cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of long term low-fat dietary intervention on change in hemostatic factors: Results from the Women's Health Initiative

Low-fat diet may play a role in prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by altering the levels of hemostatic factors. There are yet limited data on the effects of low-fat diet on the circulating levels of these factors and existing studies are limited by small sample size and short duration of follow-up. We conducted an analysis in a subset of women (active arm = 723; control arm = 1036) within the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial to investigate the long term effect of a low-fat diet on circulating levels of fibrinogen, factor VII concentration and factor VII activity among postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years. Using linear mixed effects model with random intercept and data from three follow-up visits (years 1, 3 and 6) we evaluated the change in each factor over time. Overall, the changes in these factors were small (less than 5%) in both the arms of the trials at the end of intervention and there was no significant difference in mean change between the two arms. Our results indicate that the low-fat dietary intervention was not associated with significant changes in hemostatic factors among postmenopausal women.
Perception of risk associated with asthma research procedures among adolescents, parents, and pediatricians.

Background Little empirical data exist about how adolescents with asthma, their parents, and pediatricians view the risks and benefits associated with asthma clinical research. Objective Two studies examined similarities and differences in the perception of risks and benefits associated with asthma research. Methods In study I questionnaires were completed by adolescents with asthma and parents at the end of an audio and written presentation of a hypothetical research vignette. In study II adolescents with asthma, their parents, and pediatricians rated the risks and benefits associated with discreet asthma research procedures. Results In study I adolescents and parents made distinctions in riskiness among the asthma research procedures ( P P P Conclusion Participants generally viewed asthma research procedures as more beneficial than risky. Overall, the relative risk rankings among all respondents were similar. However, there were between-group difference in ratings of risk associated with venipuncture and experimental medication. Parents and adolescents rated the benefit of placebo significantly higher than did pediatricians.
Marketing innovation: the unheralded innovation vehicle to sustained competitive advantage

Apathy by both industry and academia continues to linger with respect to the role marketing innovation plays in corporate success, made visible by the overwhelming concentration of organisational and scholarly research on product innovation. This study introduces marketing innovation as another innovation vehicle that can lead to sustained competitive advantage, particularly when synergistically combined with product innovation. In this paper, the dynamics of marketing innovation throughout the industry lifecycle are examined, along with the implications of marketing innovation for firm sustained competitive advantage and performance. It is proposed that the positive synergy created by marketing innovation and product innovation leads to greater competitive advantage and subsequently, firm success than either innovation alone. Lastly, the study draws innovation for sustainability into the multidimensional mix as a new key ingredient for sustained competitive advantage in today's environment.
A new determination of the 209 Po half-life

A substantial 25% error in the then-known and accepted (102 ± 5) year half-life of 209Po was reported on in 2007. This error was detected from decay data from two separate primary standardizations of a 209Po solution standard, which were performed approximately 12 years apart. Despite author claims that this observation was not a new half-life determination, it was nevertheless included in subsequent nuclear data evaluations and compilations to obtain a currently tabulated value of (115 ± 13) a, computed from the median and range of the two half-life reports. A third primary standardization on the identical 209Po solution has since been performed to derive a new half-life value of (125.2 ± 3.3) a. This half-life determination was obtained from 30 distinct data sets over a period of 20.7 years, encompassing over 700 liquid scintillation measurements with nearly 50 counting sources all prepared from the same solution, and as obtained over a very broad range of measurement conditions (composition of cocktails, characteristics of counters, time sequencing) during five periods in 1993, 1994, 2005, and 2013.
John Stuart Mill’s Road to Leviathan II: The Principles of Political Economy

Following the success of the Logic (Mill 1973 [1843]), Mill turned again to political economy. In 1844, he took advantage of the Logic’s success to arrange the publication of his Essays on Some Unsettled Questions in Political Economy (which had been written in 1829 and 1830) (Mill 1967 [1844]). Shortly thereafter, he began work on a project he had earlier conceived, while at work on the Logic, of writing “a special treatise on political economy, analogous to that of Adam Smith” (quoted in Ashley 1929, xvii; see Note 2, Chap. 8, for explanation of subsequent citations of the Principle). This would become the famous Principles, to be published in 1848. In combination with the Logic, the Principles cemented Mill’s reputation as, arguably, the pre-eminent nineteenth-century thinker who wrote in the English language. As Mitchell puts it, the “Logic and the Principles of Political Economy together gave Mill a position in English life and thought such as no economist had enjoyed before him and such as no economist has enjoyed since his day in any country” (Mitchell 1967, 559) – a verdict that, with the possible exception of John Maynard Keynes, stands today.
Cocaine-mediated induction of microglial activation involves the ER stress-TLR2 axis

Neuroinflammation associated with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection is often exacerbated by chronic cocaine abuse. Cocaine exposure has been demonstrated to mediate up-regulation of inflammatory mediators in in vitro cultures of microglia. The molecular mechanisms involved in this process, however, remain poorly understood. In this study, we sought to explore the underlying signaling pathways involved in cocaine-mediated activation of microglial cells. BV2 microglial cells were exposed to cocaine and assessed for toll-like receptor (TLR2) expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blot, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA and protein levels of cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, MCP-1) were detected by qPCR and ELISA, respectively; level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was examined by the Image-iT LIVE Green ROS detection kit; activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress pathways were detected by western blot. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was employed to discern the binding of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) with the TLR2 promoter. Immunoprecipitation followed by western blotting with tyrosine antibody was used to determine phosphorylation of TLR2. Cocaine-mediated up-regulation of TLR2 expression and microglial activation was validated in cocaine-injected mice. Exposure of microglial cells to cocaine resulted in increased expression of TLR2 with a concomitant induction of microglial activation. Furthermore, this effect was mediated by NADPH oxidase-mediated rapid accumulation of ROS with downstream activation of the ER-stress pathways as evidenced by the fact that cocaine exposure led to up-regulation of pPERK/peIF2α/ATF4 and TLR2. The novel role of ATF4 in the regulation of TLR2 expression was confirmed using genetic and pharmacological approaches. xThe current study demonstrates that cocaine-mediated activation of microglia involves up-regulation of TLR2 through the ROS-ER stress-ATF4-TLR2 axis. Understanding the mechanism(s) involved in cocaine-mediated up-regulation of ROS-ER stress/TLR2 expression and microglial activation could have implications for the development of potential therapeutic targets aimed at resolving neuroinflammation in cocaine abusers.
Raman spectroscopy studies of phonons in a nanowire subjected to a magnetic field

Free-standing InSb nanowires of 60–90 nm diameter have been electrochemically self-assembled and we have measured their room temperature Raman spectra in a weak magnetic field of ∼0.2 Tesla. Both the longitudinal (LO) and the transverse (TO) optical phonon peaks are suppressed in a magnetic field. The TO phonon peak experiences a slight red-shift and the LO phonon peak experiences a slight blue shift. These results are important for phonon engineering in nanowires and have a bearing on electronic and photonic devices implemented with nanowires.
Polycrystalline Grain Structure of Sputtered Aluminum Nitride Films

Reactively-sputtered, polycrystalline thin film aluminum nitride (AlN) is an attractive material for use in acoustic wave devices, for which it requires a strong preferred orientation, similar to that found in epitaxial films. This investigation evaluated the grain structure including preferred orientation, grain size, and surface morphology of sputtered A1N films. The characterization techniques utilized included x-ray diffraction (XRD), secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results revealed two types of grain structure: 1) a single-grain columnar structure that is perfectly oriented in the [001] direction throughout the entire film thickness and 2) a multiple-grain columnar structure that possesses a strong [001] orientation at the bottom of the film and a tilted [001] combined with other orientations at the top of the film. Strong correlations between orientation and surface morphology, oxygen content, and grain size were observed, namely higher degrees of c-axis orientation correlated with lower mean surface roughness values, reduced oxygen concentration, and narrower grains.
Spontaneous pneumopericardium--a case report

The authors describe a case of spontaneous pneumopericardium that re solved completely, despite placement of the patient on mechanical ventilation.
Breeding of a dual-purpose male sterile rice,Minke 104S

A procedure for the development of a male sterile rice,Minke 104S,was established.The low-temperature-sensitive,genic sterile SE152S was used as the main parents.The lower generations of the segregated population obtained through crossing and backcrossing were planted in high altitude Huyuan Village in Shaxian County,where the average day-length was long and temperature low.The sterile lines were generation-added in Hainan Province and Shaxian County to obtain Minke104S with stable infertility.The breeding procedures are presented for possible breeding applications on the development of photo/thermo-sensitive,male sterile rice lines.
Complications of Acoustic Tumor Surgery

In removing acoustic tumors, the primary goal is total removal, with preservation of life and the least possible permanent neurological sequelae. In all but the smallest of cerebellopontine angle lesions, total tumor removal necessitates sacrifice of the eighth cranial nerve. In large lesions, total tumor removal may necessitate sacrifice of the seventh cranial nerve as well. The optimal approaches for accomplishing these goals with minimal complications are the translabyrinthine and combined translabyrinthine-suboccipital approaches. The middle fossa approach is appropriate only for intracanalicular lesions. In the series of 383 tumor cases discussed, total tumor removal was accomplished in 379 (99 per cent) of the cases. Overall, the facial nerve was preserved in 80 per cent of the patients. There were no fatalities. The most frequent complication was postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Surgery of the posterior fossa continues to be hazardous, with significant morbidity rates. Complications do occur, and those performing these procedures must be prepared to manage them. The occurrence of complications can be greatly reduced through a thorough preoperative evaluation as well as through meticulous microsurgical attention to detail. It is important for all surgeons working in the cerebellopontine angle to reassess their technique periodically in order to improve results. In our experience, self-re-evaluation has reduced postoperative complications, particularly in regard to cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Early diagnosis of acoustic neuromas would permit surgery for smaller lesions, thereby decreasing complications. However, it is well recognized that we will continue to see a high percentage of large tumors and must be prepared to handle these difficult lesions and their complications.
Color change in a marine isopod is adaptive in reducing predation

Although background matching is a common form of camouflage across a wide diversity of animals, there has been surprisingly little experimental work testing the fitness consequences of this camouflage strategy, especially in marine ecosystems. In this study, we tested whether color camouflage enhances survival of the intertidal marine isopod Pentidotea ( Idotea ) wosnesenskii , quantified patterns of camouflage in different algal habitats, and examined how algal diet affected color change and growth using laboratory assays. In the field, isopods collected from two differently colored algal habitats (the brown alga Fucus distichus and the red alga Odonthalia floccosa) matched the color of their respective algal habitats, and also differed significantly in body size: smaller red isopods were found on red algae, while larger brown isopods were found on brown algae. Predation experiments demonstrated these color differences had fitness benefits: brown isopods that matched their brown algae habitats survived at higher rates than red unmatched isopods. Surprisingly, despite the propensity of isopods to match their algal habitats, algal diet had no effect on color change in color change experiments. Instead, isopods in all treatments turned browner, matching the color of the algal habitat that many isopods are found on as adults. In summary, our data supported our hypothesis that background matching serves an adaptive function in reducing predation, with important evolutionary implications for explaining the wide variation in color change mechanisms in idoteid isopods.
Medusaegraptus-mirabilis ruedemann as a noncalcified dasyclad alga

Medusaegraptus mirabilis Ruedemann was originally described as a dendroid graptolite and is currently listed in the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology among graptolites incertae sedis. Recently, several localities yielding abundant M. mirabilis were discovered, prompting renewed interest in the taxonomic affinities of this species. Based on a study of the morphology and paleoecology of M. mirabilis, this species is herein considered to represent a noncalcified dasyclad alga. Other species of Medusaegraptus are similarly considered.Medusaegraptid-bearing strata commonly contain other exceptionally preserved fossils and represent conservation lagerstaetten. Consideration of medusaegraptids as dasyclad algae restricts the depth at which these deposits could have occurred.
A System-of-Systems Framework for Exploratory Analysis of Climate Change Impacts on Civil Infrastructure Resilience

AbstractClimate change has various chronic and acute impacts on civil infrastructure systems (CIS). A long-term assessment of resilience in CIS requires understanding the transformation of CIS caus...
Homophobic Muslims: Emerging Trends in Multireligious Singapore

This article examines the recent emergence of homophobia among Muslims in Singapore. While Islamic scriptures were used to justify homophobia, interpretations of these holy texts regarding non-normative sexualities have always been diverse. The anti-homosexuality exegesis of Islamic scriptures gained traction in a particular constellation of contemporary politics. When the state broached a discussion over whether a colonial-era law criminalizing homosexuality should be repealed, evangelical Christians were the first to vigorously support the retention of the law. Evangelical Christian homophobic discourses were soon reproduced by Muslims, whose own conservatism has been rising in recent years. Longstanding state biases against Muslims (who are mostly lower-working-class Malays), however, restricted the expression of their religious conservatism, which makes it useful for them to perform good citizenship by standing alongside evangelical Christians (mostly middle-class Chinese). This article demonstrates that Muslim homophobia has complex roots and explanations that cannot be reduced solely to Islam.
Immune Checkpoint Blockade and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) relies primarily upon graft-versus-tumor activity for cancer eradication. Relapse remains the principal cause of treatment failure after HSCT, implying frequent immune escape, which in at least some cases, appears to be mediated by increased expression of inhibitory immune checkpoints. In an attempt to restore anti-tumor immunity, checkpoint blockade therapy (CBT) targeting PD-1 and CLTA-4 has been used in conjunction with both allogeneic and autologous HSCT. Clinical experience in this setting is limited to several small clinical trials and case series, but together they suggest that treatment with CBT can effectively amplify anti-tumor immune responses. However, intrinsic to its mechanism is also the risk that CBT in the HSCT setting may also cause significant immune toxicity. Fatal immune-related adverse events and graft-versus-host disease have been observed, but in most cases, immune side effects appear to be reversible with steroids and CBT discontinuation. As clinical investigation continues, improved understanding of immune checkpoint biology will be critical to optimize safe and efficacious treatment strategies.
Quantum Molecular Dynamics Validation of Nanocarbon Synthesis by High-Temperature Oxidation of Nanoparticles

This study uses ab initio quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) simulations to validate multimillion-atom reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) simulations, and predicts unexpected condensation of carbon atoms during high-temperature oxidation of silicon-carbide nanoparticles (nSiC). For the validation process, a small nSiC in oxygen environment is chosen to perform QMD simulation. The QMD results provide the number of Si-O and C-O bonds as a function of time. RMD simulation is then performed under the identical condition. The time evolutions of different bonds are compared between the QMD and RMD simulations. We observe the condensation of large number of C-cluster nuclei into larger C clusters in both simulations, thereby validating RMD. Furthermore, we use the QMD simulation results as an input to a multi-objective genetic algorithm to train the RMD force-field parameters. The resulting force field far better reproduces the ground-truth QMD simulation results.
Convergence or Divergence of Strategic Decision Processes among 10 Nations

The growth of strategic management practice and theory among industrialized countries has increased dramatically in recent years. Much of what we know about strategic management practices in use is based on studies of organizations located primarily in the United States. Moreover, studies conducted in other nations (e. g., Channon, 1973; Ghertman, 1976) have been based primarily on American theories of strategic management. The implicit assumption of these latter studies is that concepts of strategic management are transferable to other nations. Thus far, various compelling arguments opposing this view have been offered in the preceding chapters of this book by Adler, Doktor, and Redding (Chapter 2), Askanas (Chapter 4), Cooper and Cox (Chapter 3), and Osigweh (Chapter 1). Cultural, economic, or political conditions provide substantial barriers to knowledge transfer among cultures or nations. In this chapter we adopt the view espoused by Lammers (1976) that the issue concerning the relevance of management theories across national cultures is one subject to empirical investigation.
Long-Term Earnings Differentials Between African American and White Men by Educational Level

This paper investigates long-term earnings differentials between African American and white men using data that match respondents in the Survey of Income and Program Participation to 30 years of their longitudinal earnings as recorded by the Social Security Administration. Given changing labor market conditions over three decades, we focus on how racial differentials vary by educational level because the latter has important and persistent effects on labor market outcomes over the course of an entire work career. The results show that the long-term earnings of African American men are more disadvantaged at lower levels of educational attainment. Controlling for demographic characteristics, work disability, and various indicators of educational achievement does not explain the lower long-term earnings of less-educated black men in comparison to less-educated white men. The interaction arises because black men without a high school degree have a larger number of years of zero earnings during their work careers. Other results show that this racial interaction by educational level is not apparent in cross-sectional data which do not provide information on the accumulation of zero earnings over the course of 30 years. We interpret these findings as indicating that compared to either less-educated white men or highly educated black men, the long-term earnings of less-educated African American men are likely to be more negatively affected by the consequences of residential and economic segregation, unemployment, being out of the labor force, activities in the informal economy, incarceration, and poorer health.
A Practical Analysis of the Rise in Mobile Phishing

Phishing attacks continue to evolve in order to bypass mitigations applied within the industry. These attacks are also changing due to the attacker’s desire for a greater return on investment from their attacks against the common internet user. The digital landscape has been ever-changing since the emergence of mobile technologies. The intersection of the internet and the growing mobile user-base fueled the natural progression of phishers to target mobile-specific users. This research investigates mobile-specific phishing attacks through the dissection of phishing kits used for the attacks, presentation of real world phishing campaigns, and observations about PayPal’s insight into mobile web-based phishing numbers.
Technology and Democracy

Our society now faces an essential challenge. I will not attempt to exhaust all sides of the multifaceted debate about technology and democracy, but will instead summarize my present thinking on the topic.
Definition of Peace and Reconciliation in China, Japan, and Korea

This chapter presents a brief history of China, Japan, and Korea with an emphasis on peace and reconciliation. This is followed by a discussion of definitions of peace and reconciliation from participants from these regions to the Personal and Institutional Rights to Aggression and Peace Survey. The most common type (49 %) of definition of peace focused on the prerequisites and outcomes of positive peace (a peace characterized by social justice and equality), whereas 38 % of the responses focused on negative peace (e.g., absence of war, conflict). Sixty-five percent of the definitions of reconciliation equated it with a process rather than an end state or achievement. Exploratory chi-square analyses for types of definitions revealed a few differences based on demographic characteristics such as gender, military service, having a relative in the military, and having participated in antiwar protest activity.
Is high BMI associated with specific complications after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass?

Controversy remains whether patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50 kg/m 2 experience more complications after laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass (LRYGB) than those with a lower BMI. Whether BMI > 50 kg/m 2 is associated with specific complications remains unknown. Charts of 152 patients who underwent LRYGB were reviewed. Logistic regression was used to determine whether high BMI is associated with minor or major complications. Overall, there was a trend that major complications occurred more frequently in patients with BMI ≥ 50 compared with BMI < 50, (30.4% vs 19.8%, P = 0.138). Major bleeding complications occurred in 16.1 per cent of high BMI patients as compared with 5.2 per cent with lower BMI (P = 0.025). Multivariate regression found that BMI ≥ 50 was associated with higher odds of a major technical complication (OR = 2.73, P = 0.04), particularly for bleeding complications (odds ratio [OR] = 5.59, P = 0.01). Male gender was also associated with higher odds of a major technical complication (OR = 3.43, P = 0.04). These results suggest that high BMI patients may be better candidates for other types of weight loss surgery, such as staged procedures, and that surgeons early in their career should operate on patients with lower BMI.
Acute postoperative pain is an independent predictor of chronic postsurgical pain following total knee arthroplasty at 6 months: a prospective cohort study.

Background Approximately 15% of patients report persistent knee pain despite surgical success following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine the association of acute-postsurgical pain (APSP) with chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) 6 months after TKA controlling for patient, surgical and psychological confounding factors. Methods Adult patients with osteoarthritis undergoing primary elective tricompartmental TKA, with the operated knee the primary source of preoperative pain, were studied between March 2011 and February 2017. Patients received standard operative management and a perioperative multimodal analgesia regimen. The primary outcome was CPSP at 6 months. The primary variable of interest was the APSP (weighted mean pain score) for 72 hours postoperatively. Patient, surgical and psychological confounders were assessed using binary logistic regression. Results 245 cases were analyzed. The incidence of CPSP was 14% (95% CI 10% to 19%). Median APSP values were 4.2 (2.2–5.0) in the CPSP group and 2.8 (1.8–3.7) without CPSP, difference 1.4 (95% CI 0.1 to 1.8, p=0.005). The unadjusted odds for CPSP with an increase of 1 in APSP was 1.46 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.87, p=0.002)). After multivariable risk adjustment, the OR for CPSP for an increase of 1 in the APSP was 1.53 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.09, p=0.008). Conclusions APSP is a risk factor for CPSP following TKA even after adjusting for confounding variables such as pain catastrophizing, anxiety, depression and functional status. Studies are needed to determine if APSP is a modifiable risk factor for the development of CPSP.
Rock at the LVAD Core: Inadvertent Calcified Apical Aneurysm during LVAD Implantation

Introduction Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) and advanced CHF are at risk to develop calcified ventricular aneurysms as part of their ischemic remodeling over time. These aneurysms can significantly interfere with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We present a case of a patient who had a calcified apical aneurysm that was preoperatively missed and inadvertently discovered during his LVAD surgery. Case A 70 year-old male with a medical history of ICMP (EF 5-10%, NYHA II, Stage D) status post ICD placement on the heart transplant waiting list, CAD status post CABG (11 years ago), and a-fib presented for an elective LVAD implantation as a bridge to transplant due to worsening in his kidney function and declining in his myocardial oxygen consumption. The patient had CXR and TTE before his planned surgery as part of preoperative work up. During the operation, a calcified apical aneurysm was discovered and resected (figure 1). Afterward, the LVAD swing ring was fixed to the LV apical ventriculotomy followed by the LVAD inflow graft insertion. Thereafter, the operation was completed as planned. The patient recovered and was eventually discharged home. Discussion Pre-LVAD identification of any calcified myocardial aneurysm is important especially when it is apical as the LVAD inflow graft cannot be sutured over calcified myocardial tissue. In our patient, CXR and TTE failed to identify his calcified apical aneurysm before surgery. Fortunately, the size of his calcified aneurysm was not very big and the surgeon was able to appropriately fix the LVAD swing ring on LV apical ventriculotomy after resecting the aneurysm. Retrospectively, our patient's long history of ICMP, very low cardiac function, and dilated LV (end-diastolic diameter of 7.4 cm) were all unnoticed hints toward possible calcified aneurysmal formation that would have been discovered with advanced imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) of the chest. Conclusion Calcified apical aneurysms can develop in patients with ICMP and advanced CHF and should always be looked for before LVAD implantation. Advanced imaging techniques, such as CT of the chest, can help to identify such calcified aneurysms preoperatively and safely tailor surgical plans in these patients.
Diagnosis, management, and follow-up of upper tract urothelial carcinoma: an interdisciplinary collaboration between urology and radiology

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a common and lethal malignancy. Patients diagnosed with this illness often face invasive workups, morbid therapies, and prolonged post-operative surveillance. UTUC represents approximately 5–10% of urothelial malignancies in the United States and affect 4600–7800 new patients annually. Various environmental exposures as well as smoking have been implicated in the development of UTUC. The diagnosis and workup of UTUC relies on heavily on imaging studies, a close working relationship between Urologists and Radiologists, and invasive procedures such as ureteroscopy. Treatments range from renal-sparing endoscopic surgery to radical extirpative surgery depending on the specific clinical situation. Follow-up is crucial as UTUC has a high recurrence rate. Here we review the epidemiology, diagnosis, management strategies, and follow-up of UTUC from an interdisciplinary perspective.
A Smart, Efficient, and Reliable Parking Surveillance System With Edge Artificial Intelligence on IoT Devices

Cloud computing has been a main-stream computing service for years. Recently, with the rapid development in urbanization, massive video surveillance data are produced at an unprecedented speed. A traditional solution to deal with the big data would require a large amount of computing and storage resources. With the advances in Internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and communication technologies, edge computing offers a new solution to the problem by processing all or part of the data locally at the edge of a surveillance system. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of using edge computing for smart parking surveillance tasks, specifically, parking occupancy detection using the real-time video feed. The system processing pipeline is carefully designed with the consideration of flexibility, online surveillance, data transmission, detection accuracy, and system reliability. It enables artificial intelligence at the edge by implementing an enhanced single shot multibox detector (SSD). A few more algorithms are developed either locally at the edge of the system or on the centralized data server targeting optimal system efficiency and accuracy. Thorough field tests were conducted in the Angle Lake parking garage for three months. The experimental results are promising that the final detection method achieves over 95% accuracy in real-world scenarios with high efficiency and reliability. The proposed smart parking surveillance system is a critical component of smart cities and can be a solid foundation for future applications in intelligent transportation systems.
“When We See Them”: Race as Conduit of Criminal Prosecution:

Scholarly and lay literature pertaining to the criminal prosecution of black males are in contrast with white males. White male defendants are met by a system of judicial leniency. Conversely, the ...
A retrospective study of adult patients with noncirrhotic hyperammonemia.

Adult-onset noncirrhotic hyperammonemia (NCH) is poorly understood and has a high morbidity and mortality. To elucidate the etiology and management of NCH, we performed a retrospective analysis of 23 adults (median age 51) with NCH treated between 2014 and 2020 at two academic medical centers. Hyperammonemia was diagnosed in all cases during the evaluation of altered mental status, with 22% presenting with seizures. Peak ammonia levels were >200 μmol/L in 70% of cases. Defects in ammonia metabolism were assessed using urea cycle biochemical testing, germline genetic testing, and testing for urease-producing infectious agents. Ammonia metabolism defects in these cases appear attributable to four major sources: (a) infection with urease-producing organism (n = 5); (b) previously undiagnosed inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) (n = 4); (c) clinical exposures causing acquired urea cycle dysfunction (n = 6); and (d) unexplained acquired urea cycle dysfunction (uaUCD) (n = 8), as evidenced by biochemical signatures of urea cycle dysfunction without a genetic or clinical exposure. Severe protein malnutrition appeared to be a reversible risk factor for uaUCD. Overall, 13% of our cohort died prior to resolution of hyperammonemia, 26% died after hyperammonemia resolution, 57% survived after having reversible neurological changes, and 4% survived with irreversible neurological changes. Renal replacement therapy for ammonia clearance was often utilized for patients with an ammonia level above 250 μmol/L and patients were frequently empirically treated with antibiotics targeting urea-splitting organisms. Our study demonstrates that acquired urea cycle dysfunction, IEMs and urease-producing infections are major sources of adult-onset NCH and highlights successful management strategies for adult-onset NCH.
Smart Fiber-Optic Inclinometer

Machine learning (ML) techniques combined with a high-resolution (∼17 nanoradian) fiber-optic inclinometer (FOI) are used to recognize and classify vibrations stimulated at different locations on the perimeter of the FOI.
Yield and Efficiency of FIT Tests Alone vs. In Combination with Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Background: Although colonoscopy (CY) may be considered the best screening test for colorectal cancer (CRC), annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which quantifies fecal hemoglobin is a viable alternative. Countries and healthcare systems using FIT-based screening may need to prioritize which FIT positive persons requires CY sooner (e.g. within the same fiscal year). We conducted a systematic review of published literature to understand how the yield/positive predictive value (PPV) of FIT could be improved. Study Design: We performed a search of electronic databases for articles published between 2015 and June 2020. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were independently screened. Included studies fulfilled predetermined criteria and had descriptive and quantitative data extracted. We identified studies comparing the yield of FIT for advanced colorectal neoplasia ([AN], CRC plus advanced adenomas) among FIT positive persons to the yield of AN when FIT is combined with risk factors (age, sex, BMI, etc.). Data were extracted to find yield and efficiency of FIT alone vs FIT plus risk factors among FIT positive persons. Results: From 623 titles reviewed, 4 studies met inclusion criteria. The objective of the studies was to increase the yield of AN or CRC in FIT positive patients. The number needed to scope (NNS) among FIT positives to detect AN significantly decreased for each study when looking at high risk groups as yield/PPV increased. The yield with FIT alone ranged from 24% to 46% and the NNS from 2.2 to 4.1. With risk factors, yield and NNS among those at high risk were 33.2 % to 75.6% and from 1.3 to 3.0, respectively. Conclusion and Potential Impact: This systematic review quantifies how risk factors improve the yield for AN in FIT positive persons, which is information required for countries and health care settings with limited resources that need to direct CY resources to FIT positive patients at high risk for AN.
Application of 2015 American Gastroenterological Association Guidelines On a Retrospective Cohort of Patients with Asymptomatic Pancreatic Cysts: Can We Truly Forego Endoscopic Ultrasound?

Objective: Asymptomatic pancreatic cysts are frequently diagnosed on cross-sectional imaging. Recently, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has put forth guidelines regarding management of these cysts. To date, there is no strong data to indicate whether these guidelines will accurately identify malignancy and mitigate unnecessary endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures. The aim of this investigation was to apply the 2015 AGA guidelines to a retrospective cohort of asymptomatic pancreatic cysts in a large regional referral center. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with asymptomatic pancreatic cysts who underwent EUS with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) over a 3-year period. We applied current AGA guidelines to determine how many EUS procedures would be avoided, and further assessed whether the guidelines adequately identified cases of malignancy. Results: Forty-five patients were identified who underwent EUS FNA for an asymptomatic pancreatic cyst from 2011 to 2014. The mean age was 65 years, and the mean size cyst size was 2.8 cm. According to the 2015 AGA guidelines, EUS was indicated in 13 of the 45 patients and surveillance imaging in the remaining 32 patients. 3 of these 32 patients had atypical cytology on EUS FNA, and final histology showed adenocarcinoma in 2 patients and IMPN with high-grade dysplasia in 1 patient. Conclusion: Applying AGA guidelines in this study cohort would have prevented 32 out of 45 (71%) EUS procedures; however, 3 of these 32 patients had early occult malignancy. This data suggest that additional strategies are needed to identify those patients at high risk.
A cortical injury model in a non-human primate to assess execution of reach and grasp actions: implications for recovery after traumatic brain injury.

Abstract Background Technological advances in developing experimentally controlled models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are prevalent in rodent models and these models have proven invaluable in characterizing temporal changes in brain and behavior after trauma. To date no long-term studies in non-human primates (NHPs) have been published using an experimentally controlled impact device to follow behavioral performance over time. New method We have employed a controlled cortical impact (CCI) device to create a focal contusion to the hand area in primary motor cortex (M1) of three New World monkeys to characterize changes in reach and grasp function assessed for 3 months after the injury. Results The CCI destroyed most of M1 hand representation reducing grey matter by 9.6 mm3, 12.9 mm3, and 15.5 mm3 and underlying corona radiata by 7.4 mm3, 6.9 mm3, and 5.6 mm3 respectively. Impaired motor function was confined to the hand contralateral to the injury. Gross hand-use was only mildly affected during the first few days of observation after injury while activity requiring skilled use of the hand was impaired over three months. Comparison with existing method(s) This study is unique in establishing a CCI model of TBI in an NHP resulting in persistent impairments in motor function evident in volitional use of the hand. Conclusions Establishing an NHP model of TBI is essential to extend current rodent models to the complex neural architecture of the primate brain. Moving forward this model can be used to investigate novel therapeutic interventions to improve or restore impaired motor function after trauma.
Temporal variation in TiO2 engineered particle concentrations in the Broad River during dry and wet weathers

Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO2) engineered particles are widely used in the urban environment as pigments in paints, and as active ingredients in photocatalytic coatings. Consequently, studies are necessary to quantify TiO2 engineered particle concentrations and their temporal variability in surface waters to gain better understanding about their abundance and environmental fate in order to minimize their potential environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to determine the temporal variability in the concentration of TiO2 engineered particles in the Broad River, Columbia, South Carolina, United States during dry and wet weather conditions and to examine the relationship between flow discharge, water quality indicators, and the concentration of TiO2 engineered particles. TiO2 engineered particle concentration in the Broad River water was determined by mass balance calculation using bulk titanium concentration and the increase in Ti/Nb ratio above the natural background ratio. The relative abundance of single metal and multi-metal Ti-bearing particles was determined by single particle-inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometer (SP-ICP-TOF-MS). Additionally, the elemental ratios of Ti/Nb, Ti/Al, and Ti/Fe within multi-metal Ti-bearing particles were determined at the single particle level. Discharge, bulk elemental concentrations (e.g., Ti, Al, Fe, and Nb), bulk elemental ratios (e.g., Ti/Al, Ti/Fe, and Ti/Nb), TiO2 engineered particle concentration, and turbidity displayed the same trend of rise and fall following storm events. Linear relationships were established between turbidity and TiO2 engineered particle concentrations in the Broad River for different flow regimes. However, no correlation was observed between TiO2 engineered particle concentrations and flow discharge, dissolved oxygen, pH, or ionic strength. The established correlations between turbidity and TiO2 engineered particle concentrations are important as they can be used to translate the continuously monitored turbidity to TiO2 concentrations.
WE‐B‐BRD‐03: MR QA/QC for MRgRT

The use of MRI in radiation therapy is rapidly increasing. Applications vary from the MRI simulator, to the MRI fused with CT, and to the integrated MRI+RT system. Compared with the standard MRI QA, a broader scope of QA features has to be defined in order to maximize the benefits of using MRI in radiation therapy. These QA features include geometric fidelity, image registration, motion management, cross-system alignment, and hardware interference. Advanced MRI techniques require a specific type of QA, as they are being widely used in radiation therapy planning, dose calculations, post-implant dosimetry, and prognoses. A vigorous and adaptive QA program is crucial to defining the responsibility of the entire radiation therapy group and detecting deviations from the performance of high-quality treatment. As a drastic departure from CT simulation, MRI simulation requires changes in the work flow of treatment planning and image guidance. MRI guided radiotherapy platforms are being developed and commercialized to take the advantage of the advance in knowledge, technology and clinical experience. This symposium will from an educational perspective discuss the scope and specific issues related to MRI guided radiotherapy. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the difference between a standard and a radiotherapy-specific MRI QA program. 2. Understand the effects of MRI artifacts (geometric distortion and motion) on radiotherapy. 3. Understand advanced MRI techniques (ultrashort echo, fast MRI including dynamic MRI and 4DMRI, diffusion, perfusion, and MRS) and related QA. 4. Understand the methods to prepare MRI for treatment planning (electron density assignment, multimodality image registration, segmentation and motion management). 5. Current status of MRI guided treatment platforms. Dr. Jihong Wang has a research grant with Elekta-MRL project. Dr. Ke Sheng receives research grants from Varian Medical systems.
Evolutionary Aspects of Circumstellar Matter in Binary Systems

Several groups of close binary stars are considered in an attempt to explain their present state as a consequence of a large-scale mass transfer or mass loss in the past: Algol-like semidetached binaries, some shell stars (AX Mon), some binary X-ray sources (Cen X-3, Her X-l), the recurrent nova T CrB, helium-rich binaries υ Sgr and KS Per, and the symbiotic variables.
The Class Action Fairness Act and the Federalization of Class Actions

The Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 was the most significant change in class action practice since the 1966 amendment of Rule 23 and will have considerable impact on how attorneys structure and conduct class actions. CAFA is primarily a jurisdictional act, accomplishing the transfer to federal courts of most multistate class actions. It represented years of lobbying by business interests and should limit forum-shopping in target state courts for multistate class actions. Whether it goes too far in depriving state courts of jurisdiction over large areas of class actions was much debated, and its impact on state-court class actions is still to be seen. Although the three carve-outs (which are examined in light of case law applications), which are intended to preserve state-court jurisdiction over cases with paramount state interest, are limited, they are likely to result in more single-state, as opposed to multistate, class actions. The manner in which federal courts deal with the choice-of-law issue will be determinative of whether many multistate class actions can survive in federal courts. The act also places limitations on settlements and attorney's fees, but are partly duplicative of requirements already in Rule 23 and are relatively inconsequential, except for the burdensome requirement to notify government officials as to all settlements.
The final version of MINIMARS--An engineering view

A 2-yr study to describe an attractive tandem mirror reactor has recently been completed. The reactor, called MINIMARS, has met all of its mission goals. For instance, it will produce 600 MW of net electrical power at a cost of < 50 mil/kWh. It has a mass utilization of better than 100 kW/tonne. In the event of a major accident, the MINIMARS reactor will minimize the risk of a major loss in investment and will be inherently safe. The first year of the study emphasized innovative concepts and trade studies that led to good cost versus performance. The second year of the study developed the proposed concepts into an integrated point design. This paper presents a description of the MINIMARS design and its related cost. The engineering integration of this machine has been a principal activity of the Fusion Engineering Design Center (FEDC) at Oak Ridge National Lab.