cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HEAT: An Integrated Static and Dynamic Approach for Thread Escape Analysis

Escape analysis can determine whether and when a variable becomes shared for multiple threads, which is a foundation for many other program analyses. Most existing escape analysis tools are either purely dynamic or static analysis. Static analysis usually considers all possible behaviors of a program, however, may produce false positives; whereas dynamic approaches can not analyze unobserved behaviors of a program. This paper presents a hybrid approach that integrates static and dynamic analyses to address this problem. We first perform static analysis to obtain summaries of accesses to potential escaped variables. When the program runs, dynamic analysis is used to confirm variable sharing; for unexecuted code, we determine the sharing of variables in it by performing an interprocedural static analysis based on the runtime information. Compared to dynamic analysis, the hybrid approach is able to determine the escape property of variables in unexecuted code. Compared to static analysis, the hybrid approach produces fewer false alarms. We implemented this hybrid escape analysis in Java. Our experimental evaluation on several benchmarks and real-world applications shows that it has improved accuracy compared to existing approaches and can also boost the performance of subsequent program analyses significantly.
Use of the LQ model with large fraction sizes results in underestimation of isoeffect doses

Purpose: To test the appropriateness of the linear-quadratic (LQ) model to describe survival of jejunal crypt clonogens after split doses with variable (small 1–6 Gy, large 8–13 Gy) first dose, as a model of its appropriateness for both small and large fraction sizes. Methods: C3Hf/KamLaw mice were exposed to whole body irradiation using 300 kVp X-rays at a dose rate of 1.84 Gy/min, and the number of viable jejunal crypts was determined using the microcolony assay. 14 Gy total dose was split into unequal first and second fractions separated by 4 h. Data were analyzed using the LQ model, the lethal potentially lethal (LPL) model, and a repair-saturation (RS) model. Results: Cell kill was greater in the group receiving the larger fraction first, creating an asymmetry in the plot of survival vs size of first dose, as opposed to the prediction of the LQ model of a symmetric response. There was a significant difference in the estimated bs (higher b after larger first doses), but no significant difference in the as, when large doses were given first vs small doses first. This difference results in underestimation (based on present data by approximately 8%) of isoeffect doses using LQ model parameters based on small fraction sizes. While the LPL model also predicted a symmetric response inconsistent with the data, the RS model results were consistent with the observed asymmetry. Conclusion: The LQ model underestimates doses for isoeffective crypt-cell survival with large fraction sizes (in the present setting, >9 Gy).
Slot timing considerations in optical packet switching networks

Slot timing margins and latency characteristics are investigated experimentally in a fully implemented 12-port optical packet switching (OPS) network. It is found that the self-routing packets are shortened by 400 ps for each node hop due to switching transients. The system further demonstrates a 4% range of slot times over which nondestructive packet routing can occur. Relationships for timing margin requirements in self-routing OPS fabrics are developed as well.
Equicovering Subgraphs of Graphs and Hypergraphs

As a variation on the $t$-Equal Union Property ($t$-EUP) introduced by Lindstr o m, we introduce the $t$- Equal Valence Property ($t$-EVP) for hypergraphs: a hypergraph satisfies the $t$-EVP if there are $t$ pairwise edge-disjoint subhypergraphs such that for each vertex $v$, the degree of $v$ in all $t$ subhypergraphs is the same. In the $t$-EUP, the subhypergraphs just have the same sets of vertices with positive degree. For both the $2$-EUP and the $2$-EVP, we characterize the graphs satisfying the property and determine the maximum number of edges in a graph not satisfying it. We also study the maximum number of edges in both $k$-uniform and general hypergraphs not satisfying the $t$-EVP.
Heat and pH Stability of Alkali‐Extractable Corn Arabinoxylan and Its Xylanase‐Hydrolyzate and Their Viscosity Behavior

: In in vitro batch fermentations, both alkali-extractable corn arabinoxylan (CAX) and its xylanase-hydrolyzate (CH) were utilized by human fecal microbiota and produced similar short chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents and desirable long fermentation profiles with low initial gas production. Fortification of these arabinoxylans into processed foods would contribute desirable dietary fiber benefits to humans. Heat and pH stability, as well as viscosity behavior of CAX and CH were investigated. Size exclusion chromatography was used to analyze the molecular size distribution after treatment at different pH's and heating temperatures for different time periods. Treated under boiling and pressure cooking conditions at pH 3, CAX was degraded to a smaller molecular size, whereas the molecular size of the CH showed only a minor decrease. CAX and CH were mostly stable at neutral pH, except when CAX was treated under pressure for 60 min that slightly lowered molecular size. At 37 °C, neither CAX nor CH was adversely affected by treatment at low or neutral pH. The viscosities of solutions containing 5% and 10% of CAX were 48.7 and 637.0 mPa.s, respectively that were higher than those of solutions containing 5% and 10% of its hydrolyzate at shear rate 1 s−1. The CAX solutions showed Newtonian flow behavior, whereas shear-thinning behavior was observed in CH solutions. In conclusion, the hydrolyzate of CAX has potential to be used in high fiber drinks due to its favorable fermentation properties, higher pH and heat stability, lower and shear-thinning viscosity, and lighter color than the native CAX. Practical Application: Arabinoxylan extracted by an alkali from corn bran is a soluble fiber with a desirable low initial and extended fermentation property. Corn arabinoxylan hydrolyzate using an endoxylanase was much more stable at different levels of acidity and heat than the native arabinoxylan, and showed lower solution viscosity and shear-thinning property that indicates its potential as an alternative functional dietary fiber for the beverage industry.
Fast initialization of particle filters using a modified metropolis-Hastings algorithm: mode-hungry approach

As a recursive algorithm, the particle filter requires initial samples to track a state vector. These initial samples must be generated from the received data and usually obey a complicated distribution. The metropolis-Hastings (M-H) algorithm is used for sampling from intractable multivariate target distributions and is well suited for the initialization problem. Asymptotically, the M-H scheme creates samples drawn from the exact distribution. For the particle filter to track the state, the initial samples need to cover only the region around its current state. This region is marked by the presence of modes. Since the particle filter only needs samples around the mode, we modify the M-H algorithm to generate samples distributed around the modes of the target posterior. By simulations, we show that this "mode hungry" algorithm converges an order of magnitude faster than the original M-H scheme for both unimodal and multi-modal distributions.
AMP Kinase-Induced Skeletal Muscle Glucose But Not Long-Chain Fatty Acid Uptake Is Dependent on Nitric Oxide

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of AMP kinase (AMPK) activation on in vivo glucose and long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) uptake in skeletal muscle and to examine the nitric oxide (NO) dependence of any putative effects. Catheters were chronically implanted in the carotid artery and jugular vein of male Sprague-Dawley rats. After 4 days of recovery, rats were given either water or water containing 1 mg/ml nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME) for 2.5 days. After an overnight fast, rats underwent one of five protocols: saline, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-B-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) (10 mg. kg(-1). min(-1)), l-NAME, AICAR + l-NAME, or AICAR + Intralipid (20%, 0.02 ml. kg(-1). min(-1)). Glucose was clamped at approximately 6.5 mmol/l in all groups, and an intravenous bolus of 2-deoxy[(3)H]glucose and [(125)I]-15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-R,S-methylpentadecanoic acid was administered to obtain indexes of glucose (K(g)) and LCFA (K(f)) uptake and clearance. At 150 min, soleus, gastrocnemius, and superficial vastus lateralis were excised for tracer determination. Both K(g) and K(f) increased with AICAR in all muscles studied. K(g) decreased with increasing muscle composition of type 1 slow-twitch fibers, whereas K(f) increased. In addition, AICAR-induced increases in K(g) but not K(f) were abolished by l-NAME in the majority of muscles examined. This shows that the mechanisms by which AMPK stimulates glucose and LCFA uptake are distinct.
The Role of Genetic Counseling in the Elective Termination of Pregnancies Involving Fetuses with Disabilities

In this study, 69 women were surveyed who, as a result of prenatal screening, knew they were at risk for carrying a fetus with a disability. Results indicated that most women were referred by their physicians for genetic counseling either because of their age or because of an abnormal blood test. The majority of women indicated they would choose to terminate a pregnancy that tested positive for a disability, but the type of disability of the fetus, either Down syndrome or spina bifida, made no difference in the decision that women believed they would make. The women's intention to terminate a pregnancy appeared to be unrelated to their overall knowledge about disabilities but was negatively related to their knowledge of disability-related services. Although women reported that genetic counseling was helpful, they revealed that they were not given information about future-quality-of-life issues for individuals with disabilities nor provided with the positive as well as the negative aspects of giving birth ...
Effect of Computational Delay on the Performance of a Hybrid Adaptive Cruise Control System

This paper investigates the effect of real-time control system computational delay on the performance of a hybrid adaptive cruise control (ACC) system during braking/coasting scenarios. A hierarchical hybrid ACC system with a finite state machine (FSM) at the highrank and a nonlinear sliding mode controller (SMC) at the low-rank is designed based on a vehicle dynamics model with a brake-by-wire platform. From simulations, parametric studies are used to evaluate the effect of the bounded random computational delay on the system performance in terms of tracking errors and control effort. The effect of the computational delay location within the control system hierarchy is also evaluated. The system performance generally becomes worse as the upper boundary of the computational delay increases while the effect of the computational delay located at the high-rank controller is more pronounced. In this paper, these results are also contrasted against those found by applying a computational delay compensation technique in the high-rank controller.
Explaining Variation In The Success Of Extreme Right Parties In Western Europe

Methodological problems associated with selection bias and interaction effects have hindered the accumulation of systematic knowledge about the factors that explain cross-national variation in the success of extreme right parties. The author uses a statistical analysis that takes account of these problems to examine the effect of electoral institutions, unemployment, and immigration on the support for these parties. The data set used in this analysis is new and spans 19 countries and 165 national elections. There are four substantive conclusions. The first is that it is important to distinguish between neofascist and populist parties on the extreme right because their fortunes depend on different factors. The second is that populist parties do better in countries where the district magnitude is larger and more seats are allocated in upper tiers. The third is that although immigration has a positive effect on populist parties irrespective of the unemployment level, unemployment only matters when immigratio...
Electromagnetic scattering from a two-layered frequency selective surface of finite width

One of the major difficulties in analyzing a finite FSS (frequency-selective surface) is the need to handle large matrices, since the current distribution of each individual patch must be treated as a separate unknown quantity. This problem is exacerbated by the introduction of additional layers that are commonly used in many practical designs. However, for a two-layer FSS, where the two layers are identical and symmetrically disposed about the z=0 plane, the solution can be constructed by solving the single-layered problem twice: once with a perfectly electric conducting (PEC) and the second time with a perfectly magnetic conducting (PMC) wall inserted at the plane of symmetry. This approach is used to calculate the plane-wave scattering by a two-layered FSS that is truncated along the horizontal direction, and is embedded in a dielectric layer. The unit cell of the FSS is a cross-dipole. The results for a TM-polarized incident field exhibit a great deal of difference between the pattern characteristics of the single and double-layered FSS. For instance, while the pattern for the single-layered case shows the expected symmetry, it is highly asymmetric for the two-layered case, with only a small portion being scattered in the lower hemisphere, i.e. in the forward direction. >
Teaching a Course in Learning to Learn.

Teaching students to be life-long learners is an important goal of higher education. Students need to be taught explicitly how to use learning strategies to achieve this goal. We have designed a course to teach college students a variety of learning strategies. The course provides instruction in theory and research in cognitive psychology and in the application of learning strategies for studying. Topics covered include learning from lectures, texts, and discussions; memory models and strategies; motivation; writing skills; test-taking strategies; problem solving; and self-management. The course promises to be a useful approach to teaching learning strategies.
Effect of finite temperature on compositeness condition

Abstract The effect of finite temperature on compositeness condition in the Yukawa theory is investigated in 2 and 3 space-time dimensions. It is shown that this condition remains satisfied at all temperatures in these dimensions. These findings are contrary to the results obtained by Kikuchi and Takahashi. According to them the compositeness condition has a solution at all temperatures in 2 dimensions while in 3 dimensions it has a solution at low temperature and there is no solution at high temperature.
Chemical and Structural Widths of Interfaces and Grain Boundaries in Silicon Nitride–Silicon Carbide Whisker Composites

The extent of chemical distributions into crystals bounding whisker/matrix interfaces and matrix grain boundaries and the lateral continuity of the distributions was investigated by analytical electron microscopy methods and compared to their structural widths determined by high-resolution TEM. The extent of the distributions into the bounding crystals, defined as chemical widths, was 10 to 120 times the structural widths; this ratio was larger for grain boundaries than for he interfaces. Further, the chemical distributions were laterally discontinuous at interfaces but continuous at grain boundaries. The elements from the sintering aids, Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, were the primary chemical distribution constituents. The distributions were examined by the new position-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy and Z-contrast scanning TEM methods. Microstructural observations indicated that chemical widths resulted from solid-state diffusion into the bounding crystals and that lateral discontinuities in the distributions resulted from preferential Gibbs-Thompson solution effects of the whisker surfaces at interfaces. These nonequilibrium distributions are process-dependent, and are expected to affect composite properties.
Types of medical social control.

Summary In recent years there has been considerable interest in the social control aspects of medicine. While medical social control has been conceptualized in several ways, the concern here is with the medical control of deviant behavior, an aspect of what has been called the medicalization of deviance. Medical social control is defined as the ways in which medicine functions (wittingly or unwittingly) to secure adherence to social norms; specifically by using medical means or authority to minimize, eliminate or normalize deviant behavior. This paper catalogues and illustrates a broad range of medical control of deviance, and in so doing conceptualizes three major types of medical social control: medical technology, medical collaboration, and medical ideology. Numerous examples are provided for each. These concepts aid in revealing the breadth of medical social control and the extent and limitations of professional dominance over the medical social control of deviance.
Generation of thyroid follicular cells from pluripotent stem cells: potential for regenerative medicine.

Nearly 12 percent of the population in the United States will be afflicted with a thyroid related disorder during their lifetime. Common treatment approaches are tailored to the specific disorder and include surgery, radioactive iodine ablation, antithyroid drugs, thyroid hormone replacement, external beam radiation, and chemotherapy. Regenerative medicine endeavors to combat disease by replacing or regenerating damaged, diseased or dysfunctional body parts. A series of achievements in pluripotent stem cell research have transformed regenerative medicine in many ways by demonstrating “repair” of a number of body parts in mice, of which, the thyroid has now been inducted into this special group. Seminal work in pluripotent cells, namely embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, have made possible their path to becoming key tools and biological building blocks for cell-based regenerative medicine to combat the gamut of human diseases, including those affecting the thyroid.
A voice in the chorus: perspectives of young men of color on their disabilities, identities, and peer‐mentors

With the rise of violence during the 1990s, the number of persons who acquired a spinal cord injury as a result of gunshot trauma increased dramatically in the United States. This qualitative study examined disability, race, and contribution of peer‐mentors to the development of identity. Six men with a violence‐related spinal cord injury participated in a focus group. They were injured for at least two years, making positive gains in their lives, and training to become peer‐mentors at a rehabilitation hospital. In addition, 16 men with a newly‐acquired spinal cord injury from gunshot trauma participated in an individual interview. These sixteen participants were all mentees (or recipients) of the peer‐mentor program. Principles of grounded theory were used to code and analyze data. Data converged on three main themes: (1) disability viewed as a wake‐up call or blessing, (2) disability viewed as a turning point, and (3) disability viewed as identity transforming.
Signs and symbols in Kircher's Mundus Subterraneus

Symbolism, allegory, and metaphor pervade Athanasius Kircher’s (1602–1680) Mundus Subterraneus (The Subterranean World). Elements from the communicative theory of semiotics are useful for exploring Mundus Subterraneus and for illuminating the modern reactions to his works. Kircher used Hermetic and Neoplatonic philos ophies as a bridge between medieval thought systems and the growing empirical movement of the Scientifi c Revolution. In Kircher’s studies, no event was taken in isolation, and his examination of the earth rested with Plato’s philosophy that the world was created by God as a manifestation of his own perfection. From a modern semiotic viewpoint, Kircher used indexical and iconic signs to combine rational and empirical techniques that sustained his holistic view of the cosmos. In the modern ideal formulation of scientifi c observation and inquiry, indexical signs are acceptable authoritative causal links between observation and interpretation. For Kircher, both indexical and iconic signs were legitimate articles to collect and employ because they were all manifestations of the Divine Mind. Iconic signs could be religious images or conceptual ideas that Kircher projects onto the workings of the earth.
Regulation of Circadian Rhythms of Indoleamines in the Pineal Gland

Although the pineal gland has been recognized for many centuries it was the discovery of melatonin that opened the modern era of research in this organ. McCord and Allen had observed in 1927 that an extract of the bovine pineal can blanch the skin of tadpoles. This prompted Lerner, a dermatologist and biochemist interested in pigmenation, to isolate the active blanching factor of the pineal (Lerner et al., 1978). The active blanching principle of the pineal organ was isolated and identified as 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryamine (which was named melatonin). Because of my interest in both indoles and transmethylation reaction, I initiated studies on the biosynthesis and regulation of melatonin metabolism in the pineal. Together with Wurtman we found that the pineal gland can act as a neuroendocrine transducer converting neuronal signals, which are controlled by environmental lighting, into endocrine messages. This led to the formulation of the “melatonin hypothesis” in which we proposed that the pineal gland is influenced by light-dark cycles to regulate the synthesis of melatonin, a compound that acts at distant target organs (Wurtman and Axelrod, 1965). Further work in our laboratory led to the exploration of this gland to study circadian rhythms and the beta-adrenergic receptors.
TGF-β signaling in the kidney: profibrotic and protective effects

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is generally considered as a central mediator of fibrotic diseases. Indeed, much focus has been placed on inhibiting TGF-β and its downstream targets as ideal therapeutic strategies. However, pharmacological blockade of TGF-β has not yet translated into successful therapy for humans, which may be due to pleiotropic effects of TGF-β signaling. Equally, TGF-β signaling as a protective response in kidney injury has been relatively underexplored. An emerging body of evidence from experimental kidney disease models indicates multifunctionality of TGF-β capable of inducing profibrotic and protective effects. This review discusses recent advances highlighting the diverse roles of TGF-β in promoting not only renal fibrosis but also protective responses of TGF-β signaling. We review, in particular, growing evidence that supports protective effects of TGF-β by mechanisms which include inhibiting inflammation and induction of autophagy. Additional detailed studies are required to fully understand the diverse mechanisms of TGF-β actions in renal fibrosis and inflammation that will likely direct toward effective antifibrotic therapies.
Stock Market Prediction via Social Media: The Importance of Competitors

This study examines ways in which consumer engagement on social media such as microblogs, blogs, videos, and message boards can be used to predict the performance of individual stocks. While a handful of recent studies have begun to explore this phenomenon, our work differs in two major ways. First, rather than study social media messages about specific stocks, we investigate messages about the underlying brands themselves, allowing us to cast a wider net for harvesting public opinions about a firm. Second, instead of collecting information about firms in disparate industries, we gather data on all firms in a specific industry, permitting us to account for competitor effects in our analysis. Using sentiment analysis on over 1 million social media messages about firms in the airline industry during a period of seven months, we find significant predictive relationships between stock performance (abnormal returns, trading volume, and volatility) and social media messages about a firm’s brand a day in advance...
Remarks on the theory of rings of finitely generated principal right ideals

In th i s a r t i c l e we c o n s i d e r c e r t a i n p r o p e r t i e s of a r i n g R of f i n i t e ly g e n e r a t e d p r i n c i p a l r i g h t i d e a l s whose z e r o d i v i s o r s be long to the r a d i c a l (in the s e n s e of J a c o b s e n ) . Main r e s u l t s : the r i n g R i s a r i g h t H e r m i t e r i n g and a r i g h t Bezou t r i n g in the s e n s e of R o b s o n [1] (see the de f in i t i on be low) . An a s s o c i a t i v e r i n g R wi th 1 in which the s u m of two p r i n c i p a l r i g h t i d e a l s i s an i d e a l of the s a m e f o r m is c a l l e d a r i n g of f i n i t e l y g e n e r a t e d p r i n c i p a l r i g h t i d e a l s . Thus fo r any a, bER we have aR + bR = dR, and so t h e r e e x i s t in R e l e m e n t s d, x, y, a 1, and b 1 such tha t ax qbg -~ d, a = da 1, b = dbl. (1) An a s s o c i a t i v e r i n g wi th 1 in which fo r any two e l e m e n t s a and b t h e r e e x i s t s an i n v e r t i b l e m a t r i x P such tha t (ab)P = (d, 0) is s a i d to be r i g h t H e r m i t e (see [2]). T a k i n g the i n v e r t i b i l i t y of P into accoun t , we s e e tha t a r i g h t H e r m i t e r i n g i s a r i n g of f i n i t e l y gene r a t e d p r i n c i p a l r i g h t i d e a l s . The q u e s t i o n a r i s e s of w h e t h e r the r e v e r s e i n c l u s i o n ho lds . The a n s w e r i s p o s i t i v e fo r a r i n g wi thou t z e r o d i v i s o r s , a s shown by A m i t s u r [3], and fo r a r i n g with z e r o d i v i s o r s in the r a d i c a l , a s i n d i c a t e d by the fo l lowing t h e o r e m . T H E O R E M 1. In o r d e r fo r a r i n g with z e r o d i v i s o r s in the r a d i c a l to be a r i g h t H e r m i t e r ing , i t is n e c e s s a r y and s u f f i c i e n t t ha t i t be a r i n g of f i n i t e l y g e n e r a t e d p r i n c i p a l r i g h t i d e a l s . We s h a l l use the fo l lowing t h r e e l e m m a s in the p r o o f of the t h e o r e m . L E M M A 1. If R i s a r i n g of f i n i t e l y g e n e r a t e d p r i n c i p a l r i g h t i d e a l s , then for any m a t r i x A , ~ ~ = ~ a ~ ' . ' . ! o v e r R t h e r e e x i s t m a t r i c e s P, Q, and a t r i a n g u l a r m a t r i x D = d21 d~, . . . 0 such tha t
Use of the REG1 anticoagulation system in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: results from the phase II RADAR-PCI study.

Aims We sought to determine the feasibility of conducting percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in high-risk acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients utilising the REG1 system consisting of pegnivacogin, an aptameric factor IXa inhibitor, and its controlling agent anivamersen. Methods and results In RADAR, ACS patients were randomised to pegnivacogin 1 mg/kg with 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% anivamersen reversal or unfractionated heparin. Of the 640 patients randomised, 388 (61%) underwent PCI. Major modified ACUITY 30-day bleeding rates were 18% (25% reversal), 12% (50% reversal), 9% (75% reversal), and 7% (100% reversal), compared with 11% with heparin. The corresponding total bleeding rates were 68%, 39%, 35%, 34%, and 38% (heparin). Ischaemic events were less frequent in those receiving pegnivacogin versus heparin (4.4% vs. 7.3%, p=0.3). Thirty-day urgent TVR (1.1% vs. 0.9%, p=1.0), myocardial infarction (4.0% vs. 6.4%, p=0.3), and angiographic complication (11.2% and 10.8%, p=0.9) rates were similar with pegnivacogin and heparin. There were no incidences of clot formation on guidewires or catheters. Conclusions High-level factor IXa inhibition in ACS patients undergoing PCI, with at least 50% reversal, has a favourable bleeding profile and appears effective at suppressing ischaemic events and thrombotic complications. Larger phase trials in PCI are warranted. Clinical trials registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00932100.
Autophagy regulates cytoplasmic remodeling during cell reprogramming in a zebrafish model of muscle regeneration

ABSTRACTCell identity involves both selective gene activity and specialization of cytoplasmic architecture and protein machinery. Similarly, reprogramming differentiated cells requires both genetic program alterations and remodeling of the cellular architecture. While changes in genetic and epigenetic programs have been well documented in dedifferentiating cells, the pathways responsible for remodeling the cellular architecture and eliminating specialized protein complexes are not as well understood. Here, we utilize a zebrafish model of adult muscle regeneration to study cytoplasmic remodeling during cell dedifferentiation. We describe activation of autophagy early in the regenerative response to muscle injury, while blocking autophagy using chloroquine or Atg5 and Becn1 knockdown reduced the rate of regeneration with accumulation of sarcomeric and nuclear debris. We further identify Casp3/caspase 3 as a candidate mediator of cellular reprogramming and Fgf signaling as an important activator of autophagy...
A survey on wireless ad hoc network: Issues and implementation

Wireless Ad hoc Network is the collection of wireless mobile nodes (devices) that are able to dynamically form a temporary network without the use of any existing network infrastructure or centralized administration. This paper discusses the roles of ad hoc networking in future wireless communications. In this paper we surveyed the different types of ad hoc networks such as isolated ad hoc networks with large and small sizes and integrated ad hoc networks for the mobile access networks. This paper gives various advantages and applications of ad hoc network. In addition, this paper also surveyed on ad hoc networks challenges in terms of Quality of Service (QoS), power control and security. This work discusses the implementation issues in ad hoc network and performance improvement by MIMO and cognitive radio techniques.
The Effects of Partisan Polarization on the Bureaucracy

This essay reviews the law and political science literature addressing how polarization affects administrative agencies, and suggests opportunities for new scholarly inquiries that might help us fill in our understanding of the effects of polarization on the bureaucracy. While this scholarship has not yet generated consensus conclusions about the effects on the bureaucracy of increasingly polarized parties, we can make a couple of observations about its lessons so far. The first is that the early evidence suggests that agencies are neither as paralyzed nor as prone to ideologically extreme positions as are their political overseers, even if they sometimes have more ideological room to operate than they once did. The second observation is that polarization (particularly, congressional gridlock) nevertheless places increasing strain on agencies and courts, as the former face new problems within their jurisdiction without (or with less frequent and helpful) input from Congress, and the latter struggle to review those agency decisions. These struggles have important implications for the place of administrative agencies in the American constitutional design, implications that courts and scholars are beginning to address. The task here - tracing the effects of partisan polarization on administrative agencies - implicates age-old debates about the political control of agencies by politicians, and the extent to which agencies can (or should) evade political control. The academic literatures within which those debates are waged have long been fragmented, both substantively and methodologically. Within political science, these questions are taken up by scholars who occupy a variety of subfields, including bureaucratic politics, public administration, Congress, and the presidency. Each frames the problem from the perspective of a different institutional actor, and brings different methodological norms and preferences to the task. Among legal scholars, these questions fall mostly within administrative law scholarship, but administrative law scholars borrow selectively from social scientific analyses, all the while addressing the normative dimensions of this question more directly (and transparently) than most social scientists do. This essay explores how these frames influence the scholarship addressing the effects of polarization in a variety of ways, both analytical and normative.
Potential Strategies to Target Protein–Protein Interactions in the DNA Damage Response and Repair Pathways

This review article discusses some insights about generating novel mechanistic inhibitors of the DNA damage response and repair (DDR) pathways by focusing on protein–protein interactions (PPIs) of the key DDR components. General requirements for PPI strategies, such as selecting the target PPI site on the basis of its functionality, are discussed first. Next, on the basis of functional rationale and biochemical feasibility to identify a PPI inhibitor, 26 PPIs in DDR pathways (BER, MMR, NER, NHEJ, HR, TLS, and ICL repair) are specifically discussed for inhibitor discovery to benefit cancer therapies using a DNA-damaging agent.
Prevention of CAUTIs, CLABSIs, and VAPs in Children

Given the lack of randomized controlled trials or robust literature in children, we are left with recommended bundles, adult-based literature, and common sense. The quality improvement approach to studying prevention of hospital-acquired infections through the use of bundles has generally been studied en masse, rather than by individual bundle elements. Due to the mortality risk, indirect and direct attributable costs, and the inevitable penalties associated with these largely preventable harms, we must reliably implement bundles to avoid these hospital-acquired infections. ”Implementation is the most difficult but most essential aspect of harm prevention”. The journey to zero harm, whether infectious or not, will ultimately require a robust safety culture, incorporation of high reliability principles, and patient and family engagement.
Efficacy of Video Capsule Endoscopy in the Management of Suspected Small Bowel Bleeding in Patients With Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Background Continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) patients have a high prevalence of gastrointestinal bleeding from the small bowel. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is often used for diagnosis in these patients, but efficacy has yet to be determined. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of VCE in the management of CF-LVAD patients with suspected small bowel bleeding by comparing to a non-VCE CF-LVAD control group. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients with CF-LVADs implanted at Stanford Hospital from January 2010 to October 2015. Patients were included in the study if there was a clinical suspicion of small bowel bleeding and either a negative upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. Results A total of 26 patients met inclusion criteria for a total of 15 encounters where VCE was done, and 25 where VCE was not done. There were no statistical differences when comparing these groups in terms of medical therapy use (thalidomide or octreotide), enteroscopy use (double-balloon or push), intervention on lesions, or any 30-day outcomes. There was no advantage to VCE with regard to the composite endpoint time to re-bleed or death related to re-bleeding (median 114 vs. 161 days, P = 0.15) after removing patients who did not get a VCE due to death or critical illness. Conclusions We did not find VCE changed management or outcomes in CF-LVAD patients with suspected small bowel bleeding at our institution when compared to a non-VCE control group. Our experience is small and single center, and larger, multi-center studies could further elucidate the utility of VCE in this patient population.
Surgical and medical experience with 734 premature infants with patient ductus arteriosus.

During the past 5 years, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) presented in 734 preterm infants (less than 2.5 kg and 37 weeks gestation) of 2,532 admissions (29%). The ductus presented with murmur, bounding pulses, and often congestive heart failure. Medical treatment consisted of the following: fluid restriction, furosemide, respiratory support, and rarely digoxin. The patients who were unresponsive to medical treatment had surgical ligation (306 of 734 or 42%). The patients who had ductal ligation were smaller, i .e., 82% of the surgical patients weighed less than 1.5 kg as compared to 38% of the medical patients. Of those patients weighing less than 1.5 kg, the surgical and medical groups were compared and the following observations made: The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was greater in the surgical group (86% or 216 of 252 patients versus 69% or 111 of 161 medical patients, p less than 0.001) and the long-term survival was better (89% or 224 of 252 surgical patients versus 77% or 124 of 161 medical patients, p less than 0.005). In addition, the average duration of intubation was shorter in this surgical subgroup (8.9 versus 13.6 days). Significant left atrial enlargement and echocardiographic left atrial/aortic (LA/Ao) ratios of greater than 1.5:1 occurred in 58% or 171 of 290 surgical patients versus 32% or 59 of 190 medical patients (p less than 0.001). During the first 3 years of this study (medical treatment averaged 5 days), the duration of intubation in the surgical patients averaged 15.2 days; by comparison, in the last 2 years of this study (medical treatment averaged 1 to 2 days), the duration of intubation was 6.5 days (p less than 0.001). Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) occurred in 11% or 46 of 428 medical patients versus 0.3% (one of 305 patients) in the ligated group postoperatively (p less than 0.001). Late deaths were related to lung disease, central nervous system problems, NEC, and so on. From this study, it was determined that ligation of a significant PDA is associated with (1) zero surgical risk, (2) a reduced incidence of NEC, (3) reduced duration of intubation, especially with early ligation, and (4) improvement in late survival. Thus the surgical approach is our treatment of choice for a refractory PDA.
Coarticulation varies by consonant identity in adult and child speech

Consonant-vowel coarticulation varies by manner of articulation: speakers coarticulate less between segments in V[stop] sequences than V[glide]. There are different approaches to modelling consonant identity effects upon coarticulation (Iskarous et al., 2013). However, these effects have not been studied in non-literate populations—young children or non-literate adults. This is relevant since literacy heightens phoneme awareness, affecting coarticulation. 40 South Bolivian Quechua speakers who were not literate in the language, 30 children (aged 5–10) and 10 adults, completed a picture-prompted word elicitation task. Coarticulation was measured between [a] and the consonants /p, t, k, kh, qh, ch, s, m, w/ in VC and CV syllables. Because the child speech apparatus poses problems for typical spectral analysis, we quantify coarticulation as the Euclidean distance between Mel frequency cepstral coefficient vectors averaged over adjacent phones (Gerosa et al., 2006). Mixed effects models predicting the Euclidean distance between adjacent phones show that all age groups are sensitive to changes in consonant manner. Adults and children restrained coarticulation more between sequences containing obstruents than glides or liquids. These results suggest that literacy and heightened phoneme awareness are not required for consonant identity to affect coarticulation.Consonant-vowel coarticulation varies by manner of articulation: speakers coarticulate less between segments in V[stop] sequences than V[glide]. There are different approaches to modelling consonant identity effects upon coarticulation (Iskarous et al., 2013). However, these effects have not been studied in non-literate populations—young children or non-literate adults. This is relevant since literacy heightens phoneme awareness, affecting coarticulation. 40 South Bolivian Quechua speakers who were not literate in the language, 30 children (aged 5–10) and 10 adults, completed a picture-prompted word elicitation task. Coarticulation was measured between [a] and the consonants /p, t, k, kh, qh, ch, s, m, w/ in VC and CV syllables. Because the child speech apparatus poses problems for typical spectral analysis, we quantify coarticulation as the Euclidean distance between Mel frequency cepstral coefficient vectors averaged over adjacent phones (Gerosa et al., 2006). Mixed effects models predicting the Euclide...
Phase-conjugate optical coherence tomography

Quantum optical coherence tomography (Q-OCT) offers a factor-of-2 improvement in axial resolution and the advantage of even-order dispersion cancellation when it is compared to conventional OCT (C-OCT). These features have been ascribed to the nonclassical nature of the biphoton state employed in the former, as opposed to the classical state used in the latter. Phase-conjugate OCT (PC-OCT) shows that nonclassical light is not necessary to reap Q-OCT's advantages. PC-OCT uses classical-state signal and reference beams, which have a phase-sensitive cross correlation, together with phase conjugation to achieve the axial resolution and even-order dispersion cancellation of Q-OCT with a signal-to-noise ratio that can be comparable to that of C-OCT.
Direct Derivation of Free Energies of Membrane Deformation and Other Solvent Density Variations From Enhanced Sampling Molecular Dynamics.

We report a methodology to calculate the free energy of a shape transformation in a lipid membrane directly from a molecular dynamics simulation. The bilayer need not be homogeneous or symmetric and can be atomically detailed or coarse grained. The method is based on a collective variable that quantifies the similarity between the membrane and a set of predefined density distributions. Enhanced sampling of this "Multi-Map" variable re-shapes the bilayer and permits the derivation of the corresponding potential of mean force. Calculated energies thus reflect the dynamic interplay of atoms and molecules, rather than postulated effects. Evaluation of deformations of different shape, amplitude, and range demonstrates that the macroscopic bending modulus assumed by the Helfrich-Canham model is increasingly unsuitable below the 100-A scale. In this range of major biological significance, direct free-energy calculations reveal a much greater plasticity. We also quantify the stiffening effect of cholesterol on bilayers of different composition and compare with experiments. Lastly, we illustrate how this approach facilitates analysis of other solvent reorganization processes, such as hydrophobic hydration. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Pathology of prolactinomas: any predictive value?

Lactotroph adenomas, also called prolactinomas and prolactin-secreting adenomas, constitute nearly 80% of functioning pituitary tumors and about 30–50% of all adenomas in the clinical practice. Lactotroph adenomas occur in the general population at a prevalence of 45/100,000, are more common in women, but also involve men and children of both sexes. Most lactotroph adenomas are microadenomas occurring in reproductive-age women who present with oligo/amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and infertility. In men and elderly women, lactotroph adenomas are usually macroadenomas and are most commonly associated with symptoms of a tumoral mass, including headaches, neurologic defects, and visual loss. Although clinical and laboratory features may differ depending on patient’s gender and age, the histopathology of the tumors is similar. Lactotroph adenomas are histologically classified into three subtypes: the common sparsely granulated lactotroph adenoma, and the rare densely granulated lactotroph adenoma and acidophilic stem cell adenoma. We will review the main pathological features of the lactotroph adenomas and some of their characteristics that may predict biological behavior and responsiveness to treatment.
Evolution of Distribution: Impacts on Grid Planning and Operations [In My View]

The global electricity industry has been changing for decades. This is shown by the evolution of the regulation of utilities, wholesale power markets, and the relationship between bulk power system operations and distribution system operations. Years ago, distribution system owners passively encouraged customer participation in conservation programs but now have become more actively engaged with customers through a variety of offerings such as demand response. In addition, numerous sets of new technologies have been developed and used by utilities for distribution system planning and management. In particular, the application of information and communications technology has steadily increased along with improvements in sensing and measurement technology.
Racial and Sex Differences in 24 Hour Urinary Hydration Markers among Male and Female Emerging Adults: A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine 24 h urinary hydration markers in non-Hispanic White (WH) and non-Hispanic Black (BL) males and females. Thirteen males (BL, n = 6; WH, n = 7) and nineteen females (BL, n = 16, WH, n = 3) (mean ± SD; age, 20 ± 4 y; height, 169.2 ± 12.2 cm; body mass, 71.3 ± 12.2 kg; body fat, 20.8 ± 9.7%) provided a 24 h urine sample across 7 (n = 13) or 3 (n = 19) consecutive days (148 d total) for assessment of urine volume (UVOL), urine osmolality (UOSM), urine specific gravity (USG), and urine color (UCOL). UVOL was significantly lower in BL (0.85 ± 0.43 L) compared to WH college students (2.03 ± 0.70 L) (p 0.05) or between the interaction of sex and race/ethnicity (p > 0.05). Non-Hispanic Black men and women were inadequately hydrated compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Our findings suggest that development of targeted strategies to improve habitual fluid intake and potentially overall health are needed.
Chapter 8 – Basic Statistics

The eighth chapter on Descriptive Statistics covers gathering and organizing data; graphical representations of qualitative information and quantitative information; and measuring central tendencies and deviations from the center.
Indoor Air Pollution Sources and Respiratory Symptoms in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Objective To evaluate the impact of exposure to indoor air pollution on respiratory health outcomes (healthcare utilization, symptoms, medication use) in infants and children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Study design A total of 244 subjects were included from the Johns Hopkins Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia registry. Parents completed an environmental exposure questionnaire including secondhand smoke and indoor combustion (gas/propane heat, gas or wood stove, gas/wood burning fireplace) exposures in the home. Respiratory symptoms, both acute (healthcare utilization, steroid/antibiotic use) and chronic (cough/wheeze, nocturnal cough, use of beta-agonists, tolerance of physical activity), were also collected. Results Three-quarters of the infants were exposed to at least 1 combustible source of air pollution in the home, and this exposure was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization in infants and children on home respiratory support. Only 14% of the study population reported secondhand smoke exposure, but we found that this was associated with chronic respiratory symptoms, including activity limitation and nocturnal cough. Infants on respiratory support also had increased daytime cough and wheezing. Approximately one-third reported having an air purifier in the home, and its presence attenuated the effect of secondhand smoke exposure on reported activity limitation. Conclusions Exposure to combustible sources of indoor air pollution was associated with increased respiratory morbidity in a group of high risk of infants with BPD. Our results support that indoor air pollution is a modifiable risk factor for respiratory health in infants with BPD.