cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical Bistability From Domain Formation in Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers

Novel transverse-mode behavior and bistability are observed in spectral and far-field measurements of terahertz-distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers. Prior to onset of negative differential resistance (NDR) at the maximum superlattice current, lasing is exclusive to a single (TM00) transverse mode. Precisely at NDR, lasing switches to a distinct (TM01) transverse mode. The spatial redistribution of optical power in the NDR regime is explained in terms of formation of bias domains localized to the lateral edges of the waveguide. As the bias voltage is reduced below NDR, hysteresis is observed as continued lasing on the TM01 mode. Photon-assisted current transport is proposed as the dominant mechanism for the bistability.
Cover-Plate and Flange-Plate Steel Moment-Resisting Connections

Nonlinear finite-element modeling of steel moment-resisting connections reinforced with steel plates was undertaken as part of the second phase of the SAC project. Five cover-plate and five flange-plate connections of W143176 columns to W30399 beams were studied. Connections reinforced with cover plates or flange plates will perform substantially better than unreinforced connections. Flange-plate connections are likely superior to cover-plate connections. Rectangular reinforcing plates are superior to trapezoidal shaped plates. Three-sided fillet welds should be used to join reinforcing plates to beam flanges. Bracing the beam flanges outside the plastic hinge remote from the column face to delay lateral-torsional buckling is not necessary. Beam web reinforcement at the column face does not affect the transfer of shear force from the reinforced beam to the column. Beam theory should not be used to estimate stresses in reinforced connections.
Biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolysis predict mortality in acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a major cause of acute respiratory failure with high mortality despite lung-protective ventilation. Prior work has shown disordered inflammation and coagulation in ALI, with strong correlations between biomarker abnormalities and worse clinical outcomes. We measured plasma markers of inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolysis simultaneously to assess whether these markers remain predictive in the era of lung-protective ventilation. Plasma samples and ventilator data were prospectively collected from 50 patients with early ALI. Plasma biomarkers of inflammation (IL-6, IL-8, intercellular adhesion molecule 1), of coagulation (thrombomodulin, protein C) and of fibrinolysis (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1) were measured by ELISA. Biomarker levels were compared between survivors (n = 29) and non-survivors (n = 21) using Mann–Whitney analysis. The tidal volume for the study group was 6.6 ± 1.1 ml/kg predicted body weight and the plateau pressure was 25 ± 7 cmH2O (mean ± standard deviation), consistent with lung-protective ventilation. All markers except IL-6 were significantly different between survivors and nonsurvivors. Nonsurvivors had more abnormal values. Three biomarkers – IL-8, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and protein C – remained significantly different by multivariate analysis that included age, gender, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and all biomarkers that were significant on bivariate analysis. Higher levels of IL-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were independently predictive of worse outcomes (odds ratio = 2.0 and 5.8, respectively; P = 0.04 for both). Lower levels of protein C were independently associated with an increased risk of death (odds ratio = 0.5), a result that nearly reached statistical significance (P = 0.06). Despite lung-protective ventilation, abnormalities in plasma levels of markers of inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolysis predict mortality in ALI patients, indicating more severe activation of these biologic pathways in nonsurvivors.
9-cis-retinoic acid but not 4-(hydroxyphenyl)retinamide inhibits prostate intraepithelial neoplasia in Noble rats.

In most previous studies, the incidence and multiplicity of chemically induced prostate tumors have been used as end points for assessing the efficacy of various chemopreventive agents. In this study, we used prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) in Noble rats as an intermediate end point to examine the chemopreventive efficacy of two retinoids, 9- cis -retinoic acid (9cRA) and 4-(hydroxyphenyl)retinamide, which in previous studies have shown promising inhibitory effects on various carcinogenesis models. We found that 80–100% of Noble rats treated for 36 weeks with testosterone + 17β-estradiol developed multiple PIN lesions predominantly in the dorso-lateral prostate, which appears relevant to the place of origin of PIN and carcinoma in the human prostate. 9cRA at 50 or 100 mg/kg diet significantly decreased the multiplicity of PIN, whereas 4-(hydroxyphenyl) retinamide at 392 or 784 mg/kg diet, did not have an inhibitory effect on PIN. Thus, we provide for the first time evidence that the testosterone + 17β-estradiol-induced PIN in Noble rats could be used as a potential intermediate end point in assessing the efficacy of retinoids and possibly of other agents on prostate carcinogenesis, and that 9cRA alone or in combination with other agents may have clinical promise in preventing the development of prostate cancer in men.
Motion analysis of nonrigid surfaces

A description is given of a curvature-based approach to motion analysis of nonrigid surfaces. Based on changes in the mean and Gaussian curvatures during the motion, it is possible to classify the motion of a surface at each point as rigid, isometric, homothetic, conformal, and general (nonconformal). The general theory of curvature changes for all types of motions is presented. Then the formula specifying changes in the Gaussian curvature during homothetic motion is derived. Also, two special cases of nonrigid motion are considered. The first case deals with piecewise rigid motion. An algorithm is presented which separates a piecewise rigid surface into its rigid parts. The second case deals with homothetic motion. A method is given to isolate regions of the surface where the homothetic assumption is violated. Both algorithms are tested on simulated data and results. >
Interactions Among Same-Status Peers: Effects of Behavioral Style and Status Level

When can status peers—group members at the same status level whose relationship can often be characterized by competition and rivalry—experience more harmony than discord? In the current article, we focus on different behavioral styles and status level as joint predictors of interaction among status peers. Specifically, we posit and find that group members’ responses to varying behavioral styles exhibited by their status peers shape important group outcomes (i.e., the desire to continue working together and influence accepted from the peer), with the greatest sensitivity to peer behaviors enacted at the highest status levels. Implications for theories of status and influence in groups are discussed.
Identification of guinea pig γδ T cells and characterization during pulmonary tuberculosis

Guinea pigs are an alternative small animal model for many disease studies. Here we describe a pan-gammadelta monoclonal antibody (anti-TCRdelta1) specific for the constant region of human T cell receptor delta chains that cross-reacts with a subpopulation of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) lymphocytes. The phenotype and distribution of this subpopulation is consistent with the guinea pig gammadelta T cell subset. FACS analysis of fresh PBMC and splenocytes from naive guinea pigs revealed the presence of a subset of cells that stained with the anti-TCRdelta1 mAb. The relative percentage of anti-TCRdelta1 positive cells in PBMC and tissues is similar to that described for gammadelta T cells in other species. Immunohistochemistry of tissues also revealed a distribution of anti-TCRdelta1 positive cells consistent with gammadelta T cells. These data are further supported by staining of a polyclonal guinea pig T cell line that became progressively CD4 and CD8 negative in long-term culture. Analysis of PBMC from guinea pigs following aerosol infection with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis revealed no apparent changes in the steady-state percentage of blood gammadelta+ T cells. Taken together, these data suggest that the anti-TCRdelta1 antibody recognizes the gammadelta T cell subset in guinea pigs. This reagent may be useful for examining gammadelta T cells in various disease models where the guinea pig is a more desirable model for study.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Today

In 1967, Northway, Rosan, and Porter1 described a form of chronic lung disease that developed in certain infants who had received supplemental oxygenation and assisted ventilation for respiratory distress syndrome; they named this disease bronchopulmonary dysplasia to emphasize the pathological involvement of all lung tissues in the disease process. Subsequently, this disease was observed by numerous investigators and described under a variety of names, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia,2–10 pulmonary fibroplasia,11–13 respirator lung disease,14 chronic pulmonary disease,15 and other descriptive terms.16–22 This plethora of names is confusing and adds little to understanding of the disease. Further, despite minor theoretical objections,23 as Lynne Reid has remarked, the term bronchopulmonary dysplasia has much to commend it: it does not stipulate an etiology, and it presents the idea of a disturbance of growth.24
Herpes simplex virus DNA cleavage and packaging: association of multiple forms of U(L)15-encoded proteins with B capsids requires at least the U(L)6, U(L)17, and U(L)28 genes.

The UL15 gene of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of several genes required for the packaging of viral DNA into intranuclear B capsids to produce C capsids that become enveloped at the inner nuclear membrane. A rabbit antiserum directed against UL15-encoded protein recognized three proteins with apparent Mrs of 79,000, 80,000, and 83,000 in highly purified B capsids. The 83,000-Mr protein was detected in type C capsids and comigrated with the product of a UL15 cDNA transcribed and translated in vitro. The 83,000- and 80,000-Mr proteins were readily detected in purified virions. Inasmuch as (i) none of these proteins were detectable in capsids purified from cells infected with HSV-1(ΔUL15), a virus lacking an intact UL15 gene, and (ii) corresponding proteins in capsids purified from cells infected with a recombinant virus [HSV-1(R7244), containing a 20-codon tag at the 3′ end of UL15] were decreased in electrophoretic mobility relative to the wild-type proteins, we conclude that the proteins with apparent Mrs of 83,000, 80,000, and 79,000 are products of UL15 with identical C termini. The 79,000-, 80,000-, and 83,000-Mr proteins remained associated with B capsids in the presence of 0.5 M guanidine HCl and remained detectable in capsids treated with 2.0 M guanidine HCl and lacking proteins associated with the capsid core. These data, therefore, indicate that UL15-encoded proteins are integral components of B capsids. Only the 83,000-Mr protein was detected in B capsids purified from cells infected with viruses lacking the UL6, UL17, or UL28 genes, which are required for DNA cleavage and packaging, suggesting that capsid association of the 80,000- and 79,000-Mr proteins requires intact cleavage and packaging machinery. These data, therefore, indicate that capsid association of the 80,000- and 79,000-Mr UL15-encoded proteins reflects a previously unrecognized step in the DNA cleavage and packaging reaction.
Could a Pile of Slippery Sacks Behave Like an Ocean

Abstract A method for simulating fluid motions that shows promise for application to the oceans is explored. Incompressible inviscid fluids with free surfaces are represented as piles of slippery sacks. A system of ordinary differential equations governs the motions of the sacks, and this system is solved numerically in order to simulate a nonlinear deformation, internal and external gravity waves, and Rossby waves. The simulations are compared to analytic and finite-difference solutions, and the former converge to the latter as the sizes of the sacks are decreased. The slippery-sack method appears to be well suited to ocean modeling for the following reasons: 1) it perfectly conserves a fluid's distributions of density and tracers; 2) unlike existing isopycnic models the slippery-sack method is capable of representing a continuum of fluid densities and vertically resolving neutral regions; 3) the inclusion of continuous topography adds no numerical complexity to the slippery-sack method; 4) the slippery-...
Improving Class Performance in STEM Using Pareto Technique

This paper is a report on the application of a quality improvement technique commonly used in industries to the teaching and learning process in an engineering technology program. An instrument for assessing learning outcomes was designed to determine specific problems that inhibit learning in the program, and their frequencies of occurrence. Based on the data collected, Pareto method was used to determine the vital few, i.e., the few errors committed 80 percent of the time so that class overall performance can be greatly improved by giving deference to these few but most important problems, within limited time and resources. The study cited in this correspondence shows that when Pareto technique is well applied in a teaching/learning process, it results in an improvement of individual performances for an overwhelming majority of the class. This technique is suitable for all science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Stable Pseudohyphal Growth in Budding Yeast Induced by Synergism between Septin Defects and Altered MAP-kinase Signaling.

Upon nutrient limitation, budding yeasts like Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be induced to adopt alternate filament-like growth patterns called diploid pseudohyphal or invasive haploid growth. Here, we report a novel constitutive pseudohyphal growth state, sharing some characteristics with classic forms of filamentous growth, but differing in crucial aspects of morphology, growth conditions and genetic regulation. The constitutive pseudohyphal state is observed in fus3 mutants containing various septin assembly defects, which we refer to as sadF growth (septin assembly defect induced filamentation) to distinguish it from classic filamentation pathways. Similar to other filamentous states, sadF cultures comprise aggregated chains of highly elongated cells. Unlike the classic pathways, sadF growth occurs in liquid rich media, requiring neither starvation nor the key pseudohyphal proteins, Flo8p and Flo11p. Moreover sadF growth occurs in haploid strains of S288C genetic background, which normally cannot undergo pseudohyphal growth. The sadF cells undergo highly polarized bud growth during prolonged G2 delays dependent on Swe1p. They contain septin structures distinct from classical pseudo-hyphae and FM4-64 labeling at actively growing tips similar to the Spitzenkorper observed in true hyphal growth. The sadF growth state is induced by synergism between Kss1p-dependent signaling and septin assembly defects; mild disruption of mitotic septins activates Kss1p-dependent gene expression, which exacerbates the septin defects, leading to hyper-activation of Kss1p. Unlike classical pseudo-hyphal growth, sadF signaling requires Ste5, Ste4 and Ste18, the scaffold protein and G-protein β and γ subunits from the pheromone response pathway, respectively. A swe1 mutation largely abolished signaling, breaking the positive feedback that leads to amplification of sadF signaling. Taken together, our findings show that budding yeast can access a stable constitutive pseudohyphal growth state with very few genetic and regulatory changes.
An Examination Of Occupational Differences In The Returns To Labor Market Experience

This study explores differences in the returns to labor market experience for men across occupational categories in the U.S. labor market. Our analysis of data from the 2003 Current Population Survey indicates that an additional year of labor market experience has a significant and positive impact on the weekly earnings of white- and blue-collar workers. However, white-collar workers in general earn higher estimated returns to experience than their blue-collar counterparts, and these differences appear to be statistically significant.
Person‐Specific Characteristic Feature Selection for Face Recognition

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Face Recognition in Humans Our Approach to Face Recognition Feature Extractors The Learning Algorithm Methodology Results Conclusions and Future Work References ]]>
Signaling for Infection Structure Formation in Fungi

Fungal plant pathogens establish parasitic relationships with their respective hosts primarily for the perpetuation of the pathogen. Before such relationships can develop, several recognition steps must occur during the early stages of the association. Most important are perception of the correct direction of hyphal growth or movement (as with zoospore taxis) of the pathogen to an appropriate infection site, recognition of that site, and recognition that a successful interaction has occurred between the fungus and host. A successful host—parasite relationship will be aborted should any of these steps fail. Other important tropic recognition steps have been discussed in detail by Wynn and Staples (1981). Of particular relevance to the topic of this chapter are the first two steps, recognition by the fungus of the right place and time for infection structure formation. Some fungal propagules, such as uredospore germlings of many of the rust fungi, e.g., Uromyces appendiculatus, Puccinia graminis tritici, and P. sorghi, must seek and recognize leaf stomata, the only site that triggers appressorium formation (the first in a series of specialized infection structures produced by these organisms). Furthermore, these pathogens only enter the host through the stomatal aperture. Similarly, the causal agent of downy mildew of grape, Plasmopara viticola, produces zoospores that generally swim toward stomata through which ingress into the host is achieved. In this case the pathogen exhibits a taxic movement, a relatively uncommon feature for most filamentous fungal pathogens. Other nonstomatal penetrating fungal pathogens may or may not exhibit preferences for specific sites. Many of the foliar pathogens are capable of forming appressoria at almost any place on the host (and nonhost). Spores germinate and grow without any apparent preference for direction and develop appressoria at times and places determined by environmental, physiological, genetic, and/or temporal factors.
Tecnologias Computacionais na Educação: Desafios na Prática Docente

This research aimed to analyze, from the perception of teachers, the challenges in teaching practice on the use of computer technology in education. The methodology consists of descriptive exploratory field study, using questionnaire as a data collection instrument. The study showed that the technologies most used by teachers are: internet, email, word processing, presentation software, social networks, projector, multimedia kit and printer / scanner / MFP. The challenges faced by teachers are exploiting the potential of available resources, lack of professionals for the management and maintenance of laboratories, physical and technological infrastructure of laboratories etc.
Advances in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Biologic Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: 2015 in Review.

Monoclonal antibody therapy directed against tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNFs) has revolutionized the care of patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These large proteins are potentially immunogenic. Early clinical trials demonstrated an association with both serum concentrations of these agents as well as the presence of antidrug antibodies generated by the host with loss of response. More recent research has provided further evidence to confirm the impact of low drug trough concentrations and antidrug antibodies on subsequent clinical course in CD and UC. Given these clinical implications, treatment algorithms have been developed to aid clinicians in interpreting trough drug levels and antibody concentrations in those with confirmed active disease. Several studies have demonstrated the utility of these approaches. Furthermore, there are growing data supporting the use of therapeutic drug monitoring in a prospective fashion in those patients who are clinically stable on anti-TNF therapies to ensure they are receiving appropriate dosing and have not yet developed antibodies. In addition, for those who have developed low-level antibodies, increasing the dose of an anti-TNF or adding an immunomodulator may help to overcome this immunologic response. Further research is required to assess these proposed strategies, as well as to determine the role of trough drug level assessment and antibody testing for new anti-TNFs and biologic medication with alternative mechanisms of action.
Abstract 2997: The Severity of Intracranial Stenosis in Anterior Circulation Correlates with Asymmetrical Hemispheric Cerebral Volume on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background and Purpose: Chronic hypoperfusion associated with high grade intracranial atherosclerosis may results in regional atrophy. This study was performed to determine the effect of intracranial stenosis on ipsilateral regional cerebral volume. Methods: We included patients with intracranial stenosis >50% in the anterior circulation who underwent brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) who were admitted to a University hospital. The severity of intracranial atherosclerosis was evaluated by angiography and degree of stenosis was calculated using the WASID criteria. MRI images were acquired with a 1.5-T MR scanner and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images were used for volumetric analysis. Volumetric analysis was performed by a single observer with the ANALYZE 9.0 software package. Hemispheric supratentorial volume was defined as hemispheric volume (HV) and included a cumulative value of grey and white matter volumes in frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes. Results: A total 42 hemispheres in 21 patients (12 men, mean age±standard deviation 56.4±16.2 years) with intracranial stenosis were studied. There was no statistical difference of HV in between non-stenotic and stenotic side (491.7±62.6 vs 486.7±57.8 cm3, p=0.3953, t-test). There was no statistical difference of HV in between moderate stenosis (50∼75%) and severe stenosis (>75%) (480.6±56.7 vs 490.5±60.4 cm3, p=0.3657, t-test). However, in regression analysis, difference between both HV (non stenotic-side - stenotic side HV) within individuals significantly correlated with degree of stenosis (R2=0.27, P=0.0152). Conclusion: The patients with intracranial stenosis of anterior circulation appear to have an asymmetry in regional cerebral volume directly related to the severity of stenosis. This observation supports the concept that regional cerebral atrophy may be seen with intracranial stenosis.
Blending in the Evolution of Art

Conceptual blending plays a widespread role in the evolution of art. This article, a draft of a commentary for a special issue of a journal on the evolution of art, reviews the work of conceptual blending in conceiving of other minds, joint attention, objects of art and ritual, and imagined scenes of blended joint attention. It focuses especially on the use of conceptual blending in art to prompt for mentally tractable compressions that make it possible for human beings to handle vast mental networks that stretch across great ranges of time, space, causation, and agency.
Adaptive indexing for relational keys

Adaptive indexing schemes such as database cracking and adaptive merging have been investigated to-date only in the context of range queries. These are typical for non-key columns in relational databases. For complete self-managing indexing, adaptive indexing must also apply to key columns. The present paper proposes a design and offers a first performance evaluation in the context of keys. Adaptive merging for keys also enables further improvements in B-tree indexes. First, partitions can be matched to levels in the memory hierarchy such as a CPU cache and an in-memory buffer pool. Second, adaptive merging in merged B-trees enables automatic master-detail clustering.
Neurogenic influences on the coronary vascular response to ischemia in the awake dog.

The influence of the nervous system on the response of the coronary vessels to ischemia was evaluated by observing the reactive hyperemia subsequent to a 10 second occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery in 19 awake dogs. Sympathectomy produced by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine, chronic total surgical cardiac denervation, beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol, and alpha blockade with phentolamine did not significantly alter the reactive hyperemic response. Thus cardiac denervation did not impair the ability of the coronary vasculature to respond to a brief ischemic stimulus.
Massive sialadenitis resulting in critical airway after elective craniotomy: case report

The authors report an unusual case of acute, rapidly progressive, unilateral neck swelling following extubation after elective left anterior temporal lobectomy with amygdalohippocampectomy. Due to severe neck swelling, the patient developed critical airway compromise, brachial plexopathy, and Horner's syndrome. After critical airway management and appropriate rehabilitation, the patient recovered completely and remains seizure free at 1.5 years of follow-up. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of acute postoperative sialadenitis and the steps needed to prevent serious morbidity and possible mortality from this rare complication.
Multiple statistical tests: lessons from a d20

Statistical analyses are often conducted with α= .05. When multiple statistical tests are conducted, this procedure needs to be adjusted to compensate for the otherwise inflated Type I error. In some instances in tabletop gaming, sometimes it is desired to roll a 20-sided die (or 'd20') twice and take the greater outcome. Here I draw from probability theory and the case of a d20, where the probability of obtaining any specific outcome is (1)/ 20, to determine the probability of obtaining a specific outcome (Type-I error) at least once across repeated, independent statistical tests.
I—Constructivism in Ethics and the Problem of Attachment and Loss

This paper explores two questions in moral philosophy that might at first seem unrelated. The first question is practical. While it’s not a truth we like to contemplate, each of us faces the eventual loss of everyone and everything we love. Is there a way to live in full awareness of that fact without falling into anxiety or depression, or resorting to one form or another of forgetfulness, denial or numbing out? The second question is metaethical. Is it possible to vindicate a strong form of ethical objectivity without positing anything metaphysically or epistemologically mysterious? In this paper, I sketch a partially Buddhist-inspired metaethical view that would, if it could be made to work, give a positive answer to both questions. The overall view is too much to defend in one paper, so I focus on developing one limited part of it. I begin by characterizing the general constructivist strategy for vindicating the objectivity of ethics. After briefly discussing Christine Korsgaard’s Kantian implementation of the strategy, I suggest an alternative implementation. I explore the idea that every agent necessarily faces what I call the problem of attachment and loss . I close with some speculative remarks about why, even though the problem of attachment and loss presents itself in a different substantive guise to each individual agent, it is still possible that the best solution to the problem is universal, and involves taking up an ethical perspective on the world.
Using clinical data to predict high-cost performance coding issues associated with pressure ulcers: a multilevel cohort model

Objective Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) have a mortality rate of 11.6%, are costly to treat, and result in Medicare reimbursement penalties. Medicare codes HAPUs according to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient-Safety Indicator 3 (PSI-03), but they are sometimes inappropriately coded. The objective is to use electronic health records to predict pressure ulcers and to identify coding issues leading to penalties. Materials and Methods We evaluated all hospitalized patient electronic medical records at an academic medical center data repository between 2011 and 2014. These data contained patient encounter level demographic variables, diagnoses, prescription drugs, and provider orders. HAPUs were defined by PSI-03: stages III, IV, or unstageable pressure ulcers not present on admission as a secondary diagnosis, excluding cases of paralysis. Random forests reduced data dimensionality. Multilevel logistic regression of patient encounters evaluated associations between covariates and HAPU incidence. Results The approach produced a sample population of 21 153 patients with 1549 PSI-03 cases. The greatest odds ratio (OR) of HAPU incidence was among patients diagnosed with spinal cord injury (ICD-9 907.2: OR = 14.3; P < .001), and 71% of spinal cord injuries were not properly coded for paralysis, leading to a PSI-03 flag. Other high ORs included bed confinement (ICD-9 V49.84: OR = 3.1, P < .001) and provider-ordered pre-albumin lab (OR = 2.5, P < .001). Discussion This analysis identifies spinal cord injuries as high risk for HAPUs and as being often inappropriately coded without paralysis, leading to PSI-03 flags. The resulting statistical model can be tested to predict HAPUs during hospitalization. Conclusion Inappropriate coding of conditions leads to poor hospital performance measures and Medicare reimbursement penalties.
Multimodal Use of an Upper-Level Event Ontology

We describe the ongoing development of a lexically-informed, upper-level event ontology and explore use cases of the ontology. This ontology draws its lexical sense distinctions from VerbNet, FrameNet and the Rich Entities, Relations and Events Project. As a result, the ontology facilitates interoperability and the combination of annotations done for each independent resource. While this ontology is intended to be practical for a variety of applications, here we take the initial steps in determining whether or not the event ontology could be utilized in multimodal applications, specifically to recognize and reason about events in both text and video. We find that the ontology facilitates the generalization of potentially noisy or sparse individual realizations of events into larger categories of events and enables reasoning about event relations and participants, both of which are useful in event recognition and interpretation regardless of modality.
What's in a primitive? Identifying reusable motion trajectories in narrated demonstrations

We present a novel algorithm to identify reusable motion trajectories corresponding to the primitive actions in a human demonstration of a symbolic plan with accompanying narration. Our approach involves a multi-step process starting with time-series pattern mining applied to raw motion-capture data. We evaluated our algorithm on recordings of human motions and showed that it identifies reusable trajectories with 86% of the accuracy of human experts.
Review of Horse-Powered Farming for the 21st Century: A Complete Guide for Equipment, Methods, and Management for Organic Growers

One of the common things in an agricultural community is that each farmer can learn from another; more experienced farmers guide the newer farmers and lend a hand when needed. This volume, which is...
Financial analysis of the United States Military's Health Professions Scholarship Program for emergency physicians

Background: As the cost of attendance for US medical schools continues to increase faster than inflation, students can turn to alternative sources of funding beyond traditional educational loans. The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) pays for medical students' tuition and fees as well as provides a stipend in exchange for an active-duty service commitment. The aim of this study was to compare the financial impact of an emergency physician joining the military versus taking student loans and going the civilian route. Methods: Cash outflows (in the way of annual attendance costs) and cash inflows (in the form of salaries) were discounted using current student loan interest rates and then added together to calculate the net present values (NPVs) of HPSP versus the civilian route. The numbers for all assumptions were taken from the Association of American Medical Colleges, military pay tables, and physician salary surveys. Results: The NPV of the HPSP for a physician with dependents a...
Automatic Compound Figure Separation in Scientific Articles: A Study of Edge Map and Its Role for Stitched Panel Boundary Detection

We present a technique that uses edge map to separate panels from stitched compound figures appearing in biomedical scientific research articles. Since such figures may comprise images from different imaging modalities, separating them is a critical first step for effective biomedical content-based image retrieval (CBIR). We study state-of-the-art edge detection algorithms to detect gray-level pixel changes. It then applies a line vectorization process that connects prominent broken lines along the panel boundaries while eliminating insignificant line segments within the panels. We have validated our fully automatic technique on a subset of stitched multipanel biomedical figures extracted from articles within the Open Access subset of PubMed Central repository, and have achieved precision and recall of 74.20% and 71.86%, respectively, in less than 0.272 s per image, on average.
40 Years (and Counting): Steve Kerr Reflections on the “Folly”:

It has been more than 40 years since Steve Kerr first noted that organizations invariably violate a fundamental law of social nature by rewarding the very behaviors which they are supposedly trying...
A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

This study reviews the literature and the practice of accounting for research and development (R&D) costs from the first reference in 1917 to the current treatment. The conceptual treatment of R&D is compared to current financial accounting rules and explanation of the evolution of the current rules is presented. The economic and social consequences of the current rules which require R&D costs to be expressed are examined. The paper explores possible alternative treatment of R&D costs. As a contrast to U.S. practice, the accounting treatment of R&D costs in other countries is discussed. Given the findings of this paper, a strong case can be made for changing the way that R&D costs are accounted for in the United States.
Object Identification Using Correlated Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) States

We present a novel approach that allows object identification using fewer resources than in conventional pixel-by-pixel imaging by exploiting the enhanced sensitivity of correlated orbital angular momentum states to multiple azimuthal Fourier coefficients.
Pharming Attack Designs

Pharming is emerging as a major new Internet security threat. Pharming has overtaken “phishing” as the most dangerous Internet scam tactic, according to the latest Internet Security Intelligence Briefing (VeriSign, 2005). Pharming attacks exploit the design and implementation flaws in DNS services and the way Internet addresses are resolved to Internet protocol (IP) addresses. There are an estimated 7.5 million external DNS servers on the public Internet (MF-Survey, 2006). Pharming attacks manipulate components of the domain and host naming systems to redirect Internet traffic from one Web site to a different, identical-looking site in order to trick users into entering personal and sensitive information on their fake site. Financial services’ sites are often the targets of these attacks, in which criminals try to acquire personal information in order to access bank accounts, steal identities, or commit other kinds of fraud. The use of faked Web sites makes pharming sound similar to e-mail phishing scams, but pharming is more insidious, since users are redirected to a false site without any participation or knowledge on their part. Pharming is technically harder to accomplish than phishing, but also sneakier because it can be done without any active mistake on the part of the victim (Violino, 2005). The greatest security threat lies in the fact that a successful pharming attack leaves no information on the user’s computer to indicate that anything is wrong.
A Floating Settler for Low Cost Clarification

During recent years a very significant level of research activity has been concerned with improving clarification techniques. The basis for much of this work has been classical shallow-tray sedimentation theory. The advantages of this concept have been discussed in the literature for over 65 years. In 1904, Hazen suggested shallow basins with a depth approaching 1 in. (1). Since the vertical travel distance for a settling particle is so small in such a basin the retention time could be a few minutes rather than a few hours. Many attempts have been made to develop a practical technology for implementation of this theory. Two major problems impeded progress: the construction or fabrication cost for installing a large number of shallow trays in a basin, and development of an efficient technique for removal of settled sludge. In addition it was found that very wide shallow trays had insufficient lateral constraints and led to unstable hydraulic conditions. (2).
Effect of oxy-firing on fireside corrosion

Using oxygen, rather than air, in coal-fired boilers has been studied for several years as a strategy to reduce NO{sub x} and concentrate CO{sub 2} for capture. In combination with flue gas recirculation, higher levels of CO{sub 2}, H{sub 2}O and likely SO{sub 2} are expected. In order to understand the role of substrate composition on corrosion, a combination of commercial and model alloys are being investigated both with and without the presence of synthetic coal ash. The current project is focusing on ferritic steels but rates will be compared with austenitic steels, Ni-base alloys, and potential coating compositions.
Ghosts, Gluons, and Dyson–Schwinger Equations

Shortly after the recognition, in the 1970s, that the static quark potential ought to be linear with quark separation, there was an effort to show that the momentum space gluon propagator, in covariant gauges, goes as 1/k4 as k → 0. The reason this was considered desirable is that if we naively evaluate the static quark potential from one-gluon exchange, then it is not hard to show that a 1/k4 limit at low momenta leads to a linear potential. Attempts to derive this 1/k4 behavior were based on trying to solve a truncated set of Dyson–Schwinger equations (DSEs), but because of various ambiguities, and the doubtful validity of the truncation, the effort was abandoned after a few years.
Statistical comparison of two modeling methods on pressurized hot water extraction of vitamin C and phenolic compounds from Moringa oleifera leaves

Abstract Moringa oleifera is an excellent source of bioactive compounds which exhibit nutritional and medicinal properties. Pressurized hot water extraction is known as a green, environmentally, faster and efficient extraction technique. However, it is facing a challenge with the degradation of thermolabile compounds at higher temperature. This research was performed to investigate the influence of extraction temperature, time and flow rate of pressurized hot water extraction in the recovery of Vitamin C and phenolic compounds from Moringa oleifera leaves. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were used as estimates and predictive models with maximum responses. The optimal pressurized hot water extraction conditions were identified at: 91°C for temperature, 60 min for extraction time and 0.3 mL min− 1 for flow rate, giving a predicted concentration of 3.92 ± 0.30, 4.74 ± 0.32 and 0.357 ± 0.19 g per 100 g of dry powder for kaempferol, quercetin and vitamin C, respectively. Evaluation of the two models through the statistical error parameters showed that ANN model gave a good predictive and estimation capabilities than RSM. Therefore, ANN can be recommended for use optimization method in the pressure hot water extraction.
Labor migration numbers and rights: do they trade off or advance together?

ABSTRACTThis article reconsiders the argument that as labor immigration policy opens, it must also become more restrictive in terms of immigrant rights. After discussing this tradeoff logic, positing a negative relationship between external (numbers) and internal (rights) labor migration policy, it then extends the underlying political model to show that when accounting for the lobbying pressure of firms seeking high skill labor, a very different expectation emerges. This political accommodation argument predicts a positive relationship between external and internal migration policy, or that policy related to labor immigration openness and immigrant rights should advance together, although not necessarily quickly or at the same rate. It then tests these competing propositions using a new dataset that sorts labor migration policy changes among 38 advanced industrial democracies from 1995 to 2016 into these two dimensions, finding a significant positive relationship between them.
ABA in Germanic verbs

This paper discusses cases where non-adjacent cells in morphological paradigms are syncretic, commonly called ABA patterns (Bobaljik 2012 et seqq.). Data from verbs in Germanic languages are examined, as earlier work suggests that a *ABA constraint may be active in this domain. It will be shown that there are verbs in several Germanic languages which exhibit genuine ABA patterns, precluding an analysis based on a constraint *ABA. It is suggested that the rarity of ABA patterns should instead be given a diachronic explanation in terms of Proto-Germanic conjugation classes. This approach is independently motivated by frequency asymmetries in modern Germanic languages, and correctly predicts where ABA patterns are more likely to appear. The research reported here adds to a rapidly-growing body of work on extralinguistic explanations for linguistic patterns (Anderson 2016), suggesting a severely reduced explanatory role for formal linguistic constraints.
AI and Fake News

Fake news and propaganda are not new phenomena but when powered by modern information dissemination and AI technologies, they are manifesting themselves at scales and in ways previously not possible. This paper describes several human frailties that make today's “fake news” possible together with several AI-based technologies that can help defeat or defend those frailties. Our goal is to explore ways in which AI can play a role in the “fake news” arena.
A review of early warning systems for prompt detection of patients at risk for clinical decline

Early Warning Scores (EWS) are a composite evaluation of a patient's basic physiology, changes of which are the first indicators of clinical decline and are used to prompt further patient assessment and when indicated intervention. These are sometimes referred to as "track and triggers systems" with tracking meant to denote periodic observation of physiology and trigger being a predetermined response criteria. This review article examines the most widely used EWS, with special attention paid to those used in military and trauma populations.The earliest EWS is the Modified Early Earning Score (MEWS). In MEWS, points are allocated to vital signs based on their degree of abnormality, and summed to yield an aggregate score. A score above a threshold would elicit a clinical response such as a rapid response team. Modified Early Earning Score was subsequently followed up with the United Kingdom's National Early Warning Score, the electronic cardiac arrest triage score, and the 10 Signs of Vitality score, among others.Severity of illness indicators have been in military and civilian trauma populations, such as the Revised Trauma Score, Injury Severity Score, and Trauma and Injury Severity. The sequential organ failure assessment score and its attenuated version quick sequential organ failure assessment were developed to aggressively identify patients near septic shock.Effective EWS have certain characteristics. First, they should accurately capture vital signs information. Second, almost all data should be derived electronically rather than manually. Third, the measurements should take into consideration multiple organ systems. Finally, information that goes into an EWS must be captured in a timely manner. Future trends include the use of machine learning to detect subtle changes in physiology and the inclusion of data from biomarkers. As EWS improve, they will be more broadly used in both military and civilian environments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Review article, level I.
Pre-harvest factors influencing the acid resistance of Escherichia coli and E. coli O157:H7.

The effects of pH, acetate, propionate, or butyrate concentration, and diet on acid resistance of fecal Escherichia coli and E. coli O157:H7 were determined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The pH tested was from 4.0 to 8.0, and the VFA concentrations tested were 0 to 100 mM. The E. coli O157:H7 used was strain 505B. In an in vivo study, cattle were fed a grain-based diet, then either not switched or switched to a grain-based diet with 3% added calcium carbonate or two fiber-based diets (soybean hulls or hay). Acid resistance was expressed as viability after acid-shock at pH 2.0 for 1 h and 4 h for fecal E. coli and E. coli O157:H7, respectively. Enumeration methods used were multitube fermentation, agar plate, and petri-film methods. The E. coli O157:H7 was not found in continuous culture inocula or in vivo samples. The viability of fecal E. coli decreased linearly (P 0.05) for fecal E. coli. Acid resistance of E. coli was induced by acetate and butyrate, even though the environmental pH was near neutral. Similar results were measured in the in vivo study, where viability after acid shock was more dependent on VFA concentration than on pH. Increasing the dietary calcium carbonate concentration also increased (P < 0.05) acid resistance of fecal E. coli. Results from these studies demonstrated that culture pH and VFA affect acid resistance of E. coli.
What Is the Best Imaging Modality to Predict Extracapsular Nodal Extension

The extracapsular spread (ECS) of metastatic lymph nodes is associated with aggressive tumor behavior, and is regarded as a major risk factor for local recurrence in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Postoperative chemoradiation is superior to postoperative radiotherapy alone in patients with histologically proven extracapsular spread. If extracapsular spread can be detected preoperatively, patients may favor primary chemoradiation instead of primary surgery plus postoperative chemoradiation.
Integrated Multi-Vapor Micro Collector-Injector (µCOIN) for µGC

A microscale collector-injector (μCOIN), consisting of a passive micro preconcentrator (μPP) and a progressively heated micro injector (μPHI), is described. The μPP achieved predictable, nearly constant, zero-power (diffusional) sampling rates for 24 hr (at ~1 mg/m3) and over a 2,500-fold concentration range (for 15-min samples). The μPHI achieved injections < 250 ms wide at ≤ 0.5 mL/min. An ionic-liquid surface modifier imparted high selectivity for polar compounds to the carbon adsorbents employed. A hybrid-integrated µCOIN showed encouraging preliminary results and a monolithic µCOIN has been fabricated. µCOIN promises to enable low-power micro gas chromatographic (µGC) analyses of vapor mixtures in numerous applications.