cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early results from the hospital Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs.

OBJECTIVES To assess the level of hospital participation in the first 18 months of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs, and to identify whether vulnerable hospitals lag behind. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study of participation among the 4938 Medicare-certified hospitals from the beginning of the incentive payment period (June 2011) through December 2012. METHODS We used multivariate models to examine which types of hospitals qualified for financial incentives either through attesting to meaningful use of EHRs or by meeting the "Adopt-Implement-Upgrade" (AIU) option that requires demonstrating progress toward achieving meaningful use. We focused on small, Critical Access, and safety-net hospitals. RESULTS We found that more than 75% of all eligible US hospitals have qualified for financial incentives in the first 18 months of the program. Nearly two-thirds of these hospitals (52% of all hospitals) attested to meaningful use while the remaining one-third (24% of all hospitals) were paid under the AIU option only. Small hospitals were less likely than large hospitals to qualify for incentive payments (odds ratio [OR] = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36-0.68; P < .001 across categories). Critical Access hospitals also had lower odds of incentive payment (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.57-0.84, P < .001). Safety-net hospitals were more likely to qualify for payments overall (OR = 2.51; 95% CI 1.92-3.38, P < .001), but did so primarily through AIU. CONCLUSIONS There is broad participation in the federally led incentive program to promote nationwide EHR uptake. Lower rates of participation among smaller hospitals and Critical Access hospitals merit close monitoring to ensure that broad adoption is achieved.
Carrier Dynamics in ZnO Nanowires and Films Measured by Time-Resolved THz Spectroscopy

The transient photoconductivity of ZnO nanowires and polycrystalline and nanoparticle films displays non-Drude behavior. Electron injection occurs on sub-picosecond time scales and decay kinetics indicate that surfaces and interfaces are the dominant sources of recombination.
A Clustering Method for Identifying Regions of Interest in Turbulent Combustion Tensor Fields

Production of electricity and propulsion systems involve turbulent combustion. Computational modeling of turbulent combustion can improve the efficiency of these processes. However, large tensor datasets are the result of such simulations; these datasets are difficult to visualize and analyze. In this work we present an unsupervised statistical approach for the segmentation, visualization and potentially the tracking of regions of interest in large tensor data. The approach employs a machine learning clustering algorithm to locate and identify areas of interest based on specified parameters such as strain tensor value. Evaluation on two combustion datasets shows this approach can assist in the visual analysis of the combustion tensor field.
Introducing secure coding in CS0, CS1, and CS2

The CS 2013 curriculum includes Information Assurance and Security as a pervasive knowledge area. However, introducing security in lower level courses is challenging because of lack of appropriate teaching resources and training. This workshop will provide a well-tested strategy for introducing secure coding concepts in CS0, CS1, and CS2. We will introduce attendees to secure coding through hands-on exercises, and provide self-contained, lab-based modules designed to be injected into CS0-CS2 with minimal impact on the course (www.towson.edu/securityinjections). Participants will be encouraged to bring in their own syllabus and labs to modify to include secure coding concepts. Laptop recommended.
Experimental Analysis of Deformation Induced Microstructure Near a Crack Tip in a Hardened Copper Crystal

The incremental in-plane Green-Lagrange strain tensor was measured near a stationary crack tip in a cyclically work-hardened copper single crystal. Measurements were made on the surface of a four-point bend specimen, using a finite-deformation laser moire interferometer. The measurement showed the existence of a narrow asymptotic field beyond a distance of 300 μm from the crack tip. The inner boundary of the asymptotic zone was almost fixed at a characteristic distance ahead of the crack tip. This length scale is thought to arise from a microstructural evolution near the crack tip. The inhomogeneous hardening due to glide-band clustering and patchy slip in a small volume near the crack tip triggered such an evolution. The outer boundary of the asymptotic zone radially grew with the increasing load. The deformation field was found to be very sensitive to additional mode II loading.
What Makes a Good Salesperson

Today’s sales managers are concerned about the characteristic traits that differentiate their most successful salesperson from their least successful. This study investigates the degree to which retail store sales managers rate their most and least successful salespeople based on sales volume and total earnings in the areas of attitude, product knowledge, and selling skills.
Partisan electoral interventions by the great powers: Introducing the PEIG Dataset:

Recent studies indicate that partisan electoral interventions, a situation where a foreign power tries to determine the election results in another country, can have significant effects on the election results in the targeted country as well as other important influences. Nevertheless, research on this topic has been hindered by a lack of systematic data of electoral interventions. In this article, I introduce the Partisan Electoral Intervention by the Great Powers dataset (PEIG), which provides data on all such interventions by the US and the USSR/Russia between 1946 and 2000. After describing the dataset construction process, I note some interesting patterns in the data, a few of which stand in contrast to claims made about electoral interventions in the public sphere and give an example of PEIG’s utility. I then describe some applications of PEIG for research on electoral interventions in particular and for peace research in general.
Heterochromatin assembly by interrupted Sir3 bridges across neighboring nucleosomes

Heterochromatin is a conserved feature of eukaryotic chromosomes with central roles in regulation of gene expression and maintenance of genome stability. Heterochromatin formation involves spreading of chromatin-modifying factors away from initiation points over large DNA domains by poorly understood mechanisms. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, heterochromatin formation requires the SIR complex, which contains subunits with histone-modifying, histone-binding, and self-association activities. Here, we analyze binding of the Sir proteins to reconstituted mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-nucleosomal chromatin templates and show that key Sir-Sir interactions bridge only sites on different nucleosomes but not sites on the same nucleosome, and are therefore 'interrupted' with respect to sites on the same nucleosome. We observe maximal binding affinity and cooperativity to unmodified di-nucleosomes and propose that nucleosome pairs bearing unmodified histone H4-lysine16 and H3-lysine79 form the fundamental units of Sir chromatin binding and that cooperative binding requiring two appropriately modified nucleosomes mediates selective Sir recruitment and spreading.
Quasi-steady state polarization reveals the interplay of capacitive and faradaic processes in capacitive deionization

We employ slow cyclic voltammetry to study the quasi-steady-state capacitive deionization (CDI) of aerated 10 mM NaCl from Vcell=−0.2 to 2 V. The method allows for the deconvolution of capacitive and faradaic processes, which are significant even at low voltage, in conjunction with pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), and electrode potential measurements. The pH at three locations and effluent DO data identify asymmetric electrosorption in the cell configured with pristine activated carbon electrodes, where charge is irreversibly consumed to produce H+/OH− instead of reversibly adsorbing Cl−/Na+. Implementing a reference electrode resolves ion adsorption as a function of the individual potential at each electrode. Near-electrode pH probes reveal pH environments that diverge by up to 8 units during cell polarization and allow more accurate calculation of faradaic redox potentials in a flow-by CDI cell. In the aerated NaCl solution that will be relevant to industrial-scale water treatment, we find that DO reduction occurs to a greater degree than Na+ adsorption at the cathode until DO removal becomes mass transfer limited at <−0.2 V vs. SHE. Two cell architectures – flow-by and flow-through – corroborate our findings. Finally, we reconcile all measurements to generate a map displaying how the potential is partitioned amongst the capacitive and faradaic processes occurring during CDI operation over a 2.2 V window.
Anatomic Study of Subcoracoid Morphology in 418 Shoulders: Potential Implications for Subcoracoid Impingement:

Background:Subcoracoid impingement has been implicated as a cause of anterior shoulder pain and subscapularis tendon tears.Purpose/Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bony anat...
Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

A variety of terms—globally including alcohol problems, alcohol abuse, problem drinking, alcohol dependence, and alcoholism—have been used to refer to a disorder that has cost individuals and the societies they live in dearly. For example, one study provided the conservative estimate that, in 1980, problems attributable to alcohol use cost U.S. citizens almost $90 billion (Harwood, Napolitano, Kristiansen, & Collins, 1984). Of course, such financial cost in no way addresses the major pain and suffering that individuals experience directly or indirectly because of alcohol abuse. In keeping with these staggering human and financial costs, considerable investment has been made in finding ways to effectively modify, or treat, harmful alcohol use.
Searching for Categories: A Conversation with Eugenia Cheng

Eugenia Cheng is a mathematician, concert pianist, and passionate teacher who is dedicated to sharing the joys of mathematics with the public.Her first popular mathematics book, How to Bake π (Basi...
The Risk Management Exercise: A Practical Learning Activity for Legal Courses in Recreation and Sport

(2006). The Risk Management Exercise: A Practical Learning Activity for Legal Courses in Recreation and Sport. SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 143-148.
Technologies & methodologies for evaluating information technology in business

From the Publisher: From the macro management level to the micro business detail, information technology (IT) is essential to modern business success and necessitates a new kind of knowledge application: IT evaluation. This academic analysis covers IT evaluation strategies for measuring its impact on individuals, organizations, and small, mid-size, and large businesses. Covered are the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), software measurement frameworks, the balanced scorecard, and project management. Author Biography: Dr. Charles Davis is a professor at the University of St. Thomas. He lives in Houston, Texas.
Hospitals Strengthened Relationships With Close Partners After Joining Accountable Care Organizations.

The strategies that hospitals participating in Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) use to achieve quality and cost containment goals are poorly understood. One possibility is that partic...
Matching design to use: a task analysis comparison of three cognitive aid designs used during simulated crisis management

Intraoperative critical events typically include vital sign instability that requires a specific and time-sensitive response. Although cognitive aids can improve clinical performance during critical events, their design may not be optimized for real-world use. For example, during a critical event, health practitioners may be familiar with the treatment pathway and only require specific information from an aid—a behaviour described as “sampling”. We hypothesized that use of cognitive aids designed to facilitate sampling behaviour would reduce the time required to extract information during simulated critical events. We designed two experimental cognitive aids, based on cognitive science research on human performance, to facilitate sampling behaviour. Design principles included content clusters that were specifically located, colour-coded and labelled, the elimination of distractors such as numbering, and a key features summary. In a simulated low-fidelity study, we compared the time required for anesthesia care providers to identify and extract specific information from these two experimental cognitive aids and from a traditional step-by-step “linear/control” aid. An eye-tracking device was used to assess how information was accessed from the cognitive aids. When all response times were pooled, participants identified and extracted information more quickly using either experimental aid (median [interquartile range] 6.3 [4.0–9.7] sec, P = 0.006 and 4.7 [3.3–6.3] sec, P < 0.001) than the “linear/control” cognitive aid (12.7 [9.3–14.7] sec). Eye-tracking data revealed that participants spent more time looking at the “linear/control” design cognitive aid [mean (standard deviation) 10.9 (7.1) sec] than at either experimental cognitive aid [6.7 (4.6) and 3.8 (2.5) sec, P = 0.020, P < 0.001], respectively. Cognitive aids designed to enhance sampling behaviour may facilitate rapid retrieval of specific information during crisis management.
Joint model of freight mode choice and shipment size: A copula-based random regret minimization framework

Abstract In our study, we examine the joint choice of freight transportation mode and shipment size. While shipment size could be considered as an explanatory variable in modeling mode choice (or vice-versa), it is more likely that the decision of mode and shipment choice is a simultaneous process. A joint model system is developed in the form of an unordered choice model for mode and an ordered choice model for shipment size. We adopt a closed form copula-based model structure for capturing the impact of common unobserved factors affecting these two choices. Further, we explore alternatives to the traditional random utility structure in modeling mode choice. Specifically, we explore both the random utility (RU) based multinomial logit and the random regret (RR) minimization based multinomial logit (MNL) within a copula-based model. The shipment size is analyzed using ordered logit (OL) model within the copula structure. The RU and RR MNL structures are explored for several copula-based structures including Gaussian, Farlie-Gumbel-Morgenstern (FGM), Clayton, Gumbel, Frank and Joe. The proposed approach considers copula models with multiple copula-based dependencies within a single model. The copula-based model dependency is also allowed to vary across the data by parameterizing the dependency as a function of observed attributes. The models are estimated based on the data from 2012 U.S. Commodity Flow Survey data. The copula RRM based MNL-OL copula with Frank and Joe copula dependencies offered the best data fit indicating the strong interconnectedness between shipment mode and shipment size choice decisions. A validation exercise provides further evidence of the joint model superiority for overall sample level and freight characteristics variables specific sub-samples.
Autonomous Intentionality in Computationally Creative Systems.

We consider the problem of building an artificial system that exhibits creativity. We begin by noting that the attribution of creativity is influenced by perceptions about the system and that perhaps the most difficult hurdles to overcome in this respect are those of system intentionality and system autonomy. We discuss ways in which these difficulties might be addressed and cite examples from the DARCI system that already exhibit these characteristics to some extent. We also discuss the difficult problem of evaluation and present several useful methods, as well as examples of their application to results produced by DARCI.
City Profile: Patna, India:

This profile of Patna focuses on the historical evolution of the city when the city has seen both extreme prosperity as well as destitution. After its glorious past during the Magadh Empire, Patna ...
Survey on rubella antibody level in women of childbearing age in Shaanxi province

In order to know rubella antibody level in women of childbearing age,172 women aged 20 to 40 years in 4 cities of Shaanxi Province were selected in 2006.The total positive rate is 87.2%;of these,the rate in women aged 20 to 24 years is highest(95.6%).The positive rate and geometric mean concentration(GMC) of rubella antibody showed that decreased tendency as ages grow,and there is no significant difference in rubella antibody levels in women resided in different place.The survey indicated the current status of rubella antibody level in women of childbearing age in the province,to provide the basis for formulating effective strategies of immunization prevention.
Intention-Aware Supervisory Control with Driving Safety Applications

This paper proposes a guardian architecture, consisting of an estimation and a supervisor module providing a set of inputs that guarantees safety, in driving scenarios. The main idea is to offline compute a library of robust controlled invariant sets (RCIS), for each possible driver intention model of the other vehicles, together with an intention-agnostic albeit conservative RCIS. At runtime, when the intention estimation module determines which driver model the other vehicles are following, the appropriate RCIS is chosen to provide the safe and less conservative input set for supervision. We show that the composition of the intention estimation module with the proposed intention-aware supervisor module is safe. Moreover, we show how to compute intention-agnostic and intention-specific RCIS by growing an analytically found simple invariant safe set. The results are demonstrated on a case study on how to safely interact with a human-driven car on a highway scenario, using data collected from a driving simulator.
A RARE PRESENTATION OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS IN ADULT WITH NORMAL PULMONARY ARTERIAL PRESSURE

Patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) is one of the most common congenital heart defects. It is not commonly encountered in adults as it is usually discovered and treated in childhood. If uncorrected, a large PDA can be complicated by pulmonary hypertension in adulthood, which eventually leads to
A12 – THEORY OF PHONON DISPERSION IN METALS

A method for calculating from first principles the interaction between ions in a metal, and therefore, the phonon dispersion curves, is described. Developments in the understanding of metals which lead upto this approach are indicated and the main approach outlined. A description is given of the picture of the interaction between ions in a metal which emerges, and explicit curves representing this interaction in aluminum are displayed. The implications of the theory with respect to phonon dispersion are discussed; in particular, a possible cause of observed irregularities in the dispersion curves is indicated.
Surgical Management of Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Cutaneous Melanoma and Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

The management of lymph node metastases in cutaneous melanoma (CM) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), malignancy of skin appendages and some kind of soft tissue sarcomas like epitheloid and clear cell sarcomas remains a controversial topic, with no prospective studies demonstrating convincing evidence of improved survival with nodal dissection. It is, however, clear that lymph node status is an important prognostic factor in early-stage melanoma and adequate nodal evaluation is necessary for accurate staging. With the advent of lymphatic mapping with vital blue dye and radiocolloid, the performance of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for melanoma patients has been revolutionary in decreasing the number of patients undergoing elective lymph-node dissection [1]. As in breast cancer, SLNB has been shown to be extremely prognostic, with a negative SLNB successfully identifying patients that will have a better prognosis, and that are unlikely to have positive nodes in the remainder of the nodal basin [2]. Although the morbidity is notably lower than in complete lymphadenectomy, SLNB still carries a morbidity rate of approximately 10% and is therefore not recommended in all melanoma patients [1]. In 2012, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) created a joint clinical practice guideline for the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and completion lymph node dissection (CLND) for melanoma [3] (see also Chaps. 6 and 22).
Parenting and social identity contributors to character development in Muslim American adolescents

Abstract Using a strength-based approach, the present study examined the mediating role of Muslim American adolescents’ (N = 212; 13- to 18-year-olds; 59% females) multiple-group social identities (i.e., religious Muslim and national American) in the associations between their perceived maternal religious socialization and positive character development. We also explored whether maternal warmth moderated the association between religious socialization practices and identity. Adolescents’ American identity did not mediate the relations between maternal religious socialization and character regardless of adolescents’ perceptions of maternal warmth. However, maternal religious socialization was associated with greater character through adolescents’ stronger Muslim identity, only at moderate and high levels of maternal warmth. Implications of our findings for promoting Muslim-American youth’s positive adjustment are discussed.
Comparison of Tolerability Between Rituximab and Ocrelizumab (1478)

Objective: To compare rituximab to ocrelizumab with respect to the odds of developing an infusion-related reaction (IRR) during the first two infusions. Background: Ocrelizumab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is a highly effective treatment approved for relapsing and primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody, targets the same receptor and is sometimes used off-label because of lower cost. Determining whether these drugs have similar safety profiles in a real-world setting has important implications for cost-effectiveness in MS treatment. Design/Methods: To limit treatment selection bias, our primary comparisons describe propensity-matched pairs of patients treated with rituximab vs. ocrelizumab. Our propensity score (PS) used logistic regression to model the likelihood of rituximab initiation (vs. ocrelizumab) using age, disease duration, sex, race, disease course, number of prior MS therapies, most effective prior MS therapy, JCV serology, need for walking assist devices, and presence of baseline gadolinium-enhancing lesions. Covariate balance was assessed by exploratory comparisons of standardized differences before and after use of propensity-based matching and weighting techniques. 1:1 matching with replacement on the propensity score yielded strong covariate balance, and was used to compare the frequency of patients developing an IRR using logistic regression. Results: We enrolled 340 ocrelizumab and 67 rituximab treated patients. There were differences in age, number of prior MS therapies, need for walking assist devices, and presence of baseline gadolinium-enhancing lesions between groups at baseline. In PS matching with replacement, each of the 67 rituximab patients was matched to one of 52 unique ocrelizumab patients. In the unadjusted analysis, patients with IRRs were twice as likely to be treated with rituximab vs. ocrelizumab [OR=2.0, 95% CI (1.0, 3.9)]. In the matched sets, we observed similar odds of developing an IRR [OR=1.2, 95% CI (0.5, 2.8)]. Conclusions: Similar odds of developing an IRR on rituximab vs. ocrelizumab suggests similar safety profiles. Disclosure: Dr. Moss holds stock and/or stock options in Pfizer. Dr. Love has nothing to disclose. Dr. Baldassari has received research support from National MS Society. Dr. Planchon Pope has received research support from Guthy Jackson. Yes Consulting: Convelo, Population Council; Speaking: Mylan Yes Editor, Multiple Sclerosis Journal.Dr. Ontaneda has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Consulting from Biogen Idec, Genentech, Genzyme, Merck, Novartis.. Dr. Ontaneda has received research support from Funding from PCORI, NIH, NMSS, Race to Erase, Genentech, Genzyme, Novartis..
The Radiologist Assistant: Do We Need This Job Title?

The Radiology Assistant is a job title whose time has come but the need for it may not be here anymore. Central to the tasks of this job category is the performance but not the interpretation of fluoroscopic procedures. However, the record of the past several years indicates a decline in such studies nationally and an acceleration of that decline most recently. Thus, the increase in compensation demanded by Radiology assistants by the mandate of their B.A. or M.A. degrees may not be justified by the paucity of the volume allotted to their enhanced responsibilities.
Dispersal and population connectivity in the deep North Atlantic estimated from physical transport processes

Abstract Little is known about how larvae disperse in deep ocean currents despite how critical estimates of population connectivity are for ecology, evolution and conservation. Estimates of connectivity can provide important insights about the mechanisms that shape patterns of genetic variation. Strong population genetic divergence above and below about 3000 m has been documented for multiple protobranch bivalves in the western North Atlantic. One possible explanation for this congruent divergence is that the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC), which flows southwestward along the slope in this region, entrains larvae and impedes dispersal between the upper/middle slope and the lower slope or abyss. We used Lagrangian particle trajectories based on an eddy-resolving ocean general circulation model (specifically FLAME – Family of Linked Atlantic Model Experiments) to estimate the nature and scale of dispersal of passive larvae released near the sea floor at 4 depths across the continental slope (1500, 2000, 2500 and 3200 m) in the western North Atlantic and to test the potential role of the DWBC in explaining patterns of genetic variation on the continental margin. Passive particles released into the model DWBC followed highly complex trajectories that led to both onshore and offshore transport. Transport averaged about 1 km d−1 with dispersal kernels skewed strongly right indicating that some larvae dispersed much greater distances. Offshore transport was more likely than onshore and, despite a prevailing southwestward flow, some particles drifted north and east. Dispersal trajectories and estimates of population connectivity suggested that the DWBC is unlikely to prevent dispersal among depths, in part because of strong cross-slope forces induced by interactions between the DWBC and the deeper flows of the Gulf Stream. The strong genetic divergence we find in this region of the Northwest Atlantic is therefore likely driven by larval behaviors and/or mortality that limit dispersal, or local selective processes (both pre and post-settlement) that limit recruitment of immigrants from some depths.
Bi-component T2 * analysis of bound and pore bone water fractions fails at high field strengths.

Osteoporosis involves the degradation of the bone's trabecular architecture, cortical thinning and enlargement of cortical pores. Increased cortical porosity is a major cause of the decreased strength of osteoporotic bone. The majority of cortical pores, however, are below the resolution limit of MRI. Recent work has shown that porosity can be evaluated by MRI-based quantification of bone water. Bi-exponential T2 * fitting and adiabatic inversion preparation are the two most common methods purported to distinguish bound and pore water in order to quantify matrix density and porosity. To assess the viability of T2 * bi-component analysis as a method for the quantification of bound and pore water fractions, we applied this method to human cortical bone at 1.5, 3, 7 and 9.4 T, and validated the resulting pool fractions against micro-computed tomography-derived porosity and gravimetrically determined bone densities. We also investigated alternative methods: two-dimensional T1 -T2 * bi-component fitting by incorporation of saturation recovery, one- and two-dimensional fitting of Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) echo amplitudes, and deuterium inversion recovery. The short-T2 * pool fraction was moderately correlated with porosity (R(2) = 0.70) and matrix density (R(2) = 0.63) at 1.5 T, but the strengths of these associations were found to diminish rapidly as the field strength increased, falling below R(2) = 0.5 at 3 T. The addition of the T1 dimension to bi-component analysis only slightly improved the strengths of these correlations. T2 *-based bi-component analysis should therefore be used with caution. The performance of deuterium inversion recovery at 9.4 T was also poor (R(2) = 0.50 vs porosity and R(2) = 0.46 vs matrix density). The CPMG-derived short-T2 fraction at 9.4 T, however, was highly correlated with porosity (R(2) = 0.87) and matrix density (R(2) = 0.88), confirming the utility of this method for independent validation of bone water pools.
Attention Determines Contextual Enhancement versus Suppression in Human Primary Visual Cortex

Neural responses in primary visual cortex (V1) depend on stimulus context in seemingly complex ways. For example, responses to an oriented stimulus can be suppressed when it is flanked by iso-oriented versus orthogonally oriented stimuli but can also be enhanced when attention is directed to iso-oriented versus orthogonal flanking stimuli. Thus the exact same contextual stimulus arrangement can have completely opposite effects on neural responses—in some cases leading to orientation-tuned suppression and in other cases leading to orientation-tuned enhancement. Here we show that stimulus-based suppression and enhancement of fMRI responses in humans depends on small changes in the focus of attention and can be explained by a model that combines feature-based attention with response normalization. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) respond to stimuli within a restricted portion of the visual field, termed their “receptive field.” However, neuronal responses can also be influenced by stimuli that surround a receptive field, although the nature of these contextual interactions and underlying neural mechanisms are debated. Here we show that the response in V1 to a stimulus in the same context can either be suppressed or enhanced depending on the focus of attention. We are able to explain the results using a simple computational model that combines two well established properties of visual cortical responses: response normalization and feature-based enhancement.
Firm Size and the Benefit of Analysts' Heterogeneous Interpretations

I examine the role of analysts in providing heterogeneous interpretations of public disclosures, specifically earnings announcements. Consistent with the predictions of Indjejikian's (1991) model, I document that there are relatively more heterogeneous interpretations in the forecast revisions for larger firms after earnings announcements. Consistent with the risk sharing benefits of such heterogeneous interpretations, I show that this result is related to the association between firm size and the benefits of aggregating individual forecasts. The results are consistent with recent studies indicating that analysts act as information intermediaries who speed the transmission of information in markets (Brennan et al. 1993; Hong et al. 2000), but also indicate an association between the level of analysts' activity and the degree of heterogeneous interpretations of public disclosures (Varian 1989).
Fiberbot: A miniature crawling robot using a directional fibrillar pad

Vibration-driven locomotion has been widely used for crawling robot studies. Such robots usually have a vibration motor as the actuator and a fibrillar structure for providing directional friction on the substrate. However, there has not been any studies about the effect of fiber structure on robot crawling performance. In this paper, we develop Fiberbot, a custom made mini vibration robot, for studying the effect of fiber angle on robot velocity, steering, and climbing performance. It is known that the friction force with and against fibers depends on the fiber angle. Thus, we first present a new fabrication method for making millimeter scale fibers at a wide range of angles. We then show that using 30° angle fibers that have the highest friction anisotropy (ratio of backward to forward friction force) among the other fibers we fabricated in this study, Fiberbot speed on glass increases to 13.8±0.4 cm/s (compared to ν = 0.6±0.1 cm/s using vertical fibers). We also demonstrate that the locomotion direction of Fiberbot depends on the tilting direction of fibers and we can steer the robot by rotating the fiber pad. Fiberbot could also climb on glass at inclinations of up to 10° when equipped with fibers of high friction anisotropy. We show that adding a rigid tail to the robot it can climb on glass at 25° inclines. Moreover, the robot is able to crawl on rough surfaces such as wood (ν = 10.0±0.2 cm/s using 30° fiber pad). Fiberbot, a low-cost vibration robot equipped with a custom-designed fiber pad with steering and climbing capabilities could be used for studies on collective behavior on a wide range of topographies as well as search and exploratory missions.
Power-efficient range-match-based packet classification on FPGA

Packet classification is a kernel application performed at network routers. Many classification engines are optimized for prefix and exact match, while a range-to-prefix translation can lead to rule set expansion. Under limited power budget, it is challenging to achieve high classification throughput. In this paper, we present a high-performance and power-efficient packet classification engine on FPGA. We construct a modular Processing Element (PE); each PE compares a stride of the input packet header against a stride of a range boundary. We concatenate multiple PEs into a systolic array. Efficient power optimization techniques including self-enabled power gating and entropy-based scheduling are explored on our architecture. Experimental results show that, for 4K 15-field rule sets, our prototype on a state-of-the-art FPGA can achieve 250 Million Packets Per Second (MPPS) throughput. Using the proposed power optimization techniques, our classification engine consumes 30% of the power without sacrificing the throughput.
SXT and EIT observations of a quiet region large-scale eruption: implications for eruption theories

Abstract In order to understand what drives solar eruptions, it is critical to test theoretical scenarios with data from observations. Here we investigate the idea that “tether cutting” reconnection in a core magnetic field region is responsible for the onset of solar eruptions. We do this by looking to see whether observational signatures of reconnection precede signatures of the eruption, as expected if tether cutting does indeed drive the eruption. Using data from the Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) instrument on SOHO , we examine the evolution of a slow filament eruption occurring in a quiet region. We find that brightenings associated with reconnection become obvious after the start of the rapid ejection of the erupting filament, suggesting that, at least for this case, the tether cutting is a byproduct of, rather than the cause of, the eruption.
Frequency, intensity, and correlates of spiritual pain in advanced cancer patients assessed in a supportive/palliative care clinic

Objective:Regular assessments of spiritual distress/spiritual pain among patients in a supportive/palliative care clinic (SCPC) are limited or unavailable. We modified the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) by adding spiritual pain (SP) to the scale (0 = best, 10 = worst) to determine the frequency, intensity, and correlates of self-reported SP (≥1/10) (pain deep in your soul/being that is not physical) among these advanced cancer patients.Method:We reviewed 292 consecutive consults of advanced cancer patients (ACPs) who were evaluated at our SCPC between October of 2012 and January of 2013. Symptoms were assessed using the new instrument (termed the ESAS–FS).Results:The median age of patients was 61 (range = 22–92). Some 53% were male; 189 (65%) were white, 45 (15%) African American, and 34 (12%) Hispanic. Some 123 of 282 (44%) of ACPs had SP (mean (95% CI) = 4(3.5–4.4). Advanced cancer patients with SP had worse pain [mean (95% CI) = 5.3(4.8, 5.8) vs. 4.5(4.0, 5.0)] (p = 0.02); depression [4.2(3.7, 4.7) vs. 2.1(1.7, 2.6), p < 0.0001]; anxiety [4.2(3.6, 4.7) vs. 2.5(2.0, 3.0), p < 0.0001]; drowsiness [4.2(3.7, 4.7) vs. 2.8(2.3, 3.2), p < 0.0001]; well-being [5.4(4.9, 5.8) vs. 4.5(4.1, 4.9), p = 0.0136]; and financial distress (FD) [4.4(3.9, 5.0) vs. 2.2(1.8, 2.7), p < 0.0001]. Spiritual pain correlated (Spearman) with depression (r = 0.45, p < 0.0001), anxiety (r = 0.34, p < 0.0001), drowsiness (r = 0.26, p < 0.0001), and FD (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed an association with FD [OR (95% Wald CI) = 1.204(1.104–1.313), p < 0.0001] and depression [1.218(1.110–1.336), p < 0.0001]. The odds that patients who had SP at baseline would also have SP at follow-up were 182% higher (OR = 2.82) than for patients who were SP-negative at baseline (p = 0.0029). SP at follow-up correlated with depression (r = 0.35, p < 0.0001), anxiety (r = 0.25, p = 0.001), well-being (r = 0.27, p = 0.0006), nausea (r = 0.29, p = 0.0002), and financial distress (r = 0.42, p < 0.0001).Significance of results:Spiritual pain, which is correlated with physical and psychological distress, was reported in more than 40% of ACPs. Employment of the ESAS–FS allows ACPs with SP to be identified and evaluated in an SCPC. More research is needed.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the United States: Risk Factors for Untimely Access.

Author(s): Hsia, Renee Y; Shen, Yu-Chu | Abstract: ObjectiveTo determine how access to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is distributed across demographics.Data sourcesSecondary data from the 2011 American Hospital Association (AHA) survey data combined with 2010 Census.Study designWe calculated prehospital times from 32,370 ZIP codes to the nearest PCI center. We used a multivariate logit model to determine the odds of untimely access by the ZIP code's concentration of vulnerable populations.Data collectionWe used ZIP code-level data on community characteristics from the 2010 Census and supplemented it with 2011 AHA survey data on service-line availability of PCI for responding hospitals.Principal findingsFor approximately 306 million Americans, the median prehospital time to the nearest PCI center is 33 minutes. While 84 percent of Americans live within one hour of a PCI center, the odds of untimely access are higher in low-income (OR: 3.00; 95 percent CI: 2.39, 3.77), rural (8.10; 95 percent CI: 6.84, 9.59), and highly Hispanic communities (2.55; 95 percent CI: 1.86, 3.49).ConclusionsWhile the majority of Americans live within 60 minutes of a PCI center, rural, low-income, and highly Hispanic communities have worse PCI access. This may translate into worse outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Familial aggregation of allergen-specific sensitization and asthma

Familial aggregation of specific response to allergens and asthma adjusted for age and sensitization to multiple allergens was assessed in two large population cohorts. Allergen skin prick tests (SPTs) were administered to 1151 families in the Tucson Children’s Respiratory Study (CRS) and 435 families in the Tucson Epidemiological Study of Airway Obstructive Disease (TESAOD). Sensitization was defined by wheal size ≥ 3 mm; physician-diagnosed asthma at age ≥ 8 years was based on questionnaires. Using S.A.G.E. 6.1 software ASSOC and FCOR, familial correlations of crude and adjusted phenotypes were evaluated. Crude estimates of parent-offspring (P-O) and sibling correlations were statistically significant for most allergens, ranging from 0.03 to 0.29. After adjusting for age of assessment and “other atopy” (SPT-positive response to additional allergens), correlations were reduced by14–71%. Sibling correlations for specific response to allergens were consistently higher than P-O correlations, but this difference was significant only for dust mite and weed mix in the TESAOD population. Familial correlation for atopic status (any positive SPTs versus none) tended to be higher than for specific allergens. Asthma, with and without adjustment, showed greater familial correlation than either specific or general SPT response and significantly higher sibling correlation in TESAOD than in CRS, probably due to the older age of the siblings and the longer period of ascertainment. In conclusion, significant familial aggregation of specific response to allergen after adjustment for other atopy appears to reflect a genetic propensity toward atopy, dependent on shared familial exposures. Results also suggest that inheritance of asthma is independent of atopic sensitization.
Bestiality: An Overview and Analytic Discussion

Individuals who experience sexual and emotional attractions to animals are widely considered deviant in American society. Such a condition is frequently referred to as bestiality and zoophilia, which in fact describe two separate types of sexual behaviors. A multitude of studies have uncovered a range of prevalence rates across different demographic groups, which may vary due to the terminology and the type of data collection methods utilized. Dogs and horses are consistently chosen as the preferred animal to engage in sexual activities by humans, while male animals have been presented as the heavily favored sex of animal. It is questionable whether one's sexual orientation corresponds with the preference of the sex of the animal. Those engaged in human–animal sexual contacts vary in their reasoning behind their sexual behavior with animals, which are generally environmentally or belief based, and reinforce certain myths. Since the development of the Internet not only has it promoted an enhanced research perspective of the sexual behaviors of bestialists and zoophiles, but they have also found an environment populated by like-minded individuals with similar sexual behaviors/interests.
Rover functional autonomy development for the mars mobile science laboratory

1 0-7803-7651-X/03/$17.00 © 2003 IEEE 2 IEEEAC paper #1289, Updated December 1, 2002 Abstract—This paper provides an overview of the rover technology development, integration, and validation process now being used by the Mars Technology Program. Described are the relevant mission scenarios of long traverse and instrument placement, and the enabling algorithmic components that are being captured into a common software environment for demonstration and validation. As discussed, these components come from the ongoing 2003 rover mission, funded MTP research, and other complementary sources. All are providing software elements integrated into the CLARAty software system, enabling test and validation on a group of Mars rover experimental platforms.
Identifying and Analyzing Atypical Flights by Using Supervised and Unsupervised Approaches

Effective analysis of flight data is a prominent topic in the aviation industry, with flight data recorders containing vast amounts of information on flight safety violations and maintenance issues. A demand exists for innovative techniques to analyze flight data because predefined threshold criteria, such as exceedances, are often quite rigid and cannot encompass all types of safety issues. Further, the accumulation of flight data presents a big data problem, so that it is infeasible for humans to analyze the data manually in a reasonable time. Statistics show that many accidents and incidents in aviation are recurrent. Therefore, to mitigate potential safety issues, machine-learning algorithms can be trained to identify accident precursors. This research had two purposes. The first was to perform cluster analysis by using Kohonen self-organizing maps (SOMs) to identify unstable approaches that transpired at the Grand Forks, North Dakota, International Airport. The Cessna 172 model aircraft was used, and unsafe practices were identified without specifying predefined thresholds. The second purpose was to employ the analytical techniques asynchronously to address the big data problem. The validated results indicated that SOMs identified hard landings and unsafe low-level maneuvers and that some approaches that were high, fast, and steep would be harder to detect by using traditional flight safety analysis techniques.
On the genus of a random graph

Let p = p(n) be a function of n with 0 1 we were unable to compute this function. © 1995 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protein labelling: Playing tag with proteins.

Fluorescent labels can now be attached to a specific protein on the surface of live cells using a two-step method that reacts a norbornene — introduced using genetic encoding — with a variety of dyes.
An alternative procedure for the preparation of immunogenic liposomal model membranes

This investigation describes a new procedure for the preparation of immunogenic liposomes which circumvents the need to synthesize the N-(hapten)-substituted derivatives of phosphatidylethanolamine that were previously employed for this purpose. The method is based on the generation of liposomes containing the N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters of either palmitic acid, cholesteryl-hemisuccinate, or N-succinyl-phosphatidylethanolamine. Reaction of these preformed liposomes with a hapten that possesses a substitutable amino group (e.g., DNP-lysine) results in covalent attachment of the hapten to the lipid bilayers. As a consequence of this binding, the liposomes can elicit formation of hapten-specific plaque-forming cells in mice. The reliability of this procedure is indicated by the fact that these liposomes share the essential immunological properties of liposomes sensitized by incorporation of N-substituted phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives (e.g., DNP-Cap-PE). Thus, the magnitude of the response was found to be dependent on: (a) the presence of lipid A in the liposomes; (b) the phospholipid composition of the liposomes; (c) the distance separating the DNP determinant from the liposomal surface. Additional applications of liposomes, which contain the NHS esters, are indicated.
The reaction of polynuclear tungstates with thionyl chloride: Formation of (n-Bu4N)[W(O)Cl5]

Abstract The reaction between several polynuclear tungstates and thionyl chloride forms (n-Bu4N)[W(O)Cl5] in 75–100% yield. The reaction is significantly faster for the mixed metal tungstate (n-Bu4N)3[NbW5O19] than for (n-Bu4N)4[W10O32] or (n-Bu4N)2[W6O19]. The 183W NMR spectrum of (n-Bu4N[W(O)Cl5] displays a single resonance at 1168 ppm. A crystallographic study confirms the preparation of a discrete six coordinate mononuclear tungsten anion, but disorder prevents the distinction between the oxide and chloride ligands.