cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative Effectiveness of Trimodal Therapy Versus Radical Cystectomy for Localized Muscle-invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder.

Abstract Given the lack of randomized evidence comparing trimodal therapy (TMT) to radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), we performed an observational cohort study to examine the comparative effectiveness of these two definitive treatments. Within the National Cancer Data Base (2004–2011),we identified 1257 (9.8%) and 11 586 (90.2%) patients who received TMT and RC, respectively. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)–adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that median overall survival (OS) was similar between the TMT (40 mo, 95% confidence interval [CI] 34–46) and RC groups (43 mo 95% CI 41–45; p =0.3). In IPTW-adjusted Cox regression analysis with a time-varying covariate, TMT was associated with a significant adverse impact on long-term OS (hazard ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.16–1.59; p p =0.004), while there was no significant interaction with gender ( p =0.6), Charlson comorbidity index ( p =0.09) or cT stage ( p =0.8). In conclusion, we found that TMT was generally associated with worse long-term OS compared to RC for muscle-invasive UCB. However, the survival benefit of RC should be weighed against the risks of surgery, especially in older patients. These results are preliminary and emphasize the need for a randomized controlled trial to compare TMT versus RC. Patient summary We examined the comparative effectiveness of trimodal therapy versus radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. We found that trimodal therapy was generally associated with worse long-term overall survival, although there may be no difference with radical cystectomy in older individuals.
The clinical significance of neutrophilic pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid in patients with viral central nervous system infections.

Summary Background Viral central nervous system (CNS) infections are typically characterized by a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocytic pleocytosis. A CSF neutrophilic pleocytosis presentation has been described, but its prognostic and clinical significance is unknown. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics of viral CNS infections with a CSF neutrophilic pleocytosis to those with a lymphocytic pleocytosis, and (2) evaluate factors associated with an adverse clinical outcome. Methods A retrospective study of patients with confirmed viral CNS infections was conducted. The patients were divided into those with CSF neutrophilic pleocytosis and those with CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis. Clinical findings and outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results Of the 182 patients included in the study, 45 (24.7%) had CSF neutrophilic pleocytosis. Enterovirus infections were the cause of 64% of neutrophil-predominant CSF and 33% of lymphocyte-predominant CSF ( p 0.001), while herpes infections were the cause of 46% of lymphocytic pleocytosis and 20% of neutrophilic pleocytosis ( p =0.003). Moreover, neutrophilic pleocytosis was seen more commonly in younger patients ( p =0.001), patients with respiratory symptoms ( p =0.04), and patients with higher CSF white cell counts ( p =0.004). Twenty-nine patients had an adverse clinical outcome (15.9%); the only predictor independently associated with an adverse clinical outcome on multivariable logistic regression analysis was an encephalitis presentation ( p =0.01). Conclusions The results of a study exploring the association between CSF neutrophilic pleocytosis and clinical and prognostic significance are presented here. This study suggests that CSF neutrophilic pleocytosis is not associated with higher adverse clinical outcomes.
Adaptive robust control of linear motors for precision manufacturing

Abstract Linear motors are sensitive to disturbances and parameter variations. Certain types of linear motors such as the iron core are also subject to nonlinear effects due to periodic cogging force and force ripple. An adaptive robust controller based on the discontinuous projection method is constructed to address these issues. In particular, based on the particular structures of various periodic nonlinear forces, design models consisting of known basis functions with unknown weights are used to approximate those unknown nonlinear forces. On-line parameter adaptation is then utilized to reduce the effect of various parametric uncertainties such as unknown weights, inertia, and motor parameters while certain robust control laws are used to handle the uncompensated uncertain nonlinearities effectively for high performance. Simulation results are shown to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Laser Surgery of the Airway

Lasers emit very high-intensity light with a narrow focus. With proper use, lasers allow surgeons to operate on small areas in a confined space, with reduced blood loss, decreased postoperative discomfort, and better wound healing. The most popular laser in otolaryngeal procedures is carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, which typically requires general anesthesia. Airway pathologies often pose potential challenges to airway management for anesthesiologists. A detailed history and physical exam combined with imaging studies are essential for airway evaluation and management. Preoperative smoking cessation is strongly advised. One of the most devastating complications of airway laser surgeries is airway fire. Close communication among OR personnel is essential for prevention of airway fire. Minimizing the oxygen concentration and using laser-resistant endotracheal tubes are among the commonly used strategies to prevent airway fire. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Task Force on Operating Room (OR) Fires has developed guidelines and an algorithm to manage OR fires. Anesthesiologists should also be familiar with other hazards associated with laser procedures and how to prevent or minimize them. Two main strategies have been developed for laser surgeries in the airway: endotracheal intubation with intermittent apnea phases, and jet ventilation. Each strategy has its unique advantages and disadvantages. Total intravenous anesthesia technique is commonly used for these procedures in order to maintain a steady state of anesthesia that would not be attainable with inhalational techniques using intermittent ventilation. Other potential complications associated with laser surgery of the airway include dental injuries, postoperative airway edema, barotrauma, pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema, etc. Close communication with surgeons and other OR personnel is the key component to ensure safe anesthesia care for patients undergoing airway laser surgeries.
The Hanging Column as a Dynamic Vibration Absorber

A simple mass–spring system with an attached hanging column is investigated. The problem is formulated and the frequencies obtained with an efficient initial value method. Under forced vibration, the amplitude of the mass may be greatly reduced by adding a hanging column. The possibility of using such a hanging column as a dynamic vibration absorber is shown for the first time.
High-Risk TP53 Mutations Are Associated with Extranodal Extension in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: Development of extranodal extension (ENE) has been associated with poor survival in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here, we sought to confirm the role of ENE as a poor prognostic factor, and identify genomic and epigenetic markers of ENE in order to develop a predictive model and improve treatment selection. Experimental Design: An institutional cohort (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center) was utilized to confirm the impact of ENE on clinical outcomes and evaluate the genomic signature of primary and ENE containing tissue. OSCC data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed for the presence of molecular events associated with nodal and ENE status. Results: ENE was associated with decreased overall and disease-free survival. Mutation of the TP53 gene was the most common event in ENE+ OSCC. The frequency of TP53 mutation in ENE+ tumors was higher compared with ENE− tumors and wild-type (WT) TP53 was highly represented in pN0 tumors. pN+ENE+ patients had the highest proportion of high-risk TP53 mutations. Both primary tumors (PT) and lymph nodes with ENE (LN) exhibited a high rate of TP53 mutations (58.8% and 58.8%, respectively) with no significant change in allele frequency between the two tissue sites. Conclusions: ENE is one of the most significant markers of OSCC OS and DFS. There is a shift toward a more aggressive biological phenotype associated with high-risk mutations of the TP53 gene. Prospective clinical trials are required to determine whether TP53 mutational status can be used for personalized treatment decisions. Clin Cancer Res; 24(7); 1727–33. ©2018 AACR.
Safe and Efficient Phosgenation Reactions in a Continuous Flow Reactor

Phosgene is widely used in organic synthesis owing to its high reactivity, utility, and cost efficiency. However, the use of phosgene in batch processes on the industrial scale is challenging owing to its toxicity. An effective method to minimize reaction volumes and mitigate the safety risks associated with hazardous chemicals is the use of flow reactors. Consequently, we have established a flow reaction system using triphosgene and tributylamine, which affords a homogeneous reaction that avoids clogging issues. In addition, we have demonstrated that this methodology can be applied to a wide variety of phosgene reactions, including the preparation of pharmaceutical intermediates, in good to excellent yields.
Initial Metabolic Profiles Are Associated with 7-Day Survival among Infants Born at 22-25 Weeks of Gestation.

Objective To evaluate the association between early metabolic profiles combined with infant characteristics and survival past 7 days of age in infants born at 22-25 weeks of gestation. Study design This nested case-control consisted of 465 singleton live births in California from 2005 to 2011 at 22-25 weeks of gestation. All infants had newborn metabolic screening data available. Data included linked birth certificate and mother and infant hospital discharge records. Mortality was derived from linked death certificates and death discharge information. Each death within 7 days was matched to 4 surviving controls by gestational age and birth weight z score category, leaving 93 cases and 372 controls. The association between explanatory variables and 7-day survival was modeled via stepwise logistic regression. Infant characteristics, 42 metabolites, and 12 metabolite ratios were considered for model inclusion. Model performance was assessed via area under the curve. Results The final model included 1 characteristic and 11 metabolites. The model demonstrated a strong association between metabolic patterns and infant survival (area under the curve [AUC] 0.885, 95% CI 0.851-0.920). Furthermore, a model with just the selected metabolites performed better (AUC 0.879, 95% CI 0.841-0.916) than a model with multiple clinical characteristics (AUC 0.685, 95% CI 0.627-0.742). Conclusions Use of metabolomics significantly strengthens the association with 7-day survival in infants born extremely premature. Physicians may be able to use metabolic profiles at birth to refine mortality risks and inform postnatal counseling for infants born at
Increases in Sugary Drink Marketing During Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefit Issuance in New York.

Introduction The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal food assistance program, providing $67 billion in benefits to 44 million Americans. Some states distribute SNAP benefits over one or a few days each month, which may create an incentive for retailers to heavily promote top-selling products, like sugar-sweetened beverages, when benefits are disbursed. Methods A beverage environment scan assessing presence of displays, advertisements, and price promotions for sugar-sweetened, low-calorie, and unsweetened beverages was administered in a census of SNAP-authorized beverage retailers (n=630) in three cities in New York from September to November 2011. Multilevel regression models controlling for store type; county; and percentage SNAP enrollment, poverty, and non-Hispanic white population in the store’s census tract were used to estimate the odds of in-store beverage marketing during the SNAP benefit issuance period compared to other days of the month. Data were analyzed in 2016. Results There were higher odds of in-store sugar-sweetened beverage marketing during SNAP benefit issuance days (first to ninth days of the month) compared with other days of the month, particularly for sugar-sweetened beverage advertisements (OR=1.66, 95% CI=1.01, 2.72) and displays (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.16, 3.03). In census tracts with high SNAP enrollment (>28%), the odds of a retailer having sugar-sweetened beverage displays were 4.35 times higher (95% CI=1.93, 9.98) during issuance compared with non-issuance days. There were no differences in marketing for low-calorie or unsweetened beverages. Conclusions Increases in sugar-sweetened beverage marketing during issuance may exacerbate disparities in diet quality of households participating in SNAP. Policy changes, like extending SNAP benefit issuance, may mitigate these effects.
Experience with PML Boundary Conditions in Fluid-Flow Computations

We review our experiences with absorbing layer boundary conditions in fluid flow. The absorbing layer is constructed by splitting the temporal derivative and applying independent damping in each split equation. This methodology follows the basic principle outlined by Berenger for the solution of Maxwell’s equations and is known as the Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) boundary condition. We consider several physical problems and numerical algorithms. The results indicate that the PML boundary condition efficiently minimize reflections and are suitable for aeroacoustic computations.
C. V. Wedgwood: The Historian and the World

The British historian of early modern England and Europe C. V. Wedgwood was one of the most decorated, prolific, and popular writers of the twentieth-century Anglophone world. Wedgwood wrote scholarly history for anyone interested in learning about the past. She kept her audience firmly in mind: the world of educated men and women, interested in politics, art, theater, fiction, and poetry. This was a world beyond the academy and epitomized by fashionable London society before, during, and immediately after World War II. Wedgwood believed that the “first duty” of the historian was to an audience: to educate, illuminate and tell a story. Nor was drawing morals problematic, for “if the accurate, judicious and highly trained fail to do so, the unscrupulous and unqualified will do it for them.” This essay focuses on Wedgwood’s career as a public intellectual, surveying her concerns to educate and influence men and women outside of the academy. Wedgwood saw history as far too important to be imparted only within schools and universities. The historian needed to be in the world, serving humanity.
Multi-center retrospective study evaluating outcomes of grade 3A follicular lymphoma (FL).

7551Background: Pathologic grading of FL (1, 2, 3A, 3B; based on increasing number of centroblasts) is prognostic and predictive. FL 3B is treated similarly to aggressive lymphomas with rituximab a...
Towards a Remote Sensing System for Railroad Bridge Inspections: A Concrete Crack Detection Component

This research paper presents ongoing research work towards developing an effective remote sensing system for bridge inspections. The paper describes the development and evaluation of a five-step prototype image processing algorithm to detect concrete cracks. The algorithm, based on an unsupervised learning approach, extracts pixels that belong to concrete cracks from images. The algorithm was tested using various images collected from field tests. The images included different types of concrete cracks, along with various types of noise factors. The algorithm was successful in detecting the different types of concrete cracks from various images. Contrary to most studies from the literature, these images were not “clean”. That is, the images were collected from field tests and used as inputs to the detection algorithm without any preprocessing activity.
Effect of Bismuth Subsalicylate on Gastrointestinal Tolerability in Healthy Volunteers Receiving Oral Delayed-release Dimethyl Fumarate: PREVENT, a Randomized, Multicenter, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study

Abstract Purpose Flushing and gastrointestinal (GI) events are commonly associated with the use of delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis. Methods PREVENT (A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Pepto-Bismol [Bismuth Subsalicylate] on Gastrointestinal Tolerability in Healthy Volunteers Receiving Oral TECFIDERA [Dimethyl Fumarate] Delayed-Release Capsules Twice Daily) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week study that evaluated the effect of bismuth subsalicylate on DMF-related GI events. Bismuth subsalicylate 524 mg or placebo were administered 30 min before DMF (weeks 1–4). DMF was dosed twice-daily (BID) at 120 mg (week 1) and 240 mg (weeks 2–8). Using an e-diary device, participants recorded GI and flushing events on the Modified Overall Gastrointestinal Symptom Scale once daily for the preceding 24 h. The primary end point was time to first GI-related event. Secondary end points included frequency and severity of GI-related events. Findings A total of 175 participants were enrolled (placebo, n = 87; bismuth subsalicylate, n = 88), and 17 discontinued treatment (placebo, n = 8; bismuth subsalicylate n = 9). A total of 146 participants reported ≥1 GI event: placebo, n = 72 (82.8%); and bismuth subsalicylate, n = 74 (84.1%). There was no statistical difference in risk of a GI event between the groups (P = 0.8292). Mean (SD) time from DMF initiation to first GI event was similar: placebo, 5.4 (8.73) days; and bismuth subsalicylate, 5.6 (10.87) days. Incidence of flatulence (38.6% vs 50.6%) and diarrhea (36.4% vs 48.2%) during weeks 1–4 was numerically lower in the bismuth subsalicylate group compared with the placebo group. Mean worst severity scores for flatulence (1.1 vs 1.8; P = 0.0219) and diarrhea (1.0 vs 1.6; P = 0.0500) were lower with bismuth subsalicylate than with placebo. Implications Although coadministration of bismuth subsalicylate did not affect the occurrence of DMF-related GI events overall, it reduced the severity and incidence of flatulence and diarrhea. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01915901 .
Intracellular Delivery of His-Tagged Genome-Editing Proteins Enabled by Nitrilotriacetic Acid–Containing Lipidoid Nanoparticles

Protein- and peptide-based therapeutics with high tolerance and specificity along with low off-target effects and genetic risks have attracted tremendous attention over the last three decades. Herein, a new type of noncationic lipidoid nanoparticle (LNP) is reported for His-tagged protein delivery. Active lipidoids are synthesized by conjugating a nitrilotriacetic acid group with hydrophobic tails (EC16, O16B, and O17O) and nanoparticles are formulated in the presence of nickel ions and helper lipids (cholesterol, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000]). It is demonstrated that the newly developed LNPs are capable of delivering various His-tagged proteins including green fluorescent protein (GFP), (-30)GFP-Cre recombinase, and CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein into mammalian cells.
Review of Direct Conversion of Nuclear Energy

The importance of direct energy conversion to the long-term development of nuclear power (both fission and fusion) is discussed as an approach to alleviating waste heat problems, reducing overall s...
Encyclopedia of major marketing strategies, volume 4

This is the fourth volume of what was originally called the Encyclopedia of Major Marketing Campaigns first published in 1999. Further volumes arrived in 2007 (volume two) and 2013 (volume three), ...
Adult Learning Theories and Practices

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the theory and practice of adult learning. The chapter defines adult learning and introduces a framework of adult learning (Bierema, Strategic approaches towards curriculum development for adult learners in the global community, pp. 7–33, 2008; Merriam & Bierema, Adult learning: Bridging theory and practice, 2014) that focuses on the educators, learners, processes, contexts, and methods that make up adult learning. Effective teaching is critical in an age where problems are difficult to solve and require deep learning and collaboration. Creating powerful formal instruction is easier and more impactful with an understanding of adult learning theory and how to translate it into meaningful practice to enhance learning.
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Differential Equations

The purpose of Introductory Differential Equations is twofold. First, we introduce and discuss the topics covered in an undergraduate course in ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Second, we indicate how certain technologies such as computer algebra systems and graphing calculators are used to enhance the study of differential equations, not only by eliminating some of the computational difficulties that arise in the study of differential equations but also by overcoming some of the visual limitations associated with the solutions of differential equations. The advantages of using technology such as graphing calculators and computer algebra systems in the study of differential equations are numerous, but perhaps the most useful is that of being able to produce the graphics associated with solutions of differential equations. This is particularly beneficial in the discussion of applications because many physical situations are modeled with differential equations. For example, in Chapter 5, we see that the motion of a pendulum can be modeled by a differential equation. When we solve the problem of the motion of a pendulum, we use technology to watch the pendulum move. The same is true for the motion of a mass attached to the end of a spring, as well as many other problems. In having this ability to use technology, the study of differential equations becomes much more meaningful as well as interesting.
Chapter 5 – Transcriptional Control of Osteoblast Differentiation and Function

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the role played by transcriptional factors in osteoblast differentiation and function. Till date, only one transcription factor has been identified that is specifically expressed in cells of the osteoblast lineage, Cbfa1 (core binding factor 1). Cbfa1 expression in osteoblasts is maintained after birth, and Cbfa1 controls the expression of Osteocalcin, for instance, a gene only expressed in fully differentiated osteoblasts. Cbfa1, like all transcription factors belonging to the Runt family, contains a DNA-binding region of 128 amino acids, called the runt domain, followed C-terminally by a proline-serine-threonine-rich region, called the PST domain. The PST domain contributes to the transactivation function of Cbfa1 and contains a short sequence at the C terminus that mediates transcriptional repression through interactions with TLE2. Cbfa1 has two unique domains located at the N terminus that are also involved in activating transcription. One of them, the so-called QA domain, which is rich in glutamine and alanine, prevents heterodimerization of Cbfa1 with Cbfβ, a known partner of other Runt family transcription factors. As haploinsufficiency at the Cbfa1 locus leads to severe skeletal dysplasia, it is conceivable that a moderate increase in the level of Cbfa1 may lead to increased bone formation by activating either, osteoblast differentiation or function. Several lines of evidence suggest that members of the AP-1 family are involved in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation. AP-l binding sites have been found in the promoter regions of several genes expressed in osteoblasts, including alkaline phosphatase and Osteocalcin. Various extracellular signaling molecules, such as TGFβ and PTH, have also been shown to induce the expression of AP-1 components in osteoblastic cells.
Development of Disease Self-Management (DSM) Regulatory, Non-communicable Diseases Negotiable Emerging eHealth driven Food Processing Technologies

In the modern food technology digital era, innovation and consumerism driven hypothesis generation plays important role to make the system summarily applicable under information and communication technologies (ICT) domain. eHealth conceptualization and promulgation based on scientific and technological information dissemination, recorded as a need base intervention to update food technology scenario. Nutrition transition leading to goodness and smartness has direct relationship with health of the consumer. Moreover, lifestyle transition generative non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) is becoming a vibrant challenge to food technologists. The sedentary status and individual inactivity jointly invited physio-nutritional health problems like NCD’s world over. Disease self-management (DSM) by eDiet requires hand in hand association of innovative food technology products and processes. eHealth appears to be one stop solution to prevent, cure and stimulate non-recurrence through regulatory dietary pattern. This may also be justify more efficiently with regulatory mechanism of DSM. Food processing being an art of material transition, leading to consumable security, requires to bring it under health claim base food processing scenario. Hence, concerted efforts of eHealth and novel food processing technologies are rightly awaiting to modify the DSM to ensure health security to consumers. The review base focus on tailoring of eHealth and novel food processing technologies is a techno-economical option to develop a regulatory mechanism for negotiation of NCD’s in future generation.
Dexamethasone and Glucocorticoid-Induced Matrix Temporally Modulate Key Integrins, Caveolins, Contractility, and Stiffness in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells

Purpose To determine the temporal effects of dexamethasone (DEX) and glucocorticoid-induced matrix (GIM) on integrins/integrin adhesomes, caveolins, cytoskeletal-related proteins, and stiffness in human trabecular meshwork (hTM) cells. Methods Primary hTM cells were plated on plastic dishes (TCP), treated with vehicle (Veh) or 100 nM DEX in 1% serum media for 1, 3, 5, and 7 day(s). Concurrently, hTM cells were also plated on vehicle control matrices (VehMs) and GIMs for similar time points; VehMs and GIMs had been generated from chronic cultures of Veh-/DEX-stimulated hTM cells and characterized biochemically. Subsets of cells prior to plating on TCP or VehMs / GIMs served as baseline. Protein expression of mechanoreceptors, cytoskeletal-related proteins, and elastic moduli of hTM cells were determined. Results Compared with Veh, DEX temporally overexpressed αV, β3, and β5 integrins from day 3 to day 7, and integrin linked kinase at day 7, in hTM cells. However, DEX decreased β1 integrin at day 1 and day 7, while increasing Cavin1 at day 7, in a time-independent manner. Further, DEX temporally upregulated α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and RhoA at day 7 and day 5, respectively; while temporally downregulating Cdc42 at day 3 and day 7 in hTM cells. Conversely, GIM showed increased immunostaining of fibronectin extra-domain A and B isoforms. Compared with VehM, GIM temporally increased αV integrin, Cavin1, and RhoA from day 3 to day 7, at day 3 and day 7, and at day 5, respectively, in hTM cells. Further, GIM overexpressed α-SMA at day 3 and day 7, and stiffened hTM cells from day 1 to day 7, in a time-independent fashion. Conclusions Our data highlight crucial mechanoreceptors, integrin adhesomes, and actin-related proteins that may temporally sustain fibrotic phenotypes precipitated by DEX and/or GIM in hTM cells.
Natural Language Processing for Autonomous Identification of Impactful Changes to Specification Documents

Functional specification documents describe system requirements and component functionality. In avionics this would include Interface Control Documents (ICD) or Interface Design Descriptions (IDD). New and modified requirements drive changes to specifications, resulting in updates to the interface designs. When interface designs are updated, engineers and software developers are required to manually compare the previous and new versions of the documentation to determine the changes. This is a tedious and error-prone process. Natural Language Processing (NLP) can be leveraged to automatically determine and report the changes between two versions of a hardware or software interface specification. To this end, our work demonstrates a novel use of NLP, a branch of artificial intelligence aiding computers in understanding human (natural) languages, to autonomously identify and classify changes in a specification document. Using the identified specification changes, the corresponding source code was tagged with required changes (updates, additions, and deletions), with the goal of automatically modifying the source code based on changes made to the specification. Two versions of an existing specification within the ground vehicle community written in Markdown were parsed into abstract syntax trees (AST) before being saved into OrientDB graph databases, herein described as the specification databases. The source code to be updated was the Extensible Markup Language (XML) schema documents for a ground vehicle data network specification. The source code, too, was parsed into an OrientDB graph database, herein described as the code database. For each node in the specification databases, a direct comparison of text was performed, and a variety of NLP techniques were applied primarily using spaCy, a Python library with previously trained models and word vectors. The parent relationships of the most similar nodes were verified, and a numerical threshold was used to determine the state of the “change” and subsequent update, addition, or deletion to the code database. We provide an example use case for the application of NLP against different versions of specifications using a software architecture paradigm where the code is closely modelled with the corresponding documentation. Pre-written code templates are used for reoccurring patterns in the documentation. While it does require initial development of the templates and the structure of the code, we believe this approach to updating a carefully crafted code base based on NLP-identified specification updates will have more achievable results in the realm of autonomous code generation than other approaches to code generation. Our approach carries potential of supplying a more intelligent and automated solution to generate sophisticated and accurate specification documentation for the fast-paced avionics industry while ensuring relevant protocols and changes in individual component requirements from varying suppliers are met.
Hierarchical synthesis Network: a frequency extraction technique for structured illumination-based phase retrieval

Structured illumination (SI) phase imaging is an important strategy to achieve quantitative phase imaging via encoding phase-induced diffraction into modulation intensity signals through propagation. However, the nonlinear property of SI-based transfer function results in ill-posedness in phase imaging retrieval. Overlapping modulation spectrum usually leads to loss of high spatial frequency components. Recent studies show that such nonlinear inversion problems can be efficiently represented by deep neural networks, as have been demonstrated in phase retrieval via holography and Fourier ptychography techniques. Here we present a hierarchical synthesis network (HSNet) which uses multiple splitting networks to extract structural features of structured intensity images in various modulation frequency and synthesis network to produce high fidelity reconstruction. We show that the proposed framework retrieve clear and accurate phase profile with reduced computing requirements in simulation.
Determining failure properties of as-received and hydrided unirradiated Zircaloy-4 from ring compression tests

Abstract An integrated experimental and computational approach was developed to determine the plastic strain at fracture and to investigate the fracture energy of as-received and hydrided unirradiated Zircaloy-4 nuclear cladding tubes in the hoop direction at room temperature from ring compression testing (RCT). This work builds on previous methods in the literature that were developed to obtain the mechanical properties of nuclear cladding before fracture (Young’s modulus, yield stress, and strain-hardening parameters) from experimental RCT results and extends the characterization of this material class to include material failure properties. A ductile damage approach was developed and implemented in a validated finite element model to predict material failure, evaluate fracture energy, and quantify the plastic strain at fracture initiation. The hydrogen content of the Zircaloy-4 specimens was varied up to 610 wppm when the failure became brittle. As expected, increasing hydrogen content caused embrittlement of the Zircaloy-4 samples tested and the plastic strain at fracture and fracture energy to decrease
Programming to S1PR1+ Endothelial Cells Promotes Restoration of Vascular Integrity.

Rationale: Increased endothelial permeability and defective repair are the hallmarks of several vascular diseases including acute lung injury (ALI). However, little is known about the intrinsic pat...
Modulation of sensory perception by hydrogen peroxide enables Caenorhabditis elegans to find a niche that provides both food and protection from hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is the most common chemical threat that organisms face. Here, we show that H2O2 alters the bacterial food preference of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the nematodes to find a safe environment with food. H2O2 induces the nematodes to leave food patches of laboratory and microbiome bacteria when those bacterial communities have insufficient H2O2-degrading capacity. The nematode9s behavior is directed by H2O2-sensing neurons that promote escape from H2O2 and by bacteria-sensing neurons that promote attraction to bacteria. However, the input for H2O2-sensing neurons is removed by bacterial H2O2-degrading enzymes and the bacteria-sensing neurons9 perception of bacteria is prevented by H2O2. The resulting cross-attenuation provides a general mechanism that ensures the nematode9s behavior is faithful to the lethal threat of hydrogen peroxide, increasing the nematode9s chances of finding a niche that provides both food and protection from hydrogen peroxide.
Real and imaginary roots

In this chapter we give an explicit description of the root system ∆ of a Kac-Moody algebra g(A). Our main instrument is the notion of an imaginary root, which has no counterpart in the finite-dimensional theory.
Beyond Finance: Permissible Commercial Activities of U.S. Financial Holding Companies

This essay explains the legal basis for, and examines public policy implications of, recent expansion of large U.S. financial holding companies’ non-financial business activities. Despite its potentially significant impact on economic growth and systemic stability, this phenomenon of financial conglomeration beyond finance remains poorly understood. Yet, any truly comprehensive and effective reform of financial services regulation must address public policy issues that arise when “too-big-to-fail” banks grow even bigger and more systemically significant by combining finance with commerce.
Inhibitors of sterol synthesis. Characterization of side chain oxygenated derivatives formed upon incubation of 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one with rat liver mitochondria.

3 β-Hydroxy-5 α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one, a potent inhibitor of sterol biosynthesis, was incubated with rat liver mitochondrial preparations in the presence of NADPH. The following four major products were isolated and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry: (25R)- and (25S)-3 β,26-dihydroxy-5 α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (4:1 ratio), 3 β-hydroxy-15-oxo-5 α-cholest-8(14)-en-26-oic acid, and 3 β,25-dihydroxy-5 α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one. In addition, 3 α,26-dihydroxy-5 α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one and 3 β,24-dihydroxy-5 α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one were identified as minor products by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Inequidimensionality of Hilbert schemes

We give a lower bound on the number of distinct dimensions of irreducible components of the Hilbert scheme of codimension 2 subvarieties in P1W, for n < 5 (respectively, the moduli space of surfaces or 3-folds) in terms of the Hilbert polynomial (resp. Chern numbers). Let Hilbp be the Hilbert scheme of subvarieties in the projective space with fixed Hilbert polynomial P (respectively, let M be a moduli space of varieties with fixed Chern numbers). It is known that Hilbp (resp. M) has finitely many irreducible components and that the number of these components is bounded by some function of the Hilbert polynomial (resp. the Chern numbers). For work on the number of components of the Hilbert scheme (resp. the moduli space), see [EHM] for curves in P3 and [Chl] for codimension 2 subvarieties in Ipn with n ?5 (resp. [Cal], [Ca2], [Ca3], [M] for surfaces and [Chl] for surfaces and 3-folds). The next question to ask is whether the Hilbert scheme (resp. moduli space) is equidimensional if it is reducible. Catanese [Ca3] has shown that for M, the moduli space of surfaces, the number of distinct dimensions can be arbitrarily large. In this note we study the number of distinct dimensions of the components of the Hilbert scheme Hilbp (resp. moduli space M) parametrizing subschemes with intersection numbers H'Kn-2-i (resp. Chern numbers), where H is the hyperplane class and K is the canonical class. We define n(d, HK, K2) = #{dimHIH is a component of the Hilbert scheme of surfaces in JR'4 with intersection numbers d, HK, K2 }, n(d, H2K, HK2, K3) = #{dim HIH is a component of the Hilbert schemes of 3-folds in I5 with intersection numbers d, H2K, HK2, K3}, n(K2, C2) = #{dim HIH is a component of the moduli space of surfaces with Chern numbers K2, c21, n(K3,c1c2,c3) = #{dimHIH is a component of the moduli space of 3-folds with Chern numbers K3, C1 C2, C3 }. Received by the editors October 5, 1995 and, in revised form, March 14, 1996. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 14J29; Secondary 14M07, 14M12.
The transmembrane proteins in the plasma membrane of normal human erythrocytes.

Abstract The arrangement of proteins in the normal human erythrocyte membrane was studied using lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination. The outer membrane surface of both intact erythrocytes and resealed ghosts was labeled with externally added lactoperoxidase. The cytoplasmic membrane surface was probed by sealing lactoperoxidase inside the resealed ghosts. Following iodination, the membrane components were separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gels, and the distribution of radioactive iodide into the various molecular weight classes was determined. The same components appear to be labeled on the external surface of resealed ghosts as are labeled in intact erythrocytes: a 90,000 molecular weight component (Protein 3), the major glycoprotein (periodate fuchsin sulfite (PAS)I), and two minor glycoproteins with apparent molecular weights of 40,000 (PAS II) and 27,000 (PAS III). However, PAS II is more extensively labeled in resealed ghosts than in intact erythrocytes, suggesting that alteration of the membrane has occurred during the course of the preparation of membranes and their resealing. Iodination of the internal surface of resealed ghosts reveals that all of the components labeled on the exterior surface also appear to be labeled at the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane. In addition, "spectrin" also is labeled at the inner surface of resealed ghosts. Separation of the partially purified glycoproteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis indicates that the region of PAS II is actually composed of at least two components, designated PAS II' and PAS II. The slower moving component, PAS II', appears to be labeled at both surfaces of the membrane, whereas the faster moving component, PAS II, which also stains more intensely with periodate fuchsin sulfite, is labeled only at the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane. Treatment of intact erythrocytes with pronase hydrolyzes PAS II, indicating that this component also spans the membrane. The differences in labeling between the major glycoprotein, PAS I, and PAS II indicate that these components are not identical, as has been suggested by others. Thus all five components detectable on the external surface of the normal human erythrocyte span the membrane and can be labeled on the interior surface.
Transnationalization of Korean popular culture and the rise of "pop nationalism" in Korea.

Joo, Jeongsuk.2011.Transnationalization of Korean popular culture and the rise of ʺpop nationalismʺ in Korea,Article,[Hoboken, NJ]Wiley Periodicals, Inc.,16
Spatial scaling of ecosystem C and N in a subtropical savanna landscape

Widely occurred woody encroachment in grass-dominated ecosystems has the potential to influence soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) pools at local, regional, and global scales. Evaluation of this potential requires assessment of both pool sizes and their spatial patterns. We quantified SOC and TN, their relationships with soil and vegetation attributes, and their spatial scaling along a catena (hill-slope) gradient in the southern Great Plains, USA where woody cover has increased substantially over the past 100 years. Quadrat variance analysis revealed spatial variation in SOC and TN at two scales. The larger scale variation (40‐ 45m) was approximately the distance between centers of woody plant communities and their adjoining herbaceous patches. The smaller scale variation (10m) appeared to reflect the local influence of shrubs on SOC and TN. Litter, root biomass, shrub, and tree basal area (a proxy for plant age) exhibited not only similar spatial scales, but also strong correlations with SOC and TN, suggesting invasive woody plants alter both the storage and spatial scaling of SOC and TN through ecological processes related primarily to root turnover and, to a lesser extent litter production, as mediated by time of occupancy. Forb and grass biomass were not significantly correlated with SOC and TN suggesting that changes in herbaceous vegetation have not been the driving force for the observed changes in SOC and TN. Because SOC and TN varied at two scales, it would be inappropriate to estimate SOC and TN pools at broad scales by extrapolating from point sampling at fine scales. Sampling designs that capture variation at multiple scales are required to estimate SOC and TN pools at broader scales. Knowledge of spatial scaling and correlations will be necessary to design field sampling protocols to quantify the biogeochemical consequences of woody plant encroachment at broad scales.
Practical, reliable, comprehensive method for characterizing pharmacists’ clinical activities

A method for rating the value of pharmacists' clinical services was studied. An instrument was developed to measure the severity of medication errors and the value of pharmacists' clinical interventions. Pharmacists at a hospital pharmacy department used the instrument at the time they made an intervention. A single pharmacist reviewed and adjusted the scores assigned by the pharmacist who made the intervention. An expert panel consisting of two clinical pharmacists and two physicians also scored all the interventions using the same instrument. All rankings were compared using kappa (kappa) and weighted kappa statistics, and symmetry tests were applied to examine whether specific raters consistently rated higher or lower than other raters. Data were extracted from the pharmacy department's intervention database to rate 300 interventions. Agreement between the raters was substantial, both overall and for each dimension individually. However, the physicians rated severity of error and value of service lower than their pharmacist counterparts. The study indicated that severity of error and value of service are clearly related, but not linearly. Services can be identified as high value even when there are no prescribing errors. Pharmacists found the instrument usable and practical. A literature-based instrument for simultaneously assessing the severity of errors in medication orders and the value of pharmacists' interventions was constructed, tested in a hospital, and determined to be reliable.
Programming an automated punch or drill

An optimization problem involving a mechanical arm that is programmed to punch or drill a series of holes in a template is presented. It must return to its initial starling position to be cooled by oil jets before starting on the next template. As thousands of the templates are punched each day, it is desired to find the shortest route for the mechanical arm to follow in order to save manufacturing time. This is a type of shortest route problem. The example presented here has 150 points which are taken from the literature, The solution technique used here is multi-stage Monte Carlo optimization (MSMCO). It is compared for accuracy with other solution techniques. MSMCO's ability to produce multiple approximate optimals is featured as this could provide some needed flexibility in the manufacturing process. Additional potential applications are mentioned.
Human Glyoxalase II Contains an Fe(II)Zn(II) Center but Is Active as a Mononuclear Zn(II) Enzyme

Human glyoxalase II (Glx2) was overexpressed in rich medium and in minimal medium containing zinc, iron, or cobalt, and the resulting Glx2 analogues were characterized using metal analyses, steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics, and NMR and EPR spectroscopies to determine the nature of the metal center in the enzyme. Recombinant human Glx2 tightly binds nearly 1 equiv each of Zn(II) and Fe. In contrast to previous reports, this study demonstrates that an analogue containing 2 equiv of Zn(II) cannot be prepared. EPR studies suggest that most of the iron in recombinant Glx2 is Fe(II). NMR studies show that Fe(II) binds to the consensus Zn(2) site in Glx2 and that this site can also bind Co(II) and Ni(II), suggesting that Zn(II) binds to the consensus Zn(1) site. The NMR studies also reveal the presence of a dinuclear Co(II) center in Co(II)-substituted Glx2. Steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetic studies show that Glx2 containing only 1 equiv of Zn(II) is catalytically active and that the metal ion in the consensus Zn(2) site has little effect on catalytic activity. Taken together, these studies suggest that Glx2 contains a Fe(II)Zn(II) center in vivo but that the catalytic activity is due to Zn(II) in the Zn(1) site.
Phase transformations in sputter deposited NiMn thin films

The phase changes of NiMn films, produced by co-sputtering from elemental targets on glass slides, were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The as-deposited NiMn thin films were found to be amorphous or nanocrystalline with a high defect density. When subjected to thermal annealing, the films exhibit four exothermic reactions as measured by DSC. The second and the third peaks were attributed to the formation of the fcc (A1) phase and the face-centered tetragonal (L10) phase, respectively. The first peak around 160 °C and last one at 440 °C could be due to oxidation and coarsening, respectively.