cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Testing of Living Aortic Heart Valves Using a Pulsatile Bioreactor

Valvular heart disease results in approximately 275,000 valve replacement procedures performed annually worldwide. Structural deterioration, calcification, tissue overgrowth, and thromboembolism frequently lead to abnormal tissue stiffness levels that contribute to the failure of native heart valves. While many treatment alternatives exist, understanding the factors that regulate the activity of heart valve cells is critical for circumventing pathological heart valve fibrosis and engineering improved biologically active heart valve replacements.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Confirmation of the local nature of the plasma-grating photorefractive effect

Encoding photorefractive diffraction gratings in optically thin1 and thick2 samples has recently been demonstrated in doped semiconductors containing DX centers. The optically induced index change in these materials is believed to result from photoionization of DX centers, resulting in a persistent change in the free-carrier concentration, which alters the refractive index through the the plasma effect. This effect offers several advantages over traditional photorefractive systems for optical information-storage applications, such as large index changes (Δ > 0.01), high sensitivity (>10−2 cm2/J), no beam fanning, and linear superposition of encoded gratings. Several of the benefits arise directly from the local nature of the writing process, which we have now verified in the experiments reported here.
A Comparison of Two Linear Discriminant Analysis Methods That Use Block Monotone Missing Training Data

We revisit a comparison of two discriminant analysis procedures, namely the linear combination classifier of Chung and Han (2000) and the maximum likelihood estimation substitution classifier for the problem of classifying unlabeled multivariate normal observations with equal covariance matrices into one of two classes. Both classes have matching block monotone missing training data. Here, we demonstrate that for intra-class covariance structures with at least small correlation among the variables with missing data and the variables without block missing data, the maximum likelihood estimation substitution classifier outperforms the Chung and Han (2000) classifier regardless of the percent of missing observations. Specifically, we examine the differences in the estimated expected error rates for these classifiers using a Monte Carlo simulation, and we compare the two classifiers using two real data sets with monotone missing data via parametric bootstrap simulations. Our results contradict the conclusions of Chung and Han (2000) that their linear combination classifier is superior to the MLE classifier for block monotone missing multivariate normal data.
The escape behavior of the cockroachPeriplaneta americana

1. Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) responded to controlled wind puffs with stereotyped turns away from the source of wind. This was followed by running in more varied directions (Fig 3, 5). 2. Control experiments indicate that the wind direction, and not other cues from the wind stimulator, provides the directional information for the turn (Fig. 7). 3. Cockroaches with the ventral surfaces of their cerci covered were unresponsive to controlled wind puffs. However, covering the dorsal surfaces left the responses essentially intact (Fig. 9). Covering the left cercus caused turns to be misoriented to the left (Fig. 11). Rotating both cerci toward the left led to a corresponding misorientation of the turn (Fig. 10). Thus the cockroaches appeared to employ only wind receptors on the ventral surfaces of the cerci (the location of the filiform hairs; Nicklaus, 1965) to detect all directions of wind puff and to evoke the turning behavior. 4. The initial movements of each metathoracic leg in response to wind stimuli depended upon wind angle (Fig. 12). These leg movements were consistent with earlier neurophysiological data on the motor outputs to the legs from giant interneurons which respond selectively to wind from different directions (Ritzmann and Camhi, 1978; Westin et al., 1977). 5. The turning response was properly oriented, and the leg movements properly directed, even when sampled during the first 0–16 ms of movement (Figs. 12, 13). This presumably was prior to the time when feedback from the animal's own turning movement would be available to influence the turn. Thus the turning behavior may be executed in an open loop manner. 6. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of identified giant interneurons in the oriented evasive behavior, and the possible role of this behavior in nature.
A Strategy to Simulate the Dynamics of Molecular Assemblies Over Long Times

We propose a strategy to simulate the dynamics of molecular assemblies over long times, provided they have a hierarchical and modular nature. In the scheme, fast fluctuations are averaged into a set of effective potentials (fluctuation softened potentials or FSPs), and the remaining slower dynamics are propagated in a drastically reduced configuration space (coupled energy landscapes or CEL). As a preliminary validation of the FSPs we compute the free energy of binding of a protein complex (RNase:barstar) for different relative positionings of the proteins. As a demonstration of CEL, we simulate the dynamics of microtubule unraveling upon hydrolysis of bound nucleotides. The method should allow the use of time steps hundreds to thousands of times longer than in conventional molecular dynamics, so that with only atomic structures and interactions as input, motions over human time scales (>ms) could be simulated.
Intrinsic charge transport in single crystals of organic molecular semiconductors: A theoretical perspective

The aim of this article is to briefly review the progress made over the past few years in the theoretical description of the intrinsic charge-transport properties of organic molecular crystals. We first discuss the state-of-the-art methodologies used in the derivation of the electronic coupling and electron-phonon coupling constants. We illustrate the application of these techniques to two classes of semiconductors of interest for crystal-based organic electronics: crystals consisting of a single molecular building block, such as oligoacenes and their derivatives, and bimolecular crystals consisting of donor and acceptor compounds. After a brief overview of recent developments in the polaron modeling of the electronic and electrical properties of these systems, we examine the impact that the interplay between electronic interactions and various electron-phonon mechanisms has on the temperature dependence of the charge-carrier mobility.
Biophysics: Life in a jam

Jammed states in growing yeast populations share intriguing similarities with amorphous solids, despite being generated through self-replication. The impact this behaviour has on cell division highlights one way that physical forces regulate biological function.
Determination of lincomycin hydrochloride and ribavirin in Compound Lincomycin Hydrochloride Nasal Drops by HPLC

Objective To establish a method for simultaneous determination of lincomycin hydrochloride and ribavirin in Compound Lincomycin Hydrochloride Nasal Drops. Methods HPLC with gradient elution method was adopted. The determination was performed on Shim-pack VP-ODS C18 column(150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with mobile phase consisted of methanol- 0.05 mol/L sodium tetraborate(adjusted to p H 6.0 by phosphoric acid) with gradient elution. The detective wavelength was set at 210 nm. The temperature of column was set at 30 ℃. The flow rate was 1.0 m L/min with injection volume of 10 μL. Results There was good linear relationship between peak areas and contents of lincomycin hydrochloride and ribavirin in the range of 0.202 8 — 2.028 0 μg and 0.101 6 —1.016 0 μg. The average recovery was 100.54% and 99.95% with RSD value of 1.11% and 1.45%(n = 9), respectively. Conclusion The method is simple, sensitive, accurate, and can be used for quality control of Compound Lincomycin Hydrochloride Nasal Drops.
Combining ability analysis of the major agronomic traits of some new rice restorers

Five male-sterile lines(Jinshan 2A,Fuyi A,Jingfu 5A,G201A and Taixiang A) and five restorer lines(22,Zhi 3,404,Zhi 6 and Minghui 86) were used to develop 25 crosses in the way of incomplete diallel cross(NCⅡ) to analyze the combining ability in 14 agronomic traits of the new rice restorers.The results indicated that the variance of general combining ability(GCA) and specific combining ability(SCA) for 14 major agronomic traits were significant at 0.05 level or 0.01 level,and the variance of GCA was higher than that of SCA,which showed the additive effect was more important than the non-additive effect for all of the agronomic characters.Except productive panicle and days to heading,A lines and R lines contributed equally to plant height,panicle length,flag leave,first leave length,first leave wides,second leave from top,third leave from top,primary branch,secondary branch,grain number,1000-grain weight and seed-setting.GCA and SCA were independent to each other.The effect of GCA of the same traits were different.The SCA was the foundation and a key factor of a combination.Based on the results we conclued that the Zhi 3,Zhi 6 and 404 were the three new elite R lines.
Acquired Cystic Disease and Renal Adenocarcinoma Following Renal Transplantation

AbstractAcquired renal cystic disease has been associated with the development of renal cell carcinoma in patients on chronic dialysis. The disease has been documented to regress in the native kidney after successful renal transplantation. We report 4 cases of renal cell carcinoma occurring in the native kidney 3 to 8 years after successful renal transplantation. Of these patients 3 also had acquired cystic disease of the native kidney. These 3 cases suggest that the malignant potential associated with acquired renal cystic disease may not be reduced significantly by renal transplantation and that periodic imaging of the native kidney is advisable after transplantation, particularly when the disease is present before transplantation.
Reconstructive rhinoplasty of the tip.

When replacement of the amputated nasal tip is not possible, the author recommends using an auricular chondrocutaneous free graft, a forehead flap, or rarely, an arm flap.
Non-Invasive Quantification of Gadolinium Uptake in Tumors

One of the most lingering challenges of neutron capture therapy (NCT) development is to be able to determine the uptake of the active capture element (B, Gd, Li, or U) without invasive biopsies and just before or during neutron irradiation. In current protocols, boronated phenylalanine (BPA) is injected intravenously into the patient during preliminary surgical debulking of the tumor. Tissue biopsies and blood samples are obtained at this time and uptake of the agent in the tumor and healthy tissue are measured. These are used several weeks later to indicate the uptake when a second injection of boronated phenylalanine (BPA) is made just prior to neutron irradiation. There is the assumption that a similar uptake occurs during the second injection as during the first injection.
Impact of Enroll America on the Number of Individuals Covered through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace

Objective To assess the impact of Enroll America's field outreach activities on the number of individuals enrolled in Marketplace coverage during the first open enrollment period. Data Sources/Study Setting Marketplace enrollment for the initial open enrollment period linked with data on Enroll America's field activities and baseline local-area demographic, economic, and health services characteristics. Study Design We used a quasi-experimental design, comparing Marketplace enrollment during the first open enrollment period in local areas drawn from Enroll America field states to a comparison group of local areas drawn from states that were not served by Enroll America's field effort, but that otherwise match up well with Enroll America states. Principal Findings We find evidence of a large, positive effect of Enroll America's field outreach on Marketplace enrollment in non-Medicaid expansion states. Across model specifications, the Enroll America effects on Marketplace enrollment ranged between 10 and 15 percent, with most estimates statistically significant at the 5 percent level. Conclusions Enroll America played an important role in the success of individual states' efforts to boost Marketplace enrollment. Enroll American's evidence-driven, grassroots approach could serve as a model for others interested in conducting similar outreach campaigns for Affordable Care Act–related coverage.
The International Prisoner’s Dilemma

In the previous sections it has been shown that both countries gain by coordinating their intervention policies internationally. However, non-cooperation represents a best response to any given intervention policy of the other country. It follows in particular that non-cooperation will at least weakly dominate the cooperative policy. Thus the game provides no incentive compatible mechanism with which any welfare-improving strategies — in particular of course the cooperative ones — may be realized. This is a general problem of international policymaking which may be represented by the simple payoff matrix in Figure 18:
Progressive Consent and Specimen Accrual Models to Address Sustainability: A Decade's Experience at an Oregon Biorepository.

Background: The Legacy Biorepository is a College of American Pathologists-accredited biorepository operating within a seven-hospital healthcare system, with a decade's experience in specimen accru...
Differentiating 131 I Radiation Sialadenitis From Autoimmune (Sjögren Syndrome) Sialadenitis: Case Report.

Radioactive iodine (131I) is used effectively for the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancers. Because it is actively secreted by the salivary glands, radiation damage to these glands can occur. Obstructive swellings after mealtime salivary stimulation are common occurrences. Dry mouth is not usually seen if low doses of 131I are used. A subjective complaint of xerostomia in a patient treated with 131I 75.8 mCi proved to be related to the simultaneous presence of Sjogren syndrome (SS). Serologic, histologic, scintigraphic, and salivary volume findings and the patient's subjective complaints served to establish the pre-existence of SS.
THE USE OF INTEREST AS AN ELEMENT OF COST IN GERMANY IN THE 16TH AND 17TH CENTURIES

Debate still continues in the United States of America over the inclusion of interest as an element of cost. The practice was accepted as early as 1558 in Germany, and has been integrated into accounting theory by Schmalenbach in this century.
Introduction to Clinical Interventions: A Plea for Family Involvement

This chapter calls for family involvement in clinical interventions to treat addiction to gambling. In the treatment of any addiction, motivation is critical. Family and significant relationships often represent the ultimate level of motivation for the client. Relationship modalities help overcome one of the thorniest clinical problems in treating pathological gambling—the high dropout rate. Relationship counseling also reduces the long communication delays that occur between busy family members and therapists. With all persons present, the therapist can point out issues family members need to consider. Therefore, it is suggested that the most useful approach is the couples/family intervention model, with individual sessions increasing as recovery continues. As the client achieves stable abstinence, reducing the frequency of family sessions and shifting to an individual modality to work on long-term recovery issues is often warranted. After transitioning to an individual modality, periodic family sessions ensure maintenance of treatment gains.
Two-stage cluster samples with ranked set sampling designs

This paper draws statistical inference for population characteristics using two-stage cluster samples. Cluster samples in each stage are constructed using ranked set sample (RSS), probability-proportional-to-size sample, or simple random sample (SRS) designs. Each RSS sampling design is implemented with and without replacement policies. The paper constructs design-unbiased estimators for population mean, total, and their variances. Efficiency improvement of all sampling designs over SRS sampling design is investigated. It is shown that the efficiency of the estimators depends on the intra-cluster correlation coefficient and choice of sampling designs in stage I and II sampling. The paper also constructs an approximate confidence interval for the population mean (total). For a fixed cost, the optimal sample sizes for stage I and stage II samples are constructed by maximizing the information content of the sample. The proposed sampling designs and estimators are applied to California School District Study and Ohio Corn Production Data.
Stability of vacancy-type defect clusters in Ni based on first-principles and molecular dynamics simulations☆

Abstract Using first-principles calculations based on density-functional theory, the energetics of different vacancy-type defects, including voids, stacking fault tetrahedra (SFT) and vacancy loops, in Ni are investigated. It is found that voids are more stable than SFT at 0 K, which is also the case after taking into account the volumetric strains. By carrying out ab initio molecular dynamics simulations at temperatures up to 1000 K, direct transformations from vacancy loops and voids into SFT are observed. Our results suggest the importance of temperature effects in determining thermodynamic stability of vacancy clusters in face-centered cubic metals.
Acquisition and retention of conditioned aversions to context and taste in laboratory mice

We compared the rate of acquisition and strength of retention of conditioned context aversion (CCA) with conditioned taste aversion (CTA) using pigmented, genetically heterogeneous mice (derived from Large and Small strains). Extending previous findings, in Experiment 1, mice accustomed to drinking from large glass bottles in the colony room learned to avoid graduated tubes after a single conditioning trial when drinking from these novel tubes was paired with injections of LiCl. The results also showed that CCA could be developed even when there was a 30-minute delay between conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus. Retention of the aversion lasted for 4 weeks in both Immediate and Delay groups. Studies of conditioned saccharin aversion were conducted in Experiment 2. CTA acquisition was very similar to that observed in CCA and duration of aversion retention was similar in the CCA and CTA Delay groups, although at least 2 weeks longer in the Immediate group. Thus, CCA acquisition and retention characteristics are closer to those seen for CTA than has previously been reported. In Experiment 3, we examined whether albino mice (which are known to have weaker visual abilities compared to pigmented mice) would develop CCA comparable to those of pigmented mice. The development of conditioned aversion and its duration of retention was similar in albinos and pigmented mice. Nonspecific aversion emerged as an important contributor to strength of aversion during retention trials in both CCA and CTA paradigms with pigmented (but not albino) mice and deserves additional scrutiny in this field of inquiry.
Using information visualization to understand interactive narrative: a case study on fa$#231;ade

Video games increasingly take place in dynamic worlds with more autonomous characters and highly variable and moldable narratives. However, our tools for studying how players interact with these complex worlds are severely limited. In this paper, we propose different visualizations that can be used to more effectively analyze interactive narrative systems, and present a case study that applies these techniques to analysis of player logs from the interactive drama Fa$#231;ade.
Where's the Merit in That? Limits to Employing the Natural in Antidoping Ethics.

Loland (2018) argues for the “natural” as a helpful normative concept to distinguish unacceptable performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) from acceptable efforts to enhance sporting performance. If succ...
Is There a ``Tipping Point'' between Simulated Nontornadic and Tornadic Supercells in VORTEX2 Environments?

AbstractPrevious work has suggested that the lower-tropospheric wind profile may partly determine whether supercells become tornadic. If tornadogenesis within the VORTEX2 composite environments is ...
Verhaltensprogramme und evolutionäre Strategien

Als Descartes im 17. Jahrhundert behauptete, ein Tier sei nichts anderes als eine Maschine, gab er den Anstos zu einem Meinungsstreit, der — in stets wechselnder Form — bis zum heutigen Tage fortdauert. Descartes erkannte lediglich Reiz und Reaktion an, als ob die Reaktion eine notwendige und automatische Folge des Reizes sei. Den Beitrag, den das Tier selbst, insbesondere sein Zentralnervensystem, zu der Reaktion leistet, ubersah er vollig. Dieses Versaumnis wurde im 18. Jahrhundert zum Gegenstand eines grosen Meinungsstreits. Condillac (1755) attackierte Buffons karte-sianische Auslegung und betonte die Fahigkeit des Tieres, aus Erfahrung zu lernen und einsichtig zu handeln. Dem widersprach wiederum Reimarus (1760), der mit wohlgewahlten Beispielen darlegte, ein welch groser Teil des adaptiven Verhaltens bei Tieren bereits von Geburt an vorhanden ist, also zum Erbgut der Art gehort. Er veroffentlichte die erste umfassende Abhandlung uber das Instinktverhalten.
Medstone 1050 ST Lithotripter: A Clinical Review

This presentation compares the initial results of shock wave lithotripsy using the Medstone 1050 ST to the most recent clinical experience. This lithotripter employs a shock wave generator but eliminates the water bath, has computer drive positioning and can localize stones with either plain radiographs or ultrasound. This report compares the initial 325 patients with 551 urinary tract stones (Group I) to the most recent clinical experience of 342 patients (Group II). In Group I 64% of stones were smaller than 10 mm; 27% were 10 mm to 20 mm, and 9% were larger than 20 mm. Sixty-one percent of stones were calyceal, 26% pelvic, and 13% ureteral. Successful fragmentation, defined as no residual fragments larger than 4 mm, was achieved by 90.2% of patients and 92.4% of individual stones, including a retreatment rate of 4%. For the entire group the stone-free rate was 78%; however, it was 85% excluding stones larger than 20 mm No significant variation of the success rate could be related to patient weight, stone size, or location. Follow-up evaluation revealed no clinically significant laboratory abnormalities. The average hematocrit change was from 42% to 39%, possibly because of hemolysis. Only two hematomas were found on ultrasound and no transfusions were administered. Renal colic occurred in 8% of cases, and temporary obstruction occurred in 14% of patients. Renal scans or excretory urograms were performed at three months in Group I. Two treated kidneys were found to have diminished function, one of which returned to normal in 30 days. One patient experienced hypertension which required medical treatment. Comparing Group I patients to Group II patients, the results were essentially the same.
Scientific Advance, Technological Development, and Society

To talk about the moral uses of new knowledge in the biomedical sciences is to talk about the ways in which the processes of the acquisition of knowledge and the processes by which ways are found to apply that knowledge can be made more sensitive to the individual and social consequences of these activities. We are faced today with an enormous range of problems which cry out for a solution and a fair number of them require advances in the sciences.
The major histocompatibility complex of primates

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encodes cell surface glycoproteins that function in self-nonself recognition and in allograft rejection. Among primates, the MHC has been well defined only in the human; in the chimpanzee and in two species of macaque monkeys the MHC is less well characterized. Serologic, biochemical and genetic evidence indicates that the basic organization of the MHC linkage group has been phylogenetically conserved. However, the number of genes and their linear relationship on the chromosomes differ between species. Class I MHC loci encode molecules that are the most polymorphic genes known. These molecules are ubiquitous in their tissue distribution and typically are recognized together with nominal antigens by cytotoxic lymphocytes. Class II MHC loci constitute a smaller family of serotypes serving as restricting elements for regulatory T lymphocytes. The distribution of class II antigens is limited mainly to cell types serving immune functions, and their expression is subject to up and down modulation. Class III loci code for components C2, C4 and Factor B (Bf) of the complement system. Interspecies differences in the extent of polymorphism occur, but the significance of this finding in relation to fitness and natural selection is unclear. Detailed information on the structure and regulation of MHC gene expression will be required to understand fully the biologic role of the MHC and the evolutionary relationships between species. Meanwhile, MHC testing has numerous applications to biomedical research, especially in preclinical tissue and organ transplantation studies, the study of disease mechanisms, parentage determination and breeding colony management. In this review, the current status of MHC definition in nonhuman primates will be summarized. Special emphasis is placed on the CyLA system of M. fascicularis which is a major focus in our laboratory. A highly polymorphic cynomolgus MHC has been partially characterized and consists of at least 14 A locus, 11 B locus, 7 C locus class I allelic specificities, 9 Ia-like class II antigens and 6 Bf (class III) variants.
Glass transition of partially ordered macromolecules

An operational definition of the glass transition as the transition between the solid and liquid states of amorphous or partially ordered matter is given, particularly as it applies to flexible macromolecules. This is followed by a description of the basic observations of glass transitions via thermal analysis using calorimetry. Partial order is treated as it is found in semicrystalline, mesomorphic, and semimesomorphic samples. Examples of these three types of partial order are discussed as developed in our laboratory. Semicrystalline polymers may possess a rigid amorphous fraction in their amorphous areas. The glass transition of the remaining mobile amorphous fraction is usually shifted to higher temperature relative to the fully amorphous samples, and is frequently broadened with a temperature range that may reach more than 100 K. The time dependence of the glass transition causes hysteresis phenomena and physical aging, both of which are strongly affected by partial order. The glass transitions of liquid crystals are similar to the transitions of the isotropic state in magnitude, but may be shifted in temperature. A gradual, more local glass transition has been observed within condis crystals (conformationally disordered crystals) of small and large molecules. The glass transition of a partially condis crystalline polymer shows a rigid amorphous fraction, in addition to a gradual glass transition within the mesophase and is illustrated by the example of a thermotropic polyether based on the semiflexible mesogen 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane.
Influence of oxygen content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of SPS SiC

Abstract In this paper, two different commercial silicon carbide powders were treated by HF etching, aging and heat treating to obtain various oxygen contents. Fully dense silicon carbide ceramics (>99% th.density) were produced by spark plasma sintering technique at 1900 °C under an applied pressure of 50 MPa for 15 min holding time with boron carbide and carbon additions. Microstructure, polytype of SiC, density, Knoop hardness and fracture behaviors were examined to understand the effect of oxygen content on the properties of dense silicon carbide. The results show that oxygen content affects all of the measured mechanical and microstructural properties. High oxygen content is shown to be detrimental to the final density and hardness of SPS SiC.
Total number of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) genomic alterations and outcome after checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy.

e14504Background: High tumor mutational burden on tissue biopsy correlates with efficacy of checkpoint immunotherapy in cancers, such as non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma. However, the relati...
A Review of Diagnostic Impact of Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Clinical Practice.

Background Molecular imaging of brain amyloid for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using positron emission tomography (PET) has been approved for use in clinical practice by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2012. However, the clinical utility and diagnostic impact of amyloid PET imaging remain controversial. We conducted a review of the recent studies investigating clinical utility of amyloid PET imaging with focus on changes in diagnosis, diagnostic confidence, and patient management. Summary A total of 16 studies were included in the final analysis. Overall rate of changes in diagnosis after amyloid PET ranged from 9 to 68% (pooled estimate of 31%, 95% CI 23-39%). All studies reported overall increase in diagnostic confidence or diagnostic certainty after amyloid PET. Changes in patient management ranged from 37 to 87%; the most common type of change in management reported was either the initiation or discontinuation of planned AD medications. Key Messages: Amyloid PET imaging led to moderate to significant changes in diagnosis, diagnostic confidence, and subsequent patient management. It may be most useful in patients with high level of diagnostic uncertainty even after the completing the standard workup.
LightLearn: An adaptive and occupant centered controller for lighting based on reinforcement learning

Abstract In commercial buildings, lighting contributes to about 20% of the total energy consumption. Lighting controllers that integrate occupancy and luminosity sensors to improve energy efficiency have been proposed. However, they are often ineffective because they focus solely on energy consumption rather than providing comfort to the occupants. An ideal controller should adapt itself to the preferences of the occupant and the environmental conditions. In this article, we introduce LightLearn, an occupant centered controller (OCC) for lighting based on Reinforcement Learning (RL). We describe the theory and hardware implementation of LightLearn. Our experiment during eight weeks in five offices shows that LightLearn learns the individual occupant behaviors and indoor environmental conditions, and adapts its control parameters accordingly by determining personalized set-points. Participants reported that the overall lighting was slightly improved compared to prior lighting conditions. We compare LightLearn to schedule-based and occupancy-based control scenarios, and evaluate their performance with respect to total energy use, light-utilization-ratio, unmet comfort hours, as well as light-comfort-ratio, which we introduce in this paper. We show that only LightLearn balances successfully occupant comfort and energy consumption. The adaptive nature of LightLearn suggests that reinforcement learning based occupant centered control is a viable approach to mitigate the discrepancy between occupant comfort and the goals of building control.
Free-Floating Bikeshare and Helmet Use in Seattle, WA

Wearing a helmet when bicycling prevents traumatic brain injury in the event of a crash. Most cyclists nationwide use helmets when riding. However, the growth of free-floating bike sharing systems, which offer short-term access to bicycles but not helmets, may erode helmet-wearing norms among cyclists. We counted cyclists over several hours at four locations in Seattle, WA. We categorized each rider according to whether he or she was wearing a helmet and to whether or not he or she was riding a bike share bike. Whereas 91% of riders of private bikes wore helmets, only 20% of bike share riders wore helmets. Moreover, in locations where a greater proportion of riders were on bikes hare bikes, fewer riders of private bicycles wore helmets (r = − 0.96, p = 0.04). The impact of bike sharing programs on helmet wearing norms among private bike riders warrants further exploration.
Performance of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Opioid Overutilization Criteria for Classifying Opioid Use Disorder or Overdose.

This study characterizes the accuracy of CMS’ Overutilization Monitoring System for correctly identifying prescription opioid users at risk of opioid use disorder (OUD) or overdose between 2011 and 2014.
Examples of Parametrized Families of Elliptic Functions with Empty Fatou Sets

In this paper, we investigate parametrized families of elliptic functions on real rectangular lattices. Although these functions have at most four critical values, we prove that they have at most one attracting or parabolic cycle of Fatou components. We find some families for which the Julia set is always the entire sphere.
Titanium-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 1,6-Dienes. Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of exo-Methylenecycloalkanes

Cycloisomerization of 1,6-dienes 1 in the presence of a catalytic amount of n-BuMgBr and a variety of organotitanium complexes such as Cp2TiCl2, Cp(MeO)TiCl2, Cp(Me2N)TiCl2, or CpTi[(TMS)2NC(NCy)2)...
Percutaneous intraluminal downsizing of systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts: a novel application of the Diabolo stent technique-Case series and description of the technique

Objective This article aims to describe the feasibility of a novel application of the Diabolo stent technique for percutaneous downsizing of systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts in patients with pulmonary overcirculation. Background Pulmonary overcirculation can lead to systemic hypoperfusion, impaired systemic oxygen delivery, and hemodynamic instability especially in patients with single-ventricle physiology. Different medical and surgical strategies to treat pulmonary overcirculation have been reported so far, but no percutaneous approach amenable to further adjustment over time has been described. Methods Retrospective review of patients who underwent percutaneous intraluminal reduction of a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt with a covered stent in a Diabolo "hour-glass" configuration. Results From July 2018 to February 4, 2019, consecutive patients underwent trans-catheter downsizing of a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt. The median age was 3.3 years (range 0.7-5.7 years). All patients had symptomatic pulmonary overflow despite maximal medical therapy. All patients underwent successful implantation of a covered stent in a Diabolo "hour-glass" configuration without any complications. Successful reduction in pulmonary overcirculation was noted in all patients with a decrease of mean pulmonary artery pressure from a median of 29 mmHg (range 25-32 mmHg) to a median of 21 mmHg (range 14-27 mmHg). Conclusions Percutaneous intraluminal downsizing of systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts with a covered stent in a Diabolo configuration is safe and feasible. With this technique, the pulmonary blood flow can be adjusted in a physiologic closed-chest condition and further regulated over time.
Norisdelphis annakaensis, A new Miocene delphinid from Japan

Two well-preserved delphinid crania have been recovered from the Haraichi Formation, Annaka Group, Gunma Prefecture, Japan (earliest late Miocene, Tortonian; 11.29–11.25 Ma). The specimens represen...
Lessons Learned from Deploying Autonomous Vehicles at UC San Diego

While most autonomous driving efforts reported are directed for general driving and mainly on major roads, there are numerous applications for autonomous vehicles for last mile mobility—from person mobility and mail delivery to flexible recharging of cars in parking structures. Over the last year, we have designed vehicles for the micro-mobility challenge. Our approach was based on adoption of the open-source Autoware system. The system was taken as a starting point for the design of a robust solution. Proposed requirements include a robust control design, a shift toward increased use of image data over LiDAR data, handling of a richer set of vehicles/pedestrians in a last mile scenario, and overall system characterization and evaluation. We present an overview of the overall design and the design decisions for construction of vehicles for last-mile delivery.
Do Managers’ Affiliation Ties Have a Negative Relationship with Subordinates’ Interfirm Mobility? Evidence from Large U.S. Law Firms

We hypothesize that employee mobility between organizations will be lower when the organizations’ managers share affiliation ties. We test this idea by examining interorganizational employee mobili...
Development and Testing of an Anatomic in vitro Kidney Model for Measuring Intrapelvic Pressure During Ureteroscopy.

Abstract Objectives To create an in vitro anatomic bench model that can mimic in vivo intrapelvic pressure (IPP) during ureteroscopy (URS) and compare it against existing in vivo and ex vivo data. Methods A silicone kidney model (Simagine Health) that permits intrarenal endoscopic navigation was engineered to have a fluid-tight seal for the ureteral opening and a Tuohy-Borst valve in the renal pelvis incorporating a 0.2 mm pressure sensor (Opsens). To calibrate the model, a Cobra ureteroscope (Wolf) was inserted to the pelvis with 200cmH2O irrigation, and the valve adjusted until an IPP of 54cmH2O was obtained (prior human data). All experiments were conducted with a laser fiber in the working channel, with and without ureteral access sheaths (UAS) (11/13F, 13/15F) at irrigation setting of 61, 102, 153, and 193cmH2O using an automated system (Rocamed). Study outcome was mean steady-state IPP for each UAS/irrigation condition. Results Fluid leakage through the Tuohy-Borst valve, which could be adjusted, was critical to simulate ureteric outflow during URS. IPP values for each condition corresponded with data from in vivo and ex vivo models. In the no UAS condition, IPP increased with increasing irrigation pressures, and surpassed 40cmH2O when ≥153cmH2O. When using a UAS, IPP was below 40cmH2O for all irrigation pressures. Conclusions An in vitro kidney model can simulate in vivo and ex vivo IPP profiles, and be tailored to different conditions by controlling fluid outflow. This bench model can be useful for testing of new technologies and their impact on IPP.
Fine Carbohydrate Structure of Dietary Resistant Glucans Governs the Structure and Function of Human Gut Microbiota.

Increased dietary fiber consumption has been shown to increase human gut microbial diversity, but the mechanisms driving this effect remain unclear. One possible explanation is that microbes are able to divide metabolic labor in consumption of complex carbohydrates, which are composed of diverse glycosidic linkages that require specific cognate enzymes for degradation. However, as naturally derived fibers vary in both sugar composition and linkage structure, it is challenging to separate out the impact of each of these variables. We hypothesized that fine differences in carbohydrate linkage structure would govern microbial community structure and function independently of variation in glycosyl residue composition. To test this hypothesis, we fermented commercially available soluble resistant glucans, which are uniformly composed of glucose linked in different structural arrangements, in vitro with fecal inocula from each of three individuals. We measured metabolic outputs (pH, gas, and short-chain fatty acid production) and community structure via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We determined that community metabolic outputs from identical glucans were highly individual, emerging from divergent initial microbiome structures. However, specific operational taxonomic units (OTUs) responded similarly in growth responses across individuals’ microbiota, though in context-dependent ways; these data suggested that certain taxa were more efficient in competing for some structures than others. Together, these data support the hypothesis that variation in linkage structure, independent of sugar composition, governs compositional and functional responses of microbiota.
High Accuracy RF-PUF for EM Security through Physical Feature Assistance using Public Wi-Fi Dataset

In this work, using physical features extracted from RF nonidealities in communicated EM signals, we show that radio frequency physical unclonable function (RF-PUF) performs much better compared to a solely convolutional neural network (CNN) based secure authentication method, ORACLE. For the static and quasi-static channels, respectively, we achieve 96% and 100% accuracy for RF-PUF compared to 87.13% and 98.6% accuracy for authentication using ORACLE. For the first time, RF-PUF has been applied for Wi-Fi devices to show that> 95% accuracy can be achieved for a wide range of transmitter and receiver separation from 2ft to 62ft both for the static and quasi-static channel, showing a peak of ~100% within 38ft range for the static case. The design space has been explored in detail. Finally, the concept of RF-PUF has been applied for clustering to detect safe-listed devices.
WTO Dispute Settlement – The Establishment of ‘Binding Guidance’ by the Appellate Body in US Stainless Steel and Recent Dispute Settlement Rulings

The Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO (hereafter WTO Agreement) together with the multilateral and plurilateral agreements of the WTO lay out the framework of WTO law. Having only been in existence since 1995 as the successor of the GATT, the WTO is still a relatively young international organisation.
Writing My next Design Science Research Master-piece: But How Do I Make a Theoretical Contribution to DSR?

Design science research is a valid research methodology today in IS. Its goal is to solve wicked problems and show that IT artifacts created to solve the problem has efficacy and utility. However developing design theories or making theoretical contributions (theory as artifact) is still a challenge. This thoughtful essay is meant to provide deep insights into the interplay between theory and design and provides some answers into two big questions: 1) where should we theorize in DSR and 2) how do we holistically approach theory development in the sciences of the artificial.
Do Race and Ethnicity Matter among Friends? Activities among Interracial, Interethnic, and Intraethnic Adolescent Friends

Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (or Add Health), a nationally representative sample of adolescents in 1994–1995, we examine if and how friendship activities differ among ...
α-Adrenergic Blockade in Myocardial Infarction

To the Editor: I read with interest the article by Gregorini et al1 that showed that α-adrenergic blockade improves recovery of myocardial perfusion and function after stenting in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and I suggest that this finding can be explained by a basic principle of the spasm of resistance vessel (S-RV) concept of ischemic heart disease (IHD), a theory that asserts that S-RV induces symptoms in IHD.2 A basic premise of the concept is that severe ischemic injury is a major cause of S-RV, and it is known that injury incites S-RV.3 It seems reasonable that stenotic coronary artery disease (CAD) can cause sufficient ischemic injury to induce ischemic injury–induced (II-I) S-RV, and the concept attributes effort angina to II-I S-RV; however, other vasoconstrictive forces, such as emotional stress, can also …
Amine Uncoupling of Energy Transfer in Chloroplasts I. RELATION TO AMMONIUM ION UPTAKE

Abstract Chloroplasts suspended in the presence of NH4Cl have been shown to take up ammonium ion from the medium on illumination. NH4+ uptake approached a maximum with increasing NH4Cl concentration, and was associated with a parallel inhibition of the light-induced pH change. Maximal values for rate and extent of NH4+ uptake did not vary greatly with pH. However, below pH 7 the apparent Km for NH4Cl rose markedly with decreasing pH, and this reflected a calculated Km for NH3 which did not change greatly. Above pH 7, the Km for NH3 increased with increasing pH, and this was associated with a loss of coupling between electron flow and energy conservation. It has been concluded that NH3 is the active species in NH4+ uptake. NH4+ and H+ uptake accompanying ferricyanide reduction in the Hill reaction have been compared with uptake linked to N-methylphenazonium methosulfate-catalyzed electron flow. It was found that between 2 and 3 H+ or NH4+ ions were taken up into the chloroplast per electron transported to ferricyanide. Competitive inhibition of NH4+ uptake under conditions of photophosphorylation has been found. Phlorizin at a concentration which completely inhibited photophosphorylation had little effect on the rate of H+ or NH4+ uptake, but partially reduced the extent of NH4+ uptake. A mechanism for NH4+ uptake has been proposed. It has been suggested that, on acidification of the chloroplast interior following H+ uptake, the equilibration of NH3 across the chloroplast membrane is displaced, and that more NH3 enters to replace that lost by association with H+. The net accumulation of NH4+ leads to an uptake of Cl- by diffusion, and the increased osmolarity within the chloroplasts leads to water movement and swelling. The mechanism proposed also provides a general mechanism for uncoupling by amines.
Father of My Soul: Reason and Affect in a Shipboard Conversion Narrative

In 1768, a young Swedish Lutheran, inspired by Voltaire, took up life as a merchant to learn more about the world and to find “true religion” based upon reason. When he boarded a ship to Corsica, his travelling companions were two hundred Mexican Jesuits recently expelled from the Americas. In close confines with these members of the Society of Jesus for the duration of his five-week journey, Thjulen chose to convert to Catholicism and, shortly after arriving in Italy, he became a Jesuit. This essay explores the nature of his conversion, utilizing affect theory to argue that he converted less to Catholicism than to the Society of Jesus, or—more precisely—Thjulen converted to remain in proximity to a particular Mexican Jesuit named Manuel Mariano (Emmanuele) de Iturriaga.
Dicumarol, coumadin, marcumar and tromexan; comparative study of their action on the clot as registered by the thrombelastogram.

There is considerable interest and some difference of opinion about the relative clinical usefulness of many oral anticoagulant agents. In this study the more commonly used agents are evaluated with respect to their action on the clotting process as measured by thrombelastography. This test does not necessarily provide an evaluation of all aspects of the clinical action of an anticoagulant.
Activation and inhibition of sperm motility by kidney products in the turtle, Trachemys scripta

Abstract 1. 1. Kidney size in male T. scripta exhibited significant seasonal variation; minimal kidney size was observed during autumn gametogenesis. Histological examination revealed no significant seasonal changes in kidney tubule epithelial height. 2. 2. Renal tubule epithelial cells exhibited pronounced granulation on routine histological examination. Further histochemical tests revealed the granules to test positive for glycogen, acid mucopolysaccharide, protein, lipid and mucin. 3. 3. Some kidney homogenate cytosols were capable of increasing sperm motility when added to suspensions of sperm removed from the ductus deferens of male turtles, but only during the April breeding period. Sperm motility was inhibited in response to kidney cytosols when tested prior to, and following, the spring breeding season. 4. 4. Neither dialysis nor charcoal treatment of activational and inhibitory kidney cytosols affected their ability to activate or inhibit sperm moltility; the inhibitory effects of kidney cytosols were unaffected by heat treatment.