cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biological Feasibility and Costs of Production of Large Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, for a Specialty Product Market

Restaurant patrons, particularly in upscale locations, increasingly prefer entrees developed from portions cut from fillets larger than those currently sold by the US catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, industry. A production study evaluated the feasibility of producing the necessary size (1.6 kg) of catfish. Twelve 0.1-ha earthen ponds were stocked with 0.363-kg channel catfish at 2500 (low); 5000 (medium); or 7500 (high) fish/ha, with four replicates. Mean individual weight at harvest exceeded the mean target weight (1.6 kg) at the two lower densities, and the minimum target weight (1.36 kg) at the highest density. Percentages of fish (by weight) that did not meet the minimum weight required were: 1, 5, and 18%, in the low, medium, and high density treatments, respectively. Yields were significantly greater at higher densities (P < 0.05). Costs of production at the two higher densities were 4 to 7% higher than in the traditional multiple-batch system, but increased to 51% at the lowest density. Results demonstrated the biological feasibility of producing channel catfish of a mean weight of 1.6 kg. Economic feasibility depends on (1) the price premium paid and (2) development of a market for fish sizes between current acceptable maximum sizes accepted and 1.36 kg.
The effect of sub-surface volume scattering on the accuracy of ice-sheet altimeter retracking algorithms

The NASA and ESA retracking algorithms are compared with an algorithm based upon a combined surface and volume (S/V) scattering model. First, the S/V, NASA, and ESA algorithms were used to retrack over 400,000 altimeter return waveforms from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. The surface elevations from the S/V algorithm were compared with the elevations produced by the NASA and ESA algorithms to determine the relative accuracy of these algorithms when subsurface volume-scattering occurs. The results show that the NASA algorithm produced surface elevations within 35 to 50 cm of the S/V algorithm, while the performance of the ESA algorithm was slightly worse. Next, by analyzing several thousand satellite crossover points from the Antarctic dataset, the authors determined the retracking algorithm that produced the most repeatable surface elevations. The elevations derived from the S/V algorithm had the smallest RMS error for the region of the East Antarctic plateau examined. The ESA algorithm produced erroneous estimates of elevation change when seasonal variations were present; it measured 0.7 to 1.6-m change in elevation over a 6-month period on the East Antarctic plateau where accumulation rates are only 10 cm/year. >
Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 Induces Expression of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor through Effects on Bcl-3 and STAT3

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) activates multiple signaling pathways. Two regions, C-terminal-activating region 1 (CTAR1) and CTAR2, have been identified within the cytoplasmic carboxy terminal domain that activates NF-κB. CTAR2 activates the canonical NF-κB pathway, which includes p50/p65 complexes. CTAR1 can activate both the canonical and noncanonical pathways to produce multiple distinct NF-κB dimers, including p52/p50, p52/p65, and p50/p50. CTAR1 also uniquely upregulates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in epithelial cells. Increased p50-Bcl-3 complexes have been detected by chromatin precipitation on the NF-κB consensus motifs within the egfr promoter in CTAR1-expressing epithelial cells and nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. In this study, the mechanism responsible for the increase in Bcl-3 has been further investigated. The data indicate that LMP1-CTAR1 induces Bcl-3 mRNA and increases the nuclear translocation of both Bcl-3 and p50. LMP1-CTAR1 constitutively activates STAT3, and this activation was not due to the induction of interleukin 6 (IL-6). In LMP1-CTAR1-expressing cells, increased levels of activated STAT3 were detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation on STAT-binding sites located within both the promoter and the second intron of Bcl-3. A STAT3 inhibitor significantly reduced the activation of STAT3, as well as the CTAR1-mediated upregulation of Bcl-3 and EGFR. These data suggest that LMP1 activates distinct forms of NF-κB through multiple pathways. In addition to activating the canonical and noncanonical pathways, LMP1-CTAR1 constitutively activates STAT3 and increases Bcl-3. The increased nuclear Bcl-3 and p50 homodimer complexes positively regulate EGFR expression. These results indicate that LMP1 likely regulates distinct cellular genes by activating specific NF-κB pathways.
The Ability of Sos1 to Oligomerize the Adaptor Protein LAT Is Separable from Its Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Activity in Vivo

The activation of the small guanosine triphosphatase Ras by the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Sos1 (Son of Sevenless 1) is a central feature of many receptor-stimulated signaling pathways. In developing T cells (thymocytes), Sos1-dependent activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) is required to stimulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. We showed that in addition to its GEF activity, Sos1 acted as a scaffold to nucleate oligomerization of the T cell adaptor protein LAT (linker for activation of T cells) in vivo. The scaffold function of Sos1 depended on its ability to bind to the adaptor protein Grb2. Furthermore, the GEF activity of Sos1 and the Sos1-dependent oligomerization of LAT were separable functions in vivo. Whereas the GEF activity of Sos1 was required for optimal ERK phosphorylation in response to T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, the Sos1-dependent oligomerization of LAT was required for maximal TCR-dependent phosphorylation and activation of phospholipase C–γ1 and Ca 2+ signaling. Finally, both of these Sos1 functions were required for early thymocyte proliferation. Whereas transgenic restoration of either the GEF activity or the LAT oligomerization functions of Sos1 alone failed to rescue thymocyte development in Sos1 -deficient mice, simultaneous reconstitution of these two signals in the same cell restored normal T cell development. This ability of Sos1 to act both as a RasGEF and as a scaffold to nucleate Grb2-dependent adaptor oligomerization may also occur in other Grb2-dependent pathways, such as those activated by growth factor receptors.
Multi-goal feasible path planning using ant colony optimization

A new algorithm for solving multi-goal planning problems in the presence of obstacles is introduced. We extend ant colony optimization (ACO) from its well-known application, the traveling salesman problem (TSP), to that of multi-goal feasible path planning for inspection and surveillance applications. Specifically, the ant colony framework is combined with a sampling-based point-to-point planning algorithm; this is compared with two successful sampling-based multi-goal planning algorithms in an obstacle-filled two-dimensional environment. Total mission time, a function of computational cost and the duration of the planned mission, is used as a basis for comparison. In our application of interest, autonomous undewater inspections, the ACO algorithm is found to be the best-equipped for planning in minimum mission time, offering an interior point in the tradeoff between computational complexity and optimality.
Receding-horizon supervisory control of green buildings

Buildings account for about 40% of total energy use in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in green buildings, i.e., energy-efficient buildings, particularly control strategies for their HVAC systems. In this paper, we present a receding-horizon supervisory control strategy for optimizing total electric cost, which is the sum of an energy usage cost and an infinity-norm-like demand charge. The controller utilizes an optimizer to minimize an objective function whose evaluation involves simulation of the building energy system. This paper also presents a Matlab toolbox we developed for co-simulation and simulation-based optimization with the building energy simulation software EnergyPlus. The toolbox was applied to a benchmark example showing the potential of the proposed controller.
Baseball and Bioethics

David and I were at a conference on Amelia Island in Florida back in 1995. The meeting, sponsored by the University of Florida, was entitled, “Physician-Assisted Death: Implications for Patients, Care Providers, and Society,” a title that seems quaint given the controversy over the right to die engendered by the Schiavo case. But that's a different talk for a different time.
Optimal internet auctions with costly communication

Iterative auctions can reach an outcome before all bidders have revealed all their preference information. This can decrease costs associated with communication, deliberation, and loss of privacy. We propose an explicit cost model that is inspired by single-item Internet auctions, such as those taking place on auction sites (eBay) or via informal communication (craigslist, mailing lists). A nonzero bid comes at a cost to both the seller and the bidder, and the seller can send broadcast queries at a cost. Under this model, we study auctions that maximize the seller's profit (revenue minus seller cost). We consider multi-round Vickrey auctions (MVAs), in which the seller runs multiple Vickrey auctions, with decreasing reserve prices. We prove that restricting attention to this class is without loss of optimality, show how to compute an optimal MVA, and compare experimentally to some other natural MVAs. Among our findings are that (1) the expected total cost is bounded by a constant for arbitrarily many bidders, and (2) the optimal MVA and profit remain the same as long as the total bid cost is fixed, regardless of which portion of it belongs to the seller and which to the buyer.
Disruption of an RNA helicase/RNAse III gene in Arabidopsis causes unregulated cell division in floral meristems

Arabidopsis thaliana floral meristems are determinate structures that produce a defined number of organs, after which cell division ceases. A new recessive mutant, carpel factory (caf), converts the floral meristems to an indeterminate state. They produce extra whorls of stamens, and an indefinite number of carpels. Thus, CAF appears to suppress cell division in floral meristems. The function of CAF is partially redundant with the function of the CLAVATA (CLV) and SUPERMAN (SUP) genes, as caf clv and caf sup double mutants show dramatically enhanced floral meristem over-proliferation. caf mutant plants also show other defects, including absence of axillary inflorescence meristems, and abnormally shaped leaves and floral organs. The CAF gene was cloned and found to encode a putative protein of 1909 amino acids containing an N-terminal DExH/DEAD-box type RNA helicase domain attached to a C-terminal RNaseIII-like domain. A very similar protein of unknown function is encoded by a fungal and an animal genome. Helicase proteins are involved in a number of processes, including specific mRNA localization and mRNA splicing. RNase III proteins are involved in the processing of rRNA and some mRNA molecules. Thus CAF may act through some type of RNA processing event(s). CAF gives rise to two major transcripts of 2.5 and 6.2 kb. In situ hybridization experiments show that CAF RNA is expressed throughout all shoot tissues.
Nontarget impact of spinosad GF-120 bait sprays for control of the Mexican fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Texas citrus.

Bait sprays containing the toxicant spinosad (GF-120) were applied to citrus groves in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where Mexican fruit flies were detected in surveillance traps. The sprays were applied as a supplement to a continuous sterile insect release program. Sterile fly captures were 47–63% lower in the treated groves compared with control groves. Eight of 10 secondary pest populations declined in the test groves subsequent to spray applications, but they also declined in the control groves, suggesting that the decline was a seasonal phenomenon rather than a result of the bait sprays. Citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead), populations increased modestly and citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi (Ashby), populations remained unchanged compared with pretreatment levels. Thus, no outbreaks of secondary pests occurred as a result of the spinosad bait sprays in this instance, as has been reported for malathion bait sprays in citrus. The bait sprays had no detectable effect on populations of specific indicator species of parasitoids (including Aphytis spp. and Comperiella bifasciata Howard), or on numbers of beneficial insects in general, in the treated groves.
An assessment of business teacher educators' adoption of computer technology

Federal legislation, the Office of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress, and national and state technological standards strongly encourage faculty to use computer technology in their lessons as a teaching tool. Technological standards have existed for several years that strongly encourage the use of computer technology in colleges and universities as a teaching tool. Yet it is difficult for faculty to infuse technology into their teaching. The purpose of this study was to assess and identify the factors that influence business teacher educators to adopt computer technology methods and utilize them in their instruction and to determine the extent to which business teacher educators are adopting computer technology in their teaching. The population consisted of 95 members of the National Association of Teacher Educators for Business Education. Findings from the descriptive statistics revealed that the largest percentage of the business teacher educators were early adopters. They indicated that they always used word processing and almost always integrated computers, projectors, and email in their instruction during the past semester. The study also found certain social, organizational, and personal motivational factors that the business teacher educators considered as very important in influencing them to adopt emerging computer technology for use in their instruction. The means revealed differences within the respondents' personal and employment characteristics and the extent to which they adopt current computer technology as a teaching tool; however, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant difference between these variables. Also, multiple regression analysis revealed that the importance of students, a specific adoption category, and the importance of physical resources (hardware) significantly predicted computer technology adoption. The study also revealed that the business teacher educators in this study have the potential to serve as change agents and role models for their student clientele and peers since the findings suggest that these faculty members are among the first individuals to adopt computer technology for use in their instruction. The findings from the study have the potential to contribute to the development of an adopter profile that could be used to identify potential adopters of emerging computer technology.
Growth, Managerial Reporting Behavior, and Accounting Conservatism

This study investigates whether firm growth is a determinant of the degree of conservatism in financial reports. Using the differential timeliness measure of Basu (1997), and a modified version of the Basu model that employs the change in earnings as the dependent variable and controls for the component of earnings change that is independent of accounting conservatism, we document that the degree of conservatism is far more pronounced for low-growth firms than high-growth firms. This suggests that the aggressive reporting behavior of high-growth firms may be muting the extent of conservatism in their financial reports. Indeed, when we directly examine discretionary reporting behavior, we find evidence of a lower degree of conservatism for higher levels of reporting discretion (i.e., more positive discretionary accruals). Thus, using both a driver of aggressive reporting behavior (growth), and a measure of such behavior (discretionary accruals), we are able to explain cross-sectional variation in the degree of conservatism.
Percutaneous coronary intervention treatment of bifurcation lesions--a work in progress: the importance of single-center studies.

Despite advances in interventional devices and techniques, bifurcation lesions continue to present a formidable challenge for the interventional cardiologist. Bifurcation lesions are frequently encountered and are associated with increased procedural time, risk, restenosis, and thrombosis ([1–3][1
Continuous spectrophotometric measurement of serum alkaline phosphatase activity. Relative molecular activity and sensitivity of nine self-indicating phenolic substrates in 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol buffer.

Findings with 9 self-indicating phenolic substrates for alkaline phosphatase assay by continuous spectrophotometric technic demonstrate that not only specific reaction conditions, e.g., buffer type, molarity, and pH, contribute significantly to the final observed "Sensitivity" attributed to any 1 substrate but also the following variables must be considered: (1) the enzyme's tissue and species source; (2) the molar absorptivity difference between the substrate and its dephosphorylated product; and (3) the molecular activity.
K π = 4 - isomers and their rotational bands in 168,170 Er

The half-life of the known $I,{K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={4}^{\ensuremath{-}},{4}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state in $^{170}\mathrm{Er}$ has been measured to be $42.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{ns}$. The rotational band built on this isomer was excited inelastically up to spin ${18}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ by a $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ beam at ${E}_{\mathit{\text{lab}}}=1358\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{MeV}$. A similar band in $^{168}\mathrm{Er}$ was extended to spin ${15}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. The wave function of the isomeric state in $^{170}\mathrm{Er}$ has been determined from the measured $\ensuremath{\mid}{g}_{K}\ensuremath{-}{g}_{R}\ensuremath{\mid}$ values, which were deduced from the intensity ratios of the $\ensuremath{\Delta}I=1$ to $\ensuremath{\Delta}I=2$ transitions within the band. The dominant component consists of a two-quasiproton configuration involving the Nilsson orbits $7∕{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}[523]$ and $1∕{2}^{+}[411]$. In contrast, the two-quasineutron configuration involving the $7∕{2}^{+}[633]$ and $1∕{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}[521]$ Nilsson orbits constitutes the major component for the wave function of the ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={4}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ isomer in $^{168}\mathrm{Er}$.
Analysis on foodborne of pathogens in Shanxi province

Objective:To understand the Food pathogenic bacteria contamination in Shanxi Province.Methods: Combination of on-site investigation and laboratory analysis.Results: The target bacteria have been detected in 916 of 2960 samples of 15 Class and 22 varities from three districts.and t detection rate is about 30.95.%.the detection rate of Salmonella,Kosaka discrimination Enterobacter,Vibrio parahaemolyticus,Staphylococcus aureus,Campylobacter,Listeria monocytogenes were 10.00%,7.78%,31.12%,24.75%,24.48%,and 15.56% respectively,16.50%,10.96%,20.58%,10.77%,15.92%,12.66%,24.10% for pork,beef,poultry,mutton,aquatic products,frozen categories,quick-frozen stuffing respectively,higher in 2005 the lower in 2007 and step lower from the north guanzhong plain,to the southern of Shaanxi.Conclusion: We must strictly control the microbial contamination of meat to prevent the deterioration,especially for chicken,duck,fish etc.,grasp the feature of high population density and flow in northern and Guanzhong plain of Shaanxi;implementation of regulatory measures to promote food safety.
Review: statin monotherapy is safe in hyperlipidemia except for increased risk for transaminase elevation.

Source Citation Kashani A, Phillips CO, Foody JM, et al. Risks associated with statin therapy: a systematic overview of randomized clinical trials. Circulation. 2006;114:2788-97. 17159064
Care of cataracts.

Medical management may be beneficial for certain types of cataracts, depending on the visual needs of the patient and concomitant ocular or systemic conditions. Surgical intervention and postoperative visual rehabilitation with the use of glasses or contact lenses has a high success rate, although the patient should be followed closely for complications that can occur months to years after surgery.
Reflected Detonation Waves: Comparing Theory to Pressure and Heat Flux Measurements

Gaseous detonations are of concern to engineers designing piping systems for chemical and nuclear processing facilities. Recently, engineers have also begun to explore the possibility of harnessing the impulse created by detonations for thrust.
Spin-orbit torque induced reversible coercivity change in Co/Pd multilayer thin films

Abstract In this work, we report reversible reduction in coercivity of Co/Pd multilayer thin films under high-density direct current biasing. We carried out in-situ focused magneto optic Kerr effect based hysteresis measurement while the specimen was under DC bias. The experiments show a reversible reduction in coercivity during the application of direct current. We propose this reduction occurs due to the field like spin-orbit torque generated by spin Hall effect. These results are further supported by the anomalous Hall effect measurement, which do not show any change in coercivity. The magneto-optic Kerr measurement probes the surface (penetration depth) whereas anomalous Hall effect is a bulk transport behavior. These complimentary measurements prove that the origin of spin-orbit torques in ferromagnetic metal/ heavy metal multilayer thin films is spin-Hall effect.
Non steady gas source localization algorithm for indoor environment using WSN

The gas source location algorithm based on wireless sensor network is known as an important research field. In this paper, an unsteady gas diffusion model without wind based on the gas diffusion theory is proposed firstly. Then two-dimensional gas concentration perception model is built for sensor nodes. Finally, the gas source location problem is transferred into a global optimization problem, and the centralized gas source localization algorithm based on MPGA (multiple population genetic algorithm) in two dimensional environments is proposed. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has the improved performance and the proposed algorithm is suit for the two-dimensional non-stationary gas source localization problem.
Water security assessment using blue and green water footprint concepts

Abstract The quantitative assessment of water security using the concept of blue and green water footprints can improve water resources management at local to regional scale. We developed an integrated modeling framework by considering both climatic and anthropogenic factors to investigate spatio-temporal variability of blue and green water availability and to quantify the water security in a river basin. The proposed modeling framework can be useful for providing an overview of the water security within the watershed and to identify water stress (hot spots) regions within the river basin. We applied Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to quantify the availability of fresh water (blue water and green water) in Savannah River Basin (SRB), USA. The anthropogenic factors (e.g., water demand) and Environmental Flow Requirement (EFR) information are incorporated to quantify the water security in terms of scarcity and vulnerability indices. A higher amount of blue water was observed for counties located in the upper part of SRB and higher green water flow was observed for counties that has the presence of intensive agriculture and large water bodies (e.g., reservoir). A time lag exists between the maximum rainfall during June-September and the maximum blue water observed in December-March. The study also analyzed the monthly variation of blue and green water flow for counties located in SRB. We expect that the water security assessment can provide useful information for understanding the emerging hot spots within a river basin (eco-system) due to the abstraction of water for human activities, such as irrigation, industrial use, energy production and domestic use.
Life: the first two billion years

Microfossils, stromatolites, preserved lipids and biologically informative isotopic ratios provide a substantial record of bacterial diversity and biogeochemical cycles in Proterozoic (2500-541 Ma) oceans that can be interpreted, at least broadly, in terms of present-day organisms and metabolic processes. Archean (more than 2500 Ma) sedimentary rocks add at least a billion years to the recorded history of life, with sedimentological and biogeochemical evidence for life at 3500 Ma, and possibly earlier; phylogenetic and functional details, however, are limited. Geochemistry provides a major constraint on early evolution, indicating that the first bacteria were shaped by anoxic environments, with distinct patterns of major and micronutrient availability. Archean rocks appear to record the Earth's first iron age, with reduced Fe as the principal electron donor for photosynthesis, oxidized Fe the most abundant terminal electron acceptor for respiration, and Fe a key cofactor in proteins. With the permanent oxygenation of the atmosphere and surface ocean ca 2400 Ma, photic zone O2 limited the access of photosynthetic bacteria to electron donors other than water, while expanding the inventory of oxidants available for respiration and chemoautotrophy. Thus, halfway through Earth history, the microbial underpinnings of modern marine ecosystems began to take shape.This article is part of the themed issue 'The new bacteriology'.
Risk Environments and Substance Use Among Mexican Female Sex Work on the U.S.–Mexico Border:

We use a risk environment framework to qualitatively examine pathways into substance use and abuse among Mexican female sex workers on the U.S.–Mexico border. Life history interviews and ethnograph...
Is the US Stock Market Myopic

This paper tests whether the US stock market is myopic, in the sense that it places less than the appropriate weight on expected long-run earnings. The tests are made possible through reliance on a valuation model used by Ohlson [1995] that permits us, using only minimal assumptions, to make precise statements about how prices should relate to earnings expected at different points on the forecast horizon, under the null of market efficiency. We detect some anomalous stock price behavior, but find no support for the claim that stock prices exhibit myopic behavior as we have defined it here.
TO STUDY 25 (OH) D LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH NON ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease and its increasing incidence has been well documented from Asian countries. Diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, hyperlipidemia are predisposing factors for NAFLD.Hypovitaminosis D has been recently recognized as a worldwide epidemic. Since vitamin D exerts significant metabolic activities, comprising free fatty acids (FFA) flux regulation from the periphery to the liver, its deficiency may promote fat deposition into the hepatocytes.Therefore this study was planned to estimate serum 25 (OH) D levels in patients with NAFLD. Aims and objectives: To estimate the serum vitamin D levels in patients with NAFLD and to find out the association if any between the Vitamin D deficiency and NAFLD. Material and method: This observational and analytical study was conducted in department of General Medicine, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun from November 2015 to November 2016. A total of 70 patients of NAFLD diagnosed by ultrasonography and 70 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Chi square and unpaired t test were used. A ‘p’ value of 23 kg/m 2 ) was established as a risk factor for NAFLD.HDL and LDL levels were significantly lower in NAFLD patients. Higher plasma glucose level was risk factor for NAFLD but there was no significant difference in vitamin D levels. Conclusion The serum vitamin D levels were lower in NAFLD patients as compared to healthy volunteers and obesity was associated as a risk factor for NAFLD and vitamin D deficiency.
Evaluating paired categorical data when the pairing is lost

ABSTRACTWe encountered a problem in which a study's experimental design called for the use of paired data, but the pairing between subjects had been lost during the data collection procedure. Thus we were presented with a data set consisting of pre and post responses but with no way of determining the dependencies between our observed pre and post values. The aim of the study was to assess whether an intervention called Self-Revelatory Performance had an impact on participant's perceptions of Alzheimer's disease. The participant's responses were measured on an Affect grid before the intervention and on a separate grid after. To address the underlying question in light of the lost pairing we utilized a modified bootstrap approach to create a null hypothesized distribution for our test statistic, which was the distance between the two Affect Grids' Centers of Mass. Using this approach we were able to reject our null hypothesis and conclude that there was evidence the intervention influenced perceptions abou...
Hierarchical Modular Modeling of Continuous Systems

To this point, we have dealt with very simple and small problems. In this chapter, we shall cover some of the techniques necessary for modeling larger systems. Very often, systems consist of subsystems that may be described in quite different ways. Besides state—space representations and topological descriptions (which we have met previously), subsystems may also be described in the frequency domain in terms of transfer functions or may simply be given as a static characteristic relating one output variable to one or several input variables. It is therefore important that models can be structured. Modular modeling enables us to encapsulate subsystem descriptions and treat them as unseparable entities that can be incorporated in a hierarchical fashion within ever—more—complex system descriptions.
Safety of oxaliplatin in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

The new platinum compound oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) appears to have activity, either alone or in combination, as both first- and second-line therapy for advanced colorectal cancer. Unlike other platinum derivatives, it is not associated with significant nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity. The addition of oxaliplatin at 85 mg/m2 to a fluorouracil/leucovorin-based regimen administered every 2 weeks is well tolerated. The incidence of diarrhea and stomatitis increases with the addition of oxaliplatin, but can be managed by adjusting the dose. There is also a significantly higher incidence of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia with oxaliplatin. Neutropenic febrile complications are rare. The occurrence of other hematologic, hepatic, or renal toxicities does not increase when oxaliplatin is added to fluorouracil-based regimens. Unlike other agents used for the treatment of colorectal cancer, oxaliplatin causes acute and chronic neurosensory symptoms. These acute symptoms are managed by taking precautions (e.g., avoid cold drinks/food for a few days following treatment). Cumulative neurotoxicity is the dose-limiting toxicity associated with oxaliplatin treatment. This toxicity appears reversible with discontinuation of the drug and typically occurs well after the onset of tumor response.
Effects of two-photon absorption on pseudo-random bit sequence operating at high speed

ABSTRACTThe effect of two-photon absorption (TPA) on all-optical logic operation in quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifier (QD-SOA) has been carried out. We model the rate equation with the TP...
Does Experienced Discrimination Explain Patterns of Menthol Use Among Young Adults? Evidence from the 2014 San Francisco Bay Area Young Adult Health Survey.

Background: Young adults are at high risk for using flavored tobacco, including menthol and underrepresented populations, such as Latino and African American young adults, are at particular risk. O...
Performance Comparison for Ballistocardiogram Peak Detection Methods

A number of research groups have proposed methods for ballistocardiogram (BCG) peak detection toward the identification of individual cardiac cycles. However, objective comparisons of these proposed methods are lacking. This paper, therefore, conducts a systematic and objective performance evaluation and comparison of several of these approaches. Five peak-detection methods (three replicated from the literature and two adapted from code provided by the methods’ authors) are compared using data from 30 volunteers. A basic cross-correlation approach was also included as a sixth method. Two high-performing methods were identified: the method proposed by Sadek et al. and the method proposed by Bruser et al. The first achieved the highest average peak-detection rate of 94%, the lowest average false alarm rate of 0.0552 false alarms per second, and a relatively small mean absolute error between the real and detected peaks: 0.0175 seconds. The second method achieved the lowest mean absolute error of 0.0088 seconds between the real and detected peaks, an average peak-detection success rate of 89%, and 0.0766 false alarms per second. All metrics are averaged across participants.
Topology Optimization of Large-Area Metasurfaces

We demonstrate an inverse design technique for metasurfaces, based on topology optimization, that can take into account electromagnetic interactions over large surface areas. As an example, we present a multi-layered metalens that can concentrate incident waves at 11 angles to a single focus, optimized over> 105 degrees of freedom on a $1200\lambda$ surface. © 2019 The Author(s)
As the Lights Fade: A Grounded Theory of Male Professional Athletes’ Decision-Making and Transition to Retirement

Retirement can be particularly challenging for professional athletes, given their commitment and identification with their sport. The purpose of this study was to examine how American male professi...
'If I could just chime in here': ”: Communication Patterns of Interprofessional Teams in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Purpose: To describe the communication of interdisciplinary teams in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) when developing care plans and preparing for family meetings because little is known about how interdisciplinary teams communicate with each other about care plan development in the CICU. Methods: Audio recordings were made of weekly CICU team meetings including representatives from all interdisciplinary care providers prior to meeting with a patient’s family. Quantitative case coding described percentage …
Goals, beneficiaries, and indicators of waterfront revitalization in Great Lakes Areas of Concern and coastal communities.

Abstract Cleanup of Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) restores environmental benefits to waterfront communities and is an essential condition for revitalization. We define waterfront revitalization as policies or actions in terrestrial waterfront or adjacent aquatic areas that promote improvements in human socioeconomic well-being while protecting or improving the natural capital (the stocks of natural assets, biodiversity) that underlies all environmental, social, and economic benefits. Except for economic measures such as development investments, visitation rates, or commercial activity, evidence of waterfront revitalization in the Great Lakes is mostly anecdotal. We offer a perspective on waterfront revitalization that links indicators and metrics of sustainable revitalization to community goals and human beneficiaries. We compiled environmental, social, economic, and governance indicators and metrics of revitalization, many of which are based on or inspired by Great Lakes AOC case studies and community revitilization or sustainability plans. We highlight the role of indicators in avoiding unintended consequences of revitalization including environmental degradation and social inequity. Revitalization indicators can be used in planning for comparing alternative designs, and to track restoration progress. The relevancy of specific indicators and metrics will always depend on the local context.
Targeted Radioimmunotherapy and Theranostics with Alpha Emitters

Abstract Radiolabeled antibodies allow for selective targeting of the cancer cells within a tumor. Both beta- and alpha-emitting radioisotopes can be linked to the antibodies for delivery of radiation to the cells. The choice of the radionuclide would depend on the biological characteristics of the antibody including its biodistribution and biological half-life. Alpha-emitting isotopes deliver high energy to target sites within short range and therefore less radiation to adjacent normal tissues. Whole antibodies have long biological clearance times that may be limiting due to radiation levels to blood and marrow. Novel strategies, such as development of smaller antibody fragments such as minibodies and diabodies, which have faster biological clearance, engineered bispecific antibodies, and multistep targeting that uses pretargeting and bioorthogonal click chemistry methods, appear promising. Several novel targets are being investigated in early-phase studies. This review provides a brief summary and current status of radioimmunotargeted agents in oncology.
Civil Society Involvement in National HIV/AIDS Programs

Globally, the AIDS response relies on active participation of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society. In China, the government is the main provider of health and social services, and the role of NGOs is more limited than in other countries. Despite this, China has opened the door for NGO participation in its AIDS response, initially because of donor pressure but increasingly due to official acknowledgment of the important role these groups play in controlling the epidemic. Since the first AIDS NGOs were established in China in the 1990s, Chinese AIDS NGOs have made unique contributions to China’s AIDS response in critical areas like access to drugs, support for treatment compliance, outreach to marginalized at-risk groups, and efforts to reduce stigma among marginalized populations. However, there has been a substantial drop-off in donor funding in recent years, and although the Chinese government has filled the funding gap, demonstrating its commitment to the sector, recent policy moves toward greater control over the work and funding of NGOs threatens their survival. Thus far, China’s AIDS response has been noteworthy, but these new NGO funding and regulatory developments pose significant challenges to the next phase of outreach, prevention, treatment, and care.
Bacterial Growth: Cell-Cycle Dependent Growth-Rate Homeostasis.

Summary In the study of bacterial growth, the prevailing conclusion is that cells grow exponentially at a constant rate throughout the cell cycle. Using a new approach, Nordholt et al. reveal that bacterial growth is biphasic; immediately after division, the cell grows linearly, transitioning to exponential growth towards the end of the cell cycle.
Bone morphogenetic protein 7 promotes resistance to immunotherapy

Immunotherapies revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the immune system to target cancer cells. However, most patients are resistant to immunotherapies and the mechanisms underlying this resistant is still poorly understood. Here, we report that overexpression of BMP7, a member of the TGFB superfamily, represents a mechanism for resistance to anti-PD1 therapy in preclinical models and in patients with disease progression while on immunotherapies. BMP7 secreted by tumor cells acts on macrophages and CD4+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment, inhibiting MAPK14 expression and impairing pro-inflammatory responses. Knockdown of BMP7 or its neutralization via follistatin in combination with anti-PD1 re-sensitizes resistant tumors to immunotherapies. Thus, we identify the BMP7 signaling pathway as a potential immunotherapeutic target in cancer.
Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog Conversion with Memristive Devices

We suggest a novel methodology to obtain a digital representation of analog signals and to perform its back-conversion using memristive devices. In the proposed converters, the same memristive systems are used for two purposes: as elements performing conversion and elements storing the code. This approach to conversion is particularly relevant for interfacing analog signals with memristive digital logic/computing circuits.
Landsat-based detection of mast events in white spruce (Picea glauca) forests

Abstract Mast seeding in conifers is characterized by the spatially synchronous and temporally variable production of seed cone crops. Large mast seeding events (known as “mast years”) can be a visually stunning and ecologically important phenomenon, supporting trophic interactions and survival of seed predators as well as forest regeneration. Documenting patterns in mast seeding is generally labor-intensive, requiring repeated visual cone counts at consistent and widespread locations over long periods to quantify the spatiotemporal variability of cone production. Our goal in this work was to evaluate the correspondence of multispectral vegetation indexes (VIs) from Landsat with ground-based observations of mast seeding in white spruce (Picea glauca) forests of the Kluane region, Yukon, Canada. Given the visual characteristics of mast seeding in white spruce, we tested: 1) whether photosynthesis- and color-oriented VIs can identify senescence of spruce cones in late summer and autumn during mast years, and 2) if moisture-oriented VIs can distinguish the significant drying of seed cones from the surrounding spruce canopy vegetation during that senescence and after seeds are released. We hypothesized that the slope of late season decline in VIs in spruce forests would be related to masting (i.e., greater decline in VI during mast years). Using generalized linear mixed-effects modeling (GLMM), we compared more than 100 site-year combinations of mast/non-mast observations to develop VI-based regressions. We found some success identifying mast years with moisture-oriented VIs, while models using the photosynthesis- and color-oriented VIs were not supported, given the data. However, we found that models containing multiple VIs from both categories were more successful than any single-VI model, accurately predicting four of sixteen mast events in site observations. We provide compelling evidence that mast-seeding patterns may be detectable using moisture-oriented Landsat observations over large coniferous forest areas. Additional work is warranted to distinguish the signal for mast events from confounding disturbance-related effects and to differentiate variation in VI signals attributable to masting productivity in contrast to effects of climatological variability on reflectance.
Pacemaker following transcatheter aortic valve replacement and tricuspid regurgitation: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND As transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures increase, more data is available on the development of conduction abnormalities requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation post-TAVR. Mechanistically, new pacemaker implantation and incidence of associated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) post-TAVR is not well understood. Studies have evaluated the predictability of patient anatomy towards risk for needing permanent pacemaker (PPM) post-TAVR; however, little has been reported on new PPM and TR in patients post-TAVR. METHODS This retrospective study identified patients at our health system who underwent PPM following TAVR from January 2014 to June 2018. Data from both TAVR and PPM procedures as well as patient demographics were collected. Echocardiographic data before TAVR, between TAVR and PPM placement, and the most recent echocardiogram at the time of chart review were analyzed. RESULTS Of 796 patients who underwent TAVR between January 2014 and June 2018, 89 patients (11%) subsequently required PPM. Out of the 89 patients who required PPM implantation, 82 patients had pre-TAVR and 2-year post-TAVR echocardiographic imaging data. At baseline, 22% (18/82) of patients had at least moderate TR. At 2-year post-TAVR echocardiographic imaging follow-up; 27% (22/82) of patients had at least moderate TR. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the TAVR valve size implanted. In patients who received a TAVR device < 29 mm in diameter in size, 25% (11/44) had worsening TR. In patients who received a TAVR device ≥ 29 mm in diameter, 37% (14/38) had worsening TR. CONCLUSION We have demonstrated a patient population that may be predisposed to developing worsening TR and right heart function after TAVR and Pacemaker implantation.
Insurance coverage and health care use among children with diabetes

Health insurance coverage may be associated with pediatric diabetes mellitus (DM) management. However, it is unknown how continuity of insurance coverage is associated with health care use outcomes in pediatric DM. We used the nationally representative 2016-2019 National Survey of Children's Health to examine how interruption of health insurance coverage may affect health care use among children with DM. Children ages 0-17 years with DM were included in the analysis. Outcomes included emergency department visits, specialist visits, and unmet health care needs in the last 12 months. Insurance coverage was classified as continuous private, continuous public, or discontinuous (including gaps in coverage and year-round lack of coverage). Based on a sample of 548 children, 56% percent had continuous private insurance coverage, as compared to 32% with continuous public insurance, and 12% with discontinuous coverage. Thirty-five percent of children had visited the ED in the past 12 months, and only 47% had visited any specialist in the past 12 months, including but not limited to a pediatric endocrinologist. An estimated 19% of children had unmet health care needs over the past 12 months. On multivariable analysis, children with coverage gaps were significantly less likely than children with continuous private coverage to have a visited a specialist in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.88; p = 0.030). This study points to a need to establish and maintain specialist follow-up for children with DM, especially those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.