cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward a neuro-cognitive interpretation of 'context'

This paper undertakes to begin to perform the overdue task of de-objectivizing the key pragmatic notion of ?context?. This notion will be re-interpreted in terms of mental models, which correspond to that portion of ?reality? that is relevant for information processing. For this purpose, a variety of examples of the role of ?context? in pragmatics will be re-interpreted in terms of notions and findings of neuro-cognitive psychology.
SEED SIZE AND SEED PACKAGING VARIATION IN BAPTISIA LANCEOLATA (FABACEAE)

Pods and seeds of field-collected Baptisia lanceolata plants were analyzed to partition seed weight and seed packaging trait variance among and within plants and to detect relationships between these traits. Packaging traits studied were: pod weight, seed weight per pod, number of seeds per pod, mean weight of seeds per pod, proportion seed weight of total pod weight, and pod weight per seed. Significant among-plant variation was found for seed weight and all packaging traits. Within plants, positive correlations were found between number of seeds per pod and pod dry weight and between the proportion seed weight of total pod weight and number of seeds per pod. Pod weight per seed was negatively correlated with number of seeds per pod. Most plants had a negative correlation between mean seed weight and number of seeds per pod. When compared with an equality of slopes test, slopes of regressions of the above pairs of traits were found to differ among plants. Among plants, the same relationships were found, except for the latter two traits, which were not correlated. These within-plant patterns may represent constraints on seed weight variance imposed by the seed package. This view is supported by a positive correlation between packaging trait variance and seed weight variance. Packaging-related constraints could have an effect on seed weight in this and other species. If these phenotypic constraints have a genetic basis, then selection on seed packaging could change seed weight in a way different from that which might be predicted by considering seed weight alone.
Achromatic volume holography using dispersive compensation for grating tilt

A method for achromatic volume holography is described using a combination of material and grating dispersion. With barium titanate as the dispersive material, a bandwidth of 250 nm is realized. The device may be used for broadband phase conjugation and image reconstruction.
New technique for the measurement of small eye movements.

A technique has been developed for recording eye movements as large as three or four degrees, with a precision of about ten seconds of arc. The technique is not subject to artifacts when the head moves, or if the eye should shift in its socket, and no attachment to the eye is required. A very small spot of light is focused on the subject’s retina and is made to scan repeatedly across the optic disk. Light reflected back out of the eye is projected on to a photomultiplier tube which drives the vertical amplifier of a cathode-ray oscilloscope. The horizontal sweep of the oscilloscope is triggered in synchrony with the scanning spot. In the optic disk, the blood vessels absorb considerably more light than their whitish background. Therefore, each time the scanning spot passes over a blood vessel, a vertical deflection is registered on the oscilloscope. The distance between the beginning of the scan and this vertical deflection measures the optical position of the retina with respect to any stationary external stimulus. Changes in this distance represent movements of the eye.
The growth of neighborhood disorder and marijuana use among urban adolescents: a case for policy and environmental interventions.

Objective:This study examines the growth of neighborhood disorder and subsequent marijuana use among urban adolescents transitioning into young adulthood.Method:Data are derived from a longitudinal sample of 434 predominately African American 12th graders followed-up at 2 years after high school. The data are rich in repeated measures documenting substance use and misuse and neighborhood characteristics. Growth mixture modeling was used to examine how neighborhood disorder trajectories, measured through the presence of abandoned buildings on the blocks where participants reside, influence subsequent drug use beginning in late adolescence and into young adulthood.Results:A four-class solution characterizing neighborhood growth was selected as the final model and included rapidly improving, slightly improving, always-good, and deteriorating neighborhoods. Young adults living in neighborhoods that had been deteriorating over time were 30% more likely to use marijuana 2 years after high school than adolescent...
Automated Analysis of Access Policies in Industrial Plants

Access control policies are a key element for designing and implementing secure industrial distributed systems. A new technique for checking the correct mapping of high-level access policies onto low-level access control mechanisms, which are included in the actual system, is presented in this paper by means of a case study. The proposed approach has been adopted for developing an automated analysis software tool, whose main characteristics are also discussed.
Transient ischemic attack and risk of stroke recurrence: The Lehigh Valley Recurrent Stroke Study.

We investigated the effect of transient ischemic attack occurring both before and after an initial stroke on risk of recurrent stroke in a population-based study. In the Lehigh Valley Recurrent Stroke Study, patients were enrolled between July 1987 and August 1989 and followed up regularly at about 6-month intervals for up to 4 years (mean, 2 years). In addition to history of transient ischemic attack before and after the initial stroke, information on comorbidities including hypertension, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia, and diabetes mellitus was collected at the baseline visit and at follow-up visits. The 621 patients with an initial ischemic stroke constituted the cohort analyzed in this report. A history of transient ischemic attack was present at enrollment in 114 (18.4%) patients. During follow-up, 20 patients experienced a transient ischemic attack, and 77 had a recurrent stroke. Using a Cox proportional hazards model taking comorbidities, sex, and age into account, we analyzed the relationship between transient ischemic attack and recurrent stroke in the 503 patients with at least one follow-up visit. History of transient ischemic attack before the initial stroke was associated with a decreased risk of recurrent stroke (Hazards ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.08 to 0.86; P=.03), whereas a new transient ischemic attack after the initial stroke was associated with an increased risk of recurrent stroke (Hazards ratio, 11.7; 95% C.I. confidence interval=3.45 to 39.83; P=.0001).
Clinical conversations between psychoanalysis and imaginative literature.

A literary form created by an imaginative writer captures something of the way the author shapes emotional experience and psychologically engages with it. The manner in which experience is created and contained in an imaginative literary text has much in common with the way experience is generated and worked with in the psychoanalytic situation. The author describes a clinical experience in which there was a collapse of the analytic (imaginative) space. He then discusses how he made use of a “conversation” he created with a short story and his own analytic experience to restore his imaginative capacities and to resume psychological work with the patient.
GADD45α inhibition of DNMT1 dependent DNA methylation during homology directed DNA repair

In this work, we examine regulation of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) by the DNA damage inducible protein, GADD45α. We used a system to induce homologous recombination (HR) at a unique double-strand DNA break in a GFP reporter in mammalian cells. After HR, the repaired DNA is hypermethylated in recombinant clones showing low GFP expression (HR-L expressor class), while in high expressor recombinants (HR-H clones) previous methylation patterns are erased. GADD45α, which is transiently induced by double-strand breaks, binds to chromatin undergoing HR repair. Ectopic overexpression of GADD45α during repair increases the HR-H fraction of cells (hypomethylated repaired DNA), without altering the recombination frequency. Conversely, silencing of GADD45α increases methylation of the recombined segment and amplifies the HR-L expressor (hypermethylated) population. GADD45α specifically interacts with the catalytic site of DNMT1 and inhibits methylation activity in vitro. We propose that double-strand DNA damage and the resulting HR process involves precise, strand selected DNA methylation by DNMT1 that is regulated by GADD45α. Since GADD45α binds with high avidity to hemimethylated DNA intermediates, it may also provide a barrier to spreading of methylation during or after HR repair.
Nature and nurture- genes and environment- predict onset and progression of macular degeneration.

Abstract Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of irreversible visual loss and the disease burden is rising world-wide as the population ages. Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of this disease. Among environmental factors, smoking, obesity and dietary factors including antioxidants and dietary fat intake influence onset and progression of AMD. There are also several lines of evidence that link cardiovascular, immune and inflammatory biomarkers to AMD. The genetic etiology of AMD has been and continues to be an intense and fruitful area of investigation. Genome-wide association studies have revealed numerous common variants associated with AMD and sequencing is increasing our knowledge of how rare genetic variants strongly impact disease. Evidence for interactions between environmental, therapeutic and genetic factors is emerging and elucidating the mechanisms of this interplay remains a major challenge in the field. Genotype–phenotype associations are evolving. The knowledge of non-genetic, modifiable risk factors along with information about heritability and genetic risk variants for this disease acquired over the past 25 years have greatly improved patient management and our ability to predict which patients will develop or progress to advanced forms of AMD. Personalized medicine and individualized prevention and treatment strategies may become a reality in the near future.
Mental health service and medication use in New York City after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

OBJECTIVE: A survey assessed use of mental health services and psychiatric medications in New York City four to five months after the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. METHODS: A telephone survey using random-digit dialing was conducted among 2,001 adult householders. RESULTS: During the interviews, 7.6 percent of respondents reported use of mental health services in the past 30 days and 7.7 percent reported use of psychiatric medications. Factors associated with service use included experiencing four or more lifetime traumatic events, experiencing two or more stressful life events in the past 12 months, having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and having depression. African-American and Hispanic respondents were less likely than white respondents to use services. Greater service use after the attack was associated with a graduate education, increased alcohol use after the attack, and depression. Factors associated with medication use included being in either of two age groups (25 ...
Inductive Behavioral Proofs by Unhiding

Abstract We show that for any behavioral Σ-specification s there is an ordinary algebraic specification s over a larger signature, such that a model behaviorally satisfies s iff it satisfies, in the ordinary sense, the ∑-theorems of s. The idea is to add machinery for contexts and experiments (sorts, operations and equations), use it, and then hide it. We develop a procedure, called unhiding, which takes a finite s and produces a finite s. The practical aspect of this procedure is that one can use any standard equational inductive theorem prover to derive behavioral theorems, even if neither equational reasoning nor induction is sound for behavioral satisfaction.
Exchangeable Cation Hydration Properties Strongly Influence Soil Sorption of Nitroaromatic Compounds

Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) are commonly found as soil contaminants in military training sites and manufacturing facilities, and may adversely affect human and ecosystem health. Exchangeable cation effects on p-nitrocyanobenzene (p-NCB) and 1,4d-initrobenzene (1,4-DNB) sorption by the Webster (fine loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) soil series A (WA) and B (WB) horizons were determined from batch sorption experiments. Smectite is the most abundant mineral in the horizons of this soil. Soil organic matter (SOM) removal increased p-NCB sorption to the WA and WB horizons by ∼1.5 times, and increased 1,4-DNB sorption to the A and B horizons by ∼1.2 to 2.2 times, respectively. Greater sorption of NACs by whole soils after SOM removal suggests that SOM suppresses p-NCB and 1,4-DNB sorption by soil mineral components. Clay (<2-μm fraction) removal decreased p-NCB sorption to the WA and WB horizons by ∼8 and 11 times, respectively; clay removal decreased 1,4-DNB sorption to the WA and WB horizons by ∼4.8 and 6.7 times, respectively. Nitroaromatic compound sorption to different soil fractions was measured to identify the independent effects of soil components and exchangeable cations on sorption. For this purpose, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB) and 1,4-DNB sorption to two organic soils and a soil devoid of smectites, and p-NCB sorption to whole soil and the soil clay-sized fraction were determined. Exchangeable cation type was found to minimally affect sorption of 1,2,4-TCB, p-NCB, and 1,4-DNB by SOM. Sorption of p-NCB to homoionic soil clay-sized fractions was generally greater for clays saturated with monovalent cations than clays saturated with divalent cations. Greater p-NCB sorption followed decreases in cation hydration energy in the order Na + < Li + < < K + < Cs+ and Ca 2+ < Ba 2+ < Mg 2+ . Similar trends were observed for whole-soil samples exchanged with these cations. This indicates that differences in nitroaromatic sorption are due to exchangeable cation effects on the clay mineral fraction.
Three-dimensional amide proton transfer MR imaging of gliomas: Initial experience and comparison with gadolinium enhancement.

Purpose To investigate the feasibility of a three-dimensional amide-proton-transfer (APT) imaging sequence with gradient- and spin-echo readouts at 3T in patients with high- or low-grade gliomas.
Investigation of the correlation of peel strength and pad adhesion measurements using different printed circuit board base materials

The adhesion of pads to the PCB base material has, along with the assembly method, an essential impact on the reparability of components without damaging the PCB. Various test methods have been developed to evaluate Cu adhesion to different base materials. Two of those methods, the pad adhesion test and the peel strength test, have been investigated with the objective of finding the degree of correlation between the results obtained. A correlation of both methods would allow the use of the simpler measurement to obtain data about the more interesting parameter. In the test plan, the main factors influencing peel strength and pad adhesion are discussed, and the test matrix for both the initial and the main test is shown. The pad adhesion and peel strength measurement methods are explained, along with design of the test boards. The influence of the period between sample preparation (conventional print and etch process) and measurement, stripe width and stripe orientation at the base material on the peel strength values and the effect of pad shape, number, size and pattern on the pad adhesion data is shown and discussed. After fixing the test parameters, the main measurements were made using a conventional FR4 material. A correlation of pad adhesion and peel strength values has not been found due to the different fracture interfaces resulting from the different kinds of stress. A second test using Speedboard N/sup TM/ material showed a correlation of peel strength and pad adhesion data, based on the same fracture mode despite different kinds of stress.
Monitoring of cocoa volatiles produced during roasting by selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS).

Abstract: Selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was used to measure the real-time concentrations of cocoa volatiles in the headspace during roasting. Alkalized and unalkalized Don Homero and Arriba cocoa beans were roasted at 120, 150, and 170 °C in a rotary roaster. The concentrations of total alcohols, acids, aldehydes, esters, ketones, and alkylpyrazines increased, peaked, and decreased within the timeframe used for typical roasting. The concentrations of alkylpyrazines and Strecker aldehydes increased as the roasting temperature increased from 120 to 170 °C. For most of the volatile compounds, there was no significant difference between Arriba and Don Homero beans, but Arriba beans showed higher concentrations of 2-heptanone, acetone, ethyl acetate, methylbutanal, phenylacetaldehyde, and trimethylpyrazine. For unalkalized Don Homero beans (pH 5.7), the time to peak concentration decreased from 13.5 to 7.4 min for pyrazines, and from 12.7 to 7.4 min for aldehydes as the roasting temperature increased from 120 to 170 °C. Also, at 150 °C roasting, the time to peak concentration was shortened from 9 to 5.1 min for pyrazines, and from 9.1 to 5 min for aldehydes as the pH increased from 5.7 to 8.7. Practical Application: SIFT-MS allows for real-time monitoring of the key volatile compounds contributing to chocolate flavor, with minimal sample preparation, thus can be used to facilitate adjusting the roasting conditions, such as temperature and time, to optimize chocolate flavor during roasting. Real-time monitoring during roasting can also be used to evaluate the flavor quality of different types of beans by comparing the concentrations of key flavor compounds.
A comparison of parametrically different objective speech quality measures using correlation analysis with subjective quality results

In this study, 500 parametrically different versions of 6 "basic" objective speech quality measures are defined. Each objective measure is applied to 1,056 distorted speech samples, and a statistical correlation is done with subjective quality measures on the same data base. Using a nonparametric pair-wise rank statistics, the best values for the various parameters are investigated. The results of this study clearly show that a number of the parametric forms of objective speech quality measures currently in popular use are non-optimal.
Influencing Factors on Consumer Acceptability of Brand Extension: A Study on Kist's Brand Extension

Organizations frequently follow brand extension strategies. The study makes an attempt to find out the influencing factors on consumer acceptability with regard to the brand extension of ‘Kist’ Product. This study examines whether this extension gained consumer acceptability in Manmunai North Divisional Secretatriat Area, Batticaloa in Sri Lanka. The acceptability of consumers on brand extension has been tested by the variables: Perceived similarity, Brand reputation, Risk free perception, and Consumer Innovativeness based on the model developed by Chernatony (2003). The conceptual definitions of different authors were used for identifying the determinants of the above variables. The data were collected from convenience sample of 200 ‘Kist’ brand consumers through close-ended questionnaire in the target area. Data were analyzed and evaluated by Univariate and Bivariate techniques. Regression analysis was used for testing the hypotheses. This study empirically examines the significance of independent variables in deciding the dependent variable ‘Consumer acceptability of Brand extension’ (CAOBE) in relation to ‘Kist’ brand. The results reveal that the variables parent brand reputations, perceived similarity and risk free perception have powerful positive effect on consumers' mind-set towards the brand extension of ‘Kist’. Along with it, even though the variable consumer innovativeness has the influence in consumer acceptance, it has not showed powerful effect on consumer acceptance. And also the brand extension of ‘Kist’ shows high level acceptance among the target consumers.The result of this study suggests a number of implications for brand extensions in Sri Lankan FMCG market.
Embolic applications of shape memory polyurethane scaffolds

Polyurethane shape memory polymers (SMPs) have found a variety of uses in the medical industry in the form of self-tightening sutures, suture anchors, ligament fixation devices, vascular stents, and thrombectomy devices. New formulations of polyurethane SMP scaffolds are gaining significant interest for use in vascular embolization procedures. These scaffolds have demonstrated rapid time to occlusion, improved healing, and favorable biocompatibility, and they eliminate the need to implant multiple devices to achieve stable occlusion, significantly reducing procedure times and the total cost of treatment. Described here are various methods used to fabricate SMP scaffolds, indications for SMP scaffold embolization, advantages of using these scaffolds in embolization procedures, results seen in animal studies that made use of SMP scaffolds, and future directions for SMP scaffolds that will propel the technology to significant use beyond vessel occlusion.
Gold(III)-Catalyzed Hydration of Phenylacetylene

A guided inquiry-based experiment exploring the regioselectivity of the hydration of phenylacetylene is described. The experiment uses an acidic gold(III) catalyst in a benign methanol/water solvent system to introduce students to alkyne chemistry and key principles of green chemistry. The experiment can be easily completed in approximately 2 h, and is suitable for use in introductory organic chemistry laboratories. The experiment is versatile and amenable to many lab settings, as it requires no specialized glassware, and the crude product can be analyzed via gas chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Developmental Language Disorder and Polymicrogyria

Neuroimaging studies were conducted in 15 children (11 boys), ages 4 to 14 years, with primary complaint of language delay, in a study at the Department of Neurology, University of Campinas, Brazil.
Climate-Biased Decisions via Partial Historical Sampling

A heuristic approach for incorporating probabilistic meteorology outlooks, via operational hydrology, into derivative hydrology probability forecasts or storm frequency distributions is described. It constructs a weighted set of future possibilities that agree with selected meteorology outlooks. Many times, calculated weights are zero-valued and a question arises on how to properly consider them in the biased sample. After exploring the effects of directly using zero-valued weights, an alternative is presented that omits historical observations from the biased sample corresponding to zero-valued weights (partial historical sampling). This requires adjustment of the non-zero weights and redefinition of hydrology forecast statistics that are based on the biased sample. Examples of simple storm frequency estimation, using El Nino conditional probabilities, illustrate the problem with zero-valued weights for some estimators and their negligible effect with other estimators.
Epidemiologic characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis among transient and local population in Nanjing,2010

Objective To contrast the characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis cases in both transient and local population in Nanjing,2010,and to provide scientific basis for TB control.Methods Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the surveillance data of TB management.Results TB patients in transient population were mainly young adults with the ages of 15 to 34 years(45.51%).However,the local TB patients were mainly above 55 years old(44.54%).The top-two occupations in both transient and local TB patients were farmers and workers,while students and retirees were ranked the third in transient population and local population,respectively.TB patients in transient population were largely come from Anhui(25.32%) and northern area of Jiangsu(23.89%).The registered local TB cases have had an obvious increase since March and peaked in September,while the registered TB cases in transient population were peaked from March to June,which accounted for 55.49% of the total cases all year.Conclusion Tuberculosis patients in Nanjing were males in large,farmers and workers were focus groups on TB control and prevention,the priority span time for TB control and prevention in transient population was from March to June.
ANALYSIS OF EPIDEMIOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF INFLUENZA IN BAOJI CITY IN 2009 FALL AND WINTER

Objective To study preliminarily the epidemiologic characteristics of influenza in Baoji City in 2009 fall and winter,so as to provide the basic data for improving the influenza prevention and control in Baoji City.Methods Collecting and re-organizing the data through the "Information System of Flu Monitors" and "Information Management System of Flu(A/H1N1)" from Disease Prevention and Control System of China.The Chi-square test was performed to analyse the data.Results In 2009,influenza was sporadic from mid-August to early October,and pandemic after mid-October;the percentage of patients with Influenza-like Illness(ILI) reached the peak(22.15%) in mid-November and hence started to drop stably,approached to the average level of the pre-pandemic in late December.Patients with ILI were mainly found in those under the age of 24(86.95%);and the peak incidence at the age of 5～14 was 50.7% in the 41st～49th week,which was higher than that at the age of 0～4(34.9%) in the 33rd～40th week(P0.01).In the 41st week,the first case of influenza(A/H1N1) was detected,hereafter the number of influenza(A/H1N1) cases rose obviously;113 cases of influenza(A/H1N1) were detected by the 51st week.Conclusion In 2009 fall and winter,influenza virus subtype was A/H1N1 in Baoji city;compared with the past three years,the peak of influenza incidence came two months earlier;ILI were mainly found in people at the age of 5 to 24.
Comprehensive evaluation of the drought risk of rain-fed agriculture in China based on GIS.

By employing the research method of combining GIS with fuzzy mathematics and AHP,this paper evaluated the rain-fed agricultural region's drought occurring level,drought resistance potential and drought risk in China,assessed the grades for drought occurring level,drought resistance potential and drought risk at 1 square kilometer grid resolution in the rain-fed agricultural regions.The main conclusions are: China's Central North Region,Northern China Region,Northeast Region and Southwest Region are the key regions for drought defense and drought resist.The principle of differential treatment to different regions should be obeyed,and the implementation of drought defense and drought resistance measures should be in accord with local conditions.Irrigation infrastructure construction,water-saving irrigation promotion,terrace cropland construction,and plastic film mulching for preservation of soil moisture are four kinds of critical anti-drought measures.Implementing multiple anti-drought measures simultaneously may receive better effect of drought resistance and yield-increase.
INFECTIONS OF THE LACRIMAL SYSTEM

Deficiency of the tears or obstruction to the free flow of tears predispose to infections of the lacrimal system. The relevant anatomy of the lacrimal system and the pathologic conditions leading to obstruction are outlined. The clinical manifestations of infections of the lacrimal gland, the canaliculus, and the lacrimal sac are described, and the basis for medical and surgical treatment is discussed.
Complete global analysis of a two-scale network SIRS epidemic dynamic model with distributed delay and random perturbations

The model validation results are established.The basic reproduction numbers at three human-vector contact levels are computed.The stochastic stability of equilibria is proven.Interplay between stability and human mobility are exhibited in real-life scenarios. A stochastic SIRS epidemic dynamic model with distributed time delay for vector-borne diseases in two-scale network structured populations is presented. The distributed delay accounts for the varying incubation period of the disease. Furthermore, the disease dynamics is influenced by random environmental perturbations in the disease transmission process as well as the two-scale human mobility process. The basic reproduction numbers at three human-vector contact levels in the two-scale population are computed, and the results for the stochastic asymptotic stability of the equilibria are presented. Moreover, the asymptotic stability results are exhibited in several real life scenarios and the significance of the results are presented. Numerical simulation results are presented.
Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Stenting: The Ideal Palliative Option in the Management of High-Risk Cyanotic Infants With Tetralogy of Fallot?

For cyanotic young infants with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), treatment options include, broadly, primary anatomic repair versus some form of palliation that would forestall complete anatomic repair until a more suitable time. With concerns about performing an early primary anatomic repair, particularly in a child with risk factors, the desire to identify the ideal palliative option is a pressing one. Characteristics of the ideal palliation in this situation might include the following: (1) providing a stable yet balanced source of pulmonary blood flow; (2) allowing for growth and development of the pulmonary arteries, ideally catch-up growth, because pulmonary arteries in this scenario are often hypoplastic; (3) providing sufficient durability to allow enough time to pass that the child grows, comorbidities (when present) subside, and the child reaches the time window when anatomic repair is deemed optimal; and (4) leaving behind no residue that might complicate the anatomic repair or increase the risk of subsequent reinterventions. At present, commonly used palliative options include surgical systemic–pulmonary shunt (typically a modified Blalock–Taussig shunt), ductus arteriosus stent, pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty, and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stent. To date, there has been considerable debate on how many features of the ideal palliative procedure each of these options holds. See Article by Sandoval et al In the current issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions , Sandoval et al1 at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto make a compelling case that stenting of the RVOT is a serious contender for the title of ideal palliative procedure. They performed a detailed retrospective review of their experience managing infants with TOF. Infants were treated in 1 of 4 ways: those with early cyanosis (<3 months of age) were treated with either primary repair (early-PS group in those with pulmonary stenosis and early-PA group in those with pulmonary …
Building Optimized and Hyperlocal Product Assortments: A Nonparametric Choice Approach

We consider the problem of "hyper-localizing" product assortments at a fashion retailer — that is, customizing the offerings to the particular preferences of customers visiting the store, so that customers can easily find the products that fit their tastes and purchase more. To make this decision, the firm must accurately predict the demand for each style at each store — a challenging task because of large variety and the small number of purchases per customer. To address this challenge, we propose: (a) a nonparametric choice modeling technique that uses purchase transactions tagged by customer IDs to build distributions over preference lists of products that are personalized to each customer and (b) an optimization framework that uses the predictions from our choice models to optimally allocate merchandise to different stores subject to inventory and dollar budget constraints. We implemented our methods at a large US fashion retailer with about $3B in annual revenue and approximately 300 stores. In a controlled experiment, our methods resulted in additional 7% revenue growth (approx. $200M profit impact) over the current method. We present the implementation details and the specific challenges (both technical and managerial) posed for assortment planning by fashion retail and the ways we addressed them.
A Framework and the Design of Secure Mobile Cloud with Smart Load Balancing

The use of mobile devices has exponentially expanded in recent years. A device which was made with the sole purpose of making mobile audio phone calls is now the leading basis for functionality in the social world. The types of applications widely vary from audio and video calls, internet browsing, healthcare applications, to mobile games with online connectivity, among many others. These applications have expanded the original idea of what a mobile device could be, however there have been constant drawbacks to these devices, namely short battery life and limited available storage memory. Another current issue that exists with mobile devices is the higher data consumption when on mobile network data. To solve this problem, it is possible to use cloud computing to mitigate these large applications and use less data. Integrating in a mobile cloud system to allocate and store these applications will allow for the mobile devices to conserve battery and memory by avoiding large computational processes. Another major concern is security breaches resulting in data theft and/or invasion of privacy. In this paper, we present a new framework that will allow for a smart load balancer to efficiently allocate resources to increase application processing speed for data and request response of memory stored by mobile devices in a secure manner.
Mundo Nuevo : Behind the Scenes of a Spanish Encounter

Grounded in thorough archival research of the records of the Congress for Cultural Freedom (CCF) and the Ford Foundation (FF), Mudrovcic reconstructs the institutional history of Mundo Nuevo, one of the most controversial journals in the context of Cold War Latin America. Launched in Paris under the sponsorship of the CCF and Emir Rodriguez Monegal’s directorship, Mundo Nuevo’s first period (1966–68) was haunted by the expose of the CIA-CCF connection and also faced internal criticism for being too narrowly literary. Mudrovcic traces the journal’s footsteps from its birth in Paris to its relocation to Buenos Aires (1968–71), where Horacio Daniel Rodriguez became the new director charged by the FF, Mundo Nuevo’s second sponsor, with ‘Latin-Americanizing’ the publication’s content. This chapter seeks to answer questions related to institutional expectations for a Cold Warrior journal while challenging commonplace readings linking the Parisian period to the Latin American Boom.
Precise half-life measurement of the superallowed β + emitter 38 Ca

The half-life of ${}^{38}$Ca, a ${T}_{Z}=\ensuremath{-}1$ superallowed ${0}^{+}$$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}$ ${0}^{+}$${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{+}$ emitter, has been measured to be 443.77(36) ms. In our experiment, pure sources of ${}^{38}$Ca were produced and the decay positrons were detected in a high-efficiency 4$\ensuremath{\pi}$ proportional gas counter. Since the ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{+}$ decay of ${}^{38}$Ca feeds ${}^{38}$K${}^{m}$, which is itself a superallowed ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{+}$ emitter, the data were analyzed as a linked parent-daughter decay. Our result, with a precision of 0.08$%$, is a factor of 5 improvement on the best previous result.
PAF-Myc-Controlled Cell Stemness Is Required for Intestinal Regeneration and Tumorigenesis

The underlying mechanisms of how self-renewing cells are controlled in regenerating tissues and cancer remain ambiguous. PCNA-associated factor (PAF) modulates DNA repair via PCNA. Also, PAF hyperactivates Wnt/β-catenin signaling independently of PCNA interaction. We found that PAF is expressed in intestinal stem and progenitor cells (ISCs and IPCs) and markedly upregulated during intestinal regeneration and tumorigenesis. Whereas PAF is dispensable for intestinal homeostasis, upon radiation injury, genetic ablation of PAF impairs intestinal regeneration along with the severe loss of ISCs and Myc expression. Mechanistically, PAF conditionally occupies and transactivates the c-Myc promoter, which induces the expansion of ISCs/IPCs during intestinal regeneration. In mouse models, PAF knockout inhibits Apc inactivation-driven intestinal tumorigenesis with reduced tumor cell stemness and suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity, supported by transcriptome profiling. Collectively, our results unveil that the PAF-Myc signaling axis is indispensable for intestinal regeneration and tumorigenesis by positively regulating self-renewing cells.
Neuromodulation for chronic pelvic pain

Chronic pelvic pain, a complex condition defined by non-malignant pain of the pelvic musculature or viscera often with associated hyperalgesia, is difficult to treat. The pathophysiology can be hard to delineate, as pelvic innervation involves the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and somatic nervous systems. However, dysregulated central nervous system responses to non-noxious stimuli are likely the major underlying factor.
Complementary Relationships of Coronary Bypass Surgery and Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

It is a rare patient whose immediate need for coronary revascularization requires simultaneous application of both coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Many patients, however, have required these two forms of therapy at different points in time, and there is an even greater number of patients who have had a revascularization procedure but, because of the progressive nature of the disease, will need a second procedure in the future. Excellence in both forms of therapy is now required to provide for the patient optimal revascularization results at the lowest monetary and morbidity costs.
Predicting Postoperative Destination Through Preoperative Evaluation in Elective Open Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Abstract Background There are limited data guiding preoperative counseling on the need for discharge to facility after elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (OAR). This study aims to determine the preoperative predictors for nonhome discharge (NHD) following OAR. Materials and methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Vascular Procedure Targeted database was queried for elective OAR, 2011-2015. The primary endpoint was NHD. Complex surgery was defined as high operative time. Multivariable logistic regression identified preoperative factors predictive of NHD. Results Overall 510 patients were included; 87 (17.1%) required NHD. Baseline characteristics differed: NHD were more frequently female, partially dependent, older, had history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bleeding disorder, and anemia. After risk adjustment, age≥70 y (odds ratio [OR]: 12.48, confidence interval [CI]: 2.89-53.99; P = 0.001), partial dependence (OR: 8.17, CI: 1.39-47.84; P = 0.02), female sex (OR: 1.88, CI: 1.10-3.20; P = 0.02), history of bleeding disorder (OR: 2.65, CI: 1.14-6.15; P = 0.02), and high operative time (OR: 1.84, CI: 1.03-3.26; P = 0.04) were independent predictors of NHD. On unadjusted analysis, NHD was not associated with increased major postdischarge complications (OR: 1.52, CI: 0.48-4.78; P = 0.47 P = 0.47) or unplanned readmission (OR: 0.74, CI: 0.25-2.16; P = 0.58) Conclusions NHD following OAR can be predicted using preoperative factors including age, functional status, sex, history of bleeding disorder, and complex repair. NHD was not associated with more major postdischarge complications or unplanned readmission. A better understanding of patients at risk for NHD will allow for better preoperative counseling and will help to set appropriate expectations.
Independent component analysis for reservoir geomorphology and unsupervised seismic facies classification in the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

AbstractDuring the past two decades, the number of volumetric seismic attributes has increased to the point at which interpreters are overwhelmed and cannot analyze all of the information that is a...
Patient-reported outcomes of symptom burden in patients receiving surgical or nonsurgical treatment for low-intermediate risk oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A comparative analysis of a prospective registry.

Abstract Purpose To explore treatment-related changes in symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) in oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) patients treated surgically and non-surgically. Patients and Methods Eighty-six patients with human papillomavirus–associated OPSCC treated at the Head and Neck Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center were recruited to a prospective registry study between 2014 and 2016 and completed the core, head and neck-specific, and symptom interference sections of the MD Anderson symptom inventory (MDASI) multi-symptom questionnaire and the EQ-5D health status assessment as a measure of QOL at four time points. Results Longitudinal improvements from post-treatment nadir were observed across all groups. For patients treated with single modality, symptom interference, but not core and head and neck specific, MDASI scores were significantly better at 6 months in patients treated with surgery than radiation (P = 0.04). For patients treated with multiple modalities, scores for each of the three domains (i.e., core, head and neck -specific, and interference MDASI) were significantly better in the surgical group than the nonsurgical group at treatment completion (P = 0.0003, P = 0.0006 and P = 0.02) and 6 weeks (P = 0.001, P = 0.05 and P = 0.04), but not 6 months (P = 0.11, P = 0.16 and P = 0.040). No significant differences in EQ5D health status were observed between groups at any time point, reflecting similar overall QOL in all groups. Conclusion Symptom burden and QOL improves after treatment in OPSCC survivors over time regardless of whether primary surgical or nonsurgical treatment is used, although acute symptom profiles may differ.
Hemizygosity Enables a Mutational Transition Governing Fungal Virulence and Commensalism

Summary Candida albicans is a commensal fungus of human gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts, but also causes life-threatening systemic infections. The balance between colonization and pathogenesis is associated with phenotypic plasticity, with alternative cell states producing different outcomes in a mammalian host. Here, we reveal that gene dosage of a master transcription factor regulates cell differentiation in diploid C. albicans cells, as EFG1 hemizygous cells undergo a phenotypic transition inaccessible to “wild-type” cells with two functional EFG1 alleles. Notably, clinical isolates are often EFG1 hemizygous and thus licensed to undergo this transition. Phenotypic change corresponds to high-frequency loss of the functional EFG1 allele via de novo mutation or gene conversion events. This phenomenon also occurs during passaging in the gastrointestinal tract with the resulting cell type being hypercompetitive for commensal and systemic infections. A “two-hit” genetic model therefore underlies a key phenotypic transition in C. albicans that enables adaptation to host niches.
Iodine Nutrition and Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Greece: Signs of Improvement

Endemic goiter is present in Greece and has been studied extensively. Iodine deficiency is the main cause. However, with the increasing use of iodized salt, with better communications and a higher standard of living, the situation has now considerably improved.
Self-healing soft electronics

Biological systems have the powerful ability to self-heal. Human skin can, for example, autonomously heal from wounds of various degrees, allowing it to restore its mechanical and electrical properties. In contrast, human-made electronic devices degrade over time due to fatigue, corrosion or damage incurred during operation, leading to device failure. Self-healing chemistry has emerged in recent years as a promising method for constructing soft electronic materials that are mechanically robust and can self-repair. Here we review the development of self-healing electronic materials and examine how such materials can be used to fabricate self-healing electronic devices. We explore the potential new functionalities of self-healing electronic systems that would not typically be possible with conventional electronic systems and discuss the current challenges in delivering self-healing soft electronics for practical applications. This Review Article examines the development of self-healing electronic materials and devices, explores their potential applications and discusses the challenges that exist in delivering practical systems.
L '(CO)/L-FIR RELATIONS WITH CO ROTATIONAL LADDERS OF GALAXIES ACROSS THE HERSCHEL SPIRE ARCHIVE

NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdocoral Fellowship [AST-1402193]; NASA [NNX13AL16G]; CSA (Canada); NAOC (China); CEA (France); CNES (France); CNRS (France); ASI (Italy); MCINN (Spain); SNSB (Sweden); STFC (UK); NASA (USA)
Allele-specific expression and high-throughput reporter assay reveal functional genetic variants associated with alcohol use disorders

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of complex traits, such as alcohol use disorders (AUD), usually identify variants in non-coding regions and cannot by themselves distinguish whether the associated variants are functional or in linkage disequilibrium with the functional variants. Transcriptome studies can identify genes whose expression differs between alcoholics and controls. To test which variants associated with AUD may cause expression differences, we integrated data from deep RNA-seq and GWAS of four postmortem brain regions from 30 subjects with AUD and 30 controls to analyze allele-specific expression (ASE). We identified 88 genes with differential ASE in subjects with AUD compared to controls. Next, to test one potential mechanism contributing to the differential ASE, we analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTR) of these genes. Of the 88 genes with differential ASE, 61 genes contained 437 SNPs in the 3′UTR with at least one heterozygote among the subjects studied. Using a modified PASSPORT-seq (parallel assessment of polymorphisms in miRNA target-sites by sequencing) assay, we identified 25 SNPs that affected RNA levels in a consistent manner in two neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-BE(2). Many of these SNPs are in binding sites of miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins, indicating that these SNPs are likely causal variants of AUD-associated differential ASE. In sum, we demonstrate that a combination of computational and experimental approaches provides a powerful strategy to uncover functionally relevant variants associated with the risk for AUD.
Emerging Adults Living in Supportive Housing Programs: A Qualitative Study:

The present study focuses on the service-related needs and experiences of formerly homeless emerging adults living in supportive housing programs following a Housing First model. Recent research on...