cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Constructing Stein manifolds after Eliashberg

A unified summary is given of the existence theory of Stein manifolds in all dimensions, based on published and pending literature. Eliashberg's characterization of manifolds admitting Stein structures requires an extra delicate hypothesis in complex dimension 2, which can be eliminated by passing to the topological setting and invoking Freedman theory. The situation is quite similar if one asks which open subsets of a fixed complex manifold can be made Stein by an isotopy. As an application of these theorems, one can construct uncountably many diffeomorphism types of exotic R^4's realized as Stein open subsets of C^2 (i.e. domains of holomorphy). More generally, every domain of holomorphy in C^2 is topologically isotopic to other such domains realizing uncountably many diffeomorphism types. Any tame n-complex in a complex n-manifold can be isotoped to become a nested intersection of Stein open subsets, provided the isotopy is topological when n=2. In the latter case, the Stein neighborhoods are homeomorphic, but frequently realize uncountably many diffeomorphism types. It is also proved that every exhausting Morse function can be subdivided to yield a locally finite handlebody of the same maximal index, both in the context of smooth n-manifolds and for Stein surfaces.
Simulating Complex Automotive Assembly Tasks using the HUMOSIM Framework

Efficient methods for simulating operators performing part handling tasks in manufacturing plants are needed. The simulation of part handling motions is an important step towards the implementation of virtual manufacturing for the purpose of improving worker productivity and reducing injuries in the workplace. However, industrial assembly tasks are often complex and involve multiple interactions between workers and their environment. The purpose of this paper is to present a series of industrial simulations using the Human Motion Simulation Framework developed at the University of Michigan. Three automotive assembly operations spanning scenarios, such as small and large parts, tool use, walking, re-grasping, reaching inside a vehicle, etc. were selected. A conceptual model for describing relationships among task objectives, the environment, parts and tools, as well as worker variability, work methods, motion patterns, and musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks is proposed as a structure for conducting the case studies. The conceptual model is implemented using simulation strategies and the HUMOSIM Framework. Analyses demonstrate that the HUMOSIM Framework provides improvements on simulation capabilities over the built-in Jack functionality, such as the prediction of force-exertion posture and stepping motions. But knowledge gaps are also identified for part handling simulations, in particular the prediction of grasping and re-grasping. Methods for integrating part assembly paths generated by other simulation software are also needed.
Geographic Variations in Availability and Use of Chiropractic Under Medicare

Objective The purpose of this study was to measure geographic variations in the availability and use of chiropractic under Medicare.
Labile Methyl Group Biosynthesis in the Turkey Poult 2. Effects of Dietary Methionine, Choline and Vitamin B12 on Liver Phospholipid Dimethylethanolamine

Abstract IT HAS been established previously that vitamin B12 is involved in the biosynthesis of labile methyl groups in the turkey poult (Kratzer, 1953; Langer and Kratzer, 1964). While its exact role in this biosynthetic pathway is still unknown, data have been presented which indicate that it functions in the de novo synthesis of the methionine methyl group (Langer and Kratzer, 1962Langer and Kratzer, 1964). The involvement of methionine in the biosynthesis of choline has been demonstrated in the rat liver (Bremer and Greenberg, 1959) and the last step in this biosynthetic sequence involves the transfer of a methionine methyl group to phosphatidyl-dimethylethanolamine yielding phosphatidylcholine (Artom and Lofland, 1960). Dietary dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) has been shown to be incorporated into body phospholipids (Artom and Crowder, 1949). This DMEA could then give rise to phosphatidyl choline by way of the transmethylation reaction described above. These observations could then logically lead one to suppose that an…
The T deflection of isolated mammalian heart muscle electrogram.

Both bipolar and unipolar electrograms recorded from well-oxygenated isolated papillary muscle preparations consist of R and T deflections in the same direction. The T is inverted by anoxia, rapid late, and injury. When cut linear strips of ventricular muscle are observed for many hours, during which time they presumably recover from the initial injury, the T deflection becomes upright in most cases, and then can be depressed and inverted by anoxia or rapid rates of stimulation. Since, in the absence of modifying factors, the T is in the same direction as the R deflection in a simple linear strip, it probably cannot be adequately explained on the basis of membrane repolarization. Since the nerve after-potentials are believed to represent processes involving oxidative metabolism, the T deflection may also be produced by metabolic processes, although the possibility cannot be excluded that it represents a combination of membrane repolarization and other processes.
Evaluation of risk factors for cataract types in a competing risks framework.

Purpose: In prospective studies of incident cataract, a person may have developed two or all three of cortical, nuclear sclerotic and posterior subscapsular cataract at the time when clinically significant cataract is apparent. One can compare the impact of risk factors on different types of cataract with methods of competing risk survival analysis that account for tied events. Methods: We studied risk factors for incident cataract among 20,599 participants in the Physicians' Health Study; 1,923 of whom developed cataract that reduced visual acuity over a median follow-up of 13.0 years. Among incident cases, 45% had two types of cataract and an additional 12% had all three. Proportional hazards models, adjusted for tied failures through use of generalized estimating equations, provided comparisons across different cataract types. Stratified analyses by type with age as the time scale were used to accommodate the strong but different relationships of age with occurrence of different cataract types. Results...
Variation in patients' compliance with doctors' orders: medical practice and doctor-patient interaction.

Doctor-patient interactions were tape-recorded and coded according to a modified system of Interaction Process Analysis. These data, combined with a series of patient interviews and a self-administered questionnaire completed by physicians, were analyzed to determine the extent of patient compliance with doctors' orders and how variations in patient compliance are influenced by some selected patient characteristics and by the structure and process of the doctor-patient relationship.None of the demographic characteristics of patients investigated here was associated with compliance. However, the ways in which doctors and patients initially fit their activity into the presumably institutionalized patterns of behavior appropriate for doctor-patient interaction and the way they deviate over time from the institutionalized role expectations was found to be related to variations in patient compliance.
Isolation Orders: A Quality Improvement Project

ISSUE: Transfused blood is an imperfect substitute and Infection Preventionists need to be educated regarding the risks involved in transfusion. Evidence demonstrates that stored blood loses much of its ability to carry oxygen. The physical shape of the RBC’s becomes distorted, and this leads to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, microcirculatory and respiratory compromise, inflammation, organ injury, and cellular death. Literature demonstrates that transfused patients have a greater risk of developing infectious complications and HAI’s such as VAPs, BSIs, and SSIs. Blood is a potent immune modulator and can affect the health of patients long after the transfusion. Blood transfusions have been viewed by caregivers as low-risk and almost universally therapeutic for patients. Historically, risks regarding the transmission of organisms such as HIV and hepatitis have been paramount, yet evidence continues to grow which supports other causes of morbidity and mortality for transfused patients. Blood is a without a doubt a lifesaving treatment for patients e and still today there’s no manmade substitute. But evidence has been changing in the last 10 years, and it shows there’s a very narrow therapeutic window for transfusions. It must be taken into consideration that blood is essentially a liquid transplant of living tissue e with all the risks known to be associated with transplants. PROJECT: This four-hospital system decided to strengthen its transfusion management processes and update its policies. An initial gap analysis demonstrated opportunities for improvement in multiple areas of blood administration, and to address gaps in nursing knowledge. RESULTS: System Administration has provided the support and resources to create momentum for the initiative. Education has been provided to caregivers in all areas of the system; to physicians, mid-levels, and nurses. Policies have been improved to meet evidence-based guidelines. A blood safety committee has been reinvigorated. Much like the IP Co-Lab-oration project, collaboration with the blood bank incorporates crucial conversations and a sharing of expertise; all designed to improve the safety and quality of care for patients. LESSON LEARNED: In our quest to reduce healthcare acquired infections, IP’s need to become knowledgeable about blood management. Patient safety will be supported when the correct product is administered to the appropriate patient, using restrictive criteria and evidence-based approaches. Infection Preventionists need to be educated and aware of these risks, especially those regarding immunomodulation and the resulting increased HAI’s, and need to participate in blood utilization committees.
Open bypass and endovascular procedures among diabetic foot ulcer cases in the United States from 2001 to 2010.

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in outcomes of inpatient mortality, surgical complications, charges, and length of stay stratified according to open vs endovascular revascularization and amputation status in patients admitted to the hospital with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Methods Inpatient discharge records from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project were used in this retrospective cohort study spanning 2001 to 2010. Multivariate regression analyses were used to simultaneously control for patient demographic and socioeconomic attributes, hospital characteristics, and comorbid case-mix disease severity. Results During the study period, 2.5 million inpatient DFU cases were observed, of which 412,051 (16.5%) involved amputation (34.8% major, 61.2% minor). Overall, 211,534 (8.5%) of DFU cases underwent revascularization (43.5% open, 51.1% endovascular treatment [EVT], 5.4% both). From 2001 vs 2010, the volume of open procedures decreased 34.9%, and EVT volume increased 197.1%. The percentage of amputations for DFUs remained relatively unchanged, and a major:minor ratio of 0.534 was observed among all cases. Across specific procedure type and amputation status, multivariate analyses indicated equal or decreased inpatient mortality and lengths of stay since 2001, and inflation-adjusted charges generally increased. The presence of a surgical complication, however, was observed to increase by >50% for open procedures involving minor amputations and >30% for open procedures involving no amputations. Because of many potential factors, surgical complications were noted to exceed approximately 900% among cases of EVT involving major amputations beginning in 2007 relative to 2001. Conclusions This nationally-representative investigation found that DFU admissions are common, long, and costly (often >$100,000 per case), with a marked shift having occurred from open bypass to EVT. Although hospital mortality and length of stay either remained the same or have decreased significantly, an increase in procedure-specific surgical complications was observed across several intervention categories.
Model-based anomaly management for spacecraft mission operations at the NASA Ames Space Technology Center

Anomalies are unexpected conditions that occur in a functional engineering system. They must be detected, diagnosed and resolved in order to maintain the system in its functional role. Managing anomalies in space systems is particularly challenging given their complexity and their remote orbital environment. In this article, we describe our recent work in extending first principles reasoning approaches for the broad types of anomalies often encountered in complex space systems. We also describe the software algorithms we've developed to implement this approach. In addition, we review our new efforts to integrate these algorithms with industry-standard system modeling environments such as Matlab/Simulink and Satellite ToolKit. We also describe how the resulting processing system is being incorporated into the mission operations network that has been fielded by Santa Clara University and which is used to manage a variety of university-class and research-grade small satellite mission). This network includes a centralized mission control complex in the Space Technology Building in the NASA Ames Research Park in Moffett Field, California. The network also includes a set of geographically distributed communications stations. These stations are operated remotely via the Internet, employ amateur and unlicensed frequency bands, and use tracking antennae such as an OSCAR-class dual Yagi antennae or a 60-foot parabolic antenna. Finally, we review our initial results from using this reasoning system while conducting mission operations. This work includes on-orbit results for the Sapphire spacecraft (launched in 2001), interaction with a hardware-in-the-loop lab-based satellite simulator, and preparatory development and testing for several spacecraft to include the NASA Genesat-1 satellite, the two-satellite U.T Austin FASTRAC mission, and the Santa Clara University ONYX onboard autonomy demonstration satellite.
Entropy based algorithm for combinatorial optimization problems with mobile sites and resources

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for solving combinatorial resource allocation problems with mobile sites and resources. We consider the instantaneous coverage problem, which is formulated in a Maximum Entropy Principle (MEP) framework, and identify a metric for optimal coverage between mobile sites and resources. This metric, referred to as the Free Energy has been motivated by principles of statistical physics. The determination of resource locations and velocities is cast as a control problem to ensure that the time derivative of Free Energy function is always non-increasing. This guarantees coverage through the time horizon. The issues of scalability and localization are also addressed by taking into account inter-resource interaction levels.
Optimum sensor placement for source monitoring under log-normal shadowing in three dimensions

In source localization one estimates the location of a source using a variety of relative position information. Such relative position information is often provided by the received signal strength (RSS) which is in turn affected by log normal shadowing. A related issue is to place sensors around a localized source in a manner in which they can optimally monitor it. This paper considers optimal sensor placement in three dimensions so that a source can be monitored optimally from the RSS at various non-coplanar sensors. The mathematical problem becomes one of maximizing the smallest eigenvalue or the determinant of an underlying Fisher Information matrix, or minimizing the trace of the inverse of the FIM, subject to the constraint that no sensor be closer than a specified distance from the source. We show that optimality is achieved if and only if the underlying Fisher Information Matrix is a scaled diagonal, and provide methods for achieving this condition.
Wind, Waves, and Fronts: Frictional Effects in a Generalized Ekman Model*

AbstractOcean currents in the surface boundary layer are sensitive to a variety of parameters not included in classic Ekman theory, including the vertical structure of eddy viscosity, finite boundary layer depth, baroclinic pressure gradients, and surface waves. These parameters can modify the horizontal and vertical flow in the near-surface ocean, making them of first-order significance to a wide range of phenomena of broad practical and scientific import. In this work, an approximate Green’s function solution is found for a model of the frictional ocean surface boundary layer, termed the generalized Ekman (or turbulent thermal wind) balance. The solution admits consideration of general, more physically realistic forms of parameters than previously possible, offering improved physical insight into the underlying dynamics. Closed form solutions are given for the wind-driven flow in the presence of Coriolis–Stokes shear, a result of the surface wave field, and thermal wind shear, arising from a baroclinic ...
Combined incubation of cadmium, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid results in increased uptake of cadmium and elevated docosapentaenoic acid content in hepatocytes in vitro.

Background Human hepatocellular cells Hep G2 were used to mimic and investigate the effect of the intake of cadmium (Cd2+) contaminated fish on cytotoxicity, fatty acid (FA) and phospholipid class composition.
Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis for photovoltaic system modeling.

We report an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis for modeling DC energy from photovoltaic systems. We consider two systems, each comprised of a single module using either crystalline silicon or CdTe cells, and located either at Albuquerque, NM, or Golden, CO. Output from a PV system is predicted by a sequence of models. Uncertainty in the output of each model is quantified by empirical distributions of each model's residuals. We sample these distributions to propagate uncertainty through the sequence of models to obtain an empirical distribution for each PV system's output. We considered models that: (1) translate measured global horizontal, direct and global diffuse irradiance to plane-of-array irradiance; (2) estimate effective irradiance from plane-of-array irradiance; (3) predict cell temperature; and (4) estimate DC voltage, current and power. We found that the uncertainty in PV system output to be relatively small, on the order of 1% for daily energy. Four alternative models were considered for the POA irradiance modeling step; we did not find the choice of one of these models to be of great significance. However, we observed that the POA irradiance model introduced a bias of upwards of 5% of daily energy which translates directly to a systematic difference in predicted energy. Sensitivity analyses relate uncertainty in the PV system output to uncertainty arising from each model. We found that the residuals arising from the POA irradiance and the effective irradiance models to be the dominant contributors to residuals for daily energy, for either technology or location considered. This analysis indicates that efforts to reduce the uncertainty in PV system output should focus on improvements to the POA and effective irradiance models.
Black feminist photovoice: Fostering critical awareness of diverse families and communities in early childhood teacher education

ABSTRACTIn an undergraduate families and communities course situated at a university in the borderlands of the United States and Mexico, early childhood majors have used Black feminist thought combined with photovoice to generate projects that explore family and community experiences with power and oppression. As a professor, teaching assistant, and student enrolled in the course, we share our conceptualization of Black feminist photovoice, student trends and issues engaging with photovoice throughout the semester, and provide an example culminating project that focuses on colonization. By describing students’ engagement with Black feminist photovoice, we illustrate how transformative spaces can be forged in early childhood teacher education, where students critically examine the struggles and empowerment of marginalized communities, and generate possibilities to serve as agents of social justice and change.
Active multi/hyperspectral imaging and sensing with ultra-short pulse continuums

It is shown that although divergent upon exiting an optical solid, and typically color dispersive over short propagation distances, controllably generated ultra broadband continuums can be propagated as a pulsed white-light source with a near-ideal Gaussian intensity distribution. In contrast to active 3-D imagery with monochromatic illumination, pulsed ultra-broadband continuum illumination is shown to enable active 3-D multi/hyperspectral imaging and sensing for standoff characterization of materials and enhanced object identification.
Effects of Ribonuclease nuclease on a Murine (Rauscher)

Plasma pellets and femoral bone marrow from BALB/cJ mice infected with the Rauscher leukemia virus were fixed, embedded, and sectioned. The thin sections were incubated in ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease solutions, stained, and examined in the electron microscope. Specific attention was paid to the action of the nucleases on characteristic virus particles in the plasma preparations and on viruses being produced by the "budding" phenomenon in the femoral bone marrow. Ribonuclease solutions digested the nucleoids of the virus particles in the plasma preparations from mice infected with Rauscher leukemia virus. The nucleoid portion of the "budding" virus particles in bone marrow, and the connecting cytoplasm of the stalks were also digested by ribonuclease solutions. In addition, the outer coat of the "budding" particles was affected in a nonspecific manner. The centers of the "budding" particles in the bone marrow and the nucleoids of viruses in plasma preparations were not digested by deoxyribonuclease solutions. Influenza virus, a known ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus, was used as a control for nuclease activity. The nucleoids of influenza virus particles were digested by ribonuclease but not by deoxyribonuclease solutions. After coriphosphine staining of the plasma virus preparations, the fluorescence was quenched in preparations treated with ribonuclease, but did not appear to be diminished in those treated with deoxyribonuclease. This study suggests that infection of mice with Rauscher leukemia virus produces virus particles in plasma and "budding" particles in bone marrow, both of which contain RNA.
Reducing crude protein variability and maximizing savings when formulating corn-soybean meal-based feeds

Abstract Crude protein in corn and soybean meal have been documented to vary, and such inherent variability can result in under- or over-feeding of CP when feeds are formulated, leading to reduced bird growth, added input costs, and increased environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 grain-handling techniques and 2 feed formulation methods (linear vs. stochastic programming) to reduce CP variability in finished feeds and determine resulting costs or savings. The 2 grain-handling techniques were placing all the random batches of each delivered ingredient in to (1) a single bin (1-bin method) or (2) segregating above- and below-average samples into 2 bins (2-bin method). A fast way of estimating the composition of the ingredients is now available (near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy). Microsoft Excel workbooks were constructed to solve broiler starter feed formulation problems. Formulating feeds by linear and stochastic models based on the 2-bin method reduced CP variability by at least 50% compared with the 1-bin method. Formula cost was reduced by ˜20 cents per ton (averages of August 2012 United States ingredient prices) when the 2-bin method was used with the linear model. Formulating feed with a margin of safety increased formula cost by $3.40 per ton. Stochastic feed formulation increased formula cost to meet the specified CP level in feed at any probability of success, and formula cost was reduced substantially with the 2-bin method (up to $6.47 per ton). The magnitude of savings and reduced feed variability suggested that, regardless of the costs associated with building extra bins, the 2-bin method can be economically efficient in the long run. Therefore, it could be possible to split the batches of feed ingredients at a feed mill into above- or below-average bins before feed formulation to reduce CP variability and to maximize savings.
PULMONARY REGURGITATION IN REPAIRED TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common form of cyanotic congenital heart disease. With advances in surgical repair techniques, the majority of patients with TOF are now surviving into adulthood. Pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is increasingly recognized as a late complication of TOF repairs and
Vaginal estrogen products in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitor therapy

Atrophic vaginitis represents a major barrier to compliance with aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy in breast cancer (BC) survivors. While local estrogen therapy is effective for postmenopausal vaginal dryness, the efficacy of such therapies has not been evaluated systematically in hormone receptor-positive (HR+) BC patients on AI therapy. Furthermore, the potential risk of breast cancer recurrence with vaginal estrogen therapy represents a long-term safety concern for the patients with HR + BC. Unfortunately, there is no standardized assay to measure very low concentrations of estradiol (E2) in these women being treated with AI therapy. This makes it difficult to evaluate even indirectly the potential risk of BC recurrence with vaginal estrogen therapy in HR + BC patients on AI therapy. In this review, we describe available assays to measure very low concentrations of E2, discuss the Food and Drug Administration-approved vaginal estrogen products on the market, and summarize published and ongoing clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of vaginal estrogen in HR + BC patients on AI therapy. In the absence of any randomized controlled clinical trials, this review serves as a summary of available clinical data and ongoing studies to aid clinicians in selecting the best available option for their patients.
System overview of the Virginia Tech Ground Station

The Virginia Tech Ground Station (VTGS) is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary effort to construct a new satellite ground station at Virginia Tech that is supported through the university's College of Engineering and is capable of supporting many research, education, and amateur satellite missions. The design for the ground station is heavily software based which provides a flexible platform allowing for future expansion. Each subsystem has a dedicated software radio font-end that can be paired to a quad-core server through a high-throughput network switch; the switch provides failover support allowing any radio server to access any subsystem. Transmit and receive capability is primarily implemented using the GNU Radio software radio framework, while the overall command and control functionality is implemented using a custom framework based on the actor model. The command and control software provides system automation, user management, scheduling and pass determination, hardware control, logging, and data management for the ground station. Both downloaded satellite telemetry and sample captures of the signal are stored on a networked storage device capable of handling data for several thousand satellite passes. A web portal provides access for customers to download mission data and also upload control commands. Future plans include support for a cloud-computing platform that will provide additional redundancy and load balancing for the network, as well as providing a custom ‘Ground Station as a Service’ (GSaS) framework which allows customers to utilize the cloud infrastructure for processing mission data.
Spectrotemporal weighting of binaural cues: Effects of a diotic interferer on discrimination of dynamic interaural differences.

Spatial judgments are often dominated by low-frequency binaural cues and onset cues when binaural cues vary across the spectrum and duration, respectively, of a brief sound. This study combined these dimensions to assess the spectrotemporal weighting of binaural information. Listeners discriminated target interaural time difference (ITD) and interaural level difference (ILD) carried by the onset, offset, or full duration of a 4-kHz Gabor click train with a 2-ms period in the presence or absence of a diotic 500-Hz interferer tone. ITD and ILD thresholds were significantly elevated by the interferer in all conditions and by a similar amount to previous reports for static cues. Binaural interference was dramatically greater for ITD targets lacking onset cues compared to onset and full-duration conditions. Binaural interference for ILD targets was similar across dynamic-cue conditions. These effects mirror the baseline discriminability of dynamic ITD and ILD cues [Stecker and Brown. (2010). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 127, 3092–3103], consistent with stronger interference for less-robust/higher-variance cues. The results support the view that binaural cue integration occurs simultaneously across multiple variance-weighted dimensions, including time and frequency.
Reaction Reversibility in Batch and Continuous Extractors Using Emulsion Liquid Membranes

Emulsion liquid membranes (ELMs) were invented by Li \( \left| 1 \right|\ \) ,who first applied this technique to the separation of hydrocarbons.Since then,emulsion liquid membranes have been applied to other separations. These include recovery and purification of metal ions,removal of phenol from waste water,and biological applications such as an artificial kidney.Review articles discuss these separations and ELM uses in more detail \( \left| {2,3} \right|\ \) .
Chasing Elbridge's Ghost: The Digital Gerrymander

Gerrymandering has been with us for centuries, but now it's digital and out of control. Elbridge Gerry's most lasting legacy may be the electoral abuse that bears his name: gerrymandering. A gerrymander is the manipulation of voting district boundaries for partisan effect. Although the term originated with Gerry's bid for the Massachusetts governor's office in the early 1800s to favor his Democratic-Republican party, the tactic it describes dates back at least as far as 1701.1 Gerry's gerrymander failed to get him reelected, but its potential for manipulating election results was immediately recognized by the electoral-victory-at-any-cost partisans as a boon to oligarchy, and it's been used to great effect ever since. The article considers computer programs that can either make gerrymandering worse or mitigate against its harmful effects.
Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis in diverse host environments

Staphylococcus aureus is an eminent human pathogen that can colonize the human host and cause severe life-threatening illnesses. This bacterium can reside in and infect a wide range of host tissues, ranging from superficial surfaces like the skin to deeper tissues such as in the gastrointestinal tract, heart and bones. Due to its multifaceted lifestyle, S. aureus uses complex regulatory networks to sense diverse signals that enable it to adapt to different environments and modulate virulence. In this minireview, we explore well-characterized environmental and host cues that S. aureus responds to and describe how this pathogen modulates virulence in response to these signals. Lastly, we highlight therapeutic approaches undertaken by several groups to inhibit both signaling and the cognate regulators that sense and transmit these signals downstream.
The Cow on the Roof

On hearing this I think: that’s Milhaud’s The bull on the roof (Le boeuf sur le toit). Is it? Maybe it’s The cow on the roof and not The bull. Those two sound much alike The bull is being performed in New York we’re in Atlanta. That doesn’t matter. A piece of music doesn’t have a spatio-temporal location. The bull isn’t ever either here or there not even when it was being composed in Paris in 1919. A piece of music is an auditory pattern. An actual performance of a piece of music is a physical realization of a particular auditory pattern. Which auditory pattern is being given a physical realization here? Is it The bull or The cow? It sounds like The bull to me. It sounds like The cow to me. That’s because they sound alike.
An Alternative to the “Indigenous” in Early Twenty-First-Century China: Guizhou’s Branding of Yuanshengtai:

This article analyzes the contemporary salience of yuanshengtai, a Chinese concept that valorizes core features similar to those of “indigeneity,” including cultural distinctiveness and environmental stewardship of ethnic, rural peoples. Yuanshengtai deflects attention away from historically and politically contentious issues and transnational claims for rights that would call for official recognition of “indigenous peoples” by the Chinese state. Such a romanticized rhetoric instead helps reassert the polyethnic nation’s worthiness, mostly through cultural industries since the early 2000s. This article, based on interpretive readings and ethnographic observation, zeroes in on the example of Guizhou to explore how yuanshengtai has been widely constructed as an emergent eco-cultural brand through a combination of academic forums, media events, and cultural industry promotions. It argues that the construction and promulgation of yuanshengtai allows regional elites to reiterate local uniqueness and provincial...
Dietary Behaviors of Ambulatory Care Stroke Patients

104 Background: Diet plays an important role in the management of the chronic diseases that increase the risk of stroke. Health care providers may not adequately stress the need for dietary modification. Methods: A Nutrition History (NH) form was developed in a referral based ambulatory care stroke clinic to evaluate patients’ dietary habits. The form included a Fat Intake Scale (FIS), created and validated by the Northwest Lipid Clinic. An FIS score > 24 indicates the need for dietary modification. A person with a Body Mass Index (BMI) > 25 is considered overweight. Statistics are descriptive and non-parametric. Results: Of the 103 patients that completed the NH, 89% were Caucasian, 75% had a stroke or TIA, 48% were hyperlipidemic, 37% were hypertensive and 13% were diabetic. The body mass index (BMI) was 26 ± 6.6 (60% > 25). Among patients with stroke or TIA (n=77), 58% were hyperlipidemic, 45% were hypertensive and the BMI was 27 ± 7.2 (61% > 25). In hyperlipidemic patients with stroke or TIA (n=45), the BMI was 28 ± 7.7 (68% > 25) and the FIS score was 28 ± 6.1 (76% > 24); 66% of these patients had never been counseled by a Registered Dietitian (RD). Only 43% of hyperlipidemic patients with TIA or stroke were being treated with lipid-lowering agents; use did not differ as a function of age or gender. Among patients with hypertension, 68% used sodium when cooking and only 32% of reported eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day; 71% of hypertensive patients had never been counseled by an RD. Persons with diabetes were more likely to have been counseled by an RD than persons without diabetes (p=0.032), but persons with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, overweight persons, and persons with TIA or stroke were not more likely to have been counseled by an RD than persons without those conditions. Conclusions: These data show that persons with hypertension and hyperlipidemia, especially those who have had TIA or stroke, are not fully engaged in the recommended dietary practices to help control their diseases. Furthermore, lipid-lowering agents appear to be underutilized. Greater attention to preventive measures, such as appropriate referral for nutrition counseling, needs to be incorporated into routine practice.
A Comparative Study of Neural Network Training Algorithms for the Intelligent Security Monitoring of Industrial Control Systems

In this chapter, we present a comparative study on the performance of Neural Network training algorithms towards the goal of developing an intelligent system that can classify, in real-time, the behavior of control systems. An investigation on the performance of five neural network training algorithms: Levenberg–Marquardt, Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) Quasi–Newton, Resilient Backpropagation, Scaled Conjugate Gradient, and Gradient Descent with Momentum and Adaptive Learning Rate, in classifying 30,000 records of simulated operational data on a typical industrial control system is conducted. The comparisons are made on four neural network system metrics: network error performance, success rate, run time, and number of epochs (iterations). The results are tabulated and analyzed. The chapter concludes with perceptive observations and offers avenues for future research extensions. We envision this small scale study would pave the way to the utilization of intelligent analytics as an avenue towards the realization of an enhanced security posture of our nation’s critical infrastructures. Further, this case study on the application of machine learning technology on information security may offer additional forum for academic inquisition.
When Choices Fail

In a handbook that is about advance directives — written statements directly expressing patients’ treatment choices — it may seem superfluous to spend time discussing what happens to patients without written directives. There are two good reasons to do so, however.
Effects of Charged Ligand Substituents on the Properties of the Formally Copper(III)-Hydroxide ([CuOH]2+) Unit.

With the goal of understanding how distal charge influences the properties and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactivity of the [CuOH]2+ core proposed to be important in oxidation catalysis, the complexes [M]3[SO3LCuOH] (M = [K(18-crown-6)]+ or [K(crypt-222)]+) and [NMe3LCuOH]X (X = BArF4– or ClO4–) were prepared, in which SO3– or NMe3+ substituents occupy the para positions of the flanking aryl rings of the supporting bis(carboxamide)pyridine ligands. Structural and spectroscopic characterization showed that the [CuOH]+ cores in the corresponding complexes were similar, but cyclic voltammetry revealed the E1/2 value for the [CuOH]2+/[CuOH]+ couple to be nearly 0.3 V more oxidizing for the [NMe3LCuOH]2+ than the [SO3LCuOH]− species, with the latter influenced by interactions between the distal −SO3– substituents and K+ or Na+ counterions. Chemical oxidations of the complexes generated the corresponding [CuOH]2+ species as evinced by UV–vis spectroscopy. The rates of HAT reactions of these species with 9,10-...
Identifying Complications and Optimizing Consultations following Transradial Arterial Access for Cardiac Procedures.

Background The radial approach to cardiac procedures has become increasingly common. Although previous studies have suggested a favorable risk profile, serious complications can occur. The purpose of this study is to examine the incidence, subsequent treatment, and outcome of all suspected significant neurovascular complications following transradial cardiac procedures at a large US hospital. Methods We reviewed all patients who underwent a left heart catheterization, coronary angiogram, or percutaneous coronary intervention via the transradial approach at a single large academic medical center in the United States between 2010 and 2016. Consultations to the vascular and hand surgery services were examined to assess demographic variables, risk factors, presenting symptoms, subsequent treatment, and outcome of all serious complications. Results A total of 9,681 radial access cardiac procedures were performed during the study period. Twenty-four cases (0.25%) were suspected to have major complications and subsequently received consults. A total of 18 complications were diagnosed, including 8 vascular injuries or perforations, 4 hematomas, 4 radial artery occlusions, 1 case of compartment syndrome, and 1 severe radial artery spasm. Of the complications noted, 3 (16.7%) required operative interventions, but all recovered neurovascular function. Conclusions Radial artery access for cardiac procedures has become increasingly common and has been associated with a low rate of major peripheral neurovascular complications. The majority (83.3%) of complications were successfully treated with a nonoperative management algorithm.
Enrichment and outcomes in female lab mice.

A new study systematically assesses cage enrichment and its effect on mouse welfare and experimental variability.
Molecular dynamics study of direct localized overpotential deposition for nanoscale electrochemical additive manufacturing process

Abstract A quasi-deterministic molecular dynamics simulation was performed to study the migration and deposition of ions under the influence of charged, constant-potential electrodes. The input parameters that were varied include tool size, tool potential, substrate potential, interelectrode gap, and concentration. The output parameters of the deposit that were monitored included deposition height over time, number of atoms deposited over time, averaged current density, and deposition quality. Variation of the interelectrode gap or concentration resulted in changes to the deposition rate and quality that were inversely related to each other. It was found that there is an optimal radius to simultaneously maximize deposition speed and quality. An increase in the voltage difference between the tool and substrate improved the rate and overall quality of the deposition, but the highest voltage differences between the electrodes led to a hollow region in the center of the deposit due to ion depletion. Low concentration similarly led to ion depletion conditions. A low amount of anode-cation interactions due to a small tool or low concentration resulted in a deposit that engulfed the tool due to less overall electrostatic interactions repelling the cations from the tool. It was found that an increased output current density did not necessarily coincide with increased output deposit quality.
Association of binge drinking in adolescence and early adulthood with high blood pressure: findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1994–2008)

Background An investigation of the risk of high blood pressure (HBP) associated with heavy alcohol consumption in adolescence and early adulthood is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between binge drinking from adolescence to early adulthood and the risk of HBP in early adulthood. Methods We applied logistic regression to publicly available, population-representative data from waves I (1994–1995; ages 12–18) and IV (2007–2008; ages 24–32) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n=5114) to determine whether past 12-month binge drinking in adolescence (wave I) and early adulthood (wave IV) was associated with HBP in early adulthood after adjusting for covariates, including smoking and body mass index. HBP was defined according to both the former and new classifications. Results HBP was significantly, positively associated with infrequent binge drinking (less than once a week) in adolescence based on the new classification (overall: OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.49; male: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.81) and frequent binge drinking (heavy consumption) in adolescence based on the former classification (overall: OR= 1.64, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.22; male: OR= 1.79, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.60). The risk of HBP was high when participants engaged in frequent binge drinking in both adolescence and early adulthood, especially based on the former classification (overall: OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.13 to 5.20; female: OR 5.81, 95% CI 2.26 to 14.93). Conclusion Binge drinking in adolescence may increase risk of HBP in early adulthood. This association is independent of other important risk factors for HPB, such as smoking and obesity.
All-or-none folding of a flexible polymer chain in cylindrical nanoconfinement.

Geometric confinement of a polymer chain results in a loss of conformational entropy. For a chain that can fold into a compact native state via a first-order-like transition, as is the case for many small proteins, confinement typically provides an entropic stabilization of the folded state, thereby shifting the location of the transition. This allows for the possibility of confinement (entropy) driven folding. Here, we investigate such confinement effects for a flexible square-well-sphere N-mer chain (monomer diameter σ) confined within a long cylindrical pore (diameter D) or a closed cylindrical box (height H = D). We carry out Wang–Landau simulations to construct the density of states, which provides access to the complete thermodynamics of the system. For a wide pore, an entropic stabilization of the folded state is observed. However, as the pore diameter approaches the size of the folded chain (D ∼ N1/3σ), we find a destabilization effect. For pore diameters smaller than the native ground-state, the chain folds into a different, higher energy, ground state ensemble and the T vs D phase diagram displays non-monotonic behavior as the system is forced into different ground states for different ranges of D. In this regime, isothermal reduction of the confinement dimension can induce folding, unfolding, or crystallite restructuring. For the cylindrical box, we find a monotonic stabilization effect with decreasing D. Scaling laws for the confinement free energy in the athermal limit are also investigated.
Improvements in one-dimensional grounding-line parameterizations in an ice-sheet model with lateral variations

Abstract. The use of a boundary-layer parameterization of buttressing and ice flux across grounding lines in a two-dimensional ice-sheet model is improved by allowing general orientations of the grounding line. This and another modification to the model's grounding-line parameterization are assessed in two settings: a narrow fjord-like domain (MISMIP+), and in future simulations of West Antarctic ice retreat under RCP8.5-based climates. The new modifications are found to have significant effects on the fjord results, which are now within the envelopes of other models in the MISMIP+ intercomparison. In contrast, the modifications have little effect on West Antarctic retreat, presumably because dynamics in the wider major Antarctic basins are adequately represented by the model's previous simpler one-dimensional formulation. As future grounding lines retreat across very deep bedrock topography in the West Antarctic simulations, buttressing is weak and deviatoric stress measures exceed the ice yield stress, implying that structural failure at these grounding lines would occur. We suggest that these grounding-line quantities should be examined in similar projections by other ice models, to better assess the potential for future structural failure.
Bottom-Up or Top-Down Local Service Delivery? Assessing the Impacts of Special Districts as Community Governance Model:

This article assesses the impacts of bottom-up local governing institutions relative to top-down bureaucracies in local service delivery. Community services districts (CSDs) in California, a class ...