cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac computed tomography for prediction of myocardial viability after reperfused acute myocardial infarction.

Background Perfusion defects (PDs) detected with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging predict the functional recovery of myocardial function after acute myocardial infarction. Objective We evaluated the ability of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) to predict the recovery of regional left ventricular (LV) systolic function after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods Seventeen patients (mean age, 60 ± 10 years) presenting with STEMI were prospectively studied. Each patient underwent CCT and CMR at baseline and after an average of 6 months. Areas of PD were quantified. Segmental LV systolic function was semiquantitatively assessed by CMR. An improvement at 6 months by ≥1 category in the regional wall motion score was considered LV recovery. Results Coronary artery revascularization was successfully performed with postprocedural TIMI 3 flow in 16 cases. On CCT assessment, 107 of 289 segments (37%) had some degree of PD. On follow-up, segments with 75% PD, 89% (9 of 11) showed akinesis or worsening of wall motion. The odds ratio for improvement in segmental wall motion with increasing PD category was 0.63 (95% CI, 0.42–0.97; P = 0.035). The degree of PD on CT predicted LV recovery at follow-up (P Conclusions The transmural extent of myocardial infarction as detected and quantified with CCT predicts the recovery of regional systolic LV function after revascularization for acute STEMI.
Experimental validation of second-order diffraction coefficients for computation of path-loss past buildings

Electromagnetic fields diffracted past buildings are not correctly predicted by ray-tracing methods using first-order diffraction coefficients. Correct results are obtained by using second-order diffraction coefficients as demonstrated by the experimental validation provided and discussed herein.
Marital Property Annotated Bibliography

This bibliography covers law review articles published, for the most part, after 2007. Articles for which the title is self-explanatory or that concern only a single case, state, or statute are cited, but not annotated.
Verifying refutations with extended resolution

Modern SAT solvers use preprocessing and inprocessing techniques that are not solely based on resolution; existing unsatisfiability proof formats do not support SAT solvers using such techniques. We present a new proof format for checking unsatisfiability proofs produced by SAT solvers that use techniques such as extended resolution and blocked clause addition. Our new format was designed with three goals: proofs should be easy to generate, proofs should be compact, and validating proofs must be simple. We show how existing preprocessors and solvers can be modified to generate proofs in our new format. Additionally, we implemented a mechanically-verified proof checker in ACL2 and a proof checker in C for the proposed format.
Alteration of Neoprene by Polymerization Temperature

Abstract Changes of the temperature at which 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene (chloroprene) is polymerized, with other variables held constant, gives Neoprenes with marked differences in the rate of crystallization and dispersion in solvents of the raw polymer and in the physical properties of the vulcanizates. For example, plastic polychloroprene formed at 10° C crystallizes quickly, forms homogeneous solutions, and exhibits high tensile strength; whereas polymer produced at 100° C fails to crystallize, only swells in solvents, and has low tensile strength. These changes in properties appear to be caused by alterations of the structure of the polymer, notably the side-branching, cross-linking, spacing of the chlorine atoms, and possibly cis-trans-isomerism. The structural differences are small in magnitude and difficult to detect. Ozonolysis reveals that a soluble form of polychloroprene, as well as highly insoluble “popcorn” polymer, is at least 93 to 95 per cent 1,4-addition product and x-ray diffraction shows t...
Gain Adaptation of Eye and Head Movement Components of Simian Gaze Shifts

Gain adaptation of eye and head movement components of simian gaze shifts. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 2817-2821, 1997. To investigate the site of gaze adaptation in primates, we reduced the gain of large head-restrained gaze shifts made to 50 degrees target steps by jumping the target 40% backwards during a targeting saccade and then tested gain transfer to the eye- and head-movement components of head-unrestrained gaze shifts. After several hundred backstep trials, saccadic gain decreased by at least 10% in 8 of 13 experiments, which were then selected for further study. The minimum saccadic gain decrease in these eight experiments was 12.8% (mean = 18.4%). Head-unrestrained gaze shifts to ordinary 50 degrees target steps experienced a gain reduction of at least 9.3% (mean = 14.9%), a mean gain transfer of 81%. Both the eye and head components of the gaze shift also decreased. However, average head movement gain decreased much more (22.1%) than eye movement gain (9.2%). Also, peak head velocity generally decreased significantly (20%), but peak eye velocity either increased or remained constant (average increase of 5.6%). However, the adapted peak eye and head velocities were appropriate for the adapted, smaller gaze amplitudes. Similar dissociations in eye and head metrics occurred when head-unrestrained gaze shifts were adapted directly (n = 2). These results indicated that head-restrained saccadic gain adaptation did not produce adaptation of eye movement alone. Nor did it produce a proportional gain change in both eye and head movement. Rather, normal eye and head amplitude and velocity relations for a given gaze amplitude were preserved. Such a result could be explained most easily if head-restrained adaptation were realized before the eye and head commands had been individualized. Therefore, gaze adaptation is most likely to occur upstream of the creation of separate eye and head movement commands.
Red Blood Cells Interfere with the Activity of Antimicrobial Peptides

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have long been considered excellent candidates for development as antibiotic agents to combat the imminent threat of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Yet, the promise that AMPs display in the laboratory has not yielded correlative clinical success. We hypothesized that a major reason for this disparity is AMP interaction with and toxicity towards host cells. Here, we validate this theory using human red blood cells as model eukaryotic cells. The potency of several well-studied antimicrobial peptides decreases from minimum sterilizing concentrations (MSC) of 1-6 μM in the absence of RBCs to >30 μM in the presence of RBCs at 1x109 cells/ml; equal to 20% of the concentration in whole blood. To circumvent this roadblock to clinical utility, we have adopted a high-throughput approach of screening a second-generation antimicrobial peptide library for activity in the presence of RBCs. We present data from preliminary screening that indicates our new library contains peptides that retain activity in the presence of RBCs; greatly outperforming the template peptide. Additionally, we show data on two peptides discovered in our preliminary screens that have been characterized and compared to the template sequence. Both of the peptides discovered show reduced antimicrobial potency as compared to the parent sequence when RBCs are not present, but increased efficacy in the presence of concentrated erythrocytes. As these peptides were discovered in a small screen of only 2000 library sequences, we believe the library contains peptides that will retain potent activity in the presence of RBCs. Finally, we present a revised screening approach that will be employed for a full-scale screen of the library with the intention of retaining the high antibiotic potency characteristic of the parent peptide while selecting for minimal interaction with and toxicity toward eukaryotic cells.
Introduction to the Molecular Viscoelastic Theory of Polymers and Its Applications

Abstract In summation, it can be said that the relation between the molecular characteristics of polymers, such as molecular weight, branching and their corresponding distribution, and the rheological properties of polymers can now be given with remarkable success, though much work remains to be done and refinements are badly needed. These relationships should help permit the design of polymers with exactly the right molecular weight and branching distribution to meet specific end-use requirements. It is hoped that the present review will be of use to rheologists seeking to design polymers for certain end-use specifications as well as to stimulate further research in this area.
Bluetongue virus transmission with Culicoides variipennis via embryonating chicken eggs.

Embryonating chicken eggs were successfully used as infected donors and recipient hosts in bluetongue virus (strain 62-45S) transmission experiments with a colony population (Sonora Strain, 000 line) of the insect vector, Culicoides variipennis (Coquillett). Thirty-three % of all flies that took a blood meal on infected donor eggs at or near the period of peak viremia (geometric mean ELD50 titer = 106.5/0.1 ml) became infected and subsequently potential transmitters. This finding corroborates results from other systems in that the susceptibility rate with bluetongue virus (strain 62-45S) for this colony was about 30%. The period of maximum viremia in the infected donor eggs began within 4 to 7 hr before the time of death of the embryo. Sixty % of those flies infected via blood meal on donor eggs and incubated at 23° to 24°C for 14 days transmitted bluetongue virus when given a meal on normal recipient eggs of either blood or allantoic fluid or both.
Characterization of changes in properties and microstructure of Glassy Polymeric Carbon following Au ion irradiation

The TRISO fuel has been used in some of the Generation IV nuclear reactor designs [1,2]. It consists of a fuel kernel of UOx coated with several layers of materials with different functions. Pyrolytic carbon (PyC) is one of the materials in the layers. In this study we investigate the possibility of using Glassy Polymeric Carbon (GPC) as an alternative to PyC. In this work, we are comparing the changes in physical and microstructure properties of GPC after exposure to irradiation fluence of 5 MeV Au equivalent to a 1 displacement per atom (dpa) at samples prepared at 1000, 1500 and 2000°C. The GPC material is manufactured and tested at the Center for Irradiation Materials (CIM) at Alabama A&M University. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy were used for the analysis.
Point: Muscle lactate and H⁺ production do have a 1:1 association in skeletal muscle.

Muscle cells produce lactate and become acidic ([9][1]) during anaerobic glycogenolysis and during intense aerobic glycolysis, giving rise to net lactic acid production. The identity of the mechanisms involved and the size of their contributions to acidosis in muscle during exercise were debated
Oxidation of manganese(II) with ferrate: stoichiometry, kinetics, products and impact of organic carbon.

Manganese is a contaminant of concern for many drinking water utilities, and future regulation may be pending. An analysis of soluble manganese (Mn(II)) oxidation by ferrate (Fe(VI)) was executed at the bench-scale, in a laboratory matrix, both with and without the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) and at two different pH values, 6.2 and 7.5. In the matrix without NOM, the oxidation of Mn(II) by Fe(VI) followed a stoichiometry of 2 mol Fe(VI) to 3 mol Mn(II). The presence of NOM did not significantly affect the stoichiometry of the oxidation reaction, indicating relative selectivity of Fe(VI) for Mn(II). The size distribution of resulting particles included significant amounts of nanoparticles. Resulting manganese oxide particles were confirmed to be MnO2 via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The rate of the Mn(II) oxidation reaction was fast relative to typical time scales in drinking water treatment, with an estimated second order rate constant of approximately 1 × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 9.2 and > 9 × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 6.2. In general, ferrate is a potential option for Mn(II) oxidation in water treatment.
On notions of computability-theoretic reduction between Π21 principles

Several notions of computability-theoretic reducibility between Π21 principles have been studied. This paper contributes to the program of analyzing the behavior of versions of Ramsey’s Theorem and related principles under these notions. Among other results, we show that for each n ≥ 3, there is an instance of RT2n all of whose solutions have PA degree over ∅(n−2) , and use this to show that Konig’s Lemma lies strictly between RT22 and RT23 under one of these notions. We also answer two questions raised by Dorais, Dzhafarov, Hirst, Mileti, and Shafer (2016) on comparing versions of Ramsey’s Theorem and of the Thin Set Theorem with the same exponent but different numbers of colors. Still on the topic of the effect of the number of colors on the computable aspects of Ramsey-theoretic properties, we show that for each m ≥ 2, there is an (m + 1)-coloring c of ℕ such that every m-coloring of ℕ has an infinite homogeneous set that does not compute any infinite homogeneous set for c, and connect this result with the notion of infinite information reducibility introduced by Dzhafarov and Igusa (to appear). Next, we introduce and study a new notion that provides a uniform version of the idea of implication with respect to ω-models of RCA0, and related notions that allow us to count how many applications of a principle P are needed to reduce another principle to P. Finally, we fill in a gap in the proof of Theorem 12.2 in Cholak, Jockusch, and Slaman (2001).
Outcome of Neonatal Electrographic Seizures

Continuous EEG recordings of 40 consecutive neonates with electrographic seizures (ESz) were retrospectively analyzed and their outcome compared to that for 28 infants without ESz, in a study at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Akron, OH, and the University of Rochester School of Medicine, NY.
Endocrinelike Activities of the RES

Numerous findings during the past decade have identified an impressive secretory capacity of the phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Macrophages in vitro have been found to secrete a variety of potent hormonelike mediators that influence or regulate activities of a variety of other cell types as well as other cellular components of the RES. In many cases, a direct correlation can be made between in vitro findings and established events occurring in vivo during infection or inflammatory responses, reaffirming the importance of the RES in a variety of host-microbial interactions. Of necessity, these mediators have been defined by their in vitro functional activities. As a result, there has been an accumulation of seemingly unrelated data concerning a dramatic number of different mediators. Recent studies, however, indicate that the actual number of different mediators produced by monocytes and macrophages is more limited than that suggested by the available literature. Investigations designed to characterize and to isolate specific mediators have shown that several are in fact the same molecules with multiple functional activities.
Three-Alpha Model for C 12

A model is proposed in which the ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ nucleus is composed of three rigid alpha particles. Using separable alpha-alpha interactions the homogeneous Faddeev equations for the bound states reduce to a set of coupled nonsingular integral equations in one variable. Specialized to the case of only $S$-wave interactions, this set reduces to a single equation which is solved numerically. A ground-state solution is found, with a reasonable value for the binding energy, but no excited states. Further calculations are suggested, and an appendix containing the general angular-momentum analysis is included.
Functionality of Web Image Processing Pipeline

This chapter presents functionalities of the web image processing pipeline (WIPP). It guides a reader through deployment of WIPP and functionalities of three WIPP modules, such as image processing, image feature extraction, and statistical modeling modules. By providing functionality exercises, a reader can become familiar with the three modules of WIPP.
Defect intergrowths in barium polytitanates: 1. Ba2Ti9O20

Abstract Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we have investigated the mechanisms of defect formation in samples of the microwave dielectric material, Ba2Ti9O20. We found that materials prepared by a variety of different techniques all show considerable structural disorder. The most prevalent intergrowth involved formation of a new triclinic polytype with an ionic arrangement closely related to that in the accepted structure. Defects also resulted from considerable microtwinning and were observed mainly in the samples prepared from a vanadate flux. The degree of nonstoichiometric defect formation was small in comparison to the stoichiometric intergrowths. In this case defects appeared to result from the incorporation of excess vacancies into the close-packed layers of the structure. Barium-deficient surface phases were also formed via a similar mechanism.
Health Information in the Background: Justifying Public Health Surveillance Without Patient Consent

Often we think of collecting, storing, and using health data without patient consent as unethical and illegal. However, there are situations where the collection of health information without consent is not only ethical and legal, it is essential for community and public health. Public health surveillance – the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health-related data with the a priori purpose of preventing or controlling disease or injury, or identifying unusual events of public health importance, followed by the dissemination and use of information for public health action – allows the government to meet its ethical obligation to protect the health of the population. By adhering to public health ethics principles, public health surveillance systems, including pervasive information and computing technology (PICT), can be designed and implemented in ways that both honor individuals and protect communities.
1H and 13C NMR Structural Studies of Amiloride in Cryosolvents

Amiloride hydrochloride is a potent inhibitor of several cellular ion transport systems and has been used as a diuretic drug and a probe of ion transport processes. 1H and 13C NMR studies have been carried out at a proton field strength of 400 MHz in DMSO/CH2Cl2 and DMF cryosolvents over a temperature range from 20 to −55°C in order to investigate the conformations of the hydrochloride and its free-base form in solution. Resonances for all protons have been assigned. The results of double resonance and NOE experiments suggest that the structures in solution are most likely planar and consistent with previously reported computational results.
Against the iterative conception of set

According to the iterative conception, each set is formed out of sets that are, in some sense, prior to it. Because priority plays an essential role in explanations of why contradiction-inducing sets, such as the universal set, do not exist, the success of these explanations depends on our ability to make sense of the relevant priority relation. I argue that attempts to do this have fallen short: understanding priority in a straightforwardly constructivist sense threatens the coherence of the empty set and raises serious epistemological concerns; but the leading realist interpretations–ontological and modal interpretations of priority—are deeply problematic as well. I conclude that the purported explanatory virtues of the iterative conception are, at present, unfounded.
Racial differences in radiation-induced toxicity and cytokine expression levels.

e17570 Background: African American (AA) breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving therapy reportedly have more treatment related toxicity and worse clinical outcomes than their Caucasi...
Jill Watson Doesn't Care if You're Pregnant: Grounding AI Ethics in Empirical Studies

Jill Watson is our name for a virtual teaching assistant for a Georgia Tech course on artificial intelligence: Jill answers routine, frequently asked questions on the class discussion forum. In this paper, we outline some of the ethical issues that arose in the development and deployment of the virtual teaching assistant. We posit that experiments such as Jill Watson are critical for deeply understanding AI ethics.
Am I In? Influence of Viewers’ Race and Sex on Image Appeal for Higher Education Advertising

Diversification of recruitment advertising has become increasingly common across industries, including for institutions of higher education where promoting student body diversity is an on-going concern. In their recruitment activities, institutions go to extensive lengths to portray their campuses as racially and culturally diverse, including in promotional materials. Using custom images similar to those found in university promotional materials, this experimental study examines the influence of viewers’ race and sex on short exposure to race- and sex-specific images. Guided by Social Identity Theory’s in-group versus out-group premise, results suggest that participants’ race and sex have a significant influence on image appeal and that race represents a more salient group identifier than sex for certain groups. Findings are compared with previous race-related advertising research, and implications for higher education ad messaging and avenues for future research are discussed.
Differential Impacts of Religious Cultural Competence on Students' Perceived Conflict with Evolution at an Evangelical University

Evolution remains a controversial issue in the United States, particularly for evangelical Christians, who as a group have been a key player in anti-evolution education legislation. Religious cultural competence can be effective in decreasing undergraduate biology students' perceived conflict between religion and evolution. However, the impact on student populations who are particularly resistant to evolution is unknown. We explored the efficacy of culturally competent evolution education practices adapted for biology students in a genetics course at an evangelical Christian university. This included the presence of an instructor as a religious scientist role model who accepts evolution, and the use of the book The Language of God. We explored how this curriculum affected students' conceptions of religion and evolution using pre- and post-surveys. We found a differential impact of the curriculum: 31% of the students who indicated that there was a conflict between their religious beliefs and evolution changed their conceptions to be more in line with scientific evidence, but the remaining 69% did not. We describe reasons why, including students' perceptions of The Language of God. This research indicates the challenges of implementing culturally competent evolution education for evangelical students, given their strong commitment to biblical literalism and their lower likelihood of being convinced by scientific evidence for evolution.
How surfaces shape the climate of habitable exoplanets

Large ground- and space-based telescopes will be able to observe Earth-like planets in the near future. We explore how different planetary surfaces can strongly influence the climate, atmospheric composition, and remotely detectable spectra of terrestrial rocky exoplanets in the habitable zone depending on the host star's incident irradiation spectrum for a range of Sun-like host stars from F0V to K7V. We update a well-tested 1D climate-photochemistry model to explore the changes of a planetary environment for different surfaces for different host stars. Our results show that using a wavelength-dependent surface albedo is critical for modeling potentially habitable rocky exoplanets.
An Efficient Design Approach to Optimize the Drift Layer of Unipolar Power Devices in 4H-SiC

This paper reports generalized design solutions for the punch-through and nonpunch-through drift layers in 4H-SiC. In general, the critical electric field relation of Konstantinov is widely used to design the drift parameters in 4H-SiC due to its accuracy. In this paper, a fitted version of Konstantinov’s critical electric field relation is used to derive the generalized optimum parameters for the drift design. The derived set of equations not only offers straightforward design of optimum drift parameters avoiding complex mathematical evaluations but also provide a meaningful insight to the drift design in 4H-SiC. From derived expressions, an inter-relation between the optimum punch-through and nonpunch-through structures is attained. For the punch-through structure, it was observed that optimum doping concentration and width for Konstantinov critical electric field model are 8% and 21.4% lower than that of the nonpunch-through structure. Consequently, the specific on-resistance for the punch-through structure is 14.9% lower than that of the nonpunch-through structure.
Chapter 22 – Glucose Trapping

: Only one GLUT transporter (i.e., GLUT 4) has been found to be insulin-dependent. GLUT 4 transporters are translocated from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane and back again following insulin receptor binding and dislocation. GLUT 3 and GLUT 1, respectively, may be involved with the transport of vitamin C metabolites out of neurons of the CNS and into astrocytes. Glucose trapping involves a phosphorylation reaction, which reduces lipophilicity of the product (Glc-6-P). Glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase are primarily liver enzymes. Hexokinase is inhibited by Glc-6-P, yet glucokinase is not. Muscle cannot contribute glucose directly to the blood glucose pool. Strict carnivores and ruminant animals possess low hepatic glycogen reserves.
Timing Considerations for Noninvasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Clinical Studies

Noninvasive vagal nerve stimulation (n-VNS) devices have the potential for widespread applicability in improving the well-being of patients with stress-related psychiatric disorders. n-VNS devices are known to affect physiological signals, and, recently, they have been employed in various protocols involving both acute and longitudinal applications. However, questions regarding response time, "dosage," or optimal treatment paradigms remain open. Prior work evaluated noninvasively obtained biomarkers that quantify the stimulation efficacy based on the changes in autonomic tone in a randomized double-blind study. In this work, we extend the state-of-the-art by investigating the onset of action for n-VNS in these same physiological biomarkers through a three-day clinical trial, including 233 administrations on 24 human participants, with and without immediately preceding acute traumatic stress. Determining n-VNS latency serves as a substantial step toward optimizing stimulation delivery with higher temporal resolution for personalized neuromodulation.
A Novel Three-Layer IoT Architecture for Shared, Private, Scalable, and Real-time Machine Learning from Ubiquitous Cyber-Physical Systems

Abstract Due to the recent movements in Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things (IoT), accessing or generating data in the Smart Manufacturing (SM) domain has become more attainable; communication protocols such as MTConnect and OPC-UA provide access to a majority of raw data generated from machine tools while retrofit sensor packs facilitate high-frequency data acquisitions from legacy and modern equipment. These technologies have led to the generation of quantities of raw data, known as Big Data (BD), that are complex to be analyzed. This study proposes a novel and event-driven IoT architecture that considers automated and scalable machine learning techniques with the focus sense-making from manufacturing process and systems performance in the Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) domain. In this manuscript, a novel generalized three-layer IoT architecture utilizing Edge Computing (EC), Fog Computing (FC), Cloud Computing (CC), and Federated Learning (FL) is presented, where data are preprocessed in the Edge layer, Machine Learning (ML) models are incrementally trained in the Fog layer and the trained models are aggregated in centralized cloud models. The results show that the methods discussed in the proposed architecture will lead to the development of higher performance and more scalable IoT frameworks that require minimal storage and computing power.
Is there variation in private payor payments to cancer surgeons? A cross-sectional study in the USA.

Author(s): Bongiovanni, Tasce; Kim, Simon P; Kim, Anthony; Killelea, Brigid; Gross, Cary | Abstract: ObjectivesAlthough demand for price transparency in healthcare is growing, variation in private payors' payments to surgeons for oncologic resection has not been well characterised. Our aim was to assess variation of private payors' payments to surgeons for cancer resection using data based on fee-for-service allowed amounts, billed by a large mix of commercial payors and third-party administrators.SettingFair Health (FH), an independent, not-for-profit organisation that collects and compiles claims data from payors nationwide. FH maintains the nation's largest repository of privately billed medical and dental claims representing over 125 million covered lives in the USA.ParticipantsWe performed a cross-sectional study assessing private payer data for five common types of cancer surgery: simple mastectomy (SM), modified radical mastectomy (MRM), open lobectomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy and radical prostatectomy during 2012 and 2013.Primary and secondary outcome measuresTo assess variation across regions, we compared regional median allowed payments. To assess intraregion variability, we evaluated the distribution of regional IQRs of allowed payments.ResultsMedian allowed payments varied substantially across regions. For SM, median allowed payments ranged from $550 in the least expensive to $1380 in the costliest region. For MRM, the range was $842-$1760, for lobectomy $326-$3066, for VATS $317-$3307 and for prostatectomy $1716-$4867. There was also substantial variation within geographic areas. For example, the mean IQRs in surgeon payment within regions were: SM $577 (25th percentile) to $1132 (75th percentile); MRM $850-$1620; lobectomy $861-$2767; VATS $1024-$3122; and prostatectomy $2286-$3563.ConclusionsThere is a wide range of variation both across and within geographic regions in allowed amounts of surgeon payments for common oncologic resections. Transparency about these allowed amounts may have a profound impact on patient and employer choice and facilitate future assessments of value in cancer care.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL DISCRETE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF RAILWAY BALLAST'S SHEAR PROCESS BASED ON PARTICLES' REAL GEOMETRY

Ballast beds are made up of particles with diverse sizes and shapes. Particle shape plays a fairly important role in affecting ballast aggregate's mechanical behaviors; however, conventional grading curves indicating particle unidirectional size distribution cannot describe ballast particle shape characteristics comprehensively. Computer-vision technology is applied to obtaining three orthogonal views of a ballast particle, then extracting outlines of these three views to compute particle shape characteristic parameters. Three dimensional discrete element numerical simulations of ballast aggregate are processed by a self-developed program using elements which are built based on a particle's three orthogonal views and identical in shape characteristics to realistic ballast particles. The computer-vision based discrete element method is validated with predictions from discrete element simulations matching closely with laboratory direct shear test results. Ballast aggregate's deformation features and micro-scale mechanical behaviors in direct shear tests are investigated in depth based on the validated discrete element method
Intrinsic Mechanisms in the Gating of Resurgent Na+ Currents

ABSTRACT The resurgent component of the voltage-gated sodium current (INaR) is a depolarizing conductance, revealed on membrane hyperpolarizations following brief depolarizing voltage steps, which has been shown to contribute to regulating the firing properties of numerous neuronal cell types throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although mediated by the same voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels that underlie the transient and persistent Nav current components, the gating mechanisms that contribute to the generation of INaR remain unclear. Here, we characterized Nav currents in mouse cerebellar Purkinje neurons, and used tailored voltage-clamp protocols to define how the voltage and the duration of the initial membrane depolarization affect the amplitudes and kinetics of INaR. Using the acquired voltage-clamp data, we developed a novel Markov kinetic state model with parallel (fast and slow) inactivation pathways and, we show that this model reproduces the properties of the resurgent, as well as the transient and persistent, Nav currents recorded in (mouse) cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Based on the acquired experimental data and the simulations, we propose that resurgent Na+ influx occurs as a result of fast inactivating Nav channels transitioning into an open/conducting state on membrane hyperpolarization, and that the decay of INaR reflects the slow accumulation of recovered/opened Nav channels into a second, alternative and more slowly populated, inactivated state. Additional simulations reveal that extrinsic factors that affect the kinetics of fast or slow Nav channel inactivation and/or impact the relative distribution of Nav channels in the fast- and slow-inactivated states, such as the accessory Navβ4 channel subunit, can modulate the amplitude of INaR. SUMMARY The resurgent component of the voltage-gated sodium current (INaR) is revealed on membrane hyperpolarizations following brief depolarizing voltage steps that activate the rapidly activating and inactivating, transient Nav current (INaT). To probe the mechanisms contributing to the generation and properties of INaR, we combined whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from mouse cerebellar Purkinje neurons with computational modeling to develop a novel, blocking particle-independent, model for the gating of INaR that involves two parallel inactivation pathways, and we show that this model recapitulates the detailed biophysical properties of INaR measured in mouse cerebellar Purkinje neurons.
Computational Neuroscience – Biophysical Modeling of Neural Systems

Only within the past few decades have we had the tools capable of probing the brain to search for the fundamental components of cognition. Modern numerical techniques coupled with the fabrication of precise electronics have allowed us to identify the very substrates of our own minds. The pioneering work of Hodgkin and Huxley provided us with the first biologically validated mathematical model describing the flow of ions across the membranes of giant squid axon. This model demonstrated the fundamental principles underlying how the electrochemical potential difference, maintained across the neuronal membrane, can serve as a medium for signal transmission. This early model has been expanded and improved to include elements not originally described through collaboration between biologists, computer scientists, physicists and mathematicians. Multi-disciplinary efforts are required to understand this system that spans multiple orders of magnitude and involves diverse cellular signaling cascades. The massive amount of data published concerning specific functionality within neural networks is currently one of the major challenges faced in neuroscience. The diverse and sometimes disparate data collected across many laboratories must be collated into the same framework before we can transition to a general theory explaining the brain. Since this broad field would typically be the subject of its own textbook, here we will focus on the fundamental physical relationships that can be used to understand biological processes in the brain.
Monitoring Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Using Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT): A Minimally Invasive Method

Successful geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}), will require monitoring the CO{sub 2} injection to confirm the performance of the caprock/reservoir system, assess leaks and flow paths, and understand the geophysical and geochemical interactions between the CO{sub 2} and the geologic minerals and fluids. Electrical methods are especially well suited for monitoring processes involving fluids, as electrical properties are sensitive to the presence and nature of the formation fluids. High resolution tomographs of electrical properties are now used for site characterization and to monitor subsurface migration of fluids (i.e., leaking underground tanks, infiltration events, steam floods, contaminant movement, and to assess the integrity of engineered barriers). When electrical resistance tomography (ERT) imaging can be performed using existing well casings as long electrodes, the method is nearly transparent to reservoir operators, and reduces the need for additional drilling. Using numerical simulations and laboratory experiments, we have conducted sensitivity studies to determine the potential of ERT methods to detect and monitor the migration of CO{sub 2} in the subsurface. These studies have in turn been applied to the design and implementation of the first field casing surveys conducted in an oil field undergoing a CO{sub 2} flood.
A New Parallelization of Subgraphs Isomorphism Refinement for Classification and Retrieval of Conceptual Structures

Major applications of conceptual structures will require quick response times on extremely large knowledge bases. Although algorithmic developments have provided tremendous improvements in speed, we believe implementation on parallel processors will be needed to meet long-term needs. This paper presents a new parallelization of a subgraph isomorphism refinement algorithm for performing projection tests and retrieving conceptual structures (CS). The improved algorithm is faster, requires fewer processors, and is compatible with recent relation-based representations of CS.
LINE BLANKETING WITHOUT LTE: SIMPLE AND COMPLEX SPECTRA

This paper reviews a number of numerical techniques for computing static stellar atmospheres and emergent flux distributions accounting for the blanketing and blending effects of all atomic transitions in full statistical equilibrium. The framework for calculation is the complete linearization of angle and frequency moments of the transfer equations; the so-called multi-frequency / multi-gray approach. Here I discuss the algorithms, setting up the problem, and computational strategies.
Skill, Luck, and Financial Crises

This paper explains why crises follow periods of sustained banking profitability in an environment in which there is uncertainty about whether outcomes depend on the risk management skills of banks, or are just based on luck, in the spirit of Piketty’s Model (1995) of “left-wing” and “right-wing” dynasties. Periods of sustained banking profitability cause all agents to elevate their estimates of bankers’ skills, despite the uncertainty about what is driving outcomes. Everyone consequently becomes sanguine about bank risk, and banks choose increasingly risky assets. The consequent increased liquidity attracts additional institutions to invest. Since banks fund themselves by borrowing from institutional investors who choose not to incur the cost to learn whether outcomes are skill-based or luck-based, the elevated perceptions of banking skills permit investment risk to continue to climb, and there are no financial crises. However, the emergence of a credit default swap (CDS) market on the banks' debt leads to price discovery through the actions of traders who can profitably become informed about the macro state pertaining to whether outcomes are due to skill or luck. This may induce the banks' creditors to infer a high probability that outcomes are based only on luck. This leads them to refuse to roll over short-term debt, and there is a positive probability of this occurring to enough banks to precipitate a crisis. Regulatory implications of the analysis are extracted.
Emergence of Topographic Cortical Maps in a Parameterless Local Competition Network

A major research problem in the area of unsupervised learning is the understanding of neuronal selectivity, and its role in the formation of cortical maps. Kohonen devised a self-organizing map algorithm to investigate this problem, which achieved partial success in replicating biological observations. However, a problem in using Kohonen's approach is that it does not address the stability-plasticity dilemma, as the learning rate decreases monotonically. In this paper, we propose a solution to cortical map formation which tackles the stability-plasticity problem, where the map maintains stability while enabling plasticity in the presence of changing input statistics. We adapt the parameterless SOM (Berglund and Sitte 2006) and also modify Kohonen's original approach to allow local competition in a larger cortex, where multiple winners can exist. The learning rate and neighborhood size of the modified Kohonen's method are set automatically based on the error between the local winner's weight vector and its input. We used input images consisting of lines of random orientation to train the system in an unsupervised manner. Our model shows large scale topographic organization of orientation across the cortex, which compares favorably with cortical maps measured in visual area V1 in primates. Furthermore, we demonstrate the plasticity of this map by showing that the map reorganizes when the input statistics are chanaged.
An RNA polymerase II holoenzyme responsive to activators

RNA POLYMERASE II requires multiple general transcription factors to initiate site-specific transcription1–3. These proteins can assemble in an ordered fashion onto promoter DNA in vitro2–8, and such ordered assembly may occur in vivo (Fig. la). Some general transcription factors can interact with RNA polymerase II in the absence of DNA3,9–15, however, suggesting that RNA polymerase II may also assemble into a multi-component complex containing a subset of initiation factors before binding to promoter DNA (Fig. Ib). Here we present evidence from the yeast Saccharo-myces cerevisiae for such an RNA polymerase II holoenzyme, a multi-subunit complex containing roughly equimolar amounts of RNA polymerase II, a subset of general transcription factors, and SRB regulatory proteins. Transcription by this holoenzyme is stimulated by the activator protein GAL4-VP16, a feature not observed with purified RNA polymerase II and general transcription factors alone. We propose that the holoenzyme is a form of RNA polymerase II readily recruited to promoters in vivo.
Prescription Compliance or Illicit Designer Drug Abuse

A 62-year-old Caucasian woman underwent evaluation for possible liver transplantation. She had end-stage cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C and alcohol abuse. Among the tests ordered were urine screens for various drugs of abuse, including amphetamines, for which the patient's urine sample was positive. Given the patient's history of alcohol abuse and possible other drug abuse, her physicians questioned her in detail about recent use of any illicit substances. The patient stated emphatically that she had used no recreational drugs for the past 15 years. The physicians wondered what could be the cause of a false-positive result and relayed to the laboratory that the patient was on several medications. The laboratory arranged to have the initial sample analyzed for amphetamines by GC-MS. The result was reported as negative for amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA),3 and 3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine (MDA). In addition, the laboratory contacted the manufacturer of the screening immunoassay used [Amphetamines II, a kinetic interaction of microparticles in solution (KIMS) assay; Roche Diagnostics] and was informed that the medications that the patient had been prescribed, namely trazodone and bupropion, had been tested and did not exhibit any cross-reactivity. Amphetamines are a group of compounds that include amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and a large number of “designer drugs.” Widespread abuse has been reported worldwide and has increased over the last decade (1). In the clinical laboratory, the detection of amphetamine abuse has become increasingly important because of the potential for adverse drug–drug interactions involving existing prescription pharmaceuticals. Many antidepressants and antipsychotics function by affecting concentrations of dopamine, norepinephrine, and/or serotonin. Likewise, amphetamines increase concentrations of these biogenic amines by blocking their uptake by plasma membrane and/or vesicular transporters. Thus, in addition to their well-documented habit-forming properties and toxicities (2), amphetamines are of concern to clinicians because of their potentially toxic or fatal drug–drug interactions …
Oxygen sorption and transport in amorphous poly(ethylene furanoate)

Abstract Oxygen transport in amorphous poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) was studied at various temperatures using complementary permeation and pressure-decay sorption techniques. A significant reduction in oxygen permeability of ∼11× was observed at 35 °C for PEF compared to poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and is attributed primarily to reduction in chain segment mobility for PEF resulting from a hindrance of furan ring flipping. A custom-built high accuracy sorption system allowed determination of temperature-dependent so-called dual-mode parameters that have not been reported for oxygen in any polyester. Energetic parameters, i.e. the enthalpy of sorption and activation energies of diffusion and permeation, were measured for oxygen in PEF and discussed in the context of PET and related polyesters. The current work presents the first detailed study of penetrant transport in PEF, which demonstrates the impressive performance enhancements of PEF compared to PET.
Analytic continuation of the Wiener-Hopf factorization matrices arising in transport theory

Abstract Recent developments in transport theory have made crucial use of a Wiener-Hopf factorization of a certain matrix dispersion relationship. Historically, this factorization has been used in proving half-range completeness of the Case singular eigenfunctions for the class of Holder continuous functions defined on (0, 1) [1–5]. The work of T. W. Mullikin [6] showed how these arise naturally from an analysis of the integral equation for transport in a semi-infinite slab. Recent applications of Mullikin's results have been in the analysis of the resolvent kernel to the integral operator for transport in finite slabs [7] and by Larson and Zweifel [8] in obtaiaing a representation of the reflection operator when a spectral decomposition of the “separated” transport operator is used to analyze half and full-range problems.