cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Product of Random Variables and Moments of Sums Under Dependence

In this paper we compare the moments of products of dependent random vectors with the corresponding ones of independent vectors with the same marginal distributions. Various applications of this result are pointed out, including inequalities for the maximum of dependent random variables and moments of partial sums. The inequalities involve the generalized phi-mixing coefficient.
Using supervised learning to compensate for high latency in planetary exploration

Planetary exploration utilizes orbital, aerial, surface and potentially sub-surface vehicles at remote locations. At present, many of these vehicles must be teleoperated or commanded from Earth, requiring data to be transmitted over significant distances (taking several minutes or longer). This problem gets progressively more pronounced as vehicles are operated further and further from the Earth. While missions to send humans to deep space and increased autonomy both prospectively present partial solutions to this challenge, human controllers may wish to operate the vehicle with an experience more akin to in-situ exploration. Typically, using remotely operated vehicles for exploring planets entails dealing with a high amount of latency. This paper explores the use of supervised learning for rovers that would reduce the amount of data that needs to be sent to control the vehicle and provide data to satisfy future user needs.
Partial nerve injuries in the upper extremity.

SUMMARY The level of injury of a peripheral nerve is a critical factor that has a great impact on the result of the repair. At the level of the wrist, the median and ulnar nerves have pure motor and sensory fascicular groups. Proximal to the wrist, the motor fascicular groups combine with sensory fascicles and become mixed nerves. Mapping the fascicular orientation with electrical stimulation is indicated for injuries located from the wrist to the distal third of the forearm. Successful application of this technique depends on the level of injury, anesthetic technique, and careful patient selection. Children and patients with other serious coexisting injuries are not candidates for this technique. The depth of anesthesia must provide adequate analgesia while allowing the patient to communicate and cooperate with the surgeon during the procedure. There are few reports in the literature about repair of partially injured nerves in the upper extremities and the comparison of functional outcomes with or without the use of nerve grafts is not easy. Even under ideal operative conditions and with ideal indications, the outcomes are not always satisfactory. Hurst et al3 reported very good results using end-to-end repair of fascicular groups in their series. Using the rating system of the British Medical Research Council, they reported motor values of 4.0 (normal 5.0), and sensory values of 3.8 (normal 4.0). Kato et al5 reported very good results in their series of 51 cases with group fascicular end-to-end suture using orientation with electrical stimulation. In this series, there were five patients with partial nerve laceration and end-to-end coaptation of the fascicular groups provided very satisfactory outcome. End-to-end repair of the fascicular groups seems to provide better results than repair of the nerve using nerve grafts. It is desired, however, that the nerve gap be less than 2 cm for the application of end-to-end repair of the nerve.
Why evidence-based dentistry?

Evidence-based dentistry will play an important role in dentistry’s future efforts to control the ravages of diseases affecting the orofacial complex. The historical record suggests that human dental care derived from early attempts to retain or replace teeth lost to accidents or disease, and this paradigm has served us well for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. More recently, research has enabled man to fight dental disease in ways not previously thought possible. Fluoridation and the increasing significance of genetic intervention, for example, have opened entirely new avenues of dental care, which suggest revolutionary changes in future dental care. For a restorative-based healthcare profession like dentistry, the diagnosis and treatment of patients using these advances will require a significant change in mind-set. This paper will briefly discuss historical events leading to the present state of dentistry, suggest changes that restorative dentists will have to make to survive, and the role evidence-based dentistry must play in an evolving new dental care paradigm.
Abstract LB-096: SMARCB1-mediated SWI/SNF complex function is essential for enhancer regulation

The gene encoding SMARCB1 (SNF5/INI1/BAF47), a core subunit of the SWI/SNF (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex, is biallelically inactivated in nearly all rhabdoid tumors (RTs), highly aggressive and lethal cancers of early childhood. RTs are among the most genomically stable cancers, suggesting an epigenetic mechanism by which SMARCB1 loss drives cancer. Here, we show that despite having indistinguishable mutational landscapes, human RTs show distinct H3K27ac signatures at enhancers that reveal remnants of differentiation programs. In elucidating the mechanism underlying RTs, we find that SMARCB1 is not only essential for the integrity and abundance of SWI/SNF complexes, but also facilitates their targeting to appropriate enhancers. Loss of SMARCB1 alters enhancer targeting—markedly impairing SWI/SNF binding to typical enhancers, particularly those required for differentiation, while maintaining SWI/SNF binding at super-enhancers (SEs). We show that these retained SEs are essential for RT survival, including some that are shared across all RT types, such as SPRY1, and other lineage-specific SEs like SOX2 in brain-derived RTs. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel chromatin-based epigenetic mechanism underlying the tumor suppressive activity of SMARCB1. Citation Format: Xiaofeng Wang, Ryan Lee, Burak Alver, Jeffrey Haswell, Su Wang, Emma Troisi, Bradley Bernstein, Peter Park, Charles Roberts. SMARCB1-mediated SWI/SNF complex function is essential for enhancer regulation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-096. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-096
Investigating Whether Transfer of Learning in Pharmacy Students Depends More on Knowledge Storage or Accessibility

Objective. To investigate whether prior knowledge or reactivated marginal knowledge alone is sufficient for student pharmacists to transfer foundational science content to pharmacy application. Methods. In two experiments, transfer of foundational science knowledge was examined. Far transfer was examined by investigating the relationship between prior knowledge of chemistry and physiology to pharmacokinetic application. Near transfer was examined by investigating the relationship between foundational physiology content and its application to pharmacy. Participants completed fill-in-the-blank (FIB) items to assess accessible prior knowledge. Half the participants also received multiple-choice formats of the FIB questions to assess stored well but not readily retrievable information. Participants then answered application-type questions. Results. Participants were more successful in correctly answering multiple-choice questions than FIB questions. Participants could not apply stored and accessible nor stored but inaccessible knowledge in the far transfer condition (pharmacokinetics application). Participants were more successful in applying foundational science knowledge to the near transfer condition (pharmacy application of physiology) Conclusion. This study suggests some students may be able to transfer their prerequisite knowledge to pharmacy application, but most students probably cannot successfully transfer without formal instruction. In addition, reactivating the foundational knowledge through multiple-choice testing has been shown to be sufficient to cause retention of the knowledge, but this seems to be an insufficient stimulus to allow for transfer to occur. What this confirms is that even if students have the prior knowledge, transfer cannot be assumed to be an automatic process and probably requires specific instruction.
1518 Comparing disability and return to work outcomes between alternative and traditional workers’ compensation programs

Introduction In 1995, Minnesota, United States, passed legislation to allow for an alternative workers’ compensation system and the Union Construction Workers’ Compensation Program (UCWCP) was developed. Its goals include the use of pre-approved medical and rehabilitation providers, dispute resolution, and prioritising a quick and safe return to work. The aim of this study is to determine if differences in recovery-related outcomes exist between UCWCP and traditional workers’ compensation programs (TWCP). Methods Workers’ compensation claim data for the period 2003–2016 were obtained from the Minnesota Department of Labour and Industry. Claims were classified as processed through UCWCP or TWCP. Outcomes for this study included: permanent partial disability (PPD) and Temporary Total Disability (TTD). The relative risk (RR) of incurring PPD and sustained TTD in UCWCP versus TWCP was calculated using log binomial regression. Ordered logistic regression models were utilised to calculate the odds of higher percentages of PPD in UCWCP. All estimates were adjusted for age, gender, and insurance carrier. Results Of 33 682 claims, 3269 (9.7%) were processed through UCWCP. The mean claim durations for UCWCP and TWCP were 54 and 49 weeks, respectively. While UCWCP claims, versus TWCP, were associated with an increased risk of PPD (RR=1.2, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.3), they had increased odds of lower percent PPD (Odds Ratio=1.2, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.4). Sustained TTD was more likely in UCWCP compared to TWCP (RR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.4 to 3.0). Conclusions While the increased risks of permanent partial and sustained temporary total disability ratings among UCWCP claims may reflect higher severity, the lower percentage of disability could result from improvements in access and quality of healthcare treatments. Further work will identify and control for relevant severity indicators.
Ectopic endometrium in abdominal scars following cesarean section.

Abstract 1. 1. Two cases of endometrial implantation in abdominal scar after cesarean section are presented. 2. 2. The various theories to explain the origin of the ectopic endometrium are evaluated and supplemented. 3. 3. The literature is brought up to date and corrected for the term cesarean section endometriosis.
Cutaneous Pathology of Emergent and Tropical Infections: Skin, Infectious Pathogens, and Emergent and Tropical Infections

This chapter describes cutaneous pathology of emerging and tropical infections that are commonly under-recognized or misdiagnosed because of their relatively rare occurrence. Due to the wide spectrum of skin infections, the more common ones that are well recognized, such as impetigo, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, etc., are not included in this chapter. In addition, main features of certain pathogens are summarized in tables instead of detailed description.
VLSI Array Architecture for Picture Processing

Many operations in picture or image processing are performed repeatedly over a large number of pixels of an image, and computation time can be reduced significantly by parallel processing. With rapid progress in VLSI technology, it will be feasible in the near future to design and fabricate VLSI array chips for certain special image processing operations. These special purpose chips can be connected to the host computer system through the system bus.
Crossed out by LatinX: Gender neutrality and genderblind sexism

Under the Trump administration, with its claims about “fake news,” speaking truth to power has become simultaneously more pressing and more difficult. “LatinX” has emerged in this context and become a symbol online and in academia for a new collective identity. This paper argues LatinX is deployed to replace, rather than complement, long-standing struggles to recognize gendered identities. This replacement silences the gendered political subject, erodes the basis for posing group claims and undermines struggles to recognize the significance of gender inequality and sexual violence. This paper calls for crafting a collective identity based on a “law of three (or more)”—for example, a/o/x—to reflect our everyday border struggles and hybrid culture.
Management of Demyelinating Disorders in Pregnancy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system that often affect women during childbearing years. Therefore, issues of conception, pregnancy, and delivery are of significant importance to patients and treating physicians. The current review provides updated information regarding the effects of pregnancy on MS and NMO, as well as the available safety data on immunomodulatory MS therapies for pregnant and lactating women. Management issues of women with MS and NMO during conception, gestation, and the postpartum period also are addressed.
Supply and Demand Constraints on Future PV Power in the USA

An economic analysis with a defined uncertainty range is presented that considers whether the future deployment of utility-scale PV (UPV) systems in the USA will be limited by the supply of PV modules or by market demand for these systems. An analysis of global PV module manufacturing growth and the fraction of modules produced that will be available for installation in the USA gives a plausible range of cumulative capacity for the UPV segment of 50 − 170 GW in 2030 and 60 − 500 GW in 2040. A parallel analysis of the future demand for UPV systems in the USA indicates a plausible range for cumulative capacity of 80 − 230 GW in 2030 and 150 − 530 GW in 2040. The plausible ranges for supply and demand substantially overlap in both 2030 and 2040, suggesting that neither supply nor demand is more likely to limit PV deployment in the USA. Consequently, mechanisms for enabling growth in both supply and demand can benefit efforts intended to increase the deployment of PV in the USA.
Essential amino acids exhibit variable effects on protein degradation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) primary myocytes.

Abstract The functional role of amino acids as regulators of protein degradation was investigated using primary myogenic precursor cell culture as in vitro model of rainbow trout white muscle. Seven-day old myocytes were starved of amino acids for two hours then exposed to media that contained amino acid treatments, during which protein degradation rates were analyzed over five hours by measuring cellular release of 3H-tyrosine. Increasing concentrations of essential amino acids (EAA) reduced protein degradation rates; this effect was dose-dependent within the physiological range found in plasma. Addition of leucine or phenylalanine at 5 mM and 2.5 mM, respectively, decreased rates of protein degradation compared to media without amino acid supplementation, suggesting that these amino acids directly regulate muscle proteolysis. Protein degradation rates were similar in cells exposed to media without EAA and media lacking only leucine, further supporting a role for leucine as a central regulator of protein turnover. Addition of 5 mM lysine or valine to media without amino acids increased protein degradation; this response was attenuated as EAA were added back into media, supporting that a lysine or valine imbalance is costly for muscle protein retention. In summary, there is evidence for amino acids as both positive and negative regulators of protein turnover in rainbow trout muscle. These findings suggest that there may be an optimal plasma amino acid profile that minimizes protein turnover and that this could be achieved through diet formulation.
Prevalence of Maternal-Risk Factors Related to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in a Commercial Claims Database: 2011-2015.

Background Despite the rising incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), data evaluating trends in maternal risk factors associated with NAS have not been available for recent years, a period characterized by declining opioid prescriptions. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of opioid- and non-opioid-related factors associated with NAS, and by mutually exclusive subgroups of deliveries without prescription-opioid use, with prescription-opioid use, and with opioid-use disorder (OUD). Methods A cohort of pregnancies resulting in live births in a commercial claims data base in 2011-2015 was identified. Examples of maternal risk factors of interest included antepartum prescription-drug use (e.g., opioids, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], antipsychotics) and nonprescription-related factors (e.g., smoking, OUD). Results A total of 659 cases of NAS among 621,940 deliveries was identified. Among NAS deliveries, prescription opioids were the most commonly used drug-class (39.0%). Adjusted relative risk (RR) for NAS was 5.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.25-6.95), followed by SSRIs (20.9%; RR 3.16, CI 2.43-4.11); OUD was noted in 36.3% of the deliveries (RR 40.74, CI 22.64-73.32). In the subgroup of deliveries without a prescription opioid (33% of overall NAS deliveries), the absolute incidence of NAS was low (0.3 cases/1000 deliveries), and SSRIs were the most commonly used medication class (32.7%; RR 10.21, CI 7.28-14.31). In the subgroup of deliveries with an opioid prescription, the absolute incidence of NAS was 7.7/1000 (29% of all overall NAS deliveries), and 22.7% of these deliveries were exposed to one other psychotropic agent in addition to the opioid, most commonly an SSRI (18.0%). In the subgroup of deliveries with a diagnosis of OUD, the NAS incidence was high (214.3/1000 [36% of all NAS cases]). Conclusion A third of NAS deliveries did not have evidence of prescription opioids. Other psychotropic medications, especially SSRIs, were strong predictors of NAS in this stratum but had no relevance among deliveries with OUD, suggesting varying etiologies and the need for tailored preventive approaches to reduce NAS effectively.
1A. Thyroid hormone receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs, nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Nuclear Hormone Receptors [10]) are nuclear hormone receptors of the NR1A family, with diverse roles regulating macronutrient metabolism, cognition and cardiovascular homeostasis. TRs are activated by thyroxine (T4) and thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine). Once activated by a ligand, the receptor acts as a transcription factor either as a monomer, homodimer or heterodimer with members of the retinoid X receptor family. NH-3 has been described as an antagonist at TRs with modest selectivity for TRβ [38].
Antibody therapies for the treatment of COVID-19

An outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by infection of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, that began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China has caused more than 2,990,559 confirmed human infections and 207,446 deaths as of April 27, 2020 (Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University) Scientists are working quickly on multiple aspects of the pandemic Genetic analyses are conducted to reveal the source and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, providing knowledge that can be used to contain it and to avoid future outbreaks Epidemiological studies which incorporates lessons learned from outbreaks of previous related viral diseases can guide development of public health measures effective to contain the current and future outbreaks Basic virology studies reveal viral structure and function Pathology studies inform development of strategies to interfere with infection COVID-19 prevention and treatment strategies are being developed in preclinical and clinical studies Antibody-based therapy is one viable treatment option Here, we discuss some of the most active areas of developing strategies to treat COVID-19, focusing on approaches to generate neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of COVID-19 Significance Development of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with the desired efficacy and safety profile is a critical part of the toolbox of therapies for the treatment of COVID-19 We discuss in this review the current state of discovery and development of such antibodies
The Unintended Effects of Policy-Assigned Teacher Observations: Examining the Validity of Observation Scores:

Several state policies link high-stakes consequences to teacher evaluations, which tend to be heavily weighted by observation scores. However, research has only recently investigated the validity o...
Stress-assisted (γ→α′) and strain-induced (γ→ε→α’) phase transformation kinetics laws implemented in a crystal plasticity model for predicting strain path sensitive deformation of austenitic steels

Abstract This paper formulates stress-assisted and strain-induced austenite to martensite transformation kinetics laws within a crystal plasticity framework to enable modeling of strain path sensitive elasto-plastic deformation of austenitic steels taking into account the evolution of crystallographic texture and the directionality of deformation mechanisms in the constituent phases. Consistent with experimental observations for mechanically induced martensitic transformation, the stress-assisted transformation is modeled as direct from γ-austenite to α ' -martensite, while the strain-induced transformation is modeled as indirect through an intermediate e-martensite phase, which subsequently transforms to α ' -martensite. While the stress-assisted transformation law is conceived based on an energy criterion, the strain-induced transformation law relies on the local stress state sensitive motion of partial dislocations forming shear bands of e-martensite phase, which after intersecting with other shear bands give rise to α ' -martensite. The kinetic models are implemented in the elasto-plastic self-consistent polycrystal plasticity model to facilitate modeling of strain path and crystallographic texture dependence of martensitic transformation, while predicting deformation behavior of metastable austenitic steels. Due to its morphology, the e-martensite is modeled using a flat ellipsoid approximation, which is a new numerical feature in the model. Simple tension, simple compression, and simple shear data of an austenitic steel have been used to calibrate and to illustrate predictive characteristics of the overall implementation. In doing so, stress-strain response, texture, and phase fractions of γ-austenite, intermediate e-martensite, and α′-martensite are all calculated, while fully accounting for the crystallography of the transformation mechanisms. It is demonstrated that the appropriate modeling of phase fractions and crystallography facilitates predicting the experimentally measured data. The implementation and insights from these predictions are presented and discussed in this paper.
Visualizing the cytosolic delivery of bioconjugated QDs into T cell lymphocytes

Abstract The aggregation state and endosomal trapping of engineered nanocarriers once internalized into cells remain poorly characterized. Here, we visualized the membrane penetrating dynamics of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) into the cytosol of T cells on a single-cell and single-nanoparticle basis. We water solubilized CdSe/CdZnS QDs with polymer encapsulants functionalized with a cell-penetrating peptide composed of an Asp-Ser-Ser (DSS) repeat sequence. T cells tolerated the 24-h incubation with QDs at concentrations of 5 nM or lower. Single-particle imaging demonstrated that the number of internalized nanoparticles was dependent upon the concentration of the probes for both control (peptide-free) and DSS-QDs. DSS-QDs were mostly distributed as monomers, whereas the control QDs were aggregated into clusters. Single-particle tracking using total internal reflection and highly inclined illumination showed that DSS-QDs were stationary near the activating surface and mobile within the cytosol of the T cell. A correlation exhibited between the mobility and aggregation state of individual QD clusters, with monomeric DSS-QDs showing the highest mobility. In addition, monomeric DSS-QDs displayed much faster diffusion than the endosomes. A small-molecule endosome marker confirmed the absence of colocalization between endosomes and DSS-QDs, indicating their endosomal escape. The ability to deliver and track individual QDs in the cytosol of live T cells creates inroads for the optimization of drug delivery and gene therapy through the use of nanoparticles.
Mass spectrometric characteristics and preliminary figures of merit for polyaromatic hydrocarbons via the liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge microplasma

The liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) has been demonstrated as a combined atomic and molecular (CAM) ionization source, through the analysis of elemental species, small polar molecules, and proteins. Operation using 2% HNO3 as the electrolytic carrier solution is employed for elemental analysis, while simply changing to a MeOH : H2O solution results in mass spectra reflecting the protonation of polar molecular species. In an effort to expand the already diverse sampling capabilities of the LS-APGD, the determination of low-polarity polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated. These molecules contain none of the common polar sites for protonation, typically undergoing ionization via charge transfer or electron ionization, forming radical cations. While LS-APGD ionization is believed to involve both electron and Penning ionization, as well as solvent-derived gas phase proton transfer reactions, it was expected that a radical cation formation would be the sole product for PAHs. Interestingly, both radical cation and protonated molecular ions were observed for each of the PAHs studied, suggesting concurrent electron/Penning ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). In order to assess the potential analytical utility of the approach, preliminary detection limits of as low as 270 pg mL−1 (5.4 pg, absolute) have been realized. The addition of PAH species to the microplasma's analyte portfolio expands the concept of CAM ionization, finding utility in diverse fields, including environmental analysis and petroleomics.
A Facility for the Analysis of Interferograms

This paper deals with an interferogram processing system which allows the rapid analysis of interferograms that have been recorded photographically. The processing techniques can be broken down into two major areas. Theseare the areas of fringe detection and data reduction. A discussion of procedures used in each area will be presented, as well as the limitations of existing techniques and suggestions for areas of improvement in the process. The existing interferogram analysis facility at the Perkin-Elmer Corp. utilizes film-scanning devices that transmit data to a dedicated digital computer, either on-line or by the use of magnetic tape. The selection of the best scanner for a given application is determined by evaluating many parameters, such as the required sampling density, precision and accuracy requirements, fringe curvature, and photographic quality. The relation of these parameters to this selection process will be described. The computer software system has been designed to allow evaluation of selected optical performance characteristics which are of interest to a manufacturing facility. The software is designed for ease of expansion as new requirements are defined. A general summary comparing manual reduction techniques to semiautomated computer techniques concludes the paper.
Validating a predictive model of cannabinoid inheritance with feral, clinical, and industrial Cannabis sativa.

Premise How genetic variation within a species affects phytochemical composition is a fundamental question in botany. The ratio of two specialized metabolites in Cannabis sativa, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), can be grouped into three main classes (THC-type, CBD-type, and intermediate type). We tested a genetic model associating these three groups with functional and nonfunctional alleles of the cannabidiolic acid synthase gene (CBDAS). Methods We characterized cannabinoid content and assayed CBDAS genotypes of >300 feral C. sativa plants in Minnesota, United States. We performed a test cross to assess CBDAS inheritance. Twenty clinical cultivars obtained blindly from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and 12 Canadian-certified grain cultivars were also examined. Results Frequencies of CBD-type, intermediate-type, and THC-type feral plants were 0.88, 0.11, and 0.01, respectively. Although total cannabinoid content varied substantially, the three groupings were perfectly correlated with CBDAS genotypes. Genotype frequencies observed in the test cross were consistent with codominant Mendelian inheritance of the THC:CBD ratio. Despite significant mean differences in total cannabinoid content, CBDAS genotypes blindly predicted the THC:CBD ratio among clinical cultivars, and the same was true for industrial grain cultivars when plants exhibited >0.5% total cannabinoid content. Conclusions Our results extend the generality of the inheritance model for THC:CBD to diverse C. sativa accessions and demonstrate that CBDAS genotyping can predict the ratio in a variety of practical applications. Cannabinoid profiles and associated CBDAS segregation patterns suggest that feral C. sativa populations are potentially valuable experimental systems and sources of germplasm.
Scheduling Flexible Non-Preemptive Loads in Smart-Grid Networks

A market consisting of a generator with thermal and renewable generation capability, a set of non-preemptive loads (i.e., loads which cannot be interrupted once started), and an independent system operator (ISO) is considered. Loads are characterized by durations, power demand rates and utility for receiving service, as well as disutility functions giving preferences for time slots in which service is preferred. Given this information, along with the generator's thermal generation cost function and forecast renewable generation, the social planner solves a mixed integer program to determine a load activation schedule which maximizes social welfare. Assuming price taking behavior, we develop a competitive equilibrium concept based on a relaxed version of the social planner's problem which includes prices for consumption and incentives for flexibility, and allows for probabilistic allocation of power to loads. Considering each load as representative of a population of identical loads with scaled characteristics, we demonstrate that the relaxed social planner's problem gives an exact solution to the original mixed integer problem in the large population limit, and give a market mechanism for implementing the competitive equilibrium. Finally, we evaluate via case study the benefit of incorporating load flexibility information into power consumption and generation scheduling in terms of proportion of loads served and overall social welfare.
Uplink Multi-User Beamforming on Single RF Chain mmWave WLANs

Today’s mmWave WLANs can realize simultaneous multi-user multi-stream transmission solely on the downlink. In this paper, we present Uplink Multi-user Beamforming on single RF chain AP (UMBRA), a novel framework for supporting multi-stream multi-user uplink transmissions via a single RF chain. We design multi-user overlayed constellations and multi-user receiver mechanisms to enable concurrent time-triggered uplink multi-user transmissions received on a single RF chain AP. We devise exemplary beam selection policies to jointly adapt beams at users and the AP for targeting aggregate rate maximization without increasing training requirements compared to single-user systems. We implement the key components of UMBRA using a programmable WLAN testbed using software-defined radios and commercial 60-GHz transceivers and collect over-the-air measurements using phased-array antennas and horn antennas with varying beamwidth. We find that in comparison to single-user transmissions, UMBRA achieves more than 1.45× improvement in aggregate rate regardless of the choice of the user group, geometric separation, and receiver beamwidth.
Crime as Insult

Intuitively, losses caused by crime and those caused by accidents are psychologically different - but how? This study experimentally tests, and finds evidence for, the hypothesis that crime is insulting and humiliating in a way that accidents are not, and that crime makes us angrier than losses caused by accidents. Moreover, this difference cannot be explained by differing levels of severity between crime and accidents, nor in different expectations about the likelihood of being compensated between the two types of events. Finally, the difference cannot even fully be explained by the differing mindsets of criminal versus accidental harmdoers (specifically, how sorry the victim thinks the harmdoer is, or by whether the victim was chosen opportunistically or maliciously).
Impact of Fraction Size and Primary Tumor on Outcomes After Palliative Radiation for Osseous Metastases.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) To review palliative RT practices, outcomes, and compare the percentage of remaining life spent receiving RT (PRLSRT) for patients treated with RT for osseous metastases. MATERIALS/METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted using the National Cancer Database (2010-2016). Patients with bone mets who underwent palliative bone RT were included. Common palliative RT schemes (Gy/Fx) were evaluated to determine treatment patterns and outcomes. Median PRLSRT, incomplete RT courses, deaths on RT as well as 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were calculated. A logistic regression was performed to identify factors affecting completion rates. RESULTS 52,971 patients were included: 45.0% non-small cell lung (NSCLC), 15.1% breast, 10.8% prostate, 10.9% GI, 9.7% genitourinary, 4.9% small-cell lung (SCLC), and 3.3% other. Overall median survival after palliative RT was 5.74 months. Patients receiving lower dose per fraction (2Gy/Fx) were more likely to be younger and healthier, yet experienced worse palliative outcomes with higher median PRLSRT, rates of incompletion, and deaths on treatment (Table 1). Breast and prostate were most likely to complete RT (89.1% and 89.6%), while GI NOS and SCLC were least likely (77.6% and 78.6%) (P < 0.001). Upper GI patients were most likely to die on treatment (1.3%), while prostate patients were the least (0.2%) (P < 0.001). PRLSRT ≥50% was observed more frequently in GI NOS (16.6%), upper GI (10.4), NSCLC (10.3%), and skin (9.8%) compared to prostate (2.4%) and breast (2.7%) (P < 0.001). Logistic regression indicated age, race, insurance status, Charlson-Deyo score, primary site, metastatic involvement, bone RT site, and Gy/Fx were significant factors affecting completion rates of RT. Median PRLSRTs were: 14.89% GI NOS, 9.90% upper GI, 9.49% NSCLC, 7.89% skin, 7.18% SCLC, 6.12% lower GI, 5.64% GYN, 5.42% GU, 5.24% HNC, 2.05% prostate, and 2.02% endocrine, and 1.84% breast (P < 0.001). Those receiving 3Gy/Fx and 2Gy/Fx were less likely to complete RT when compared to 4Gy/Fx, with odds ratios of 1.209 and 15.023 respectively (P < 0.001). Patients with SCLC were least likely to complete RT, with a 1.694 odds ratio compared to breast (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION For palliative RT for osseous metastases, dose per fraction and primary cancer impact the palliative outcomes of PRSLRT, the likelihood of completing RT, and death during treatment and should be considered to minimize the burden of care and maximize benefits of treatment.
Use of scrap tires in civil engineering applications

V CHAPTER! GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2. SCRAP TIRE CULVERTS: HYDRAULICS AND DESIGN 10 CHAPTER 3. SCRAP TIRE CULVERTS: STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE 29 CHAPTER 4. LABORATORY DETERMINATION OF YOUNG'S MODULUS FOR LOW-STIFFNESS FLEXIBLE PIPES 57 CHAPTER 5. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TIRE SHREDS 80 CHAPTER 6. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 111 APPENDIX. DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR TRUCK TIRE CULVERT 115 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 126
P17.04: Ultrasonic tissue characterization of the pregnant human cervix

Results: Difference of EI for anterior and posterior wall of the cervix was smaller in the group of patients who delivered at term, than in the group of women who delivered earlier (t-test, P = 0.049). Mean for group of patients with term delivery was 0.00 points of EI, in the group with preterm delivery it was 0.63. No patient with the same EI for anterior and posterior wall delivered before 37 weeks. No correlation of internal os EI and preterm delivery was found. Conclusions: Elastography as a new tool of evaluation of the risk of preterm delivery seems to be very helpful in managing patients with uterine contractions before 37 weeks of gestation. Elastography may stratify the patients to the groups of high and low risk of preterm delivery and manage them accordingly.
Blue Urbanism: Exploring Connections Between Cities & Oceans, by Timothy Beatley

In the preface to Blue Urbanism: Exploring Connections Between Cities & Oceans, Beatley acknowledges “Owe have virtually ignored oceans and marine environments in modern planning, policy, and desig...
Ecology: Global trends in plant naturalization

Many naturalized non-native plants pose ecological and economic threats. A quantitative analysis of the global distribution of naturalized plants confirms some anticipated trends and exposes new patterns. See Letter p.100 Human activity has facilitated the spread of alien plant species around the globe, many of which have become naturalized on different continents. Mark van Kleunen et al. construct a global database of alien plant introductions, showing that more than 13,000 species — nearly 4% of the total flora — have become naturalized in a new location. North America has received the most alien plants, while the Pacific islands are accumulating them at the fastest pace, and the Northern Hemisphere is the predominant donor of alien species.
Making Sense of Qualitative Data

Making Sense of Qualitative Data. Amanda Coffey and Paul Atkinson. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1996. 206 pp.
Oxytocin Expression and Function in the Posterior Retina: A Novel Signaling Pathway

Purpose Oxytocin (OXT) is recognized as an ubiquitously acting nonapeptide hormone that is involved in processes ranging from parturition to neural development. Its effects are mediated by cell signaling that occurs as a result of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) activation. We sought to determine whether the OXT-OXTR signaling pathway is also expressed within the retina. Methods Immunohistochemistry using cell-specific markers was used to localize OXT within the rhesus retina. Reverse transcriptase PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of OXTR in both human and rhesus retina. Single-cell RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were used to determine the expression of OXTR in cultured human fetal RPE (hfRPE) cells. Human fetal RPE cells loaded with FURA-2 AM were studied by ratiometric Ca(2+) imaging to assess transient mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i). Results Oxytocin was expressed in the cone photoreceptor extracellular matrix of the rhesus retina. Oxytocin mRNA and protein were expressed in the human and rhesus RPE. Oxytocin mRNA and protein expression were observed in cultured hfRPE cells, and exposure of these cells to 100 nM OXT induced a transient 79 ± 1.5 nM increase of [Ca(2+)]i. Conclusions Oxytocin and OXTR are present in the posterior retina, and OXT induces an increase in hfRPE [Ca(2+)]i. These results suggest that the OXT-OXTR signaling pathway is active in the retina. We propose that OXT activation of the OXTR occurs in the posterior retina and that this may serve as a paracrine signaling pathway that contributes to communication between the cone photoreceptor and the RPE.
SU‐E‐T‐611: Dosimetric Comparison of Helical to Standard Three Dimensional Conformal Radiation Treatment for Distal Esophageal Cancer

Purpose: At our institution distal esophageal cancer has been treated with three‐dimensioal conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), usually with 5–9 non‐ opposing beams. Recently, TomoTherapy® introduced a helical 3DCRT (H3D) modality for faster treatment planning and delivery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether H3D can result in improvements over traditional 3DCRT. Methods: Ten consecutive patients with lower third esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with 3DCRT to 45 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction for 25 fractions) were selected for a retrospective treatment planning study. 3DCRT plans were created using XIO (Version 4.4, CMS Inc, St. Louis, MO). H3D plans were generated using TomoTherapy Planning Station (Version 4.0.3, Madison, WI). As a 3D planning mode, H3D allows PTV coverage to be specified but no other optimization. PTV coverage was matched in 3DCRT and H3D plans. Jaw size of 2.5 cm and a pitch of 0.287 were used. Dose volume histograms, heterogeneity index and treatment delivery time were compared. Results: All H3D plans achieved at least 25% lower lung volume at 20 Gy (14.8%±8.3%) compared to 3DCRT plans (19.9%±9.7%). Liver V30 was 40% lower in H3D plans (11.6%±4.9% vs 17.8%±7.0%). H3D plans also lowered heart V30 by 10% (26.3% vs 30.3%) and heart V40 by 19% (15.1% vs 18.9%). Dose to 1% of cord receiving highest dose was 10% lower (31.14Gy vs 34.68Gy). The treatment time for H3D was approximately 6 minutes for an average target length of 16cm, comparable to 3DCRT. The indices where DCRT fared slightly better were lung V5(49.2% vs 64.7%), V10(39.5% vs 51.7%) and kidney V20 (10.2% vs 11.1%). Conclusions: H3D produces viable treatment plans, compared to traditional 3DCRT. H3D plans were significantly better in terms of lung V20, heart V30 & V40, maximum cord dose and liver V30. Kidney,lung V5 and V10 are slightly worse compared to 3DCRT.
Deploying initial attack resources for wildfire suppression: spatial coordination, budget constraints, and capacity constraints

We combine a scenario-based, standard-response optimization model with stochastic simulation to improve the efficiency of resource deployment for initial attack on wildland fires in three planning units in California. The optimization model minimizes the expected number of fires that do not receive a standard response--defined as the number of resources by type that must arrive at the fire within a specified time limit--subject to budget and station capacity constraints and uncertainty about the daily number and location of fires. We use the California Fire Economics Simulator to predict the number of fires not contained within initial attack modeling limits. Compared with the current deployment, the deployment obtained with optimization shifts resources from the planning unit with highest fire load to the planning unit with the highest standard response requirements but leaves simulated containment success unchanged. This result suggests that, under the current budget and capacity constraints, a range of deployments may perform equally well in terms of fire containment. Resource deployments that result from relaxing constraints on station capacity achieve greater containment success by encouraging consolidation of resources into stations with high dispatch frequency, thus increasing the probability of resource availability on high fire count days.
Frequency With Which Surgeons Undertake Pancreaticoduodenectomy Continues to Determine Length of Stay, Hospital Charges, and In-Hospital Mortality

Introduction This study was undertaken to determine changes in the frequency of, volume of, and outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy 6 years after a study denoted that, in Florida, the frequency and volume of pancreaticoduodenectomy impacted outcome.
Exciton–Exciton Annihilation in Copper-phthalocyanine Single-Crystal Nanowires

Femtosecond one-color pump–probe spectroscopy was applied to study exciton dynamics in single-crystal α-phase copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) nanowires grown on an opaque silicon substrate. The transient reflectance kinetics measured at different pump fluences exhibit a remarkable intensity-dependent decay behavior which accelerates significantly with increasing pump pulse intensity. All the kinetic decays can be satisfactorily described using a biexponential decay function with lifetimes of 22 and 204 ps, but the corresponding relative amplitudes depend on the pump intensity. The accelerated decay behavior observed at high pump intensities arises from a nonlinear exciton–exciton annihilation process. Detailed data analysis further shows that, as found for other metal-phthalocyanine polymorphs, the exciton–exciton annihilation in the CuPc nanowires is one-dimensional (1D) diffusion-limited, which possibly involves intrachain exciton diffusion along 1D molecular stacks.
Experimental In-Flight Rolling MAV Wing Deployment and Aerodynamic Characterization

The deployment dynamics of a tape-spring style, folding MAV wing in flight are complicated and an investigation is made using wind tunnel testing. High speed photography is used to characterize the deployment motion of the wing while a force balance records six- axis aerodynamic loading of the model. An in-flight deployment of a folding wing would be advantageous after an autonomous tube launch, however the dynamics are potentially problematic due to buckling. Steady state aerodynamics of prototype tube-launch MAVs are characterized for both rigid body and compliant, rolling wings. Aerodynamic phenomena associated with the significant relative body size are identified. Wing deployments are demonstrated at four different angles-of-attack at single velocity, while an extreme case deployment is shown at a high velocity. Two-piece cylindrical shells are used to retain the wing prior to deployment and are released by hot-wire cutting of retaining lines. Three phenomena leading improper deployment are noted. Aeroelastic flutter is observed and characterized after the wing deployment at certain conditions.
Incidence of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Bacteriuria According to Age and Location of Onset: A Population-Based Study From Olmsted County, Minnesota

Objective To better understand the epidemiology of drug-resistant Escherichia coli across health care and community settings.
Tissue factor coagulation pathway: A new therapeutic target in atherothrombosis

Atherothrombosis, defined as atherosclerotic lesion disruption with superimposed thrombus formation, is the major cause of acute coronary syndromes and cardiovascular deaths. It is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world. Plaque composition, rather than luminal stenosis, is recognized as the major determinant of this disease. Since tissue factor is found within atheroma and also in the bloodstream of atherosclerotic patients, it likely plays a key role in determining both plaque and blood thrombogenicity. Ongoing clinical and preclinical studies are evaluating the therapeutic possibilities of specific inhibition of the tissue factor pathway. Here, we will review the role of tissue factor in atherothrombosis and therapeutic applications.