cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A review of research on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

Research on the core version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is reviewed. Sensitivities and specificities of the AUDIT or criteria of current hazardous use and, to a slightly lesser extent, lifetime alcohol dependence are high. In general, AUDIT scores are at least moderately related to other self-report alcohol screening tests. Several studies also show them as correlated with biochemical measures of drinking. Results of the AUDIT have also been associated with more distal indicators of problematic drinking. Indices of internal consistency, including Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations, are generally in the 0.80's. Future directions for research on the AUDIT are suggested.
Weakly continuous accretive operators in general Banach spaces

Global wellposedness theorems are established for a class of abstract Cauchy initial value problems and a class of abstract Volterra equations which have a linear semigroup as a convolution kernel. These existence theorems are used to show that a class of nonlinear operators and a class of perturbed linear operators are m-accretive. The m-accretiveness results are used in turn to represent solutions to the differential and integral equations.
Application of an adaptive delay-compensated PI controller

A discrete, adaptive, delay-compensated PI control algorithm is developed and applied to air fuel ratio control of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Adaptation is necessary because of the significant variation in the air fuel ratio dynamic response as a function of engine operating condition. The delay-compensated PI controller tuning parameters are computed from the current system delay and time constant, which are determined from an engine speed and load map, using tuning rules derived from the discrete closed-loop transfer function of the system. The adaptive PI control algorithm is implemented using a rapid prototyping engine control computer and demonstrated on a Ford Duratec 2.0L I4 engine at the Villanova University Automotive Research Laboratory.
Localized principal components of natural images-an analytic solution

The structure of receptive fields in the visual cortex is believed to be shaped by unsupervised learning. A simple variant of unsupervised learning is the extraction of principal components. In this paper, we derive analytically the form of the principal components of natural images. An assumption is made that only small circular regions of the images are being used as training patterns. The derivation relies on results about the correlation function of natural images. Our results predict both the shapes and the phases of the receptive fields. We also compare these results to previous simulation results. Finally, the biological relevance of our results is discussed.
A Prototype Processing-In-Memory (PIM) Chip for the Data-Intensive Architecture (DIVA) System

The Data-Intensive Architecture (DIVA) system employs Processing-In-Memory (PIM) chips as smart-memory coprocessors. This architecture exploits inherent memory bandwidth both on chip and across the system to target several classes of bandwidth-limited applications, including multimedia applications and pointer-based and sparse-matrix computations. The DIVA project has built a prototype development system using PIM chips in place of standard DRAMs to demonstrate these concepts. We have recently ported several demonstration kernels to this platform and have exhibited a speedup of 35X on a matrix transpose operation. This paper focuses on the 32-bit scalar and 256-bit WideWord integer processing components of the first DIVA prototype PIM chip, which was fabricated in TSMC 0.18 μm technology. In conjunction with other publications, this paper demonstrates that impressive gains can be achieved with very little "smart" logic added to memory devices. A second PIM prototype that includes WideWord floating-point capability is scheduled to tape out in August 2003.
Environments of Formation and Controls on Spatial Distribution of Calcite Cementation in Plio-Pleistocene Fluvial Deposits, New Mexico, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT The Sierra Ladrones Formation is the uppermost syn-rift sedimentary unit of the Rio Grande Rift in central New Mexico. In the vicinity of the study site it was deposited in a variety of fluvial subenvironments. Portions of the Formation are strongly cemented by calcite, forming resistant ledges in otherwise poorly consolidated sediment. The calcite exhibits a wide range of macroscopic and microscopic textures and structures, which formed in different hydrologic environments, including vadose nonpedogenic, vadose pedogenic, and phreatic. Phreatic cements are characterized by sparite with uniform, disseminated, isopachous, poikilotopic, and drusy textures; vadose-nonpedogenic by micrite with meniscus textures; and vadose-pedogenic by textures similar to those in the vadose-nonpedogenic environment, plus macroscopic features such as root structures, destruction of primary sedimentary textures, and a red hue. Many of the cements are of mixed vadose/phreatic origin, with vadose micrite formation preceding phreatic sparite. The calcite is near end-member in composition, with only minor substitution of trace elements (Sr, Mg, Mn, and Fe) for Ca in the calcite structure. Vadose micrite cements generally have a higher trace-element content than phreatic sparite, perhaps as a result of more rapid precipitation in the vadose zone. Carbon isotope values range from -4.7 to -3.5‰ PDB and 18O values range from -10.3 to -7.2‰ PDB. Cements that are dominantly vadose have a wider range of 13C values, and are more 13C-depleted overall than phreatic cements. Oxygen values are similar for both vadose and phreatic cements. At large scales (i.e., several meters to decameters vertical dimension), calcite is present preferentially in coarse-grained sediments that had high pre-cementation saturated permeabilities relative to uncemented finer-grained strata. At smaller scales (i.e., several meters or less vertical dimension), however, there is no clear relationship between degree of cementation and pre-cementation permeability. At these scales, calcite cement is present preferentially in areas that contain early vadose calcite. This suggests that at large scales cementation was controlled by pre-cementation permeability, perhaps due to a greater flux of Ca2+ and/or HCO3- in permeable horizons, whereas at smaller scales, within high permeability units, the distribution of cementation was controlled by other factors, such as the presence of nucleating material.
A simple, robust, and on-site microwave technique for determining water-to-cement ratio (w/c) of fresh Portland cement-based materials

Inspection and evaluation of cement-based materials such as concrete is of great interest to the construction industry. In particular, real-time and on-site evaluation of water-to-cement ratio (w/c) is an important practical issue, since the compressive strength of a concrete structure is significantly influenced by its w/c. Currently, there is no single real-time, on-site, relatively inexpensive, easy-to-implement, and operator friendly technique for evaluating this parameter. Microwave nondestructive testing and evaluation techniques have shown great promise when used for inspection and evaluation of the properties of cement-based materials. In this paper, the optimal design of a monopole antenna probe used to evaluate w/c of fresh cement-based materials in real-time and in-situ is presented. This probe, operating at 3 GHz, is used along with a reflectometer whose DC output voltage is shown to be linearly correlated to w/c of fresh cement paste and fresh concrete specimens. This paper presents the optimal probe design procedure, the experimental verification of the results, and the results of using the custom-made reflectometer for quick and robust w/c measurement of fresh cement paste and concrete.
Dead-time-modified photocount mean and variance for chaotic radiation

General expressions are obtained for the mean and variance of the number of events in a fixed but arbitrary sampling time for a nonparalyzable dead-time counter. The input is assumed to be a Poisson point process whose rate is a stochastic process, and the dead time is assumed to be small in comparison with the fluctuation time of the driving process. The mean is shown to depend only on the first-order statistics of the rate, whereas the variance is formally shown to depend on both the first- and the second-order statistics of the rate. For the particular process arising in the detection of chaotic light, an explicit expression is obtained for the dependence of the dead-time-modified variance on the power spectrum of the radiation. It is demonstrated that the variance takes on a particularly simple form for chaotic light with Lorentzian and Gaussian spectra. In the regime in which our study is valid, it turns out that the dead-time dependence of the variance is contained in a multiplicative function that is essentially independent of the spectral properties of the light.
Pharmacogenetics: potential for individualized drug therapy through genetics

Pharmacogenetics blends important components of the disciplines of genetics and pharmacology, and aims to describe the influence of inheritance on variable drug response. This review provides an overview of the history and current status of pharmacogenetics. The role of genetics in variable drug response is now firmly established. To apply this information to the clinical setting, more sophisticated methods, such as a multiple candidate gene approach, or genomic approaches, are likely to be needed. Most drugs will require additional research if their use is be guided by a patient's genetic make-up. However, it seems that the potential for pharmacogenetics to improve the clinical outcomes of numerous drug therapies will be realized, and will represent an important biomedical advance in the post-genomics era.
The response and recovery of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) from sublethal boron exposures

Controlling the Formosan subterranean termite, a cosmopolitan pest and the most structurally damaging pest in the state of Hawaii, is an important priority for homeowners and commercial builders alike. Boron-treated lumber is often part of an effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategy, owing to its effect of reducing attack by subterranean termites and preventing wood decay due to fungi and bacteria. Termites from field colonies maintained in Honolulu were collected and exposed to one of four composite boards: zinc borate (ZB)/disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) (boric acid equivalent or BAE 0.75%), anhydrous boric acid (B2O3) (BAE 0.75%), or an untreated composite board control; after 5 days the wood pieces were replaced with untreated composite boards. The effect of 5 days of boron exposure was examined by comparing the wet weight of termites, wood consumption, survival, and termite boron content. The analyses at both 5 and 10 days revealed significantly more boron in the termites exposed to...
Novel 3-D video for quantification of facial movement

Objectives To evaluate a novel 3-D geometry video acquisition system (3-D VAS) for quantifying facial movement. Methods Ten normal subjects and four patients with facial paralysis underwent recording of facial movement during three facial expressions. Facial feature points of interest were digitally marked on selected images. The maximum 3-D displacement of the brow and oral commissure and palpebral fissure width were determined. Results Test-retest reliability using the 3-D VAS in normal subjects was high (Spearman correlation coefficients 0.661-0.830, P Conclusions The novel 3-D VAS can accurately and reliably quantify facial movement in healthy subjects. It is promising as a clinical tool to quantify facial movement in patients with facial paralysis.
Linguistic constraints on intrasentential code-switching: A study of Spanish/Hebrew bilingualism*

In recent years, research has increasingly pointed toward the universality of three linguistic constraints on code-switching: (1) an equivalence of structure constraint, (2) a size-of-constituent constraint, and (3) a free morpheme constraint. The evidence derived from this study challenges the universality of the first two of these constraints, and argues instead that their claim to universality is largely a function of the coincidental relative similarity in the syntactic structure of Spanish and English, the two languages upon which most code-switching studies have been based. The present study breaks out of the Spanish-English mold and draws upon data from a language contact situation in which the two languages are syntactically very different from each other, namely, Spanish and Hebrew. The evidence presented also challenges the frequently made assertion that type of code-switching, namely, intra- versus intersentential code-switching, is correlated with degree of bilingualism of the speaker. Finally, the evidence suggests that intrasentential code-switching ability cannot, as some have argued, universally be considered a measure of bilingualism nor a mark of the balanced bilingual. (Code-switching, Spanish, Hebrew, bilingualism, syntactic constraints)
Reformulation of an Aqueous Alumina Slip Based on Modification of Particle-Size Distribution and Particle Packing

Six alumina casting slips with particle-size distributions varying from 44 to 0.1 μm were examined. Particle packing was calculated using the approach of Andreasen. Viscosity, green density, and pore-size distribution were measured. It was found that contouring the intermediate size distribution for particles finer than 15 μm provided the most desirable viscosity for slips composed of wide size distributions. For slips containing 50 vol% solids, the lowest viscosity obtained was 196 × 10−3 N · s/m2 (with a two-component size distribution), and a green density of 2.52 g/cm3 (65% of theoretical) was achieved with a ternary system. These casts had bimodal pore-size distributions centered around approximately 1 and 0.1μm.
Modeling cyber conflicts using an extended Petri Net formalism

When threatened by automated attacks, critical systems that require human-controlled responses have difficulty making optimal responses and adapting protections in real-time and may therefore be overwhelmed. Consequently, experts have called for the development of automatic real-time reaction capabilities. However, a technical gap exists in the modeling and analysis of cyber conflicts to automatically understand the repercussions of responses. There is a need for modeling cyber assets that accounts for concurrent behavior, incomplete information, and payoff functions.
Toward an art and science of knowledge engineering: a case for belief networks

The knowledge engineering of belief networks is discussed. Several design issues that arose during the construction of two belief network-based systems, Pathfinder and ARCO1, are described. The issues of accuracy, consistency, and calibration as they emerged during the design of these systems are addressed, and the ways in which compatibility of all networks designed for the same domain suggests an architecture for combining the recommendations of independently designed knowledge bases into a single, consensus recommendation are discussed. >
Invasive mycoses in organ transplant recipients: controversies in prophylaxis and management

Given the high mortality associated with invasive mycoses in transplant recipients, effective prophylaxis for such infections is a worthy goal: an optimal approach has not, however, been devised. Uncertainty and controversy abound regarding the choice of antifungal agent, mode of drug delivery and types of patients who should receive antifungal prophylaxis. The lipid formulations of amphotericin B represent a significant advance in drug delivery of amphotericin B. 7 Although the potential for reduced nephrotoxicity with lipid preparations of amphotericin B has been amply demonstrated, a frequent dilemma pertaining to the use of such agents is whether their high acquisition cost is justifiable in the transplant setting and whether there are data supportive of their superior efficacy as compared with amphotericin B deoxycholate. Finally, a growing body of evidence suggests a potential role for immunomodulatory agents in the treatment of invasive fungal infections. 2,8‐10 This review focuses on: (i) optimizing the approach to antifungal prophylaxis in organ transplant recipients; (ii) treatment of invasive mycoses; (iii) the role of adjunctive therapies, e.g. immunomodulation; and (iv) surgery in the management of invasive mycoses in organ transplant recipients.
Self-assembled large Au nanoparticle arrays with regular hot spots for SERS.

The cost-effective self-assembly of 80 nm Au nanoparticles (NPs) into large-domain, hexagonally close-packed arrays for high-sensitivity and high-fidelity surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is demonstrated. These arrays exhibit specific optical resonances due to strong interparticle coupling, which are well reproduced by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. The gaps between NPs form a regular lattice of hot spots that enable a large amplification of both photoluminescence and Raman signals. At smaller wavelengths the hot spots are extended away from the minimum-gap positions, which allows SERS of larger analytes that do not fit into small gaps. Using CdSe quantum dots (QDs) a 3-5 times larger photoluminescence enhancement than previously reported is experimentally demonstrated and an unambiguous estimate of the electromagnetic SERS enhancement factor of {approx}10{sup 4} is obtained by direct scanning electron microscopy imaging of QDs responsible for the Raman signal. Much stronger enhancement of {approx}10{sup 8} is obtained at larger wavelengths for benzenethiol molecules penetrating the NP gaps.
BRIDGING TREATMENT OF POLYMER SOLUTIONS IN GOOD SOLVENTS

The “bridging” function for connecting dilute and concentrated regimes in polymer solution thermodynamics has heretofore been applied only to poor solvents and two-phase systems. A comparison of the bridging treatment in an athermal solution (good-solvent system) with a modern cross-over formula due to Ohta and Oono shows that the former gives a rather satisfactory representation of the osmotic pressure.
Prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial comparing vapocoolant spray vs placebo spray in adults undergoing venipuncture.

Abstract Introduction Topical anesthetics are used to decrease procedural pain such as venipuncture. Advantages of vapocoolants include rapid onset, ease of application, low cost, and lack of associated pain of injection and other needlestick-related risks. We hypothesized that the pain of venipuncture would be reduced by at least 1.8 points on a 10-point numerical rating scale after application of a vapocoolant compared with placebo. Methods We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of vapocoolant vs placebo spray in 100 adults (ages 18-80) requiring venipuncture in a hospital emergency department or observation unit. The primary efficacy outcome was the difference in pain scores immediately after venipuncture, measured on a 10-point verbal numeric rating scale from 0 (none) to worst (10). Safety outcomes included local adverse effects (edema, erythema, blanching) and changes in vital signs (VS). Results Patient characteristics and venipuncture procedure were not significantly different for the 2 groups. The median (interquartile range) pain of venipuncture was 3 (1.2-5) in the placebo group and 1 (0-3) in the vapocoolant group, P Conclusion The vapocoolant significantly decreased venipuncture pain in adults compared with placebo and was well tolerated with minor adverse effects that resolved quickly. There were no significant differences in VS and no visible skin changes documented at the site by photographs taken within 5 to 10 minutes postspray/venipuncture.
Acoustic Segregation and the Hispanic Small Business Owner

Legal and business knowledge has become valuable intellectual property, access to which often determines entrepreneurial success. As such, our society is clearly bifurcated into “haves” and “haves not” of legal information. Using the informationally-underprivileged Hispanic small business owner as an example, this Article examines the causes of such informational asymmetry in social and economic terms, as well as by highlighting the inner workings of existing contract law. It concludes with a proposal for law and business schools to collaborate in creating multilingual, transactional legal clinics for small business owners.
Students as Subjects in Consumer Behavior Experiments

The use of students as subjects in studies of consumer behavior is widespread;1 entire classrooms of potential respondents are readily available to academic researchers at little or no cost. These respondents generally follow instructions rapidly and accurately, and the researcher can claim (at times legitimately) that participating in such studies enriches the students' education. But these advantages obscure the key question: do student responses accurately reflect the behavioral patterns of other consumers? Few would deny that students are consumers, but they typically are psychologically, socially, and demographically different from other segments of the population. The consumer of interest in many marketing studies is the housewife, but the respondents most convenient to marketing professors are, largely, male, undergraduate business students. Are conclusions based on their responses valid when applied to housewives?
Investigation of Catalyst Ink Dispersion Using Small Angle X-ray and Small Angle Neutron Scattering

One of the major aims of this investigation is to fill the gap of the micro-structural organization of ionomer particles and Pt/C aggregates dispersed in a catalyst ink. The dispersion of Nafion® ionomer particles and Pt/C catalyst aggregates in liquid media was studied using ultra small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) and cryogenic TEM technologies. A systematic approach was taken to study the dispersion of each component (i.e. ionomer particles and Pt/C aggregates) first, then the combination, last the catalyst ink. A multiple curve fitting was used to extract the particle size, size distribution and geometry from scattering data. The results suggest that the particle size, size distribution and geometry of each system are not uniform, rather, vary significantly. The results also indicate that interaction among components (i.e. ionomer particles and Pt/C aggregates) exists. The cryogenic TEM, by which the size and geometry of particles in a liquid can be directly observed, was used to validate the scattering results, which shows the excellent agreement. Based on this study, a methodology of analyzing dispersion of Pt/C particles, Nafion particles in a catalyst ink has been developed and it can serve as a powerful tool for making a desired catalyst ink which is the crtical step for making rational designed MEA.
Voltage-gated calcium channels are abnormal in cultured spinal motoneurons in the G93A-SOD1 transgenic mouse model of ALS.

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of motoneurons. Hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity have been implicated in the early pathogenesis of ALS. Studies addressing excitotoxic motoneuron death and intracellular Ca 2+ overload have mostly focused on Ca 2+ influx through AMPA glutamate receptors. However, intrinsic excitability of motoneurons through voltage-gated ion channels may also have a role in the neurodegeneration. In this study we examined the function and localization of voltage-gated Ca 2 + channels in cultured spinal cord motoneurons from mice expressing a mutant form of human superoxide dismutase-1 with a Gly93 → Ala substitution (G93A-SOD1). Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we showed that high voltage activated (HVA) Ca 2 + currents are increased in G93A-SOD1 motoneurons, but low voltage activated Ca 2 + currents are not affected. G93A-SOD1 motoneurons also have altered persistent Ca 2 + current mediated by L-type Ca 2 + channels. Quantitative single-cell RT-PCR revealed higher levels of Ca1a, Ca1b, Ca1c, and Ca1e subunit mRNA expression in G93A-SOD1 motoneurons, indicating that the increase of HVA Ca 2 + currents may result from upregulation of Ca 2 + channel mRNA expression in motoneurons. The localizations of the Ca1B N-type and Ca1D L-type Ca 2 + channels in motoneurons were examined by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. G93A-SOD1 motoneurons had increased Ca1B channels on the plasma membrane of soma and dendrites. Ca1D channels are similar on the plasma membrane of soma and lower on the plasma membrane of dendrites of G93A-SOD1 motoneurons. Our study demonstrates that voltage-gated Ca 2 + channels have aberrant functions and localizations in ALS mouse motoneurons. The increased HVA Ca 2 + currents and PC Ca current could contribute to early pathogenesis of ALS.
Trend analysis of cancer incidence from 2009 to 2012 in Chongqing

Objective To understand the incidence and the trend of cancer in Chongqing, and provide the evidence for conducting cancer prevention and control. Methods The data of cancer from four urban registration sites and five rural registration sites from 2009 to 2012 were analyzed. The incidence and proportion of cancer was calculated. The trend analysis of cancer was identified by curve estimation of logistic regression. Results Cancer incidence increased from 203.29 / 100 000 in 2009 to 244.58 / 100 000 in 2012 in Chongqing. The trend of cancer incidence increased significantly year by year in 40 years age group(F=125.95,P=0.008) and 45 years age group(F=225.89,P=0.004). The incidence of cancer in rural area increased significantly(F=18.54,P=0.049). The top six cancers were lung cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, and colorectal cancer. The number one cancer was lung cancer from 2009 to 2012. Colorectal cancer was the second in urban registration sites and esophageal cancer was the second in rural registration sites. Conclusion Cancer incidence was high in Chongqing. Cancer incidence in rural area increased significantly year by year. Cancer incidence in Chongqing has a tendency of occurring in younger people. Government should pay more attention to take measures to prevent and control cancer.
Design and realization of 3D visualization system for rice plant modeling

Considering the research situation of virtual crops,a new 3D visualization simulation system for rice plant modeling is designed and realized with C++ language in the environment of Visual Studio 2005 and OpenGL,and the technique of Object-Oriented Programming is used.Based on the growth laws and the topological structure's characteristics of the rice plant,Parametric L-system is used to simulate its topological structures,and finite-state automaton is employed to describe the growth and development processes of rice plant.The system requirement is firstly analyzed,and then the general structure and basic functions in this system are introduced.The key techniques in the designing and implementation process in this system are discussed.Finally,the interface of this system and some typical effect pictures are given.
Ruptured pancreaticoduodenal arterial aneurysms : diagnosis and treatment by angiographic intervention

This article describes a 54-year-old patient who presented with a long history of epigastric pain. Laboratory values revealed a decreased red blood cell count, decreased hemoglobin level, and positive stool hemoccult test. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal hematomas. Emergency laparotomy was performed, but a bleeding source was not evident. Superselective angiography demonstrated bleeding aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal artery. Coil embolization with angiography guidance was successful in arresting the bleeding sites.
Mahmud Gawan (1411–1481): Deccanis and Westerners

Sometime in 1453, the same year that the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople carried Persian civilization to the frontiers of Europe, a high-born Iranian merchant named Mahmud Gawan stepped onto India's western shores. From the docks of Dabhol, Gawan oversaw the off-loading of the consignments he had brought with him from Iran to India. Gawan joined the stream of other Westerners who for decades had been migrating to the Deccan and had taken up service in Bidar, the Bahmani capital. Notwithstanding Bidar's cultural enrichment owing to the court's patronage of Westerners like Mahmud Gawan, that enrichment came at a heavy cost. Gawan's protracted expedition, which lasted from 1469 to 1472, thus aimed at subduing both the hill-forts and the sea forts from which local chieftains had been harassing strategic trade routes. Focused on its glittering Royal Chamber and Hall of Public Audience, Bidar in the fifteenth century came close to becoming what Delhi had long been, an imperial center.
Performance of computed tomography of the head to evaluate for skull fractures in infants with suspected non-accidental trauma

Young children with suspected abusive head trauma often receive skull radiographs to evaluate for fractures as well as computed tomography (CT) of the head to assess for intracranial injury. Using a CT as the primary modality to evaluate both fracture and intracranial injury could reduce exposure to radiation without sacrificing performance. To evaluate the sensitivity of CT head with (3-D) reconstruction compared to skull radiographs to identify skull fractures in children with suspected abusive head trauma. This was a retrospective (2013-2014) cross-sectional study of infants evaluated for abusive head trauma via both skull radiographs and CT with 3-D reconstruction. The reference standard was skull radiography. All studies were read by pediatric radiologists and neuroradiologists, with ten percent read by a second radiologist to evaluate for interobserver reliability. One hundred seventy-seven children (47% female; mean/median age: 5 months) were included. Sixty-two (35%) had skull fractures by radiography. CT with 3-D reconstruction was 97% sensitive (95% confidence interval [CI]: 89-100%) and 94% specific (CI: 87-97%) for skull fracture. There was no significant difference between plain radiographs and 3-D CT scan results (P-value = 0.18). Kappa was 1 (P-value <0.001) between radiologist readings of CTs and 0.77 (P = 0.001) for skull radiographs. CT with 3-D reconstruction is equivalent to skull radiographs in identifying skull fractures. When a head CT is indicated, skull radiographs add little diagnostic value.
Physiologically relevant binding affinity quantification of monoclonal antibody PF-00547659 to mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule for in vitro in vivo correlation

Background and Purpose A monoclonal antibody (PF-00547659) against Mucosal Adressin Cell Adhesion Molecule (MAdCAM), expressed as both soluble (sMAdCAM) and trans-membrane (mMAdCAM) target forms, showed over 30-fold difference in antibody-target KD between in vitro (Biacore) and clinically derived (KD,in-vivo) values. Back-scattering interferometry (BSI) was applied to acquire physiologically relevant KD values which were used to establish in vitro and in vivo correlation (IVIVC). Experimental Approach Back-scattering interferometry (BSI) was applied to obtain KD values between PF-00547659 and recombinant human MAdCAM in buffer or CHO cells and endogenous MAdCAM in human serum or colon tissue. CHO cells and tissue were minimally processed to yield homogenate containing membrane vesicles and soluble proteins. A series of binding affinities in serum with various dilution factors were used to estimate both KD,in-vivo and target concentrations, MAdCAM concentrations were also measured using LC-MS/MS. Key Results BSI measurements revealed low KD values (higher affinity) for sMAdCAM in buffer and serum, yet, a 20-fold higher KD value (lower affinity) for mMAdCAM in CHO, mMAdCAM and sMAdCAM in tissue. BSI predicted KD,in-vivo in serum was similar to clinically derived KD,in-vivo and the BSI estimated serum sMAdCAM concentration also matched the measured concentration by LC-MS/MS. Conclusions and Implications Our results successfully demonstrated that BSI measurements of physiologically relevant KD values can be used to establish IVIVC, for PF-00547659 to MAdCAM despite the disconnect when using Biacore measured KD, and accurately estimates endogenous target concentrations. The application of BSI would greatly enhance successful basic pharmacological research and drug development.
Current status of high performance silicon bipolar technology

Traditional applications for high-performance silicon bipolar technology have been high-end computing, very-high-speed logic, high-frequency mixed-signal, gigabit-per-second optical fiber data transmission, RF communication, and high-precision analog products. Applications are presently characterized by frequency performance from several tens of megahertz to about 10-20 GHz with integration densities from SSI level in tens of devices to VLSI level of a few hundred thousand devices per circuit. Silicon bipolar manufacturing has matured much like CMOS in establishing cost-effective, high-yield, industrial standard process flows. In 1991, silicon bipolar analog and digital IC products accounted for a total of 27% of the TAM with an expected trend of market share down to 13% in 1996. Within this relatively small market segment, high-performance silicon bipolar technology is expected to further hold an important share in high-value-added IC products. >
Electric propulsion power system-overview

Electric automobile power system technology has not improved substantially beyond what it was in the 1930s. The 1976 Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Act's research and development efforts have focused on technologies to reduce costs and to improve system performance through programs like the US Automotive Battery Consortium (USABC). Despite renewed interest and increased research and development efforts, the problems of high cost, low reliability, and availability of power electronic components still remain. The author discusses projection of costs through 2005 and 2015, the development of power electronics and control technologies, electric, hybrid, fuel cell and thermoelectric powered vehicles, power electronic components (inverters and converters, power switches), and materials and device technology.
TCT-697 Comparison of Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement plus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Alone in the United States.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in combination with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has emerged as a less invasive and feasible therapeutic option for this high surgical risk patient population with AS and CAD. The aim of this study is to determine the outcomes of TAVR when
Large-scale remodeling of a repressed exon ribonucleoprotein to an exon definition complex active for splicing

Polypyrimidine-tract binding protein PTBP1 can repress splicing during the exon definition phase of spliceosome assembly, but the assembly steps leading to an exon definition complex (EDC) and how PTBP1 might modulate them are not clear. We found that PTBP1 binding in the flanking introns allowed normal U2AF and U1 snRNP binding to the target exon splice sites but blocked U2 snRNP assembly in HeLa nuclear extract. Characterizing a purified PTBP1-repressed complex, as well as an active early complex and the final EDC by SILAC-MS, we identified extensive PTBP1-modulated changes in exon RNP composition. The active early complex formed in the absence of PTBP1 proceeded to assemble an EDC with the eviction of hnRNP proteins, the late recruitment of SR proteins, and binding of the U2 snRNP. These results demonstrate that during early stages of splicing, exon RNP complexes are highly dynamic with many proteins failing to bind during PTBP1 arrest.
A Design Science Approach to Development of Educational IS

In many technical disciplines, employers have suggested that insufficient focus has been given to the professional skills of students. In recent years, accrediting agencies and members of industry have emphasized the importance of these skills for technical graduates, suggesting that curricula must change. Following calls for industry and academic collaboration, we have worked with an immersive experiential learning provider to develop and test the use of a design science approach for converting case studies into an educational IS called “serious games.” We designed two iterations of a serious game focusing on communications. Testing of the serious game in classes is leading to improvement of the methodology and we plan to develop other serious games in the future. The results of this research show the value of a design science approach to developing educational IS. We explain our iterative design process and provide suggestions for educational IS creation.
Evaluation of support vector machines and random forest classifiers in a real-time fetal monitoring system based on cardiotocography data

In this paper, we compare methods for evaluating the fetal state prediction based on Cardiotocography (CTG) data. Antepartum Fetal Monitoring provides information that can be used to predict the state of the fetus during labor to indicate the risk of a fetal acidosis (low blood pH from low oxygen levels). The effectiveness of these predictions is evaluated in a real-time clinical decision support system and extracts other features that can provide further information regarding the fetal state. This research differs from previous work in that all three fetal states (normal, suspect and pathological) are considered. The paper discusses the importance of machine learning in providing assistance for the obstetricians in ‘suspect’ cases. Results show that both Support Vector Machines and Random Forests had over 96% accuracy when predicting fetal outcomes, with SVM performing slightly better for suspect cases.
Co-expression patterns define epigenetic regulators associated with neurological dysfunction

Coding variants in genes encoding for epigenetic regulators are an emerging cause of neurological dysfunction and cancer. However, a systematic effort to identify disease candidates within the human epigenetic machinery (EM) has not been performed, and it is unclear whether features exist that distinguish between variation-intolerant and variation-tolerant EM genes, and between EM genes associated with neurological dysfunction versus cancer. Here, we rigorously define a set of 295 human genes with a direct role in epigenetic regulation (writers, erasers, remodelers, readers). Systematic exploration of these genes reveals that while individual enzymatic functions are always mutually exclusive, readers often also exhibit enzymatic activity as well (dual function EM genes). We find that the majority of EM genes are very intolerant to loss-of-function variation, even when compared to the dosage sensitive group of transcription factors. Using this strategy, we identify 103 novel EM disease candidates. We show that the intolerance to loss-of-function variation is driven by the protein domains encoding the epigenetic function, strongly suggesting that disease is caused by a perturbed chromatin state. Unexpectedly, we also describe a large subset of EM genes that are co-expressed within multiple tissues. This subset is almost exclusively populated by extremely variation-intolerant EM genes, and shows enrichment for dual function EM genes. It is also highly enriched for genes associated with neurological dysfunction, even when accounting for dosage sensitivity, but not for cancer-associated EM genes. These findings prioritize novel disease candidate EM genes, and suggest that the co-expression itself may play a functional role in normal neurological homeostasis.
An Analysis and Solution of the Sensor Scheduling Problem

This chapter addresses the scheduling problem of a sensor that constantly collects information from multiple sites. In the existing literature, the problem is solved by probabilistic approaches, potentially generating schedules in which a site is not visited for a long time. To overcome this deficiency, this chapter presents a deterministic approach formulated as an integer linear program. Upon showing that the problem is NP-Hard, the chapter develops valid lower and upper bounds and proposes two constructive heuristic methods. Tested via an extensive computational study, the heuristic methods are proven efficient and effective in solving the problem.
Harmonic Functions on the Sierpiński Gasket

Harmonic functions on the Sierpinski gasket. The space of harmonic functions; extension principle. Basic harmonic functions, their properties and their computation. Fractional derivatives and fractional integrals; some open problems. Arithmetic properties of basic functions. Generalized numerical systems, continued fractions, application to basic harmonic functions.
Psychometric function slope for speech-in-noise and speech-in-speech: Effects of development and aging

Masked sentence recognition was evaluated in normal-hearing children (8.8–10.5 years), young adults (18–28 years), and older adults (60–71 years). Consistent with published data, speech recognition thresholds were poorer for young children and older adults than for young adults, particularly when the masker was composed of speech. Psychometric function slopes were steeper for young children and older adults than for young adults when the masker was two-talker speech, but not when it was speech-shaped noise. Multiple factors are implicated in the age effects observed for speech-in-speech recognition at low signal-to-noise ratios.
2262: The impact of alcohol dysbiosis on host defense against pneumonia

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Alcohol consumption perturbs the normal intestinal microbial communities (alcohol dysbiosis). To begin to investigate the relationship between alcohol-mediated dysbiosis and host defense we developed an alcohol dysbiosis fecal adoptive transfer model, which allows us to isolate the host immune response to a pathogenic challenge at a distal organ (ie, the lung). This model system allowed us to determine whether the host immune responses to Klebsiella pneumoniae are altered by ethanol-associated dysbiosis, independent of alcohol use. We hypothesized that alcohol-induced changes in intestinal microbial communities would impair pulmonary host defenses against K. pneumoniae. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Mice were treated with a cocktail of antibiotics daily for 2 weeks. Microbiota-depleted mice were then recolonized by gavage for 3-days with intestinal microbiota from ethanol-fed or pair-fed animals. Following recolonization groups of mice were sacrificed prior to and 48 hours post respiratory infection with K. pneumoniae. We then assessed susceptibility to Klebsiella infection by determining colony counts for pathogen burden in the lungs. We also determined lung and intestinal immunology, intestinal permeability, as well as, liver damage and inflammation. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We found that increased susceptibility to K. pneumoniae is, in part, mediated by the intestinal microbiota, as animals recolonized with an alcohol-induced dysbiotic intestinal microbial community have significantly higher lung burdens of K. pneumoniae (5×104 CFU vs. 1×103 CFU) independent of EtOH. We also found that increased susceptibility in alcohol-dysbiosis recolonized animals was associated with a decrease in the recruitment and/or proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells (1.5×109 cells vs. 2.5×109 cells) in the lung following Klebsiella infection. However, there were increased numbers of T-cells in the intestinal tract following Klebsiella infection, which may suggest that T cells are being sequestered in the intestinal tract to the detriment of host defense in the lung. Interestingly, mice recolonized with an alcohol-dysbiotic microbiota had increased intestinal permeability as measured by increased levels of serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein (55 vs. 30 ng/mL). Alcohol-dysbiotic microbiota also increased liver steatosis (Oil Red-O staining) and liver inflammation (>2-fold expression of IL-17 and IL-23). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Our findings suggest that the commensal intestinal microbiota support mucosal host defenses against infectious agents by facilitating normal immune responses to pulmonary pathogens. Our data also suggest that increased intestinal permeability coupled with increased liver inflammation may impair the recruitment/proliferation of immune cells in the respiratory tract following infection. The role of the microbiota during host defense will be important areas of future research directed at understanding the effects of microbial dysbiosis in patients with AUDs.
Benzocyclobutenoacenaphthylene Stilbenes. 1. Synthesis and Thermal Properties

In this paper the synthesis and characterization of a new class of molecules based on 6b,10b-dihydrobenzo[j]cyclobut[a]acenaphthylene (DBCA) with potentially interesting optical and electronic prop...
Iterative computation of security strategies in matrix games with growing action set

This paper considers a multi-stage matrix game in which one player (minimizer) generates a new action at every stage. Our objective is to find a computationally efficient way to compute the responding strategy of the other player (maximizer) to achieve the maxmin value of the matrix game at the current stage. Since the maxmin problem can be transformed to an LP problem, shadow vertex simplex method is considered. Noticing that our LP model violates the non-degeneracy assumption in shadow vertex method, we make a relaxed non-degeneracy assumption, prove that the necessary and sufficient condition of a shadow vertex still holds with the relaxed non-degeneracy assumption, and hence assure that shadow vertex method is still an efficient method in our case. Based on these result, the iterative shadow vertex method is presented. Instead of starting the search from the original shadow vertex, the iterative shadow vertex method starts the search from the previously visited feasible shadow vertex with the largest objective value. Our simulation results demonstrate the iterative shadow vertex method has much fewer average pivot steps compared with the regular shadow vertex method.
Dietary bovine milk exosomes elicit changes in bacterial communities in C57BL/6 mice.

This is the first report that exosomes from bovine milk alter microbial communities in mice. This report suggests that the gut microbiome facilitates cell-to-cell communication by milk exosomes acr...
Octahedral spinel electrocatalysts for alkaline fuel cells

Designing high-performance nonprecious electrocatalysts to replace Pt for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been a key challenge for advancing fuel cell technologies. Here, we report a systematic study of 15 different AB2O4/C spinel nanoparticles with well-controlled octahedral morphology. The 3 most active ORR electrocatalysts were MnCo2O4/C, CoMn2O4/C, and CoFe2O4/C. CoMn2O4/C exhibited a half-wave potential of 0.89 V in 1 M KOH, equal to the benchmark activity of Pt/C, which was ascribed to charge transfer between Co and Mn, as evidenced by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) provided atomic-scale, spatially resolved images, and high-energy-resolution electron-loss near-edge structure (ELNES) enabled fingerprinting the local chemical environment around the active sites. The most active MnCo2O4/C was shown to have a unique Co-Mn core-shell structure. ELNES spectra indicate that the Co in the core is predominantly Co2.7+ while in the shell, it is mainly Co2+ Broader Mn ELNES spectra indicate less-ordered nearest oxygen neighbors. Co in the shell occupies mainly tetrahedral sites, which are likely candidates as the active sites for the ORR. Such microscopic-level investigation probes the heterogeneous electronic structure at the single-nanoparticle level, and may provide a more rational basis for the design of electrocatalysts for alkaline fuel cells.