cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Cost-Effectiveness of Expanded Testing for Primary HIV Infection

PURPOSE Primary infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major factor in the HIV epidemic. Most patients become symptomatic and seek care, but seldom are they tested or is their condition diagnosed. The objectives of this study are to determine whether it is cost-effective to expand testing for primary HIV infection to a larger cohort of patients, and, if so, which diagnostic assay is most cost-effective. METHODS We undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis of testing a hypothetical cohort of more than 3 million outpatients with fever and other viral symptoms regardless of HIV risk factors using 3 diagnostic assays: p24 antigen enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA), HIV-1 RNA assay, and third-generation HIV-1 EIA. Antiretroviral therapy was started when the CD4 cell count decreased to 350/μL. Outcome measures were the incremental cost-effectiveness of the diagnostic assays, number of cases identified, cases avoided in sexual partners, and threshold prevalence. For sensitivity analyses, we used $50,000 as the threshold for cost-effectiveness. RESULTS At the baseline prevalence of 0.66%, p24 antigen EIA testing was the most cost-effective option at a cost of $30,800 per quality-adjusted life-year gained when compared with no testing. There were 17,054 cases identified, and infection was avoided in 435 partners. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis, in which the estimates for all variables are varied simultaneously, determined that expanded testing with p24 antigen EIA compared with no testing had a 67% probability of being cost-effective at the baseline prevalence and a 71% probability at a prevalence of 1%. CONCLUSIONS Expanded testing for primary HIV infection with p24 antigen EIA may be a sound expenditure of health care resources.
Microwave Sintering of Lunar Soil: Properties, Theory, and Practice

The unique properties of lunar regolith make for the extreme coupling of the soil to microwave radiation. Space weathering of lunar regolith has produced myriads of nanophase-sized Fe 0 grains set within silicate glass, especially on the surfaces of grains, but also within the abundant agglutinitic glass of the soil. It is possible to melt lunar soil ~i.e., 1,200- 1,500° C! in minutes in a normal kitchen-type 2.45 GHz microwave, almost as fast as your tea-water is heated. No lunar simulants exist to study these microwave effects; in fact, previous studies of the effects of microwave radiation on lunar simulants, MLS-1 and JSC-1, have been misleading. Using real Apollo 17 soil has demonstrated the uniqueness of the interaction of microwave radiation with the soil. The applications that can be made of the microwave treatment of lunar soil for in situ resource utilization on the Moon are unlimited.
A digital control for switched reluctance generators

This paper presents a novel digital control technique for switched reluctance generators (SRGs). Voltage feedback control is used in the proposed approach. This control strategy can be implemented easily with both PWM and hysteresis switching schemes. The SRG is modeled in order to find the proper control parameters. The digital control technology is then applied to the simulation model as well as an experimental system. The results are presented to confirm the system performance.
Residues in a Conserved α-Helical Segment Are Required for Cleavage but Not Secretion of an Escherichia coli Serine Protease Autotransporter Passenger Domain

Autotransporters are a superfamily of virulence factors produced by Gram-negative bacteria that are comprised of an N-terminal extracellular domain (passenger domain) and a C-terminal β barrel domain (β domain) that resides in the outer membrane (OM). The β domain promotes the translocation of the passenger domain across the OM by an unknown mechanism. Available evidence indicates that an α-helical segment that spans the passenger domain-β domain junction is embedded inside the β domain at an early stage of assembly. Following its secretion, the passenger domain of the serine protease autotransporters of the Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) and the pertactin family of Bordetella pertussis autotransporters is released from the β domain through an intrabarrel autoproteolytic cleavage of the α-helical segment. Although the mutation of conserved residues that surround the cleavage site has been reported to impair both the translocation and cleavage of the passenger domain of a SPATE called Tsh, we show here that the mutation of the same residues in another SPATE (EspP) affects only passenger domain cleavage. Our results strongly suggest that the conserved residues are required to position the α-helical segment for the cleavage reaction and are not required to promote passenger domain secretion.
Adolescent Reports of Physician Counseling for Smoking

Objective. Physicians can play an important role in reducing adolescent smoking by counseling their adolescent patients. The appropriate delivery of smoking prevention and cessation messages depends on adequate screening of adolescents, identification of smokers, and adolescents’ willingness to disclose their smoking. The present study assessed adolescent reports of physician screening and counseling and adolescents’ willingness to disclose smoking, as well as demographic and health status differences in these rates. Methods. Adolescents (n = 5016), ages 16 to 19, completed a survey on smoking and health. Reports of the prevalence of physician screening, counseling, and adolescents’ willingness to disclose their smoking were examined, and logistic regression analyses assessed demographic and health status differences in these prevalence estimates. Results. Overall, 43.4% of the sample reported physician screening, 42.1% reported receiving counseling, and only 28.8% of adolescents reported both. Furthermore, 79.3% of smokers reported that they would admit their smoking if asked. Screening, counseling, and disclosure rates differed by gender, neighborhood income level, smoking status, and asthma status. Conclusions. More intensive provider-delivered intervention is needed. Efforts should focus on helping providers to identify smoking correctly and to communicate appropriate prevention or cessation messages. Persistence and sensitivity with boys, experimental smokers, and youths with chronic health conditions should be a focus of provider training, because the lower willingness of these youths to disclose their smoking may be a barrier to their identification and intervention.
Rit Mutants Confirm Role of MEK/ERK Signaling in Neuronal Differentiation and Reveal Novel Par6 Interaction

Rit is a novel member of the Ras superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins that regulates signaling pathways controlling cellular fate determination. Constitutively activated mutants of Rit induce terminal differentiation of pheochromocytoma (PC6) cells resulting in a sympathetic neuron-like phenotype characterized by the development of highly-branched neurites. Rit signaling has been found to activate several downstream pathways including MEK/ERK, p38 MAPK, Ral-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), and Rit associates with the Par6 cell polarity machinery. In this study, a series of Rit effector loop mutants was generated to test the importance of these cellular targets to Rit-mediated neuronal differentiation. We find that Rit-mediated neuritogenesis is dependent upon MEK/ERK MAP kinase signaling but independent of RalGEF activation. In addition, in vivo binding studies identified a novel mechanism of Par6 interaction, suggesting that the cell polarity machinery may serve to spatially restrict Rit signaling.
Bottom boundary layer flow and salt injection from the continental shelf to slope

[1] Austral winter oceanographic measurements from the northwest Australian continental shelf reveal salty water forming evaporatively inshore, moving across the wide shelf near the bottom and into the adjacent open ocean when the shelf edge alongshore flow is equatorward. The salt tongue is absent during more normal conditions, when the poleward Leeuwin Current is present. We hypothesize that the flow reversal enables shelf-wide bottom boundary layer (Ekman) transport and thus creates the shelf-edge convergence that accounts for the observed salt tongue. This flow is absent under sustained normal conditions because of buoyancy arrest in the bottom boundary layer.
Rate of sterol formation by rat brain glia and neurons in vitro and in vivo.

— The ability of 11-day-old rat glial and neuronal cells to biosynthesize sterol was studied as a function of time in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro experiments utilized [2-14C]mevalonic acid as precursor. Glial-enriched cell preparations demonstrated a greater ability to incorporate [2-14C]mevalonic acid into isoprenoid material than did neuronal-enriched preparations. Approximately 4 h were required for maximal uptake of labelled mevalonate by the glial preparations. Further metabolism of the isoprenoid material, involving squalene turnover and sterol demethylation, was still evident even after 15 h of incubation. In vivo, sterol biosynthesis was studied by intraperitoneal injection of sodium [2-14C]acetate and [U-14C]glucose, sacrifice of the animals at 2 or 24 h, subsequent isolation of glial- and neuronal-cell enriched fractions and analysis of labelled isoprenoid material. Glial-enriched fractions again contained the bulk of the labelled isoprenoid material.
Willingness to Work with and Sympathy for HIV-Positive Coworkers: An Experimental Examination of Mode of Transmission, Concern, and Knowledge

This study investigated concern about HIV infection, knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and mode of transmission on willingness to work with and sympathy expressed towards a coworker with AIDS. 120 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of 12 groups in a 3 x 4 between-subjects design. Subjects viewed one of three 12 min. videotapes, including one videotape designed to increase concern, one designed to increase information, and a control videotape of music. Participants then read one of four scenarios about training a new employee. The scenarios varied the mode of HIV transmission (unknown, heterosexual contact, homosexual contact, or blood transfusion). Analysis showed that the ratings of willingness to work with or sympathy toward the HIV-positive coworker made after the videotape were not higher than those of other groups; however, significantly greater sympathy was reported for coworkers with unknown means of transmission than for coworkers who had contracted the virus through homosexual activity and more sympathy was also shown for coworkers who had contracted AIDS through blood transfusion than for employees who became infected through any type of sexual activity. Findings are discussed in terms of the AIDS literature and suggestions for employers.
Variation in Frequency of the Virulence-Factor Gene in Escherichia coli Clones Colonizing the Stools and Urinary Tracts of Healthy Prepubertal Girls

To provide information on virulence expression of Escherichia coli in healthy hosts, stool, periurethral, and urine samples were collected weekly from healthy 3-6-year-old girls who lived in a small rural community. Dominant and nondominant clones were defined in stool specimens, and the expression of virulence factors was determined. We found that healthy girls commonly shared dominant clones. P adhesin, hemolysin, and type I adhesin were commonly found in clones in the stool and in clones in the urinary tract. In addition, expression of virulence factors, among both dominant and nondominant clones in the stool, changed from week to week. The presence of P adhesin was a marker for the persistence of a dominant clone in the stool and was associated with an increased likelihood that a nondominant clone would be detected in the urinary tract. Type I adhesin was ubiquitous among stool strains, with orientation of the fimbrial switch being both in the "off" position and in both the "on" and "off" positions. In summary, the intestinal flora of healthy girls is complex, with frequent changes in virulence expression.
A summary of practical fuel cell technology to 1963

A survey is made of three types of primary fuel cell systems now in battery engineering phases. The three cell types are: 1) those using aqueous electrolytes; 2) those using molten electrolytes; and 3) those with solid electrolytes. Ten aqueous-electrolyte cell systems, six molten-electrolyte cell systems, and three solid-electrolyte cell systems are reviewed. Seventy-eight references are cited.
Management of Vascular Thrombosis and Spasm in the Newborn

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Delineate potential causes of vascular thromboembolic disease in neonates. 2. Describe methods of diagnosing neonatal vascular thromboembolism in neonates. 3. Delineate the anticoagulation/thrombolytic therapies used in neonates. 4. Review potential complications of thrombolytic therapies. Vascular thromboembolic disease has been increasingly recognized in newborns in the past decade, in part because venous and arterial catheters are indispensable in the management of smaller and sicker neonates, but also because of heightened awareness of the problem. Transient vascular spasm due to arterial constriction may be difficult to distinguish from more serious thrombosis in the early stages, when pallor or cyanosis of extremities follows insertion of arterial catheters. Arterial and venous thromboses are serious complications associated with potential dangers of ischemic injury to the affected limbs or organs, thrombus propagation and embolization to other areas, and infection. Thromboembolism (TE) may affect renal, portal, mesenteric, or hepatic veins; the inferior and superior vena cava; pulmonary veins; and cerebral sinuses. Arterial TE may involve the aorta and its branches, any of the limb arteries, and the cerebral circulation. This review focuses on the management of vascular spasm and TE in the neonate, but excludes neonatal central nervous system-related TE, which merits a separate review. Among children, neonates are particularly susceptible to thromboembolic disease because of the relative immaturity of the hemostatic system, small vessel diameter, and the presence of serious underlying disease. Perinatal asphyxia, hypovolemia, septicemia, dehydration, polycythemia, congenital heart disease, and other conditions are associated with disturbances in the hemostatic balance and may lead to a prothrombotic state. (1)(2) About 90% of venous TEs in neonates are associated with central venous catheters. (2) Low placement of umbilical arterial catheters is associated with an increased incidence of limb blanching and cyanosis. (3) Vascular catheters may cause vasospasm …
Dichoptic Visual Masking Reveals that Early Binocular Neurons Exhibit Weak Interocular Suppression: Implications for Binocular Vision and Visual Awareness

Visual masking effects are illusions in which a target is rendered invisible by a mask, which can either overlap or not overlap the target spatially and/or temporally. These illusions provide a powerful tool to study visibility and consciousness, object grouping, brightness perception, and much more. As such, the physiological mechanisms underlying the perception of masking are critically important to our understanding of visibility. Several models that require cortical circuits have been proposed previously to explain the mysterious spatial and timing effects associated with visual masking. Here we describe single-unit physiological experiments from the awake monkey that show that visual masking occurs in at least two separate and independent circuits, one that is binocular and one that is monocular (possibly even subcortical), without feedback from higher-level visual brain areas. These and other results together fail to support models of masking that require circuits found only in the cortex, but support our proposed model that suggests that simple ubiquitous lateral inhibition may itself be the fundamental mechanism that explains visual masking across multiple levels in the brain. We also show that area V1 neurons are dichoptic in terms of excitation, but monoptic in terms of inhibition. That is, responses within area V1 binocular neurons reveal that excitation to monocular targets is inhibited strongly only by masks presented to the same eye, and not by masks presented to the opposite eye. These results lead us to redefine the model for the first stage of binocular processing in the visual system, and may be crucial to interpreting the effects of other similar binocular and dichoptic stimulation paradigms, such as the binocular rivalry family of illusions.
Fin–tube junction effects on flow and heat transfer in flat tube multilouvered heat exchangers

Abstract Three-dimensional simulations of four louver–tube junction geometries are performed to investigate the effect on louver and tube friction and heat transfer characteristics. Three Reynolds numbers, 300, 600 and 1100, based on bulk velocity and louver pitch are calculated. Strong three-dimensionality exists in the flow structure in the region where the angled louver transitions to a flat landing adjoining the tube surface, whereas the flow on the angled louver far from the tube surface is nominally two-dimensional. Due to the small spatial extent of the transition region, its overall impact on louver heat transfer is limited, but the strong unsteady flow acceleration on the top louver surface augments the heat transfer coefficient on the tube surface by over 100%. In spite of the augmentation, the presence of the tube lowers the overall Nusselt number of the heat exchanger between 25% and 30%. Comparisons with correlations derived from experiments on full heat exchanger cores show that computational modeling of a small subsystem can be used reliably to extract performance data for the full heat exchanger.
Syncope in the Patient with Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Over the past decade, syncope has become increasingly recognized as an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). In several clinical series, patients with depressed ejection fraction in the absence of significant obstructive coronary artery disease who experience syncope have been shown to be at high risk for sudden death with a corresponding increased rate of ventricular arrhythmias and appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy. Furthermore, several studies have cast doubt on the prognostic value of electrophysiological studies in these patients. This review presents the body of evidence to date surrounding the clinical implications and management of syncope in this patient population.
Design of Streetlight Monitoring and Control System Based on Wireless Sensor Networks

The remote streetlight monitoring and control system has been applied in urban streetlight. In general, this system monitoring and control scope only reaches the streetlight transformer station. In this work, an experimental system of wireless sensor network was developed to study the feasibility for streetlight monitoring and control system. This system consists of the sensor node, the remote terminal unit and the control center. The sensor node was installed at each lamp pole and used to detect and control lamp. The remote terminal unit serves as relay station between the control center and the sensor nodes. The control center monitor and control all streetlight real time. The hardware of sensor node and remote terminal unit was design. The software was developed for sensor node, remote terminal unit and the control center. The multi-hop used in nodes. The test results show that the system can be used for the streetlight control. The system application in streetlight can extend control scope to each lamp, reduce in streetlight electricity and maintenance cost, and increase availability of streetlight.
Improved calibration of a large open-ended coaxial probe for dielectric measurements

An improved method for calibrating an open-ended coaxial sensor is proposed. The calibration utilizes the measurements of an open, a short, and a short-cavity. These terminations are inexpensive to make and result in a calibration that depends only on the geometry of the sensor. The short-cavity is modeled by waveguide modal techniques and the theoretical reflection coefficient determined to any accuracy. Consequently, an improvement in the accuracy of the measurements is obtained over a large bandwidth. The calibration was tested by comparing theoretical and experimental values of the complex permittivity for common liquids, and the discrepancy was seen to be small. >
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) - a mouse testis perspective.

Over the past decade, PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have emerged as the most intriguing class of small RNAs. Almost every aspect of piRNA biology defies established rules of the RNA interference world while the scope of piRNA functional potential spans from transcriptional gene silencing to genome defense to transgenerational epigenetic phenomena. This review will focus on the genomic origins, biogenesis, and function of piRNAs in the mouse testis — an exceptionally robust experimental system amenable to genetic, cell-biological, molecular, and biochemical studies. Aided and frequently guided by knowledge obtained in insect, worm, and fish germ cells, mouse spermatogenesis has emerged as the primary model in understanding the role of this conserved pathway in mammals.
Patterns in Multiples.

incorporated in learning experiences that help children see mathematical relationships in multiples of numbers. The following activities allow the student to represent patterns concretely before showing the patterns in color on paper. Based on these steps, the student can see patterns in numerals, and then analyze the number relationships that are represented. The following materials are needed for these activities:
A Computational Framework for Breast Surgery: Application to Breast Conserving Therapy

If a surgical intervention is needed, early stage breast cancer may lead to three basic surgery choices: breast-sparing surgery followed by radiation therapy, mastectomy, mastectomy with breast reconstruction surgery. Breast-sparing surgery (breast conservation therapy (BCT)) removes the breast tumor and a margin of surrounding normal tissues. It is also known by other names: lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, segmental mastectomy, and quadrantectomy. Radiation therapy follows lumpectomy to eliminate any microscopic cancer cells in the remaining breast tissue. The purpose of BCT is to give women the same cure rate they would have if they were treated with a mastectomy but to leave the breast intact, with an appearance and texture as close as possible to what they had before treatment. Trials for breast conservative therapy with patients affected by breast cancer (I and II) have demonstrated conclusively that BCT produces disease control and survival rates at least equivalent to those of mastectomy, and possibly better in the long run for patients with stage II [1]. BCT is combined to radiation therapy. While BCT removes the tissue that contain the tumor with a negative margin, radiotherapy insure that residual microscopic disease are controlled. Contra-indications to BCT are generally for patients with high probability of recurrence, high probability of normal tissue damage from irradiation. While cosmesis after BCT might be generally satisfactory, the quality of the result is very sensitive to the location and extent of the tumor. Further, the breast is a very deformable structure with a complicated anatomy that is patient specific. The mechanical properties of glandular, fatty and cancerous tissue are quite different, and vary from one patient to another. The Cooper’s ligament also plays a key role in the outcome. Strong asymmetry in the location or large tumor size are prone to anesthetic BCT result. Surgical results are also depending on the time scale. Beside the short time scale modeling that might be caught by the mechanical model, one can expect that inflammation, postsurgical radiotherapy, and healing dynamic can change significantly in the long time scale of the cosmetic outcome. In other words biology plays a role as well.
Deriving a Fast Inverse of the Generalized Cantor N-tupling Bijection

We attack an interesting open problem (an efficient algorithm to invert the generalized Cantor N-tupling bijection) and solve it through a sequence of equivalence preserving transformations of logic programs, that take advantage of unique strengths of this programming paradigm. An extension to set and multiset tuple encodings, as well as a simple application to a "fair-search" mechanism illustrate practical uses of our algorithms. The code in the paper (a literate Prolog program, tested with SWI-Prolog and Lean Prolog) is available at http://logic.cse.unt.edu/tarau/research/2012/pcantor.pl .
Role of Imaging in Musculoskeletal Care

Imaging in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders is an integral part of patient care. Knowing the basics about imaging tests and their capabilities and limitations are becoming increasingly important for the rehabilitation physicians not only to have a better understanding of information provided in the radiologist’s report but also to independently review the images. Radiographs, ultrasound, CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine examinations are the main imaging modalities available for diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders. Diagnostic imaging information obtained from these imaging techniques is necessary to choose safe and appropriate treatment planning.
Covariant Spectator Theory of np scattering: Isoscalar interaction currents

Using the covariant spectator theory (CST), one boson exchange models have been found that give precision fits to low-energy $np$ scattering and the deuteron binding energy. The boson-nucleon vertices used in these models contain a momentum dependence that requires a new class of interaction currents for use with electromagnetic interactions. Current conservation requires that these new interaction currents satisfy a two-body Ward-Takahashi identity, and using principals of simplicity and picture independence, these currents can be uniquely determined. The results lead to general formulas for a two-body current that can be expressed in terms of relativistic $np$ wave functions, $\ensuremath{\Psi}$, and two convenient truncated wave functions, ${\ensuremath{\Psi}}^{(2)}$ and $\stackrel{\ifmmode \hat{}\else \^{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\Psi}}$, which contain all of the information needed for the explicit evaluation of the contributions from the interaction current. These three wave functions can be calculated from the CST bound- or scattering-state equations (and their off-shell extrapolations). A companion paper uses this formalism to evaluate the deuteron magnetic moment.
22nd JDC (LA) Study on Race, Homicides, and Prosecutions, 1976-2011

This study examines the racial characteristics of homicides occurring in Louisiana’s 22nd JDC (St. Tammany and Washington Parishes to the north and east of metro New Orleans) during the 36 years from 1976 through 2011, and then compares them to the racial characteristics of death-eligible (first degree at some stage) murder cases prosecuted during the same period. Are these prosecutions a statistically random, race-neutral subset of the homicides that occurred? What we find is that there is a negligible (less than one-in-one-million) chance of obtaining these data if the hypothesis – that death-eligible cases are a racially random sample drawn from the homicide group – were true.The report counts and calculations for this article can be found here: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2768454.
Prevalence of left-sided obstructive lesions in patients with atrioventricular canal without Down’s syndrome

Ninety consecutive patients with atrioventricular canal were studied to identify the association between left-sided obstructive lesions and Down’s syndrome. Three groups were recognized: Group I, 76 patients with atrioventricular canal and no left-sided obstructions; Group II, nine patients with atrioventricular canal and left-sided inlet obstructions; Group III, five patients with atrioventricular canal and left-sided outlet obstructions. Of the 90 patients studied, 47 had Down’s syndrome and only one of these had a left-sided obstructive lesion. Of 43 without Down’s syndrome, 13 or 30% had left-sided obstructive lesions with predominating lesions at the inlet level caused by right ventricular dominance.
Modulating Mechanochromic Luminescence Quenching of Alkylated Iodo Difluoroboron Dibenzoylmethane Materials

Difluoroboron β-diketonate compounds exhibit solid-state luminescence phenomena. Among these are reversible mechanochromic luminescence (ML), aggregation induced emission (AIE), and mechanochromic luminescence quenching (MLQ). These properties can be tuned by alterations to the molecular structure. Dyes with varying halide substituents exhibit tunable ML, MLQ, and solid-state emission with high quantum yields. A series of difluoroboron dibenzoylmethane (BF2dbm) dyes with iodide and alkoxyl substituents (BF2dbm(I)OR) were synthesized where R = CH3 (C1), C5H11 (C5), C6H13 (C6), C12H25 (C12), and C18H37 (C18)). The 4-iodo parent compound BF2dbm(I) (H) was made for comparison. By keeping the heavy atom static, the dependence of ML properties on alkyl chain length was probed. The hydrogen derivative is only weakly emissive as a solid and exhibited minimal mechanoresponsive behavior. In contrast, alkoxy dyes exhibited tunable ML and MLQ properties depending on the length of the alkyl chain. Longer chain dyes co...
Towards the Automatic Classification of Avian Flight Calls for Bioacoustic Monitoring.

Automatic classification of animal vocalizations has great potential to enhance the monitoring of species movements and behaviors. This is particularly true for monitoring nocturnal bird migration, where automated classification of migrants’ flight calls could yield new biological insights and conservation applications for birds that vocalize during migration. In this paper we investigate the automatic classification of bird species from flight calls, and in particular the relationship between two different problem formulations commonly found in the literature: classifying a short clip containing one of a fixed set of known species (N-class problem) and the continuous monitoring problem, the latter of which is relevant to migration monitoring. We implemented a state-of-the-art audio classification model based on unsupervised feature learning and evaluated it on three novel datasets, one for studying the N-class problem including over 5000 flight calls from 43 different species, and two realistic datasets for studying the monitoring scenario comprising hundreds of thousands of audio clips that were compiled by means of remote acoustic sensors deployed in the field during two migration seasons. We show that the model achieves high accuracy when classifying a clip to one of N known species, even for a large number of species. In contrast, the model does not perform as well in the continuous monitoring case. Through a detailed error analysis (that included full expert review of false positives and negatives) we show the model is confounded by varying background noise conditions and previously unseen vocalizations. We also show that the model needs to be parameterized and benchmarked differently for the continuous monitoring scenario. Finally, we show that despite the reduced performance, given the right conditions the model can still characterize the migration pattern of a specific species. The paper concludes with directions for future research.
Inhibition of the Induction of Cancer by Antioxidants

Free radicals are now known to play an important role in many diseases including aging (Slaga, 1989; Halliwell, 1993). The importance of free radicals in radiation carcinogenesis and free radicals and electrophiles in chemical carcinogenesis is also well recognized. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species are continuously produced in vivo. Consequently, organisms have evolved that possess not only antioxidant and electrophile defense systems to protect against them, but also repair systems that prevent the accumulation of oxidatively-damaged molecules (Halliwell, 1993). Since increased free radical levels and levels of electrophilic compounds have been associated with many disease conditions, antioxidants, free radical scavengers, and electrophilic scavengers may be very useful in cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease prevention, immune function augmentation, and increasing the life span of man. Antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, are preventive antioxidants, because they eliminate species involved in the initiation of free radical chain reactions; while small molecule antioxidants, such as ascorbate, the tocopherols, glutathione, and reduced co-enzyme Q10 can repair oxidizing radicals directly and therefore are chain-breaking antioxidants. It is well known that ascorbate and tocopherols function synergistically to protect membrane lipids from damage (Buettner, 1993). Other molecules such as metal ion binding proteins, b-carotene, bilirubin, and urate are also very important antioxidants (Halliwell, 1993).
Stochastic Physiologically-Based Pollutokinetic Modelling

Pollutokinetic analysis is used to predict biomarker distributions in the human organs and tissues (e.g., chemical concentration or metabolites; see Chapter II), resulting from exposure to pollutants. The term pollutokinetics is similar to the pharmacokinetics which is the study of the rate of change in drug and metabolite concentration in the body. The analysis of pollutokinetic data typically involves compartmental models (e.g., Piotrowski, 1971; Crawford-Brown, 1997), which are particularly useful in the study of transfer and transformation processes that occur in the body following exposure to a pollutant.
A heterogeneity based case-control analysis of motorcyclist's injury crashes: Evidence from motorcycle crash causation study.

Abstract The main objective of this study is to quantify how different “policy-sensitive” factors are associated with risk of motorcycle injury crashes, while controlling for rider-specific, psycho-physiological, and other observed/unobserved factors. The analysis utilizes data from a matched case-control design collected through the FHWA’s Motorcycle Crash Causation Study. In particular, 351 cases (motorcyclists involved in injury crashes) are analyzed vis-a-vis similarly-at-risk 702 matched controls (motorcyclists not involved in crashes). Unlike traditional conditional estimation of relative risks, the paper presents heterogeneity based statistical analysis that accounts for the possibility of both within and between matched case-control variations. Overall, the correlations between key risk factors and injury crash propensity exhibit significant observed and unobserved heterogeneity. The results of best-fit random parameters logit model with heterogeneity-in-means show that riders with partial helmet coverage (U.S. DOT compliant helmets with partial coverage, least intrusive covering only the top half of the cranium) have a significantly lower risk of injury crash involvement. Lack of motorcycle rider conspicuity captured by dark (red) upper body clothing is associated with significantly higher injury crash risk (odds ratio 3.87, 95% CI: 1.63, 9.61). Importantly, a rider’s motorcycle-oriented lower clothing (e.g., cannot easily get stuck in the machinery) significantly lowers the odds of injury crash involvement. Regarding the effectiveness of training, formal motorcycle driving training in recent years was associated with lower injury crash propensity. Finally, riders with less sleep prior to crash/interview exhibited 1.97 times higher odds of crash involvement compared to riders who had more than 5 h of sleep. Methodologically, the conclusion is that the correlations of several rider, exposure, apparel, and riding history related factors with crash risk are not homogeneous and in fact vary in magnitude as well as direction. The study results indicate the need to develop appropriate countermeasures, such as refresher motorcycle training courses, prevention of sleep-deprived/fatigued riding, and riding under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Outcomes of shoulder replacement in humeral head avascular necrosis.

Background This retrospective review evaluated 25 patients with 29 shoulders treated with arthroplasty for humeral head avascular necrosis (HHAVN) between 2004 and 2015. We hypothesized that regardless of implant, radiographic stage, or etiology, patients would appreciate significant improvement in pain, range of motion, and shoulder functionality after surgical intervention. Methods Data were obtained by record review on all patients meeting inclusion criteria. Outcomes were evaluated using Simple Shoulder Test, Modified Constant Score, University of California Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form. The data were assessed by all patients and subcategories (treatment, avascular necrosis stage, and underlying cause). Results At a mean follow-up of 3.9 years (range, 1-8.5 years), all patients who underwent operative intervention for HHAVN showed statistically significant improvement in functionality measurements (P .05). No revision arthroplasties were required. Minor complications (suture abscess and intraoperative calcar fracture requiring cabling) occurred in 2 TSA patients. Conclusions Our outcomes demonstrate that in the short- to midterm follow-up, TSA or hemiarthroplasty is a safe and equally effective treatment for patients diagnosed with HHAVN regardless of etiology and radiographic staging.
A Response to Critics

The author responds to critics of Awaiting the King, addressing especially questions about Augustinian liberalism and the church’s complicity in, and responsibility for, disordered liturgies, raising fundamental questions about the relationship between church and world.
Fast-Track Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Factors Associated with Early Discharge.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a complex surgery frequently associated with prolonged hospitalizations. However, there are a subset of patients discharged within 5 days from surgery; the preoperative and intraoperative characteristics of this subset are unknown. The NSQIP Targeted Pancreatectomy Dataset was used from 2014 to 2016. Patients who died within 30 days were excluded. A total of 10,741 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy were identified. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for preoperative and intraoperative ACS-NSQIP variables to identify predictors of early discharge. Early discharge was defined as discharge 3–5 days after surgery. A total of 1105 patients (10.3%) were discharged within 5 days following pancreaticoduodenectomy. On multivariable analysis, preoperative factors associated with early discharge included younger age (OR 0.988, p < 0.001), non-obesity (OR 0.737, p = 0.001), those receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR 1.424, p < 0.001), and lack of COPD (OR 0.489, p = 0.005) or hypertension (OR 0.805, p = 0.007). Intraoperative factors associated with early discharge on multivariable analysis were shorter operation duration (OR 0.999, p = 0.002), minimally invasive surgery (OR 3.537, p < 0.001), and hard pancreatic texture (OR 1.480, p < 0.001). Intraoperative factors associated with non-early discharge were epidural placement (OR 0.485, p < 0.001), drain placement (OR 0.308, p < 0.001), and jejunostomy tube placement (OR 0.278, p < 0.001). Patients discharged within 5 days had a 14.7% readmission rate compared to 17.0% for later discharges (p = 0.047). Multiple preoperative and intraoperative factors, including some that are potentially modifiable, were significantly associated with early discharge after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Patients with these characteristics may benefit from enhanced recovery after surgery programs and expedited disposition planning postoperatively.
Designing Family-Centered Aids for the Intensive Care Unit

Family member involvement has been shown to be key to the well-being and recovery of patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but they often find themselves overwhelmed and in an emotionally heightened state. ICU care teams, especially nurses, are typically considered to be in the best position to help and provide support to family members of patients. However, the heavy workload, lack of time, and personal interaction styles can make it difficult for them to be receptive to family member needs. To understand how current aids in the ICU are used and the challenges associated with them, we conducted 22 interviews with both family members and the care team. We also created prototypes of family-centered aids through a co-design session to reveal the opportunities that emerge for technology to facilitate family member support in the ICU without adding additional burdens on the care team.
Engaging Women in Pelvic Floor Disorders Research Using the Internet.

Objectives The objective of this study were (1) to assess the feasibility of using online platforms as recruitment tools for pelvic floor disorder studies and (2) to compare the prevalence of symptoms of incontinence and care-seeking behavior by online platform to previously published prevalence estimates. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among women to assess the prevalence of incontinence symptoms, level of bother, and care-seeking behavior. Participants were recruited through Facebook ads, ResearchMatch, or Reddit. The effectiveness of Facebook ads was assessed using the click through rate and an overall completion rate (number of completes over number of times an ad was shown). A nontargeted ad was posted to a Reddit thread in which research opportunities are advertised. For ResearchMatch, investigators sent a recruitment email. Effectiveness of this method was assessed by observing how many women completed the survey compared with the number of women who received it. Results Among the 7361 women who initiated the questionnaire, 6650 (90%) completed it. A majority of participants were recruited through ResearchMatch. Online platforms were successful in recruiting women across a wide age range (ages, 18-93 years). The overall prevalence of incontinence was 46.1% with women 45 years and older having the highest prevalence (64.6%). Common reasons for not seeking care included "not bothersome enough," "other health problems," and "being unsure about treatment." Conclusions Internet-based recruitment was found to be feasible. The prevalence of incontinence was higher than has been reported in other population-based samples. Significant barriers to care exist, and further studies should focus on educational strategies.
Universal Group 14 Free Radical Photoinitiators for Vinylidene Fluoride, Styrene, Methyl Methacrylate, Vinyl Acetate, and Butadiene

Group 14 (Mt = Sn, Ge, Pb) R3MtX, R4Mt, and R6Mt2 complexes (R = alkyl, aryl; X = H, halide, etc.) are introduced as novel, universal, visible and black light bulb (BLB)/UV photoinitiators for free radical photopolymerization of alkenes, including vinylidene fluoride (VDF), vinyl acetate, methyl methacrylate, styrene, and butadiene. A comprehensive solvent, ligand and metal comparison for VDF indicates progressively faster BLB photopolymerizations in acetonitrile (ACN) ∼ dimethylacetamide (DMAc) < dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) < butanone < propylene carbonate < acetic anhydride ∼ cyclohexanone < dimethyl carbonate and especially in the photosensitizing acetone, where Me2SnI2 ∼ Ph3SnI ∼ Bu3Sn–N3 ∼ Bu3Sn–CH2–CH═CH2 ≪ Bu3Sn–S–SnBu3 < Ph4Ge < Ph6Pb2 < Bu3Sn–I < Bu4Sn < Ph6Sn2 < Bu3Sn–Br < Ph6Ge2 < Oct4Sn < Bu4Ge < Bu3Sn–Cl < Ph4Pb < Bu3Sn–H ≪ Bu6Sn2 ≪ Me6Sn2 and where Mn is controlled by solvent chain transfer. Photoinitiation results from a combination of R3Mt·, R·, and solvent (S·, e.g., CH3–CO–CH2·) radicals, ...
A new analytical method for estimating the 3D volumetric wetting pattern under drip irrigation system

Abstract The wetting pattern and its components are important factors in the optimum design and operation of a drip irrigation system. In this investigation, the 3D volumetric wetting pattern which occurred under the surface drip irrigation was described analytically. In the laboratory experiment, the spatio-temporal variation of the wetting pattern was observed during the water application period, and the sizes of its components were measured at five-minute intervals. The components of the pattern were the wetted radius on the soil surface at any time during irrigation and the maximum wetted depth and maximum wetted width in the soil profile. In addition, camera records were taken during the experiment. Some physical and chemical features of the soil sample which were important for irrigation were analyzed. Also, the infiltration test was performed by double-ring infiltrometer in the field where the soil samples were taken. The moisture content of the soil was determined at the beginning of the irrigation application. In the next stage, the wetting pattern was located on the Coordinate System, and the main movement equations describing the spatio-temporal variation of the pattern were obtained. The volumetric wetting pattern was determined by processing these functions in the 3D system. Drip irrigation may be applied on various soil textures, with different emitter discharges and application times. Although wetting patterns in various conditions show different properties of shape from each other, the models devised contain the entire main common components of the wetting pattern. As a result, when the models were run with the data from the experiment, the 3D wetting pattern in the drip irrigation system was determined and analyzed comparatively from the points of view of main movement features of water in the soil profile and on the soil surface.
Multicriteria and Multilevel Framework for Seismic Risk Management of Existing Buildings in Canada

AbstractA multicriteria and multilevel seismic risk management framework is presented to ensure an acceptable and consistent level of risk for existing buildings in Canada with a focus on minimizin...
Afrocarnival: Celebrating Black Bodies and Critiquing Oppressive Bodies in Afrofuturist Literature

Afrofuturism often acts as an experiential portal that guides readers to reflect on the current state of the world, to hypothesize about the trajectory of society, and to challenge any possible future that continues the subjugation of Black people. As a genre that is concerned with the elevation and liberation of Black people, Afrofuturism aligns with Bahktin’s carnivalesque, the area between art and life that provides a temporary space to venerate imaginative freedom. Specifically, while they uplift and celebrate Black bodies, Afrofuturist authors use the carnivalesque concept of grotesque realism to critique dominant bodies that elevate anti-Blackness in society. In this way, Afrofuturists bring abstract concepts of systemic and institutional oppression to the sphere of earth and body by presenting intangible ideas through their characters, conflicts, plots, and settings. Focusing on three Afrofuturist texts written by Black female authors that feature Black adolescent female protagonists, the author highlights how each book portrays the celebratory aspects of Black existence and imagination and critiques oppressive ideologies that have historically attempted to thwart Black celebration and creativity.