cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Immune Landscape in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

The liver lies at the intersection of multiple metabolic pathways and consequently plays a central role in lipid metabolism. Pathological disturbances in hepatic lipid metabolism are characteristic of chronic metabolic diseases, such as obesity-mediated insulin resistance, which can result in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Tissue damage induced in NAFLD activates and recruits liver-resident and non-resident immune cells, resulting in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Importantly, NASH is associated with an increased risk of significant clinical sequelae such as cirrhosis, cardiovascular diseases, and malignancies. In this review, we describe the immunopathogenesis of NASH by defining the known functions of immune cells in the progression and resolution of disease.
Human growth hormone treatment: Henry Ford Hospital experience 1964-1990.

Treatment with human growth hormone (GH) at Henry Ford Hospital began in 1964 and has included 145 patients. A total of 68 patients were treated with extracted hormone and 77 with recombinant GH. The appearance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, now five cases worldwide, in patients treated with extracted hormone abruptly stopped its use in the United States. The development of recombinant GH in 1985 has resulted in greater availability of treatment. Diagnostic criteria are now more liberal and certain patients without GH deficiency, i.e., those with the Turner syndrome, are now being successfully treated with GH. GH is expensive and its inappropriate use would have a major impact on health care costs. Indications for its use are not yet fully elucidated.
Core conditions for alpha heating attained in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion

It is shown that direct-drive implosions on the OMEGA laser have achieved core conditions that would lead to significant alpha heating at incident energies available on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) scale. The extrapolation of the experimental results from OMEGA to NIF energy assumes only that the implosion hydrodynamic efficiency is unchanged at higher energies. This approach is independent of the uncertainties in the physical mechanism that degrade implosions on OMEGA, and relies solely on a volumetric scaling of the experimentally observed core conditions. It is estimated that the current best-performing OMEGA implosion [Regan et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 025001 (2016)] extrapolated to a 1.9 MJ laser driver with the same illumination configuration and laser-target coupling would produce 125 kJ of fusion energy with similar levels of alpha heating observed in current highest performing indirect-drive NIF implosions.
Endowments, Culture and Economic Development

This paper investigates whether the geographic characteristics of a country can explain cross‐country variations in income levels through their ability to explain cross‐country variations in cultural traits that enhance economic development. In other words, this paper attempts to determine whether the geographic endowment can serve as an instrument in examining the effect of culture on economic development. The paper conducts two‐stage least‐squares regressions. The second stage is a regression of the logarithm of real gross domestic product per capita on each of the cultural attributes that are considered in this study. In the first stage, the geographic factors that statistically explain a cultural aspect are used as instrumental variables. The results of the empirical estimation show that the cultural variables, instrumented by the geographic variables, explain cross‐country variations in economic development.
Binary Cycle Power Plants

Binary cycle geothermal power plants are the closest in thermodynamic principle to conventional fossil or nuclear plants in that the working fluid undergoes an actual closed cycle. The working fluid, chosen for its appropriate thermodynamic properties, receives heat from the geofluid, evaporates, expands through a prime-mover, condenses, and is returned to the evaporator by means of a feed pump. The thermodynamic processes undergone by the working fluid are shown in a pressure-enthalpy, P-h diagram. This type of diagram is most often used for refrigeration and air conditioning cycles, but lends itself very well to geothermal binary cycles. The thermodynamic analysis of the cycle is fairly straightforward. This chapter considers the important matter of the selection of the working fluid. This design decision has great implications for the performance of a binary plant. While there are many choices available for working fluids, there are also many constraints on that selection that relate to the thermodynamic properties of the fluids as well as considerations of health, safety, and environmental impact. It discusses innovative and complex binary cycles and considers the theoretical optimum binary cycle for use with a geothermal hot water resource. This gives a basis of comparison for all other types of binary plant. Geothermal binary plants are among the most benign of all power plants regarding environmental impact. A review of the binary plant flow diagrams in this chapter reveals that the only impact on the environment takes place at the heat rejection side of the plant.
A selective review of high-frequency techniques in computational electromagnetics

Solution to high-frequency electromagnetic problems require increased computational resources if ldquoexactrdquo numerical techniques such as finite difference time domain (FDTD), finite element methods (FEM), or, the method of moments (MoM) with free-space Greenpsilas function, are used. These approaches require discretization of the entire structure into cubic cells of sizes between lambda/10 and lambda/20 , with still finer gridding near source and material interface regions. This process yields accurate results, but consumes computational resources directly proportional to the electrical size of the problem. An alternative to such exact approaches is the access to, and application of, analytical techniques that have the potential to generate better-than-acceptable answers in these high frequency regions. These special class of techniques, developed from the principles of quasi- or ray-optics and their sophisticated extensions, have found extensive applications for a wide variety of problems. Notable amongst a class of ray-optic analysis methods are: uniform theory of diffraction (UTD), physical theory of diffraction (PTD) and the spectral theory of diffraction (STD). A common interesting feature is that the computation time is inversely proportional to the electrical size of the problem and thus serves to complement the exact approaches. Additionally, due to the nature of these quasi- or ray-optic methods, the dominant contributors to the complete solution can be realized in terms of ldquoraysrdquo that provide deeper physical insight into the various electromagnetic interaction mechanisms. In this exposition, the early experimental work on light scattering by perfectly conducting circular cylinders, and mathematical foundations of the state-of-art ray-optic methodologies are comprehensively reviewed. The versatility of the high-frequency, ray-optic techniques will be exemplified through some select numerical examples from the NEC-BSC version 4.2 (numerical electromagnetics code - basic scattering code), that employs the UTD formulations. Recent research topics associated with the present high-frequency methods, such as the Stokes phenomenon, complex rays, hybrid ray-mode methods are discussed, followed by an extensive list of references.
Peginterferon beta-1a reduces disability worsening in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: 2-year results from ADVANCE

Background:In the pivotal phase III 2-year ADVANCE study, subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a 125 mcg every 2 weeks demonstrated significant improvements in clinical outcomes, including disability e...
Development of ROACH Firmware for Microwave Multiplexed X-Ray TES Microcalorimeters

We are developing room temperature electronics based upon the ROACH platform to readout microwave multiplexed X-ray TES. ROACH is an open-source hardware and software platform featuring a large Xilinx Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Power PC processor, several 10 GB Ethernet SFP+ interfaces, and a collection of daughter boards for analog signal generation and acquisition. The combination of a ROACH board, ADC/DAC conversion daughter boards, and hardware for RF mixing allows for the generation and capture of multiple RF tones for reading out microwave multiplexed X-ray TES microcalorimeters. The FPGA is used to generate multiple tones in base band, from 10 MHz to 250 MHz, which are subsequently mixed to RF in the multiple GHz range and sent through the microwave multiplexer. The tones are generated in the FPGA by storing a large lookup table in Quad Data Rate SRAM modules and playing out the waveform to a DAC board. Once the signal has been modulated to RF, passed through the microwave multiplexer, and has been modulated back to base band, the signal is digitized by an ADC board. The tones are modulated to 0 Hz by using a FPGA circuit consisting of a polyphase filter bank, several Xilinx FFT blocks, Xilinx CORDIC blocks (for converting to magnitude and phase), and special phase accumulator circuit for mixing to exactly 0 Hz. Upwards of 256 channels can be simultaneously captured and written into a bank of 256 First-In-First-Out (FIFO) memories, with each FIFO corresponding to a channel. Individual channel data can be further processed in the FPGA before being streamed through a 10 GB Ethernet fiber-optic interface to a Linux system. The Linux system runs software written in Python and QT C++ for controlling the ROACH system, capturing data, and processing data.
U.S. racial and ethnic relations in the twenty-first century

The study of U.S. racial and ethnic relations is often reduced to the study of racial or ethnic relations. This article reveals the limitations of a focus on ethnicity or race, in isolation, and instead urges a new framework that brings them together. We consider three cases that have been conceptualized by the ethnicity paradigm as assimilation projects and by the race paradigm as structural racism projects, respectively: (1) African-American entrepreneurs; (2) the Mexican middle class; and (3) black immigrant deportees. We reveal the shortcomings of the ethnicity paradigm to consider race as a structural force or to acknowledge that structural racism conditions incorporation in marked ways; and the limitations of the race paradigm to take seriously group members’ agency in fostering social capital that can mediate racial inequality. Instead, we offer a unifying approach to reveals how ethnicity and race condition members’ life chances within the U.S. social structure.
Neurodegenerative Disorders as Proteinopathies: Phenotypic Relationships

The phenotype of neurodegenerative diseases is defined by the distribution of cellular changes, which in turn depends on vulnerability to specific abnormalities of protein metabolism. Distinctive features have been identified that assist in the recognition of specific diseases or specific types of abnormalities of protein metabolism that are shared by several neurodegenerative disorders. Identification of the earliest manifestations of the phenotype will facilitate early implementation of therapy and improve understanding of protein metabolism abnormalities and their secondary consequences. This will assist in drug development and effective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders.
Two new species of callanthiid fishes of the genus Grammatonotus (Percoidei: Callanthiidae) from Pohnpei, western Pacific.

In late July/early August 2015, ichthyologists from the Bishop Museum collecting fishes off Pohnpei in the Caroline Islands group, western Pacific Ocean, obtained specimens of two undescribed species of Grammatonotus . One of the new species, G. xanthostigma , closely resembles the recently described G. brianne , differing most strikingly in the shape of the caudal fin. The other, G. pelipel , is distinctive in having the following combination of characters: disjunct lateral line, barred pattern of coloration (most distinctive in small individuals), and caudal fin truncate to slightly emarginate in small specimens, but with upper and lower lobes produced in largest example known. Herein we provide characters that distinguish callanthiids from other percoids and that distinguish Grammatonotus from Callanthias , the other genus in the family Callanthiidae, along with descriptions of the new species.
Attentional modulation of neuronal variability in circuit models of cortex

The circuit mechanisms behind shared neural variability (noise correlation) and its dependence on neural state are poorly understood. Visual attention is well-suited to constrain cortical models of response variability because attention both increases firing rates and their stimulus sensitivity, as well as decreases noise correlations. We provide a novel analysis of population recordings in rhesus primate visual area V4 showing that a single biophysical mechanism may underlie these diverse neural correlates of attention. We explore model cortical networks where top-down mediated increases in excitability, distributed across excitatory and inhibitory targets, capture the key neuronal correlates of attention. Our models predict that top-down signals primarily affect inhibitory neurons, whereas excitatory neurons are more sensitive to stimulus specific bottom-up inputs. Accounting for trial variability in models of state dependent modulation of neuronal activity is a critical step in building a mechanistic theory of neuronal cognition.
"Access to Capital, Leverage and System Membership"

A recent rise in the number of independent hospitals joining multihospital systems has renewed interest in the effects of multihospital system membership on hospital finance. There is a large body ...
Thermoelectric phonon-glass electron-crystal via ion beam patterning of silicon

Ion beam irradiation has recently emerged as a versatile approach to functional materials design. We show in this work that patterned defective regions generated by ion beam irradiation of silicon can create a phonon-glass electron-crystal (PGEC), a long-standing goal of thermoelectrics. By controlling the effective diameter of and spacing between the defective regions, molecular dynamics simulations suggest a reduction of the thermal conductivity by a factor of $\ensuremath{\sim}20$ is achievable. Boltzmann theory shows that the thermoelectric power factor remains largely intact in the damaged material. To facilitate the Boltzmann theory, we derive an analytical model for electron scattering with cylindrical defective regions based on partial-wave analysis. Together we predict a figure of merit of $ZT\ensuremath{\approx}0.5$ or more at room temperature for optimally patterned geometries of these silicon metamaterials. These findings indicate that nanostructuring of patterned defective regions in crystalline materials is a viable approach to realize a PGEC, and ion beam irradiation could be a promising fabrication strategy.
The Interaction between Ambient PM10 and NO2 on Mortality in Guangzhou, China

Air pollution is now a significant environmental issue in China. To better understand the health impacts of ambient air pollution, this study investigated the potential interaction between PM10 and NO2 on mortality in Guangzhou, China. Time series data of daily non-accidental mortality and concentrations of PM10 and NO2 from 2006 to 2010 were collected. Based on generalized additive model, we developed two models (bivariate model and stratified model) to explore the interaction both qualitatively and quantitatively. At lag of 0–2 days, greater interactive effects between PM10 and NO2 were presented in the graphs. Positive modified effects were also found between the two pollutants on total non-accidental death and cardiovascular death. When the NO2 concentration was at a high level (>76.14 μg/m3), PM10 showed the greatest excess relative risk percentage (ERR%) for total non-accidental mortality (0.46, 95% CI: 0.13–0.79) and cardiovascular disease mortality (0.61, 95% CI: 0.06–1.16) for each 10 μg/m3 increase. During the period of high PM10 concentration (>89.82 μg/m3), NO2 demonstrated its strongest effect for total non-accidental mortality (ERR%: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.42–1.42) and cardiovascular disease mortality (ERR%: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.38–2.03). Our results suggest a positive interaction between PM10 and NO2 on non-accidental mortality in Guangzhou.
BIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF X-RAY INDUCED DNA DAMAGE AND REPAIR PROCESSES IN RELATION TO CELL KILLING AND CARCINOGENESIS

ABSTRACT Studies of X-ray transformation in vitro suggest that the DNA lesions and repair processes which are primarily responsible for cell killing differ from those which lead to malignant transformation. Lethality appeared to be associated with chromosome aberrations and unrejoined DNA strand breaks, while transformation correlated with the induction of sister chromatid exchanges. It is proposed that Ataxia telangiectasia cells may have a defect in the repair of the lethal type of X-ray lesions, whereas hereditary retinoblastoma may involve a defect in the repair of the type of lesions which lead to transformation. The available data suggest that both lethality and transformation induced by UV light and UV-like chemical agents are related to the excision repair of base adducts.
Clustering Proteomics Data Using Bayesian Principal Component Analysis

Bioinformatics clustering tools are useful at all levels of proteomic data analysis. Proteomics studies can provide a wealth of information and rapidly generate large quantities of data from the analysis of biological specimens from healthy and diseased individuals. The high dimensionality of data generated from these studies requires the development of improved bioinformatics tools for efficient and accurate data analysis. For proteome profiling of a particular system or organism, specialized software tools are necessary. However, there have not been significant advances in the informatics and software tools necessary to support the analysis and management of the massive amounts of data generated in the process. Clustering algorithms based on probabilistic and Bayesian models provide an alternative to heuristic algorithms. The number of diseased and non-diseased groups (number of clusters) is reduced to the choice of the number of component of a mixture of underlying probability. Bayesian approach is a tool for including information from the data to the analysis. It offers an estimation of the uncertainties of the data and the parameters involved. We present novel algorithms that cluster and derive meaningful patterns of expression from large scaled proteomics experiments. We processed raw data using principal component analysis to reduce the number of peaks. Bayesian model-based clustering algorithm was then used on the transformed data. The Bayesian model-based approach has shown a superior performance, consistently selecting the correct model and the number of clusters, thus providing a novel approach for accurate diagnosis of the disease.
"I do like my sparkly jeans!"—Communication through embellished jeans

Denim jeans have long captured the heart of consumers across much of the world. One popular contemporary style incorporates embellishments such as contrast stitching, embroidery, sequins, crystals, metal studs, and rhinestones, primarily on the back pockets. Given the ability of jean styles to reflect multiple cultural meanings, it is the purpose of this research to investigate meanings associated with heavily ornamented jeans. In-person semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women aged 19 to 33 years old. Themes emerging from the data revealed that the women adopted this style to communicate desired identity traits, including both fitting in with their chosen social group and standing out from it. Participants embraced the jeans for their semiotic meanings, reading expressions of status and femininity in them. The women made their appearance decisions based on their perceptions of how other people might view them, which in turn was based on assumptions of shared meanings.
A Review of Goal-Directed Cardiopulmonary Bypass Management in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Cardiopulmonary bypass perfusion management significantly affects postoperative outcomes. In recent years, the principles of goal-directed therapy have been applied to the field of cardiothoracic s...
Long-term quality of life in octogenarians and nonagenarians with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation following WATCHMAN™ device implantation.

OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of WATCHMAN™ on quality of life (QoL) in octogenarians and nonagenarians. BACKGROUND QoL after WATCHMAN™ device in the elderly remains unknown. METHODS This is a prospective and retrospective cohort study of patients that underwent WATCHMAN™ implantation in a tertiary cardiovascular center from April 1, 2015 to September 27, 2017. The primary outcome was a prospective assessment of QoL via the SF-12v2 Health Survey (SF-12v2) in those aged ≥80 and ≥90 years. Secondary outcomes include major bleeding, stroke, vascular complications, pericardial effusion, device related thrombus (DRT), prolonged length of stay (LOS), acute kidney injury (AKI), and recurrent hospitalizations. RESULTS This cohort of 151 patients included 48/151 (32%) females with a mean age of 80 ± 7.7 years. Mean CHA2 DS2 -VASc was 4.38 ± 1.36 and mean HAS-BLED was 3.27 ± 1.17. Octogenarians 65/81(80%) and nonagenarians 16/81(20%) comprised 81/151(54%) of patients (mean age 86 ± 4.3 years) from which 36/65 (55%) octogenarians and 10/16 (63%) nonagenarians completed SF-12v2 evaluation at 22 ± 10 and 30 ± 10-months. Octogenarians demonstrated enhanced physical component scores (PCS), and nonagenarians equal PCS versus the age-adjusted norm (45.43 ± 9.84 versus 38.68 ± 11.04, P = 0.0003, and 41.26 ± 12.36 versus 38.68 ± 11.04, P = 0.6463, respectively). The mental component scores (MCS) of octogenarians and nonagenarians remained comparable (51.80 ± 9.56 and 48.97 ± 9.92 versus 50.06 ± 10.94, respectively, P = 0.4659). No stroke, vascular complications, pericardial effusions, or readmissions related to WATCHMAN™ occurred. No difference among patients <80, ≥80, and ≥90 years was found in major bleeding events, DRT, prolonged LOS, or AKI (P = 0.0569, 0.116, 0.498, and 0.795, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Octogenarians and nonagenarians experience favorable long-term QoL after WATCHMAN™, with acceptable bleeding risk and low incidence of procedure-related complications.
Preserved Cognition in Patients With Early Alzheimer Disease and Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment During Treatment With Rosiglitazone

Objective Insulin resistance (impaired insulin action) has been associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) and memory impairment, independent of AD. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonists improve insulin sensitivity and regulate in-vitro processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Authors evaluated the effects of the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone on cognition and plasma levels of the APP derivative β-amyloid (Aβ) in humans. Methods In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group pilot study, 30 subjects with mild AD or amnestic mild cognitive impairment were randomized to a 6-month course of rosiglitazone (4 mg daily; N=20) or placebo (N = 10). Primary endpoints were cognitive performance and plasma Aβ levels. Results Relative to the placebo group, subjects receiving rosiglitazone exhibited better delayed recall (at Months 4 and 6) and selective attention (Month 6). At Month 6, plasma Aβ levels were unchanged from baseline for subjects receiving rosiglitazone but declined for subjects receiving placebo, consistent with recent reports that plasma Aβ42 decreases with progression of AD. Conclusions Findings provide preliminary support that rosiglitazone may offer a novel strategy for the treatment of cognitive decline associated with AD. Future confirmation in a larger study is needed to fully demonstrate rosiglitazone's therapeutic potential.
Post-hospital syndrome predicts poor postoperative outcomes and increased cost following transvaginal midurethral sling placement

Post-hospital syndrome (PHS), a 90-day period of health vulnerability related to physiologic stressors following recent inpatient admission, has been observed in surgical and non-surgical patients. We aim to explore its effects on readmission and complication rates in patients undergoing elective female mid-urethral sling placement for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database, State Emergency Department Database, and State Ambulatory Surgery Database for Florida between 2009 and 2014 were linked and utilized. Patients were identified as having undergone an outpatient mid-urethral sling placement with or without cystoscopy by CPT code. The primary exposure was PHS, defined as any inpatient admission within 90 days of mid-urethral sling placement. Patients with inpatient hospitalizations within 1 year of sling procedure were categorized based on timing of prior admission and analyzed. The primary outcomes were 30-day hospital readmission, rates of postoperative ED visits, minor/major complications rates, and overall 30-day cost. A multivariable logistic regression model was fit to assess independent predictors of adverse surgical outcomes. A total of 17,081 female patients who underwent mid-urethral sling procedures were identified. Patients with PHS were at higher risk for 30-day readmission [OR: 5.36 (IQR: 3.61–7.93); p < 0.005], 30-day ED visits [OR: 2.38 (IQR: 1.75–3.25); p < 0.005], major complications [OR: 6.22 (IQR: 4.67–8.29); p < 0.005], and minor complications [OR: 4.62 (IQR: 3.77–5.67); p < 0.005]. This risk was time dependent in nature with a decreasing risk profile the further surgery was from index hospitalization. Furthermore, PHS patients were more likely to incur an increased cost burden with an average 30-day increased cost of $705.80. Hospitalization within 90 days prior to mid-urethral sling placement is a risk-adjusted, independent predictor of increased rates of 30-day readmission rates, 30-day ED visits, 30-day minor/major complications, and increased hospital-related cost. Clinical and surgical outcomes may be improved with consideration of prior hospitalizations in determining the timing of mid-urethral sling placement for stress urinary incontinence.
Accessing Confidential Health Information by Mobile Devices the Trend of Online Treatment and Use of Social Media for Health Services

The rapid proliferation of mobile devices offers unprecedented opportunities for patients and health care professionals to exchange health information electronically, but little is known about patients’ willingness to exchange various types of health information using these devices.
Cutting Multiparticle Correlators Down to Size

Multiparticle correlators are mathematical objects frequently encountered in quantum field theory and collider physics. By translating multiparticle correlators into the language of graph theory, we can gain new insights into their structure as well as identify efficient ways to manipulate them. We highlight the power of this graph-theoretic approach by ``cutting open'' the vertices and edges of the graphs, allowing us to systematically classify linear relations among multiparticle correlators and develop faster methods for their computation. The naive computational complexity of an $N$-point correlator among $M$ particles is $\mathcal{O}({M}^{N})$, but when the pairwise distances between particles can be cast as an inner product, we show that all such correlators can be computed in linear $\mathcal{O}(M)$ run-time. With the help of new tensorial objects called energy flow moments, we achieve a fast implementation of jet substructure observables like ${C}_{2}$ and ${D}_{2}$, which are widely used at the Large Hadron Collider to identify boosted hadronic resonances. As another application, we compute the number of leafless multigraphs with $d$ edges up to $d=16\text{ }\text{ }(15,641,159)$, conjecturing that this is the same as the number of independent kinematic polynomials of degree $d$, previously known only to $d=8$ (279).
A mycotoxin transporter (4D) from a library of deoxynivalenol-tolerant microorganisms.

Abstract New strategies are needed to mitigate the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in feed and food products. Microbial DNA fragments were generated from a library of DON-tolerant microorganisms. These fragments were screened in DON-sensitive yeast strains for their ability to modify or transport DON. Fragments were cloned into a PCR8/TOPO vector, and recombined into the yeast vector, pYES-DEST52. Resulting yeast transformants were screened in the presence of 100 ppm DON. Transformants that were able to grow in the presence of DON were plated on a selective medium, and the cloned microbial DNA fragments were sequenced. BLAST queries of one microbial DNA fragment (4D) showed a high degree of similarity to an ABC transporter. A series of screening and inhibition assays were conducted with a transport inhibitor (propanol), to test the hypothesis that 4D is a mycotoxin transporter. DON concentrations did not change for yeast transformants expressing 4D. The ability of yeast transformants expressing 4D to transport DON was inhibited by the addition of propanol. Moreover, yeast transformants expressing a known efflux pump (PDR5) showed similar trends in propanol transport inhibition compared to 4D. Future work should consider mycotoxin transporters such as 4D to the development of transgenic plants to limit DON accumulation in seeds.
The identification of risk factors for increased postoperative pain following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

To evaluate specific demographic and perioperative variables associated with higher inpatient pain scores following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Patients who underwent a single-level, primary MIS TLIF were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative outcomes were collected, and postoperative inpatient VAS pain scores were measured. Both bivariate and stepwise multivariate Poisson regressions with robust error variance were used to assess risk factors for average inpatient pain score ≥ 5.0. A final backward stepwise regression model was created using age, gender, smoking status, diabetes status, insurance status, BMI, comorbidity burden, pedicle screw laterality, operative time, and estimated blood loss. A total of 255 patients undergoing primary, single-level MIS TLIF were included. Age less than 50 years, workers’ compensation insurance, preoperative VAS pain score ≥ 7, and operative duration ≥ 110 min were associated with greater postoperative pain. However, other variables such as gender, BMI, smoking status, comorbidity burden, diabetes status, and pedicle screw laterality were not associated with increased postoperative pain. The results of this study suggest that younger age, workers’ compensation, elevated preoperative pain scores, and longer operative times are independently associated with greater inpatient pain following TLIF. Surgeons can use this information to better assess which patients may require additional pain control following TLIF. Patient expectations of postoperative outcomes in regard to pain and recovery may also be better managed. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material. (paragraph). Then process the ppt slide as graphical image.
Supplemental taurine during adolescence and early adulthood has sex-specific effects on cognition, behavior and neurotransmitter levels in C57BL/6J mice dependent on exposure window

The mammalian brain goes through final maturation during late adolescence and early adulthood with sex differences in timing. The key cellular processes, including changes in neurotransmitter receptor density and synaptic pruning, make this age uniquely vulnerable to neurotoxic insults. Teenagers and young adults are the major consumers of energy drinks, which contain high levels of taurine and caffeine. Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the central nervous system, but the effects of supplemental taurine consumption during adolescence has not been well studied. We conducted an initial short-term exposure study with 0.12% taurine in drinking water and a long-term exposure dose-response study using 0.06 and 0.12% taurine in male and female C57BL/6J mice. We examined a broad range of cognitive functions and behaviors and measured neurotransmitter levels. We found no significant differences in anxiety, open field locomotor activity, or sensorimotor gating. However, we found impairments in novel object recognition and sex differences in Morris water maze. When taurine treatment stopped before behavioral experiments began, male mice had significant impairments in spatial learning and memory. In the dose-response study when taurine treatment continued throughout behavioral experiments, females had significant impairments. We also found sex differences in neurotransmitter levels with females having higher levels of glutamate, DOPAC and 5-HIAA. We conclude that both females and males are at risk from excess taurine consumption during final brain maturation.
A Programmable Multi-Dimensional Analog Radial-Basis- Function-Based Classifier

A compact analog programmable multidimensional radialbasis-function (RBF)-based classifier is demonstrated in this chapter. The probability distribution of each feature in the templates is modeled by a Gaussian function that is approximately realized by the bell-shaped transfer characteristics of a proposed floating-gate bump circuit. The maximum likelihood, the mean, and the variance of the distribution are stored in floating-gate transistors and are independently programmable. By cascading these floating-gate bump circuits, the overall transfer characteristics approximate a multivariate Gaussian function with a diagonal covariance matrix. An array of these circuits constitute a compact multidimensional RBF-based classifier that can easily implement a Gaussian mixture model. When followed by a winner-take-all circuit, the RBFbased classifier forms an analog vector quantizer. Receiver operating characteristic curves and equal error rate are used to evaluate the performance of the RBF-based classifier as well as a resultant analog vector quantizer. It is shown that the classifier performance is comparable to that of digital counterparts. The proposed approach can be at least two orders of magnitude more power efficient than the digital microprocessors at the same task. 1 Motivations for Analog RBF Classifier The aggressive scaling of silicon technologies has led to transistors and many sensors becoming faster and smaller. The trend toward integrating sensors, interface circuits, and microprocessors into a single package or into a single chip is more and more prevalent. Fig. 1A illustrates the block diagram of a typical microsystem, which receives analog inputs via sensors and performs classification, decision-making, or, in a more general term, information-refinement tasks in the digital domain. Although fabrication and packaging technologies enable an unprecedented number of components to be packed into a small volume, the accompanying power density can be higher than ever, which has become one of the bottle-neck factors in the microsystem development. If the informationrefinement tasks can be performed in the analog domain with less power consumption, the specifications for the analog-to-digital-converters, which are usually power-hungry, can be relaxed. In some cases, analog-to-digital conversion can 2 S.-Y. Peng, P. E. Hasler, D. V. Anderson Analog Cepstrum Generator Analog RBF Classifier
The Effect of Monthly Anti-CD25 + Treatment with Basiliximab on the Progression of Chronic Renal Dysfunction after Lung Transplantation

Background: Chronic renal dysfunction (CRD), as predominantly related to calcineurin-inhibitor (CNI) nephrotoxicity, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation (LTx). Basiliximab (BSX), a recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD25 + on activated T-lymphocytes, although often employed as an “induction immunosuppression” after solid organ transplantation, may further allow for reduction in CNI exposure with monthly administration and amelioration of CRD. Objective: To determine the effect of monthly anti-CD25 + treatment with basiliximab on the progression of chronic renal dysfunction after lung transplantation. Methods: Post-LTx recipients with stages IIIB-V CRD were treated with monthly intravenous infusion of BSX 20 mg. They were analyzed for creatinine clearance at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; rate of the change in the clearance (the slope of the regression line) and FEV 1 /month; de novo HLA class I or II DSA; and infectious events (IE). Tacrolimus (TAC) trough levels were concurrently targeted at 2–4 ng/mL during BSX therapy. The criteria for BSX discontinuation included acute lung allograft rejection, acute respiratory infection, and progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Results: 9 LTx recipients were treated with BSX for ≥6 months. The median time past after their LTx was 1853 (range: 75–7212) days; the mean±SD age was 64.3±11.3 years; the male:female ratio was 7:2. The baseline mean±SD creatinine clearance 1–3 months prior to BSX initiation was 22.8±5.14 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (CI: 3.95) consistent with CRD stages—IIIB (2), IV (6), and V (1). Prior to BSX treatment, all 9 patients had established CLAD—obstructive-phenotype (BOS, n=4) and restrictive-phenotype (RAS, n=5). During the course of BSX treatment, the aggregate creatinine clearance mean slope increased by a mean±SD of 0.747±0.467 mL/min/1.72 m 2 /month (CI: 0.359), consistent with “stabilization” of renal function in 7 patients; deterioration occurred in 2 with transition to chronic hemodialysis. Spirometric stability in lung allograft function was observed in 5 patients with a mean±SD aggregate FEV 1 slope of ‑1.49±1.08 mL/month (CI: 2.50). 3 deaths occurred due to the following conditions during BSX treatment—HFpEF/ Sepsis + CLAD/Parainfluenza type 2 bronchiolitis + CLAD. 2 recipients developed “weak MFI” HLA class II DSA; no HLA class I DSA was detected during the treatment. Conclusion: Renal sparing therapy with monthly BSX infusion with concurrent reduction in CNI exposure (TAC = 2–4 ng/mL) for stages IIIB-V CRD was associated with stability in creatinine clearance in 78% of patients over a treatment course of 6–12 months. Pre-existing CLAD afflicting all patients and inherent variability in progression of chronic rejection, limits our assessment of BSX efficacy in this context. We detected an infrequent de novo HLA class II DSA during BSX therapy.
GaN-Based Tri-Mode Intelligent Solid-State Circuit Breakers for Low-Voltage DC Power Networks

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive and integrated discussion on the basic concept and general design methodology of a gallium nitride (GaN)-based, tri-mode, intelligent solid-state circuit breaker, referred to as iBreaker. The iBreaker concept explores the use of GaN devices in the low-voltage ( on / off switch configuration in order to integrate more intelligent functions without increasing component count. The iBreaker adopts a distinct pulsewidth modulation (PWM) current limiting (PWM-CL) state in addition to the conventional on and off states to facilitate soft startup, fault authentication, and fault location functions. Key design elements, such as use of wide bandgap (particularly GaN) switches, tri-mode operation, combined digital and analog control, and universal hardware/software architecture, are discussed in detail. In particular, the bidirectional buck topology, changes among operation states, variable PWM frequency control, fault locating techniques, GaN FET hardware, and thermal design are discussed. Two iBreaker prototypes, rated at 380 V/20 A and 1000 V/10 A, respectively, are built and tested to validate the proposed SSCB design concept. 99.95% transmission efficiency, passive cooling, and μs-scale response time are demonstrated experimentally.
Activist 101 Activities for Pre-Service Teachers

This Teaching Note briefly describes three activities that can easily be integrated into any teacher education course.
Does insecure land tenure deter investment? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract There is broad agreement among the most prominent observational studies that tenure insecurity deters investment. We present new experimental evidence testing this proposition: a land certification program randomized across villages in Zambia. Our results contradict the consensus. Though the intervention improved perceptions of tenure security, it had no impact on investment in the following season. The impact is still zero even after a cross-randomized agroforestry extension relaxes financial and technical constraints to agroforestry investment. Though relaxing these constraints has a direct effect, it is not enhanced by granting land tenure, implying tenure insecurity had not been a barrier to investment.
Is Differential Noneffortful Responding Associated with Type I Error in Measurement Invariance Testing

Low test-taking effort as a validity threat is common when examinees perceive an assessment context to have minimal personal value. Prior research has shown that in such contexts, subgroups may dif...
Are passengers willing to ride on autonomous cruise-ships?

Abstract This study researches cruise-ship passengers’ Willingness to Ride (WTR) onboard a vessel with either a human operator or a completely autonomous system. We utilized a between-subjects quasi-experimental design with 578 participants from the U.S. using Amazon's MTurk. WTR was measured using an adapted version of the Willingness to Fly scale. The results showed that while all participants were significantly less willing to ride onboard autonomous cruise-ships, male participants had significantly higher WTR. Interestingly, male participants’ WTR was positive indicating a positive perception towards automation, a new finding in autonomous transportation research. Participants also rated their feelings towards the scenarios using pictorial representations of the six universal emotions. A mediation analysis on this affect data determined which emotions mediated the relationship between the condition and willingness. The results showed that fear and happiness are the predominant driving forces behind these perceptions. The findings of this study will be valuable in understanding the perceptions of cruise consumers and can help inform policy and decision makers within the industry about perceptions as well as the underlying emotional factors that influence those perceptions.
Parallel geometric algorithms on a mesh-connected computer

We show that a number of geometric problems can be solved on a √n × √n mesh-connected computer (MCC) inO(√n) time, which is optimal to within a constant factor, since a nontrivial data movement on an MCC requires Ω(√n) time. The problems studied here include multipoint location, planar point location, trapezoidal decomposition, intersection detection, intersection of two convex polygons, Voronoi diagram, the largest empty circle, the smallest enclosing circle, etc. TheO(√n) algorithms for all of the above problems are based on the classical divide-and-conquer problem-solving strategy.
Elevated Fundus Autofluorescence in Monkeys Deficient in Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

PURPOSE We quantified fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in the nonhuman primate retina as a function of age and diets lacking lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) and omega-3 fatty acids. METHODS Quantitative FAF was measured in a cross-sectional study of rhesus macaques fed a standard diet across the lifespan, and in aged rhesus macaques fed lifelong diets lacking L/Z and providing either adequate or deficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Macular FAF images were segmented into multiple regions of interest, and mean gray values for each region were calculated using ImageJ. The resulting FAF values were compared across ages within the standard diet animals, and among diet groups and regions. RESULTS Fundus autofluorescence increased with age in the standard diet animals, and was highest in the perifovea. Monkeys fed L/Z-free diets with either adequate or deficient omega-3 fatty acids had significantly higher FAF overall than age-matched standard diet monkeys. Examined by region, those with adequate omega-3 fatty acids had higher FAF in the fovea and superior regions, while monkeys fed the diet lacking L/Z and omega-3 fatty acids had higher FAF in all regions. CONCLUSIONS Diets devoid of L/Z resulted in increased retinal autofluorescence, with the highest values in animals also lacking omega-3 fatty acids. The increase was equivalent to a 12- to 20-year acceleration in lipofuscin accumulation compared to animals fed a standard diet. Together these data add support for the role of these nutrients as important factors in lipofuscin accumulation, retinal aging, and progression of macular disease.
Liquid Level Control Using a Porous Plug in a Two-Phase He II System

This paper presents results of an experiment which decouples the liquid counterflow component from the evaporative component of heat transfer in the two-phase He II system. Two baths, partially filled with He II, are connected by a vapor tube at the top and a liquid tube at the bottom. Temperature and liquid level differences between the two baths are measured as a function of heat input into one bath while temperature of the other bath is held constant. A copper porous plug with 30,576 parallel channels of length 1.29 cm and diameter 30 μm is inserted in the bottom tube, which partially restricts flow of the normal fluid component. The liquid level height difference between the two baths is governed by the thermomechanical effect and saturated pressure differences. A numerical model of the combined modes of heat transport is able to predict temperature and liquid level differences accurately. A properly sized porous plug will not restrict heat flow and can reduce the undesirable liquid level differences between components at different temperatures.
The Galerkin Method and Its Variants

In this chapter, we briefly discuss some numerical methods for solving boundary value problems. These are the Galerkin method and its variants: the Petrov-Galerkin method and the generalized Galerkin method. In Section 9.4, we rephrase the conjugate gradient method, discussed in Section 5.6, for solving variational equations.
ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF DIELECTRIC GASES

Potential health effects of certain fluorinated hydrocarbons considered for gaseous dielectric applications have been examined. Toxicological data are lacking for some of the chemicals of interest. The most extensive studies relate to sulfur hexafluoride and octafluorocyclobutane, both of which appear to be rather nontoxic, for acute exposure situations. Mutagenicity studies with fruit flies have identified octafluorocyclobutane and perfluorobutene-2 as producing sex-linked recessive mutations in this organism. Certain products generated by electric discharge through the dielectric gas mixtures and trace contaminants produced during the manufacturing process may be more toxic than the parent compounds.
Hydrodynamic Wind Theory

Resumen en: All main sequence stars lose mass via stellar winds. The winds of cool stars like the sun are driven by gas pressure gradient. However, the winds of hot ...