cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vestibular, Visual Acuity, and Balance Outcomes in Children With Cochlear Implants: A Preliminary Report.

Objectives There is a high incidence of vestibular loss in children with cochlear implants (CCI). However, the relationship between vestibular loss and various outcomes is unknown in children. The objectives of this study are to (1) determine whether age-related changes in peripheral vestibular tests occur; (2) quantify peripheral vestibular function in children with normal hearing and CCI; and (3) determine whether amount of vestibular loss predicts visual acuity and balance performance. Design Eleven CCI and 12 children with normal hearing completed the following tests of vestibular function: ocular and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential to assess utricle and saccule function and the video head impulse test to assess semicircular canal function. The relationship between amount of vestibular loss and the following balance and visual acuity outcomes was assessed: dynamic gait index, single-leg stance, the sensory organization test, and tests of visual acuity, including dynamic visual acuity and the gaze stabilization test. Results (1) There were no significant age-related changes in peripheral vestibular testing with the exception of the n23 cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential latency, which was moderately correlated with age. (2) CCI had significantly higher rates of vestibular loss for each test of canal and otolith function. (3) Amount of vestibular loss predicted performance on single-leg stance, the dynamic gait index, some conditions of the sensory organization test, and the dynamic visual acuity test. Age was also a contributing factor for predicting the performance of almost all outcomes. Conclusions Preliminarily, children with vestibular loss do not recover naturally to levels of their healthy peers, particularly with activities that utilize vestibular input; they have poorer visual acuity and balance function.
Modeling, Control and Inversion of Multi-Phase Equilibrium Reactor Systems

Abstract We propose a simplified modeling approach for multi-phase reactor systems. The model can be used to determine system characteristics, explore parameter sensitivity and test control strategies. The model is based on the thermodynamic equilibrium assumption and invariant inventories to make it computationally inexpensive. We show that the control approach based on the overall inventories of the system can be effectively used for improved performance of such reactor systems. A multi-phase reactor system – the vapor recovery reactor used in carbothermic aluminum reduction process is considered to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed modeling and control approach.
Robotic-assessment of walking in individuals with gait disorders

Walking deficits are a common bi-product of numerous neurological injuries, such as stroke and spinal cord injury. A number of new therapeutic interventions, such as body-weight supported locomotor training and robotic technologies aim to improve walking function and reduce co-morbidities. Currently, there is no way to determine what the optimal set of training parameters are for maximizing step performance. This paper presents a technique for estimating the walking performance of individuals with gait disorders using a robotic-orthosis. The device, called the Lokomat/spl reg/ is coupled to the subject through instrumented leg cuffs, while the split-belt treadmill on which the subject walks is instrumented with piezo-electric force sensors allowing for the calculation of ground reaction forces and center of pressure. Using this data, a real-time inverse dynamics approach can be used to estimate the kinetics and kinematics of the subject, and when combined with electromyographic (EMG) data, the set of training conditions through which the subject generates the most appropriate EMG patterns and joint moments can be identified. The proposed technique will for the first time provide clinicians a way of determining the optimal gait training parameters for each individual, and also track their functional recovery throughout their neurorehabilitation program. It is postulated that training at the conditions that maximizes stepping performance will lead to higher gains in over-ground walking ability.
Erfahrungen beim Aufbau eines Controlling-Systems in den neuen Bundesländern — dargestellt am VW-Projekt

Bereits kurz nach der Wende verstarkte der Volkswagen-Konzern sein Engagement in den neuen Bundeslandern. Er konnte dabei auf bestehenden Geschaftsbeziehungen mit dem IFA-Pkw-Kombinat aufbauen. Schon in den 80er Jahren hatte Volkswagen der IFA eine Motorenstrase geliefert. Diese Anlage produziert seit 1988 VW-Motoren, die in IFA-Fahrzeuge eingebaut wurden, aber auch an die Volkswagen AG zum Einsatz in Polo- und Golf-Fahrzeugen geliefert werden.
Executive–Legislative Relations, Party Defections, and Lower Level Administrative Unit Proliferation: Evidence From Kenya:

Over the past 25 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of subnational administrative units within developing countries. Existing literature argues that presidents create new units...
Extreme hypertriglyceridemia, pseudohyponatremia, and pseudoacidosis in a neonate with lipoprotein lipase deficiency due to segmental uniparental disomy.

Abstract Extreme hypertriglyceridemia is rare in the neonatal period. We report a neonate with lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency who presented with diagnostic and management conundrum. A full-term 36-day-old female was noted to have "Pepto-Bismol like" blood when repeating a newborn screening. The initial plasma triglyceride level was 24,318 mg/dL. The laboratory tests revealed serum bicarbonate level of LPL gene revealed a homozygous c.644G>A, p.(Gly215Glu) mutation. Subsequent analysis of the parental samples revealed that only the father, but not the mother, was a heterozygous carrier of the same mutation. Analysis of 18 informative microsatellite markers on chromosome 8 revealed paternal segmental uniparental disomy with partial absence of the maternal chromosome 8p, confirmed by single-nucleotide polymorphism microarray. We conclude that besides pseudohyponatremia, extreme hypertriglyceridemia can rarely present as pseudoacidosis and uniparental disomy can be an underlying mechanism for autosomal recessive diseases such as LPL deficiency.
Interpretive Accommodations for National Park Service Visitors who are d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing:

A thesis [actually a Plan B] submitted to the faculty of University of Minnesota by Elsa Marie Hansen in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Education, September 2014. Committee names: Julie Ernst (Chair), Nancy Diener, Chris Johnson. This item has been modified from the original to redact the signatures present.
Diffusion, Waves, Phase and Eddy Current Imaging

The discovery of electromagnetic induction by Faraday and Henry in 1831 not only served as the catalyst needed for the very creation of electrical engineering but also provided the physical basis for eddy current nondestructive testing (NDT) as we know it today and as first realized in the classical experiments of Hughes1. As this fundamental work preceded Maxwell’s prediction of electromagnetic wave phenomena by over half a century, it may seem somewhat surprising to the casual reader that there should be any need to explain why eddy current NDT phenomena can be classified as quasi-static in nature with none of the attributes of classical electromagnetic waves. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions concerning the wave-like nature of eddy current NDT phenomena which have even led to the suggestion2 that conventional eddy current NDT probe signals can be treated holographically. There are several reasons for the existence of these misconceptions: 1. Many papers in the field (see for example Hochschild3) describe the propagation of an electromagnetic plane wave in a medium as being analogous to eddy current NDT phenomena. Although the analog itself has some limited validity, it is rarely if ever mentioned that a conventional eddy current NDT probe does not launch an electromagnetic wave (as does say an antenna). 2. Solution of the quasi-static skin effect equation for current density does have the same form as would a damped electromagnetic wave. However, this is more a statement of the consistency of Maxwell’s equations across different regimes (see Figure 1) than support for eddy current waves. A number of authors address this seemingly anomalous situation (see for example, Stoll4, Ferrari5, and Melcher6) and clearly differentiate between electromagnetic diffusion and electromagnetic wave phenomena. 3. Much of the terminology associated with eddy current NDT phenomena (phase, for example) has a direct counterpart in electromagnetic wave parlance.
The stigma of being a refugee: A mixed-method study of refugees' experiences of vocational stress

Abstract This concurrent embedded mixed-method study examined vocational stressors and coping mechanisms among refugees. Results from a content analysis of open-ended surveys collected from 159 refugees show that the most frequently reported refugee vocational stressor was access and opportunity (31% of comments made about vocational stressors). This meta-theme encompasses feeling as though past work experience is discounted in the job search, struggles with the job search, and exploitation (e.g., low pay). Other meta-themes included acculturative, discrimination, interpersonal, financial and personal vocational stressors. Qualitative accounts of coping revealed reflection and relaxation (25%) and problem-solving actions (24%) as the most commonly reported coping mechanisms. In addition, refugee-specific coping mechanisms (17%) were frequently reported, and referred to building language skills, engaging in assimilation and multicultural activities, and seeking social support from other refugees. Using the meta-themes that emerged in each vocational stressor category, t-test results show that the experience of discrimination stressors was related to higher levels of self-reported anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. In addition, the use of avoidance-oriented coping mechanisms was associated with maladaptive outcomes, such as depression, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Taken together, our results indicate that refugees face many of the vocational stressors typically studied in the occupational health literature (e.g., underemployment). The current study also uncovered unique vocational stressors and coping mechanisms, including evidence for a refugee-specific stigma experienced during the job search process and among refugees who are currently employed. Recommendations for theoretical implications and future research on refugee vocational stressors and coping mechanisms are discussed.
Overcoming Students’ Fear: Scaffolding to Teach Money and Society

Courses related to the inextricable relationship between money and society often challenge students in unique ways. One such course relies on a scaffolding design to support students as they develop the requisite vocabulary and understanding necessary to assess the claim that the U.S. financial crisis was an economic, political, social, and cultural event. As an instructional technique, scaffolding calls for the sequential review of component parts of a more complex topic. The units in Money and Society act as related building blocks, each becoming more complex on the students’ conceptual ascent to the financial crisis. This chapter presents select teaching tools, techniques, and sources in an effort to support educators teaching economic inequality and the U.S. financial crisis.
Parents' preferences for interventions to improve childhood immunization uptake in northern Nigeria.

Abstract Background Routine childhood immunization coverage has been low in northern Nigeria. While local authorities and international partners have been working hard to improve coverage, population preferences for interventions have not been documented. This study aimed to understand parents’ preferences and identify possible interventions to improve uptake of childhood immunization. Methods Preferences for immunization interventions were elicited using a best-worst scaling (BWS) instrument among parents with children under five. We explored the value of six program attributes (each varying across three levels) identified through a literature review and engagement with local stakeholders. In each of 18 hypothetical programs identified through a main effect orthogonal design, respondents selected the best and worst attributes that may facilitate vaccination of children. Assuming sequential best-worst responses, we used conditional logit to estimate preferences. We employed latent class analysis (LCA) to categorize and examine respondents’ preferences across interventions. Results 97 men and 101 women in 198 households were surveyed. The most preferred level for each attribute included door-to-door vaccinations, free food supplements, bundling with nutritional support programs, involvement of religious leaders, information dissemination through media campaigns, and strengthening of health services by the government. Three types of preferences were recognized in the LCA. The value-driven group (14%) characterized by youngest age, predominantly female, and lower education perceived bundled services with food and nutritional programs as the most important feature of an intervention. Convenience and information seekers (28%) characterized by oldest age and the lowest employment preferred door-to-door vaccinations and media campaigns. The remaining complacent group (58%), characterized by highest education and highest employment, did not show strong preferences to any intervention compared to the other two groups. Conclusions Routine immunization programs should consider joining forces with food and nutritional programs to improve vaccination uptake. Incorporating door-to-door visits and media campaigns to target older and unemployed populations may increase childhood immunization uptake in northern Nigeria.
Nephrolithiasis in a 17-Year-Old Male With Seckel Syndrome and Horseshoe Kidneys: Case Report and Review of the Literature

We report the case of a 17-year-old male with Seckel syndrome and horseshoe kidneys which had a 7 mm kidney stone in the lower pole calyx of the right moiety. The patient had a history of rotoscoliosis with 60° dextroconvex curvature and hepatic steatosis. Attempted ureteroscopy was unsuccessful due to stone location and anatomy. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was ultimately required. This case highlights the difficulties of endoscopic treatments of renal calculi in patients with abnormal renal anatomy and dysmorphia. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of nephrolithiasis in a patient with Seckel syndrome and horseshoe kidneys.
Simple library thesaurus alignment with SILAS

This paper describes a system written in C which employs the instance-based approach to ontology alignment of library thesauri. It computes relatedness relations between subsets of a library catalogue. Even a very basic method to calculate confidence in the found relation yields usable alignment results.
Creep Rupture of Siliconized Silicon Carbide

Creep and creep-rupture of siliconized silicon carbide were studied in flexure as a function of temperature and applied stress. The behavior of this material was dominated by the formation of cavities at the silicons-silicon carbide interface. At temperatures less than 1200°C, and applied stresses less than 300 MPa, cavity densities were low, and only transient creep was observed. The strength at room temperature and at the creep temperature were the same for these conditions. At 1300°C and stresses greater than ∼250 MPa, many large cavities formed on the tensile side of the specimen, effectively reducing the internal cross-section, and enhancing the rate of creep. These cavities lined up in rows to form cracks that limited specimen lifetime. A shift of the plane of zero strain from the geometric center towards the compressive surface of the specimen was also observed as a consequence of the creep and cavitation. Cavity formation during creep caused a significant reduction in the room temperature strength. By contrast, the strength at elevated temperatures did not decrease until extensive cavity linkage occurred at creep times that approached the creep-rupture life.
Design and Life Prediction Issues for High-Temperature Engineering Ceramics and Their Composites

Perspectives are presented on ceramics and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) as high temperature materials. The emphasis is on design and life prediction requirements and their role in directing research. Important themes include the relative roles of fracture toughness and inelastic strain (ductility), as well as scaling and stochastic effects caused by manufacturing defects. Ceramics with high toughness have been developed. But, because they are inductile, design with such materials is based on elastic stresses, combined with weakest link scaling and extreme value statistics. Procedures that ensure reliable performance under these circumstances are inherently constrained. Opportunities to mitigate these restrictions by matching mechanisms to design are explored. By contrast CMCs exhibit inelastic strain mechanisms that provide an efficient means of redistributing stress. These mechanisms eliminate stress concentrations and suppress scaling effects, enabling design procedures similar to those used with metals. The sources and mechanisms of inelastic strain are described, as well as the ensuing constitutive models. Examples of their finite element implementation in design are presented. A life prediction methodology requires a robust procedure for characterizing fatigue effects in conjunction with manufacturing and machining flaws. A lifting approach is described having commonalty between ceramics and CMCs.
Inversion of multiangular polarimetric measurements over open and coastal ocean waters: a joint retrieval algorithm for aerosol and water-leaving radiance properties

Abstract. Ocean color remote sensing is a challenging task over coastal waters due to the complex optical properties of aerosols and hydrosols. In order to conduct accurate atmospheric correction, we previously implemented a joint retrieval algorithm, hereafter referred to as the Multi-Angular Polarimetric Ocean coLor (MAPOL) algorithm, to obtain the aerosol and water-leaving signal simultaneously. The MAPOL algorithm has been validated with synthetic data generated by a vector radiative transfer model, and good retrieval performance has been demonstrated in terms of both aerosol and ocean water optical properties (Gao et al., 2018). In this work we applied the algorithm to airborne polarimetric measurements from the Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) over both open and coastal ocean waters acquired in two field campaigns: the Ship-Aircraft Bio-Optical Research (SABOR) in 2014 and the North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study (NAAMES) in 2015 and 2016. Two different yet related bio-optical models are designed for ocean water properties. One model aligns with traditional open ocean water bio-optical models that parameterize the ocean optical properties in terms of the concentration of chlorophyll a . The other is a generalized bio-optical model for coastal waters that includes seven free parameters to describe the absorption and scattering by phytoplankton, colored dissolved organic matter, and nonalgal particles. The retrieval errors of both aerosol optical depth and the water-leaving radiance are evaluated. Through the comparisons with ocean color data products from both in situ measurements and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and the aerosol product from both the High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) and the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), the MAPOL algorithm demonstrates both flexibility and accuracy in retrieving aerosol and water-leaving radiance properties under various aerosol and ocean water conditions.
Volatile 1-octen-3-ol increases patulin production by Penicillium expansum on a patulin-suppressing medium

1-Octen-3-ol is one of the most abundant volatile compounds associated with fungi and functions as a germination and growth inhibitor in several species. By investigating its effect on the biosynthesis of patulin, a mycotoxin made by Penicillium expansum, it was found that a sub-inhibitory level of volatile 1-octen-3-ol increased accumulation of patulin on a medium that normally suppresses the mycotoxin. Transcriptomic sequencing and comparisons of control and treated P. expansum grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA; patulin permissive) or secondary medium agar (SMA; patulin suppressive) revealed that the expression of gox2, a gene encoding a glucose oxidase, was significantly affected, decreasing 10-fold on PDA and increasing 85-fold on SMA. Thirty other genes, mostly involved in transmembrane transport, oxidation-reduction, and carbohydrate metabolism were also differently expressed on the two media. Transcription factors previously found to be involved in regulation of patulin biosynthesis were not significantly affected despite 1-octen-3-ol increasing patulin production on SMA. Further study is needed to determine the relationship between the upregulation of patulin biosynthesis genes and gox2 on SMA, and to identify the molecular mechanism by which 1-octen-3-ol induced this effect.
The Formation of Surface Layers and Reaction Products in the Leaching of Defense Borosilicate Nuclear Waste Glass

The development of surface alteration layers and solid products in the reaction of borosilicate nuclear waste glass with aqueous solutions has been studied as a function of time, surface morphology, water flow rates, and solution composition. A physical description of the growth of the surface layers has been developed, and several solid reaction products have been identified. The results of the study support a saturation based description of long-term radionuclide release from glass waste forms and demonstrate the complex dependence of short-term leaching experiments upon both surface and solution variables.
Numerical simulation of vapor bubble condensation in turbulent subcooled flow boiling

Abstract Subcooled flow boiling is a significant heat transfer regime in pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and also occurs in boiling water reactors (BWRs) prior to the onset of saturated nucleate boiling. In subcooled boiling, individual bubbles experience a life-cycle of nucleation from the wall, (possible) departure from the wall, and transport along the channel during condensation/collapse. The present paper focuses on the last stage of this life cycle. CFD analysis of a single bubble behavior in upward subcooled flow boiling was performed using volume-of-fluid (VOF) interface tracking method and large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence model. High pressure steam-water conditions at high flow velocity were simulated due to their relevance to the nuclear application. The numerical solutions were compared with terminal velocity correlations. Bubble behavior was investigated at different system pressure, subcooling temperature, bubble diameter, pipe diameter, and bulk fluid velocity, corresponding to bulk Reynolds number range of 0–410,000. The effects of these parametric variations on bubble rise velocity, deformation rate, trajectory, and distortion are presented. Results show that bubble rise velocity increases with bulk velocity, and bubble size, but decreases with increasing pipe diameter. A reverse bubble velocity trend with varying system pressure is observed with and without bulk velocity. Bubble condensation rate decreased with increasing system pressure, bubble size and pipe diameter, but increased with increasing subcooling temperature and bulk fluid velocity.
We Are Family: Viewing Pets as Family Members Improves Wellbeing

The current work investigated how viewing one’s pet as a family member improves wellbeing. We hypothesized that including pets in a key social ingroup (i.e., family) would increase ascriptions of s...
Molecular genetic testing laboratory management: emerging challenges for quality assurance.

For decades, laboratory managers in the area of molecular genetic testing have struggled to adapt to rapid technological change, growing demand, evolving regulatory frameworks, and frequently chang...
The Axiomatic Destiny of the Theorems of Pappus and Desargues

We present the largely twentieth century history of the discovery of the significance of Pappus and Desargues for the axiomatics of geometry. Their significance is followed in projective, affine, and orthogonality contexts. There is an extensive bibliography, that should allow the interested reader to take a comprehensive look at the research literature on these axioms.
Student Experience Applying to Graduate School for Speech-Language Pathology

Purpose The purpose of this study is to better understand the experiences faced by students during the application process for master's degree programs in speech-language pathology. Method Data wer...
A map of the amine-carboxylic acid coupling system

Chemical transformations determine the structure of a product, and therefore its properties, which in turn affect complex macroscopic functions such as the metabolic stability of pharmaceuticals or the volatility of perfumes. Therefore, reaction selection can influence the success or failure of a candidate molecule to meet a functional objective. The coupling of an amine with a carboxylic acid to form an amide bond is the most popular chemical reaction used for drug discovery1. However, there are many other ways to connect these two common functional groups together. Here we show computationally that amines and acids can couple via hundreds of hypothetical yet plausible transformations, and we demonstrate experimentally the application of a dozen such reactions. To investigate the contribution of chemical transformations to properties, we developed a string-based notation and used an enumerative combinatorics approach to produce a map of conceivable amine–acid coupling transformations, which can be charted using chemoinformatic techniques. We find that critical physicochemical parameters of the products, such as partition coefficient and polar surface area, vary considerably depending on the transformation chosen. Data mining the amine–acid coupling system produced here should enable reaction discovery, which we demonstrate by developing an esterification reaction found within the mapped space. Complex molecules with distinct property profiles can also be discovered within the amine–acid coupling system, as we show here via the late-stage diversification of drugs and natural products. All possible chemical transformations between amine and carboxylic acid groups are mapped using an automated string-based combinatorics method, showing that the properties and functions of the products vary considerably over all plausible reactions.
Hepatic lipid droplets: A balancing act between energy storage and metabolic dysfunction in NAFLD

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined by the abundance of lipid droplets (LDs) in hepatocytes. While historically considered simply depots for energy storage, LDs are increasingly recognized to impact a wide range of biological processes that influence cellular metabolism, signaling, and function. While progress has been made toward understanding the factors leading to LD accumulation (i.e. steatosis) and its progression to advanced stages of NAFLD and/or systemic metabolic dysfunction, much remains to be resolved. Scope of review This review covers many facets of LD biology. We provide a brief overview of the major pathways of lipid accretion and degradation that contribute to steatosis and how they are altered in NAFLD. The major focus is on the relationship between LDs and cell function and the detailed mechanisms that couple or uncouple steatosis from the severity and progression of NAFLD and systemic comorbidities. The importance of specific lipids and proteins within or on LDs as key components that determine whether LD accumulation is linked to cellular and metabolic dysfunction is presented. We discuss emerging areas of LD biology and future research directions that are needed to advance our understanding of the role of LDs in NAFLD etiology. Major conclusions Impairments in LD breakdown appear to contribute to disease progression, but inefficient incorporation of fatty acids (FAs) into LD-containing triacylglycerol (TAG) and the consequential changes in FA partitioning also affect NAFLD etiology. Increased LD abundance in hepatocytes does not necessarily equate to cellular dysfunction. While LD accumulation is the prerequisite step for most NAFLD cases, the protein and lipid composition of LDs are critical factors in determining the progression from simple steatosis. Further defining the detailed molecular mechanisms linking LDs to metabolic dysfunction is important for designing effective therapeutic approaches targeting NAFLD and its comorbidities.
Accelerating Parallel Verification via Complementary Property Partitioning and Strategy Exploration

Industrial hardware verification tasks often require checking a large number of properties within a testbench. Verification tools often utilize parallelism in their solving orchestration to improve scalability, either in portfolio mode where different solver strategies run concurrently, or in partitioning mode where disjoint property subsets are verified independently. While most tools focus solely upon reducing end-to-end walltime, reducing overall CPU-time is a comparably-important goal influencing power consumption, competition for available machines, and IT costs. Portfolio approaches often degrade into highly-redundant work across processes, where similar strategies address properties in nearly-identical order. Partitioning should take property affinity into account, atomically verifying high-affinity properties to minimize redundant work of applying identical strategies on individual properties with nearly-identical logic cones. In this paper, we improve multi-property parallel verification with respect to both wall- and CPU-time. We extend affinity-based partitioning to guarantee complete utilization of available processes, with provable partition quality. We propose methods to minimize redundant computation, and dynamically optimize work distribution. We deploy our techniques in a sequential redundancy removal framework, using localization to solve non-inductive properties. Our techniques offer a median 2.4× speedup yielding 18.1% more property solves, as demonstrated by extensive experiments.
Gray-scale ultrasound findings of hypoxic-ischemic injury in term infants

Brain ultrasound has become a critical tool for bedside screening and monitoring of hypoxic-ischemic injury in infants. Transfontanellar ultrasound in infants allows delineation of anatomical structures of the brain and posterior fossa. The technique's low cost, lack of ionizing radiation and repeatability make it a popular alternative to magnetic resonance imaging. The published literature on interpreting hypoxic-ischemic injury on brain ultrasound is wide and varied, yet diagnostic challenges remain when detecting subtle or diffuse changes. This pictorial essay summarizes and illustrates the spectrum of sonographic findings of hypoxic-ischemic injuries in term infants.
Machine learning approaches in predicting ambulatory same day discharge patients after total hip arthroplasty.

Background With continuing financial and regulatory pressures, practice of ambulatory total hip arthroplasty is increasing. However, studies focusing on selection of optimal candidates are burdened by limitations related to traditional statistical approaches. Hereby we aimed to apply machine learning algorithm to identify characteristics associated with optimal candidates. Methods This retrospective cohort study included elective total hip arthroplasty (n=63 859) recorded in National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset from 2017 to 2018. The main outcome was length of stay. A total of 40 candidate variables were considered. We applied machine learning algorithms (multivariable logistic regression, artificial neural networks, and random forest models) to predict length of stay=0 day. Models’ accuracies and area under the curve were calculated. Results Applying machine learning models to compare length of stay=0 day to length of stay=1–3 days cases, we found area under the curve of 0.715, 0.762, and 0.804, accuracy of 0.65, 0.73, and 0.81 for logistic regression, artificial neural networks, and random forest model, respectively. Regarding the most important predictive features, anesthesia type, body mass index, age, ethnicity, white blood cell count, sodium level, and alkaline phosphatase were highlighted in machine learning models. Conclusions Machine learning algorithm exhibited acceptable model quality and accuracy. Machine learning algorithms highlighted the as yet unrecognized impact of laboratory testing on future patient ambulatory pathway assignment.
Predicting Bitcoin Return Using Extreme Value Theory

The study investigates and develops the ability of the extreme value theory (EVT) to predict bitcoin return. EVT is used to deal with rare but extreme events, such as severe losses or excessive dam...
A Report on the Economic Impact to Wyoming's Economy from a Potential Listing of the Sage Grouse

After providing background information on the sage-grouse and its management, this report analyzes the economic impact of sage-grouse conservation measures in Wyoming, and attempts to predict the economic impact of sage-grouse listing as threatened or endangered. The economic impact analysis considers the following standpoints: 1) a baseline analysis of the projected economic importance of commodity production from all sage-grouse habitat in Wyoming; 2) projected reductions in commodity production in Wyoming associated with recently released Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land use plan amendments for sage-grouse including the 9-Plan Sage-Grouse Amendment EIS, the Lander Resource Management Plan (RMP) the Bighorn Basin RMP, and the Buffalo RMP; and 3) an attempt to estimate the potential reduction in commodity production in Wyoming associated with a listing of sage-grouse as a threaten or endangered species under the ESA.
Are Creditors Able to Control Managerial Risk Taking after Covenant Violations

Recent evidence suggests that creditors play an important role in borrowing firms’ investment and financial policies following covenant violations. Unaddressed in the literature is whether the observed changes, presumably stemming from creditor influence, lead to reductions in firm risk and managerial risk-taking incentives. Using numerous measures of firm risk, this study documents a sharp increase in firm risk in the year following the violation. Moreover, the expected negative relationship between volatility and investment is reversed for firms which violate a covenant, consistent with risk-shifting behavior. Further evidence suggests that violations trigger the impact of managerial risk taking incentives. High CEO wealth sensitivity to stock volatility (vega) is positively associated with firm risk. This effect intensifies after firms violate covenants. Overall, my results suggest that creditor intervention following a violation does not reduce the risk-shifting problem. On the contrary, violations are followed by an increase in managerial risk taking.
Cross-platform Information Operations: Mobilizing Narratives & Building Resilience through both 'Big' & 'Alt' Tech

Despite increasing awareness and research about online strategic information operations, there remain gaps in our understanding, including how information operations leverage the wider information ecosystem and take shape on and across multiple social media platforms. In this paper we use mixed methods, including digital trace ethnography, to look beyond a single social media platform to the broader information ecosystem. We aim to understand how multiple social media platforms are used, in parallel and complementary ways, to achieve the strategic goals of online information operations. We focus on a specific case study: the contested online conversation surrounding Syria Civil Defense (the White Helmets), a group of first responders that assists civilians affected by the civil war within the country. Our findings reveal a network of social media platforms from which content is produced, stored, and integrated into the Twitter conversation. We highlight specific activities that sustain the strategic narratives and attempt to influence the media agenda. And we note that underpinning these efforts is the work of resilience-building: the use of alternative (non-mainstream) platforms to counter perceived threats of 'censorship' by large, established social media platforms. We end by discussing the implications on social media platform policy.
Differences in biofilm formation of Salmonella serovars on two surfaces under two temperature conditions

Aims Salmonella is extremely diverse, with >2500 serovars that are genetically and phenotypically diverse. The aim of this study was to build a collection of Salmonella isolates that are genetically diverse and to evaluate their ability to form biofilm under different conditions relevant to a processing environment. Methods and results Twenty Salmonella isolates representative of 10 serovars were subtyped using Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-typing to assess the genetic diversity between isolates of each serovar. Biofilm formation of the isolates on both plastic and stainless-steel surfaces at 25°C and 15°C was assessed. At 25°C, 8/20 isolates each produced strong and moderate biofilm on plastic surface compared to stainless-steel (3/20 and 13/20, respectively). At 15°C, 5/20 produced strong biofilm on plastic surface and none on stainless-steel. Several isolates produced weak biofilm on plastic (11/20) and stainless-steel (16/20) surfaces. Serovar Schwarzengrund consistently produced strong biofilm while serovars Heidelberg and Newport produced weak biofilm. Conclusion These results suggest that Salmonellae differ in their attachment depending on the surface and temperature conditions encountered, which may influence persistence in the processing environment. Significance and impact of study These differences in biofilm formation could provide useful information for mitigation of Salmonella in processing environments.
High Performance Instrumentation and Automation

THERMAL, MECHANICAL, QUANTUM, AND ANALYTICAL SENSORS Introduction Instrumentation Error Interpretation Temperature Sensors Mechanical Sensors Quantum Sensors Analytical Sensors Bibliography INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIERS AND PARAMETER ERRORS Introduction Device Temperature Characteristics Differential Amplifiers Operational Amplifiers Instrumentation Amplifiers Amplifier Parameter Error Evaluation Bibliography INSTRUMENTATION FILTERS WITH NOMINAL ERROR Introduction Bandlimiting Instrumentation Filters Active Filter Networks Filter Error Analysis Bibliography SIGNAL ACQUISITION, CONDITIONING, AND PROCESSING Introduction Low-Level Signal Acquisition Signal Quality in Random and Coherent Interference DC, Sinusoidal, and Harmonic Signal Conditioning Analog Signal Processing Bibliography DATA CONVERSION DEVICES AND ERRORS Introduction Analog Multiplexers Sample-Holds Digital-to-Analog Converters Analog-to-Digital Converters Bibliography SAMPLED DATA AND RECOVERY WITH INTERSAMPLE ERROR Introduction Sampled Data Theory Aliasing of Signal and Noise Sampled Data Intersample and Aperture Error Output Signal Interpolation Functions Video Sampling and Reconstruction Bibliography ADVANCED INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS AND ERROR ANALYSIS Introduction Integrated Instrumentation Design Multisensor Error Propagation Robotic Axes Volumetric Error Bibliography Appendix A AUTOMATION SYSTEMS CONCURRENT ENGINEERING Introduction Concurrent Engineering Common Core Product Property Apparatus Variables Robust Process Axiomatic Design Automated Production Ex Situ Planner Molecular In Situ Subprocess Control System Variability Tolerance Analysis Product Features Remodeling for Quality Maturity Bibliography MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING Introduction Molecular Beam Epitaxy Concurrent Engineering MBE Material Property Modeling Robust Process Design and PID Tuning MBE In Situ Ellipsometry Instrumentation and Control Tolerance Analysis Bibliography AEROSPACE COMPOSITES RULE-BASED MANUFACTURING Introduction Composite Manufacturing Concurrent Engineering Composite Cure Properties and Apparatus Computational Qualitative Reasoning Rule-Based Ex Situ Planner In Situ Sensor Fusion Cure Control Temperature Control Tolerance Analysis Bibliography FUZZY LOGIC LASER DEPOSITION SUPERCONDUCTOR PRODUCTION Introduction Superconductor Processing Concurrent Engineering Material Property Modeling Robust Axiomatic Process Decoupling Observer Remodeled Ex Situ Planner Spectrometer In Situ Fuzzy Control Process Data Tolerance Evaluation Superconductor Raman Quality Analysis Bibliography NEURAL NETWORK DIRECTED STEEL ANNEALING Introduction Steel Annealing Concurrent Engineering Recrystallization Annealing Physical Properties ANNEAL NET Ex Situ Planner Steel Annealing In Situ Control Bibliography X-RAY CONTROLLED VAPOR INFILTRATION CERAMIC DENSIFICATION Introduction Ceramic Matrix Composite Concurrent Engineering Combustor Product Property Modeling Microwave Densification Ex Situ Planner X-Ray and Infrared In Situ Control Bibliography INDEX
The CD8 response on autopilot

Activation, proliferation and differentiation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells must be carefully regulated. New evidence suggests that antigen and costimulation may be enough to trigger the program.
Situated Flow: A Few Thoughts on Reweaving Meaning in the Navajo Spirit Pathway

This article examines the Navajo weaver’s pathway, or the ch’ihonit’i, a purposeful line woven into many Navajo textiles. Pathways, also called spiritlines, contain layers of significance and meaning in contemporary Navajo life. Drawing upon several years of ethnographic fieldwork, I explore how weavers and Navajo community members use and interpret pathways in various ways. The ch’ihonit’i can enhance and diminish subjective connections between the weaver, her work, and wider worlds, and this particular case study contributes to wider discussions about materiality and the circulation of indigenous aesthetic objects in different social contexts.
Reforming Marriage: A Comparative Approach

In this article, I examine the case for privatising marriage and replacing civil marriage with inclusive civil union policies. I argue against this proposal because of its likely detrimental impact on the social standing of women and girls. In order to assess the importance of civil marriage historically and cross-culturally, I examine a contemporary debate over marriage reform in some predominantly Islamic societies in regard to temporary marriage. I also propose a policy to protect the interests of children of both married and unmarried parents, so that this issue will be less of a stumbling block to proposals for inclusive civil marriage.
(3aS,7aS)-5-[(S)-3,3,3-Trifluoro-2-meth-oxy-2-phenyl-propano-yl]-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexa-hydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3(2H)-one monohydrate.

rac-Benzyl 3-oxohexa­hydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-5(6H)-carboxyl­ate was separated by chiral chromatography, and one of the enanti­omers ([α]22D = +10°) was hydrogenated in the presence of Pd/C in methanol, producing octa­hydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-one. The latter was reacted with (2R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-meth­oxy-2-phenyl­propanoyl chloride [(R)-(−)-Mosher acid chloride], giving rise to the title compound, C17H19F3N2O3·H2O. The present structure established the absolute configuration of the pyrrolopiperidine fragment based on the known configuration of the (R)-Mosher acid chloride. The piperidine ring has a somewhat distorted chair conformation and is cis-fused with the five-membered envelope-shaped ring; the plane of the exocyclic amide bond is approximately orthogonal to the plane of the phenyl ring, making a dihedral angle of 82.31 (3)°. The water mol­ecule acts as an acceptor to the proton of the amino group in an N—H⋯O inter­action, and as a double proton donor in O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating infinite bands along the a axis.
VLBI with TDRSS

VLBI observations using a satellite in earth orbit and ground antennas in Japan and Australia were conducted in 1986, 1987, and 1988. Sources were detected on space-ground baselines at both observing frequencies: 2.3 and 15 GHz. The coherence on space-ground baselines for 340 s was 90% at 2.3 GHz and 76% at 15 GHz. Brightness temperatures in the range 1–4 × 1012 K were measured for 10 sources at 2.3 GHz and 6 sources at 15 GHz.
Saving for post-secondary education: Strategies for individuals with disabilities

Many students with disabilities receive some form of disability benefit from the Social Security Administration. There is a common misconception among individuals with disabilities, their families and the disability services provider com- munity that saving for post secondary education is not permitted under the Social Security disability benefit program rules. In fact, for individuals receiving disability benefits authorized under title II of the Social Security Act, there are no restric- tions placed upon asset accumulation or the amount of resources a beneficiary may have. The title II disability programs include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Childhood Disability benefits (CDB) and Disabled Widow(er)s Benefits (DWB). Many other students receive benefits from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Currently, SSI pro- gram rules require that eligible individuals have no more than $2,000 of countable resources with a $3,000 limit for two SSI recipients who form an eligible couple. While this limit is stringent, there are numerous resource exclusions which do not count in any way against the student when SSI eligibility determinations are made. Several of these resource exclusions are specifically designed to permit SSI recipients to save for post secondary education or training which prepares them for paid employment. This paper summarizes these provisions and provides information on additional resources individuals with disabilities may access to help cover the costs of education or vocational training after high school. The provisions covered include:
Multidrug efflux pump AcrAB of Salmonella typhimurium excretes only those beta-lactam antibiotics containing lipophilic side chains

We found that the previously reported SS-B drug-supersusceptible mutant of Salmonella typhimurium (S. Sukupolvi, M. Vaara, I. M. Helander, P. Viljanen, and P. H. Makela, J. Bacteriol. 159:704-712, 1984) had a mutation in the acrAB operon. Comparison of this mutant with its parent strain and with an AcrAB-overproducing strain showed that the activity of the AcrAB efflux pump often produced significant resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in the complete absence of beta-lactamase. The effect of AcrAB activity on resistance was more pronounced with agents containing more lipophilic side chains, suggesting that such compounds were better substrates for this pump. This correlation is consistent with the hypothesis that only those molecules that become at least partially partitioned into the lipid bilayer of the cytoplasmic membrane are captured by the AcrAB pump. According to this mechanism, the pump successfully excretes even those beta-lactams that fail to traverse the cytoplasmic membrane, because these compounds are likely to become partitioned into the outer leaflet of the bilayer. Even the compounds with lipophilic side chains were shown to penetrate across the outer membrane relatively rapidly, if the pump was inactivated genetically or physiologically. The exclusion of such compounds, exemplified by nafcillin, from cells of the wild-type S. typhimurium was previously interpreted as the result of poor diffusion across the outer membrane (H. Nikaido, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 433:118-132, 1976), but it is now recognized as the consequence of efficient pumping out of entering antibiotics by the active efflux process.