cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost Analysis For The Development Of Digital Imaging Network

SummaryUtilizing multiple data bases from within Georgetown UniversityMedical Center, a model of the radiology department's financialperformance is being developed. This model will allow for thecollection and analysis of data elements which are impacted by DINacquisition and affect the financial performance of thedepartment. The model will reflect actual historical performanceand will allow for changes in volume, unit charges, reimbursementmethodologies, personnel efficiency, variation of impact onvariable and fixed expenses of operation, assessment of impact onoverhead allocations, and variation of discounting factors for netpresent value assessment.In addition to the alteration of the assumptions, the modelwill allow for selective role up of the approximately 25 costcenters which comprise the Georgetown University Department ofRadiology.The major limitation of the model will be the difficulty of theorganization to always separate the impact of DINS from the impactof other concurrent changes in the department's operations.
The role of corporate governance in foreign investments

This article examines whether and how the corporate governance practices of firms affect foreign investors’ decisions to invest in their firms. Using a comprehensive data set of foreign equity holdings of mutual funds from 37 countries worldwide, we find that fund managers tend to tilt their portfolio weights towards firms with strong governance systems. Particularly, they invest more in foreign firms with good board characteristics and independent auditors. This result suggests that mutual funds, facing informational disadvantage in their foreign investments, prefer firms with better governance systems as a substitute for their own costly information acquisition and monitoring activities. Furthermore, firms with better governance structures attract more foreign investments irrespective of their country-level investor protection environments.
Purification and Amino Terminal Sequencing of Human Melanoma Nerve Growth Factor Receptor

The nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor, solubilized with Triton X-100 detergent, has been purified from human melanoma cell line A875. Purification to near-homogeneity was achieved by chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin-agarose, followed by immunoaffinity chromatography on Sepharose columns coupled with anti-NGF receptor monoclonal antibody (MAb). The purified receptor, a 75,000-dalton protein, retains the capacity to bind NGF as well as anti-receptor MAbs. Final purification was achieved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The sequence of amino acid residues at the amino terminus has been determined. Possible sequence homology between the NGF receptor and several other proteins is discussed. Using the purified receptor as immunogen, new MAbs to the NGF receptor have been produced. The NGF receptor was visualized by immunoperoxidase staining in tissue sections of dorsal root ganglia from monkeys.
Teaching programming to the deaf

For certain groups of handicapped persons the field of computer science offers challenging, high-paying careers which are more accessible than other careers. Programming can be done at cathode ray tube terminals which provide a dynamic, visual environment needed by the hearing impaired, and which can be placed in locations convenient to those with mobility impairments. Unfortunately, most colleges and universities are not prepared to teach such students, particularly the deaf. In this paper an ongoing research project to design an online, dynamic, student-controlled library of programming language examples for use in teaching programming languages is described. This system promises to be useful in meeting the needs of handicapped students.
The effect of skin grafting upon prolyl hydroxylase and hyaluronidase activities in mammalian wound repair.

Abstract In normally healing open wounds a five-fold increase in prolyl hydroxylase activity, an indicator of collagen synthesis, was observed between Days 5 and 15 which could be effectively suppressed by skin grafting. Decreased prolyl hydroxylase activities under grafts probably reflect decreased collagen synthesis. Collagen concentration (μg hydroxyproline/mg dry wt) increased in grafted granulation tissue while collagen per unit area decreased, suggesting a greater resorption of noncollagenous granulation tissue components. The removal of noncollagenous substances in open and grafted wound granulation tissue by the hyaluronidase described in the present study provides the first example of a functioning degradative system that could help to account for such collagen concentration increases.
Megavolt gyro-traveling-wave amplifier experiment at 35 GHz

Summary form only given, as follows. An intense-beam gyro-traveling-wave amplifier (gyro-TWA) experiment has been carried out at 35 GHz, using a 1-MeV, 200-A beam from the VEBA pulseline accelerator. The experiment was carried out in a 10.8-mm-diameter drift tube and used a 6-mm-diameter solid electron beam with low initial traverse momentum and very low initial parallel velocity spread. The electron transverse momentum required by the gyro-traveling-wave interaction (bp~0.3-0.4) was induced by transit through a one-period untapered bifilar helical wiggler magnet with a 4-cm period. A 35-GHz signal was launched in the TE11, mode using a directional sidewall coupler. A massive iron collar (6-1/4-cm diameter, 6-cm long) was placed around the 1.27-cm outer diameter of the stainless-steel drift tube as a means to exclude the applied axial magnetic field and thus to control and vary the axial extent of the interaction. In experiments operating at 8 kG, near grazing incidence between the dispersion relations of the beam and waveguide modes, the the gyro-TWA demonstrated linear growth rates of ~2 dB/cm, total gain exceeding 30 dB, and an output power of g20 MW
A new method for transonic static aeroelasticity problems

A new method has been developed to calculate the steady flow and structural deformations for fluid/structure interaction problems. The discretized fluid dynamic and structural equations are regarded as a single set of coupled, nonlinear, algebraic equations. The equilibrium solution is directly obtained using Newton's method. The governing equations used for the fluid flow are the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations, and a finite-element model is used to represent the structure. This paper describes the analytical method and presents sample calculations demonstrating the technique. The results show rapid convergence and good agreement with experimental data.
On the power efficiency of sensory and ad-hoc wireless networks

We consider the power efficiency of a communications channel, i.e., the maximum bit rate that can be achieved per unit power (energy rate). For additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels, it is well known that power efficiency is attained in the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime where capacity is proportional to the transmit power. In this paper, we first show that for a random sensory wireless network with n users (nodes) placed in a domain of fixed area, with probability converging to one as n grows, the power efficiency scales at least by a factor of /spl radic/n. In other words, each user in a wireless channel with n nodes can support the same communication rate as a single-user system, but by expending only 1//spl radic/n times the energy. Then we look at a random ad hoc network with n relay nodes and r simultaneous transmitter/receiver pairs located in a domain of fixed area. We show that as long as r/spl les//spl radic/n, we can achieve a power efficiency that scales by a factor of /spl radic/n. We also give a description of how to achieve these gains.
Trust and Physician-assisted suicide

In the first week of January, the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments in the matter of assisted suicide. The prohibition against physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in Oregon, New York, and Washington is being challenged.
The origin of similarity fields in steady elastoplastic crack propagation under K–T loading

It has been inferred from computer simulations that the plastic-zone fields of a crack that propagates steadily under K–T loading are similarity fields. Here, we show theoretically that these similarity fields are but a manifestation of the existence of an invariant path integral. We also show that the attendant similarity variable involves an intrinsic length scale set by the specific fracture energy that flows into the crack tip. Finally, we show that where the crack is stationary there can be no similarity fields, even though there exists a (different) invariant path integral. Our results afford some new insights into the relation between similarity fields and invariant path integrals in mathematical physics.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) in response to restoration practices

Interactions with soil microbiota determine the success of restoring plants to their native habitats. The goal of our study was to understand the effects of restoration practices on interactions of giant sequoia Sequoiadendron giganteum with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glomeromycota). Natural regeneration of Sequoiadendron is threatened by the absence of severe fires that create forest canopy gaps. Generating artificial canopy gaps offers an alternative tool for giant sequoia restoration. We investigated the effect of regeneration practices, including (i) sapling location within gaps, (ii) gap size and (iii) soil substrate, on AM fungal colonization of giant sequoia sapling roots in a native giant sequoia grove of the Sierra Nevada, California. We found that the extent of AM fungal root colonization was positively correlated with sapling height and light availability, which were related to the location of the sapling within the gap and the gap size. While colonization frequency by arbuscules in saplings on ash substrate was higher relative to saplings in mineral soil, the total AM fungal root colonization was similar between the substrates. A negative correlation between root colonization by Glomeromycota and non-AM fungal species indicated antagonistic interactions between different classes of root-associated fungi. Using DNA genotyping, we identified six AM fungal taxa representing genera Glomus and Ambispora present in Sequoiadendron roots. Overall, we found that AM fungal colonization of giant sequoia roots was associated with availability of plant-assimilated carbon to the fungus rather than with the AM fungal supply of mineral nutrients to the roots. We conclude that restoration practices affecting light availability and carbon assimilation alter feedbacks between sapling growth and activity of AM fungi in the roots.
Speech Science: Technique, Concept, Theory

The purpose of this paper is to outline a history and a possible future of speech science as a discipline. Two major and sometimes opposing views of speech science are discussed. One view is inspired by Stetson's work, and holds that study of speech movements is most likely to reveal the essentials of speech motor control. The other view regards the speech acoustic signal as part of the control mechanism; in this view, movements and the signals produced by them are intertwined as part of the control mechanism. The importance of understanding these two views of speech science is in the application of speech science skills to clinical disorders of speech motor control. The paper uses motor speech disorders as an example of how the two views can be joined empirically and theoretically for a maximally productive application of speech science to an understanding of disorders of speech motor control.
How do rivals compete: strategy, technology and tactics☆

This paper reports the results of an exploratory analysis of the actions taken by rivalious firms to create competitive advantage in 13 US product market segments. Twenty-four actions taken by competitors to achieve competitive advantage were identified. These were examined in greater detail through use of a survey that identified the common and unique actions used by the rivals. The findings indicate that a focused approach to the market together with increased use of product and process technology throughout market growth and concentration phases of industry maturity are important elements of successful competition.
Serotonin Modulates Dendritic Calcium Influx in Commissural Interneurons in the Mouse Spinal Locomotor Network

Commissural interneurons (CINs) help to coordinate left-right alternating bursting activity during fictive locomotion in the neonatal mouse spinal cord. Serotonin (5-HT) plays an active role in the induction of fictive locomotion in the isolated spinal cord, but the cellular targets and mechanisms of its actions are relatively unknown. We investigated the possible role of serotonin in modifying dendritic calcium currents, using a combination of two-photon microscopy and patch-clamp recordings, in identified CINs in the upper lumbar region. Dendritic calcium responses to applied somatic voltage-clamp steps were measured using fluorescent calcium indicator imaging. Serotonin evoked significant reductions in voltage-dependent dendritic calcium influx in about 40% of the dendritic sites studied, with no detectable effect in the remaining sites. We also detected differential effects of serotonin in different dendritic sites of the same neuron; serotonin could decrease voltage-sensitive calcium influx at one site, with no effect at a nearby site. Voltage-clamp studies confirmed that serotonin reduces the voltage-dependent calcium current in CINs. Current-clamp experiments showed that the serotonin-evoked decreases in dendritic calcium influx were coupled with increases in neuronal excitability; we discuss possible mechanisms by which these two seemingly opposing results can be reconciled. This research demonstrates that dendritic calcium currents are targets of serotonin modulation in a group of spinal interneurons that are components of the mouse locomotor network.
An energy-efficient leakage-tolerant dynamic circuit technique

Technology scaling reduces device threshold voltages to mitigate speed loss due to scaled supply voltages. This, however, exponentially increases leakage power and adversely affects circuit reliability. In this paper, we investigate the performance degradation in high-leakage digital circuits. It is shown that deep submicron CMOS technologies lead to 60%-70% degradation in noise-immunity due to leakage. Dual-V/sub t/ domino designs mitigate the noise-immunity degradation to 30%-40% but inevitably lead to a loss of 20%-30% in circuit speed. To achieve a better noise-immunity vs. performance trade-off, a new dynamic circuit technique-the boosted-source (BS) technique is proposed. Simulation results of wide fan-in gates designed in the Predictive Berkeley BSIM3v3 0.13 /spl mu/m technology demonstrate 1.6X-3X improvement in noise-immunity at the expense of marginal energy overhead but no loss in delay, as compared with the existing circuit techniques.
Genetic analysis of the vaccinia virus I6 telomere-binding protein uncovers a key role in genome encapsidation

The linear, double-stranded DNA genome of vaccinia virus contains covalently closed hairpin termini. These hairpin termini comprise a terminal loop and an A+T-rich duplex stem that has 12 extrahelical bases. DeMasi et al. have shown previously that proteins present in infected cells and in virions form distinct complexes with the telomeric hairpins and that these interactions require the extrahelical bases. The vaccinia virus I6 protein was identified as the protein showing the greatest specificity and affinity for interaction with the viral hairpins (J. DeMasi, S. Du, D. Lennon, and P. Traktman, J. Virol. 75:10090-10105, 2001). To gain insight into the role of I6 in vivo, we generated eight recombinant viruses bearing altered alleles of I6 in which clusters of charged amino acids were changed to alanine residues. One allele (temperature-sensitive I6-12 [tsI6-12]) conferred a tight ts phenotype and was used to examine the stage(s) of the viral life cycle that was affected at the nonpermissive temperature. Gene expression, DNA replication, and genome resolution proceeded normally in this mutant. However, proteolytic processing of structural proteins, which accompanies virus maturation, was incomplete. Electron microscopic studies confirmed a severe block in morphogenesis in which immature, but no mature, virions were observed. Instead, aberrant spherical virions and large crystalloids were seen. When purified, these aberrant virions were found to have normal protein content but to be devoid of viral DNA. We propose that the binding of I6 to viral telomeres directs genome encapsidation into the virus particle.
Applying team-based learning in primary care residency programs to increase patient alcohol screenings and brief interventions.

Purpose Educational research demonstrates little evidence of long-term retention from traditional lectures in residency programs. Team-based learning (TBL), an alternative, active learning technique, incites competition and generates discussion. This report presents data evaluating the ability of TBL to reinforce and enhance concepts taught during initial training in a National Institutes of Health–funded alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) program conducted in eight residency programs from 2005 to 2007 under the auspices of Mercer University School of Medicine. Method After initial training of three hours, the authors conducted three TBL booster sessions of one and a quarter hours, spaced four months apart at each site. They assessed feasibility through the amount of preparation time for faculty and staff, residents’ evaluations of their training, self-reported use of SBI, residents’ performance on individual quizzes compared with group quizzes, booster session evaluations, and levels of confidence in conducting SBI. Results After initial training and three TBL reinforcement sessions, 42 residents (63%) reported that they performed SBI and that their levels of confidence in performing interventions in their current and future practices was moderately high. Participants preferred TBL formats over lectures. Group performance was superior to individual performance on initial assessments. When invited to select a model for conducting SBI in current and future practices, all residents opted for procedures that included clinician involvement. Faculty found TBL to be efficient but labor-intensive for training large groups. Conclusions TBL was well received by residents and helped maintain a newly learned clinical skill. Future research should compare TBL to other learning methods. Acad Med. 2009; 84:340–346.
A Solution to Open Standard of PKI

PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) is fundamental for many security applications on the network. However, there are so many different kinds of PKI at current stage and they are not compatible. To solve the problem, we propose to implement the authority of authentication verification service systems as personal autonomous software agents, called security agents. In this paper, we introduce its concept and architecture, as well as its communication language, which is needed for public key management and secure communications among security agents and application agents.
Influence of Bit Error Rate on the Performance of IEEE 802.11 MAC Protocol

IEEE 802.11 is the most important standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs). In the IEEE 802.11 WLANs, distributed coordination function (DCF) is a fundamental medium access control (MAC) protocol, whose performance has been studied analytically in the literature. However, there is no research work that takes into account different incoming traffic load, network size, hidden terminal problem, and the influence of transmission error at the same time. In this paper, a refined model is presented to evaluate the impact of these factors on the performance of the IEEE 802.11 DCF MAC protocol. In the analysis, the channel is modeled by a finite-state Markov (FSM) chain. In each channel state, the operation of the IEEE 802.11 DCF MAC protocol is modeled by an embedded Markov chain. Using these two Markov chains, the average throughput of the IEEE 802.11 DCF MAC protocol can be very accurately calculated. The results show that the performance of DCF strongly depends on the network size, the incoming traffic load, and the bit error rate (BER). This paper also shows that the performance degrades dramatically in multi-hop ad hoc networks due to hidden terminal problem.
Development of a framework for truss-braced wing conceptual MDO

The paper describes the development of a multidisciplinary design optimization framework for conceptual design of truss-braced wing configurations. This unconventional configuration requires specialized analysis tools supported by a modular and flexible framework to accommodate different configurations. While the previous framework developed at Virginia Tech was a monolithic Fortran-77 code, the need for more flexibility for complex truss-braced wing configurations was addressed by the development of this new framework, which is based on Phoenix Integration ModelCenterTM environment. The framework uses updated structural and aerodynamic design modules that enable a more general geometry definition. The new framework, thus, provides a foundation for future design concepts, especially multi-member truss-braced wing configurations. The fuel saving potential of these truss-braced wing configurations is presented by comparing different truss designs with gradually increased level of complexity.
Impact of compressed sensing of motor cortical activity on spike train decoding in Brain Machine Interfaces

Decoding spike trains is an essential step to translate multiple single unit activity to useful control commands in cortically controlled Brain Machine Interface (BMI) systems. Extracting the spike trains of individual neurons from the recorded mixtures requires spike sorting, a computationally prohibitive step that precludes the development of fully implantable, small size and low power electronics. Previously, we reported on the ability to extract the critical information in these spike trains such as precise spike timing and firing rate of individual neurons using a compressed sensing strategy that overcomes the computational burden of the spike sorting step. Herein, we assess the decoding performance using this method and compare it to the case where classical spike sorting takes place prior to decoding. We use the local average of the sparsely represented data as discriminative features to “informally” detect and classify spikes in the data stream. We demonstrate that there is a substantial gain in performance assessed under different decoding strategies, while much less computations are needed compared to spike sorting in the traditional sense.
Said another way. Our obligation to float.

TOPIC: Floating is one method that can help alleviate the burden and consequences of the nursing shortage. PURPOSE: The devastating effects that occur as a result of the nursing shortage are discussed. As a result, floating is argued as a viable solution. The practice of floating is explored from an ethical approach. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Professional literature, electronic resources, nursing textbooks, from statements provided from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Six Sigma, legal cases, and personal experience. CONCLUSION: Although many nurses oppose the practice of floating, it remains not only necessary, but it is also our obligation. It is acknowledged that floating has its opposition, but the arguments posed are not justifiable when they are weighed against the consequences of not floating.
The Perivascular Niche and Self-Renewal of Stem Cells

Postnatal stem cells are typically found in niches that provide signaling cues to maintain their self-renewal and multipotency. While stem cell populations may serve distinct purposes within their tissue of origin, understanding the conserved biology of stem cells and their respective niches provides insights to the behavior of these cells during homeostasis and tissue repair. Here, we discuss perivascular niches of two distinct stem cell populations (i.e., hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells) and explore mechanisms that sustain these stem cells postnatally. We highlight work that demonstrates the impact of cellular crosstalk to stem cell self-renewal and maintenance of functional perivascular niches. We also discuss the importance of the crosstalk within the perivascular niche to the biology of stem cells, and describe the regenerative potential of perivascular cells. We postulate that signaling events that establish and/or stabilize the perivascular niche, particularly through the modulation of self-renewing factors, are key to the long-term success of regenerated tissues.
Examining access to care for younger vs. older dual-eligible adults living in the community

Abstract Background Recent state dual-eligible (Medicare and Medicaid) payment reform demonstrations have included groups of both working-age and older adults, but relatively little is known about how access to care varies between these two populations. Objectives/hypothesis To examine access to a usual source of care for younger and older dual-eligible adults, to analyze whether timely access to several types of care differed in these two populations, and to understand some of the underlying reasons for delayed care among younger and older dual-eligibles. Methods Using observations pooled across calendar years 2003–2012 of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, this study conducted descriptive and multivariate analyses to examine access to care measures. Results Younger dual-eligible adults were more likely to encounter problems with accessing medical care, dental care, and prescription medications than older dual-eligible adults. Both groups of dual-eligible adults reported that a lack of affordability, gaps in existing insurance coverage, and difficulty in getting to a provider's office were the most common reasons for delayed access to care. Conclusions A lack of affordability for medical care, dental care, and prescription medications suggests that high co-payments and cost sharing for some services may be deterring access to needed care. Younger dual-eligibles were more likely to encounter service coverage gaps than older dual-eligibles. States should monitor Medicare-Medicaid plans to confirm they have adequate provider networks.
Enhanced inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and salmonella enteritidis in meat by combinations of sodium lactate and diacetate.

The antimicrobial activities of sodium lactate (SL) and sodium acetate (SA) are well documented, but there is limited information on the effect of their combination or of the combination of SL and sodium diacetate (SDA) on survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes and salmonellae in meat. Effects of SL (1.8 and 2.5%), SDA (0.1 and 0.2%), or SA (0.2%) and their combinations on the behavior of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis were investigated in sterile comminuted beef (pH 6.3, 79% moisture) during storage at 5 and 10°C. Although L. monocytogenes grew faster than Salmonella Enteritidis in control samples at 10°C, numbers of both pathogens increased from 3.5 to approximately 8.0 log CFU/g after 20 days. SL (1.8%) decreased the growth rate of both L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Enteritidis. SDA (0.2%) was more effective than SL in decreasing the growth rate of L. monocytogenes, and it caused a more than 1 log CFU/g decline in initial numbers of Salmonella Enteritidis during s...
Reactions of an Iron Chlorodistannane with Hydroxide: Isolation and Structural Characterization of {(η5-Me3SiC5H4)Fe(CO)[(SntBu2)2(μ-OH)]···DMAP}, DMAP = 4-(N,N-Dimethylamino)pyridine, a μ-OH-Stannyl(stannylene)–Iron Complex

Reacting the silylated ferrate [(η5-Me3SiC5H4)Fe(CO)2]−Li+, obtained from the reaction of [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2SiMe3], FpSiMe3, and LDA with ClSntBu2SntBu2Cl, we have synthesized the distannane (η5-Me3SiC5H4)Fe(CO)2-SntBu2SntBu2Cl, 5, together with (η5-Me3SiC5H4)Fe(CO)2-SntBu2Cl, 6. Photochemical irradiation of 5 resulted in formation of [(η5-Me3SiC5H4)Fe(CO)(SntBu2)2(μ-Cl)], 8, which we have characterized spectroscopically. Treatment of 8 with Bu4N+OH– led to the formation of the μ-hydroxyl-stannyl(stannylene) complex, which could be further stabilized, via a H-bonding interaction, with 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine, DMAP, [(η5-Me3SiC5H4)Fe(CO)(SntBu2)2(μ-OH-DMAP)] (11). The crystal structure of 11 is reported together with those of 5, 6, (η5-Me3SiC5H4)Fe(CO)2SntBu2OH, 15, and the unusual product (η5-Me3SiC5H4)Fe(CO)2-SntBu2-(η5-Me3SiC5H3)-Fe(CO)2SntBu2Cl, 7, obtained from the reaction between FpSiMe3 and a large excess of LDA after quenching with tBu2SnCl2.
Feasibility of nonradiation EUS-based ERCP in patients with uncomplicated choledocholithiasis (with video)

Background and Aims ERCP inherently involves radiation exposure. Nonradiation ERCP has been described in pregnancy. Theoretically, the same techniques could be applied to the general population. We prospectively assessed the feasibility of nonradiation, EUS-based ERCP in nonpregnant patients with choledocholithiasis. Methods Consecutive patients referred for ERCP for choledocholithiasis were recruited over a 1-year period. Patients providing study consent underwent the following procedural protocol. First, EUS was performed to verify the presence, size, and number of stones. Second, biliary cannulation was attempted without fluoroscopy for a maximum of 10 minutes. Selective cannulation was based on deep insertion with visible bile in the catheter on aspiration. Third, for stone removal, sphincterotomy was performed and stones were removed using a basket or balloon. The number of stones exiting the papilla was matched to the number seen on EUS. Finally, once the duct was deemed clear by the endoscopist, a final occlusion cholangiogram and ductal sweep served as the reference standard for confirmation of stone clearance. Results Nonradiation ERCP was attempted in 31 patients. Cannulation without fluoroscopy was successful in 26 patients (84%). Complete stone removal without fluoroscopy was achieved in all 26 of these cases. The 5 patients with failed nonfluoroscopic cannulation required double guidewire (n = 2) or precut papillotomy (n = 3) for deep biliary access and subsequent stone clearance. One patient who required precut papillotomy for access developed moderate post-ERCP pancreatitis (3%). Conclusions Nonradiation, EUS-based ERCP for uncomplicated choledocholithiasis appears to be successful and safe. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT01678391.)
State-Dependent Adaptive Estimation for Impulsively Maneuvering Spacecraft Tracking

As the number of spacecraft performing orbital maneuvers has been increasing, the accurate tracking of those spacecraft has become crucial for space situational awareness. However, the accurate tracking of impulsively maneuvering spacecraft is a challenging problem since the magnitude and the time of occurrence of impulsive maneuvers are usually unknown a priori. To deal with this problem, an adaptive state estimation algorithm is developed in this study using a bank of the extended Kalman filters along with interacting multiple models which account for the motion of spacecraft with and without impulsive maneuvers. Motivated by the fact that impulsive maneuvers usually occur when certain conditions on the state of the spacecraft are satisfied, the multiple extended Kalman filters are systematically blended using a state-dependent transition probability. Since the information on the conditions based on which the impulsive maneuvers occur is explicitly utilized in the state-dependent transition probability, the proposed algorithm can predict the impulsive maneuvers more accurately and thus produce more accurate state estimates. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated with an example of tracking geostationary satellites that perform station keeping maneuvers.
What's eating you? Blister beetles.

VOLUME 74, NOVEMBER 2004 285 Blister beetles (Figure) are the source for commercial preparations of cantharidin. Many blister beetle species exist, and many have not been studied extensively. Much of what we know about blister beetles is extrapolated from studies of a few species. In some blister beetles, such as Epicauta funebris, cantharidin has been identified in all 10 life stages and accumulates during the first 5 larval stages.1 When disturbed, the larvae exude cantharidin in a milky oral fluid rather than in the hemolymph that adult beetles discharge from their leg joints.2 Adult male beetles may contain 10% cantharidin by body weight, but the females lose their larval reserves of this substance if kept in isolation. Consequently, female blister beetles must mate to avoid this potential hazard and retain their reserves of cantharidin and the protection it affords them. When allowed to mate, the female repeatedly acquires a small amount of cantharidin from the male as a precopulatory enticing agent.2 During mating, the male transfers a larger quantity of cantharidin to the female. She, in turn, transfers the cantharidin to her eggs, rendering them resistant to predation.3 Blister beetles include members of the families Meloidae and Staphylinidae. Beetles from the family Meloidae are the most widely recognized, with species that cause contact blistering found worldwide.4 Members of the family Oedemeridae are classified as “false” blister beetles but can cause contact blistering.5 Contact with blister beetles results in vesiculobullous skin reactions. In my experience, some beetles are attracted to light and have caused epidemics of bullous skin disease in hospital wards where the windows were left open. Histologic sections of the blisters demonstrate acantholysis in suprabasal keratinocytes. Because the profile of adhesion molecule loss in cantharidin blisters is similar to that seen in Darier disease, these blisters may be viable models for studying Darier disease.6 Blister beetles can have an economic impact, because farm animals, such as chickens, may die from blister beetle consumption. Penrith and Naude7 report a case in which farmers’ chickens died from erosive lesions in the gastrointestinal tract after consuming Cyaneolytta and Cylindrothorax species. What’s Eating You? Blister Beetles
Operation Analysis and Its Perfection for HV Switch-Disconnector

HV switch-disconnector is the HV electrical equipment with the biggest quantity in use and the most broad scope in application in power system, at the same time, it is not be paid attention by manufacturers and users. The faults of HV switch-disconnector occurred frequently, which could not be solved thoroughly for a long time. The paper analyzed the main problems in operation of 72.5~550 kV HV switch-disconnector, such as porcelain insulator breaking, operation ineffectiveness, overheat and corrosion of conductive loop, and gave the typical case studies. It is pointed out the existent problems of HV switch-disconnector in manufacturing and its application. And the achievements of improving HV switch-disconnector in recent years are also given in the paper.
Human immunodeficiency virus infection in pregnancy.

Female and pediatric populations have experienced the highest increase in acquired immune deficiency syndrome in the United States between 1988 and 1989. In this article, the following questions will be addressed: What is the risk of perinatal transmission in the human immunodeficiency virus-infected woman? How does human immunodeficiency virus infection of the pregnant woman influence pregnancy outcome? How does pregnancy influence the natural history of human immunodeficiency virus infection? How should pregnancy be managed to maximize the likelihood of a successful outcome without exposing mother or fetus to undue risks.
Animal Agriculture: Our Health and Our Environment

Even if we could, no matter how unlikely, contain the pathogens running amok among factory farms, we are still faced with a much larger problem. This is because there are just too many animals being produced for food: animals grown for meat and dairy products account for 20 percent of the world’s terrestrial animal biomass.1 To sustain this massive production requires unprecedented quantities of water, energy, land, pesticides and feed crops (crops fed to farmed animals). In exchange for all these depleted resources, we get polluted water, air and land, and perhaps one of the most significant climate transformations in human history.
Transcription Factor KLF5 Binds a Cyclin E1 Polymorphic Intronic Enhancer to Confer Increased Bladder Cancer Risk.

It is well established that environmental toxins, such as exposure to arsenic, are risk factors in the development of urinary bladder cancer, yet recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provide compelling evidence that there is a strong genetic component associated with disease predisposition. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs8102137, was identified on chromosome 19q12, residing 6 kb upstream of the important cell-cycle regulator and proto-oncogene, Cyclin E1 (CCNE1). However, the functional role of this variant in bladder cancer predisposition has been unclear because it lies within a non-coding region of the genome. Here, it is demonstrated that bladder cancer cells heterozygous for this SNP exhibit biased allelic expression of CCNE1 with 1.5-fold more transcription occurring from the risk allele. Furthermore, using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, a novel enhancer element was identified within the first intron of CCNE1 that binds Kruppel-like Factor 5 (KLF5), a known transcriptional activator in bladder cancer. Moreover, the data reveal that the presence of rs200996365, a SNP in high-linkage disequilibrium with rs8102137 residing in the center of a KLF5 motif, alters KLF5 binding to this genomic region. Through luciferase assays and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, a novel polymorphic intronic regulatory element controlling CCNE1 transcription is characterized. These studies uncover how a cancer-associated polymorphism mechanistically contributes to an increased predisposition for bladder cancer development. Implications: A polymorphic KLF5 binding site near the CCNE1 gene explains genetic risk identified through GWAS. Mol Cancer Res; 14(11); 1078–86. ©2016 AACR.
Joint Power and Rate Control for Packet Coding Over Fading Channels

We consider random linear packet coding for fading channels with long propagation delays, such as underwater acoustic channels. We propose a scheme in which the number of coded packets to transmit is determined to achieve a prespecified outage/reliability criterion and investigate joint power and rate control with constrained resources. Using the channel state information that is obtained via feedback from the receiver, the transmitter adjusts its power and the number of coded packets so that the average energy per successfully transmitted bit of information is minimized. Two optimization constraints are imposed: 1) the transmit power should not exceed a maximum level; and 2) the number of coded packets should not exceed a maximum value dictated by the desired throughput and delay. We further extend the results to take into account the effect of inevitable channel estimation errors, and consider the case in which the transmitter has only an estimate of the channel gain. We design adaptation policies for such a case based on minimum mean square error (MMSE) channel estimation, taking into account the effect of channel estimation errors in an optimal manner to satisfy the required outage/reliability criterion. Finally, we compare the proposed technique to standard automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocols for underwater communications in terms of the throughput efficiency. Analytical results show that substantial energy savings and improvements in throughput efficiency are available from adaptive power/rate control. We also present experimental results obtained using channel gains measured during the Surface Process Acoustic Communication Experiment (SPACE-08), an at-sea underwater experiment conducted off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in fall 2008.
Associations between long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and cardiovascular lipid risk factors in youth with type 1 diabetes: SEARCH Nutrition Ancillary Study

Purpose In this longitudinal study we explored the relationships between plasma n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and Δ5 and Δ6 desaturase activities (D5D and D6D, respectively) and fasting lipids in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Incorporating benchmark programming in the teaching of undergraduate Computer Architecture

Advanced Computer Architecture is an upper-level required course offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Alaska-Anchorage (UAA). Course content is structured to provide students with a qualitative and quantitative approach to computer architecture, which addresses both the hardware and software aspects of parallelism in modern computing systems. Historically, students were exposed to computer architecture's hardware-centric concepts through traditional textbook publisher provided instructor materials, including system schematic and block diagrams, and cycle-by-cycle hand analysis of short assembly language code snippets. Recorded student achievement outcomes for the course, were just meeting the faculty defined levels. Analysis of student performance indicated a higher-level of course content understanding in students with a mix of both hardware and software skills, and lower achievement levels by those students with only software background and skills. In an attempt to improve overall student understanding and outcome achievement, a reform of course material presentation was initiated which focused on use of microbenchmark programming as a means of introducing selected computer hardware concepts through their programming interfaces. Most computer science students are good programmers and understand high-level languages and algorithms. As such, they are used to tackling new concepts with software, so it was hoped that by linking the instruction of computer architecture hardware concepts with a programmer's perspective, overall student understanding and outcomes would improve.
Higher-Order Demand-Driven Program Analysis

We explore a novel approach to higher-order program analysis that brings ideas of on-demand lookup from first-order CFL-reachability program analyses to higher-order programs. The analysis needs to produce only a control-flow graph; it can derive all other information including values of variables directly from the graph. Several challenges had to be overcome, including how to build the control-flow graph on-the-fly and how to deal with non-local variables in functions. The resulting analysis is flow- and context-sensitive with a provable polynomial-time bound. The analysis is formalized and proved correct and terminating, and an initial implementation is described.
Expression Signature of Therapy Resistant AML: Use of In Vitro Selected Ara-C Resistant BXH-2 Strain AML Cell Lines.

Resistance to Ara-C, a deoxynucleoside analogue used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) plays an important role in AML treatment failure and disease recurrence. Two different murine AML cell lines (B117P and B140P) derived from BXH2 mice were used to create highly Ara-C resistant cell lines (B117H and B140H) with consecutive in vitro selection. We performed oligonucleotide microarray analysis (430A GeneChip, Affymetrix) on triplicate samples of each of the four lines. Significance analysis of microarray, principal components analysis, hierarchical clustering, t-test and fold change analysis were performed (SAM and GeneData Expressionist Analyst) to identify an evaluable list of 555 genes that differed by 2-fold or greater with a p-value of 0.001 or less. Quantitative RT-PCR to confirm expression levels for the most relevant genes is in progress. Genes from several potentially interesting and relevant pathways (Ara-C metabolism, asparagine biosynthesis, cholesterol metabolism, DNA damage repair, and apoptosis) were identified. Nt5e and Nt5c2, involved in nucleotide catabolism and transport, were up-regulated in Ara-C resistant cells. Gstm1 and Gstt2, suspected to be involved in chemotherapy resistance, were also up-regulated in resistant cells. Interestingly, the gene asparagine synthetase (Asns) and several others involved in asparagine and glutamine metabolism (Nars, Asph, Got1, Glrp1) were altered in Ara-C resistant cells. L-Asparaginase, a drug commonly used to treat ALL, has previously been reported to be effective in treatment of relapsed or refractory AML. A number of genes involved in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism were altered in resistant cells (Fdps, Acadl, Elovla6, Hdlbp, Hsd17b1). Recently farnesyl transferase and cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors have shown activity in myeloid malignancies. The known inhibitors of apoptosis, Bcl2 and Bclxl, were up-regulated in Ara-C resistant cells. Additionally, a number of genes involved in the regulation of stress reponse were altered (Dnajc3, Dnajb10). Many genes involved in repair of DNA damage were down-regulated in resistant cells (Ddb1, Msh2, Msh6, Xpc, Xrcc5). Other genes known to be invovled in the pathogenesis of human AML and other malignancies (Kit, Kit/Scf, Cmet) were over-expressed, suggesting an additional role in chemoresistance. One of the most dramatically and significantly up-regulated genes was the amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein gene (App), which has previously been described in relation to its role in Alzheimer’s disease, although there has been another recent study describing its over-expression in AML with complex karyotype. In conclusion, we were able to clearly differentiate Ara-C sensitive from resistant murine AML cells with microarray analysis. Our data corroborate a number of genes well described in AML and chemotherapy resistance. We have also identified a number of novel genetic targets for future study in the therapeutic intervention of chemotherapy-resistant AML.
Analyzing the behavior of normoxic and hypoxic cells through the use of microfluidic devices

Current cellular exposure to atmospheric normoxic (21%) oxygen concentrations have been proven to be physiologically inaccurate since the human body only ranges between 1%-13% in the body. We wish to observe how human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human lung micro vascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs) interact with one another and their behavior when exposed to either hypoxic (defined as being less than normoxic) or atmospheric normoxic concentrations. The cells were grown and cultured on microfluidic devices - a relatively cheap and easily fabricated method of experimental testing that can lend itself to mass production and cellular analysis techniques. The analyses mainly focus on quantifying the amount of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) present in the cells - this factor is responsible for activating countless transcription factors within the cell. Overall, these methods and tests have provided evidence to the fact that hypoxic conditions increase cellular growth, migration, proliferation, and growth factor production by almost two times.
Self-reported secure and insecure cyber behaviour: factor structure and associations with personality factors

The present study provides initial data on self-reported secure and insecure cyber behaviour using the iSECURE. A theoretical model for item pool development, distributions and convergent associati...