cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rimless wheel with radially expanding spokes: dynamics, impact, and stable gait

This paper describes the dynamics and intermittent impact model of a novel rimless wheel with radially expanding spokes confined to move in a vertical plane. The wheel has two degrees of freedom, namely rotation in the plane and change of radius. The system has intermittent impacts with the ground and its mathematical model is discontinuous. The motions of the wheel on a horizontal and an inclined plane are investigated. The contact point of the wheel with the ground is assumed to have no slip. We derive the equations of motion in between the collisions and velocity change before and after the wheel impact. We construct the return map of its cyclic motion and plan the motion in between impacts to obtain a stable gait. Dynamic simulations are performed using MATLAB and are presented in the paper.
How much of reinforcement learning is working memory, not reinforcement learning? A behavioral, computational, and neurogenetic analysis

Instrumental learning involves corticostriatal circuitry and the dopaminergic system. This system is typically modeled in the reinforcement learning (RL) framework by incrementally accumulating reward values of states and actions. However, human learning also implicates prefrontal cortical mechanisms involved in higher level cognitive functions. The interaction of these systems remains poorly understood, and models of human behavior often ignore working memory (WM) and therefore incorrectly assign behavioral variance to the RL system. Here we designed a task that highlights the profound entanglement of these two processes, even in simple learning problems. By systematically varying the size of the learning problem and delay between stimulus repetitions, we separately extracted WM-specific effects of load and delay on learning. We propose a new computational model that accounts for the dynamic integration of RL and WM processes observed in subjects' behavior. Incorporating capacity-limited WM into the model allowed us to capture behavioral variance that could not be captured in a pure RL framework even if we (implausibly) allowed separate RL systems for each set size. The WM component also allowed for a more reasonable estimation of a single RL process. Finally, we report effects of two genetic polymorphisms having relative specificity for prefrontal and basal ganglia functions. Whereas the COMT gene coding for catechol-O-methyl transferase selectively influenced model estimates of WM capacity, the GPR6 gene coding for G-protein-coupled receptor 6 influenced the RL learning rate. Thus, this study allowed us to specify distinct influences of the high-level and low-level cognitive functions on instrumental learning, beyond the possibilities offered by simple RL models.
Quantitative analysis of a hybrid replication with forwarding strategy for efficient and uniform location management in mobile wireless networks

A location management scheme in wireless networks must effectively handle both user location update and search operations. Replication and forwarding are two well-known techniques to reduce user search and update costs, respectively, with replication being most effective when the call to mobility ratio (CMR) of the user is high, while forwarding is most effective when the CMR value is low. Thus, based on the user's CMR, the system can adopt a CMR threshold-based scheme such that if the user's CMR is lower than a threshold, then the system applies the forwarding scheme; otherwise, it applies the replication scheme. Applying different location management schemes based on per-user CMR values introduces undesirable high complexity in managing and maintaining location- related information stored in the system as different system support mechanisms must be applied to different users. In this paper, we quantitatively analyze a hybrid replication with forwarding scheme that can be uniformly applied to all users. The most striking feature of the hybrid scheme is that it can determine and apply the optimal number of replicas and forwarding chain length on a per-user basis to minimize the communication cost due to location management operations while still being able to use the same data structure and algorithm to execute location management operations in a uniform way for all users. We develop a stochastic Petri net model to help gather this information and show how the information obtained statically can be used efficiently by the system at runtime to determine the optimal number of replicas and forwarding chain length when given a use user's profile. We show that the proposed hybrid scheme outperforms both pure replication and forwarding schemes, as well as the CMR threshold-based scheme under all CMR values.
Heterogeneous Latch-Based Asynchronous Pipelines

We present a technique to automatically synthesize heterogeneous asynchronous pipelines by combining two different latching styles: normally open D-latches for high performance and self-resetting D-latches for low power. Theformer is fast but results in high power consumption due to data glitches that leak through the latch when it is open. The latter is normally closed and is opened just before data stabilizes. Thus, it is more power-efficient but slower than normally open D-latches. We propose a module selection optimization that assigns each pipeline stage to one of these two latching styles. This is performed by an automated algorithm that uses two types of heuristics: (1) it uses the Global Critical Path (GCP), to assign D-latches to stages that are sequentially critical, and (2) it estimates potential datapath glitching to make SR-latch assignment decisions. The algorithm has quadratic-time complexity and experiments that apply the algorithm on several media processing kernels indicate that, on average, the heterogeneous pipelining algorithm achieves higher performance and is more energy efficient than either the homogeneous D-latch or SR-latch pipeline styles.
Organizing Pneumonia and Pulmonary Eosinophilic Infiltration Associated with Daptomycin

Objective:To report a case of organizing pneumonia with pulmonary eosinophilic infiltrates in a patient receiving daptomycin.Case Summary:An 84-year-old man developed bilateral, irregularly shaped nodules and infiltrates in the mid and peripheral lung and multiple mediastinal lymph nodes following treatment with intravenous daptomycin for infection of his left knee prosthesis. His other symptoms included decreased appetite, weight loss (6.8 kg over 4–6 wk), malaise, and generalized weakness after 4 weeks of daptomycin therapy. Transthoracic needle biopsy revealed organizing pneumonia with scattered eosinophils. His symptoms and results of computed tomography (CT) scan improved in the month following discontinuation of daptomycin. The Naranjo probability scale indicated a probable reaction to daptomycin.Discussion:Pulmonary reactions have been reported with numerous drugs and have a wide range of clinical and radiographic presentations. Clinical trials have shown that daptomycin is well tolerated and has a...
Fat finger worries: how older and younger users physically interact with PDAs

There has been a steady growth in the global population of elderly people, challenging researchers in the HCI community to design technologies to help them remain independent and preserve their quality of life. One approach has been to create assistive technology solutions using Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). However, some have questioned whether older people can use PDAs because of age related problems with dexterity, coordination, and vision. This paper presents an initial usability study that shows there are no major differences in performance between older and younger users when physically interacting with PDAs and completing conventional (e.g. pressing buttons, viewing icons, recording messages) and non-conventional tasks (e.g. scanning bar codes).
Use of branch cross-sectional area for predicting pruning dose in young field-grown Quercus virginiana ‘Cathedral’ in Florida, US

Allometric relationships for trunk, first order branches and associated foliage were developed to develop a repeatable pruning dose for wind interception studies on Quercus virginiana Mill ‘Cathedral’. Three trees were dissected to develop relationships. It was determined that leaf mass was linearly related to the basal area of the primary branch, consistent with pipe model expectations. A pruning dose for leaf mass removal was defined by tracking basal branch areas and removing entire first order branches. Leaf mass was closely related to leaf surface area, however leaf mass varied with compass orientation while leaf area remained unchanged. The use of wood cross-section area conservation rules for branching in Lindenmayer (L-system) computer modeling is shown to be inconsistent with the data set, as is often observed in the field. The area conservation assumption is made to force taper into computer models, and departures are accepted by assuming heartwood formation forces imbalance into the model. The data set was developed from 3 year old or younger wood. The species is known to retain viable vessel elements in sapwood for at least 3 years in the areas surrounding the testing site. Since it is doubtful that there was heartwood or non-functional sapwood in the test trees, use of the area balance assumption for modeling by asserting heartwood influence is questionable.
On the Efficient Use of High Aswan Dam for Hydropower and Irrigation

With, the completion of the High Aswan Dam it will be possible to use the water of the Nile River in many different ways for different beneficial purposes. The selection of the best method of operating the dam and developing new resources to speed economic growth and social progress is of great importance to the United Arab Republic. A large sustained multidisciplinary effort combining economic analysis, engineering design, and governmental planning will be required. It is the purpose of this paper to describe some analytical methods that will be useful in this undertaking. A mathematical model for computer studies is developed to elucidate and quantify the relations between the variables pertaining to agricultural and power uses. Other functions of the dam such as flood protection and improvement of navigation are not examined in this initial study. However, it will be possible to investigate them in a more comprehensive model using similar mathematical methods. In its present form the model is designed to use standard linear programs so that operations studies can be made without recourse to sophisticated computer techniques. The model incorporates some of the chief factors affecting efficiency of multipurpose operation for the generation of hydroelectric power and for increasing the agricultural production of the United Arab Republic. The formulation provides a logical framework on which other functions may be added at a later stage. In the last section of this paper some of the most important modifications and elaborations are discussed. The numerical data used in the present study are based on a preliminary analysis of available hydrological and economic data. Considerably more statistical analysis will be required to develop valid numerical data for the model so that reliable inferences and rational decisions can be made. The computational results at this stage are useful only in indicating the kind of inferences and the type of information that may be obtained in a more definitive study.
Conformational properties of polar polymers. II. Poly(vinylidene chloride)

A recently developed polarization model for representing polar bond effects in conformational energy calculations is applied to poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC). The geometries and conformational energies of a number of conformers of 2,2,4,4,6,6-hexachloroheptane were calculated. The geometries were found to be similar to the hydrocarbon analog polyisobutylene (PIB) in that steric crowding results in the usual T, G, G′ states being split into + or − distortions of the torsional angles away from the traditional values. Only distortions of the same sign occur in the same pair of bonds interior to CCl2 groups. Distortions of G states towards eclipsed were found to be much more stable than those away. The interior skeletal valence angle is also distorted to an unusually large value, ca. 121°. The calculated dipole moments were used to infer a group moment for CCl2 of 1.56 D. The calculated conformational energies were fitted by linear combinations of interaction parameters representing the stabilities of G+, G− bonds (relative to T+, T−) and the interactions between bonds across intervening CCl2 groups. These parameters were used in statistical mechanical calculations of the characteristic and dipole-moment ratios. In order to make comparison with experiment, the dipole-moment/repeat unit of a 90% (by weight) PVDC copolymer with PVC was measured and found to be 1.42 ± 0.05 D. From this, the dipole-moment ratio for PVDC homopolymer is inferred to be ca. 0.8. The characteristic and dipole-moment ratios calculated from the interaction parameter set were somewhat too high but adjustment of the gauche energies downward brings the calculated ratios into agreement with experiment. The same statistical model along with energy parameters previously calculated also gives agreement with experiment for the characteristic ratio of PIB. The calculated geometries are in agreement with the conformation in the crystal being (T+G′+T−G−).
Model Reuse for the Training of Fault Scenarios in Aerospace

The use of models has become common in aircraft development. Many different models of aircraft subsystems are designed to analyze, optimize, and synthesize the subsystem behavior. An important behavior in training simulators is the aircraft behavior when failures occur and it would be beneficial to re-use the subsystem models that were designed in the development process. One of these models captures the behavior of the redundancy management system that operates on aircraft elevators. This paper shows how this model can be connected to another model that captures the dynamics of the actuator hydraulics and elevator mechanics to study transient effects of loss of control. The same model of the redundancy management system is then included by reference in an aircraft model for training purposes to investigate transient effects of fault scenarios. Finally, the paper discusses how the real-time code that is used in training simulators can be automatically generated from the same model, using customization features to ensure that the generated code is compatible with the software with which it needs to be integrated.
Analysis of Wyner-Ziv quantizers for packet loss

Distributed Source Coding (DSC) has gained wide popularity in applications such as video coding and distributed sensor networks. However, DSC has not been widely explored for use in low delay, low bit rate applications such as quantization of speech parameters. This is due to the difficulty of designing quantizers with imperfect side information resulting from decoding errors, quantization noise and packet losses. We address this fundamental problem by modeling the decoder as a three state system based on the packet losses/receptions and correct/incorrect decodings. Then we derive the expressions for the error variance of each of the states and solve them under stationary conditions. This enables one to model, analyze and design scalar uniform coset quantizers for imperfect side information. Simulation results verify the improved performance of the designed WZ quantizers over predictive and non-predictive quantization schemes in packet loss.
The Girls' Leadership Experience Camp: A Parallel Process of Leadership Skill Development for School Counselors-in-Training

School counseling programs must provide counselors-in-training with effective and multifaceted leadership skill-building opportunities (Brott, 2006; DeVoss & Andrews, 2006; Dollarhide, Gibson, & Saginak, 2008; Kaffenberger & Murphy, 2007). The Girls' Leadership Experience Camp (GLEC) was created by the authors to enhance the leadership abilities of local girls while providing a training ground for future school counselors to develop their own leadership abilities. The camp participants included 16 rising sixth-grade girls who were potential first-generation college students and were identified by school personnel as possible leaders. The training experiences were framed using the core qualities and components of the ASCA National Model® (American School Counselor Association, 2005). This article describes the processes and outcomes related to leadership training of future school counselors via the GLEC.
FK506 promotes functional recovery in crushed rat sciatic nerve.

In this study we examine whether the systemic administration of FK506 or Cyclosporin A (CsA) expedited functional recovery following an axonotmetic nerve injury, and compared their effects in a rat model. Seventy-five adult Buffalo rats received a crush injury to the right posterior tibial nerve and subsequently underwent either no treatment (group I), daily injections of FK506 (group II), or daily injections of CsA (group III). Walking track analysis demonstrated return of hindlimb function by 20 days postoperatively in group I, 14 days in group II, and 18 days in group III. The blood-nerve barrier (BNB) was reconstituted by postoperative day (POD) 7 in both FK506- and CsA-treated animals and by POD 13 in control animals. These results suggest that recovery of function is more rapid with daily administration of FK506 than with CsA or no treatment, perhaps because of earlier restoration of the blood-nerve barrier. Agents that facilitate nerve regeneration have the potential to limit the extent of motor endplate loss and muscle atrophy seen with prolonged denervation, thereby limiting permanent functional loss.
Sedentary daily expenditure: a base for estimating individual energy requirements.

As a base for estimating individual energy re- quirements, we propose using the energy expenditure of a sed- entary day with regular meals and sleep at night. Ninety-five 24- h measurements ofsedentary daily expenditure (SDE) by direct calorimetry on 37 men and women were analyzed, showing that fat-free mass combined with body mass index correlated highly with SDE (r2 = 0.92) with an SE of 5%. Weight and fat mass were better predictors for women and excellent predictors for men. We found that weight and height accurately predicted fat mass if suitable exponents were used in the expression wt/htx. Testing predictive equations with our own and other sets of data showed good agreement between estimated and observed SDEs. As a base for estimating individual energy requirements, SDE is more precise than basal metabolic rate and it can be predicted with useful accuracy from simple measures of weight and height. Am J C/in Nutr l99l;53:606-l 1. measurement on 37 men and women aged 17-6 1 y, during quiet days of sedentary activity with 8 h of sleep in bed and with regular meals, the energy of which matched the day's expendi- ture. We propose this as a natural and easily achieved standard of minimal daily expenditure, termed sedentary daily expendi- ture (SDE). The analysis provides predictive equations for SDE based on fat-free mass or on weight and fat mass. Additional equations are derived for estimating fat mass from weight and height be- cause reliable measurements ofbody composition are not widely available. Combining equations gives predictions of SDE from weight and height alone. These equations are then tested against data from other laboratories.
Time-varying current observer with parameter estimation for multiphase low-voltage high-current voltage regulator modules

Current sharing in interleaved converters is an essential issue for low-voltage, high-current voltage regulator modules (VRMs). The most common method is to sense the average voltage across low-side switches to obtain phase currents. In this paper, an instantaneous current sensing method is presented to observe instant load current and phase currents for multiphase buck converter. Since the load value is time varying, an adaptive control method is applied to estimate load changing. The proposed current observer can also be used for other topologies requiring current sensing. A digital observer is designed and implemented using a DSP controller.
The Determinants of Supply and Demand For Certificates of Deposit

The purpose of this study is to isolate the supply and demand determinants of commercial bank certificates of deposit (CDs). In section I, models are developed to explain the supply price of both negotiable and nonnegotiable CDs, and single-equation regression results are presented. In section II, a model is developed to explain the demand for CDs by corporations and individuals, and single equation regression results are reported. In section III, the model is reestimated by structural methods to account for simultaneity in CD supply and demand interactions. A simulation study is then undertaken to assess the impact on the endogenous variables of changes in Regulation Q ceiling rates. A summary of the f1ndings are presented in section IV. The time period of these statistical investigations covers the twenty-six quarters from the third quarter 1961 through the fourth quarter 1967. The usual regression criteria are used for evaluation: goodness of fit (R2); the extent to which the signs of the regression coeff1cients agree with prior expectations; the t-test for the significance of the regression coefficients; and by the Durbin-Watson statistic (DW) which measures the degree to which the regression residuals exhibit serial correlation.
Spice, bath salts, and the U.S. military: the emergence of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists and cathinones in the U.S. Armed Forces

ABSTRACTDesigner drugs are synthetic compounds that contain modified molecular structures of illegal or controlled substances. They are produced clandestinely with the intent to elicit effects similar to controlled substances while circumventing existing drug laws. Two classes of designer drugs that have risen to recent prominence are “spice,” synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists that mimic the effect of tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis, and “bath salts,” synthetic cathinones, stimulants structurally related to amphetamines that have effects similar to cocaine and methamphetamine. Although these substances have only gained prominence recently, service members of the U.S. armed forces have not been immune to spice and bath salt abuse. These substances are often perceived as safe and are available via the Internet, in head shops and from dealers. Spice and bath salt abuse is increasingly associated with serious medical and psychiatric problems. Military health care providers must b...
Seismicity of Block-and-Ash Flows Occurring During the 2006 Eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska

Abstract In January 2006, Augustine Volcano began erupting following an increase in seismicity that was first noted in late April 2005. Thirteen large explosive eruptions of Augustine occurred from January 11 to 28, 2006, followed by a continuously erupting phase and then by a dome growth phase in which numerous pyroclastic flows and block-and-ash flows occurred. As a new steep-sided and unstable dome grew in spring 2006, rockfalls and related events, likely block-and-ash flows, dominated the seismic record. Relative amplitudes at pairs of seismic stations for 68 block-and-ash flow events were examined to constrain locations of the flow-events. Higher amplitudes were associated with events closer to a given station. These relations were confirmed by images collected on a low-light camera. Captured images show a correlation between flow direction and seismic amplitude ratios from nearby stations AUE and AUW. Seismic amplitudes and energies of the flow signals, measured in several different ways, were found to correlate with the surface areas and run-out distances of the flows. The M L range of rockfalls was 0.1 to 1.1, and seismic efficiencies were estimated to be much less than 1%. Particle motion analyses showed that the seismic waves contained both body waves and surface waves and demonstrate that the flows were acting as moving sources with velocities of 30–93 m/s.
Magnetically directed poly(lactic acid) 90Y‐microspheres: Novel agents for targeted intracavitary radiotherapy

High energy beta-emitting radioisotopes like Yttrium-90 have a radiotoxic range of about one centimeter. For cancer treatment they must be brought near the tumor cells and kept there for as long as they are radioactive. We developed as carriers for the ionic form of 90Y a matrix-type polymeric drug delivery system, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) microspheres. This radiopharmaceutical could be selectively delivered to the target site after incorporating 10% Fe3O4 (magnetite) which made the magnetic microspheres (MMS) responsive to an external magnetic field. Furthermore, MMS are biodegradable and slowly hydrolyze into physiologic lactic acid after the radioactivity is completely decayed. Previously prepared 10-40 microns MMS were radiochemically loaded to high specific activity with 90Y at a pH of 5.7. Stability studies showed that approximately 95% of added 90Y is retained within the PLA matrix after 28 days (> 10 half-lives) at 37 degrees C in serum, and electron microscopy showed that the microspheres retained their characteristic morphologic appearance for the same time period. Cytotoxicity studies with SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells growing in monolayer showed that the radiocytotoxicity of the microspheres could be directed magnetically to either kill or spare specific cell populations, thus making them of great interest for targeted intracavitary tumor therapy. We are currently optimizing this system for use in the treatment of neoplastic meningitis.
External Imaging of CCND1 Cancer Gene Activity in Experimental Human Breast Cancer Xenografts with 99mTc-Peptide-Peptide Nucleic Acid-Peptide Chimeras

Detection of a new or recurrent breast cancer lesion relies on physical examination and imaging studies, primarily mammography, followed by histopathologic evaluation of biopsy tissue for morphologic confirmation. Approximately 66%–85% of detected lesions are not malignant. Therefore, biopsies are unnecessary for at least two thirds of patients. Human estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells typically display an elevated level of cyclin D1 protein because of the overexpression of CCND1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and an elevated level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) receptor (IGF1R) because of the overexpression of IGF1R mRNA. We hypothesized that scintigraphic detection of CCND1 peptide nucleic acid (PNA) hybridization probes with a 99mTc-chelating peptide on the N terminus and an IGF1 peptide loop on the C terminus could detect CCND1 mRNA in human MCF7 breast cancer xenografts in nude mice from outside the body. Methods: We prepared the CCND1 probes as well as mismatched controls by solid-phase synthesis. We used fluorescence microscopy to detect the cellular uptake of fluoresceinyl probes and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to detect the hybridization of probes to mRNA. We imaged 99mTc-probes in MCF7 xenografts scintigraphically and measured distribution by scintillation counting of dissected tissues. Results: IGF1R-overexpressing MCF7 cells internalized the fluorescein-chelator-CCND1 PNA-IGF1 peptide but not the mismatched control peptide. The chelator-CCND1 PNA-IGF1 peptide but not the control peptide lowered the level of cyclin D1 protein in IGF1R-overexpressing MCF7 xenografts in nude mice after intratumoral injection. IGF1R-overexpressing MCF7 xenografts in nude mice were visualized at 4, 12, and 24 h after tail vein administration of the 99mTc-CCND1 antisense probe but not the control probe. 99mTc-chimeras were distributed normally in the kidneys, liver, tumors, and other tissues. Conclusion: Cancer gene activity can be detected from outside the body by probing with radionuclide-chelator-PNA-peptide chimeras.
Posttranslational processing of opioid pro-opiomelanocortin products in piglets

We have measured levels of beta-lipotropin, beta-endorphin, and N-acetyl-beta-endorphin in the plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and caudal medullary brain containing the respiratory-related portion of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of 2.5 +/- 1.0- (SD) and 38.2 +/- 3.7-day-old naive uninstrumented piglets. Time of day, ambient atmosphere, temperature, handling, sound, light, and nutritional status were kept constant. Experimental procedure included decapitation and rapid collection, processing, and freezing of tissues until analysis by radioimmunoassay. Young, compared with older piglets, have higher measured levels of beta-lipotropin in the plasma and CSF and of N-acetyl-beta-endorphin in all three body compartments. Although measured levels of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity are also higher in the plasma and CSF of the young group, the calculated level of beta-endorphin is higher only in the CSF. In the NTS, both the measured and calculated active endorphin appear higher in the older group, but this difference is not significant. Excess beta-endorphin in the CSF of neonates may explain the relative immaturity of their respiratory functions at birth.
Cytoplasmic Pollen Sterility in Corn

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the general field of cytoplasmic inheritance of pollen sterility. In five discoveries, the expression of the cytoplasmically induced sterility was influenced by nuclear genes. Investigation of the genetics of fertility restoration of both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas types of cytoplasmic sterility has shown that in either case a single dominant gene is sufficient to restore pollen fertility to most cytoplasmic male-sterile inbreds although there are complications with certain genetic backgrounds and in certain environments. Specific tester genotypes enable one to differentiate USDA from Texas cytoplasms because some genotypes are sterile in one cytoplasm but not the other, some are sterile in both, and some are pollen fertile in both. This type of test can be applied to all discoveries of cytoplasmic male sterility to see if they resemble either the USDA or the Texas source or if they have a different spectrum of interactions with genotype. Cytoplasmic male sterility in corn is characterized by having two distinct forms, the USDA and the Texas. Both types interact with the nucleus to the extent that their sterility-inducing potential is revealed only by certain genes, and the number of the genes is relatively few for each cytoplasm. The Texas type has been shown to affect, to a small degree, the rate of growth and final size of the corn plant, independently of its effect on pollen sterility.
Development and implementation of a writing program to improve resident authorship rates.

Purpose The development, implementation, and evaluation of a writing program with a formalized writing project as a component of postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) and postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residencies are described. Summary The writing program at Georgia Regents Medical Center/University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, a collaborative and jointly funded program, was initiated in the 2010–11 residency year. The goals of the program are to teach residents to communicate effectively, apply leadership skills, employ project management skills, and provide medication- and practice- related education and training. The program combines both writing experiences and mentorship. At the beginning of the residency year, trainees are presented with opportunities to participate in both research projects and writing projects. Specifically, opportunities within the writing program include involvement in review articles, case reports, drug information rounds, book chapters, letters to the editor, and high-quality medication-use evaluations for potential publication. The writing project is highly encouraged, and completion of a manuscript to be submitted for publication is expected by graduation. Nine papers were published by 8 of 18 PGY1 and PGY2 residents in the four years before program implementation. A total of 23 publications were published by 18 (72%) of the 25 PGY1 and PGY2 residents in the four years after implementation of the writing program. Conclusion Implementation of a formal writing program increased the overall publication rate of residents.
Examining Relationships Among Ethnicity, PTSD, Life Functioning, and Comorbidity in Female OEF/OIF Veterans

ABSTRACTThere is much literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and male combat veterans, but little on PTSD by gender and ethnicity among women combat veterans. We examine ethnic differences in PTSD and comorbid disorders among 37 Hispanic, 27 White, and 15 Native female Operaton Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) combat veterans. Participants completed the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, Axis I (SCID-Axis I and II), Life Events Checklist (LEC), Military Stress Exposure Questionnaire (MSEQ), and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36). Hispanics differed from Whites in having less education, more trauma exposure, higher levels of PTSD, mood disorder comorbidity, and poorer physical and emotional functioning. Natives differed from Whites with more trauma exposure, higher levels of PTSD, poorer emotional functioning, and higher rates of Cluster B PDs.
A Conceptual Model of Historical Trauma: Implications for Public Health Practice and Research

Historical trauma theory is a relatively new concept in public health. The premise of this theory is that populations historically sub- jected to long-term, mass trauma—colonialism, slavery, war, genocide— exhibit a higher prevalence of disease even several generations aer the original trauma occurred. Understanding how historical trauma might infl uence the current health status of racial/ethnic populations in the U.S. may provide new directions and insights for eliminating health disparities. This article off ers an analysis of the theoretical framework of historical trauma theory and provides a general review of the literature. A conceptual model is introduced illustrating how historical trauma might play a role in disease prevalence and health disparities. Finally, implications for public health practice and research are discussed.
Modeling a dynamic bi-layer contact network of injection drug users and the spread of blood-borne infections

Injection drug users (IDUs) are at high risk of acquiring and spreading various blood-borne infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and a number of sexually transmitted infections. These infections can spread among IDUs via risky sexual and needle-sharing contacts. To accurately model the spread of such contagions among IDUs, we build a bi-layer network that captures both types of risky contacts. We present methodology for inferring important model parameters, such as those governing network structure and dynamics, from readily available data sources (e.g., epidemiological surveys). Such a model can be used to evaluate the efficacy of various programs that aim to combat drug addiction and contain blood-borne diseases among IDUs. The model is especially useful for evaluating interventions that exploit the structure of the contact network. To illustrate, we instantiate a network model with data collected by a needle and syringe program in Chicago. We model sexual and needle-sharing contacts and the consequent spread of HIV and HCV. We use the model to evaluate the potential effects of a peer education (PE) program under different targeting strategies. We show that a targeted PE program would avert significantly more HIV and HCV infections than an untargeted program, highlighting the importance of reaching individuals who are centrally located in contact networks when instituting prevention programs.
Erosive Gastritis as a Manifestation of Secondary Syphilis

In a case of secondary syphilis with gastric involvement, the clinical history and roentgenographic and gastroscopic examiniations initially suggested an infiltrative malignant neoplasm. However, macroscopic and histologic examination of the partial gastrectomy specimen demonstrated an erosive, inflammatory lesion. Subsequently, numerous Treponema pallida were demonstrated in formalin-fixed eroded gastric mucosa by silver impregnation and fluorescent antibody technics. Although the true incidence of syphilitic gastritis is unknown, it may occur commonly during the secondary stage of syphilis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diffuse erosive gastritides and infiltrative lesions of the stomach.
Adapting to Fast-Changing Markets and Technologies:

The dynamic capabilities framework identifies three components as critical for successful organizational adaptation: sensing, seizing and transforming. By contrasting two distinct business cases, a long-term biofuel investment by DuPont and Novartis's rapid deployment of digital technologies in marketing, this article assesses the managerial implications of each of these components. It develops an embryonic contingency model that illustrates why the relative importance of dynamic capabilities varies across firms. The article also highlights the critical role played by strategic leaders, who must selectively adapt and refine dynamic capabilities and also serve as a last line of defense in times of rapid change.
Organized Violence after Civil War: The Geography of Recruitment in Latin America

Nearly half of all countries emerging from civil conflict relapse into war within a few years of signing a peace agreement. The postwar trajectories of armed groups vary from organizational cohesion to dissolution, demilitarization to remilitarization. In Organized Violence after Civil War, Daly analyzes evidence from thirty-seven militia groups in Colombia, demonstrating that the primary driving force behind these changes is the variation in recruitment patterns within, and between, the warring groups. She documents the transition from war to peace through interviews with militia commanders, combatants and victims. Using rich ex-combatant survey data and geo-coded information on violence over fifty years of war, Daly explains the dynamics inside armed organizations and the strategic interactions among them. She also shows how the theory may be used beyond Colombia, both within the region of Latin America and across the rest of the world.
Looking for trouble: Adherence to late-effects surveillance among childhood cancer survivors.

Background Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at high risk of morbidity and mortality from long-term complications of their cancer treatment. The Children's Oncology Group developed screening guidelines to enable the early identification of and intervention for late effects of cancer treatment. There is a paucity of data on the adherence of CCSs to screening recommendations. Procedure A retrospective analysis of medical records to evaluate the rate of adherence of CCSs to the personalized, risk-based recommendations provided to them in the context of a structured long-term follow-up program over a 3-year period. Results Two hundred eighty-six CCSs visited the survivorship clinic 542 times during the 3-year study period. The overall rate of adherence to recommended screening was 74.2%. Using a univariate model and greater age at diagnosis and at screening recommendation were associated with decreased screening adherence. Gender, cancer diagnosis, radiation therapy, anthracycline exposure, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant were not significantly associated with adherence. In a multivariate model, age over 18 years at the time of the visit was significantly associated with decreased adherence (P < 0.0329) (odds ratio: 1.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–2.25). Conclusions Adherence to recommended screening tests is suboptimal among CCSs, with lower rates of adherence in CCSs older than 18 years of age compared with those younger than 18 years of age. Given the morbidity and mortality from the late effects of therapy among young adult CCSs, it is critically important to identify and remove barriers to late-effects screening among CCSs.
MicroRNA regulation of human pancreatic cancer stem cells

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs that function primarily in the post transcriptional regulation of gene expression in plants and animals. Deregulation of miRNA expression in cancer cells, including pancreatic cancer cells, is well documented, and the involvement of miRNAs in orchestrating tumor genesis and cancer progression has been recognized. This review focuses on recent reports demonstrating that miRNAs are involved in regulation of pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs). A number of miRNA species have been identified to be involved in regulating pancreatic CSCs, including miR-21, miR-34, miR-1246, miR-221, the miR-17-92 cluster, the miR-200 and let-7 families. Furthermore, the Notch-signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process are associated with miRNA regulation of pancreatic CSCs. Given the significant contribution of CSCs to chemo-resistance and tumor progression, a better understanding of how miRNAs function in pancreatic CSCs could provide novel strategies for the development of therapeutics and diagnostics for this devastating disease.
Plasmonic coaxial waveguides: cavity-based devices and slit-based couplers

We investigate 3D plasmonic coaxial waveguide devices. Optical response of stub resonators coupled to a coaxial waveguide is investigated. Also, slit-based structures for coupling free space light into plasmonic coaxial waveguides are introduced.
A laid-back trip through the Hennigian Forests.

BACKGROUND This paper is a comment on the idea of matrix-free Cladistics. Demonstration of this idea's efficiency is a major goal of the study. Within the proposed framework, the ordinary (phenetic) matrix is necessary only as "source" of Hennigian trees, not as a primary subject of the analysis. Switching from the matrix-based thinking to the matrix-free Cladistic approach clearly reveals that optimizations of the character-state changes are related not to the real processes, but to the form of the data representation. METHODS We focused our study on the binary data. We wrote the simple ruby-based script FORESTER version 1.0 that helps represent a binary matrix as an array of the rooted trees (as a "Hennigian forest"). The binary representations of the genomic (DNA) data have been made by script 1001. The Average Consensus method as well as the standard Maximum Parsimony (MP) approach has been used to analyze the data. PRINCIPLE FINDINGS The binary matrix may be easily re-written as a set of rooted trees (maximal relationships). The latter might be analyzed by the Average Consensus method. Paradoxically, this method, if applied to the Hennigian forests, in principle can help to identify clades despite the absence of the direct evidence from the primary data. Our approach may handle the clock- or non clock-like matrices, as well as the hypothetical, molecular or morphological data. DISCUSSION Our proposal clearly differs from the numerous phenetic alignment-free techniques of the construction of the phylogenetic trees. Dealing with the relations, not with the actual "data" also distinguishes our approach from all optimization-based methods, if the optimization is defined as a way to reconstruct the sequences of the character-state changes on a tree, either the standard alignment-based techniques or the "direct" alignment-free procedure. We are not viewing our recent framework as an alternative to the three-taxon statement analysis (3TA), but there are two major differences between our recent proposal and the 3TA, as originally designed and implemented: (1) the 3TA deals with the three-taxon statements or minimal relationships. According to the logic of 3TA, the set of the minimal trees must be established as a binary matrix and used as an input for the parsimony program. In this paper, we operate directly with maximal relationships written just as trees, not as binary matrices, while also using the Average Consensus method instead of the MP analysis. The solely 'reversal'-based groups can always be found by our method without the separate scoring of the putative reversals before analyses.
Conventional vs Computer-Assisted Stereoscopic Ultrasound Needle Guidance for Renal Access: A Randomized Crossover Bench-Top Trial.

Abstract Purpose: Ultrasound (US) guidance during renal access and mass biopsy reduces radiation exposure, but can be technically challenging. A needle guidance system might simplify these procedur...
The Epidemiology of Firearm Deaths in Iowa, 1980-1990

Firearm fatalities are not just a problem in our inner cities. We review the 2,554 firearm deaths in Iowa from 1980 to 1990 (a mean annual crude firearm death rate of 8.1 per 100,000). As elsewhere, the crude firearm death rate for men (14.6 per 100,000) was much greater than the rate for women (2.0 per 100,000). In Iowa, suicides accounted for 77.8% of these deaths, compared with 53.4% nationwide. Conversely, in Iowa, homicides accounted for only 14.8% of the firearm deaths, compared with 40.2% nationwide. Unintentional firearm injuries accounted for 4.9% of the fatalities, compared with 4.4% nationwide. For the years 1980 to 1984, the type of firearm used in suicides was recorded on 92.5% of death certificates. Although handguns are much less prevalent in Iowa than elsewhere, they were overrepresented in both homicides and suicides. Firearm fatalities represented only 0.9% of the deaths in Iowa but accounted for 5.1% of the years of potential life lost. These data and those of others argue for regulation of gun ownership.
Model of End-Stage Liver Disease-eXcluding International Normalized Ratio (MELD-XI) Scoring System to Predict Outcomes in Patients Who Undergo Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Background The use of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) to treat advanced heart failure is increasing. Although risk scores, such as Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and the HeartMate II Risk Score, require the use of the international normalized ratio, many patients are on anticoagulation before CF-LVAD implantation. This study evaluated the ability of the Model of End-Stage Liver Disease-eXcluding International Normalized Ratio (MELD-XI) scoring system to predict clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure who undergo CF-LVAD implantation. Methods A single-center retrospective review was performed of 524 patients who were implanted with the HeartMate II LVAD (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA) or the HeartWare HVAD (HeartWare International Inc, Framingham, MA) between 2004 and 2016. Patients were stratified into two cohorts: those with a MELD-XI score of less than 14 (n = 301) and 14 or higher (n = 223). Results Patients with the higher-risk MELD-XI score of 14 or higher demonstrated lower survival rates at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months ( p p = 0.92). Patients with elevated MELD-XI scores at follow-up demonstrated higher rates of mortality. Conclusions These findings suggest that a MELD-XI score of 14 or higher was associated with a higher postoperative mortality rate than that seen in patients with a lower MELD-XI score. The MELD-XI scoring system can be used to predict outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure who undergo CF-LVAD implantation.
miRNAs and Their Emerging Role in Cardiac Hypertrophy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation or promoting de-gradation of targeted messenger RNAs (mRNAs). More than one-third of human protein-coding mRNAs are predicted as being regulated by miRNAs, which have been implicated in processes as diverse as cancer and muscle biology. Now, recent studies demonstrate that the expression profiles of many miRNAs change during cardiac hypertrophy. Most importantly, both gain- and loss-of-function studies have established a clear functional correlation between miRNAs and cardiac hypertrophy. This previously unrecognized relationship sheds new light onto the regulatory mechanisms underlying the heart’s response to pathological stress and suggests the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease.