cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Random Signal Levels for Channel Access in Packet Broadcast Networks

In this paper, it is proposed to employ random multiple signal levels for channel access in packet broadcast networks. We present priority-free random access protocols that possess the advantage of capture effect. The presented schemes are applied to the slotted ALOHA, and the performance is analyzed based on a conservative capture model. Closed-form expressions for the system throughput are derived for a general two-signal level system and a general m -signallevel system. It is shown that the maximum throughput for the twolevel system increases from 0.47 to 0.52 as the separation between the two levels increases. For the m -level system, the maximum throughput increases from 0.52 to 0.66 as m increases from three to infinity. Then a rotary-priority sure-capture random access scheme is presented, which can achieve perfect channel utilization. The time-delay characteristic and the throughput-delay tradeoff are analyzed for the simplest two-level system for which the higher level is double the lower level. The results compare favorably to those of the conventional slotted ALOHA system which employs a single signal level for packet transmission. A number of open problems are addressed.
Implementation of Axiomatic Language

This report summarizes a PhD research effort to implement a type of logic programming language called "axiomatic language". Axiomatic language is intended as a specification language, so its implementation involves the transformation of specifications to efficient algorithms. The language is described and the implementation task is discussed.
BAFF regulates B cell survival by downregulating the BH3-only family member Bim via the ERK pathway

The B cell activating factor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) is required for B cell survival and maturation. The mechanisms by which BAFF mediates B cell survival are less understood. We found that BAFF and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), which are related, block B cell antigen receptor (BCR)-induced apoptosis upstream of mitochondrial damage, which is consistent with a role for Bcl-2 family proteins. BCR ligation strongly increased expression of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 homology 3-only Bcl-2 protein Bim in both WEHI-231 and splenic B cells, and increases in Bim were reversed by BAFF or APRIL. Small interfering RNA vector-mediated suppression of Bim blocked BCR-induced apoptosis. BAFF also induced Bim phosphorylation and inhibited BCR-induced association of Bim with Bcl-2. BAFF induced delayed but sustained stimulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and its activators, mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK activating kinase (MEK) and c-Raf, and MEK inhibitors promoted accumulation and dephosphorylation of Bim. These results suggest that BAFF inhibits BCR-induced death by down-regulating Bim via sustained ERK activation, demonstrating that BAFF directly regulates Bim function. Although transitional immature type 1 (T1) B cell numbers are normal in Bim(-/-) mice, T2 and follicular mature B cells are elevated and marginal zone B cells are reduced. Our results suggest that mature B cell homeostasis is maintained by BAFF-mediated regulation of Bim.
Application of Multigoal Water Quality Planning Model

Least-cost water treatment systems for the West Fork White River in Indiana are calculated for several alternative water quality goals using a nonlinear programming model. The effect of the different goals on the annual total cost of the system is examined. Special attention is focused on the possibility of relaxing the quality goals downstream from major effluent sources in exchange for increased quality upstream from these sources. The role of the planning model as an information source for decision-making is examined. An appendix includes a summary of the nonlinear algorithm used and, in particular, the methods used to handle large-scale problems.
Role of NO on vasopressin and oxytocin release and blood pressure responses during osmotic stimulation in rats

NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 250 micrograms/5 microliters), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (5 microliters) was administered intracerebroventricularly to conscious naive rats or to rats treated subcutaneously (15 microliters/kg) with NaCl (0.15, 0.45, or 1.0 M) or given a needle prick only. Intracerebroventricular injection of L-NAME increased plasma concentration of vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) in control naive rats, indicating that NO tonically inhibits basal secretion of both hormones during isosmotic isovolemic conditions. Osmotic stimulation with hypertonic saline (0.45 and 1.0 M NaCl) elevated plasma levels of both hormones as expected. Central blockade of NO synthase further enhanced secretion of OT during mild, but not strong, osmotic stimulation, whereas the high levels of VP remained unaffected by L-NAME. In animals treated with the needle prick or 0.15 M NaCl, only OT levels were increased after L-NAME. Therefore, NO selectively inhibits OT release in response to a painful stimulus (needle prick) and moderate osmotic stimulation to promote a preferential release of VP. A transient pressor response was observed after subcutaneous injection of 0.15 and 0.45 M NaCl, but a sustained response was obtained after 1.0 M NaCl. Regardless of whether the animals received NaCl solutions, however, treatment with L-NAME elevated blood pressure in all animals. Thus NO-induced vasodilation maintains basal arterial blood pressure and limits the pressor response to osmotic stimulation.
Computational aspects of simulating megagauss-magnetic-field-induced plasma formation on Thick-wire metallic surfaces

Summary form only given. Understanding the physical processes that can lead to the formation of plasma on the surface of metals subjected to megagauss magnetic fields and magnetic pressures of 0.1 Mbar and more is vital for both basic science and a wide variety of applications. “Thick” wire, i.e., rod, experiments on the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Zebra generator (2 TW, 1 MA, 100 ns) have provided an extensive data base on aluminum surface plasma formation. “Cold start” magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) computer models, one using a Lagrangian technique with an equation-of-state (EOS) that has VanderWaals loops and the second using an Eulerian technique with a Maxwell-construct EOS, have satisfactorily predicted many of the observations and trends in the observations as experimental parameters are varied. UNR Eulerian modeling has computationally predicted a magnetic field threshold for plasma formation and has led to a conclusion that the plasma formation in the Zebra experiments is predominantly a thermal process driven by Ohmic heating, although the modeling demonstrated significant dependence on the choice of equation-of-state (EOS) and resistivity models. In this paper, we examine the sensitivity of the computational results to various computational aspects such as physical model (e.g., with or without thermal conduction), computational approach (Eulerian or Lagrangian), computational grid size, time-step control, vacuum treatment, EOS (Maxwell construct or VanderWaals loops), and other computational issues. We also discuss the insight into experimental behavior that can be learned from the computations.
Patient characteristics associated with outpatient prescriptions for nabumetone and oxaprozin versus celecoxib and rofecoxib.

Celecoxib and rofecoxib were the first two selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-receptor inhibitors to be marketed under the belief that they would be associated with fewer gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects than traditional nonselective non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The marketing
Micrometeorological simulations to predict the impacts of heat mitigation strategies on pedestrian thermal comfort in a Los Angeles neighborhood

The urban heat island impacts the thermal comfort of pedestrians in cities. In this paper, the effects of four heat mitigation strategies on micrometeorology and the thermal comfort of pedestrians were simulated for a neighborhood in eastern Los Angeles County. The strategies investigated include solar reflective “cool” roofs, vegetative “green roofs”, solar reflective cool pavements, and increased street-level trees. A series of micrometeorological simulations for an extreme heat day were carried out assuming widespread adoption of each mitigation strategy. Comparing each simulation to the control simulation assuming current land cover for the neighborhood showed that additional street-trees and cool pavements reduced 1.5m air temperature, while cool and green roofs provided cooling at heights above pedestrian level. However, cool pavements increased reflected sunlight from the ground to pedestrians near pavements in unshaded areas. This reflected radiation intensified the mean radiant temperature and consequently increased physiological equivalent temperature (PET) by 2.2°C during the day, reducing the thermal comfort of pedestrians. In locations near roadways with preexisting tree cover, cool pavements caused significant reductions in surface air temperatures and small changes in mean radiant temperature during the day, leading to decreases in PET of 1.1°C, and consequent improvements in thermal comfort. For improving thermal comfort of pedestrians during the afternoon in unshaded locations, adding street trees was found to be the most effective strategy. However, afternoon thermal comfort improvements in already shaded locations near streets were most significant for cool pavements. Green and cool roofs showed the lowest impact on the thermal comfort of pedestrians since they modify the energy balance at roof level, well above the height of pedestrians.
Cheap Paxos

Asynchronous algorithms for implementing a fault-tolerant distributed system, which can make progress despite the failure of any F processors, require 2F + 1 processors. Cheap Paxos, a variant of the Paxos algorithm, guarantees liveness under the additional assumption that the set of nonfaulty processors does not "jump around" too fast, but uses only F + 1 main processors that actually execute the system and F auxiliary processors that are used only to handle the failure of a main processor. The auxiliary processors take part in reconfiguring the system to remove the failed processor, after which they can remain idle until another main processor fails.
Regeneration of Spent Granular Activated Carbon Used for Kraft Pulp Waste Treatment

Spent granular activated carbon, used for treating kraft pulping waste water, was regenerated in an atmosphere of steam. In this experiments, regenerating temperature was kept at 830°C.Studies on pore-size distribution based upon mercury porosimetry showed that the pore volume of regenerated activated carbon increased with increasing regenerating time.Iodine number and decolorizing capacity of methylene blue increased with increasing regenerating time also. Adsorptive capacity for lignin attained maximum at 35 min of regenerating time.At constant regenerating time (35 min), quantity of inlet steam was changed from 40ml/min to 160 ml/min as water.Burning loss of activated carbon increased with increasing quantity of inlet steam.
Detection of chloramphenicol in the mucosa of hygienic product by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with isotope dilution

Objective:To establish a ultro –LC-MS method for quantification of chloramphenicol in hygienic product.Methods: The samples were extracted using methanol and the analyses were separated on ACQUITY UPLCTM BEH SHELD RP18 column(2.1×100 mm,1.7 μm)using water-acetonitrile as mobile phase for elution.The quantitative analysis was operated by electro spray ionization mass spectrometry under the negative mode using multiple reaction monitoring(MRM).To overcome the influence of the impurity in sample by adding chloramphenicol-D5 as internal standard.Results: The detection limit was 0.05 mg/kg.The linear calibration curves were obtained in the range of 10 ng/ml~500 ng/ml with correlation coefficient of 0.999.The average recoveries at three spiked concentration levels were 90.8%,95.5% and 98.6% with the relative standard deviations less than 4.77%.Conclusion: The method was sensitive,simple,accurate and selective and suitable for the determination of chloramphenicol in hygienic products.
Iris recognition based on independent component analysis and core vector machines

To solve the feature extraction problem and recognition problem in the process of iris recognition,an algorithm is proposed,which adopts independent component analysis to extract iris feature and core vector machines to recognize. Normalization and image en-hancement is used to process the iris position which is located in the eye images. Independent component analysis is used to extract stati-stical independent feature and a good result will be received by selecting right feature numbers. The core vector machine is used to classify the iris feature and it can handle large data sets more quickly by compared to support vector machines. Experimental results show that the algorithm is feasible and suitable for iris recognition.
Microscale air quality impacts of distributed power generation facilities

ABSTRACTThe electric system is experiencing rapid growth in the adoption of a mix of distributed renewable and fossil fuel sources, along with increasing amounts of off-grid generation. New operational regimes may have unforeseen consequences for air quality. A three-dimensional microscale chemical transport model (CTM) driven by an urban wind model was used to assess gaseous air pollutant and particulate matter (PM) impacts within ~10 km of fossil-fueled distributed power generation (DG) facilities during the early afternoon of a typical summer day in Houston, TX. Three types of DG scenarios were considered in the presence of motor vehicle emissions and a realistic urban canopy: (1) a 25-MW natural gas turbine operating at steady state in either simple cycle or combined heating and power (CHP) mode; (2) a 25-MW simple cycle gas turbine undergoing a cold startup with either moderate or enhanced formaldehyde emissions; and (3) a data center generating 10 MW of emergency power with either diesel or natural ...
Numerical simulations of holographic spatiospectral traces of spatiotemporally distorted ultrashort laser pulses

We simulate traces for a catalog of spatiotemporally complex pulses measured using a single-shot complete spatiotemporal pulse-measurement technique we recently developed, called Spatially and Temporally Resolved Intensity and Phase Evaluation Device: Full Information from a Single Hologram (STRIPED FISH). The only such technique ever developed to our knowledge, STRIPED FISH measures the complete spatiotemporal intensity I(x,y,t) and phase ϕ(x,y,t) of an arbitrary laser pulse using an experimentally recorded trace consisting of multiple digital holograms, one for each frequency present in the pulse. To understand the effects of various spatiotemporal distortions on the STRIPED FISH trace, we numerically investigate STRIPED FISH trace features for a catalog of pulses, including the spatially and temporally transform-limited pulse, temporal and spatial double pulses, spherically focusing and diverging pulses, self-phase modulated and self-focusing pulses, spatiotemporally coupled pulses, and pulses with complex structures. As a practical example, we also analyze an experimentally recorded trace of a focusing pulse with spatial chirp. Overall, we find that, from STRIPED FISH's informative trace, significant spatiotemporal characteristics of the unknown pulse can be immediately recognized from the camera frame. This, coupled with its simple pulse-retrieval algorithm, makes STRIPED FISH an excellent technique for measuring and monitoring ultrafast laser sources.
Gain-threshold and oseilSafion in photorefractive double phase conjugate mirrors

The double phase conjugate mirror1 (DPCM) is a unique photorefractive device in which two mutually incoherent input beams become phase conjugates of each other. Recently, we have developed a model that simulates the temporal and spatial behavior of (DPCM).2 We have found that the conjugation fidelity as a function of gain exhibits a threshold (gain-threshold). Here, using the same model, we investigate the behavior of DPCM for gain values around the threshold. We find that varying the noise (amplitude and phase), does not affect the threshold value nor does it change the steady state characteristics (reflectivity, fidelity) of DPCM above the threshold. We find that the time response of the system tends to increase with decreasing gain, and reaches a maximum near the threshold. We also find that input-beam intensity ratios other than unity result in asymmetric conjugation process where the thresholds of the two beams differ. We find that DPCM behaves like an oscillator above the threshold, but evolves continuously from an amplifier. Finally, we find that the threshold strongly depends on the phase profiles of the two beams. These results provide a deeper insight into the stimulated wave mixing process, and will be useful for understanding the limitations of device applications, as proposed by many authors.
[Indirect comparison of different adjuvant chemotherapies for stage II-III gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy in Asian patients].

Objective To compare efficacy of different adjuvant chemotherapy regimens for stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy in Asian patients.Methods Associated literatures were searched through electronic databases and hand-searching.Prospective randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing adjuvant chemotherapy after D2 gastrectomy with surgery alone were included in the study.Overall survival and disease-free survival were chosen as the endpoints.Relative hazard was analyzed by Bucher adjusted indirect comparison.Results Two RCTs were selected,including comparison between S-1 versus surgery alone and comparison between XELOX versus surgery alone.There was no statistical difference in overall survival between the two regimens (HR=0.94,95％CI:0.62-1.44,P=0.79).The recurrence risk of S-1 was slightly higher as compared to XELOX,but no statistical difference was found (HR=1.11,95％CI:0.80-1.53,P=0.54).Conclusion The adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 is similar to XELOX for stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy in Asian patients. Key words: Stomach neoplasms ; Adjuvant chemotherapy; Treatment outcomes ; Indirect comparison
Combining evidence and diffusion of innovation theory to enhance influenza immunization.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Children and adolescents with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and HIV are at high risk of influenza-related morbidity, and there are recommendations to immunize these populations annually. At Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the influenza immunization rate increased to 90.4% (5% declined) among 200 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Diffusion of innovation theory was used to guide the design and implementation of spread to other clinics. Method The main intervention strategies were: (1) engagement of interested, nurse-led teams, (2) A collaborative learning session, (3) A tool kit including literature, sample goals, reminder postcards, communication strategies, and team member roles and processes, (4) open-access scheduling and standing orders (5) A simple Web-based registry, (6) facilitated vaccine ordering, (7) recall phone calls, and (8) weekly results posting. Results Clinic-specific immunization rates ranged from 32.7% to 92.8%, with the highest rate reported in the CF clinic. All teams used multiple strategies; with six of the seven using four or more. Overall, 60.0% (762/1,269) of the population was immunized. Barriers included vaccine shortages, lack of time for reminder calls, and lack of physician support in one clinic. Discussion A combination of interventions, guided by evidence and diffusion of innovation theory, led to immunization rates higher than those reported in the literature.
Introduction to General Methods of Estimation

In this chapter we will introduce some important methods for finding reasonable estimators of parameters of a population. Of these, Bayes estimators will be treated in some detail, especially to illustrate various admissible estimators. The maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) and the method of moments are discussed briefly. Although the MLE is generally regarded as the most important method of estimation, its asymptotic optimality properties are best described in Part II on large sample theory.
Large deviations for many server networks with long range dependent and batch arrivals

A sample path large deviations principle is established for the (scaled) vector of number of customers in a Jackson network of many-server queues, in the asymptotic regime where the arrival rate at each queue and the number of servers increase to infinity in a specified fashion. This result is obtained under the assumption of (possibly time-inhomogeneous) Markovian service and routing, and a condition on the scaled sequence of cumulative arrival processes, which holds for a wide class of long-range dependent and batch arrival processes. Moreover, the explicit form of the rate function is obtained in the single-queue setting, and the most likely way in which a large number of customers build up in the system is identified by solving a variational problem.
The Development and Validation of the Perceived Academic Underachievement Scale

ABSTRACTAcademic competence beliefs have been widely studied. However, conceptual and measurement efforts have not yet been directed toward understanding perceived underachievement (feeling that one's accomplishments fall below perceived capability). We conducted two studies in order to develop and examine validity evidence for the Perceived Academic Underachievement Scale (PAUS). Participants were individuals enrolled for credit in at least one post-secondary course. In Study 1, we evaluated content validity and conducted an exploratory factor analysis. In Study 2, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis and investigated external validity. For both samples, PAUS demonstrated good internal consistency reliability, and items loaded strongly onto a single factor. PAUS was empirically distinct from a range of related constructs. Findings represent preliminary validation evidence.
Progress of Family Planning Program of India

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between socioeco­nomic development and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of family plan­ning in India. This study tests the following major hypothesis: The higher the level of socioeconomic development, the more extensive the KAP of family planning will be among the states of India. The study applies correlation and multiple regression analysis of data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS}, India: 1998-1999 using level of development to predict three major categories (KAP) of family planning. The findings support the hypothesis in large measure, revealing that the overall socioeconomic development is di­rectly related to the KAP of family planning among the states of India. Key­words: Knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning; socio-economic conditions; India.
Treatment of HIV positive anal cancer patients with chemoradiation

4154 Background: Tolerance and outcomes of HIV+ anal cancer patients are questioned, especially since the emergence of High Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) in the mid-1990s. Our experience in treating these patients before and during the HAART era is reported. Methods: From 1987–2003, 19 HIV+ invasive anal cancer patients were treated with: 30–60 Gy pelvic RT (2 Gy/d) + Mitomycin C (10 mg/m2 bolus on d1) + 5-FU (1000 mg/m2/d, continuous infusion d1–4 and 28–31). Results: Mean CD-4 count at cancer diagnosis was 311, with 9 on HAART. Mean CD-4 count for HAART was 383 and 247 for non-HAART. Stage distribution: 1 T1, 9 T2, 9 T3, 18 N0, 1 N3. Mean f/u was 40 months. 79% had complete response after chemoRT. 4 had locally persistent disease. There was 1 loco-regional recurrence and 2 distant metastases. 79% of the cohort is colostomy-free. Median OS has not been reached. OS at 2 and 3 years were: 88%and 79%, with 10 Alive and NED, 1 Alive with disease, 3 Dead of disease, 5 Dead from intercurrent disease (...
Surgical Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by severe, episodic pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Medical therapy is the first line treatment. For patients with refractory pain, a variety of procedures including microvascular decompression, percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy, percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy, percutaneous balloon compression, and stereotactic radiosurgery are available. We review the literature and suggest that microvascular decompression remains the gold standard operative therapy. For patients with recurrent pain or who are poor operative candidates, percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy offers the best pain response rates and has the advantage of being able to selectively target affected trigeminal divisions.
Alzheimer dementia: Starting, stopping drug therapy.

Alzheimer disease is the most common type of dementia. Two classes of cognition-enhancing drugs are approved to treat the symptoms, and both have provided modest benefit in clinical trials. Psychotropic drugs are sometimes used off-label to treat behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer disease. All these medications should be continuously evaluated for clinical efficacy and, when appropriate, discontinued if the primary benefit—preservation of cognitive and functional status and a reduction in behaviors associated with dementia—is no longer being achieved.
MORE THAN A STAGE: DECOLONIZATION, ANAL SEX, AND THE DIRTY EROTICS OF POWER IN DELEUZE, GUATTARI, DEVEREUX, AND HERZOG

The footprint of Dagmar Herzog's scholarship has moved from Germany to the United States, then back again, before expanding outwards across Europe as well as to spaces drawn into Europe's orbit by conquest. Historically specific intersections between gender, religion, and politics are her specialty, with sexuality and sex as crucial sightlines in the constantly shifting landscapes that these always-moving parts compose. No historian currently writing in English on the late modern period, arguably, more acutely captures the intensity and conflicts that absorb individuals as well as larger groups as they live in and through these distinct topographies. This she does, in part, through the depth and the breadth of her research, which allow Herzog to reveal connections and disjunctures in ways that grab the reader's attention as well as explain the stakes. Her writings reveal an ability to listen to sources and care about what they intimate that is more often seen in certain scholars of the medieval or other exotic histories that rely on scarce or sketchy sources. For historians of the modern era, between the birth of ideology and ready access to endless and dense types of documentation, what Herzog continues to do is a revelation.
Identification of missing variants by combining multiple analytic pipelines.

After decades of identifying risk factors using array-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genetic research of complex diseases has shifted to sequencing-based rare variants discovery. This requires large sample sizes for statistical power and has brought up questions about whether the current variant calling practices are adequate for large cohorts. It is well-known that there are discrepancies between variants called by different pipelines, and that using a single pipeline always misses true variants exclusively identifiable by other pipelines. Nonetheless, it is common practice today to call variants by one pipeline due to computational cost and assume that false negative calls are a small percent of total. We analyzed 10,000 exomes from the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP) using multiple analytic pipelines consisting of different read aligners and variant calling strategies. We compared variants identified by using two aligners in 50,100, 200, 500, 1000, and 1952 samples; and compared variants identified by adding single-sample genotyping to the default multi-sample joint genotyping in 50,100, 500, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 samples. We found that using a single pipeline missed increasing numbers of high-quality variants correlated with sample sizes. By combining two read aligners and two variant calling strategies, we rescued 30% of pass-QC variants at sample size of 2000, and 56% at 10,000 samples. The rescued variants had higher proportions of low frequency (minor allele frequency [MAF] 1–5%) and rare (MAF < 1%) variants, which are the very type of variants of interest. In 660 Alzheimer’s disease cases with earlier onset ages of ≤65, 4 out of 13 (31%) previously-published rare pathogenic and protective mutations in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 genes were undetected by the default one-pipeline approach but recovered by the multi-pipeline approach. Identification of the complete variant set from sequencing data is the prerequisite of genetic association analyses. The current analytic practice of calling genetic variants from sequencing data using a single bioinformatics pipeline is no longer adequate with the increasingly large projects. The number and percentage of quality variants that passed quality filters but are missed by the one-pipeline approach rapidly increased with sample size.
Self-reported drug use six months after a brief intervention: do changes in reported use vary by mental health status?

Although brief intervention (BI) for alcohol and other drug problems has been associated with decreased levels of self-reported substance use, there is little information in the literature as to whether individuals with co-occurring hazardous substance use and mental illness would benefit from BI to the same extent as those without mental illness, despite high estimates comorbidity. This study took advantage of a naturalistic situation where a screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) program had been implemented in a large hospital emergency department in Seattle, WA. A subset of patients who received BI was interviewed six months following the intervention about current alcohol/drug use. A search of the patients’ medical records allowed us to divide the sample into those with and without evidence of mental illness and to analyze their self-reported drug use. Although unadjusted means indicated a possible decrease in illegal drug use between baseline and follow-up interviews for both groups, there was no significant difference between mentally ill and non-mentally ill subgroups with regard to self-reported changes in substance use. Changes in self-reported alcohol and binge drinking days showed a similar pattern. Although the lack of a comparison group prevented us from attributing change in reported use to BI alone, these data suggest the impact of BI on subsequent drug and alcohol use may not differ among patients with mental-health diagnoses.
SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA IN CULTURE

Publisher Summary This chapter describes sympathetic ganglia in culture. Freshly excised ganglia contain terminals of preganglionic cholinergic neurons, cell bodies of sympathetic neurons whose axonal processes extend into the post ganglionic nerve trunk or possibly on other ganglion cells and small numbers of other catecholamine-containing cells some of which are intensely fluorescent. In addition, there are a variety of non-neuronal supporting elements. In a recent careful study of neurons in cultured sympathetic ganglia from neonatal rodents and chick embryos, two types of neurons were distinguished. Most of the neurons, which were called Type II, were relatively large, egg-shaped cells with eccentric round clear nuclei, abundant clear cytoplasm, and one or more processes. The catecholamine fluorescence of these cells was usually low and always evenly distributed. About 5–10% of the cells were small, with scant cytoplasm and variable intensity of catecholamine fluorescence. These small Type I cells were most outstanding because of their ability to migrate out of the cultured ganglion.
Thermal and Brine Microcosms

Hot springs, brines, anaerobic waters, temporary ponds, tide pools, frigid water, and other extreme conditions are recurring in the biosphere. They are accompanied by characteristic ecosystems composed of adapted organisms. Often occurring in small volumes as natural microcosms (Duke 1967; Ganning and Wulff 1970), these ecosystems can be readily duplicated in experimental microcosms.
Cell Therapy and Structural Plasticity Following Cerebral Ischemia

Conventional therapeutic strategies in stroke, both ischemic and hemorrhagic, have focused on the prevention of further stroke. Stem cell transplantation shifts the paradigm of stroke therapy in that it aims to repair the ischemic brain by facilitating the brain’s plasticity to regenerate synaptic structures and reorganize its functional architecture after injury. Transplanted neural progenitor cells have been shown to migrate to the ischemic penumbra and improve functional recovery. The mechanisms through which transplanted cells exert their effects include promoting dendritic branching, facilitating axonal rewiring and axonal transport, enhancing neovascularization, and modulating the inflammatory response. This chapter discusses the molecular mechanisms that underlie axonal and dendritic regeneration; focuses on the effect of stem cells on brain remodeling following stroke, as plasticity is thought to play a major role in recovery; and examines the logistical considerations of stem cell transplantation in a translational context. Stem cell transplantation for stroke is a nascent field of research, and much work is needed to optimize its therapeutic benefit and to minimize its risks.
Work System Barriers and Strategies Reported by Tele-Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Case Study

Tele-intensive care units (ICUs) are an innovation to handle issues such as personnel shortage and improving care. In tele-ICUs, clinical teams monitor ICU patients remotely and support clinicians in multiple ICUs. The tele-ICU and ICU clinicians function as virtual teams. Little is known how these teams function and what challenges they encounter. We examined the challenges from the perspective of nurses in a tele-ICU. We used a case study design and conducted interviews with 10 tele-ICU nurses. The nurses encounter challenges in interacting with the multiple ICUs that they monitor remotely and have developed strategies to cope with these challenges.
Race and Discipline at a Racially Mixed High School: Status, Capital, and the Practice of Organizational Routines:

In this article, we study a diverse suburban high school to illustrate how racial inequality is embedded in school disciplinary routines. Focusing primarily on the experiences of Black and White st...
Time-Series Analysis of Laboratory Values in the Context of Long-Term Hospitalized Patient Mortality.

Objectives Long-term hospitalized patients have a higher risk of adverse outcomes and mortality rate. These patients often rapidly deteriorate, leading to death. We aim to evaluate end-of-life laboratory values time trends among deceased long-term inpatients. Methods Time-stamped laboratory data for adult inpatients who had died in the hospital were extracted. The data were normalized and time-series analysis was performed. The patients were also clustered based on the laboratory result trends. Results Laboratory results from 257 patients were evaluated. Significant time trends were observed: serum urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and potassium increased while platelets and albumin decreased. Most patients showed significant shifts in at least four major laboratory indices within the last week of life. Conclusions In the last week of life in chronically hospitalized patients, an alteration of the physiologic state of the patient occurs that manifests as subtle changes in metabolite levels compared with the patient's baseline.
Analysis of Data from a Corporate Prediction Market

Although some companies, such as Google, Best Buy and GE have generated and used prediction markets internally there has been limited investigation of real world use of prediction markets. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to investigate three issues associated with real world data derived from corporate use of prediction markets.
Whole Exome Sequencing Among 26 Patients With Indeterminate Acute Liver Failure: A Pilot Study.

Introduction The etiology of acute liver failure (ALF) remains an important prognostic factor. The Acute Liver Failure Study Group recently reported that 150 of 2,718 adult patients with ALF (5.5%) had an indeterminate etiology. Our aim was to use whole exome sequencing to identify genetic variants associated with phenotypic, biochemical, and histologic features among patients with indeterminate ALF. Methods This effort has defined a cohort of well-pedigreed patients with indeterminate ALF; DNA samples extracted from whole blood samples were obtained from 26 respective patients with indeterminate ALF. These samples were kept at the Acute Liver Failure Study Group repository at the NIDDK, Bethesda. Whole exome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed at the Mayo Clinic Center of Individualized Medicine in Rochester, MN. Results Of the 26 patients, 8 survived spontaneously, 6 died, and 12 underwent a liver transplantation; all those transplanted were alive at 21 days after enrollment in the study. Twenty-two of the 26 patients presented as ALF. We found 12 variants associated with 11 genes. The most common variant was rs4940595 in the SERPINB11 gene which was found in 23 of the 26 patients. This variant had a stop codon; no reports of disorders have been associated with this variant. The next most commonly found variant was rs1135840 in the CYP2D6 gene; this mutation is a missense_variant and has been reported to be associated with hepatotoxicity of antituberculous therapy. None of our patients were receiving this therapy. We also found a significant asymmetric distribution of rs1800754 of the CYP2D7 gene and rs1135840 of the CYP2D6 gene between patients who survived spontaneously (75%) and those who died or underwent liver transplantation (30.5% and 25%, respectively). Discussion We found 12 variants of 11 genes significantly associated with ALF among adults with indeterminate etiology. We also found a significant asymmetric distribution of 2 variants belonging to the CYP2D7 and CYP2D6 genes, respectively, between those who survived spontaneously and those who died or underwent liver transplantation. The 2 most common variants, rs4940595 and rs1135840, of the SERPINB11 and CYP2D6 genes, respectively, found in our patients with ALF have been described as potentially important in the adaptive response combating the emergence of infectious diseases and associated with hepatotoxicity of antituberculous therapy, respectively. Our findings need to be expanded to include more patients with indeterminate ALF as well as viral, drug toxicity, and autoimmune etiologies to determine whether our findings are associated with the specific etiology, indeterminate, or with the overall ALF syndrome itself.
Nerve Growth Factor

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a member of a family of growth and survival factors known as neurotrophins. Although these factors were discovered because of their actions during development, they are now known to function throughout the life of the animal. NGF plays a prominent role in nociception because its selective receptor trkA is expressed primarily on nociceptors. Recent studies have demonstrated that it sensitizes the response to nociceptive stimuli via acute posttranscriptional mechanisms and by changing expression of numerous genes. NGF is also recognized as a major factor controlling the dynamic axonal arborization pattern and density of nociceptors. These findings have led to promising clinical developments in pain biology. Other neurotrophins such as NT-3 and BDNF have also been studied extensively and are important determinants of structure and function in the central nervous system.
Cybersecurity Deception Experimentation System

Cybersecurity deception research has had many successes in recent years. While early cyber deception systems (e.g., honeypots) were largely static, recent approaches leverage computational game theory and machine learning techniques to allow for dynamic deception strategies that can potentially observe, react, and adapt to an adversary in both the short and long term. However, applying these theoretical models and algorithms in real-world settings poses additional considerations that are not always apparent in theory. Currently, testbeds and experimentation platforms for dynamic deception are lacking, limiting the ability of researchers and analysts to test and evaluate these approaches using realistic scenarios and data.Honeypots are a technology where these dynamic deception methods can have a great impact on effectiveness. The basic technology to mimic nodes and network services has been used for several decades and is effective against less experienced adversaries, but is less useful against sophisticated intruders. Using adaptation, behavior-based model development and reasoning and other artificial intelligence techniques have the potential to make honeypots much more effective against experienced adversaries by making them less predictable and more targeted. Before these novel technologies can be used in the real world, it is critical that they are tested and validated on realistic systems and in realistic settings.We present the Cybersecurity Deception Experimentation System (CDES) that extends the Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) to provide a platform that is capable of evaluating dynamic deception algorithms. We also provide three case studies that demonstrate how CDES can be used to practically implement dynamic honeypots in increasingly complex scenarios and discuss some nuances of each implementation.
Multi-parametric Ultrasound Tissue Characterization (MUTC) as a surrogate to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) characterization

Ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) provides ultrasound elastography and quantitative metrics extracted from RF data for evaluating tissue mechanics and microstructure. Our goal is to learn multi-parametric models on the same patient population for regression of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Proton-Density Fat-Fraction (MRI-PDFF). The results show that non-linear multi-parameteric UTC models (e.g., multi-layer perceptron, random forests, Gaussian processes) are superior to multi-linear regression approaches and outperform qualitative radiologist assessment. Integration of radiologist feedback with UTC further improves PDFF regression.
Thermal boundary conductance across epitaxial metal/sapphire interfaces

As electronic devices shrink down to their ultimate limit, the fundamental understanding of interfacial thermal transport becomes essential in thermal management. However, a comprehensive understanding of phonon transport mechanisms that drive interfacial thermal transport is still under development. The thermal transport across interfaces can be strongly affected by factors such as crystalline structure, surface roughness, chemical diffusion, etc. These complications lead to a significant quantitative uncertainty between experimentally measured thermal boundary conductance (TBC) across real material interfaces and theoretically calculated TBCs that are often predicted on structurally and/or chemically ideal interfaces. In this paper, we report on the thermal conductance across interfaces between various epitaxially grown metal films (Co, Ru, and Al) and $c$-plane sapphire substrates via time-domain thermoreflectance over the temperature range of \ensuremath{\sim}80 to \ensuremath{\sim}500 K. The room-temperature interface conductances of Al/sapphire, Co/sapphire, and Ru/sapphire are all $\ensuremath{\sim}350\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MW}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ despite the phonon spectra differences among the metals. We compare our results to predictions of TBC using atomistic Green's function calculations and the modal nonequilibrium Landauer method with transmission from the diffuse mismatch model. We found a consistent quantitative agreement between the experimentally measured TBCs and the predictions using the modal nonequilibrium Landauer model for the $\mathrm{Al}/{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, $\mathrm{Co}/{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, and $\mathrm{Ru}/{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ interfaces. This result suggests that interfacial elastic phonon thermal transport dominates TBC for the various epitaxial metal/sapphire combinations of interest in this work, while other mechanisms are negligible.
Chipping: a pervasive presence in nature, science and technology

Chipping is an all too common occurrence in nature, ubiquitous in various aspects of home and outdoor experience. While it can have deleterious consequences, it can also be harnessed to advantage in such diverse areas as manufacturing, health care, biological evolution and anthropological tool reproduction. This article outlines the fundamental science of chipping, with a broad selection of illustrative case studies. While the focus will be on those solids most susceptible to chip fracture, namely those of an intrinsically brittle nature, the generality of the underlying mechanics will be a central theme.
Dorsal Bridge Plate for Distal Radius Fractures: A Systematic Review.

Purpose This study presents patient demographics, injury characteristics, outcomes, and complications associated with dorsal bridge plating (DBP) in the treatment of distal radius fractures . Methods A literature search performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines identified 206 articles, 12 of which met inclusion criteria, accounting for 310 patients. Included articles contained the results of DBP for treatment of distal radius fractures with reported outcomes between 1988 and 2018. Data were pooled and analyzed focusing on patient demographics, as well as 3 primary outcomes of complications, range of motion (ROM), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) and QuickDASH scores. Results Average age was 55 years, median follow-up was 24 months, and the most common use was in comminuted (92%) intra-articular (92%) distal radius fracture caused by fall (58%), or motor vehicle collision or motorcycle collision (27%). A minority of patients had open fractures (16%) and most were cases of polytrauma (65%). Median time from placement to DBP removal was 17 weeks (mean, 119 days). At final follow-up, mean wrist ROM was 45° flexion, 50° extension, 75° pronation , and 73° supination . Mean DASH score was 26.1, and mean Quick DASH score was 19.8. The overall rate for any complication was 13%; the most common was hardware failure (3%) followed by symptomatic malunion or nonunion (3%), and persistent pain after hardware removal (2%). Conclusions Dorsal bridge plating was found to be used most commonly in intra-articular, comminuted distal radius fractures with overall functional wrist ROM, moderate patient-reported disability, and a 13% complication rate at follow-up. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.