cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collective dynamics of small-world networks

Networks of coupled dynamical systems have been used to model biological oscillators, Josephson junction arrays, excitable media, neural networks, spatial games, genetic control networks and many other self-organizing systems. Ordinarily, the connection topology is assumed to be either completely regular or completely random. But many biological, technological and social networks lie somewhere between these two extremes. Here we explore simple models of networks that can be tuned through this middle ground: regular networks 'rewired' to introduce increasing amounts of disorder. We find that these systems can be highly clustered, like regular lattices, yet have small characteristic path lengths, like random graphs. We call them 'small-world' networks, by analogy with the small-world phenomenon (popularly known as six degrees of separation. The neural network of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, the power grid of the western United States, and the collaboration graph of film actors are shown to be small-world networks. Models of dynamical systems with small-world coupling display enhanced signal-propagation speed, computational power, and synchronizability. In particular, infectious diseases spread more easily in small-world networks than in regular lattices.
Very high-speed Reed-Solomon decoders

A pipelined finite-field multiplier structure in conjunction with a single systolic array implementation of the Berlekamp-Massey algorithm leads to a highly parallel decoder architecture in which the critical path delay is an order of magnitude smaller than the path delays of conventional architectures.
Early reopening and recanalization after successful coil occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus.

Abstract Background Controversy exists regarding early reopening and recanalization after successful (complete) coil occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Methods Patients with successful PDA coil occlusion were reviewed with regard to PDA size and type, coil size, number of coils, and delivery technique. Follow-up echocardiograms at 12 months were reviewed for residual PDA shunt, left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenosis, and aortic obstruction. Results Successful coil occlusion was achieved in 94 patients. On the initial ( P Conclusion These data suggest that: (1) routine echocardiography immediately after PDA coil occlusion is unnecessary; (2) early PDA reopening is uncommon; and (3) PDA recanalization does not occur if complete echocardiographic closure is documented 6 months after coil occlusion. Additional follow-up examination in these patients may not be necessary. (Am Heart J 2002;143:889-93.)
Effect of Novobiocin and Its Combination with Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol, Erythromycin, and Lincomycin on the Microbial Generation of Escherichia coli

Inhibition of the steady-state generation of Escherichia coli by the bacteriostatic antibiotic novobiocin is linearly related to drug concentration in the range of 0 to 30 μg/ml. Increased cell sizes result because the drug inhibits cell division. The generation rate dependence on drug concentration depends on the nonionized fraction of novobiocin and is invariant with inoculum size or medium composition. However, the antibacterial activity of novobiocin decreases as the concentration of nutrients and Mg 2+ increases, although the inhibitory action of novobiocin on generation rate remains unchanged for concentrations of Mg 2+ above 8.1 × 10 −4 M. Novobiocin is synergistic in combinations with tetracycline in broth, but not when the Mg 2+ was maintained at 4.05 × 10 −3 M. Combinations of novobiocin with the 50 S ribosomal subunit inhibitors chloramphenicol, erythromycin, or lincomycin are antagonistic, and the degree of growth inhibition is determined only by that component of the binary combination that would have the greater potency if it were acting alone.
Communication privacy: a low cost digital approach

Support is demonstrated for an analog/digital system that can be scrambled while in digital form and may or may not transmit the key work for algorithm decoding. Multichannel audio and data communication is considered. In addition to digital audio and pulse code modulation concepts, frequency shift keying, frequency division multiplexing, and quadrature phase modulation are discussed. Both practical and cost aspects are considered. Commercially available integrated parts were used in the empirical work to achieve communication privacy at a low cost. >
Inhibition of MDR1 expression with altritol-modified siRNAs

Altritol-modified nucleic acids (ANAs) support RNA-like A-form structures when included in oligonucleotide duplexes. Thus altritol residues seem suitable as candidates for the chemical modification of siRNAs. Here we report that ANA-modified siRNAs targeting the MDR1 gene can exhibit improved efficacy as compared to unmodified controls. This was particularly true of ANA modifications at or near the 3′ end of the sense or antisense strands, while modification at the 5′ end of the antisense strand resulted in complete loss of activity. Multiple ANA modifications within the sense strand were also well tolerated. Duplexes with ANA modifications at appropriate positions in both strands were generally more effective than duplexes with one modified and one unmodified strand. Initial evidence suggests that the loss of activity associated with ANA modification of the 5′-antisense strand may be due to reduced phosphorylation at this site by cellular kinases. Treatment of drug resistant cells with MDR1-targeted siRNAs resulted in reduction of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression, parallel reduction in MDR1 message levels, increased accumulation of the Pgp substrate rhodamine 123, and reduced resistance to anti-tumor drugs. Interestingly, the duration of action of some of the ANA-modified siRNAs was substantially greater than that of unmodified controls. These observations suggest that altritol modifications may be helpful in developing siRNAs with enhanced pharmacological effectiveness.
Distributional Similarity Models: Clustering vs. Nearest Neighbors

Distributional similarity is a useful notion in estimating the probabilities of rare joint events. It has been employed both to cluster events according to their distributions, and to directly compute averages of estimates for distributional neighbors of a target event. Here, we examine the tradeoffs between model size and prediction accuracy for cluster-based and nearest neighbors distributional models of unseen events.
Space Weathering on Mercury: Implications for Remote Sensing

By applying our understanding of lunar space weathering processes, we can predict how space weathering will effect the soil properties on Mercury. In particular, the extreme temperature range on Mercury may result in latitudinal variations in the size distribution of npFe0, and therefore the spectral properties of the soil.
AXIOMATIC CONJOINT MEASUREMENT

This paper is a tutorial on axiomatic conjoint measurement. It summarizes recent developments, illustrates the use of these developments in investigating ordinal data relations, relates axiomatic and numerical scaling procedures, describes previous applications of conjoint measurement, and suggests future applications in the decision sciences. Emphasis is placed on the contributions axiomatic conjoint measurement could make to the analyses of ordinal data structures.
Optimized broadcast protocol for sensor networks

Sensor networks usually operate under very severe energy restrictions. Therefore, sensor communications should consume the minimum possible amount of energy. White broadcasting is a very energy-expensive protocol, it is also widely used as a building block for a variety of other network layer protocols. Therefore, reducing the energy consumption by optimizing broadcasting is a major improvement in sensor networking. In this paper, we propose an optimized broadcast protocol for sensor networks (BPS). The major novelty of BPS is its adaptive-geometric approach that enables considerable reduction of retransmissions by maximizing each hop length. BPS adapts itself and gets the best out of existing radio conditions. In BPS, nodes do not need any neighborhood information, which leads to low communication and memory overhead. We analyze the worst-case scenario for BPS and show that the number of transmissions in such a scenario is a constant multiple of those required in the ideal case. Our simulation results show that BPS is very scalable with respect to network density. BPS is also resilient to transmission errors.
Multiple pose context trees for estimating human pose in object context

We address the problem of estimating pose in a static image of a human performing an action that may involve interaction with scene objects. In such scenarios, pose can be estimated more accurately using the knowledge of scene objects. Previous approaches do not make use of such contextual information. We propose Pose Context trees to jointly model human pose and object which allows both accurate and efficient inference when the nature of interaction is known. To estimate the pose in an image, we present a Bayesian framework that infers the optimal pose-object pair by maximizing the likelihood over multiple pose context trees for all interactions. We evaluate our approach on a dataset of 65 images, and show that the joint inference of pose and context gives higher pose accuracy.
Presentation of Partisanship: Constituency Connections and Partisan Congressional Activity*

Objectives. This article explores how House members relate their involvement in partisan Washington activity to constituency representation. Methods. Building on Fenno's familiar conception of home style, I argue that certain House members have an incentive to develop a partisan home style that emphasizes party activity in Washington. I examine this relationship by studying the extended party leadership (party committees and whip networks), looking for connections between member/constituency characteristics and extended leaders' choices to advertise partisan leadership activity on their official websites. Logit models are used to test for relationships between these variables. Results. Members vary widely in whether and how they communicate their partisan activity, with constituency factors, career stage, and majority party status all affecting the choice. Conclusions. House members make strategic choices about incorporating partisan Washington activity into their home style.
A foundation for watermarking in compressed domain

In this letter, we propose a fragile digital watermarking algorithm that is directly applicable to compressed bit streams and is mathematically lossless with practically no increase in file size. The algorithm exploits the inefficiency of the code space of popular compression standards by recognizing that not all code words appear in the bit stream. By mapping the code words to the outside of the used code space, we can embed the watermark into the stream as forced bit errors. The decoder recognizes such code words, recovers the watermark from them, and restores the media to its original state. As proof of the concept, the algorithm is then applied to the JPEG bit stream.
Algorithms for the design of a low cost digital AC panel meter

The design of a low cost digital AC panel meter with very simple statistically-based algorithms is developed. The algorithms are computationally simple and very suitable for a single microcontroller-based meter with a single unipolar power supply. The details of such a simple unipolar, single microcontroller-based system are described. >
Elastic registration and shape analysis of functional objects

Professor Kanti Mardia and his colleagues have led the advancement of ideas and tools in the field of statistical shape analysis of objects for over two decades. This progress has been triggered by a confluence of tools from geometry, statistics, computing, and imaging, and has continued in several interesting directions. One area that has seen an increasing focus is the joint solution to registration and shape comparison problems. Traditionally, shape analysis has been performed on finite point sets that have been labeled or registered, i.e. one is given a correspondence between points across the sets (Dryden and Mardia 1998; Mardia and Dryden 1989). However, in many real applications, especially those involving image data, this correspondence may not be available. Thus, one has to solve for the registration problem as part of shape analysis. While some early efforts took a sequential approach, where one registers the objects first and then uses this registration in subsequent shape analysis, it quickly became clear that a more comprehensive, joint solution is needed. Thus, the simultaneous registration and shape analysis of objects became an important goal in the shape analysis. In this paper we summarize advances in elastic shape analysis, a class of Riemannian solutions that provide a metric-based framework for registration of points while using the same metric for shape comparisons. The objects of interest in shape analysis can vary according to applications. While shapes of planar, closed contours are of prime interest in image analysis and computer vision, where objects’ boundaries help us classify objects and their motions, there is also interest in other types of objects. Some problems require analyzing shapes of curves in more than two dimensions. An example is protein structure analysis where one studies shapes of protein backbones (Liu et al. 2010, 2011), as curves in R. Another object of interest is the shape of surfaces as embeddings of spheres or discs in R (Kurtek et al. 2012a). This is useful, for instance, in medical imaging where one studies shapes of anatomical structures for the
Virtual Network Embedding for Hybrid Cloud Rendering in Optical and Data Center Networks

Animation rendering consumes massive computation time, therefore cloud rendering is emerging as a solution. Cloud rendering runs over the Data Center Network (DCN) and consolidates heterogeneous resources into a single cloud renderfarm, where plentiful computing resources can sufficiently accelerate any rendering process. And if one user wants to get a quick animation result, a high-speed optical interconnection is an urgent requirement, thus cloud rendering needs a convergence of Optical and DCN (ODCN) as the substrate network. In the ODCN supporting cloud rendering, each rendering task will be successfully handled only when we embed its virtual network into the cloud renderfarm. But because a virtual network includes virtual machines and virtual lightpaths, we must simultaneously perform the node-level mapping between virtual machine and server, as well as link-level mapping between virtual lightpath and fiber link(s). In addition, the joint implementation of the Photorealistic cloud Rendering (PR) and Non-Photorealistic cloud Rendering (NPR) should be considered to exhibit the unique animation effect with the low mapping cost. In this paper, considering the unique characteristic of hybrid cloud rendering, we flexibly select routing strategies according to the rendering task type. We then utilize server consolidation and traffic grooming to achieve node- and link-level mappings, respectively, thus building a mapping-cost-aware cloud renderfarm that includes multiple virtual networks. The mathematical formulation is also made with a bound analysis. Especially for the lower bound, we analyze the least number of servers and wavelengths (i.e., mapping cost) consumed by hybrid cloud rendering. In terms of heuristics, according to the processing order of rendering tasks, Smaller Virtual Resource First (SVRF) and Manycast Routing First (MRF) algorithms are proposed by us. In SVRF, NPR tasks are first tackled and then PR tasks follow. MRF is a reverse process of SVRF. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods in reducing the mapping cost because the heuristic solution well matches the lower bound.
Another possible mechanism of resistance to STI571.

Le Coutre et al[1][1] report the characterization of a cell line (LAMA84R) that expresses the oncogenic tyrosine kinase Bcr/Abl but is resistant to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571. Those authors argue that this resistance is solely due to overexpression of the Bcr/Abl protein as a result of
Palatines, Liberty, and Property: German Lutherans in Colonial British America

In Palatines, Liberty, and Property A. G. Roeber explains why so many Germans, when they faced critical choices in 1776, became active supporters of the patriot cause. Employing a variety of German-language sources and and following all the major German migration streams, Roeber explores German conceptions of personal and public property in the context of cultural and religious beliefs, village life, and family concerns. Co-winner of the John H. Dunning Prize from the American Historical Association, Roeber's study of German-American settlements and their ideas about liberty and property provides an unprecedented view of how non-English culture and beliefs made their way from Europe to America.
R-S recall as a function of opportunity for intratrial rehearsal

The hypothesis was advanced that at least a portion of R-S learning is attributable to successive repetitions of the members of paired-associate lists. Opportunity for such intratrial rehearsal was manipulated by varying the presentation rate of noun-noun pairs. Although all Ss were taken to the same S-R criterion, the group with a 4-sec. rate evidenced more R-S learning than Ss with a 1-sec. rate. The data were interpreted as consistent with the intratrial rehearsal hypothesis.
Modification of the Stoner-Wohlfarth astroid by a spin-polarized current: An exact solution

The conventional Stoner-Wohlfarth astroid describes magnetic switching caused by an external magnetic field in a uniaxial, spatially uniform magnet. In spin-transfer devices the shape of the astroid is modified by the current-induced spin torque. The astroid shape modification is calculated here for a setup with the spin polarizer directed along the easy axis of the magnet, in which case the overall axial symmetry of the device is maintained. Our method does not rely on the assumption of small displacement of equilibria by the spin torque and takes into account that the destabilization of equilibrium states can be caused by two mechanisms: equilibrium merging, already active in a conventional astroid, and local equilibrium destabilization produced by the spin torque. The modified astroid has a self-crossing boundary and demonstrates a region with three stable equilibria. It is shown that the region of stable magnetic energy maximum can be reached only through a narrow bottleneck in the applied field space, which sets some stringent requirements for magnetic field alignment in the experiments. Switching diagrams are then calculated for the setups with magnetic field not perfectly aligned with the easy axis. Features not found in the approximate calculations are revealed and suggestions for their experimental observation are provided.
Subcutaneous versus sublingual immunotherapy

The first description of hay fever was by John Bostock in 1819. Since then, allergen IgE sensitization is recognized as playing a major role in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC), asthma, Hymenopte...
Go low or say No to aggressive systolic BP goals

The SPRINT trial demonstrated the benefits--and risks--of reaching a systolic target <120 mm Hg in non-diabetic patients at high risk for CV events. Here's who might benefit.
Sacral Signal Tracing: The Electrophysiology of the Bulbocavernosus Reflex

We studied 52 men with electrophysiologic testing of the bulbocavernosus reflex to determine reflex latency. The bulbocavernosus reflex was demonstrated to be a segmental polysynaptic reflex with cross-over in the sacral spinal cord. Excellent correlation was obtained between prolonged latency and clinical evidence of neuropathy. The examination may be useful clinically to evaluate patients suspected to have sacral cord lesions or pudendal neuropathy (for example impotence, chronic back pain and lesions of the cauda equina and peripheral nerves).
Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Spectroscopy

Conformational changes imposed upon the Fe protein during binding and hydrolysis of Mg·ATP are key to initiating the cycle of interactions within the nitrogenase complex that result in gated electron transfer and the eventual multiple electron reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. Wonderful insights into how nitrogenase accomplishes this have been gleaned from a number of very nice crystal structures, but conformational changes can only be inferred in a very superficial manner, and a number of key conformations relevant to fully understanding conformational changes have eluded this approach. Alternatively, small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) has proven to be a helpful method for complimenting x-ray crystallography and determining solution structures of various nucleotide-bound states.
A Survey of Clock Synchronization Over Packet-Switched Networks

Clock synchronization is a prerequisite for the realization of emerging applications in various domains such as industrial automation and the intelligent power grid. This paper surveys the standardized protocols and technologies for providing synchronization of devices connected by packet-switched networks. A review of synchronization impairments and the state-of-the-art mechanisms to improve the synchronization accuracy is then presented. Providing microsecond to sub-microsecond synchronization accuracy under the presence of asymmetric delays in a cost-effective manner is a challenging problem, and still an open issue in many application scenarios. Further, security is of significant importance for systems where timing is critical. The security threats and solutions to protect exchanged synchronization messages are also discussed.
Psychoacoustic Characterization of Propagation Effects in Virtual Environments

As sound propagation algorithms become faster and more accurate, the question arises as to whether the additional efforts to improve fidelity actually offer perceptual benefits over existing techniques. Could environmental sound effects go the way of music, where lower-fidelity compressed versions are actually favored by listeners? Here we address this issue with two acoustic phenomena that are known to have perceptual effects on humans and that, accordingly, might be expected to heighten their experience with simulated environments. We present two studies comparing listeners’ perceptual response to both accurate and approximate algorithms simulating two key acoustic effects: diffraction and reverberation. For each effect, we evaluate whether increased numerical accuracy of a propagation algorithm translates into increased perceptual differentiation in interactive virtual environments. Our results suggest that auditory perception does benefit from the increased accuracy, with subjects showing better perceptual differentiation when experiencing the more accurate rendering method: the diffraction experiment shows a more linearly decaying sound field (with respect to the diffraction angle) for the accurate diffraction method, whereas the reverberation experiment shows that more accurate reverberation, after modest user experience, results in near-logarithmic response to increasing room volume.
Thermo-Mechanical Stress in High-Frequency Vacuum Electron Devices

Analysis of the thermo-mechanical performance of high-frequency vacuum electron devices is essential to the advancement of RF sources towards high-power generation. Operation in an ultra-high vacuum environment, space restricting magnetic focusing, and limited material options are just some of the constraints that complicate thermal management in a high-power VED. An analytical method for evaluating temperature, stress, and deformation distribution in thin vacuum-to-cooling walls is presented, accounting for anisotropic material properties. Thin plate geometry is used and analytical expressions are developed for thermo-mechanical analysis that includes the microstructure effects of grain orientations. The method presented evaluates the maximum allowable heat flux that can be used to establish the power-handling limitation of high-frequency VEDs prior to full-scale design, accelerating time-to-manufacture.
Application of laser deprocessing technique in PFA on chemical over-etched on bond-pad issue

Abstract With technology scaling of semiconductor devices and further growth of the integrated circuit (IC) 1 design and function complexity, the package size has shrank down proportionally too. Hence, flip-chip solder bump mounting is the current semiconductor devices trend to replace the wire bonding technology. When come to PFA 2 on the flip-chip devices with solder bump, wet etch for solder bump removal is an essential method. Upon using wet etch methodology; it is very dependent on etching timing and the chemical aggressiveness to get a good removal result for the solder bump. If there is an excessive period in etching or chemical reacts too aggressively, chemical over-etched on bond pad will occur. It is very unfavorable for FA 3 engineer to perform subsequent reverse engineering on the bond pad over-etched device. In this paper, the application of laser deprocessing technique is proposed to solve the bond pad over-etched issue. This proposed technique is a quick and reversal way in deprocessing technique for defect identification in PFA.
Identifying Software Project Risks in the Canadian Financial Services Sector: An International Comparative Study

Frequent occurrence of software project failures has created two general streams of research. One theme analyzed the common causes of cost overruns, late schedules, and unmet scope. With the belief that project failures are avoidable through proactive means, another group of researchers investigated software project risks. With such intent, comparative studies were conducted in Finland, Hong Kong, and the United States. Subsequent research in Nigeria determined the impact of the socioeconomic context. To further extend the coverage of prior studies, the research in the current study focused specifically on the Canadian financial services sector. Project managers were solicited for input to discover, determine, and rank risk factors in software projects using the same research design that was used in previous comparative research studies---a three-phase Delphi survey that uses nonparametric statistical techniques. In sharp contrast to prior studies, however, this research aimed not for general applications of the results at the country level but for specific collective relevance to software projects in banks, trust companies, insurance companies, mutual fund companies, and similar organizations. The composite rankings of the studies in Hong Kong, Finland, and the United States listed lack of management commitment, inability to get user commitment, and misunderstanding of the requirements as the top three risk items in software projects. Given that only the misunderstanding of requirements made it into the top three risk items in Nigeria, it would be of value to scholars and practitioners to determine how the results would differ if the study was conducted in a specific sector in the industry. Except for one risk factor (lack of dedicated, full-time project resources), this study confirmed that the previous list of risk factors captured the top risk factors in the Canadian financial services sector.
Complementary therapies in addition to medication for patients with nonchronic, nonradicular low back pain: a systematic review.

Abstract Background A total of 2.7 million patients present to US emergency departments annually for management of low back pain (LBP). Despite optimal medical therapy, more than 50% remain functionally impaired 3 months later. We performed a systematic review to address the following question: Among patients with nonchronic LBP, does spinal manipulation, massage, exercise, or yoga, when combined with standard medical therapy, improve pain and functional outcomes more than standard medical therapy alone? Methods We used published searches to identify relevant studies, supplemented with our own updated search. Studies were culled from the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Index to Chiropractic Literature. Our goal was to identify randomized studies that included patients with nonradicular LBP of Results We identified 2 randomized controlled trials in which chiropractic manipulation + medical therapy failed to show benefit vs medical therapy alone. We identified 4 randomized controlled trials in which exercise therapy + medical therapy failed to show benefit vs medical therapy alone. We did not identify any eligible studies of yoga or massage therapy. Conclusions In conclusion, for patients with nonchronic, nonradicular LBP, available evidence does not support the use of spinal manipulation or exercise therapy in addition to standard medical therapy. There is insufficient evidence to determine if yoga or massage is beneficial.
Advances in neutron science instrumentation at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE)

The Lujan Neutron Scattering Center within the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) develops instrumentation in support of research employing neutrons to investigate issues of interest to its user community. The Spectrometer for Materials Research at Temperature and Stress (SMARTS) neutron diffractometer is optimized for the study of engineering materials. SMARTS automated sample positioning and data collection system concept: The system makes use of a pair of digital theodilites, a 4 axis sample positioning stage, the SolidWorks* CAD software with a custom add-in program, a calibration process, and a sample setup process. The system provides automatic positioning of the test point on the sample such that the neutron beam will interest that point for data collection. When one considers that for SMARTS the samples are contained within a tank that provides a desired test atmosphere, test temperature, and the sample is loaded to the desired strain or stress by the integral tensile machine, then one can see the advantages of this automated sample positioning and data collection system. Doubling the performance of the Lujan Center cold neutron source: The Lujan center obtains its source of neutrons through the use of a Target Moderator Reflector System (TMRS). The TMRS includes a pair of targets, six moderators, beryllium reflectors, a window insert, and an instrument insert. The cold neutron moderator has a water premoderator sized to reduce the heat load on the LH cryogenic system to the same level as that of the MK II design so that a costly increase in cooling capability is avoided. Next a liquid hydrogen filled moderator tank is employed to create the cold neutrons. This is followed by a beryllium reflector/filter that is contact cooled to near liquid hydrogen temperature. Using this arrangement, and maintaining the same particle beam parameters as for the MK II design, the cold neutron performance is increased by a factor of two.
Incorporating medical marijuana in clinical practice.

117Background: Medical marijuana (MM) is legal in the state of Connecticut. Regulatory issues, appropriate patient selection, and outcomes assessment have made it difficult for oncology centers to incorporate MM into clinical practice. At Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, a tertiary academic comprehensive cancer hospital, a multidisciplinary team was convened to propose guidelines. Based on the recommendations, the Smilow Cancer Hospital implemented a policy that outlines the use of MM in selected patients with nausea, anorexia and refractory pain. Here we describe the Smilow Experience with MM in clinical practice. Methods: Using health system-wide electronic medical record, a review of patients initiated on MM from 9/2015 to 10/2016 was conducted. Demographics, malignancy type/stage, MM indication, and preliminary data on formulation used and treatment outcomes were collected. Results: 108 cancer patients, majority evaluated by a Palliative Care physician, were initiated on MM (55.6% males/44.4%...
Individual differences in achievement motivation are related to vigilance performance

Vigilance, or sustained attention, tasks require observers to attend to information over a prolonged period of time. One individual difference that may be associated with sustained attention performance is achievement motivation, given recent findings in the literature that indicate a relationship between human motivation and attention. Fifty-nine participants were randomly assigned to either a cognitive or sensory vigilance task. The present study indicated that individuals high in achievement motivation detected more critical signals and made fewer false alarms in the cognitive vigilance task. Participants high in achievement motivation in the cognitive condition also demonstrated some of the highest distress and worry scores post-task. Implications for sustained attention tasks are discussed.
From International Courts to Grassroots Organizing: Obstacles to Transitional Justice in the Balkans

Most research on transitional justice in the Balkans focuses on international mechanisms, particularly the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Little attention has been given to domestic responses because, until recently, there has been relatively little domestic participation and organizing around the topic of transitional justice. Our study seeks to fill this gap by examining the establishment of the Regional Truth Commission for the Former Yugoslavia (RECOM), which began officially in 2006. Using insights from social movement theory and literature on transnational advocacy networks, we identify the conditions necessary for a regional justice movement to succeed. Drawing upon interviews, survey research, as well as secondary material, we provide an interpretive analysis of RECOM, identifying the obstacles to its development, as well as the impact and role of international actors. We contend that although justice and peace are moving forward in the Balkans, ongoing dilemmas underscore important lessons about transitional justice; specifically, grassroots efforts to promote transitional justice must overcome significant challenges in defining issues, creating coalitions, and engaging the state. While international actors have thus far focused primarily on the ICTY, they can and should support grassroots efforts.
A method for the analysis and visualization of clinical workflow in dynamic environments.

Abstract The analysis of clinical workflow offers many challenges, especially in settings characterized by rapid dynamic change. Typically, some combination of approaches drawn from ethnography and grounded theory-based qualitative methods are used to develop relevant metrics. Medical institutions have recently attempted to introduce technological interventions to develop quantifiable quality metrics to supplement existing purely qualitative analyses. These interventions range from automated location tracking to repositories of clinical data (e.g., electronics health record (EHR) data, medical equipment logs). Our goal in this paper is to present a cohesive framework that combines a set of analytic techniques that can potentially complement traditional human observations to derive a deeper understanding of clinical workflow and thereby to enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of care offered in that environment. We present a series of theoretically-guided techniques to perform analysis and visualization of data developed using location tracking, with illustrations using the Emergency Department (ED) as an example. Our framework is divided into three modules: (i) transformation, (ii) analysis, and (iii) visualization. We describe the methods used in each of these modules, and provide a series of visualizations developed using location-tracking data collected at the Mayo Clinic ED (Phoenix, AZ). Our innovative analytics go beyond qualitative study, and includes user data collected from a relatively modern but increasingly ubiquitous technique of location tracking, with the goal of creating quantitative workflow metrics. Although we believe that the methods we have developed will generalize well to other settings, additional work will be required to demonstrate their broad utility beyond our single study environment.
Thirty-day hospital readmissions after augmentation cystoplasty: A Nationwide readmissions database analysis

Summary Introduction Reducing hospital readmissions is a growing priority for hospitals and clinicians in their efforts to improve quality of care and curtail costs. Augmentation cystoplasty is among the most complex and high-morbidity operations in pediatric urology, with up to 25% of patients experiencing a postoperative complication. However, there is a paucity of literature addressing the incidence and characteristics of hospital readmissions after these procedures. This information may be useful in tailoring perioperative interventions to reduce rehospitalization in this population. Objective This study sought to determine the rate, causes, risk factors, and costs associated with 30-day readmissions for children undergoing augmentation cystoplasty. Study design We analyzed the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) for children (≤18 years of age) who underwent augmentation cystoplasty for any indication between 2010 and 2014. Rates, causes, and costs of 30-day readmissions were determined. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for readmission. Results Among 1873 identified cases, the 30-day readmission rate was 19.6%, with an average cost per readmission of $11,667. The most common reasons for readmission were gastrointestinal complications (19.6%), urinary tract infections (14.1%), and wound complications (11.2%). The median time to readmission was 13 days (interquartile range 6–19 days). Non-infectious genitourinary complications (e.g. hydronephrosis) ($25,286) and gastrointestinal complications ($12,924) led to the costliest readmissions, while dehydration/vomiting ($3739) and fever ($4803) were the least costly. On multivariate regression, the only significant risk factor for readmission was an indication of neurogenic bladder (OR 3.82, 95% CI 1.03–14.20, p = 0.04). Discussion We present the first study to capture readmissions with 30 days of discharge to the same or outside hospitals after augmentation cystoplasty. Limitations include inability to separate planned and unplanned readmissions and 30-day follow-up period, which prevented analysis of readmissions caused by late complications. Conclusion Approximately one in five children undergoing augmentation cystoplasty are readmitted within 30 days. An indication of neurogenic bladder is an independent risk factor, while gastrointestinal complications and urinary tract infections are the most common reasons for readmission. Download : Download high-res image (316KB) Download : Download full-size image
Comparison of Hematologic and Febrile Response to Endotoxin in Man

The infusion of endotoxin in man is followed by a fall in mononuclear cell count and subsequent granulocytosis. Significant granulocytopenia was not observed, nor were changes in plasma fibrinogen levels or platelet counts noted. Although a correlation was demonstrated between dose of endotoxin administered and hematologic response, there was no correlation between the magnitude of fever and hematologic changes. Hematologic responsiveness was unchanged following the development of febrile tolerance to endotoxin.
The Central Language Mechanism and Its Disorders

This chapter discusses the central language mechanism and its disorders. The exact neurophysiology of the central language mechanism is not completely known, but a model developed by Carl Wernicke over a century ago has proved to be the most valid and reliable construct for the explanation of the wide array of aphasia symptoms seen clinically. The model has gained wide acceptance among neuroscientists, linguists, and speech-language pathologists. There is growing support for the model from neurosurgical data, brain and CT scans, and other neurodiagnostic procedures. Although aphasic classification systems are abundant, the Wernicke model is the source of the most widely used current classification. Aphasias of the perisylvian zone include Broca's aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia, conduction aphasia, and global aphasia. Aphasia syndromes outside the perisylvian speech zone are called transcortical aphasias. These include transcortical motor aphasia, transcortical sensory aphasia, mixed transcortical aphasia, and the isolated speech-area syndrome. Anomic aphasia is usually associated with bilateral lesions or mild involvement of the perisylvian speech area. Other anomic patients show no demonstrable lesions. Aphasia syndromes have often been dichotomized into fluent or nonfluent disorders in terms of spontaneous speech performance. Nonfluent aphasia is usually associated with anterior lesions and fluent aphasia with posterior lesions.
Detecting Zero-Day Attacks Using Contextual Relations

The focus of this research is a knowledge-based intrusion detection technique that utilizes contextual relations between known attacks to identify zero-day attacks, which are exploits of unknown software vulnerabilities. The proposed technique uses information entropy and linear data transformation to generate feature-based and linear function-based attack profiles. It systematically creates contextual relationships between known attacks to generate attack profiles that capture most likely combinations of activities an attacker might exploit to initiate zero-day attacks. We utilize the similarity among the features of the incoming network connections and these profiles to discover zero-day attacks. Our experiments on benchmark intrusion detection datasets indicate that utilizing contextual relationships to generate attack profiles leads to a satisfactory detection rate of zero-day attacks from network data at different levels of granularity.
Observations on regulation of erythropoiesis during prolonged periods of hypoxia.

The experiments reported in this paper were designed to explain the phenomenon that plasma erythropoietin (Ep) levels reach peak titers after 8 hours of hypoxia and then fall to barely detectable levels after 72 hours. No single factor was found responsible for the decline of these levels with continued hypoxia, but both increase in the rate of erythropoiesis and increase in the hematocrit contribute to this phenomenon. No decrease in the rate of clearance of injected erythropoietin was observed in hypoxic rats, therefore, it is likely that the production of Ep decreased. The fall in the plasma Ep level with continued hypoxia is not associated with decrease in the rate of erythropoiesis, suggesting that the initiation of increased erythropoiesis requires higher Ep levels than its maintenance during continued hypoxia. The reason for this difference remains speculative.
Experimental Methods and Techniques: Basic Techniques

Organometallic complexes in reduced oxidation states tend to be extremely air-sensitive, and sophisticated laboratory techniques are required to prepare and characterize these compounds. Many of the organometallic transformations also need to be monitored by air-sensitive techniques, and care has to be taken to exclude atmospheric oxygen to prevent the unwanted formation of metal oxides. The intent of this chapter is to provide an updated and consolidated guide to the first year graduate student or novice in fields requiring advanced anaerobic laboratory techniques.
Organizational citizenship behavior and the good soldier.

The tenn organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is of uncertain lineage. I cannot say for sure whether it was my invention or was suggested by Tom Bateman or Ann Smith when one or the other was a doctoral student at Indiana University. But the purpose of the tenn, that is, its referent, was never in doubt. It was seized upon to denote a class of job behaviors that are separate from inrole productivity but were presumed to be affected by a participant's job satisfaction.
Cytokinin-induced growth in the duckweeds Lemna gibba and Spirodela polyrhiza

Duckweeds, quick-growing aquatic plants, have been recently recognized as promising hosts for the large-scale production of recombinant proteins and as an ideal biomass feedstock for biofuel production. These possible wide-spread industrial uses of duckweeds intensified research aimed at understanding the mechanisms that control duckweed growth. Here, we describe how the hormone cytokinin affects growth. We performed a number of standard cytokinin growth- and physiological-response assays using sterile-grown colonies of Lemna gibba and Spirodela polyrhiza. Similar to land plants, cytokinin inhibited root elongation in duckweeds. Surprisingly, and in contrast to land plants, cytokinin promoted growth of aerial organs in both duckweed species, suggesting that the cytokinin growth response fundamentally differs between aquatic and land plants.
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Milk and Plant-Based Alternatives

Abstract Plant-based dairy alternatives are purchased by consumers for environmental, nutritional, or health-related reasons. Yet, some plant-based alternatives require large quantities of water an...
Third World Perspectives on Global Pharmaceutical Access

This paper has two objectives. First, it considers the argument pushed by pharmaceutical companies and the United States’ government that poverty is the most critical factor in preventing the production of affordable retroantivirals in the third world. The argument is considered against the background of three contributing factors: patent law protections, responsiveness by third world governments to the crises, and the reduction in funding for public health infrastructure.The second objective is to consider the future of accessibility to retroantivirals. This is done by looking at the errors made thus far, and the policies in place. One example is the clear proof that patent law has been a factor in raising costs of drugs in the third world as proven by the increase in use of generic drugs. This undermines the claims by pharmaceutical companies and the U.S. government. As a result, other policies and assumptions must be called into question if the disastrous effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the third world are to be stopped.
Synthesis, oxygen occupation, and properties of the κ-phases Hf9Mo4SOx and Hf9W4SOx

Abstract Hf 9 Mo 4 SO x and Hf 9 W 4 SO x have been prepared by arc-melting of HfS, Hf and Mo and W respectively and subsequent annealing at 1500°C. Both compounds crystallize in the hexagonal space group P 6, mmc (No. 194), with cell dimensions a = 8.6513(5)A, c = 8.5409(8)A, V = 557.45(8)A, and a = 8.667(1)A, c = 8.583(3)A, V = 558.4(2)A respectively and belong to the general group of κ-phases. The metal sublattice consists of chains of Mo/W centered icosahedra, running along [001], which are interconnected by additional Hf atoms and the non-metal atoms. Oxygen is located in a Hf 6 octahedron and sulfur in a Hf 6 trigonal prism. Apparently, the occupation of the interstitial octahedral position with oxygen could not be totally prevented by carrying out all steps of the synthesis in a glove-box under an argon atmosphere, although its presence should not be necessary to form these κ-phases. Band structure calculations show both materials to be metallic, in agreement with the experimentally determined Pauli paramagnetism.