cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethylbenzene and styrene exposure in the United States based on urinary mandelic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid: NHANES 2005–2006 and 2011–2012

Abstract Ethylbenzene and styrene are air toxicants with widespread nonoccupational exposure sources, including tobacco smoke and diet. Ethylbenzene and styrene (EB/S) exposure was quantified from their common metabolites measured in spot urine samples obtained from participants (≥6 years old) in the 2005–2006 and 2011–2012 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; N = 4690). EB/S metabolites mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) were measured using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). MA and PGA were detected in 98.9% and 90.6% of tested urine specimens, respectively. Exclusive smokers had 2-fold and 1.6-fold higher median urinary MA and PGA, respectively, compared with non-users. Sampleweighted regression analysis among exclusive smokers showed that smoking 0.5 pack cigarettes per day significantly increased MA (+97.9 μg/L) and PGA (+69.3 μg/L), controlling for potential confounders. In comparison, exposure from the median daily dietary intake of grain products increased MA by 1.95 μg/L and was not associated with statistically significant changes in urinary PGA levels. Conversely, consuming vegetables and fruit was associated with decreased MA and PGA. These results confirm tobacco smoke as a major source of ethylbenzene and styrene exposure for the general U.S. population.
Web Visualization of Temporal and Spatial Health Data from Smartphone App in Smart and Connected Community (SCC)

This paper presents a strategy of graphical visualization of the community-based Smart and Connected Community (SCC) Health data through novel spatial and temporal plots. Temporal visualization consists of two plots: graph and flow; whereas spatial visualization can be static Google Map overlay or animation over selected timeframe. The visualization uses the disease severity (Events of Interest, EoI) through colors. An arbitrary grid is used with random area code where each grid is represented by rectangles defined by latitude and longitude of that area so that it is impossible to precisely localize the study participants. The major contribution of this work is to exhibit the continuous health status of the community through the cumulative and segmented animation on the spatial plots. To implement this, a web-based dynamic server is utilized. Front end of the server uses JavaScript JQuery and Ajax, whereas backend is managed by Hypertext Preprocessor, i.e. PHP. The phpMyAdmin (administration tool for MySQL) stores the JSON data from smartphone app. Survey result shows that 81.4% participants in pre-session and 84.75% participants in post-session provided positive feedback about the visualization. In this work, the visualization is implemented with mock data.
Complement (C3a) Levels are Increased in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Patient with All Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction Phenotypes

Purpose Humoral immunity and complement activation are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Here we investigate C3a levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) and restrictive chronic lung allograft dysfunction (rCLAD). Methods Spirometry and bronchoscopy were obtained per protocol on lung transplant recipients at the University of Michigan. C3a was quantified using ELISA and analyzed as ng/mL of BAL fluid. Patients with an isolated FEV1 decline to ≤80% post-transplant baseline were analyzed as BOS and patients with a concurrent FVC decline at time of FEV1 decline were analyzed as rCLAD. Results We included 86 samples in our analysis: 23 were collected prior to CLAD diagnosis (mean 921 days, range 91-4111), 39 were collected near CLAD onset (range 56 days before to 90 days after lung function decline), and 28 were collected after CLAD diagnosis (mean 1073 days, range 376-2962). Prior to CLAD onset, the average C3a level was 2.55±4.28 ng/ mL, however this increased dramatically near CLAD onset to 17.7±23.9 ng/ mL (p=0.003), and remained elevated after developing CLAD at 15.2±13.9 ng/ mL (p Conclusion BAL complement levels are increased upon developing both BOS and rCLAD and remain elevated after developing CLAD. These findings indicate ongoing activation of the complement regardless of CLAD phenotype.
Fecal Microbiomes in Premature Infants With and Without Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Cholestasis.

INTRODUCTION Premature infants often require parenteral nutrition (PN) until they reach enteral autonomy which puts them at risk of developing PN-associated cholestasis (PNAC). We sought to compare longitudinal changes in fecal microbiomes of premature infants who developed PNAC versus those who did not despite being on similar PN doses. METHODS Stool samples from premature infants (gestational age <30 weeks) who developed direct bilirubin ≥1.5 mg/dL while receiving PN were classified as precholestasis, cholestasis, or postcholestasis based on bilirubin levels at the time of sample acquisition and were compared to matched control groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. RESULTS A total of 102 fecal samples from 8 cases and 10 controls were analyzed. Precholestasis samples were more abundant in phylum Firmicutes and genus Staphylococcus, whereas control 1 was more abundant in phylum Proteobacteria and genus Escherichia-Shigella. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination plots based on the taxonomic composition of early fecal samples revealed significant separation between cases and controls. On indicator species analysis, genus Bacilli was more prevalent in samples from the precholestasis group, whereas genus Escherichia-Shigella was more prevalent in control 1. With feeding advances, weaning of PN and resolution of PNAC, most differences in microbiota resolved with the exception of control 3 group being more diverse compared to the postcholestasis group. CONCLUSIONS Premature neonates who develop PNAC, compared to those who do not, show significantly different fecal microbiomes preceding the biochemical detection of cholestasis.
A Positive Step toward Understanding Double-Negative Metastatic Prostate Cancer

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Su et al. demonstrate that epigenetic reprogramming by Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) promotes an inflammatory tumor microenvironment in a subtype of metastatic prostate cancer, and show that a PRC1 inhibitor can synergize with immune checkpoint inhibitors to suppress metastasis in mouse models.
A latent class analysis of drug and substance use patterns among patients treated in emergency departments for suspected drug overdose

Abstract Introduction Polysubstance use and misuse can increase risks for nonfatal and fatal drug overdose. To categorize drugs used in combination in nonfatal overdoses, we analyzed data from emergency department (ED) overdose-related visits in 18 states funded by CDC’s Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance (ESOOS) program. Methods From 2017 to 2018, 120,706 ED visits included at least one hospital discharge code indicating acute drug poisoning for opioids, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabis, anti-depressants, sedatives, alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other psychotropic drugs. Latent class analyses were conducted to determine the groupings of drug combinations in overdose visits. Results Latent class analyses indicated a model of 5 classes – mostly heroin overdose (42.5% of visits); mostly non-heroin opioid overdose/use (27.3%); opioid, polysubstance (11.0%); female, younger ( 55 years), benzodiazepine (8.0%). Findings indicated that heroin continues to be a large burden to EDs, yet EDs are also seeing overdose survivors with polydrug toxicity. Conclusions Medication-assisted treatment could be initiated in the emergency department following overdose for patients with opioid use disorder, and post-overdose protocols, such as naloxone provision and linkage to treatment and harm reduction services, have the potential to prevent future overdose for those at risk.
Penalty Method for Inversion-Free Deep Bilevel Optimization

Bilevel optimization problems are at the center of several important machine learning problems such as hyperparameter tuning, data denoising, meta- and few-shot learning, and training-data poisoning. Different from simultaneous or multi-objective optimization, the steepest descent direction for minimizing the upper-level cost requires the inverse of the Hessian of the lower-level cost. In this paper, we propose a new method for solving bilevel optimization problems using the classical penalty function approach which avoids computing the inverse and can also handle additional constraints easily. We prove the convergence of the method under mild conditions and show that the exact hypergradient is obtained asymptotically. Our method's simplicity and small space and time complexities enable us to effectively solve large-scale bilevel problems involving deep neural networks. We present results on data denoising, few-shot learning, and training-data poisoning problems in a large scale setting and show that our method outperforms or is comparable to previously proposed methods based on automatic differentiation and approximate inversion in terms of accuracy, run-time and convergence speed.
Patterns of gastric cancer metastasis within the United States.

329Background: There are few reports on the epidemiology of gastric cancer metastasis, although outcomes are known to be uniformly poor. Here we describe the patterns of gastric cancer metastasis a...
Legal Recognition of Women’s Role in Combating Desertification in Africa: The Case for Uganda

Environmental degradation is fast becoming a world wide problem as a result of desertification, especially in the face of climate change. The African continent is specifically susceptible to desertification because of its low adaptive capacity to climate change. Uganda is no exception. Women have been noted to be more affected in the face of desertification because of their socially constructed roles which require them to rely on natural resources. Because of their experience dealing with natural resources, women have acquired traditional knowledge on how to preserve these resources in the face of environmental changes. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) recognises women’s role in combating desertification. Against this background, this paper seeks to examine the effect of desertification on women and the role women have played in combating the same. The paper also analyses the extent to which the law at international, regional levels recognises women’s role in combating desertification and to what extent these laws have been domesticated and implemented in Uganda.
Exome sequencing compared with standard genetic tests for critically ill infants with suspected genetic conditions.

As exome sequencing (ES) is increasingly used as a diagnostic tool, we aimed to compare ES with status quo genetic diagnostic workup for infants with suspected genetic disorders in terms of identifying diagnoses, survival, and cost of care. We studied newborns and infants admitted to intensive care with a suspected genetic etiology within the first year of life at a US quaternary-referral children’s hospital over 5 years. In this propensity-matched cohort study using electronic medical record data, we compared patients who received ES as part of a diagnostic workup (ES cohort, n = 368) with clinically similar patients who did not receive ES (No-ES cohort, n = 368). Diagnostic yield (27.4% ES, 25.8% No-ES; p = 0.62) and 1-year survival (80.2% ES, 84.8% No-ES; p = 0.10) were no different between cohorts. ES cohort patients had higher cost of admission, diagnostic investigation, and genetic testing (all p < 0.01). ES did not differ from status quo genetic testing collectively in terms of diagnostic yield or patient survival; however, it had high yield as a single test, led to complementary classes of diagnoses, and was associated with higher costs. Further work is needed to define the most efficient use of diagnostic ES for critically ill newborns and infants.
When do we need higher educated salespeople? The role of work experience

Practitioners are currently engaged in a debate over the impact of salespersons’ education and experience on sales outcomes. This study provides empirical evidence that contributes to this discussion by examining whether and how higher education background and work experience are associated with salesperson on-the-job capability, sales performance, and salespeople turnover. Using a sample that consists of 282 salespeople from the Chinese life insurance industry, we obtain several interesting findings. While college graduates tend to have lower on-the-job capability and poorer performance than non-college graduates, their capability and sales performance improve more rapidly with job tenure. Interestingly, college graduates are less likely to quit during the initial stage of their tenure, after which their turnover likelihood increases sharply. In general, work experience (job tenure and prior experience with another employer) is significantly associated with capability and performance enhancement. However, job tenure and prior experience are substitutes for each other in the production of sales. Furthermore, long-tenured salespeople with extensive prior experience are less likely to quit. The results also show that salespeople with a college degree have lower customer attrition. Overall, this study has important implications for sales force recruitment and management.
Accelerating Training in Artificial Neural Networks with Dynamic Mode Decomposition.

Training of deep neural networks (DNNs) frequently involves optimizing several millions or even billions of parameters. Even with modern computing architectures, the computational expense of DNN training can inhibit, for instance, network architecture design optimization, hyper-parameter studies, and integration into scientific research cycles. The key factor limiting performance is that both the feed-forward evaluation and the back-propagation rule are needed for each weight during optimization in the update rule. In this work, we propose a method to decouple the evaluation of the update rule at each weight. At first, Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) is used to identify a current estimate of the principal directions of evolution of weights per layer during training based on the evolution observed with a few backpropagation steps. Then, Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) is used to learn the dynamics of the evolution of the weights in each layer according to these principal directions. The DMD model is used to evaluate an approximate converged state when training the ANN. Afterward, some number of backpropagation steps are performed, starting from the DMD estimates, leading to an update to the principal directions and DMD model. This iterative process is repeated until convergence. By fine-tuning the number of backpropagation steps used for each DMD model estimation, a significant reduction in the number of operations required to train the neural networks can be achieved. In this paper, the DMD acceleration method will be explained in detail, along with the theoretical justification for the acceleration provided by DMD. This method is illustrated using a regression problem of key interest for the scientific machine learning community: the prediction of a pollutant concentration field in a diffusion, advection, reaction problem.
Environmental Exposures and Hearing Loss

Pollutants that contaminate the natural or built environment adversely affect the health of living organisms. Although exposure to many of them could be avoided or minimized by careful preventive measures, it is impossible to totally avoid exposure to all pollutants. Ototraumatic agents, such as noise, chemicals, and heavy metals, are pervasive pollutants, mostly produced by human activity, and are critical factors in inducing acquired hearing loss. More importantly, exposure to these pollutants often occurs concurrently and, therefore, the synergistic interactions potentiate auditory dysfunction in susceptible individuals. Epidemiological studies have provided compelling data on the incidence of auditory dysfunction after exposure to a number of ototraumatic agents in the environment, while animal studies have offered crucial insights for understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms. Together, they provide a framework for developing effective interventional approaches for mitigating the adverse impacts of environmental or occupational exposure to ototraumatic agents. This article provides a brief overview of the common pollutants that cause hearing loss.
Excitation of high-frequency in-plane bulk acoustic resonance modes in geometrically engineered hafnium zirconium oxide nano-electro-mechanical membrane

A nano-electro-mechanical membrane created from atomic-layered ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide (Hf0.5Zr0.5O2), titanium nitride (TiN), and silicon dioxide is engineered to localize high quality factor (Q) in-plane bulk acoustic resonance modes over 80–840 MHz. The in-plane geometry of the membrane, with an overall thickness of 50 nm and an aspect ratio exceeding 104:1, is optimized to simultaneously preserve the stress profile needed for sustaining ferroelectric polarization and enable propagation and constructive interaction of extensional and shear waves to create bulk acoustic modes. A ferroelectric polarization of 11.2 μC/cm2 is measured at the transduction ports, which is consistent after nano-membrane release. The first, third, and seventh order width extensional modes (WE1,3,7) and the third order of the width shear mode (WS3) are electrically measured at 109, 389, 766, and 267 MHz, respectively, showing Qs over 50–100 that are dominated by the large electrical resistance of TiN electrodes. High mechanical Qs of 538, 407, 781, and 594 are extracted for the WE1,3,7 and WS3 modes, respectively, after de-embedding the TiN electrode impedance, resulting in large resonance frequency (f0) × Q products as high as 6 × 1011. The measured characteristics, along with numerical simulations, are used to extract a Young's modulus of ∼340 GPa for the 10 nm-thick Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 film, which is in close agreement with the reported ab initio estimations.
A rhetorical framework for programming language evaluation

Programming languages researchers make a variety of different kinds of claims about the design of languages and related tools and calculi. Each type of claim requires different kinds of reasons and evidence to justify. Claims regarding the aesthetics or elegance of a design, or its effects on people, are especially tricky to justify because they are less strictly defined and thus are subject to change depending on the exact audience. In this essay, we take an interdisciplinary approach to this problem by drawing on the fields of argument theory and rhetorical analysis to develop a framework for justifying audience-dependent claims. In particular, we argue that researchers should provide descriptions of specific features of their systems that connect to effects on audience in order to justify these claims. To demonstrate this framework, we show several examples of how this is already being practiced in some programming languages research, and conclude by calling for authors to provide descriptive evidence to bolster such claims and to frame and strengthen other evaluation methods such as user studies.
An ILP Algorithm for Feeder Reconfiguration under Capacity Constraints

Distribution network operators can remove overloads and eliminate voltage violations with the help of feeder reconfiguration by changing the position of normally open and normally closed switches. However, finding a minimal combination of switching operations that satisfies the operating constraints in a network with multiple feeders is a challenging optimization problem. This paper proposes an integer linear programming (ILP) approach to the feeder reconfiguration problem under capacity constraints. In order to examine the computational performance of the algorithm on distribution networks in practice, we design two 3-feeder 375-node test systems with different configurations, which could become a standard test system for scale up. Case studies on the 375-node systems demonstrate the performance of this approach and show that the algorithm performs well in complex corner cases.
Identifying DQ-Domain Admittance Models of a 2.3-MVA Commercial Grid-Following Inverter via Frequency-Domain and Time-Domain Data

In this paper, we present two methods to identify the admittance of a 2.3-MVA commercial grid-following inverter through frequency-domain data and time-domain data. In addition to the well-known harmonic injection method to obtain the admittance at frequency points followed by vector fitting, we adopt a step response-based method where the step response data of the converter are collected and their $s$ -domain expressions are obtained. In turn, the $s$ -domain admittance model of the converter is found. The two methods can be used for cross validation. Step responses and frequency-domain responses obtained from the two methods are compared. Results show that the time-domain data-based method leads to an admittance comparable with that from the frequency-domain measurement in the range less than 60 Hz. In addition, two insights are obtained from the frequency-domain admittance measurements. First, when the $dq$ -frame is aligned to the point of common coupling (PCC) voltage, the per unit DQ-domain admittance directly reflects operating conditions. Second, existence of negative-sequence control can be detected via sequence-domain admittances.
Functional Interrogation and Therapeutic Targeting of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) counteract the enzymatic activity of protein tyrosine kinases to modulate levels of both normal and disease-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Aberrant activity of PTPs has been linked to the progression of many disease states, yet no PTP inhibitors are currently clinically available. PTPs are without a doubt a difficult drug target. Despite this, many selective, potent, and bioavailable PTP inhibitors have been described, suggesting PTPs should once again be looked at as viable therapeutic targets. Herein, we summarize recently discovered PTP inhibitors and their use in the functional interrogation of PTPs in disease states. In addition, an overview of the therapeutic targeting of PTPs is described using SHP2 as a representative target.
A Cluster of Proteins Implicated in Kidney Disease Is Increased in High-Density Lipoprotein Isolated from Hemodialysis Subjects.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients treated with hemodialysis. An important contributor might be a decline in the cardioprotective effects of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). One important factor affecting HDL’s cardioprotective properties may involve the alterations of protein composition in HDL. In the current study, we used complementary proteomics approaches to detect and quantify relative levels of proteins in HDL isolated from control and ESRD subjects. Shotgun proteomics analysis of HDL isolated from 20 control and 40 ESRD subjects identified 63 proteins in HDL. Targeted quantitative proteomics by isotope-dilution selective reaction monitoring revealed that 22 proteins were significantly enriched and 6 proteins were significantly decreased in ESRD patients. Strikingly, six proteins implicated in renal disease, including B2M, CST3, and PTGDS, were markedly increased in HDL of uremic subjects. Moreover, several of these proteins (SAA1, apoC-III, PON1, etc.) have been associated with atherosclerosis. Our observations indicate that the HDL proteome is extensively remodeled in uremic subjects. Alterations of the protein cargo of HDL might impact HDL’s proposed cardioprotective properties. Quantifying proteins in HDL may be useful in the assessment of cardiovascular risk in patients with ESRD and in assessing response to therapeutic interventions.
Research design creates ambiguity related to efficacy of sickle cell, chronic disease specialty clinic

A clinical appraisal and clinical application of Koch KL, Karafin MS, Simpson P, Field JJ. Intensive management of high-utilizing adults with sickle cell disease lowers admissions. Am J Hematol. 2015 Jan;90(3):215-219. doi:10.1002/ajh.23912
The abstractability and consistency of medical examiner/coroner reports: results from the 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey pilot.

The 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey (NMFS) is designed to provide national estimates of important characteristics of the 2,218,940 people aged 15 years and older who died in 1993. One topic of special interest in the survey is injury-related deaths. Previous followback surveys have not obtained data from medical examiner and coroner offices (ME/Cs), who investigate most injury-related deaths. In this study, we sought to determine the feasibility of collecting data from various ME/C offices for the NMFS and the usefulness and limitations of data derived from their records. METHODS: We 1) developed a pilot survey instrument, the Medical Examiner/Coroner Abstract (MECA); 2) attempted to collect ME/C records on 159 deaths from 55 ME/C offices in four states with a variety of death investigation systems; and 3) assessed the feasibility of abstracting data from these records using the MECA. RESULTS: We received records on 105 deaths from 39 ME/C offices in three states. We identified items that could be abstracted from the records of most deaths and found that different abstractors could reproducibly and reliably identify information on these core items. Using the results of this study, we revised the MECA for use in the NMFS. Language: en
Detecting hazardous intensive care patient episodes using real-time mortality models

The modern intensive care unit (ICU) has become a complex, expensive, data-intensive environment. Caregivers maintain an overall assessment of their patients based on important observations and trends. If an advanced monitoring system could also reliably provide a systemic interpretation of a patient's observations it could help caregivers interpret these data more rapidly and perhaps more accurately. In this thesis I use retrospective analysis of mixed medical/surgical intensive care patients to develop predictive models. Logistic regression is applied to 7048 development patients with several hundred candidate variables. These candidate variables range from simple vitals to long term trends and baseline deviations. Final models are selected by backward elimination on top cross-validated variables and validated on 3018 additional patients. The real-time acuity score (RAS) that I develop demonstrates strong discrimination ability for patient mortality, with an ROC area (AUC) of 0.880. The final model includes a number of variables known to be associated with mortality, but also computationally intensive variables absent in other severity scores. In addition to RAS, I also develop secondary outcome models that perform well at predicting pressor weaning (AUC=0825), intraaortic balloon pump removal (AUC=0.816), the onset of septic shock (AUC=0.843), and acute kidney injury (AUC=0.742). Real-time mortality prediction is a feasible way to provide continuous risk assessment for ICU patients. RAS offers similar discrimination ability when compared to models computed once per day, based on aggregate data over that day. Moreover, RAS mortality predictions are better at discrimination than a customized SAPS II score (Day 3 AUC=0.878 vs AUC=0.849, p < 0.05). The secondary outcome models also provide interesting insights into patient responses to care and patient risk profiles. While models trained for specifically recognizing secondary outcomes consistently outperform the RAS model at their specific tasks, RAS provides useful baseline risk estimates throughout these events and in some cases offers a notable level of predictive utility. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Human hematopoietic progenitors express erythropoietin

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a factor essential for erythroid cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. The production of EPO by the kidneys in response to hypoxia and anemia is well documented. To determine whether EPO is also produced by hematopoietic cells, we analyzed the expression of EPO in normal human hematopoietic progenitors and in their progeny. Undifferentiated CD34(+)lin- hematopoietic progenitors do not have detectable EPO mRNA. Differentiating CD34(+) cells that are stimulated with recombinant human EPO in serum-free liquid cultures express both EPO and EPO receptor (EPOR). Because CD34(+) cells represent a heterogeneous cell population, we analyzed individual burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) and nonerythroid colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage colonies for EPO mRNA. Only BFU-E colonies were positive for EPO mRNA. Lysates from pooled BFU-E colonies stained positively for EPO by immunoblotting. To further confirm the intrinsic nature of erythroid EPO, we replaced extrinsic EPO in erythroid colony cultures with EPO-mimicking peptide (EMP). We show EPO expression in the EMP-stimulated BFU-Es at both mRNA and protein levels. Stimulation of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) with EMP upregulated EPO expression. Furthermore, we found EPO and EPOR mRNAs as well as EPO protein in K562 cells, a human erythroleukemia cell line. Stimulation of K562 cells with EMP upregulated EPO expression. We suggest that EPO of erythroid origin may have a role in the regulation of erythropoiesis.
A General Approach to Performance Analysis and Optimization of Asynchronous Circuits

A systematic approach for evaluating and optimizing the performance of asynchronous VLSI circuits is presented. Index-priority simulation is introduced to efficiently find minimal cycles in the state graph of a given circuit. These minimal cycles are used to determine the causality relationships between all signal transitions in the circuit. Once these relationships are known, the circuit is then modeled as an extended event-rule system, which can be used to describe many circuits, including ones that are inherently disjunctive. An accurate indication of the performance of the circuit is obtained by analytically computing the period of the corresponding extended event-rule system.
On the problem of fixed shading in conjunction with an optimal/Adaptive array processor

This paper investigates the effects of fixed shading that may be present either in the element data prior to adaptation, or intentionally imposed in the body of the adaptation mechanism of an optimal/adaptive array. It is shown that when there is no "useful signal" in the main beam appropriately applied fixed shading may improve the low level interference rejection capability of the adaptive process. However, when main beam signals are present, the fixed shading will destroy the performance of the adaptive processor even for small signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs).
The Special Character of the American Antitrust Laws

In the present chapter we should like to finish our descriptive survey of the American antitrust laws.
Food sources of flavonoids for adults in the United States: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2008 (369.5)

Flavonoids are compounds from plants that may play important roles in preventing chronic diseases including heart disease and cancer. This study’s objective was to identify top food contributors of...
Harmonic and quasi-harmonic spheres, part III. Rectifiablity of the parabolic defect measure and generalized varifold flows

Abstract We study weakly convergent sequences of suitable weak solutions of heat flows of harmonic maps or approximated harmonic maps. We prove a dimensional stratification for the space-time concentration measure and verify that the concentration measure, viewed as a generalized varifold, moves according to the generalized varifold flow rule which reduces to the Brakke's flow of varifold provided that the limiting harmonic map flow is suitable. We also establish an energy quantization for the density of the limiting varifold.
Linear attenuation coefficient and buildup factor of MCP-96 alloy for dose accuracy, beam collimation, and radiation protection

The linear attenuation coefficients and buildup factor of MCP-96 alloy were determined for 60Co, 54Mn, and 137Cs gamma emitters and a NaI detector. The thickness of the MCP-96 attenuator was varied from 1 to 4 cm. A collimated beam of gamma rays was allowed to pass through various thicknesses of the MCP-96 alloy. The attenuated beam was detected by a NaI detector, and data were recorded by a multichannel analyzer. The run was repeated without the collimator for broad-beam geometry. For each run, the attenuated beam intensity was normalized by the intensity of the unattenuated incident beam obtained by removing the attenuators. Linear attenuation coefficients were determined by plotting of the intensity of the collimated beam against the attenuator thickness. For every thickness of the alloy, the ratio of the attenuated to the unattenuated beam was found to be higher in broad-beam geometry as compared to the same ratio in narrow-beam geometry. We used the difference in these ratios in broad and narrow-beam geometries to calculate the buildup factor. The buildup factor was found to increase with beam energy and attenuator thickness. Variation in the source-to-detector distance gave a lower value of the buildup factor for a small and a large distance and a higher value for an intermediate distance. The buildup factor was found to be greater than 1 in all cases. We conclude that the buildup factor must be calculated and incorporated for dose correction and precision when the MCP-96 alloy is used for tissue compensation or radiation shielding and protection purposes.
Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients Treated With Sunitinib or Sorafenib

Abstract Introduction Sunitinib and sorafenib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors used in metastatic renal cell carcinoma and are known to cause hypothyroidism in a subset of patients. The goal of this study was to better characterize the development of hypothyroidism in patients and to examine its relationship to progression-free survival. Patients and Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients treated with sunitinib or sorafenib from January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2011. Data pertaining to the treatment course and development of hypothyroidism were extracted. Patients with hypothyroidism at the beginning of treatment were analyzed separately. Results A total of 73 treatment periods had sufficient data to analyze. Among patients with normal baseline thyroid function, 15 (44%) of 34 patients treated with sunitinib and 6 (27%) of 22 patients treated with sorafenib developed hypothyroidism. The hazard ratio for the development of hypothyroidism with sorafenib vs. sunitinib treatment was significant, at 0.38 (95% CI, 0.14-0.97). There was a statistically significant difference in the progression-free survival between patients who developed hypothyroidism while receiving treatment compared with those who did not, 18.2 vs. 10.1 months ( P = .01). Conclusions This study demonstrated a significant difference in the incidence of hypothyroidism during treatment with sunitinib and sorafenib, with a higher incidence of hypothyroidism in patients treated with sunitinib. The development of hypothyroidism was associated with a longer progression-free survival.
Numerical characterisation and modeling of in-vivo radio communication

In this paper, preliminary study on path loss characterization of in-vivo communication channel at 2.45 GHz using numerical modeling is presented. One of the antennas is implanted inside the chest and the second antenna is placed on the surface of body at certain distance. The on-body antenna is rotated at different angles with respect to the inbody antenna and path loss is calculated at certain fixed distance. The body-centric path loss is compared with the free space path loss as well. Results show that there is almost 10-15 dB variation in path loss in case of in-vivo channel as compared to free space. Also a degradation in path loss and channel response with respect to the orientation angle between implanted transmitter and on-body receiver is observed, which highlights the importance of carefully considering the location of on-body receiver for optimal system performance.
Control of transcriptional variability by overlapping feed-forward regulatory motifs.

In yeast, β-oxidation of fatty acids (FAs) takes place in the peroxisome, an organelle whose size and number are controlled in response to environmental cues. The expression of genes required for peroxisome assembly and function is controlled by a transcriptional regulatory network that is induced by FAs such as oleate. The core FA-responsive transcriptional network consists of carbon source-sensing transcription factors that regulate key target genes through an overlapping feed-forward network motif (OFFNM). However, a systems-level understanding of the function of this network architecture in regulating dynamic FA-induced gene expression is lacking. The specific role of the OFFNM in regulating the dynamic and cell-population transcriptional response to oleate was investigated using a kinetic model comprised of four core transcription factor genes (ADR1, OAF1, PIP2, and OAF3) and two reporter genes (CTA1 and POT1) that are indicative of peroxisome induction. Simulations of the model suggest that 1), the intrinsic Adr1p-driven feed-forward loop reduces the steady-state expression variability of target genes; 2), the parallel Oaf3p-driven inhibitory feed-forward loop modulates the dynamic response of target genes to a transiently varying oleate concentration; and 3), heterodimerization of Oaf1p and Pip2p does not appear to have a noise-reducing function in the context of oleate-dependent expression of target genes. The OFFNM is highly overrepresented in the yeast regulome, suggesting that the specific functions described for the OFFNM, or other properties of this motif, provide a selective advantage.
Detection of scintillations in small crystals using VLPCs

This paper addresses the use of Visible Light Photon Counters (VLPCs) for detection of light induced in light arrays of small scintillating crystals for gamma ray imaging. The use of plastic step-index-of-refraction fibers for collecting the scintillation light for detection by a VLPC is examined and data obtained in initial exploratory experiments are discussed. The results are compared with the number of detectable scintillation photons predicted by a model that in essence treats the crystal as an integrating cavity with highly efficient diffuse reflecting surfaces.
Methylphenidate attenuates rats' preference for a novel spatial stimulus introduced into a familiar environment: assessment using a force-plate actometer.

Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant widely used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here we report a novel paradigm that affords inferences about habituation and attention to a novel stimulus in a familiar environment in a single test session without prior training of the animals. The paradigm was used to assess the effects of methylphenidate (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg, sc) in young adult, male, Long-Evans rats. Methylphenidate increased locomotor activity during the initial exposure to the test apparatus in a non-dose-related manner. However, upon introduction of a novel spatial stimulus (an alcove) in the familiar environment, methylphenidate-treatment resulted in dose-related increases in distance traveled and inhibition of long dwell times in the alcove, the latter behavior being characteristic of vehicle-treated rats’ response to the alcove condition. These results demonstrate the utility of this paradigm in the elucidation of the behavioral effects of a drug commonly used in the treatment of ADHD. Findings also suggest that species-typical response preferences in rats (e.g., refuge-seeking) may emerge in experimental settings that add spatial novelty to otherwise featureless test enclosures commonly used to assess locomotor activity.
NUCLEAR DEFORMATION AND THE MOMENT OF INERTIA OF NUCLEAR ROTATIONAL STATES

Evidence concerning nuclear deformation from isotope shifts and from rotational states in even-even nuclei is compared for nuclei near neutron number 82. It is concluded that the moment of inertia of the rotational states is 4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 times greater than the theory predicts, if the nuclear radius is $1.20\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}{A}^{\frac{1}{3}}$ cm, and if the interpretation of isotope shifts in terms of nuclear deformation is correct.
Gate abstractions and reversibility: On the logical-physical link

Logic gates rendered in digital circuit diagrams refer both to abstract logical transformations of Boolean variables and to the physical structures and processes that realize these transformations. The logical and physical aspects are related in a manner that has implications for energy efficient computing; Landauer's Principle (LP) imposes efficiency limits on gates that irreversibly discard information but imposes no such limits on gates that do not. In this paper, we explore the logical-physical link and its dissipative consequences from a fundamental perspective. We provide a systematic characterization of this link, and use the resulting framework to clarify necessary conditions for physically reversible operation of logically reversible and logically irreversible gates in circuit environments.
Importance of environment on the order of mineral weathering in olivine basalts, Hawaii

Examination of weathering rinds from lava flows on Hawaii with backscatter electron microscopy and electron micro-probe analysis reveals that olivine weathers more slowly than adjacent clinopyroxene and plagioclase in environments with a paucity of organic acids. Yet when weathering rinds are in contact with abundant organic acids secreted by lichens, olivine weathers before clinopyroxene and plagioclase weathers last. The exception to Goldich's widely accepted mineral stability series in organic-poor environments runs counter to a thermodynamics explanation for the order of mineral weathering and illustrates the importance of the biogeochemical environment.
Arc StormSurge: Integrating Hurricane Storm Surge Modeling and GIS

Arc StormSurge is a data model that integrates geographic information systems and the hurricane wave and surge model SWAN+ADCIRC, which is the coupling of the Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) wave model and the Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) hydrodynamic model. The Arc StormSurge data model is a geodatabase, which is a relational database that can contain georeferenced information. It includes feature classes in feature datasets and tables, all related among them through relationship classes, and raster catalogs and grids. In addition to the data model schema, Arc StormSurge includes a number of pre- and post-processing tools that help integrate spatial data and numerical modeling. As an illustration, Arc StormSurge was used to support the modeling of Hurricane Bret, which made landfall in the Corpus Christi area in Texas in 1999. By using Arc StormSurge, it was possible to take advantage of already available geo-referenced information (e.g., base maps, land cover datasets, and monitoring station locations) for the model setup, and for identifying spatial patterns in the model results by presenting them in map format.
Knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding Clostridium difficile: A survey of physicians in an academic medical center

Using current guidelines, we surveyed physicians at our hospital to ascertain knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding Clostridium difficile infection. The survey identified significant gaps in knowledge and practice. Infection control professionals should include physician education on Clostridium difficile infection diagnosis, isolation precautions, and treatment as part of a comprehensive control program.
Effects of harman and norharman on the mutagenicity and binding to DNA of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites in vitro and on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction in cell culture.

Abstract Harman and norharman, two β-carboline derivatives known to exist in certain foods and to be formed during pyrolysis of tobacco and meat, were tested for mutagenic activity in the presence of benzo[a]pyrene, mouse liver enzymes, and Salmonella typhimurium TA98 in vitro . Both harman and norharman inhibit benzo[a]pyrene mutagenicity, benzo[a]pyrene metabolism (as measured by aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity), and the binding of all benzo[a]pyrene metabolites to DNA in vitro . Moreover, harman and norharman are quite toxic to cultures of hepatoma-derived H-4-II-E and Hepa-1 established cell lines and therefore were found to be very weak inducers of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity.
A conditioning technique for matrix inversion for Wilson fermions

Abstract I report a simple technique for conditioning conjugate gradient or conjugate residue matrix inversion as applied to the lattice gauge theory problem of computing the propagator of Wilson fermions. One form of the technique provides about a factor of three speedup over an unconditioned algorithm while running at the same speed as an unconditioned algorithm. I illustrate the method as it is applied to a conjugate residue algorithm.
Graded negative index lens by photonic crystals

Numerical studies on a graded negative index lens made by a slab of graded photonic crystal (PC) are reported. The graded negative index lens is capable of focusing plane waves and can also be made highly insensitive to frequency, enabling broadband negative index imaging. We provide a simple model for the graded PC lens and predict its superior focusing properties such as low chromatic aberrations and broadband operation. Those properties were also confirmed and analyzed by the finite-difference time-domain simulations. We believe the negative index graded PCs will expand the utility of PC lenses and enable new applications in optoelectronic systems.
Multimedia information retrieval: watershed events

Since its inception, Multimedia Information Retrieval (MIR) has made good steady progress, but has not been able to keep up with the speed at which needs for this technology evolved. We are at a very important juncture in the development of technology. MIR has potential to be more significant than the current search technology. Different components and tools are now available to make applications happen. In this paper, we first look at expectations from MIR and then take a look at the historical evolution of MIR. We then focus on what the emerging needs and research challenges for the MIR community are. Our emphasis is on important concepts and trends rather than an exhaustive survey. We particularly focus on research challenges to solve problems created by enormous increase in the multimedia data.
Efficient parallel time-slot interchanger for high-performance SDH/SONET digital crossconnect systems

A parallel design of time-slot interchangers is refined in order to scale the interchangers' capacity in an efficient manner. Performance analysis shows that this design scheme requires significantly less memory compared with a conventional parallel design because of newly implemented load-balancing switches, while keeping its switching control complexity to a minimum.