cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing the means and variances of a bivariate log-normal distribution.

For a bivariate log-normal distribution, a confidence interval is developed for the ratio of the means. The generalized confidence interval approach is used for this purpose, and the procedure is applicable regardless of the sample size. It is also noted that the same approach can be used to obtain a confidence interval for the ratio of the variances. A modified signed log-likelihood ratio procedure is also described for computing confidence intervals. The coverage probabilities of the proposed confidence intervals are estimated by Monte Carlo, and the generalized confidence intervals are found to exhibit satisfactory performance even for small sample sizes. Numerical results also show that the corresponding test procedures provide larger power compared with the modified signed log-likelihood ratio test. Two examples are given: one dealing with the comparison of the means and variances of health-care costs and the other dealing with testing mean equivalence in quantitative assays. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High precision nitrogen isotope measurements in oceanic basalts using a static triple collection noble gas mass spectrometer

[1] We describe a new system for the simultaneous static triple-collection of nitrogen isotopes at the <10μcm3 STP [N2] (<1 × 10−5 cm3STP; <0.5 nmol) level using a modified VG-5440 noble gas mass spectrometer. The system consists of an internal N2-STD with aδ15N value of −0.11 ± 0.22 ‰ (1σ) calibrated against an air-standard (Air-STD). The N2-STD was measured repeatedly with an average uncertainty on an individualδ15N measurement being 0.03 ‰ (1σ) versus an average single day reproducibility of 0.38 ‰ (1σ). Additional refinements include (1) monitoring of interfering CO contributions at mass 30, allowing a comprehensive CO correction to be applied to all samples, (2) quantification of procedural N2 blanks (n = 22) in both size (4.2 ± 0.5 μcm3 STP) and isotopic composition (δ15N = 12.64 ± 2.04 ‰), allowing consistent blank corrections to all samples, and (3) independent measurement of N2/Ar ratios using a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS). The new system was tested by measuring nitrogen isotopes (δ15N), concentrations and N2/Ar ratios on 11 submarine basalt glasses. Results show that the uncertainty on the δ15N data is improved as a consequence of multiple standards being run per day. Reduced analytical times, afforded by triple collection, also minimize sample depletion and memory effects, thus improving measurement statistics. Additionally, we show that CO corrections can be accomplished using mass 30 to monitor CO interferences, leading to substantial improvements in reproducibility and the overall accuracy of results when the contribution of CO is significant.
Community Patterns In Treatment Wetlands, Natural Wetlands, and Croplands In Florida

Abstract In Florida, roughly 18,000 ha of treatment wetlands called Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) have been constructed on agricultural land to reduce phosphorous loads to the Everglades. Little is known about how avian communities in these STAs compare to those present on other similar land types. In 2008–2009, point counts were conducted seasonally in the STAs, nearby croplands, and natural Everglades marsh to compare avian communities among these habitats. Overall, avian densities were nearly three times greater in STAs than in the croplands and 38 times greater than in the natural marsh. Local species richness in the STAs was 78% greater than in croplands and nearly four times greater than in the natural marsh. Although natural marshes may have more structural complexity than the croplands and STAs, their oligotrophic status probably limits their ability to support a large bird community. Avian densities varied seasonally among habitat types; avian density was greatest in the winter in STAs as a r...
Treatment of invasive fungal infections: stability of voriconazole infusion solutions in PVC bags

-1 concentration. In this work, the stability of voriconazole as an i.v. infusion solution in 0.9% sodium chloride and in 5% dextrose, in PVC bags, at 0.5 mg.mL -1 , stored at 4 oC and at room temperature, protected from light, was evaluated. These infusion solutions were analyzed for a 21-day period. Chemical stability was evaluated by HPLC assay. Visual inspection was performed and pH of the solutions was measured. No color change or precipitation in the solutions was observed. The drug content remained above 90% for 11 days in 0.9% sodium chloride and for 9 days in 5% dextrose solutions. The i.v. infusion solutions stored at room temperature were not stable. At room temperature, the voriconazole content dropped down to 88.3 and 86.6%, in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose solutions, respectively, two days after admixture. Assays performed at the end of the study suggest the sorption of voriconazole by the PVC bags. The results of this study allow cost-effective batch production in the hospital pharmacy. Key-Words: Antifungal drugs, voriconazole, voriconazole stability, voriconazole infusion solutions, PVC bags. The past two decades have witnessed an increase in the incidence of nosocomial fungal infections. Fungal sepsis has increased by more than 200% in this period [1] and represents a major problem, given the relatively poor response rates, especially for aspergillosis, and the high cost of the therapies [2]. The increase in the incidence of fungal infections may be attributed primarily to increased numbers of critically ill and immunocompromised patients, including those with AIDS, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and organ transplant recipients taking immunosuppressive drugs. Other possible reasons for the increased incidence of fungal infections include the growing number of patients undergoing invasive medical procedures, receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics or long-term corticosteroid therapy and receiving parenteral nutrition or hemodialysis [3]. Candida is responsible for ca. 80% of nosocomial fungal infections, with Candida albicans being the predominant Candida pathogen [4]. Aspergillus spp. are less common, causing ca. 4% to 5% of nosocomial fungal infections [3]. These pathogens are related to an extremely high mortality rate: around 40% to 60% for Candida [5] and 85% for Aspergillus [3], even with aggressive antifungal therapy. Although Candida and Aspergillus species still represent the vast majority of fungal isolates encountered in human pathology, a number of new species – both yeasts and filamentous fungi – are increasingly recognized as opportunistic pathogens [6,7].
Effect of Shielding on Single-Event Rates in Devices That Are Sensitive to Particle Range

Single-event rates in space can include contributions from low-energy particles such that the LET is not constant. A rate calculation algorithm for such a situation is derived.
Using HMMS to Identify Groups in a Patient Population: A Simulation

This study assessed the reliability, through a simulation study, of using hidden Markov models (HMMs) to identify groups of chronic lower back pain (CLBP) subjects. Two HMMs were designed to describe the lifting patterns of CLBP subjects and pain-free controls during a repetitive lifting task. The simulation study was conducted to determine how reliably the HMMs can detect intentionally misclassified simulated lifting sequences. The results of the simulation studies indicate that the HMMs can reliably identify sequences to the correct model and that HMM classification procedure can be used on clinical time series data to identify groups within a population.
A low-power BiCMOS 50 Gbps G m -boosted dual-feedback transimpedance amplifier

A single-channel 50 Gbps transimpedance amplifier (TIA) in 130nm SiGe BiCMOS process is presented. The proposed TIA is comprised of a gm-boosted dual-feedback common-base, an RC-degenerated common-emitter and an inductively degenerated emitter-follower. Accounting for 100 fF photodiode's input capacitance, the TIA achieves a measured transimpedance gain of 41 dBII and a measured RMS input-referred current-noise spectral density of 35.4 pA/√Hz over a wide 3dB-bandwidth greater than 50 GHz. It achieves an open eye at 50 Gbps with an RMS jitter of 2.3 ps (including the jitter contribution of test fixture). The TIA chip occupies 1×0.575 mm2 (including pads) of die area and dissipates 24 mW from a 2 V supply voltage (i.e., less than 0.5 mW per 1 Gbps).
Superimposing a strand map over lectures and textbook content (in a database class)

The strand map model is a directed graph of learning objectives (also called benchmarks) as defined by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to organize K-12 learning objectives for science literacy. We used the strand map model at a more detailed level to describe the learning objectives for one topic (normalization) in an introductory database class. More than that, we superimposed our strand map over lecture slides and the relevant sections from the textbook by linking each benchmark to the relevant slides and textbook content. Students and instructors can use our strand map interactively - proceeding in a top-down, bottom-up, or other manner, guided by the dependencies in the strand map. This paper reports on our experience using the normalization strand map in five successive course offerings. Our questionnaire data indicates that students were consistently quite positive in their assessment of this use of strand maps.
KATP channels and memory of ischemic preconditioning in dogs: synergism between adenosine and KATP channels.

Results from numerous studies have shown that there is an important link between adenosine A1 receptors and ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in mediating the cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning (PC). The major aim of the present study was to determine whether occupation of A1 receptors and/or the opening of KATP channels is involved in the time delay between the PC stimulus and the prolonged ischemic insult or the “memory” of PC to reduce infarct size. Barbital sodium-anesthetized dogs were subjected to 1 h of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Ischemic PC was elicited by 10 min of LAD occlusion followed by 1 h of reperfusion (1-h memory) before the 1-h occlusion period. Either adenosine (800 g/min), bimakalim (3 g/min), a combination of two lower doses of each agent (400 g/min of adenosine and 0.3 g/min of bimakalim), or an equivalent volume of saline was infused into the LAD for 10 min followed by a 1-h drug-free period before the 1-h ischemic insult. In another series, glibenclamide, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (a selective A1-receptor blocker), or PD-115199 (a nonselective adenosine-receptor antagonist) was administered 50 min after ischemic PC (10 min before the 1-h occlusion period). Infarct size (IS) was expressed as a percentage of the area at risk. PC with 1 h of reperfusion resulted in a marked reduction in IS (8.1 +/- 6.5 vs. 29.8 +/- 5.8% in control dogs). Administration of adenosine or bimakalim followed by a 1-h drug-free period had no effect on IS; however, the simultaneous administration of adenosine and bimakalim resulted in a marked decrease in IS (11.5 +/- 2.7%). One hour after ischemic PC, administration of glibenclamide blocked the protective effect of ischemic PC, whereas 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine or PD-115199 did not affect it. These results provide evidence that the opening of myocardial KATP channels may play an important role in the memory of ischemic PC in the canine heart and also suggest that adenosine and the KATP channel may have a synergistic interaction that is important for the memory phase of PC.
Intra-Abdominal Infections: Diagnostic and Surgical Strategies

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are defined as an inflammatory response of the peritoneum to micro-organisms and their toxins, which results in purulent exudate in the abdominal cavity [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. They have two major manifestations: generalized peritonitis and IA abscess. Peritonitis remains a potentially fatal disease and still represents a challenge for surgeons [3]. Although greater understanding of the pathophysiology of IAIs, improvement in critical care, and timely surgical and/or radiological intervention have reduced the mortality associated with severe peritonitis, the rate remains unacceptably high, ranging from 3% in localized abscess to 10% in localized peritonitis, 32% in diffuse suppurative peritonitis, and 70–80% in complicated mixed infections [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. In an effort to improve the results of treatment of severe IAIs, especially of those resulting from anastomotic leakage or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), new surgical techniques have been introduced.
Social and cognitive development in infancy

The relation between social and cognitive development has been important in several accounts of infant development. Piaget’s theory specifies that social and cognitive development become significant at eight months and are closely linked thereafter. Brazelton and Trevarthen emphasize the role of social development and social interaction from the first months on. Neither theory predominates today, but studies of new topics such as the infant’s discrimination of people and objects may help decide which is correct. In contrast to the question of when infants distinguish the social from the cognitive, it is obvious that the social and physical environments of the child are fundamentally different all along. Adults, and not objects, have expectations for infant development and adjust their behaviour in line with those expectations. The research on developmental outcome preserves this difference. Cognitive development in infancy proceeds normally in a great many environments. Social development, on the other hand, has been found to vary with the characteristics of the caregiver. This difference between social and cognitive development is interpretable in terms of the difference between the social and physical worlds.
Transport and Microstructure of Microcrystalline Silicon Alloys

The microstructure and electrical properties of μc-Si and μc-Si,C prepared by remote plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition, PECVD, are reviewed. The microstructure has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy, TEM, infrared, IR, absorption and Raman scattering. The electrical properties were characterized by temperature-dependent dark-conductivity measurements. These studies have explained significant quantitative differences between the carrier transport properties of μc-Si and μc-Si,C alloys in terms of a band offset model for the interfacial potential steps between the amorphous and crystalline constituents of these material systems.
Seasonal and interannual variations of sea surface salinity associated with the Mississippi River plume observed by SMOS and Aquarius

Abstract We use sea surface salinity (SSS) from ESA's Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and NASA's Aquarius/Satelite de Aplicaciones Cientificas (SAC)-D missions to study seasonal and interannual variations of SSS in the Gulf of Mexico near the Mississippi River outflow during 2010–2014. A seasonal cycle is clearly observed in SSS, with an SSS maximum during December–April and an SSS minimum in July–August. The averaged magnitude of the seasonal variation is about 4 pss. Interannual changes are also observed, with the lowest SSS in summer 2011 and the highest SSS in summer 2012 and a difference of 4.2 pss. Therefore, the magnitude of interannual changes can be comparable to that of the seasonal cycle. Our analysis suggests that the seasonal variations of SSS near the Mississippi River mouth are consistent with variations in Mississippi River discharge. Evaporation minus precipitation and ocean dynamics play a minor role. River discharge also contributes to the interannual variation of SSS, especially during summer 2011 and to some extent the highest summer minimum in 2012 in terms of timing, but not magnitude. For the latter, ocean dynamics and E–P also contribute. The implications of the findings to ocean modeling and hypoxic zone monitoring are also discussed.
Geographies of Pain: #SayHerName and the Fear of Black Women's Mobility

Unbeknownst to many people in both camps, communication scholars have been trading insults with geographers for decades: we [in communication] deride transportation as a mere instrumentality, and w...
The Culture Fit Factor: Creating an Employment Brand that Attracts, Retains, and Repels the Right Employees (Book Summary)

The Culture Fit Factor: Creating an Employment Brand that Attracts, Retains, and Repels the Right Employees. by Lizz Pellet. Publisher: Society for Human Resource Management (2010). Paperback: 160pp. ISBN-13: 9781586441180
Efficacy and Safety of Single-Agent Ruxolitinib Therapy for Myelofibrosis and Polycythemia Vera: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background: Ruxolitinib, a potent JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of myelofibrosis (MF) and polycythemia vera (PV) in 2011 and 2014, respectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety data of single-agent ruxolitinib in patients with MF or PV through meta-analysis of reported clinical trials. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for clinical trials of ruxolitinib for the treatment of MF or PV through June 30th, 2015. Only clinical trials in which ruxolitinib was used as single-agent therapy for MF or PV were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for proportion of patients with >= 35% reduction in spleen volume (primary outcome) and risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data with 95% confidence interval (CI) were analyzed using OpenMeta[Analyst] with a random effect model. Pooled ratios of adverse events of ruxolitinib therapy were also calculated. Results: Six clinical trials including 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of 987 patients were identified and included in the analysis. Four studies were conducted in MF patients, and 2 studies in PV patients. Pooled data from the 3 RCTs (2 for MF and 1 for PV) showed that ruxolitinib, compared to placebo or standard therapy/best available therapy (BAT), significantly increased the proportion of patients with a reduction in spleen volume of 35% or more (OR = 79.55, 95% CI = 22.51-281.11, p Conclusions: Single-agent ruxolitinib therapy results in improvement of symptoms in MF or PV and significant reduction in spleen size compared to placebo or standard therapy/BAT. Anemia and thrombocytopenia were the most common hematologic adverse events, but rarely led to the discontinuation of therapy. Diarrhea, fatigue, peripheral edema and dyspnea were the most common non-hematologic adverse events, but not significant compared to placebo or standard therapy/BAT. Disclosures Chang: Johnson & Johnson: Other: Stock.
Estimation of chlorophyll-a concentrations in diverse water bodies using ratio-based NIR/Red indices

Abstract Numerous studies indicate that biological and chemical water quality parameters such as chlorophyll-a have distinctive spectral characteristics and can thus be measured using spectral indices. But these indices appear to be less reliable in diverse water bodies including lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in coastal regions. The purpose of this study was to develop a new ratio-based two-band spectral index to estimate chlorophyll-a concentrations in diverse water bodies. In this study, an Ocean Optics Spectroradiometer (300–900 nm) was used to collect hyperspectral data from ponds, lakes, streams and rivers in the coastal St. Jones River Watershed, DE from March 2006 to May 2007, while independent in situ water samples were collected concurrently and analyzed for chlorophyll-a and total suspended solids (TSS). The relationship between the reflectance value of individual bands and in situ chlorophyll-a concentration was first examined to identify bands sensitive to chlorophyll-a but not to TSS. The most sensitive band was then selected as the numerator to build a series of ratio-based indices and each of them was examined for its correlation with in situ chlorophyll-a concentration. The ratio showing the highest correlation coefficient was determined as the new ratio-based spectral index. Also, the performance of ratio-based spectral indices from the literature was examined to compare with this newly developed spectral index. It was found that the new spectral index R716/R667 showed high correlation (r =0.82) with in situ chlorophyll-a concentration and it is not sensitive to TSS in diverse water bodies and cross different seasons. This new spectral index could be used as an alternative of two popular indices (R700/R670 and R700/R675) in diverse water bodies with large spatial variation in concentration of chlorophyll-a and TSS. Findings from this study demonstrate the suitability of hyper-spectral remote sensing techniques for mapping chlorophyll-a concentrations in diverse water bodies. Capsule The spectral index R716/R667 showed high correlation (r =0.82) with chlorophyll-a concentration and it should be useful for estimating chlorophyll-a in diverse water bodies.
Hominin track assemblages from Okote Member deposits near Ileret, Kenya, and their implications for understanding fossil hominin paleobiology at 1.5 Ma

Tracks can provide unique, direct records of behaviors of fossil organisms moving across their landscapes millions of years ago. While track discoveries have been rare in the human fossil record, over the last decade our team has uncovered multiple sediment surfaces within the Okote Member of the Koobi Fora Formation near Ileret, Kenya that contain large assemblages of ∼1.5 Ma fossil hominin tracks. Here, we provide detailed information on the context and nature of each of these discoveries, and we outline the specific data that are preserved on the Ileret hominin track surfaces. We analyze previously unpublished data to refine and expand upon earlier hypotheses regarding implications for hominin anatomy and social behavior. While each of the track surfaces discovered at Ileret preserves a different amount of data that must be handled in particular ways, general patterns are evident. Overall, the analyses presented here support earlier interpretations of the ∼1.5 Ma Ileret track assemblages, providing further evidence of large, human-like body sizes and possibly evidence of a group composition that could support the emergence of certain human-like patterns of social behavior. These data, used in concert with other forms of paleontological and archaeological evidence that are deposited on different temporal scales, offer unique windows through which we can broaden our understanding of the paleobiology of hominins living in East Africa at ∼1.5 Ma.
Modern Nerd: Alex Dunphy and Growing Up Geeky in Modern Family

The life of the adolescent nerd is often one of isolation, defined by difference from his or her peers. In the tradition of Lisa Simpson and Rory Gilmore, Modern Family’s Alex Dunphy (played by Ariel Winter) is a nerd who has little community among her peers or within her family. While Alex’s family is unfailingly supportive of her, they often struggle to understand or connect with her intellectual pursuits and obsessive competitiveness. As a result, Alex’s intellectualism is a frequent point of negotiation in her interactions with her family and peers. Despite these challenges, Alex continues to define herself, set clear and focused goals, and prevail through both failures and successes.
Association Between Weight Loss and the Risk of Cancer after Bariatric Surgery

Objective The goal of this study was to determine whether the reduction in cancer risk after bariatric surgery is due to weight loss. Methods A retrospective matched cohort study of patients undergoing bariatric surgery was conducted using data from a large integrated health insurance and care delivery system with five sites in four states. The study included 18,355 bariatric surgery subjects and 40,524 nonsurgical subjects matched on age, sex, BMI, site, and Elixhauser comorbidity index. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models examined the relationship between weight loss at 1 year and incident cancer during up to 10 years of follow-up. Results The study identified 1,196 cases of incident cancer. The average 1-year postsurgical weight loss was 27% among patients undergoing bariatric surgery versus 1% in matched nonsurgical patients. Percent weight loss at 1 year was significantly associated with a reduced risk of any cancer in adjusted models (HR 0.897, 95% CI: 0.832-0.968, P = 0.005 for every 10% weight loss) while bariatric surgery was not a significant independent predictor of cancer incidence. Conclusions Weight loss after bariatric surgery was associated with a lower risk of incident cancer. There was no apparent independent effect of the bariatric surgery itself on cancer risk that was independent of weight loss.
Pre-outbreak forest conditions mediate the effects of spruce beetle outbreaks on fuels in subalpine forests of Colorado

Over the past 30 years, forest disturbances have increased in size, intensity, and frequency globally, and are predicted to continue increasing due to climate change, potentially relaxing the constraints of vegetation properties on disturbance regimes. However, the consequences of the potentially declining importance of vegetation in determining future disturbance regimes are not well understood. Historically, bark beetles preferentially attack older trees and stands in later stages of development. However, as climate warming intensifies outbreaks by promoting growth of beetle populations and compromising tree defenses, smaller diameter trees and stands in early stages of development now are being affected by outbreaks. To date, no study has considered how stand age and other pre-outbreak forest conditions mediate the effects of outbreaks on surface and aerial fuel arrangements. We collected fuels data across a chronosequence of post-outbreak sites affected by spruce beetle (SB) between the 1940s and the 2010s, stratified by young ( 130 yr) post-fire stands. Canopy and surface fuel loads were calculated for each tree and stand, and available crown fuel load, crown bulk density, and canopy bulk densities were estimated. Canopy bulk density and density of live canopy individuals were reduced in all stands affected by SB, though foliage loss was proportionally greater in old stands as compared to young stands. Fine surface fuel loads in young stands were three times greater shortly (<30 yr) following outbreak as compared to young stands not affected by outbreak, after which the abundance of fine surface fuels decreased to below endemic (i.e., non-outbreak) levels. In both young and old stands, the net effect of SB outbreaks during the 20th and 21st centuries reduced total canopy fuels and increased stand-scale spatial heterogeneity of canopy fuels following outbreak. Importantly, the decrease in canopy fuels following outbreaks was greater in young post-fire stands than in older stands, suggesting that SB outbreaks may more substantially reduce risk of active crown fire when they affect stands in earlier stages of development. The current study shows that the effects of SB outbreaks on forest structure and on fuel profiles are strongly contingent on pre-outbreak conditions as determined by pre-outbreak disturbance history.
High-energy electron emission from THz-irradiated nano-tips (Conference Presentation)

The mechanisms through which electrons are ejected from atoms (or molecules) and subsequently driven to high-energies in a strong oscillating electric field are generally well understood, enabling a variety of techniques from attosecond pulse generation to imaging via time-resolved electron scattering. Analogous processes are at play in strong-field emission and acceleration of electrons from solids and, for nano-scale targets, brief electron bursts from particles with dimensions much less than the wavelength of the drive field hold great promise for ultrafast imaging and other applications. For long wavelength drivers, the enhanced local field near nano-particles or nano-tips can fundamentally change the energy transfer process and allow for the creation of very high energy electrons. As an extreme example of the long-wavelength limit, we have used intense single-cycle THz pulses to drive electron emission from unbiased, nano-tipped tungsten wires. Energies easily exceeding 5 keV are observed, substantially greater than those previously attained at higher THz and infrared frequencies. The large electron energies reflect electric field enhancement factors as large as 3000 in the vicinity of the sharpest tips. Despite large differences in the magnitude of the respective local fields, we find that the maximum electron energies are only weakly dependent on the tip radius, for 10nm < R < 1μm. Due to the single-cycle nature of the field, the high-energy electron emission should be confined to a single burst, potentially enabling applications in ultrafast imaging.
A Regret Theory Approach to Assessing Consumer Satisfaction

Because consumer satisfaction is an important determinant of brandloyalty and word-of-mouth communications, it has been widely studied inthe marketing literature. Much of this literature follows theexpectancy-disconfirmation paradigm, which posits satisfaction to be afunction of the positive or negative disconfirmation of one'sexpectations about the chosen brand. This article proposes a richermodel of consumer satisfaction that incorporates effects ofexpectations about the options not ultimately chosen from theconsideration set. Specifically, we posit that the expectations aboutthe unchosen alternatives affect satisfaction with one's choice whenthat choice does not meet the expectations but will have little effectwhen the choice meets expectations. A series of experimental studiesprovide support for this approach.
Computational Models of Cardiac Electrical Activation

Models of cardiac electrical activation have been proposed for over 100 years. While the major components of the cardiac source and volume conductor models have not changed over the years, they have become increasingly complex and more robust. Although modeling of body surface potentials (forward model) and cardiac potentials (inverse model) has been a major topic of research, the clinical utility has yet to be fully realized. Integrated cardiac models with electrical, mechanical, neural, metabolic, circulatory, and genetic inputs are currently being developed. These integrated models are likely to provide new insights into cardiac electrical activation during heart failure and generate new hypotheses about multi-system coupling in the heart. The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the history, theory, and clinical use of electrical heart models with applications to heart failure.
Localization of a Gene for the Male Enhanced Antigen on Human and Mouse Chromosomes

There is a paucity of studies at the molecular level of the male-specific H-Y antigen despite rapid advances in recombinant DNA technology in recent years. The major problem lies in the immunological definitions of this antigen. The H-Y antigen which was first demonstrated by transplantation experiments1 can also be detected by two other assays: the cell-mediated cytotoxicity test and the serological test2, 3. Many aspects of these systems for the detection of the H-Y antigen are reviewed extensively in the present volume and in the literature4, 5, 6. However, no consensus has been reached by various investigators on whether these immunological methods detect the same or different antigens. Furthermore, both transplantation and cell-mediated cytotoxicity tests are restricted by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and can only be performed consistently when highly congeneic animals are used. Studies of the serologically defined H-Y antigen are usually hindered by the low titers of the relevant antisera or monoclonal antibodies and by the technically demanding procedures7, 8, 9.
Operation of a bench-scale metal distillation furnace

The operation and design of an inductively heated, bench-scale distillation furnace (retort) are described. The furnace is used as part of a pyrochemical process for the electrometallurgical treatment of spent light water reactor fuel. The focus is on the components that contain the metal melts and vapors. The forerunner of this paper focuses on the design of the induction power system. The equipment was designed to separate volatile from nonvolatile metals; after separation, the nonvolatile metals are consolidated into a stillpot product. Twelve experimental runs were conducted; in seven, the authors used zinc as the distillate, and in five they used zinc-magnesium. In one of the runs, uranium was the stillpot product, and in two runs, copper was used as a substitute for uranium. After solving problems caused by violent evaporation, reboiling of the collected distillate, and blockage of the vapor path, the authors were able to evaporate the zinc and magnesium with distillate losses <6%. In some cases, the loss was as low as 0.3%. The stillpot product was successfully consolidated. Complete recovery of the stillpot product was achieved in one run.
Rectovaginal and Rectourethral Fistula

A comprehensive review of the literature for recto-urethral and recto-vaginal fistulas was performed. Etiology, diagnosis, and management techniques are described. Management recommendations are made containing descriptions of both abdominal and perineal surgical repairs as well as the success rates for the various procedures listed
Acute myocardial infarction and renal dysfunction due to chronic extreme anemia (hemoglobin 2.5 g/dL) in immune thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired thrombocytopenia where autoantibodies are generated against platelet antigens. Primary ITP is often idiopathic, whereas secondary ITP has many p...
Achieving Social and Economic Equality by Unifying Business and Ethics: Adam Smith as the Cause of and Cure for the Separation Thesis

Adam Smith's famous argument that selfâ€ interested decisions will ultimately improve social welfare seems inconsistent with the social and economic inequality characterizing Smith's time and today. I contend that these inequalities are the result of Smith's failure to explicitly situate the economic man he describes in The Wealth of Nations within the broader social context he articulates in The Theory of the Moral Sentiments, an omission which has since given rise to the separation thesis, which states that business decisions have no moral content and moral decisions have no business content. In response to this modernâ€ day Adam Smith problem, I integrate Smith's notions of sympathy, intimacy, and justice into a unification thesis that articulates how individuals might balance their selfâ€ interested and benevolent motives. By reuniting the discourses of business and ethics, this research may inform contemporary theories of business ethics and provide normative guidance for managers.
A Probabilistic Model of Periodic Pulsed Transaction Injection

A central problem with distributed ledger technologies involves the latency that must be incurred in processing and verifying transactions to be accepted as permanent records in the ledger. In many applications, high latency is simply not a tolerable aspect of the governance of the ledger. To help reduce latency, we first propose a theoretical pulsed injection protocol then apply innovative inventory theory onto the unverified transactions in the system. To utilize a probabilistic model for the pulsed injection of transactions, we calibrate the optimum pulsed transaction injection batch size to ensure equilibrium and optimal performance of the system.
Extended-release vs. oral naltrexone for alcohol dependence treatment in primary care (XON).

Abstract Background Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX, Vivitrol®) and daily oral naltrexone tablets (O-NTX) are FDA-approved mu opioid receptor antagonist medications for alcohol dependence treatment. Despite the efficacy of O-NTX, non-adherence and poor treatment retention have limited its adoption into primary care. XR-NTX is a once-a-month injectable formulation that offers a potentially more effective treatment option in reducing alcohol consumption and heavy drinking episodes among persons with alcohol use disorders. Methods This pragmatic, open-label, randomized controlled trial examines the effectiveness of XR-NTX vs. O-NTX in producing a Good Clinical Outcome, defined as abstinence or moderate drinking ( Results We describe the rationale, specific aims, design, and recruitment results to date. Alternative design considerations and secondary aims and outcomes are reported. Conclusions XR-NTX treatment in a primary care setting is potentially more efficacious, feasible, and cost-effective than oral naltrexone when treating community-dwelling persons with alcohol use disorders. This study will estimate XR-NTX's treatment and cost effectiveness relative to oral naltrexone.
Feasibility of a Mobile Messaging-Enhanced Brief Intervention for High Risk Heavy Drinking MSM: A Pre-Pilot Study.

The purpose of this project was to assess the feasibility of an in-person session + mobile messaging intervention approach to reduce heavy drinking and condomless anal intercourse among heavy drink...
Rigor and Reproducibility of Cytometry Practices for Immuno‐Oncology: A multifaceted challenge

The rapid advancement of immunotherapy strategies has created a need for technologies that can reliably and reproducibly identify rare populations, detect subtle changes in modulatory signals, and assess antigenic expression patterns that are time-sensitive. Accomplishing these tasks requires careful planning and the employment of tools that provide greater sensitivity and specificity without demanding extensive time. Flow Cytometry has earned its place as a preferred analysis platform. This technology offers a flexible path to the interrogation of protein expression patterns and detection of functional properties in cell populations of interest. Mass Cytometry is a newcomer technology that has generated significant interest in the field. By incorporating mass spectrometry analysis to the traditional principles of flow cytometry, this innovative tool promises to significantly expand the ability to detect multiple proteins on a single cell. The use of these technologies in a manner that is consistent and reproducible through multiple sample sets demands careful attention to experiment design, reagent selection, and instrumentation. Whether applying flow or mass cytometry, reaching successful, reliable results involves many factors. Sample preparation, antibody titrations, and appropriate controls are major biological considerations that impact cytometric analysis. Additionally, instrument voltages, lasers, and run quality assessments are essential for ensuring comparability and reproducibility between analyses. In this article, we aim to discuss the critical aspects that impact flow cytometry, and will touch on important considerations for mass cytometry as well. Focusing on their relevance to immunotherapy studies, we will address the importance of appropriate sample processing and will discuss how selection of suitable panels, controls, and antibodies must follow a carefully designed plan. We will also comment on how educated use of instrumentation plays a significant role in the reliability and reproducibility of results.Through this work, we hope to contribute to the effort toward establishing higher standards for rigor and reproducibility of cytometry practices by researchers, operators, and general cytometry users employing cytometry-based assays in their work. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in a centenarian.

Abstract As the general population ages, there will be an increasing number of vascular patients in their 90s and older. However, geriatric patients have historically been turned down for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair despite high aneurysm-related mortality in the unrepaired. Herein, we describe the perioperative considerations and the successful, uncomplicated operative course of a 100-year-old woman who underwent an elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair for an expanding 5.3-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. Given a suitable patient, there is acceptable risk profile of an endovascular approach, even in centenarians.
Increase in diabetes among urban Alaska Native people in the Alaska EARTH follow-up study: A call for prediabetes screening, diagnosis, and referral for intervention.

Abstract Aims This study estimates incidence of diabetes (DM) and pre-DM relative to DM risk factors among relatively healthy Alaska Native and American Indian (henceforth AN) adults living in urban south central Alaska. Methods: Baseline (2004–2006) and follow-up (2014–2017) surveys, blood samples, and medical chart review data were collected from AN adults living in south central Alaska. We analyzed associations between prevalent risk factors and incident DM and pre-DM using Cox proportional hazards and used multivariable models to identify independent predictors for both DM and pre-DM. Results: Among 379 participants with follow-up data, overall DM incidence was 16.5/1,000 PY; overall pre-DM incidence was 77.6/1,000 PY, with marked differences between men and women. Prevalent cardiometabolic risk factors also varied with greater amounts of overweight in men and greater amounts of obesity in women. Controlling for age and sex, obesity, abdominal adiposity, pre-DM, and metabolic syndrome independently increased DM risk. Conclusion: Health care providers of AN populations must seize the opportunity to screen, refer, and treat individuals with pre-DM and other modifiable DM risk factors prior to DM diagnosis if we are to alter the epidemiologic course of disease progression in this urban AN population.
The impact of water scarcity on support for hydraulic fracturing regulation: A water-energy nexus study

Abstract The rise of unconventional oil and gas development in the form of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has drawn much attention from media, scholars, and policy makers, and Texas has frequently been the epicenter of this attention. This paper looks at fracking through a particular lens, that of an extraction process that relies heavily on water. This “water-energy nexus” has been studied in terms of the physical connections, but little research exists on how ordinary people might understand that nexus. This paper examines the effect of people's awareness of the water-energy nexus and county-level drought characteristics on their support for increased regulation of water issues associated with hydraulic fracturing. The analysis uses data from a Texas-based public opinion survey, and county-level data from the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Texas Railroad Commission. Multi-level modeling techniques are used to examine the impact of proximity, local water scarcity, and individual awareness of the water-energy nexus on people's willingness to support regulating aspects of water in hydraulic fracturing practices. The paper supports the hypothesis that individual awareness of the energy-water nexus and local water scarcity affects willingness to support greater regulation and concludes with some policy recommendations to improve policy transparency surrounding hydraulic fracturing.
Assessment of metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas using simultaneous 18F-FDG-PET and MRI.

In this study, we investigate the feasibility of using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) for detection of metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cases. Twenty HNSCC patients scheduled for lymph node dissection underwent DCE-MRI, dynamic PET, and DWI using a PET-MR scanner within one week prior to their planned surgery. During surgery, resected nodes were labeled to identify their nodal levels and sent for routine clinical pathology evaluation. Quantitative parameters of metastatic and normal nodes were calculated from DCE-MRI (ve, vp, PS, Fp, Ktrans), DWI (ADC) and PET (Ki, K1, k2, k3) to assess if an individual or a combination of parameters can classify normal and metastatic lymph nodes accurately. There were 38 normal and 11 metastatic nodes covered by all three imaging methods and confirmed by pathology. 34% of all normal nodes had volumes greater than or equal to the smallest metastatic node while 4 normal nodes had SUV > 4.5. Among the MRI parameters, the median vp, Fp, PS, and Ktrans values of the metastatic lymph nodes were significantly lower (p = <0.05) than those of normal nodes. ve and ADC did not show any statistical significance. For the dynamic PET parameters, the metastatic nodes had significantly higher k3 (p value = 8.8 × 10-8) and Ki (p value = 5.3 × 10-8) than normal nodes. K1 and k2 did not show any statistically significant difference. Ki had the best separation with accuracy = 0.96 (sensitivity = 1, specificity = 0.95) using a cutoff of Ki = 5.3 × 10-3 mL/cm3/min, while k3 and volume had accuracy of 0.94 (sensitivity = 0.82, specificity = 0.97) and 0.90 (sensitivity = 0.64, specificity = 0.97) respectively. 100% accuracy can be achieved using a multivariate logistic regression model of MRI parameters after thresholding the data with Ki < 5.3 × 10-3 mL/cm3/min. The results of this preliminary study suggest that quantitative MRI may provide additional value in distinguishing metastatic nodes, particularly among small nodes, when used together with FDG-PET.
Acoustoelastic Responses of an Elastoplastically Deformed Body

The acoustoelastic response of an elastically deformed body can be characterized successfully by the theory of acoustoelasticity [1]. In the case of a body with plastic deformation, however, many investigators [2–5] have shown that the hyperelastic theory of acoustoelasticity is inadequate, and several modified theories of acoustoelasticity [6–10] were then proposed to incorporate the plastic strain effect.
Lactobacillus casei Low-Temperature, Dairy-Associated Proteome Promotes Persistence in the Mammalian Digestive Tract

We found that incubation of probiotic Lactobacillus casei BL23 in milk at 4 °C prior to ingestion increased its survival in the mammalian digestive tract. To investigate the specific molecular adaptations of L. casei to milk, we used tandem mass spectrometry to compare proteins produced by L. casei BL23 at 4 °C in milk to those in exponential and stationary phase cells in laboratory culture medium at either 37 or 4 °C. These comparisons revealed a core of expressed L. casei proteins as well as proteins produced in either a growth-phase or temperature-specific manner. In total, 205 L. casei proteins were uniquely expressed or detected in higher abundance specifically as a result of incubation in milk and included an over-representation of proteins for cell surface modification, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid transport and metabolism, and inorganic ion transport. Genes for DltD (d-alanine transfer protein), FabH (3-oxoacyl-ACP synthase), RecA (recombinase A), and Sod (superoxide dismutase) were targeted ...