cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Engineering resource management for the information grid and the emerging role of e-commerce

Information systems are continually expanding as evidenced by the doubling of Internet connections every year. Similar growth is exhibited by information systems in defense. The Air Force's goals to achieve global awareness, dynamic planning/execution, and global information exchange involve the technologies to provide information to the warrior anywhere, anytime, and for any mission. This far-reaching enterprise will necessarily span multiple networks and computing domains of both the commercial and military varieties. As a result, many users with different goals and priorities vie for the communication and computing resources of the information grid. Managing this vast system to assure dependable operation that maintains users' quality of service levels has led researchers to propose economic models to solve the resource management problem. The envisioned market-based, large-scale information systems for defense is described. Due to their criticality, these systems must also manage resources to provide survivability in the presence of information attacks. This potential for technology transfer from the defense sector to the commercial sector are described. Conversely, the leveraging of research performed in the non-military realm of e-commerce to reach the Air Force's goals is also explored.
Dependence on Initial Conditions and Parameters

We have seen in Theorem 3.5 that solutions of the initial value problem depend continuously on initial conditions. We will now show that this dependence is as smooth as the vector field.
Lethal action of UV irradiation on insects.

The lethal action of UV (wave length 254 nm) on several species of insects in different life stages was investigated with a view toward explaining mechanism of action and predicting patterns of response. Results revealed that dipterous eggs and larvae, eggs of the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas), and worker termites are remarkably sensitive to this irradiation, whereas some other insects are unaffected. Sensitivity is determined by the transmittance of surface membranes and the presence of a sensitive substrate. Some cuticulae and chorions transmit UV; others do not. DNA may be the sensitive target in some systems but mayor may not be in others. UV irradiation could be effective as an insect control agent under specialized circumstances.
Mechanism of Interaction between Adenosine Phosphates and Lysenin Channels

Lysenin, a 297 amino acid pore forming toxin extracted from the earthworm E. foetida, inserts hexameric channels in natural and artificial membranes containing sphingomyelin. A distinct feature of lysenin channels is their asymmetric voltage induced gating which occurs at low positive transmembrane potentials. Although the structure of the channel is not yet solved, previous studies of the lysenin monomeric structure and interaction with membranes indicate the presence of local positive charges within the protein's structure. Consequently, we hypothesized that highly charged organic anions such as ATP, ADP, and AMP may interact with the channel and alter its functionality. Here we show that the macroscopic conductance of the channels was diminished by addition of various adenosine phosphates in a charge and concentration-dependent manner. Single channel explorations have shown a gradual reduction of the ionic currents indicating interaction with absence of gating. Buffer-exchange experiments demonstrated that the current inhibition is reversible, pointing out a potential electrostatic mechanism of interaction between channels and anions which implies binding. This hypothesis was further sustained by analyzing the inhibitory effects of ATP comprising ionic solutions with different ionic strengths. Hill analysis provided further insights into the inhibition process and indicated a positive cooperativity between binding events. In addition, the I-V plots recorded in the presence of increasing inhibitor concentration demonstrate a significant rightward shift of the voltage-induced gating profile. The reduced effects elicited by AMP as compared with ATP and ADP, the reversibility of the inhibition, and the strong dependency of the observed effects on the ionic strength point out an electrostatic mechanism of interaction which may yield partial occlusion of the channels and modulation of the voltage-induced gating. This work sets an example of purinergic signaling that implies modulating the functionality of an exogenous membrane transporter.
Terrain ruggedness and land cover: Improved data for most research designs

Existing arguments about the effect of terrain on intrastate and interstate violence are more varied than the data sources widely used to test such relationships. We introduce precise geo-reference...
An exploratory study of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for emotional eating

Emotional eating is an important predictor of weight loss and weight regain after weight loss. This two part study's primary aim was to explore changes in emotional eating in a general population of individuals taking the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, with a secondary aim to explore whether changes in mindfulness predicted changes in emotional eating. Self-reported survey data exploring these questions were collected before and after the intervention for two sequential studies (Study 1 and Study 2). While there were no control groups for either study, in both studies emotional eating scores following the MBSR were significantly lower than scores prior to taking the MBSR (p < 0.001; p < 0.001) In Study 2, changes in mindfulness were correlated with changes in emotional eating (r = 0.317, p = 0.004). These results suggest that MBSR may be an effective intervention for emotional eating, and that further research is warranted to examine effects on weight loss and maintenance.
Annual Cancer Risks from Chemicals in North Carolina Community Water Systems

ABSTRACTMotivated partly by concerns about cancer, the U.S. Congress in 1986 amended the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) by requiring that community water systems monitor 81 chemicals and remove those detected at concentrations above health-based standards. No prior research has used the resulting 30 years of monitoring data to analyze cancer risks from chemicals in US drinking water. To fill this gap, this paper uses chemical monitoring data from North Carolina's (NC's) 2,120 community water systems along with a risk assessment approach commonly applied in global burden of disease studies to quantify cancer risks of regulated chemicals in drinking water. The results indicate that 0.30% of NC cancer deaths are attributable to regulated drinking water contaminants and that the average annual individual risk is 7.2 × 10−6. More than 99% of this risk arises from disinfection by-products, with the remaining risk mostly attributable to arsenic and alpha particle radiation. In no water system does the combined r...
Drinking Motives as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Dating Violence Victimization and Alcohol Problems

The present study sought to examine whether drinking motives (i.e., coping, social, conformity, and enhancement) moderated the relationship between physical, sexual, and psychological dating violen...
Interpretation of the 1930 Census of Livestock on Farms

Changing the date of the 1930 farm census to April 1 very largely destroyed the value of the figures of most species of livestock on farms for indicating trend in numbers from 1920 or 1925, if comparison is made with the census figures of those years, when the date of enumeration was January 1. Since a very important use of figures of livestock numbers is for comparing changes in numbers over periods of time, and since an enumeration made in April is not comparable with enumerations made in January, the 1930 census livestock figures, as published, are of rather limited value as sources of information on the live-
An Unusual Manifestation of Wegener's Granulomatosis Presenting with Multiple Cranial Neuropathies (P06.226)

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of Wegener9s Granulomatosis (WG) presenting with a pseudo-neurological syndrome. BACKGROUND: Systemic granulomatoses may present with neurological manifestations secondary to vasculitis involving intracranial vessels or vasa nervorum along the peripheral nerves. However, they may also present as a pseudo-neurological syndrome mimicking cranial neuropathy secondary to intrinsic compression from skull bone inflammation. DESIGN/METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 64-year-old-female with a history of hypothyroidism presented with sudden onset right-sided facial weakness, ataxia and dysarthria. She had a progressively worsening bilateral hearing loss for past three months and had undergone tympanostomy for suspected otitis-media. Her MRI-brain with contrast showed extensive opacification of bilateral mastoid air cells and middle-ear cavities, consistent with otomastoiditis, but no abnormal enhancement intracranially and no evidence of stroke. Her CSF was benign. A cerebral angiogram did not reveal pattern of vasculitis. She also developed night sweats and dry cough during her hospital stay. A CT-chest showed symmetric bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and a working diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made. Endobronchial biopsy showed lymphoplasmacytic and neutrophilic infiltrates, with microabscesses and granulomatous inflammation with focal necrosis. This biopsy was consistent with WG. Her serological studies showed C-ANCA positivity as opposed to classic P-ANCA associated with WG. It was determined that the most likely cause of her facial paralysis and dysarthria was a result of extrinsic compression of facial nerve from mastoiditis-related edema during its course through the middle-ear cavity. Her ataxia was attributed to vestibular inflammation. She was started on cyclophosphamide and oral prednisone and had an interval improvement in her ataxia, facial weakness and pulmonary symptoms on three months follow-up. However, her hearing loss persisted and she eventually required cochlear implants bilaterally. CONCLUSIONS: Wegener9s Granulomatosis can present with cranial neuropathies such as facial paralysis secondary to intrinsic compression from inflammation in the middle ear cavity. Disclosure: Dr. Itrat has nothing to disclose. Dr. Polston has nothing to disclose.
The Effect of Race in Patients with Achalasia Diagnosed With High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry.

Abstract Background The advent of the Chicago Classification for esophageal motility disorders allowed for clinically reproducible subgrouping of patients with achalasia based on manometric phenotype. However, there are limited data with regards to racial variation using high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM). The aim of our study was to evaluate the racial differences in patients with achalasia diagnosed with HREM using the Chicago Classification. We evaluated the clinical presentation, treatment decisions and outcomes between blacks and non-blacks with achalasia to identify potential racial disparities. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients referred for HREM at a single tertiary referral center from June 2008 through October 2012. All patients diagnosed with achalasia on HREM according to the Chicago Classification were included. Demographic, clinical and manometric data were abstracted. All studies interpreted before the Chicago Classification was in widespread use were reanalyzed. Race was defined as black or non-black. Patients who had missing data were excluded. Proportions were compared using chi-squared analysis and means were compared using the Student’s t-test. Results A total of 1,268 patients underwent HREM during the study period, and 105 (8.3%) were manometrically diagnosed with achalasia (53% female, mean age: 53.8 ± 17.0 years) and also met the aforementioned inclusion and exclusion criteria. A higher percentage of women presented with achalasia in blacks as compared to whites or other races (P Conclusions Our study highlights possible racial differences between blacks and non-blacks, including a higher proportion of black women diagnosed with achalasia and most blacks presenting with dysphagia. There is possibly a meaningful interaction of race and sex in the development of achalasia that might represent genetic differences in its pathophysiology. Further prospective studies are required to identify such differences.
Microbial and Chemical Shelf‐Life of Vacuum Steam‐Pasteurized Whole Flaxseed and Milled Flaxseed

Flaxseed is an oilseed with many health benefits. Flaxseed may be consumed raw or in processed form. In the raw form, there is a potential for microbial contamination. Several pasteurization methods have been used to reduce microbial contamination. However, such treatments may affect chemical properties of foods. In this study, vacuum steam‐pasteurization was conducted on whole flaxseed and milled flaxseed using 4 different conditions (3 min at 75 °C, 3 min at 90 °C, 9 min at 90 °C, and 3 min at 105 °C). Microbial and chemical shelf‐life was monitored for 28 wk (36 wk for aerobic plate counts). Significant reduction (P < 0.05) in microbial counts (total aerobic plate counts, and yeast and mold counts) occurred after pasteurization and during storage of both whole flaxseed and milled flaxseed. Although both the moisture content and aw increased after pasteurization, they were similar to the unpasteurized samples during storage. Peroxide value, free fatty acid, headspace volatiles, fatty acid profiles, oil content, and secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) content were chemical indices measured. Only small changes were observed in the chemical indices after vacuum steam‐pasteurization for both pasteurized whole flaxseed and milled flaxseed as compared to the unpasteurized flaxseed at most instances. Vacuum steam‐pasteurization can be used as a safe alternative for the microbial reduction of low‐moisture products, such as flaxseed, without significantly affecting chemical stability. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Vacuum steam‐pasteurization can be effectively used for the treatment of whole flaxseed and milled flaxseed to reduce spoilage microorganisms, such as total aerobes and yeasts and molds. In addition, this pasteurization method had minimal effects on several chemical shelf‐life parameters with positive impact on SDG of the processed flaxseed.
Forum Selection Clauses and Consumer Contracts in Canada

Every day, billions of people use the online social media platform, Facebook. Facebook requires, as a condition of use, that users “accept” its terms and conditions — which include a forum selection clause nominating California as the exclusive forum for dispute resolution. In Douez v. Facebook, the Supreme Court of Canada considered whether this forum selection clause was enforceable, or whether the plaintiff could proceed with her suit in British Columbia. The Supreme Court of Canada ultimately decided that the forum selection clause was not enforceable. It held that the plaintiff had established “strong cause” for departing from the forum selection clause. The Court premised its decision on two primary considerations: the contract involved a consumer and was one of adhesion, and the claim involved the vindication of privacy rights. The Court’s analysis suffers from several major weaknesses that will undoubtedly cause confusion in this area of law. This Article will examine those weaknesses, and argue that the Supreme Court of Canada actually abandoned the strong cause test that it claimed to be applying. The consequence of the Douez decision is that many forum selection clauses — at least in the consumer context — will be rendered unenforceable. While this may be a salutary development from the perspective of consumer protection, it will undoubtedly have an effect on companies choosing to do business in Canada.
β-Galactosidase from Osmotic Remedial Lactose Utilization Mutants of E. Coli

Retrieval of genetic information for synthesis of an enzyme is usually thought of in terms of transfer of sequence information — transcription of the base sequence of the gene into mRNA and translation of mRNA into the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide chain. The final expression of the gene, folding of the polypeptide to form the biologically active globular protein, is considered to result automatically from the sequence of amino acids. An information specialist will point out that the amino acid sequence does not possess enough information to specify the precisely folded shape of the active enzyme. The additional information comes from the specification of the environment in which the polypeptide folds. Anfinsen (1973) describes the thermodymanic hypothesis for protein folding in this way: “This hypothesis states that the three-dimensional structure of a native protein in its normal physiological milieu (solvent, pH, ionic strength, presence of other components such as metal ions or prosthetic groups, temperature, and other) is the one in which the Gibbs free energy of the whole system is the lowest; that is, that the native conformation is determined by the totality of interatomic interactions and hence by the amino acid sequence in a given environment. In terms of natural selection through the ‘design’ of macromolecule during evolution, this idea emphasizes the fact that a protein molecule only makes stable structural sense when it exist under conditions similar to those for which it was selected — the so-called physiological state.”
Ethical Issues in Biomaterials and Medical Devices

This chapter focuses on the ethical principles that have been established and applied to the field of biomedical research and development. At the conclusion of this chapter, we describe a pathway for the development of a new prosthetic heart valve which will be used to illustrate the application of biomedical ethics as it applies today.
Male-Mediated Developmental Toxicity: Paternal Exposures and Childhood Cancer

Investigation of the epidemiology of cancers of childhood provides some unique challenges, and offers the prospect of deeper understanding of the process of carcinogenesis as it applies to both adults and children. It can also be a frustrating and unrewarding pursuit. The question of the effect of paternal exposure on risk of cancer in an offspring illustrates both the fascination of this field, and its limitations.
LAW, MENTAL HEALTH, AND IMPULSIVE PATIENTS

In recent years a number of factors have coalesced to intensify the interaction of law and mental health, and much of this activity has revealed the complexity of several important issues facing both the legal and the psychiatric professions. Salient reasons promoting this interaction emerge from some current social trends and their concomitant facts: increasing numbers of persons have used and will continue to come into contact with the institutional contexts in which the two disciplines interact; law schools are attracting more persons interested in mental health and prison systems reform; and government support of reform in these areas will necessarily heighten interdisciplinary activity.
In situ deca-rbonylation of N,N-di-methyl-formamide to form di-methyl-ammonium cations in the hybrid framework compound {[(CH3)2NH2]2[Zn{O3PC6H2(OH)2PO3}]} n.

The title phospho­nate-based organic–inorganic hybrid framework, poly[bis(dimethylammonium) [(μ4-2,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,4-diphosphonato)zinc(II)]], {(C2H8N)2[Zn(C6H4O8P2)]}n, was formed unexpectedly when di­methyl­ammonium cations were formed from the in situ deca­rbonylation of the N,N-di­methyl­formamide solvent. The framework is built up from ZnO4 tetra­hedra and bridging di­phospho­nate tetra-anions to generate a three-dimensional network comprising [100] channels occupied by the (CH3)2NH2+ cations. Within the channels, an array of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds help to establish the structure. In addition, intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the appended –OH groups of the phenyl ring and adjacent PO32− groups are observed.
A critical appraisal of the tafazzin knockdown mouse model of Barth syndrome: what have we learned about pathogenesis and potential treatments?

Pediatric heart failure remains poorly understood, distinct in many aspects from adult heart failure. Limited data point to roles of altered mitochondrial functioning and, in particular, changes in...
Evaluation and management of patients in the acute phase of myocardial infarction - the role of nuclear medicine in the coronary care unit

This is the third article in a four-part continuing education series relating to patient care and management. After completing the article, the reader should be able to: 1) understand the application, potential, and problems of nuclear cardiology in the coronary care unit; 2) recognize the utilization of nuclear cardiology in acute coronary care management; and 3) appreciate the important role of nuclear cardiology in cardiac patient care.
Utilizing Demonstrations in Teaching, with an Example Demonstration of Propagation via Cuttings

In a learning environment, it is important to provide instruction to each type of learner. This 4-page document discusses utilizing demonstrations for different types of learners and includes a sample demonstration of plant propagation. Written by Isabella Damiani, Andrew Thoron, and J. C. Bunch and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, May 2018. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc306
INFLUENCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA

Business Process Reengineering (BPR) is the fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to achieve dramatic improvement in critical contemporary measures of performance such as cost, service, quality and speed. The objective for the study was to examine the influence of human resource management system on service delivery in County Governments in Kenya. Human resource management system is one of the key aspects of Business Process Re-engineering (BPR). There have been challenges in meeting service delivery in County Governments ranging from conflicts about roles and functions, misuse of resources, workers strike, county assemblies disagreements, impeachments debates, poor accountability of 15% of developed funds, low infrastructural development, even after national government transferred power and required funds to the county governments. The study was anchored on the stakeholder theory which is a theory of organizational management and business ethics that addresses morals and values in managing an organization. The study adopted mix method referred to as concurred-explanatory design. A sample of 431 respondents was selected by first clustering them into respective counties, stratified into departments from which purposive sampling was done to select respondents with the required information for the study. Data was collected using questionnaires that were structured according to the 5 Likert scale. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with results displayed using figures and tables. Inferential statistics namely correlation and Chi-Square were used to test the validity of the study hypothesis at 5 % levels of significance. The test Karl Pearson Correlation test yielded correlation coefficient r (398) = 0.398, p-value = 0.000. The Pearson Chi-Square of χ 2 (16, N=398) = 80.032, p=0.000< 0.05. It was evident that there is a positive influence of HRM system on service delivery that is significant at 5% levels of significant. The county governments should embrace business re-engineering in their HRM by ensuring that they select and place employees using relevant recruiting methods. Training and Development in the county governments should be tailored based on need analysis. Key Words: Business Process Re-engineering, Human Resource Management System, Service Delivery. CITATION: Kimilu, J. M., Mwenja, D., Kiambati, K., & Mbugua, L. (2020). Influence of human resource management system on service delivery in County governments in Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management , 7(1), 834 – 842.
China, Mexico & the USA: Entrepreneurial Ethics

An introduction into who Geert Hofstede is and the result of the study of cultures he’s cultivated leads us to his 6 dimensional cultural theory as well as an organizational dimension theory. This focus of this paper is to use the 6 dimensional model to compare both Mexico and the United States within the service sector. The 6 dimensions include power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity versus femininity, long term orientation versus short term orientation and indulgence versus restraint. Although the organizational model he’s developed serves to describe cultural behaviors within a business environment, this paper aims to identify the characteristics on a national level and how they translate down to the micro/employee level in the service industry. The maid, the construction worker, the behaviors even at the macroeconomic levels all reveal the characteristics Hofstede identifies within his research. Other examples include public service positions within the government of both countries including the armed forces and the president of Mexico and of the United States (Carraher, 2015). Another implicit example includes the indulgent behaviors common in both countries. All the examples provide proof supporting Hofstede’s 6D cultural theory. On the flipside, both countries consist of regions or areas within each country that are different and thus have their own nuances of culture that have not been identified. Industries or businesses seeking to expand in different areas of each country should be aware that the either country as a whole do not share entirely the exact same social norms or culture and further research would be necessary to investigate areas of interest in business expansion or growth. We also examine the USA and China in terms of ethics.
Pseudo Bayesian Mixed Models under Informative Sampling

When random effects are correlated with sample design variables, the usual approach of employing individual survey weights (constructed to be inversely proportional to the unit survey inclusion probabilities) to form a pseudo-likelihood no longer produces asymptotically unbiased inference. We construct a weight-exponentiated formulation for the random effects distribution that achieves unbiased inference for generating hyperparameters of the random effects. We contrast our approach with frequentist methods that rely on numerical integration to reveal that only the Bayesian method achieves both unbiased estimation with respect to the sampling design distribution and consistency with respect to the population generating distribution. Our simulations and real data example for a survey of business establishments demonstrate the utility of our approach across different modeling formulations and sampling designs. This work serves as a capstone for recent developmental efforts that combine traditional survey estimation approaches with the Bayesian modeling paradigm and provides a bridge across the two rich but disparate sub-fields.
GBAT: a gene-based association test for robust detection of trans- gene regulation

The observation that disease-associated genetic variants typically reside outside of exons has inspired widespread investigation into the genetic basis of transcriptional regulation. While associations between the mRNA abundance of a gene and its proximal SNPs (cis-eQTLs) are now readily identified, identification of high-quality distal associations (trans-eQTLs) has been limited by a heavy multiple testing burden and the proneness to false-positive signals. To address these issues, we develop GBAT, a powerful gene-based pipeline that allows robust detection of high-quality trans-gene regulation signal.
Single Versus Bilateral Lung Transplantation

Medical and surgical management in lung transplantation has evolved over the past 30 years with significant improvements in short- and long-term survival. For non-suppurative interstitial and obstructive lung diseases, there is the option of either single or bilateral lung transplantation. However, for certain lung conditions, bilateral lung transplantation is the only option. The relative benefits and detractions of both approaches and the balance of outcomes, organ availability, and surgical stress on the recipient are discussed.
Assessing the clinical value of the Kruger strict morphology criteria over the World Health Organization fourth edition criteria

Objective To assess if the newer Kruger strict morphology (WHO5; normal ≥4%) adds any clinical value beyond the criteria of the World Health Organization fourth edition (WHO4; normal ≥14%). Design Retrospective study. Setting Tertiary hospital. Patient(s) Men without known azoospermia who had semen analysis (SA) collected over a 10-year period of time. Intervention(s) Morphology classification under Kruger WHO5 strict criteria and WHO4 criteria. Main Outcome Measure(s) Correlation between the WHO5 and WHO4 morphological classifications. Result(s) A total of 4,510 SAs were identified during the study period. Of these, both Kruger WHO5 and WHO4 morphologies were included in 932 SAs (20.7%) from a total of 691 men. The median age of the men was 37 years (interquartile range, 32.0–43.8 years). The mean (±SD) semen volume, sperm concentration, and motility were 2.6 ± 1.4 mL, 50.0 ± 35.6 × 106/mL, and 53.1% ± 18.6%, respectively. The correlation between the WHO4 and WHO5 morphology assessments was high (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.94). Only 545 (58.5%) of 932 SAs had abnormal Kruger WHO5 morphology, of which 543 (99.6%) of 545 also had abnormal morphology by the WHO4 criteria. Conclusion(s) The Kruger WHO5 and WHO4 morphologic criteria correlate closely. Only two men (0.4%) with an abnormal Kruger morphology had normal WHO4 morphology. Given the limited predictive value of sperm morphology, the additional cost and effort of Kruger criteria may not be warranted in lieu of, or in addition to, the WHO4 classification.
Wasserstein-based Projections with Applications to Inverse Problems

Inverse problems consist of recovering a signal from a collection of noisy measurements. These are typically cast as optimization problems, with classic approaches using a data fidelity term and an analytic regularizer that stabilizes recovery. Recent Plug-and-Play (PnP) works propose replacing the operator for analytic regularization in optimization methods by a data-driven denoiser. These schemes obtain state of the art results, but at the cost of limited theoretical guarantees. To bridge this gap, we present a new algorithm that takes samples from the manifold of true data as input and outputs an approximation of the projection operator onto this manifold. Under standard assumptions, we prove this algorithm generates a learned operator, called Wasserstein-based projection (WP), that approximates the true projection with high probability. Thus, WPs can be inserted into optimization methods in the same manner as PnP, but now with theoretical guarantees. Provided numerical examples show WPs obtain state of the art results for unsupervised PnP signal recovery.
Prognostic role of FDG uptake in primary non-small cell lung cancer at PET

465 Objectives: This prospective study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) FDG uptake in a carefully staged population while correcting for partial volume effects. In particular, to determine if FDG uptake is prognostic for surgically resected patients. Methods: 208 patients with potentially resectable NSCLC were referred for FDG PET staging after thoracic CT. Stage IV cases at PET were confirmed by separate imaging. All other cases underwent surgical staging of disease. Stage I, II, and T3N1M0 underwent resection only. Stage IIIA-N2 received induction therapy and resection. Stage IIIB received definitive chemoradiation. Primary tumor uptake as maximum pixel SUV (maxSUV) and PVCmaxSUV (partial volume corrected for lesion size) were compared to overall survival and disease free survival with Cox’s proportional hazards model including age, stage, tumor size, maxSUV, and PVCmaxSUV as variables. Integer SUV values between 3 and 15 were tested as univariate cut-offs for prognosis and 7 was found to be optimum. Results: Stage distribution (n=208): I: 36%, II: 15%, III: 30%, IV: 19%. Patients were followed for a median of 33.6 months, with 90 deaths from NSCLC (all stages; overall median survival: 43.3 months). Univariately, increasing surgical stage and increasing tumor size were strongly associated with increased risk of death from NSCLC. MaxSUV≥7 was significantly associated (HR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.15-3.50) while PVCmaxSUV≥7 was only marginally associated (HR=1.85, 95% CI: 0.98-3.48) with an increase risk of death from NSCLC. However, in multivariable analyses, neither maxSUV≥7 nor PVCmaxSUV≥7 were significantly associated with risk of death from NSCLC after adjustment for age, stage, histology, and tumor size, and neither maxSUV nor PVCmaxSUV provided additional prognostic information (HR=1.25, 95% CI: 0.64-2.44 and HR=1.45, 95% CI: 0.71-2.98, respectively). 103 patients underwent surgical resection only. In univariate analyses, only surgical stage was significantly associated with an increase risk of death from NSCLC after surgery, while neither maxSUV≥7 nor PVCmaxSUV≥7 were significantly associated (HR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.47-3.16 and HR=1.19, 95% CI: 0.40-3.57, respectively). After adjusting for age, stage, histology, and tumor size, in multivariable analyses, neither maxSUV≥7 nor PVCmaxSUV≥7 were significantly associated with risk of death or recurrence after surgery. Conclusions: As expected, tumor stage is prognostic in NSCLC. However, tumor FDG uptake does not provide additional prognostic information. This prospective study contradicts prior reports. Research Support (if any): NIH Grants CA80907 & CA115559
Synaptic plasticity is predicted by spatiotemporal firing rate patterns and robust to in vivo-like variability

Synaptic plasticity, the experience-induced change in connections between neurons, underlies learning and memory in the brain. Most of our understanding of synaptic plasticity derives from in vitro experiments with precisely repeated stimulus patterns; however, neurons exhibit significant variability in vivo during repeated experiences. Further, the spatial pattern of synaptic inputs to the dendritic tree influences synaptic plasticity, yet is not considered in most synaptic plasticity rules. Here, we address the sensitivity of plasticity to trial-to-trial variability and delineate how spatiotemporal synaptic input patterns produce plasticity with in vivo-like conditions using a data-driven computational model with a calcium-based plasticity rule. Using in vivo spike train recordings as inputs, we show that plasticity is strongly robust to trial-to-trial variability of spike timing, and derive general synaptic plasticity rules describing how spatiotemporal patterns of synaptic inputs control the magnitude and direction of plasticity. Specifically, a high temporal input firing rate to a synapse late in a trial correlated with neighboring synaptic activity produces potentiation, while an earlier, moderate firing rate that is negatively correlated with neighboring synaptic activity produces depression. Together, our results reveal that calcium dynamics can unify diverse plasticity rules and reveal how spatiotemporal firing rate patterns control synaptic plasticity.
Los laboratorios de microbiología del mundo pueden convertirse en una red de detección microbiana

The microbes that infect us spread in global and local epidemics, and the resistance genes that block their treatment spread within and between them. All we can know about where they are to track and contain them comes from the only places that can see them, the world’s microbiology laboratories, but most report each patient’s microbe only to that patient’s caregiver. Sensors, ranging from instruments to birdwatchers, are now being linked in electronic networks to monitor and interpret algorithmically in real-time ocean currents, atmospheric carbon, supply-chain inventory, bird migration, etc. To so link the world’s microbiology laboratories as exquisite sensors in a truly lifesaving real-time network their data must be accessed and fully subtyped. Microbiology laboratories put individual reports into inaccessible paper or mutually incompatible electronic reporting systems, but those from more than 2,200 laboratories in more than 108 countries worldwide are now accessed and translated into compatible WHONET files. These increasingly web-based files could initiate a global microbial sensor network. Unused microbiology laboratory byproduct data, now from drug susceptibility and biochemical testing but increasingly from new technologies (genotyping, MALDI-TOF, etc.), can be reused to subtype microbes of each genus/species into sub-groupings that are discriminated and traced with greater sensitivity. Ongoing statistical delineation of subtypes from global sensor network data will improve detection of movement into any patient of a microbe or resistance gene from another patient, medical center or country. Growing data on clinical manifestations and global distributions of subtypes can automate comments for patient’s reports, select microbes to genotype and alert responders.
What Happens When Robots Punish? Evaluating Human Task Performance During Robot-Initiated Punishment

This article examines how people respond to robot-administered verbal and physical punishments. Human participants were tasked with sorting colored chips under time pressure and were punished by a robot when they made mistakes, such as inaccurate sorting or sorting too slowly. Participants were either punished verbally by being told to stop sorting for a fixed time, or physically, by restraining their ability to sort with an in-house crafted robotic exoskeleton. Either a human experimenter or the robot exoskeleton administered punishments, with participant task performance and subjective perceptions of their interaction with the robot recorded. The results indicate that participants made more mistakes on the task when under the threat of robot-administered punishment. Participants also tended to comply with robot-administered punishments at a lesser rate than human-administered punishments, which suggests that humans may not afford a robot the social authority to administer punishments. This study also contributes to our understanding of compliance with a robot and whether people accept a robot’s authority to punish. The results may influence the design of robots placed in authoritative roles and promote discussion of the ethical ramifications of robot-administered punishment.
Punctuated Anytime Learning for Autonomous Agent Control

In this chapter we will discuss Punctuated Anytime Learning (PAL), which uses Evolutionary Computation running offline to learn online control programs for autonomous agents. Two methods of PAL will be discussed and considering their strengths and weaknesses they will be employed to learn control programs for autonomous agents operating in two distinct environments. One is a hexapod robot that needs an appropriate gait for its circumstances and the other is a virtual agent operating in Xpilot, the 2D space combat game.
Activation of Tolloid-like 1 gene expression by the cardiac specific homeobox gene Nkx2-5

Mammalian Tolloid-like 1 (Tll-1) is a pleiotropic metalloprotease that is expressed by a small subset of cells within the precardiac mesoderm and is necessary for proper heart development. Following heart tube formation Tll-1 is expressed by the endocardium and regions of myocardium overlying the region of the muscular interventricular septum. Mutations in Tll-1 lead to embryonic lethality due to cardiac defects. We demonstrate that the Tll-1promoter contains Nkx2-5 binding sites and that the Tll-1 promoter is activated by and directly binds Nkx2-5.Tll-1 expression is ablated by a dominant negative Nkx2-5 or by mutation of the Nkx2-5 binding sites within theTll-1 promoter. In vivo, Tll-1 expression is decreased in the hearts of Nkx2-5 knockout embryos when compared with hemizygous and wild-type embryos. These results show that Nkx2-5 is a direct activator of Tll-1 expression and provide insight into the mechanism of the defects found in both the Tll-1 and Nkx2-5 knockout mice.
Expression and distribution of adhesion molecule CD44 in healing corneal epithelia.

Purpose To study isoform expression and cellular distribution of CD44, a cell surface glycoprotein thought to be an adhesion molecule in cell-cell and cell-substratum interactions, during corneal epithelial wound healing. Methods Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine alternatively spliced rat CD44 isoforms. In situ hybridization was carried out on frozen sections of the rat corneas obtained at different time points after epithelial debridement. 35S-Labeled sense and antisense cRNA that recognizes rat CD44 standard form was used as a probe. Immunofluorescence was used to assess expression and localization of CD44 in the rat corneas during reepithelialization. Results Corneal epithelia contained several alternatively spliced CD44 variants. Four large CD44 variants with inserts V1 through V10, V2 through V10, V3 through V10, and V4 through V10 were differentially expressed in migratory epithelia. The silver grains, indicating CD44 transcripts, started to increase in the epithelial cells surrounding the wound margin 3 hours after wounding and peaked at 18 hours in the basal epithelial cell layers, at which time the epithelia were actively migrating. As the cells began proliferation after wounding, the density of CD44 mRNA label declined but was still significantly higher than that in control specimens. The label returned to basal level as epithelial cells reverted to their normal phenotype. The location of CD44 on cell surfaces during corneal reepithelialization was consistent with the pattern of mRNA production. In the corneas at 18 hours after wounding, CD44 immunoreactivity was elevated in the entire epithelium, from the leading edge to the limbal-corneal border. As happened for the mRNA, the cell surface CD44 declined as cells differentiated to reestablish the multilayered epithelium. Conclusions The expression of CD44 correlates with corneal reepithelialization, suggesting that CD44 may be involved in cell-cell interactions that provide adhesive strength for the much-stressed epithelial sheet and in the cell-substratum interactions that mediate cell migration during reepithelialization.
Abstract W P200: Human Albumin Improves Leptomeningeal Collateral Flow Following Experimental Stroke in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is major risk factor of ischemic stroke and is associated with poor outcome after stroke. Previously we found that T2DM mice exhibited impaired leptomeningeal collateral flow recruitment after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Human albumin has emerged as a potent neuroprotective agent in experimental stroke due to its multiple salutary actions. However, the effect of albumin on collateral flow in T2DM subjects is yet to be determined. Methods: Distal MCAO was induced in male db/db and db/+ mice (19-22 weeks of age). To evaluate the effect of albumin on collateral flow recruitment, mice were treated with 25% albumin or saline 2h after stroke. Doppler optical coherence tomography was used to quantify the MCA flow direction, flow velocity and vessel diameter before and after treatment. The chosen regions of interest of MCA network were classified according to branching order as segment 1 (seg1), seg2 and seg3, with seg1 most proximal to ACA while m...
We voted for this

Abstract This paper examines two institutional factors that influenced school spending in Missouri during the 1970s. First, the retirement of a bond issue is usually accompanied by an increase in the operating tax rate (which requires voter approval). The retirement of a bond issue does not reduce, but apparently obscures, the cost of a tax increase. In addition, a change in assessment practices in 1975 allowed some districts to increase their effective operating rates without voter approval. Each of these factors led to substantial tax increases in the affected districts.
Skin complications other than pressure ulcers following spinal cord injury.

Abstract This study identifies skin and nail complications other than pressure ulcers after spinal cord injury and correlate these complications to the level of injury. A prospective study was performed at the time of 679 annual spinal cord injury clinic visits from 1988 to 1991 at which time the skin and nails were examined for changes or other lesions. Clinical skin thickening and nail hypertrophy were the most frequent findings. Skin thickening occurred in 57.9% of cervical injuries, 31.6% of higher thoracic injuries, 23.6% of lower thoracic injuries, and 16.0% of thoracolumbar injuries, p p
Shadow Government: Private Regulation, Free Speech, and Lessons from the Sinclair Blogstorm

This paper analyzes the apparently emerging phenomenon of private regulation through ad hoc online coalitions. It evaluates the online cost structures that permit and shape the collective action underlying this phenomenon. It also evaluates the motivations and capacity necessary in particular circumstances to inspire such regulation. The paper concludes that a necessary motivation is the perception of both a market and a government failure, and the necessary capacity is essentially a function of willing participants. As this paper's primary case study targeted speech, many of the paper's conclusions are particularly relevant for future instances of private speech regulation. As a result, the paper addresses some normative implications of campaigns aimed at private speech. The primary case study centers on the online coalition that coalesced and dissolved around the acts of Sinclair Broadcasting Group less than a month before the 2004 presidential election. The onling campaign attempted to punish a private party; other campaigns in the following weeks attempted to aid other private parties. All such campaigns will become more common. This paper attempts a first analysis of their mechanisms, possible effects, and implications.
Tests for Endogeneity and Instrument Suitability

This paper deals with two alternatives to the so-called Hausman test for the exogeneity of instruments, in the context of a model where one or more explanatory variables are possibly correlated with the structural error. These two alternatives are at least as good or better than the Hausman test and are much simpler to carry out. A small Monte Carlo study illustrates this result. (JEL C10, C30, C43)
Hemorrhagic myocardial infarction due to cardiac vein thrombosis: Report of two cases

Abstract Two patients are reported with a hemorrhagic myocardial infarction due to cardiac vein thrombosis. Venous myocardial infarctions differ grossly and histologically from arterial ones by the more extensive hemorrhage and the less prominent necrosis and polymorphonuclear leukocytic infiltration.
NSF evaluation processes in the astronomical sciences

The Division of Astronomical Sciences at the U.S. National Science Foundation1 (NSF) supports individual investigators and small research groups, large research projects coordinated across many institutions, and major observatory facilities. Proposals for all of these activities are evaluated by merit review processes that ensure that the limited resources available fund highly meritorious science of benefit to the astronomical community. The principles and practices of merit review as realized at NSF provide a flexible and responsive system that identifies and supports priorities for research and development within the community.