cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional connectivity through nonlinear modeling: An application to the rat hippocampus

Implementation of neuroprosthetic devices requires a reliable and accurate quantitative representation of the input-output transformations performed by the involved neuronal populations. Nonparametric, data driven models with predictive capabilities are excellent candidates for these purposes. When modeling input-output relations in multi-input neuronal systems, it is important to select the subset of inputs that are functionally and causally related to the output. Inputs that do not convey information about the actual transformation not only increase the computational burden but also affect the generalization of the model. Moreover, a reliable functional connectivity measure can provide patterns of information flow that can be linked to physiological and anatomical properties of the system. We propose a method based on the Volterra modeling approach that selects distinct subsets of inputs for each output based on the prediction of the respective models and its statistical evaluation. The algorithm builds successive models with increasing number of inputs and examines whether the inclusion of additional inputs benefits the predictive accuracy of the overall model. It also explores possible second-order (inter-modulatory) interactions among the inputs. The method was applied to multi-unit recordings from the CA3 (input) and CA1 (output) regions of the hippocampus in behaving rats, in order to reveal spatiotemporal connectivity maps of the input-output transformation taking place in the CA3-CA1 synapse.
Cyclone Climatology of the Bering Sea and Its Relation to Sea Ice Extent

Abstract A monthly storm-track climatology is derived from monthly maps of cyclone tracks for the winter season, October through March, averaged over 23 years, 1957/58–1979/80, for a 2° latitude×4° longitude grid bounded by 51°N, 65°N, 157°W and 171°E. There is a decrease in the number of cyclones with latitude in all months and division into two storm tracks, one propagating north-northeast along the Siberian peninsula and one entering the southern Bering Sea on a northeasterly course and either curving northward into the central Bering Sea or continuing parallel to the Aleutian Island chain. Monthly average ice extents are established for February and March 1958–80 along a line from Norton Sound southwest toward the ice edge, perpendicular to the average maximum extent. Comparison of composite cyclone charts summed over the winter season and over the five heaviest and five lightest ice years shows a shift in cyclone centers toward the west in light ice years. The correlation between maximum seasonal ice...
Arritmias y muerte súbita en la taquicardia ventricular catecolaminérgica de origen hereditario.

Correspondencia: Jose Jalife, M.D. Department of Pharmacology. SUNY Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NY 13210 EEUU. E-mail: jalifej@upstate.edu a enfermedad hereditaria conocida como “taquicardia polimorfica ventricular catecolaminergica (TPVC)” es altamente letal.1 Casi el 30% de los pacientes afectados fallecen antes de la edad de 40 anos, generalmente a causa de la muerte subita cardiaca.2 La TPVC se caracteriza por la presencia en el electrocardiograma (ECG) de taquicardias ventriculares bidireccionales y polimorficas, asi como de fibrilacion ventricular (FV) que aparecen con el ejercicio, el estres o con otras condiResumen
Extraordinary Opportunities - Bringing In Practice To Enhance Intellectual Learning

The premise of the presentation is that opponents of integrating practical aspects of lawyering into the traditional law school curriculum view too narrowly the educational value of bringing practical skills into the curriculum. Theory and practice represent a continuum of intellectual development rather than a dichotomy. By categorizing them as two opposed things to be learned, we miss extraordinary opportunities to enhance students' learning. My presentation will present examples of those opportunities and how they enhance students' development of not only their learning of substantive law and the theories underlying it, but also their problem-solving abilities and professionalism in solving clients' problems.
Effects of Hand Defoliation on Yield and Seed Weight of Soybeans

Defoliation of soybeans by phytophagous insects was simulated with band defoliation at various percentages and stages of growth of soybean plants. Significant differences in yield and seed weight were obtained following single defoliations of 33, 67, and 100% at several stages of growth. Continuous and progressive defoliations at all percentages drastically reduced yields and seed weight at all stages of growth tested. Comparison of data obtained in 1969 and 1970 indicated that early season single defoliation (up to full bloom) of 1/3 or 2/3 was more detrimental to yield at higher yield levels than at lower yield levels.
Experimental Study of Wet Cohesive Particles Discharging from a Rectangular Hopper

The present work investigates discharge phenomenon for wet cohesive particles from a rectangular hopper. Three specific characteristic of the hopper flow are investigated: discharge rate, angle of repose of the material, and size of clumps formed during the discharge. These characteristics are compared to predictions from previously published Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations. The primary objective of this work is simulation validation. The current experimental results agree well with previous simulation results. Generally, as cohesion increases, the discharge rate decreases, the angle of repose increases, and the size of the clumps increases.
The Impact of Gay-Friendly Recruitment Statements on a Firm’s Attractiveness as an Employer

Increasingly more firms are targeting sexual minorities in recruitment ads to attain a diverse work climate. However, the challenge remains of recruiting job seekers without alienating qualified others. Drawing from the instrumental-symbolic framework and early recruitment literature, the current study investigates how employee recruitment statements regarding employment-at-will moderate the effect that diversity-supportive recruitment statements have on job seekers’ job pursuit intentions and attraction towards a firm. Using a between- subjects experimental design with American business students from a southern U.S. university, a model is tested that demonstrates an interaction effect between perceived instrumental job attributes and perceived symbolic attributes on the organizational attractiveness of a firm. Implications from the results are discussed, including how the manipulation of recruitment statements may act as a filter for sorting heterosexist job seekers from the labor pool of firms that valu...
Thermal Restriction as an Antimicrobial Function of Fever.

Calor (heat), rubor (redness), tumor (swelling), and dolor (pain) are the cardinal signs of inflammation. To these can be added loss of function by inflamed tissues. Of the cardinal signs, calor, or fever, is a common response to infection. Fever is an evolutionarily conserved host response to microbial infection that has been described in organisms from such diverse phyla as Chordata, Arthropoda, and Annelida [1]. Fever has been defined as “a state of elevated core temperature, which is often, but not necessarily, part of the defensive responses of multicellular organisms (host) to invasion of live (microorganisms) or inanimate matter recognized as pathogenic or alien to the host” [2]. It is noteworthy that this definition views fever as an increased temperature, and in this essay we will focus on the effects of temperature on host defense. For endothermic and homoeothermic organisms like mammals, fever reflects an increase in metabolism such that maintaining a fever temperature 2°C above the afebrile state can increase metabolism by 20% [3]. For ectothermic organisms, fever can result from increased metabolic activity and/or be induced by increased physical activity or exposure to warm sources like the sun. In insects and ectothermic invertebrates, there is a large body of evidence showing that fever is beneficial to the host during microbial infection [3]. However, in mammals, some have questioned whether this increase in metabolism over an already high baseline is beneficial and suggested that the risks and discomfort associated with increased temperature outweigh any benefits [4], a view that also considers fever as an unpleasant side effect of the response to infection. An unequivocal demonstration of the benefits of fever in mammals has proved elusive, with some studies supporting a beneficial role for fever, while others note detrimental effects [1,5,6]. While there is no question that life-threatening elevations in temperature require antipyretic treatment, there is much less consensus on how to approach common fevers. Perhaps the best evidence for a dismissive approach to the value of fever in humans is the fact that physicians, nurses, and parents reflexively respond to fever by administering antipyretics [5,7,8].
Effect of Human Land Development on Water Quality

Publisher Summary This chapter aims to describe various hydrological, physical, chemical, biological, and ecological impacts that occur in receiving water systems following removal of the native vegetation and subsequent conversion of the land to agriculture or urbanized areas. Major ecosystem-impacting pollutants from agriculture include suspended sediments from surface runoff, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from surface runoff, airborne travel, and subsurface (groundwater) movement, and a variety of pesticides and herbicides that enter water bodies via runoff, airborne deposition, and groundwater. Reducing nutrient loading to water bodies is a major factor in reducing eutrophication and associated aquatic problems. Nutrient pollution can be a human health and/or ecological problem where sep-tic systems are placed near drinking water wells or nutrient-sensitive surface waters. A variety of preventative tactics can be employed to reduce the pollution of surface waters from agricultural and urban runoff. Finally, a variety of non-technical means to protect water quality may be available including the use of conservation easements and financial incentives to landowners.
Using irrigation and mulch to control cone production in Fraser fir (Abies fraseri)

ABSTRACTFraser fir (Abies fraseri) is economically important as a Christmas tree in the United States, but trees often produce cones at a young age when grown in plantations in the Midwest. Early cone production is undesirable and decreases the economic value of the tree. High temperatures and drought are associated with increased reproductive output in conifers. Therefore, we investigated the effects of irrigation and mulch on cone production in two Fraser fir plantations in Michigan. At one site, we applied mulch to one tree in each row, with paired controls. In 2013, irrigation increased soil moisture by 47% under drought conditions, compared to non-irrigated control plots. However, irrigation had no effect on cone production in any year. Mulch reduced average maximum daily soil temperatures 7.4°C in 2013 and 4.8°C in 2014. Mulch reduced cone production in 2014 by 51%, but had no effect the following year, after a cooler summer. Our findings suggest that soil temperature, rather than soil moisture, reg...
Efficient Uncertainty Quantification in Stochastic Economic Dispatch

Stochastic economic dispatch models address uncertainties in forecasts of renewable generation output by considering a finite number of realizations drawn from a stochastic process model, typically via Monte Carlo sampling. Accurate evaluations of expectations or higher order moments for quantities of interest, e.g., generating cost, can require a prohibitively large number of samples. We propose an alternative to Monte Carlo sampling based on polynomial chaos expansions. These representations enable efficient and accurate propagation of uncertainties in model parameters, using sparse quadrature methods. We also use Karhunen–Loeve expansions for efficient representation of uncertain renewable energy generation that follows geographical and temporal correlations derived from historical data at each wind farm. Considering expected production cost, we demonstrate that the proposed approach can yield several orders of magnitude reduction in computational cost for solving stochastic economic dispatch relative to Monte Carlo sampling, for a given target error threshold.
Parkinsonian signs are a risk factor for falls

Abstract Background Parkinsonian signs are common, non-specific findings in older adults and associated with increased rates of dementia and mortality. It is important to understand which motor outcomes are associated with parkinsonian signs. Objectives To determine the role of parkinsonian signs on fall rates among older adults. Methods We conducted a longitudinal study of primary care patients from the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Adults over 55 years were assessed at baseline through surveys and a neurological examination. We recorded falls over the following 2 years. Parkinsonian signs were defined as the presence of 2 of 4 cardinal signs. Incident falls were compared between subjects with and without parkinsonian signs, and modified Poisson regression used to adjust for potential confounders in the relationship between parkinsonian signs and falls. Results 982 subjects with a mean age of 68 (s.d. 8.8) years participated. 29% of participants fell and 12% exhibited parkinsonian signs at baseline. The unadjusted RR for falls among individuals with parkinsonian signs was 1.36 (95% CI 1.05–1.76, p = 0.02). After adjusting for age, cognitive function, urinary incontinence, depression, diabetes, stroke and arthritis, individuals with parkinsonian signs were still 38% more likely to fall than those without parkinsonian signs (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.04–1.82; p = 0.03). Falls among those with parkinsonian signs were more likely to lead to injury (53% vs 37%; p = 0.04). Conclusions Parkinsonian signs are a significant, independent risk factor for falls. Early detection of this clinical state is important in order to implement fall prevention programs among primary care patients.
Plastic Biofilm Carrier after Corn Cobs Reduces Nitrate Loading in Laboratory Denitrifying Bioreactors

Nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate-N) removal rates can be increased substantially in denitrifying bioreactors with a corn ( L.) cob bed medium compared with woodchips; however, additional organic carbon (C) is released into the effluent. This laboratory column experiment was conducted to test the performance of a postbed chamber of inert plastic biofilm carrier (PBC) after corn cobs (CC) to extend the area of biofilm colonization, enhance nitrate-N removal, lower total organic C losses, and reduce nitrous oxide (NO) production at warm (15.5°C) and cold (1.5°C) temperatures. Treatments were CC only and CC plus PBC in series (CC-PBC). Across the two temperatures, nitrate-N load removal was 21% greater with CC-PBC than CC, with 54 and 44% of total nitrate N load, respectively. However, total organic C concentrations and loads were not significantly different between treatments. Colonization of the PBC by denitrifiers occurred, although gene abundance at the outlet (PBC) was less than at the inlet (CC). The PBC chamber increased nitrate-N removal rate and reduced cumulative NO production at 15.5°C, but not at 1.5°C. Across temperatures and treatments, NO production was 0.9% of nitrate-N removed. Including an additional chamber filled with PBC downstream from the CC bioreactor provided benefits in terms nitrate-N removal but did not achieve C removal. The presence of excess C, as well as available nitrate, in the PBC chamber suggests another unidentified limiting factor for nitrate removal.
Seasonal progression of uranium series isotopes in subglacial meltwater: Implications for subglacial storage time

Abstract The residence time of subglacial meltwater impacts aquifer recharge, nutrient production, and chemical signals that reflect underlying bedrock/substrate, but is inaccessible to direct observation. Here we report the seasonal evolution of subglacial meltwater chemistry from the 2011 melt season at the terminus of the Athabasca Glacier, Canada. We measured major and trace analytes and U-series isotopes for twenty-nine bulk meltwater samples collected over the duration of the melt season. This dataset, which is the longest time-series record of ( 234 U/ 238 U) isotopes in a glacial meltwater system, provides insight into the hydrologic evolution of the subglacial system during active melting. Meltwater samples, measured from the outflow, were analyzed for ( 238 U), ( 222 Rn) and ( 234 U/ 238 U) activity , conductivity, alkalinity, pH and major cations. Subglacial meltwater varied in [ 238 U] and ( 222 Rn) from 23 to 832 ppt and 9 to 171 pCi/L, respectively. Activity ratios of ( 234 U/ 238 U) ranged from 1.003 to 1.040, with the highest ( 238 U), ( 222 Rn) and ( 234 U/ 238 U) activity values occurring in early May when delayed-flow basal meltwater composed a significant portion of the bulk melt. From the chemical evolution of the meltwater, we posit that the relative subglacial water residence times decrease over the course of the melt season. This decrease in qualitative residence time during active melt is consistent with prior field studies and model-predicted channel switching from a delayed, distributed network to a fast, channelized network flow. As such, our study provides support for linking U-series isotopes to storage lengths of meltwater beneath glacial systems as subglacial hydrologic networks evolve with increased melting and channel network efficiency.
Activation of the peripheral immune system regulates neuronal aromatase in the adult zebra finch brain

Estradiol provision via neural aromatization decreases neuro-inflammation and –degeneration, but almost nothing is known about the interactions between the peripheral immune system and brain aromatase. Given the vulnerability of the CNS we reasoned that brain aromatization may protect circuits from the threats of peripheral infection; perhaps shielding cells that are less resilient from the degeneration associated with peripheral infection or trauma. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle was administered peripherally to adult zebra finches and sickness behavior was recorded 2 or 24 hours later. The central transcription of cytokines and aromatase was measured, as were telencephalic aromatase activity and immunoreactive aromatase (24 hour time point only). Two hours post LPS, sickness-like behaviors increased, the transcription of IL-1β was higher in both sexes, and TNFα was elevated in females. 24 hours post-LPS, the behavior of LPS birds was similar to controls, and cytokines had returned to baseline, but aromatase mRNA and activity were elevated in both sexes. Immunocytochemistry revealed greater numbers of aromatase-expressing neurons in LPS birds. These data suggest that the activation of the immune system via peripheral endotoxin increases neuronal aromatase; a mechanism that may rapidly generate a potent anti-neuroinflammatory steroid in response to peripheral activation of the immune system.
Distribution of 5,5 dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione (DMO) in intraocular and cerebrospinal fluids of rabbits. 3. Effect of ammonium chloride and probenecid.

The effect of ammonium chloride (systemic acidosis) and probenecid on the distribution of DMO in intraocular and cerebrospinal fluids has been studied. These drugs increased the level of DMO in intraocular fluids so that DMO was found in excess of plasma levels at plasma levels which normally result in a deficit of DMO in intraocular fluids. Their action seemed to be explained in part by a blocking of the secretion out of DMO at the ciliary process and perhaps an increased diffusion in the posterior segment of the eye. Probenecid may well affect the distribution of DMO in cerebrospinal fluid. It appears that the use of the partition of DMO between compartments as an indication of pH should be substantiated by another method for each set of experimental conditions.
Optimal Lowest Instrumented Vertebra for Thoracic Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Retrospective cohort chart review. To determine the optimal lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) following posterior segmental spinal instrumented fusion (PSSIF) of thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with LIV at L2 or above. Few studies evaluate the optimal LIV based on rotation or center sacral vertical line (CSVL). A radiographic assessment of 544 thoracic major AIS patients (average age 14.7 years) with minimum 2 years’ follow-up (average 4.1 years) after PSSIF was performed. The LIV was divided by CSVL: stable vertebra 1 (SV-1) if the CSVL fell between the medial walls of the LIV pedicles; SV-2 if between stable vertebra 1 and 3; and SV-3 if the CSVL did not touch the LIV. LIV was divided by rotation into: neutral vertebra 0 (NV-0) if the LIV was at or distal to the neutral vertebra; NV-1 if one vertebra proximal to the NV; NV-2 if two vertebrae proximal; and NV-3 if three vertebrae proximal to the NV. The prevalence of adding-on (AO) or distal junctional kyphosis (DJK) at ultimate follow-up was 13.6%. Patients with AO or DJK had a higher rate of open triradiate cartilage, LIV not touching the CSVL, and more proximal to the NV (p < .05). Risk factors were SV-3 (39% vs. SV-2 14%, SV-1 9%, p < .05), NV-3 (35% vs. NV-2 9%, NV-1 6%, NV-0 12%, p = .000), open triradiate cartilage (43% vs. closed 13%, p < .05), lumbar C modifier (22% vs. B modifier 8%, A modifier 13%, p < .05), and Risser stage 0 (19% vs. 12% Risser 1–5, p < .05). The prevalence of AO or DJK at ultimate follow-up of PSSIF for AIS with LIV at L2 or above was 13.6%. Risk factors included the CSVL outside the LIV, LIV 3 or more proximal to the NV, open triradiate cartilage, lumbar C modifier, and Risser stage 0. Level IV.
GENETIC AND CLINICAL PREDICTORS OF POSTOPERATIVE THROMBOSIS IN CONGENITAL HEART SURGERY

Postoperative thrombosis complicates 11% of surgeries to correct congenital heart defects and is associated with increased in-hospital mortality, longer ICU stay, longer mechanical ventilation and longer total hospital length of stay. We report a novel prognostic model to identify patients at risk
Function of integrin in duodenal mucosal uptake of iron

A mechanism for the absorption of inorganic iron in the small intestine is described in which integrins appear to play an important role in the passage of iron across microvillous membranes. Biochemical isolates from microvillous preparations of duodenum from rats dosed with radioiron showed radioactivity concentrated in integrins. The presence of integrins on mucosal surfaces of duodenal cells was confirmed by immunofluorescent microscopy using anti-integrin monoclonal antibodies. Immunoprecipitation methods were used to show that microvillous radioiron was precipitated with anti-integrin antibodies and that mobilferrin, a 56-Kd cytosol iron-binding protein, coprecipitated with integrins. We postulate from these data that the mucosal uptake of iron from the gut lumen is mediated via an integrin-mobilferrin pathway.
Techniques for visualizing time-varying volume data

This chapter describes how time-varying volume data can be efficiently rendered to achieve interactive visualization, with a focus on employing data encoding, hardware acceleration, and parallel pipelined rendering. The chapter provides a survey of encoding methods for time-varying volume data. Modern PC graphics cards can be used to render volume data at highly interactive rates. When rendering time-varying data, it is crucial to accelerate the loading of each time-step of the data into the video memory from either main memory or disk. A hardware decoding approach makes it possible to transport and render a much smaller, compressed version of the data instead, which enables interactive exploration in the spatial and temporal domains. Most rendering calculations can be straightforwardly parallelized to increase rendering rates while maintaining high image quality, but the I/O issue must be addressed so that the volume data and image transfer rate can keep up with the rendering rate. A pipelined approach coupled with image compression is demonstrated to reach the highest possible efficiency.
Treatment of Public Water Supplies and Their Industrial Use, 1922–32

The revision, after 10 years, of a report on the industrial utility of public water supplies in the United States12 afforded an opportunity for comparison of conditions of source and treatment of the larger water supplies in the United States in 1922 and 1932. The revision carries data for more than twice as many places as the original report and gives more complete data for the places included. Part of the increase in the amount of information included is due to the advances in methods and control of treatment.
Low-volume-fraction particulate preforms for making metal-matrix composites by liquid metal infiltration

A preform technology for making particulate metal-matrix composites with a low particulate volume fraction (as low as 18%) by liquid metal infiltration is provided. This technology used a non-combustible reinforcement (SiC) as the primary particulate and combustible particles (carbon) as the secondary particulate in the preform. The secondary particulate was removed from the preform by oxidation prior to liquid metal infiltration.
30-day outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: First analysis based on MBSAQIP

Abstract Background Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most popular bariatric procedure in the United States. Although standardized, variation exists in how the staple line is managed. Robotic approaches to SG (RSG) are increasing, though benefits compared with the conventional laparoscopic approach (LSG) remain controversial. Objective Evaluate the safety of RSG versus LSG using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program data registry, controlling for variation in staple-line management. Setting University health network, United States. Methods SG cases from January 1 to December 31, 2016, in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program data registry were included. Demographic characteristics and 30-day outcomes were analyzed with separate Mann-Whitney rank sums tests, χ2 tests, or Fisher's exact tests, with P Results Of the 107,726 patients who underwent SG, 7385 were RSG. Treatment of the staple line was associated with a significantly lower rate of bleeding, with odds ratios of .69 and .58 for staple-line reinforcement alone and staple-line reinforcement plus oversewing, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed RSG had a higher rate of organ space infection than LSG (odds ratio 2.07). Otherwise, RSG did not significantly differ from LSG save for a longer median operative time (89 versus 63 min, respectively, P Conclusions RSG is a growing alternative to the conventional laparoscopic approach. According to the 2016 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database, the RSG carries a higher risk of organ space infection. The reasons behind this finding require further study.
Bone Graft Substitutes: Current Concepts and Future Expectations.

Owing to its osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties and the presence of osteogenic cells, freshly harvested autologous bone graft is the gold standard for skeletal reconstruction where there is inadequate native bone. Whereas these characteristics are difficult to replicate, engineered, commercially available bone graft substitutes aim to achieve a comparable osseoregenerative profile. This work furnishes the reader with an understanding of the predominant classes of bone graft substitutes available for reconstruction of upper extremity bone defects following trauma or oncological surgery. We review bone graft substitutes with respect to their mechanisms of action, their advantages and disadvantages, and their indications and contraindications. We provide examples of bone graft substitutes in clinical use and outline comparative costs. We also describe the future directions for this specific aspect of reconstructive surgery with a focus on the role of bioactive glass.
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly versus triweekly cisplatin in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Comparative analysis.

Background Cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy is standard of care for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. This systemic review compared efficacy and safety of weekly vs triweekly cisplatin in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Methods Among 1500 prospective studies published from 1970 to 2015, 39 (18 weekly, 21 triweekly) including 3668 patients qualified for inclusion. Clinical outcomes were analyzed using weighted estimates and 2-tailed t test for comparisons; significance level was 0.05. Results Locoregional control was 58% (CI 53%-63%) vs 61% (CI 56%-65%; P = .7). The 2-year overall survival (OS) was 74% (CI 66%-80%) for weekly vs 67% (64%-69%) triweekly groups (P = .67). The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 69% (CI 59%-77%) for weekly vs 62% (CI 58%-65%) triweekly groups (P = .9). Grade 3 to 5 toxicities were 36% vs 40% (P = .37) in weekly vs triweekly groups. Conclusions Weekly cisplatin was comparable in efficacy and safety to the triweekly regimen. Our analysis supports the use of weekly or triweekly cisplatin in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, with tolerability being a key factor in selection.
A Fourier Crosstalk Analysis of a Brain SPECT Imaging System-Initial Results

A joint research program at the universities of Arizona and Massachusetts (Medical school) is designing a next-generation, adaptive, dedicated brain-imaging, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system. It consists of multi-pinhole, modular gamma cameras arrayed around a hemisphere that encloses the volume of interest. The adaptive feature of the system stems from the capability of shuttering selected pinholes for each module. Critical to the design process is the ability to vary parameters such as the number, location and size of the pinholes and quantify their effects on system performance. One approach is to use the Fourier-crosstalk matrix (FXM) which is derived from the system matrix and can provide a modulation transfer function (MTF)-type measure of system resolution. An FXM-based study has been initiated to answer some of the questions regarding pinhole/detector placement in the proposed SPECT system. The initial work has entailed obtaining system matrices for individual detector modules and then deriving the FXM from it (via a multidimensional discrete Fourier transform (DFT)).
Timing Resolution Improvements from Cooling in BGO PET Detection with Analog SiPMs

Using Bismuth Germanate (BGO) scintillators coupled to general purpose analog Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM) we have developed methods to improve the coincidence timing resolution of PET detectors with BGO in order to reach a timing resolution that can be used for time of flight (TOF) PET detection. TOF measurements have already been acquired using LYSO crystals, but the low cost of BGO along with its optical properties and favorable energy resolution make BGO an attractive option to reduce the overall cost of PET scanners without sacrificing image quality. Using an analog SiPM with a pre-amplifier at a higher voltage improves energy and timing resolution for BGO coincidence detection, but also introduces a much higher baseline noise level, which can obscure the start of the waveform. We have found this noise level can be significantly reduced by cooling the detectors to values below -30°C, allowing us to perform leading edge discrimination (LED) timing at much lower voltages. On average cooling the detectors to this point improves their timing resolution by around 300ps, and as much as 600ps. Using this setup our values are approaching the values necessary for time of flight PET detection. In this paper we will discuss the experimental setup in further depth and share promising initial timing and energy resolution results from our findings.
The Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories (INSIGHT) Responsive Parenting Intervention for Firstborns Affects Dietary Intake of Secondborn Infants.

Background Although previous work has shown that children with older siblings tend to have poorer diet quality, no study has directly compared diets of infant siblings. Objective The goals of this analysis were to examine birth-order differences in dietary intake between firstborn (FB) and secondborn (SB) siblings, and to determine whether a responsive parenting (RP) intervention modified birth-order effects on diet. Methods The Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories (INSIGHT) study randomly assigned first-time mothers to an RP intervention, which included guidance on feeding, sleep, soothing, and interactive play, or control. INSIGHT mothers who delivered a second child enrolled in an observation-only study of their SB infant (SIBSIGHT). Mothers completed FFQs for both children at ages 6 (n = 97 sibling pairs) and 12 (n = 100) mo. FB compared with SB intake of food groups of interest were compared, and the moderating effect of the RP intervention on birth-order differences was tested using generalized linear mixed models. Results Though FBs and SBs had similar diets, more FBs than SBs consumed 100% fruit juice at both 6 (13.8 compared with 3.2%, P = 0.006) and 12 mo (46.0 compared with 32.0%, P = 0.01). SBs consumed fruit more frequently (FB 2.8 compared with SB 3.2 times/d, P = 0.01), and were more likely to consume fried potatoes (FB 38.4 compared with SB 57.6%, P = 0.0009) and processed meats (FB 43.0 compared with SB 58.0%, P = 0.02) than FBs at 12 mo. There were no differences by birth order in intake of sweets, snacks, or sugar-sweetened beverages at 12 mo. At 12 mo, RP-group SBs ate vegetables more times per day (3.2) than control SBs (2.2, P = 0.01). RP-SBs also consumed a greater variety of vegetables (10.2) than control-SBs (7.9, P = 0.01). Conclusions Birth order is not consistently associated with healthy or unhealthy infant dietary intake. However, an RP intervention delivered to first-time mothers may benefit subsequent infants' vegetable intake. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01167270.
Clinical Experience with Eculizumab in Treatment-Refractory Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Generalized Myasthenia Gravis.

Background Although established therapies are effective in most patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), some patients do not respond or they experience intolerable adverse events, highlighting the need for better tolerated targeted therapies for treatment-refractory gMG. Objective To describe real-world experience with eculizumab in patients with treatment-refractory acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) gMG. Methods Retrospective chart review of 15 patients with treatment-refractory AChR+gMG treated for 12 months with eculizumab (900 mg/week for 4 weeks then 1200 mg every 2 weeks). Outcome measures were Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores, number of exacerbations, single-breath count test (SBCT) score, medication changes, selected Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) evaluations, and adverse events. Data collected at 3-monthly intervals for 12 months before and after eculizumab initiation were analyzed. Results Clinically meaningful reductions in total MG-ADL scores were observed at 3 months following eculizumab initiation and maintained up to 12 months in all patients. After 12 months' eculizumab treatment, there was a significant reduction in the number of acute exacerbations; mean (SD) SBCT score improved from 28.13 (0.33) to 50.26 (2.86); most patients achieved a 'none' or 'mild' rating for QMG evaluations; all patients reduced their daily prednisone dose; and eight patients had discontinued pyridostigmine. At the end of treatment, intravenous immunoglobulin was discontinued in all six patients receiving this therapy at eculizumab initiation. Eculizumab was well tolerated. Conclusions This real-world study demonstrated improvement in outcome measures and decreased concomitant drug requirement within 12 months of eculizumab initiation in patients with treatment-refractory AChR+gMG.
Registration quality filtering improves robustness of voxel-wise analyses to the choice of brain template.

Abstract Motivation Many clinical and scientific conclusions that rely on voxel-wise analyses of neuroimaging depend on the accurate comparison of corresponding anatomical regions. Such comparisons are made possible by registration of the images of subjects of interest onto a common brain template, such as the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) template. However, current image registration algorithms are prone to errors that are distributed in a template-dependent manner. Therefore, the results of voxel-wise analyses can be sensitive to template choice. Despite this problem, the issue of appropriate template choice for voxel-wise analyses is not generally addressed in contemporary neuroimaging studies, which may lead to the reporting of spurious results. Results We present a novel approach to determine the suitability of a brain template for voxel-wise analysis. The approach is based on computing a “distance” between automatically-generated atlases of the subjects of interest and templates that is indicative of the extent of subject-to-template registration errors. This allows for the filtering of subjects and candidate templates based on a quantitative measure of registration quality. We benchmark our approach by evaluating alternative templates for a voxel-wise analysis that reproduces the well-known decline in fractional anisotropy (FA) with age. Our results show that filtering registrations minimizes errors and decreases the sensitivity of voxel-wise analysis to template choice. In addition to carrying important implications for future neuroimaging studies, the developed framework of template induction can be used to evaluate robustness of data analysis methods to template choice.
Abstract P154: Disparities in Geographic and Temporal Trends of Myocardial Infarction Hospitalizations in Florida, 2005-2014

Background: Knowledge of the extent of geographic disparities in the burden of myocardial infarction (MI) is useful for allocation of scarce public health resources to reduce health disparities and...
Auditory Brainstem Responses to Successive Sounds: Effects of Gap Duration and Depth.

Temporal acuity is the ability to differentiate between sounds based on fluctuations in the waveform envelope. The proximity of successive sounds and background noise diminishes the ability to track rapid changes between consecutive sounds. We determined whether a physiological correlate of temporal acuity is also affected by these factors. We recorded the auditory brainstem response (ABR) from human listeners using a harmonic complex (S1) followed by a brief tone burst (S2) with the latter serving as the evoking signal. The duration and depth of the silent gap between S1 and S2 were manipulated, and the peak latency and amplitude of wave V were measured. The latency of the responses decreased significantly as the duration or depth of the gap increased. The amplitude of the responses was not affected by the duration or depth of the gap. These findings suggest that changing the physical parameters of the gap affects the auditory system’s ability to encode successive sounds.
Coordinated EV Aggregation Management via Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers

Electric vehicle (EV) aggregation can significantly influence the EVs charging/discharging behavior. In this paper, we use a distributed algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) to coordinate EV charging and discharging procedures for EVs with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities. The optimization model is formulated as a mixed-integer quadratic programming (MIQP) problem to consider the efficiency of EV batteries and different energy prices in both charging and discharging processes. Numerical tests using realworld data confirms that the implemented method allows obtaining both the electric vehicle aggregator (EVA) and individual EV goals while considering the power grid and each EV constraints. Moreover, we show the significant impact of our model on the final demand profile and computation time.
Functional Behavior Assessment

This chapter discusses approaches to functional behavioral assessment (FBA) within applied settings. The chapter begins with an overview of the FBA process as best practice in the assessment and treatment of challenging behavior. The next section provides a review of FBA methods with a focus on indirect and descriptive assessments. Within this section, common FBA procedures are reviewed, considerations in the selection of FBA methods are discussed, and a summary of relevant literature is provided. The chapter ends with practice guidelines for practitioners and future areas of study for researchers.
Civil Lawfare, Remembrances of Lost Causes, and Charlottesville’s Confederate Monument Controversies

This chapter studies the monumental wars surrounding the 2017 Unite the Right Rally on the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the alt-right confronted anti-fascists regarding the removal of the Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson statues. We provide a genealogical analysis of these object-oriented Confederate disputes from the Reconstruction Era to the present. Our argument is that while some had thought Charlottesville was becoming a more multicultural and inclusive city since Reconstruction, Charlottesville could not shed its eugenical, racialized pasts, which was etched into the brick and mortar through surfeit confederate monumentality, protected by law. Ultimately we see the Unite the Right Movement an effect of the transgenerational legacy of racism of Charlottesville itself that is still far from resolved in public spaces, places, and courtrooms.
Channel Estimation for Ultrasonic Communication using OFDM on Steel Pipe Channel

Ultrasonic communication through solid channels suffers from wave dispersion, attenuation, and multipath effect. It can be observed that the channel is frequency selective, and some frequencies will severely be attenuated as the distance between transmitter and receiver increases. Besides, when the pipes are used as the communication channels, the limited bandwidth and the adversarial reverberations are even worse. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has been widely used in modern wireless communication systems due to its robustness against frequency selectivity. The method can separate narrowband channels at different frequencies, which can reduce interference and crosstalk. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of using OFDM to realize intersymbol interference (ISI) mitigation through the steel pipe channel by using a reconfigurable FPGA-based SoC platform. Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation scheme and varied bitrates are selected to determine the feasible and reliable transmission rate. The communication bitrate exceeded 716 kbps without any error despite dispersion, intersymbol interference, and the multipath effect within the steel pipe channel.
Non-Isolated DC-DC Converter Implementations Based on Piezoelectric Transformers

Piezoelectric transformers (PTs) offer several potential advantages for converter miniaturization, but most attempts to use them in dc-dc converters have included magnetic components or have demonstrated poor efficiencies. For converters relying only on a PT for energy storage, we demonstrate that specific topologies and switching sequences that effectively utilize the PT for energy storage can improve performance compared to standard resonant converter topologies. In this work, we systematically enumerate non-isolated dc-dc converter topologies and switching sequences that most efficiently utilize PTs as their only energy storage components. These proposed switching sequences are selected for high-efficiency behaviors (e.g. zero voltage switching (ZVS) and maximum PT cycle utilization), and we provide a model for estimating the PT’s efficiency to aid evaluation of these implementations. We then validate these analyses with experimental data from an example prototype for one proposed switching sequence.
Market design and motivated human trading behavior in electricity markets

The paper is based on a series of controlled experiments in the trading of wholesale electricity that expands substantially the scope of the research program reported previously (S. Backerman S. Rassenti and V. Smith, 1998; S. Backerman, M. Denton, S. Rassenti and V. Smith, 1998; M. Denton et al., 1998). The experiments employed cash motivated students and rented computer laboratory facilities of the University of Arizona. The primary objective of these experiments was to compare two alternative institutional arrangements for the trading of electric power. The first employed day-ahead sealed bid trading of energy for all periods in the subsequent day; the second employed simultaneous continuous double auctions for bilateral trading of energy up to the hour before delivery. All trading was executed on an eight-node network with limited transmission capacity. Each node was to be thought of as a control area, with one large wholesale generator company and one large distribution company resident there.
Studies of lysosomes—VIII: The effect of polyene antibiotics on lysosomes☆

Abstract Polyene antibiotics were added to suspensions rich in lysosomes from rabbit liver, kidney, and leukocytes. Filipin, etruscomycin, and pimaricin and nystatin released acid phosphatase, aryl sulfatase, and β-glucuronidase from lysosomes in rabbit liver and kidney granule suspensions at near-neutral and at acid pH (4.6). They did not release malic dehydrogenase from mitochondria present in the same suspension. Filipin and etruscomycin released β-glueuronidase from rabbit peritoneal leukocyte lysosomes and changed the turbidity of such suspensions. Amphotericin B induced the release of lysosomal enzymes from rabbit kidney granules only at acid pH, but did not induce leakage of malic dehydrogenase. None of the polyenes affected mitochondria, as judged by optical studies of mitochondrial swelling and/or lysis under conditions which led to mitochondrial changes induced by substrates, vitamin A, or thyroxine. These studies suggest that lysosomes from different tissues vary in their susceptibility to a given pharmacologic agent and that they are much more sensitive to polyene antibiotics than mitochondria, which are more responsive to excess of vitamin A. Subcellular organelles can be disrupted by polyenes; this finding supports the hypothesis that polyene antifungal antibiotics act, indiscriminately in a sense, upon the membranes which bound many types of cells and organelles.
Block Bootstrap Control Limits for Multivariate Autocorrelated Processes

In production processes, due to automation the process can be sampled at higher rates, which leads autocorrelation. In practice, it is difficult to model such multivariate autocorrelated data adequately. If the underlying model for multivariate autocorrelated process is not adequate, or time series data possessing long memory property or when the form of the time series model is not exact the chart may fail to monitor the process correctly. Hence, it is essential to develop model free multivariate autocorrelated methods. In this article, control procedure based on Z-statistics applying bootstrap is used for monitoring an autocorrelated multivariate process. Example is given to illustrate the implementation of the procedure.