left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) system (relative risk 1.37, p = 0.03). No increased risk was associated with constructing more than one anastomosis into the LAD system. Conclusions The construction of more than one graft to any system other than the LAD appears to confer no long-term advantage, and may actually be deleterious.
The Relationship Between Bioconcentration Factor in Rainbow Trout and Physical-Chemical Properties for Some Halogenated Compounds

The uptake of 13 chloro- and bromobenzenes and nine other chlorinated hydrocarbons by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) from water has been studied. Equilibration between fish and water was achieved rapidly for most compounds, but some did not attain equilibrium over the 100-day study. For those chemicals which reached equilibrium, the bioconcentration factors (BCF) correlate well with the octanol/water partition coefficients (Kow), and parachors (Pc). Chemicals which did not reach equilibrium have high partition coefficients (Kow > 105) and high Parachors (P > 400); their experimental bioconcentration factors are well below those predicted from the log BCF/log Kow relationship.
Different ommochrome pigment mixtures enable sexually dimorphic Batesian mimicry in disjunct populations of the common palmfly butterfly, Elymnias hypermnestra

With varied, brightly patterned wings, butterflies have been the focus of much work on the evolution and development of phenotypic novelty. However, the chemical structures of wing pigments from few butterfly species have been identified. We characterized the orange wing pigments of female Elymnias hypermnestra butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from two Southeast Asian populations. This species is a sexually dimorphic Batesian mimic of several model species. Females are polymorphic: in some populations, females are dark, resemble conspecific males, and mimic Euploea spp. In other populations, females differ from males and mimic orange Danaus spp. Using LC-MS/MS, we identified nine ommochrome pigments: six from a population in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and five compounds from a population in Bali, Indonesia. Two ommochromes were found in both populations, and only two of the nine compounds have been previously reported. The sexually dimorphic Thai and Balinese populations are separated spatially by monomorphic populations in peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra, suggesting independent evolution of mimetic female wing pigments in these disjunct populations. These results indicate that other butterfly wing pigments remain to be discovered.
Evidentialism and Explanatory Fit

In this paper I’ll focus first on the general idea of evidentialism and then on the explanationist’s suggestion as to how we understand the content of a belief fitting evidence. I’ll argue that, in general, evidentialists have difficulty understanding foundationally justified belief. Further, I’ll argue than an explanationist will need something other than best explanation so that the view can account for the idea that we discover explanda that are in need of an explanans.
The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on 30-Day Outcomes Following ORIF for Ankle Fractures:

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. Despite an increasing prevalence of MetS in the US population, its impact on postoperative outcomes f...
Web-Based Prescription Opioid Abuse Prevention for Adolescents: Program Development and Formative Evaluation.

Background: The unprecedented number of youths engaged in nonmedical use of prescription opioids (POs), as well as the myriad negative consequences of such misuse, emphasizes the importance of prevention efforts targeting this public health crisis. Although there are several science-based, interactive drug abuse prevention programs focused on preventing the use of nonprescription drugs in youths, to our knowledge, there are no science-based interactive programs that focus on the prevention of PO abuse among adolescents. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and conduct a formative evaluation of a science-based interactive Web-based program focused on the prevention of PO abuse among adolescents aged 12 to 17 years (Pop4Teens). This study was conducted to prepare for a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Pop4Teens compared with an active control website, JustThinkTwice.com (Drug Enforcement Administration), in impacting knowledge and attitudes about POs and perceptions of risk associated with the abuse of POs, as well as intentions to use and actual use of POs. Methods: We conducted 6 focus groups with 30 youths (a mean of 5 per group: the eligibility being aged 12-19 years) along a continuum of exposure to POs (in treatment for opioid use disorder, in general treatment for other substance use disorder, prescribed an opioid, and opioid-naive) and writing sessions with 30 youths in treatment for opioid use disorder (12-19 years) to inform the development of the Web-based prevention tool. Feasibility and acceptability of a prototype of the Web-based intervention were then assessed through individual feedback sessions with 57 youths (drawn from the same populations as the focus groups). Results: We successfully completed the development of a Web-based PO abuse prevention program (Pop4Teens). Analyses of focus group transcripts informed the development of the program (eg, quiz content/format, script writing, and story editing). Selected writing session narratives anchored the planned scientific content by lending credibility and informing the development of compelling storylines intended to motivate the youth to engage with the program. Feedback session data indicated that the Web-based tool could be potentially useful and acceptable. In addition, feedback session participants demonstrated significant increases in their knowledge of key topics related to the prevention of PO abuse after the exposure to sections of the Web-based program. Conclusions: The opioid crisis is predicted to get worse before it gets better. An effective response will likely require a multipronged strategy inclusive of effective evidence-based prevention programs acceptable to, and accessible by, a majority of youths.
Dronedarone-induced Phototoxicity in a Patient with Atrial Fibrillation.

Dronedarone is a class III antiarrhythmic agent and a potent blocker of multiple intracardiac ion channels with many electrophysical properties common with amiodarone. Oral dronedarone, 400 mg twice daily, is approved for the maintenance of normal sinus rhythm in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter. It is primarily used for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF or atrial flutter. Dronedarone is a relatively new therapeutic agent which is a non-iodinated congener of amiodarone and hypothesized to have far lesser side effects. Photosensitivity is an uncommon side effect of dronedarone and not much has been described in the literature. Here we describe a patient with such complication.
Far-Infrared Room-Temperature Focal Plane Modules for Polar Radiant Energy in the Far InfraRed Experiment

This work presents focal plane modules for Polar Radiant Energy in the Far InfraRed Experiment, a passive remote-sensing instrument aimed to determine errors in the estimated outgoing longwave radiation in the Earth’s polar regions to reduce uncertainties in surface emissivity, mass balance, and ice flux. The focal plane arrays are micromachined at JPL and integrated into sub-assembly modules to be mounted on the optical telescope of the instrument.
Content and outcomes of narrative medicine programmes: a systematic review of the literature through 2019.

Objectives Narrative medicine (NM) incorporates stories into health sciences paradigms as fundamental aspects of the human experience. The aim of this systematic review is to answer the research question: how effective is the implementation and evaluation of NM programmes in academic medicine and health sciences? We documented objectives, content and evaluation outcomes of NM programming to provide recommendations for future narrative-based education. Methods We conducted a systematic review of literature published through 2019 using five major databases: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC and MedEdPORTAL. Eligible NM programming included textual analysis/close reading of published literature and creative/reflective writing. Qualifying participants comprised individuals from academic medicine and health sciences disciplines. We reviewed and categorised programme goals, content and evaluation activities to assess participant satisfaction and programme efficacy. Two members of the research team assessed the risk of bias, independently screening records via a two-round, iterative process to reach consensus on eligibility. Results Of 1569 original citations identified, we selected 55 unique programmes (described in 61 records). In all, 41 (75%) programmes reported a form of evaluation; evaluation methods lacked consistency. Twenty-two programmes used quantitative evaluation (13 well described), and 33 programmes used qualitative evaluation (27 well described). Well-described quantitative evaluations relied on 32 different measures (7 validated) and showed evidence of high participant satisfaction and pre-post improvement in competencies such as relationship-building, empathy, confidence/personal accomplishment, pedagogical skills and clinical skills. An average of 88.3% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the programme had positive outcomes. Qualitative evaluation identified high participant satisfaction and improvement in competencies such as relationship-building, empathy, perspective-taking/reflection, resilience and burnout detection/mitigation, confidence/personal accomplishment, narrative competence, and ethical inquiry. Conclusion Evaluation suggests that NM programming leads to high participant satisfaction and positive outcomes across various competencies. We suggest best practices and innovative future directions for programme implementation and evaluation.
Increasing Pump Speed During Exercise Training Improves Exercise Capacity in Children with Ventricular Assist Devices.

Exercise rehabilitation during pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) support aims to improve musculoskeletal strengthening while awaiting heart transplantation (HT). This study aimed to determine whether increasing VAD pump speed during exercise testing and training improves exercise capacity. A single-center cohort study was performed comparing changes in exercise capacity on serial cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) after exercise training at a fixed VAD pump speed (historical cohort from 2014 to 2017) compared with a prospective cohort (2017-2019) who underwent increasing pump speed during exercise training. All children were supported with intracorporeal continuous-flow VAD. Four subjects (13 ± 2.8 years) were included in the historical cohort, and 6 subjects (14 ± 1.7 years) were enrolled in the prospective cohort. Ninety percent had dilated cardiomyopathy, and one had single ventricle Fontan physiology. Baseline maximal oxygen consumption (VO2) was 19 ± 6.3 ml/kg/min. After exercise training with increased pump speed, there was substantial improvement in aerobic capacity (maximal VO2 increased 42% vs. decreased 3%, respectively) and working capacity (maximal work increased 49% vs. 13%, respectively) compared with fixed pump speed. There were no adverse events reported in either the fixed or increased pump speed cohorts. Increasing VAD pump speed during exercise training results in substantial improvement in both physical working and aerobic capacity compared a fixed pump speed in children on VAD support regardless of single or biventricular ventricle physiology. Further study of a larger cohort is needed to validate these findings to improve the approach to pediatric cardiac rehabilitation in this population.
La mecánica de la textualidad y la crónica de fin de siglo

This study positions the fin de siglo cronica in its material context on the newspaper and magazine page. As Latin America underwent dramatic economic liberalism during the period, textual and visual cultures responded with their own tensions between aesthetics and mass reproduction. This often resulted in an intermedial expression with text beside artistic representation and photography. Commercial advertisements in these publications used this same image text format to attract consumers. Often newspapers and magazines printed essays detailing this material context of mechanized print and visual reproduction. Reading the fin de siglo cronica with its technical reproduction in mind highlights the gap between aesthetic expression and the progress that sustained the cultural movements of the period. This study shows that mass reproduction facilitated visual expression that enhanced the artistic expression of the cronica genre while this same visuality symbolized a mechanical reproduction that defined the economic expansions of the fin de siglo that allowed the print industry to expand and progress.
Inflation and the Monetary Transmission Mechanism in Belarus, 1996-2001

The purpose of this paper is to determine the main causes of the Belarus high inflation during the period 1996–2001. Using a cointegration framework, we arrived at an overidentified long-run structure, suggesting that money is cointegrated with wages, but not with prices. We also estimated two independent common stochastic trends: one that is due to shocks in wages, and the other that is due to shocks in exchange rate. We may conclude that exchange rate and wages are empirically important variables explaining the dynamics of prices in Belarus, with money playing an accommodating role. These results could be explained by the presence of the soft budget constraint where money passively adapted to changes in wages and exchange rate. They are also consistent with shocks-andaccomodation view of the inflation process. These findings, consistent with some recent studies of inflation in transition economies, imply that exchange rate and wage policies, in addition to the monetary restraint, may be important in designing and implementing a disinflation strategy in Belarus.
Development, Feasibility, and Initial Results of a Mindful Eating Intervention: Project Mindful Eating and Exercise (MEE): Feeding the Mind, Body, and Soul

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a mindful eating intervention and evaluate potential changes in selected outcomes. The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping was used to guide th...
Can Venetoclax-based Therapy Replace 7+3 Induction in Fit Older Adults with AML?

Abstract Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) face a dismal prognosis. Although venetoclax-based therapy has led to improved outcomes among unfit older patients with AML, it is not curative and its efficacy and long-term outcomes among fit older patients is unclear. This review provides insights into factors that influence treatment choices among older patients with AML and what we would need to know for venetoclax-based therapy to replace standard intensive 7 + 3 induction therapy.
A new DNA polymerase activity of Escherichia coli. II. Properties of the enzyme purified from wild-type E. coli and DNAts mutants

DNA polymerases I and II have been purified from wild-type Escherichia coli and from two mutants of E. coli. Polymerase II is present in wild-type cells in an amount identical to that present in E. coli polAl. In two DNAts mutants, CR43-26 and CR266-26, both of the “fast stop” variety, neither polymerase activity is temperature sensitive in vitro.
Plasmon-enhanced upconversion in Yb3+/Er3+ doped inY2O3

In this paper, we study the computational modeling of the localized surface plasmonic and scattering field effect arising from of gold nanorods. We also report the synthesis and optical characterization of core-spacer-shell nanocomposites composed of gold nanorods coated with SiO2 and finally coated with Y2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ (Aunanorods@mSiO2@Y2O3:Er3+/Yb) through a layer-by-layer method. Preliminary upconversion analysis of singly (Aunanorods@mSiO2@Y2O3:Er3+/Yb) at 980 excitation indicates that the composition has to be optimized to understand the role of silica as a spacer and near field enhancer (gold nanorod) in the system.
Cross validation consistency for the assessment of genetic programming results in microarray studies

DNA microarray technology has made it possible to measure the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously in a particular cell or tissue. The challenge for computational biologists and bioinformaticists will be to develop methods that are able to identify subsets of gene expression variables and features that classify cells and tissues into meaningful biological and clinical groups. Genetic programming (GP) has emerged as a machine learning tool for variable and feature selection in microarray data analysis. However, a limitation of GP is a lack of cross validation strategies for the assessment of GP results. This is partly due to the inherent complexity of GP due to its stochastic properties. Here, we introduce and review cross validation consistency (CVC) as a new modeling strategy for use with GP. We review the application of CVC to symbolic discriminant analysis (SDA), a GP-based analytical strategy for mining gene expression patterns in DNA microarray data.
A Computational Model of Technological Innovation at the Firm Level

The factors which speed and slow technological innovation have been of interest to policy makers since at least the mid 1960's. Since that time, many theoretical models of innovation at the firm level and at the industry level have been proposed. Due to limitations in computational complexity, nearly all of these models have assumed a single, representative firm type. Very few have systematically investigated the implications of markets with a variety of firm types. With increases in computing power and the advent of agent-based modeling, interactions between agent types can now be explored. In this paper, a computational model of innovative firms in competitive markets is presented. Firms devote resources to R&D which can lead to new, improved products allowing firms to steal market share from their competitors. Two types of firms, differentiated by the strategies they use in pursuing new innovations, are allowed to coexist. One type pursues exclusively radical innovations, while the other pursues exclusively incremental innovations. It will be demonstrated that under certain conditions, a synergy exists between firms of different types which allows heterogeneous populations of firms to earn more than homogeneous ones.
Research paper recommender systems: a subspace clustering approach

Researchers from the same lab often spend a considerable amount of time searching for published articles relevant to their current project. Despite having similar interests, they conduct independent, time consuming searches. While they may share the results afterwards, they are unable to leverage previous search results during the search process. We propose a research paper recommender system that avoids such time consuming searches by augmenting existing search engines with recommendations based on previous searches performed by others in the lab. Most existing recommender systems were developed for commercial domains with millions of users. The research paper domain has relatively few users compared to the large number of online research papers. The two major challenges with this type of data are the large number of dimensions and the sparseness of the data. The novel contribution of the paper is a scalable subspace clustering algorithm (SCuBA) that tackles these problems. Both synthetic and benchmark datasets are used to evaluate the clustering algorithm and to demonstrate that it performs better than the traditional collaborative filtering approaches when recommending research papers.
Is Logic Empirical

I want to begin by considering a case in which ‘necessary’ truths (or rather ‘truths’, turned out to be falsehoods: the case of Euclidean geometry. I then want to raise the question: could some of the ‘necessary truths’ of logic ever turn out to be false for empirical reasons? I shall argue that the answer to this question is in the affirmative, and that logic is, in a certain sense, a natural science.
Supervised hidden Markov modeling for on-line handwriting recognition

The performance of a large alphabet handwriting recognition system based on a probabilistic framework is critically tied to the quality of the prototype distributions that are established in the relevant feature space. To better account for handwriting variability, we describe a supervised strategy for the construction of prototype distributions which are more robust to allograph deformations. The idea is to incorporate supervision to relate the allographic models to their manifestations in the feature space. This makes for a better utilization of the available training data, while at the same time allowing for a short design time turn around. The performance of this method is illustrated on a discrete handwriting recognition task with an alphabet of 81 characters. >
The Economic Impact of Schizophrenia

Although schizophrenia afflicts 1.1% of the U.S. population, it imposes a disproportionately large economic burden due to expenditures for hospitalization, treatment and rehabilitation, and lost productivity. Cost-of-illness studies, using a variety of methodologies to calculate direct and indirect costs, have estimated that in 1990 the total economic burden of schizophrenia was $32.5 billion. Of this total, $17.3 billion was attributable to direct medical costs. By comparison, in the same year the total and direct medical costs for anxiety disorders, which are more than 10 times more prevalent than schizophrenia, were $46.6 billion and $10.7 billion, respectively. For affective disorders, almost 10 times more prevalent than schizophrenia, the total and direct costs were $30.4 billion and $19.2 billion, respectively. Effective treatments used early in the course of schizophrenia can help reduce the costs associated with this illness.
Analysis of cracks produced during carburizing of AISI 1018 steel using a ND:YAG laser

Reduced processing time, refined microstructure and low distortion are some of the major advantages of selective carburizing of low carbon steel by using lasers. Formation of cracks in the solidified region, on the other hand, is the major drawback. In the past solidification cracks have been reported in the case of laser melting of grey cast iron, and other iron base alloys, but no detailed study has been reported. The fact that very high carbon contents are introduced by the laser carburizing as compared to that in conventional carburizing, where carbon is limited to 0.80 to 1.0 wt%, lead to a detailed study of laser carburizing. As a part of the ongoing research on carburizing of steel using laser, the authors have investigated cracks formed in the laser carburized zone of AISI 1018 steel. This paper describes a detailed analysis of the cracks formed during laser carburizing. A correlation has been established between the various microstructures formed in laser carburizing, and the affinity of the crack formation. Finally an ideal microstructure has been proposed for the laser carburized layer, which will be most desirable (with respect to crack free and high hardness) in laser carburizing.
Elastic constants of single-crystal Ti N x (001) (0.67⩽x⩽1.0) determined as a function of x by picosecond ultrasonic measurements

The elastic constants ${c}_{11}$ and ${c}_{44}$ of single-crystal NaCl-structure $\ensuremath{\delta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{N}}_{x}(001)$ layers, with $x$ ranging from 0.67 to 1.0, were determined using sound velocity measurements. Picosecond ultrasonic optical pump/probe techniques were employed to generate and detect longitudinal sound waves and surface acoustic waves (SAW) in order to obtain ${c}_{11}(x)$ and ${c}_{44}(x)$, respectively. SAW generation was achieved by depositing a periodic series of Al bars on the $\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{N}}_{x}(001)$ layers to spatially modulate the surface reflectivity. ${c}_{11}$ and ${c}_{44}$ were found to decrease continuously from 626 and $156\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ with $x=1$ to 439 and $92\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ with $x=0.67$. The Voit--Reuss--Hill average aggregate elastic moduli ${E}_{\mathrm{VRH}}(x)$ obtained from our measured ${c}_{11}(x)$ and ${c}_{44}(x)$ values are in good agreement with previous $\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{N}}_{x}(001)$ nanoindentation results.
Experimental investigation of the breakdown of dolomite in rock cores at 100 MPa, 650-750 °C

The kinetics of the breakdown reaction dolomite = periclase + calcite + CO2 were investigated using cores of dolomitic marble. Two samples of Reed Dolomite from southwestern Nevada were cut into cylinders approximately 4 x 6 mm in size. The cores were sealed in gold capsules with isotopically enriched water ((H2O)-O-18 or (HDO0.5)-O-18 O-16(0.5)). The samples were heated in a cold-seal hydrothermal apparatus to 650-750 degrees C at 100 MPa for durations ranging from 2-59 days. The cores were then sectioned and examined by EPMA, XRD, and SIMS techniques. All experiments showed some amount of reaction regardless of duration or temperature. Reaction products occurred mainly along grain boundaries, fractures within grains, and along sample edges. Ion images and isotope-ratio analysis indicated that reaction products exchanged with infiltrating fluids. Reaction rates were calculated from measured extents of reaction, which were determined from automated EPMA modes. At 700 degrees C, we measured reaction rates ranging from 3.8 x 10(-14) to 2.3 x 10(-12) mol/mm(2)-s. The extent of reaction is proportional to the square root of time, suggesting a diffusion-controlled process. A shrinking-core model for the dolomite breakdown reaction fits the grain-size data, suggesting that diffusion of H2O and CO2 through the mantlemore » of reaction products controlled the rate. Apparent activation energies for that diffusion are similar to 283 +/- 32 kJ/mol for coarse-grained samples and similar to 333 +/- 36 kJ/mol for fine-grained samples. Initial reaction occurred relatively fast near the surface of dolomite grains, but continued diffusion through the reaction products ultimately controlled the rate of dolomite breakdown.« less
Elementary divisors and determinants of random matrices over a local field

Abstract We consider the elementary divisors and determinant of a uniformly distributed n × n random matrix with entries in the ring of integers of an arbitrary local field. We show that the sequence of elementary divisors is in a simple bijective correspondence with a Markov chain on the non-negative integers. The transition dynamics of this chain do not depend on the size of the matrix. As n →∞, all but finitely many of the elementary divisors are 1, and the remainder arise from a Markov chain with these same transition dynamics. We also obtain the distribution of the determinant of M n and find the limit of this distribution as n →∞. Our formulae have connections with classical identities for q -series, and the q -binomial theorem, in particular.
Quadratic models for yield management in hotel rooms operation

In the hospitality literature there are no consistent definitions and interpretations of yield management. This study reviews yield management in its various perceptions and analyses the drawbacks of the yield statistic currently used in the industry. The paper further develops two quadratic models for yield management: one for optimising room revenue and the other for optimising room profit. Based on the two models, new yield statistics of revenue maximisation and profit maximisation are proposed. The task of yield management is to achieve a yield statistic close to 1 so as to maximise room revenue and profits. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.