cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduced-order modeling based on Prony's and Shank's methods via the bilinear transformation

In this paper, we propose a new model-order reduction technique for linear dynamic systems. The idea behind this technique is to transform the dynamic system function from the s-domain into the z-domain via the bilinear transformation, then use Prony's or Shank's least-squares approximation methods instead of the commonly employed Pade approximation method, and finally transform the reduced system back into the s-domain using the inverse bilinear transformation. Simulation results for large practical systems show that this technique based on Prony's and Shank's methods give much higher accuracy than the traditional Pade method. and result in lower-order approximations with negligible increase in simulation time.
B-Mode ultrasound pose recovery via surgical fiducial segmentation and tracking

Ultrasound Doppler imaging may be used to detect blood clots after surgery, a common problem. However, this requires consistent probe positioning over multiple time instances and therefore significant sonographic expertise. Analysis of ultrasound B-mode images of a fiducial implanted at the surgical site offers a landmark to guide a user to the same location repeatedly. We demonstrate that such an implanted fiducial may be successfully detected and tracked to calculate pose and guide a clinician consistently to the site of surgery, potentially reducing the ultrasound experience required for point of care monitoring.
Phosphorylation of Y845 on the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mediates Binding to the Mitochondrial Protein Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit II

When co-overexpressed, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-Src cooperate to cause synergistic increases in EGF-induced DNA synthesis, soft agar colony growth, and tumor formation in nude mice. This synergy is dependent upon c-Src-mediated phosphorylation of a unique tyrosine on the EGFR, namely, tyrosine 845 (Y845). Phenylalanine substitution of Y845 (Y845F) was found to inhibit EGF-induced DNA synthesis without affecting the catalytic activity of the receptor or its ability to phosphorylate Shc or activate mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results suggest that synergism may occur through alternate signaling pathways mediated by phosphorylated Y845 (pY845). One such pathway involves the transcription factor Stat5b. Here we describe another pathway that involves cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (CoxII). CoxII was identified as a specific binding partner of a pY845-containing peptide in a phage display screen. EGF-dependent binding of CoxII to the wild type but not to the mutant Y845F-EGFR was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. This association also required the kinase activity of c-Src. Confocal microscopy, as well as biochemical fractionation, indicated that the EGFR translocates to the mitochondria after EGF stimulation, where it colocalizes with CoxII. Such translocation required the catalytic activity of the receptor but not phosphorylation of Y845. However, ectopic expression of the Y845F-EGFR prevented the EGF from protecting MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells from adriamycin-induced apoptosis, whereas two mutants of Stat5b, a dominant-interfering mutant (DNstat5b) and a tyrosine mutation at 699 (Y699F-Stat5b) did not. Taken together, these data suggest that, through the ability of EGFR to translocate to the mitochondria, the binding of proteins such as CoxII to pY845 on the EGFR may positively regulate survival pathways that contribute to oncogenesis.
Marine magnetotellurics for petroleum exploration, Part II: Numerical analysis of subsalt resolution

In areas where seismic imaging of the base of salt structures is difficult, seaborne electromagnetic techniques offer complementary as well as independent structural information. Numerical models of 2-D and 3-D salt structures demonstrate the capability of the marine magnetotelluric (MT) technique to map the base of the salt structures with an average depth accuracy of better than 10%. The mapping of the base of the salt with marine MT is virtually unaffected by internal variation within the salt. Three-dimensional anticlinal structures with a horizontal aspect ratio greater than two can be interpreted adequately via two-dimensional inversions. Marine MT can distinguish between salt structures which possess deep vertical roots and those which do not. One measure of the relative accuracy of MT and seismic methods can be made by considering the vertical and lateral position errors in the locations of interfaces caused by neglecting velocity anisotropy in migration. For the shallow part of the section where two-way travel times are on the order of 1 s, the vertical and lateral position errors in the locations of salt-sediment interfaces from 2-D MT inversion is more than twice the expected migration error in reflectors in transversely isotropic sediments, such as those in the Gulf of Mexico. Deeper in the section where two-way times are on the order of 4 s, lateral position errors in migration become comparable to those of the MT inverse, whereas seismic vertical position errors remain more than a factor of two smaller than MT errors. This analysis shows that structural mapping accuracy would be improved using MT and seismic together.
Albatross response to survey vessels: implications for studies of the distribution, abundance, and prey consumption of seabird populations

The study of marine bird ecology at sea is complicated by the tendency of many species to follow and otherwise attend vessels. Vessel-attraction likely biases abundance estimates and blurs the correlation between seabird distributions and habitat features over scales of tens of kilometers. Moreover, ship-following behavior inhibits the statistical analysis of seabird distributions because samples too closely spaced in time and space are not independent. These biases have important implications when estimating the size of rare and endangered seabird populations and the prey con- sumption by abundant species. This paper illustrates how observations of seabird vessel-attendance can be used to mitigate the biases of vessel-attraction and ship-following behavior. I quantified the degree of albatross attraction to survey vessels off southern California, and estimated that standard 300 m strip transects overestimated their abundance by at least a factor of 3.57. Additionally, I mod- eled albatross ship-following behavior, and determined that 95% of recognizable black-footed (Phoebastria nigripes) and Laysan (P. immutabilis) albatrosses ceased to follow the survey vessel after 60 and 38 min respectively. Using these models, I estimated that standard survey methods overesti- mated black-footed albatross abundance by a factor of 1.17 due to their ship-following behavior. When the vessel-attraction and ship-following biases were combined, standard survey techniques overestimated albatross squid consumption off southern California by a factor of 4. Determining the degree of vessel-attraction and the temporal scale of ship-following behavior will help design and analyze seabird surveys. These improvements will enhance our ability to monitor the distribution, abundance, and prey consumption of seabird populations.
Essential autonomous science inference on rovers (EASIR)

Existing constraints on time, computational, and communication resources associated with Mars rover missions suggest on-board science evaluation of sensor data can contribute to decreasing human-directed operational planning, optimizing returned science data volumes, and recognition of unique or novel data, all of which act to increase the scientific return from a mission. Many different levels of science autonomy exist and each impacts the data collected and returned by, and activities of, rovers. Several computational algorithms, designed to recognize objects of interest to geologists and biologists, are discussed. The algorithms represent various functions producing scientific opinions and several scenarios illustrate how the opinions can be used.
A framework for assessing the impact of plug-in electric vehicle to distribution systems

The popularity of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) is growing quickly and is expected to take a large share in the future automobile market. The integration of PEV may significantly impact electric systems, especially distribution systems. Various PEV impact studies have been undertaken. However, due to the great uncertainty in many crucial assumptions and parameters, it is essential to have a framework that can accommodate various assumptions and can be easily adopted by utilities for their own studies to make mitigation plans. This paper proposes a PEV impact assessment framework, which utilizes cluster analysis to select a small set of representative circuits, carries out the impact study via Monte Carlo simulation on the representative circuits, and then extrapolates the feeder level impact to the system level. The impact study algorithm takes in assumed PEV charging scenarios and run load flow analysis to understand various potential impacts of PEV such as equipment overloading, losses, voltage profile, etc.
The efficacy and safety of sibutramine for weight loss: a systematic review.

Background The primary goal of weight loss is to prevent or reduce obesity-associated morbidity and mortality by improving cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. We conducted a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of sibutramine hydrochloride for weight loss. Methods In April 2002, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and 7 other computerized bibliographic search tools using the keywords "sibutramine," "Meridia," and "Reductil" (in all languages and all available years). The authors and the manufacturer were contacted. We reviewed randomized placebo-controlled trials of sibutramine, 10 to 20 mg/d, in obese adults. Methodological quality was assessed. Results A total of 29 trials had sufficient data for analysis after including unpublished data from 10 authors. The summary mean differences in weight loss, sibutramine minus placebo, for the 3-month and 1-year trials were −2.78 kg (95% confidence interval, −2.26 to −3.29 kg) and −4.45 kg (95% confidence interval, −3.62 to −5.29 kg), respectively. The 6-month trials were statistically heterogeneous, and evidence of publication bias was found. One trial found that sibutramine maintains weight loss better than placebo at 2 years. Weight loss with sibutramine was associated with modest increases in heart rate and blood pressure, small improvements in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and, among diabetic patients, small improvements in glycemic control. There was no direct evidence that sibutramine reduces obesity-associated morbidity or mortality. Conclusions Sibutramine is effective in promoting weight loss. Weight loss with sibutramine is associated with both positive and negative changes in cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. There is insufficient evidence to accurately determine the long-term risk-benefit profile for sibutramine.
Stranger Intervention into Child Punishment in Public Places

This paper focuses on the development and meaning of informal social control experiences when strangers inter­ vene face-to-face in instances of child punishment in public. The central question is, in the absence of formal authority and institutional resources, how do strangers construe wrongful punishment, negotiate deviant import, and manage control outcomes? Thirty-seven interviews were conducted with people who intervened on at least one occasion, and seven more with witness-participants. Interviewees described the meanings, events, and cir­ cumstances surrounding 50 acts of face-to-face intervention. The analysis focuses on some of the micro-political forces, such as claim themes and audience norms, that shape control outcomes. The interpersonal predicament for interveners reflects the cultural tension created when approval of physical punishment is widespread, when distinctions between normal and deviant punishment are ambiguous, and when interaction rules for informal intervention are not institutionalized. When they think the punishment of a child in public has gone too far, some people employ "hate stares" (Goffman 1963:83-83), a few others search for help from someone in charge, but only a minority initiate a face-to-face encounter (Gelles and Straus 1988:127). Ac­ cording to the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse (NCPCA 1990), for example, only 17 percent of its sample said they had "stopped someone they did not know from hitting a child," and this figure may be inflated by the vague wording of the question and a desire to report socially desirable actions. Given what we know about the prescription of noninvolvement among strangers in public (Edgerton 1979; Emerson 1970; Goffman 1963; Lofland 1989) and the low probability of involvement in all sorts of emergency and helping situations (Dovidio 1984; Latane and Darley 1970), it is not surprising that most people do not step in to
Kinetically directed combination therapy with adriamycin and X-irradiation in a mammary tumor model

Abstract In the present studies, the interaction of adriamycin (A) and x-irradiation (X) in T1699 mouse mammary tumors was evaluated. Mitotic indices and thymidine labeling indices were determined at various intervals after A or X alone, and after A + X given in combination. The results with A (1.0 mg/kg) and X (200 R) alone suggests that those quantities of each agent induce a G 2 progression delay of 9–12 brs. The kinetic results after A + X in combination indicated increased S phase transit. time and G 2 progression delay. Recovery kinetics after A + X were used to predict "optimmn" sequence intervals for subsequent A + X fractions. Sequential A + X treatment schedules, up to 4 fractions, were designed and evaluated by regrowth delay measurements. The results indicated that the interaction was additive when A and X were given together in combination. Fractionation of A + X to minimize proliferstive recovery between fractions resulted in an enhanced antitumor effect.
Gastric pneumatosis: Laboratory and imaging findings associated with mortality in adults

Aim To describe laboratory and imaging findings associated with mortality in patients with gastric pneumatosis. Materials and methods Institution review board approval was obtained for this retrospective study. Using radiology report databases, all patients with “gastric pneumatosis” or “emphysematous gastritis” in their CT reports were identified from two institutions during 12 or 9 year periods. Clinical parameters and laboratory values [lactic acid, white blood cell (WBC) count, and serum creatinine] were obtained from medical records and images were reviewed in consensus by two readers. Bivariate associations between continuous variables were tested by Mann–Whitney tests. Fisher’s exact test was used to evaluate bivariate associations between categorical variables. Results Of the 24 patients identified, there were five (21%) deaths. Median serum lactic acid and creatinine levels were significantly higher in patients who died compared to surviving patients [median (interquartile range, IQR): 1.95 (1.45–4.15) versus 1.5 (1.3–2.6), p = 0.001; 1.2 (1–2.8) versus 1 (0.8–1.4), p = 0.005, respectively). There was no significant difference in WBC levels between the groups. Coexistent small bowel pneumatosis and colonic pneumatosis were significantly more common in patients who died compared to surviving patients (80% versus 0%, p 0.001; 40% versus 0%, p = 0.04, respectively). There was no significant difference for portal or mesenteric venous gas, free intraperitoneal gas, or dilated bowel. Conclusions When the imaging finding of gastric pneumatosis was associated with elevated serum lactic acid, elevated serum creatinine, or concomitant small bowel or colonic pneumatosis, an association with mortality was observed. These findings suggest that more aggressive treatment may be warranted in patients with these laboratory or imaging abnormalities.
Borna Disease Virus Proteins in Patients with CFS

SummaryBornavirus is a member of a newly recognized virus family, Bornaviridae, and is neurotropic for a wide range of animal species, including birds, rodents, horses, and humans. Although little is known about its mode of transmission and it has not been clearly linked to any human disease, an association between borna viruses and neuro-psychiatric disorders has been suggested. Several researchers have also isolated this organism from patients who meet the clinical criteria for the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). However, due to non-standardization of assay protocols, lack of a large study population and the possibility of contamination in certain laboratory settings, the true prevalence of Bornaviral proteins and their possible role in the pathogenesis of at least a subgroup of CFS patients remains undefined. We analyzed the serum immune reactivity to Borna Disease Virus (BDV) in 77 CFS patients and in 33 healthy normal controls using an ELISA based assay of 3 different recombinant BDV proteins. Of the...
Maintenance of resting energy expenditure after weight loss in premenopausal women: potential benefits of a high-protein, reduced-calorie diet.

Abstract The number of contemporary diet plans promoting high protein intakes for weight management has increased dramatically. Complementing this dietary approach with increased physical activity has proven to be beneficial. Recent studies have suggested that protein intakes in excess of the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (0.8 g/kg) may be of metabolic benefit during weight loss. This investigation assessed changes in resting energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in overweight and obese premenopausal women in response to a weight loss intervention that combined a high-protein, reduced-calorie diet with increased physical activity. Thirty-nine overweight and obese premenopausal women (age, 30.9 ± 1.5 years; body mass index, 30.2 ± 0.5 kg/m 2 ) participated in a 10-week weight loss program in which they ate a reduced-calorie diet for which protein provided 30% of total energy and approximated 1.4 g/kg. Subjects incrementally increased physical activity (ie, steps walking) throughout the diet intervention period. Resting energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, and body composition were assessed before (PRE) and after (POST) the 10-week weight loss program. Subjects experienced a 5% decrease in body weight, with significant decreases in both fat mass (PRE, 35.5 ± 1.2 kg; POST, 32.4 ± 1.1 kg; P P P P
Creativity, preference for complexity, and physical and mental illness.

Mental illness might be associated with creative achievement among highly functioning people, but with the mentally ill or with ordinary people, there might be a negative relationship. In Study 1, two measures of creativity (preference for complexity and writing stories rated for creativity) were administered to 37 psychotics. The psychotics were found to be less creative than the control group. Study 2 investigated physical illness and its effects on preference for complexity. People (N=80) diagnosed as having influenza decreased in preference for complexity, suggesting a decline in creativity. However, no significant results occurred with regard to complexity preference and diabetes or genital herpes. The results suggest that physical or mental illness may decrease creativity.
Policy adoption of the Special Design (SD) provision in the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Introduction: Political partisanship and institutional arrangement can influence a state's decision to include special provisions (e.g., a premium assistance program, an enrollee buy-in program, coverage expansion and health services initiatives) in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Methods: Four published sources of data on SCHIP for 2005 were subjected to a logistic regression analysis to investigate the political and practical relationships. Results: The logistic regression analysis reveals that a Democratic governor and dominance in both the upper and lower legislative bodies combined with the existence of a SCHIP increase the likelihood that special design features will be adopted. Conclusion: Democratic political dominance in United States favors expanded SCHIP. States with more limited income eligibility are less likely to adopt special design provisions. The dominance of liberal ideology in politics, an increased organizational flexibility and the existing scope of beneficiaries provide the conditions for addressing a new children's health policy in international countries.
Theory of optimum shapes in free-surface flows. Part 1. Optimum profile of sprayless planing surface

This paper attempts to determine the optimum profile of a two-dimensional plate that produces the maximum hydrodynamic lift while planing on a water surface, under the condition of no spray formation and no gravitational effect, the latter assumption serving as a good approximation for operations at large Froude numbers. The lift of the sprayless planing surface is maximized under the isoperimetric constraints of fixed chord length and fixed wetted arc-length of the plate. Consideration of the extremization yields, as the Euler equation, a pair of coupled nonlinear singular integral equations of the Cauchy type. These equations are subsequently linearized to facilitate further analysis. The analytical solution of the linearized problem has a branch-type singularity, in both pressure and flow angle, at the two ends of plate. In a special limit, this singularity changes its type, emerging into a logarithmic one, which is the weakest type possible. Guided by this analytic solution of the linearized problem, approximate solutions have been calculated for the nonlinear problem using the Rayleigh-Ritz method and the numerical results compared with the linearized theory.
Various Pharmaceutical Disperse Systems

This chapter discusses various types of dispersed systems, including applications of coarse and colloidal dispersions as pharmaceutical dosage and delivery systems. Applications of colloidal dispersions as controlled drug delivery systems are also discussed in this chapter.
AMPK agonist AICAR delays the initial decline in lifetime-apex V̇o2 peak, while voluntary wheel running fails to delay its initial decline in female rats

There has never been an outcome measure for human health more important than peak oxygen consumption (Vo2 peak), yet little is known regarding the molecular triggers for its lifetime decline with ...
Adults’ Perceptions of Children's Science Abilities and Interest After Participating in a Family Science Night

The goal of this research was to examine adults’ and children's perceptions of participating in a family science night event, especially in the context of parental belief about children's science abilities. Family science nights are becoming increasingly popular and are used in a wide range of settings. During family science nights, adults and students jointly engaged in a variety of science activities. Results revealed that adults, 90% of whom were parents of attending students, reported learning more about children's interests and abilities in science. Students also agreed that that the adults had learned more about their abilities and interests. Personal characteristics of adults and children, such as gender and ethnicity, were not found to have any relationship to ratings.
Gaze in the military: authorial agency and cinematic spectatorship in ‘drone documentaries’ from Iraq

Documentary films employing soldier-generated material were a popular phenomenon during the War in Iraq, as film-makers utilized soldier-captured footage and narration in their films. One of the most successful was Deborah Scranton’s The War Tapes (2006). Notably, Scranton gave the soldiers cameras, and offered instructions through technology while the soldier-videographers were deployed, a technique she called a ‘virtual embed.’ Similar films included Bad Voodoo’s War (2008), Combat Diary (2006) and This is War (2007). A central production issue was that the directors lacked access to the events as they happened because they took place on a dangerous battlefield. This paper will explore how soldier-filmed material is implemented in these documentary films. I advance the term ‘Drone Documentary’ as a conceptual analogy to refer both to the aesthetic style of the long-range surveillance camera and to the agentless operative gathering images and intelligence on behalf of a distanced, yet powerful controller.
Rank-size distributions of Chinese cities: Macro and micro patterns

A large number of studies have been conducted to find a better fit for city rank-size distributions in different countries. Many theoretical curves have been proposed, but no consensus has been reached. This study argues for the importance of examining city rank-size distribution across different city size scales. In addition to focusing on macro patterns, this study examines the micro patterns of city rank-size distributions in China. A moving window method is developed to detect rank-size distributions of cities in different sizes incrementally. The results show that micro patterns of the actual city rank-size distributions in China are much more complex than those suggested by the three theoretical distributions examined (Pareto, quadratic, and q-exponential distributions). City size distribu- tions present persistent discontinuities. Large cities are more evenly distributed than small cities and than that predicted by Zipfs law. In addition, the trend is becoming more pronounced over time. Medium-sized cities became evenly distributed first and then unevenly dis- tributed thereafter. The rank-size distributions of small cities are relatively consistent. While the three theoretical distributions examined in this study all have the ability to detect the overall dynamics of city rank-size distributions, the actual macro distribution may be com- posed of a combination of the three theoretical distributions.
Improving Decision Making Skills through Business Simulation Gaming and Expert Systems

Business simulations as experimental learning tools are common, but they usually train specific predetermined aspects. Research on artificial intelligence among business simulations is rare, and therefore, featured in this paper. The purpose of this research is to explore the use of business simulations games as an experimental learning tool through a contemporary, web-based application featuring artificial intelligence and mobile support. An expert system guides and advises the players, while they manage their virtual business in a competitive market against other participants. The core element is the design process of an artifact, based on the Design Science methodology. The training and learning effects on the participants are observed via the artifact itself in a series of experiments and an additional survey. Twenty-six students in Austria were chosen as the sample group to reveal and measure the improvements in decision making, experimental learning capabilities and the biasing ability of the artificial intelligence.
Lack of a hypoglycemic response to intrathecal injection of glucose.

Summary and ConclusionIncreases in the spinal fluid glucose concentration do not produce any effect on the blood sugar level.
Trashing the sectarian system? Lebanon’s “You Stink” movement and the making of affective publics:

During the summer of 2015, a garbage management crisis emerged in Beirut after Lebanon’s main landfill was shut down without finding an alternative, and piles of trash grew bigger on the streets, t...
The ocular pigmentary disturbance of human Chediak-Higashi syndrome. A comparative light- and electron-microscopic study and review of the literature

The ultrastructure of the ocular pigment abnormality of human Chediak-Higashi syndrome is described. The presence of giant abnormal melanosomes, probably the end result of the fusion of smaller abnormal organelles, was the most striking pathologic finding. This defect involved both optic cup and neural crest-derived melanocytes; the former were affected more severely. Giant lysosome-like organelles were also observed.
Effectiveness of Carbofuran Against Strawberry Root Weevils in Peppermint

The strawberry root weevil, Brachyrhinus ovatus (L.), is a serious agricultural pest of many perennial crops in the Pacific Northwest. Although primarily a pest of strawberry, this species can cause considerable damage to cane fruits, nursery plantings, and several specialty crops, such as peppermint and hops. The most serious damage is caused by overwintering larvae which feed on the root system, often intermittently throughout the winter months, depending on soil temperature. Adults, which emerge in May or June, feed on leaves and stems of plants, but this injury is not serious. Following spring emergence, there is a 2-week period before adults begin oviposition, which continues for several months during the summer. Eggs hatch after an average incubation period of 18 days, and the young larvae work their way into the soil and begin feeding on plant roots. The seasonal life history of this species in the Pacific Northwest was reported by Treherne (1914), Wilcox et al. (1934), and Vaughan and Rosenstiel (1944).
Food composition of wintering long-eared owls(Asio otus) in different habitats in Beijing

To understand the spatiotemporal variations of the food composition of wintering Asio otus in the urban and suburban areas of Beijing,the diets were collected monthly in the wintertime 2003-2006,with their composition analyzed. Among the three main preys in the urban and suburban areas of Beijing,bats occupied 41.6% and 43.0%,rodents occupied 27.5% and 39.4%,and birds occupied 30.7% and 18.9%,respectively. There were significant differences in the prey composition of A. otus between the urban and suburban areas in the wintertime 2004-2005 and 2005-2006,and between early winter and late winter. In the same areas,the prey composition also showed significant differences among years and among wintering periods. It was suggested that the difference in the predation rates of prey species by the wintering A. otus was related to the availability of prey resources in the habitats.
Cell-Mediated Immunity to Infection

In a number of infections (for example, tuberculosis) acquired resistance depends on a cell-mediated type of immunity rather than the classic antigen-antibody reaction. The mediating cell is a short-lived small lymphocyte, produced specifically in response to antigenic stimulus. In turn it mobilizes phagocytes at the infective site and activates them to become much more effective antibacterial agents.
Loss of transforming growth factor-β type II receptor gene expression in primary human esophageal cancer

Cell lines derived from carcinomas of the upper aero-digestive tract are typically refractory to transforming growth factor beta-mediated cell cycle arrest. Recently, we reported that the type II transforming growth factor beta receptor (T beta R-II) gene can be inactivated on the basis of missense mutations in such cell lines. These findings prompted us to investigate the molecular status of the T beta R-II gene in primary tumor specimens. Among 21 of 24 evaluable primary esophageal carcinomas, there were 6 cases (28.5%; 95% confidence interval, 11% to 52%) in which T beta R-II transcripts were low or undetectable by a reverse transcription PCR assay. In one of these cases, we were able to ascribe the loss of T beta R-II gene expression to high-density methylation of promoter sequences. We failed to detect any mutations within the open reading frame of the remaining tumors that expressed T beta R-II mRNA. In this relatively small series of cases, loss of T beta R-II expression was independent of pathologic tumor stage, histologic subtype, or outcome of patients with esophageal cancer. Thus, loss of expression of the T beta R-II gene appears to be the predominant mechanism through which this gene is inactivated in esophageal cancer.
Governance within public–private partnerships and the politics of urban development

Public-private partnerships are the preferred vehicles for the planning, financing and implementation of contemporary urban development. Scholarship on public-private partnerships tends to examine their activities in advancing development. Less attention is accorded to their internal dynamics or governance. While partnerships are intended to build internal consensus and obtain consent in order to carry out urban development, this premise assumes that coordinated public and private interests are in play. This paper examines the internal governance of two public-private partnerships in Rochester, New along three dimensions: conformity to a collective purpose or vision, leadership structure and organizational style.
Do Tweet Sentiments Still Predict the Stock Market

In this paper, we document a strong predictive relationship between US equity markets as proxied by the capitalization weighted index excess returns and it’s corresponding tweet sentiments. We employ StockTwits' labels of "Bullish" and "Bearish" to train several standard machine learning classification algorithms. Armed with our sentiment engines, we document that Support Vector Machines (SVM) generates the most useful predictive sentiments vis-a-vis those generated by Single Layer Perceptron (SLP) and Naive Bayes (NB). Tweet sentiments are strongly positively contemporaneously correlated with daily market returns, additionally we find a weaker negatively correlation with next day's market returns.We report statistically significant evidence that the market returns Granger-cause next day's sentiment movements. Moreover, in the most recent period of 2015, our rolling analysis shows significant evidence that the tweet sentiments actually Granger-caused the market to move! While a fascinating discovery, we temper our enthusiasm, as the market appears to have quickly and efficiently digested the ability to convert tweets into sentiment and in turn predict market movements. Our results support the notion of a highly efficient market that has rapidly digested and processed such tweets sentiment data.
Domain Overlap for Iterative Sparse Triangular Solves on GPUs

Iterative methods for solving sparse triangular systems are an attractive alternative to exact forward and backward substitution if an approximation of the solution is acceptable. On modern hardware, performance benefits are available as iterative methods allow for better parallelization. In this paper, we investigate how block-iterative triangular solves can benefit from using overlap. Because the matrices are triangular, we use “directed” overlap, depending on whether the matrix is upper or lower triangular. We enhance a GPU implementation of the block-asynchronous Jacobi method with directed overlap. For GPUs and other cases where the problem must be overdecomposed, i.e., more subdomains and threads than cores, there is a preference in processing or scheduling the subdomains in a specific order, following the dependencies specified by the sparse triangular matrix. For sparse triangular factors from incomplete factorizations, we demonstrate that moderate directed overlap with subdomain scheduling can improve convergence and time-to-solution.
Carotenoid Bioavailability: Influence of Dietary Lipid and Fiber

Consistent with observed nutritive and health promoting roles of dietary carotenoids, interest in factors that impact their bioavailability has grown.
Reactions of HDDA-Derived Benzynes with Perylenes: Rapid Construction of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

Benzynes produced by the thermal cycloisomerization of tetrayne substrates [i.e., by the hexadehydro-Diels–Alder (HDDA) reaction] react with perylenes to produce novel naphthoperylene derivatives. Cyclic voltammetry and absorption and emission properties of these compounds are described. DFT studies shed additional light on the dearomatization that accompanies the reaction as well as some of the spectroscopic behavior.
Deep Retraining and Innovation

A byproduct of a society filled with technological innovation is the need to keep apace. This is true in the devices used, and the skills that each person learns. With that in mind, how can individuals use upskilling to find greater satisfaction?
String theory on AdS 3

It was shown by Brown and Henneaux that the classical theory of gravity on AdS3 has an infinite-dimensional symmetry group forming a Virasoro algebra. More recently, Giveon, Kutasov and Seiberg (GKS) constructed the corresponding Virasoro generators in the first-quantized string theory on AdS3. In this paper, we explore various aspects of string theory on AdS3 and study the relation between these two works. We show how semi-classical properties of the string theory reproduce many features of the AdS/CFT duality. Furthermore, we examine how the Virasoro symmetry of Brown and Henneaux is realized in string theory, and show how it leads to the Virasoro Ward identities of the boundary CFT. The Virasoro generators of GKS emerge naturally in this analysis. Our work clarifies several aspects of the GKS construction: why the Brown-Henneaux Virasoro algebra can be realized on the first-quantized Hilbert space, to what extent the free-field approximation is valid, and why the Virasoro generators act on the string worldsheet localized near the boundary of AdS3. On the other hand, we find that the way the central charge of the Virasoro algebra is generated is different from the mechanism proposed by GKS.
Interaction Geography in a Museum

This paper outlines our use of space-time visualization as part of an emerging approach to studying human interaction and mobility in interior spaces that we call "interaction geography". We describe how we have used this approach in a museum setting. Findings and discussion show how interaction geography draws from space-time visualization research to advance professional design practice in a museum. We conclude by discussing limitations and the need for future research to further develop this early work.
Smoking intensity and duration is associated with cardiac structure and function: the ECHOcardiographic Study of Hispanics/Latinos

Objective Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in smokers and this relationship is complicated by the multiplicity of cardiovascular effects of smoking. However, the relationship between intensity and duration of cigarette smoking and echocardiographic measures of right and left ventricular structure and function has been poorly studied. Methods We examined ECHO-SOL (Echocardiographic Study of Hispanics/Latinos) participants, a subset of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Participants were administered a detailed tobacco exposure questionnaire and a comprehensive echocardiography exam. Multivariable linear regression models (adjusted for age, sex, obesity, hypertension and diabetes statuses) were performed using sampling weights. Statistical significance was defined at p Results There were 1818 ECHO-SOL participants (57.4% women, mean age 56.4 years). Among current smokers (n=304), increased duration of smoking, as measured by a younger age of smoking initiation, was significantly associated with higher mean left ventricular mass (LVM) and lower right ventricular (RV) function (lower right ventricular stroke volumes). More cigarettes smoked per day was significantly associated with higher mean LVM, worse diastolic function (higher E/e′ ratio), worse LV geometry (increased relative wall thickness) and worse RV function (decreasing right ventricular stroke volume). Among current smokers, higher mean lifetime pack-years (a combined measure of smoking intensity and duration) was associated with higher LVM, worse LV geometry, worse diastolic function, greater RV dilatation and worse RV function. Conclusions There is a dose–response relationship between intensity and duration of cigarette tobacco smoking with unfavourable changes of multiple measures of right-sided and left-sided cardiac structure and function.
Splenectomy for Trauma

Splenectomy is performed for severe trauma to the spleen, where splenic salvage is not feasible. This chapter lists the indications, essential steps, common variations in techniques, and complications of the procedure. A detailed template operative dictation note is included.
Online Summarization via Submodular and Convex Optimization

We consider the problem of subset selection in the online setting, where data arrive incrementally. Instead of storing and running subset selection on the entire dataset, we propose an incremental subset selection framework that, at each time instant, uses the previously selected set of representatives and the new batch of data in order to update the set of representatives. We cast the problem as an integer binary optimization minimizing the encoding cost of the data via representatives regularized by the number of selected items. As the proposed optimization is, in general, NP-hard and non-convex, we study a greedy approach based on unconstrained submodular optimization and also propose an efficient convex relaxation. We show that, under appropriate conditions, the solution of our proposed convex algorithm achieves the global optimal solution of the non-convex problem. Our results also address the conventional problem of subset selection in the offline setting, as a special case. By extensive experiments on the problem of video summarization, we demonstrate that our proposed online subset selection algorithms perform well on real data, capturing diverse representative events in videos, while they obtain objective function values close to the offline setting.
Adhesion and aerodynamic forces for the resuspension of non-spherical particles in outdoor environments

Abstract Particles deposited on an outdoor surface can be resuspended by wind gusts, become airborne, and be inhaled if small enough. If toxic or infectious, these particles may be dangerous for the populace health. It is therefore important to determine under which weather conditions a deposit of particle could be resuspended to implement the best response actions and plan clean-up. To this scope, one needs to consider the competing forces acting on the particle keeping it attached to the surface (gravity and adhesion) or trying to remove it (aerodynamic forces, i.e., lift and drag). This paper reviews the current understanding of the aforementioned forces for colloidal spherical particles and extends the existing theories to rod-shaped particles, representative for instance of Bacillus spores. In particular, for the adhesion force, the Derjaguin approximation was used and the adhesion force was computed from the radii of curvature of the particle and the surface at the point of closest approach. For the aerodynamic forces, we re-derived the equations for the drag and lift forces accounting for the shape of the particle. Both smooth and rough surfaces will be discussed, the former as idealized cases, the latter as more representative of real outdoor surfaces.
Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Reactivation in Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation.

Abstract Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can increase the morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Because of a higher degree of immunosuppression, haploidentical transplant recipients may be at an increased risk of viral infections, particularly CMV. We retrospectively analyzed 86 haploidentical HCT recipients at our institution to determine whether a more intensified antiviral strategy would reduce the incidence of CMV reactivation compared with a traditional antiviral prophylaxis regimen. According to practice changes over time in antiviral prophylaxis at our institution, patients were divided into the following 3 groups: hybrid (n = 15), traditional (n = 26), and intermediate dose (n = 45). The hybrid group received valganciclovir from admission to day −2 followed by standard-dose valacyclovir. The traditional group received standard-dose valacyclovir starting on day −1. The intermediate-dose group received ganciclovir from admission through day −2, followed by intermediate-dose valacyclovir. The hybrid and intermediate-dose groups were combined into an intensified group for further analysis. We found the cumulative incidence (CI) of CMV reactivation within 100 days post-HCT was higher for patients receiving the traditional strategy compared with the hybrid and intermediate-dose strategy groups (81% versus 53% versus 71%, respectively; P = .08) and was significantly higher when the traditional group was compared against the intensified group (81% versus 67%, respectively; P = .032). Median time to CMV reactivation was also shorter in the traditional group versus the intensified group (31 versus 41 days, respectively). Moreover, the CI of CMV disease by day 100 was significantly worse for patients receiving the traditional prophylaxis strategy among the 3 groups (8% traditional versus 0% hybrid versus 0% intermediate dose; P = .032). Renal toxicity did not differ between the traditional and intensified group. In conclusion, an intensified approach to prevention of CMV reactivation was associated with lower incidence of CMV reactivation and less CMV disease without increased toxicity. Because the most benefit was observed in the intensified group, further studies are needed to assess which antiviral intervention is the most beneficial on lowering the rates of CMV viremia and disease.
The role of vascular laboratory in the management of Eagle syndrome

Abstract Eagle syndrome is caused by an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament. The stylocarotid variant with neurologic symptoms is rare and presents a diagnostic challenge. Patients may present with transient ischemic attacks, syncope, or less well defined symptoms like episodic dizziness. We report use of vascular laboratory testing in the management of Eagle syndrome. In one patient, on Doppler ultrasound examination of the ipsilateral temporal artery, the signal was lost with provocative neck flexion. In another patient, transcranial Doppler ultrasound showed blunting of the middle cerebral artery with provocative maneuvers. We used perioperative transcranial Doppler ultrasound to assess the effectiveness of styloid resection.