cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A partitioning framework for aggressive data skipping

We propose to demonstrate a fine-grained partitioning framework that reorganizes the data tuples into small blocks at data loading time. The goal is to enable queries to maximally skip scanning data blocks. The partition framework consists of four steps: (1) workload analysis, which extracts features from a query workload, (2) augmentation, which augments each data tuple with a feature vector, (3) reduce, which succinctly represents a set of data tuples using a set of feature vectors, and (4) partitioning, which performs a clustering algorithm to partition the feature vectors and uses the clustering result to guide the actual data partitioning. Our experiments show that our techniques result in a 3-7x query response time improvement over traditional range partitioning due to more effective data skipping.
Heterogeneity of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Expression in Multifocal Lung Cancer

Purpose: The expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) provides limited predictive value in identifying patients most likely to respond to immunotherapy. As the heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression may lead to sampling error and the misclassification of PD-L1 status, we assessed the distribution of PD-L1 expression in paired, resected multifocal lung cancers. Experimental Design: PD-L1 was assessed by IHC. Paired lesions were defined as independent primaries or related lesions using mate pair next-generation sequencing. Agreement statistics were used for analysis. Results: Sixty-seven multifocal lung cancers from 32 patients were sequenced and stained for PD-L1. There was agreement of PD-L1 expression by the tumor cells in paired lesions of 20 patients and disagreement of PD-L1 expression by the tumor cells in paired lesions of 12 patients (κ = 0.01). Sequencing identified that 23 patients had independent primary lung cancers and that 9 patients had related cancers. In paired lesions of patients with independent cancers, there was agreement of PD-L1 expression by the tumor cells in 12 patients and disagreement in 11 patients (κ = 0.31). In paired lesions of patients with related lung cancers, there was agreement of PD-L1 expression by the tumor cells in 8 patients and disagreement in 1 patient (κ = 0.73). Conclusions: The expression of PD-L1 is heterogeneous among paired independent lung cancers, but there are high levels of agreement in intrapulmonary metastasis. Clin Cancer Res; 22(9); 2177–82. ©2015 AACR .
Parametric covariance prediction for heteroscedastic noise

The ubiquitous additive Gaussian noise model is favored in statistical modeling applications for its flexibility and ease of use. Often noise is assumed to be well-represented by a constant covariance, while in reality error characteristics may change predictably. We present an efficient parametric covariance predictor based on the modified Cholesky decomposition that maps from features of the input to covariance matrices. In addition, we discuss fitting the predictor parameters using noise samples with simple regularization techniques. We demonstrate our approach by estimating observation covariances for range-bearing localization with simulated and experimental datasets and show that this results in increased filtering performance compared to traditional covariance adaptation and constant covariance baselines.
Thermal safety management of lithium-ion battery energy storage systems for use in ocean-going and subsea applications

Increasing power demands for ocean and sub-sea sensors, unmanned and autonomous vehicles as well as requirements of power storage from ocean based generation sources, have led to newer energy storage technologies such as lithium-ion batteries being widely adopted for these purposes. One of the key challenges that operators and users face is the safe integration of these energy storage technologies into the current vehicles or equipment to mitigate or contain the consequences of unintended releases of the stored energy. A catastrophic failure of a battery pack can occur if one or more cells in the battery pack undergo a thermal runaway event rapidly releasing the stored energy in the battery. Thermal runaway can lead to a release of flammable gases, heat or explosions and can potentially result in a mission kill, loss of vehicle or sensor, or hazards to property and life. The objective of this paper is to discuss current research and techniques to measure and quantify the hazards posed by unintended release of stored energy from newer energy storage technologies, as well as mitigation of such hazards. In the present work, the combustion characteristics of vent gases produced due to thermal failure of lithium-ion cells are studied experimentally to assess potential flash fire and explosion hazards associated with venting of lithium-ion cells and packs during thermal runaway events. Gases vented from small format lithium-ion cells during thermal runaway are sampled and analyzed experimentally, and the explosion characteristics including maximum pressure rise, explosion severity and lower and upper flammability limit of the vent gas composition are also measured. Similar analysis can also be applied to larger format lithium-ion cells that may be used in subsea applications. Information obtained from such testing can be combined with thermal modeling and CFD to design, analyze and optimize systems with mitigation measures to prevent or minimize these unintended consequences.
Ignition Delay Study of Moist Syngas/Oxidizer and Hydrogen/Oxidizer Mixtures using a Rapid Compression Machine

Autoigniton of moist syngas/oxidizer and hydrogen/oxidizer mixtures is studied experimentally using a rapid compression machine (RCM). This work investigates the effect of water addition on ignition delays of stoichiometric mixtures for different H2/CO molar ratios, ranging from 100/0 to 5/95. For a given H2/CO molar ratio, RCM experiments are conducted with 0%, 5%, and 10% molar percentages of water in the reactive mixture. At PC=30 bar, the presence of 5% and 10% water vapor shows to promote autoignition. Effect of replacing argon with nitrogen as bath gas also shows an increase in reactivity, thus reducing ignition delay, for the same compressed condition.
PERCEIVED HAZARD OF VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINALS: AN INFORMAL. LOOK

Murray (3) notes that in the last decade the use of video display terminals (VDTs) in the United States has grown exponentially while Kolbert (1) estimates the number now in use is between 10 and 15 million units. But, Schmich (4) suggests that many users are concerned that the devices are a health hazard such that they are becoming the asbestos workers of the future. To gather some data as to whether students feel that the terminals are detrimental to a user's health, a convenience sample was taken during the Fall of 1985 of 750 undergraduates (Mdn age 19 years) in a large school of business in the Northeast. Of those responding (97%), 57% were female and 43% were male. Using a written survey, these students were asked if they thought video d~splay terminals were a health hazard. Fifry-six percent of the females said no and 44% said yes; of males, 45% said no and 55% said yes. In terms of age, no differences in the pattern of replies by females and males were apparent so data were pooled for the frequency distribution below.
Pyrethroid contact sprays against the house fly (Musca domestica L.).

Pyrethrins and 8 related compounds were tested alone and in combination, at different ratios, with a synergist, piperonyl butoxide, to determine effectiveness as contact sprays against adult house flies, Musca domestica L. The most effective pyrethroid, Roussel-Uclaf RU-11679 ( (5-benzyl-3-furyl)methyl trans -(+)-3-(cyclopentylidenemethyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate), was 51 times more toxic than the ronnel standard; however, its effectiveness was not further potentiated by piperonyl butoxide. Four other pyrethroids were 6–10 times more effective than ronnel and were increased in effectiveness 1.3- to 6.3-fold by adding the synergist. The remaining compounds required the synergist to reach maximum effectiveness:
Parasitism of fungi on Vascular Plants

I have had one piece of advice in the preparation of the presidential address: make it short. Colleagues such as mine help keep events in perspective. I am a plant pathologist-not a mycologist who happens to be stationed in a plant pathology department, not an applied mycologist, but a professional, certifiable plant pathologist. A few mycologists are beginning to recognize that plant pathology is not applied mycology; fewer appreciate that it never was. True, the foundations for modern plant pathology were laid by de Bary in the years 1853 to 1886. In the same era Koch laid the foundations for modern medicine. Bacteriology has made important contributions to medicine, and its association with medicine has been the basis for its progress. Yet, there is no suggestion that medicine is, or ever was, applied bacteriology. If there were no viruses, no bacteria, no algae, no protozoa, no nematodes, no arthropods, no genetic abnormalities, no environmental deficiencies, no smogif all plant diseases were caused by fungi, plant pathology still would be a distinct science. Although pathologists and mycologists often range the same fields, they occupy different niches. The pathologist's
Biotic Factors Involved in Crucifer Aphid Outbreaks Following Insecticide Application

Applications of carbaryl and cryolite (sodium hexafluoroaluminate) altered the basic structure of the arthropod community associated with collards at Ithaca, N, Y. Population outbreaks of aphids occurred when carbaryl was applied at weekly intervals throughout the season. Aphid populations declined early on plots in which carbaryl applications were stopped in mid-season. Extensive leaf injury caused by flea beetles was associated with low and declining aphid densities. The density of aphid predators increased after carbaryl was withdrawn. However, predators were relatively rare in all treatments. The percent of the aphids parasitized did not differ significantly 011 treated and untreated plots in the late season when the aphid outbreaks occurred. It is suggested that reduced inter specific competition may have been an important factor in the complex chain of events that led to the aphid outbreaks.
The effect of steroids on adaptation to atelectatic shunting.

The effect of pharmacological doses of steroids on pulmonary vascular shunting (Qs/Qt) and fractional pulmonary capillary perfusion (FPCP) following left lower lobe atelectasis (LLLA) was studied in four groups of dogs. LLLA alone resulted in an increase in Qs/Qt. This was followed by a decrease in the blood flow to that lobe so the increased shunting had been essentially corrected after 2 hours. Methylprednisolone (35 mg. per kilogram) prevented this decrease in shunting which occurs after LLLA but the same dose of methylprednisolone failed to affect the pulmonary vascular hypertensive response to ventilation with 8 per cent O2. It is postulated that this steroid acts to partially desensitize the chemoreceptors of the lung to all types of stimuli.
Ethical and Legal Issues in the Treatment of Children and Families

The ethical and legal treatment of children and families engaged in psychotherapy is the greatest responsibility of any psychotherapist. In many ways, therapy with children and families requires the highest standard of ethical behavior because of the special vulnerabilities of children and the complexities involved with interacting with multiple family members. Ethical guidelines are most often written for adult patients and, as a result, they may be difficult to apply to children and families. Special considerations are needed to understand the child’s capacity to make treatment decisions, conflicting legal and ethical standards involved in the treatment of children, differing needs of children and their family members, and the special vulnerabilities of children. In addition, most child and family therapists believe that it is an ethical duty to be an advocate for the child and family. In fact, (Koocher (1976)) has stated that child therapists are morally bound to serve as an advocate for their child clients. This advocacy also adds complexities to the treatment process, as disagreements can occur between the child, therapist, and/or parent(s) with regard to the best interests of the child or family. The therapist must constantly strive to maintain the highest ethical and legal practices, yet in doing so, will face dilemmas that challenge the therapist’s thinking and behavior.
Weakly-supervised analysis dictionary learning with cardinality constraints

In synthesis dictionary learning, data is compactly represented as sparse combination over a dictionary. In analysis dictionary learning, the dictionary directly transforms the data to produce a sparse outcome. In this paper, we concentrate on the problem of analysis dictionary learning under the weak supervision setting. We introduce a discriminative probabilistic model and present a novel approach to enforce sparsity using probabilistic cardinality constraints. A detailed derivation of the expectation maximization procedure for maximum likelihood estimation with a computationally efficient E-step implementation is introduced. We illustrate the performance of the model on synthetic data.
Game Theoretic Regular Perturbation Guidance Strategies for Aeroassisted Plane Change Missions

The calculus of variations regular perturbation methodology is extended to solve a class of differential game problems and to apply this methodology to the development of robust approximate optimal guidance laws for aeroassisted plane change missions. The class of differential game problems examined arises from the treatment of system parameter uncertainties as deterministic control variables controlled by Nature as an intelligent adversary. When the parameter uncertainties are introduced using the concept of fictitious feedback loops, the optimal solutions to the resulting formulation are sought from the class of solutions satisfying first and second order necessary conditions for a game theoretic saddle point. The solution to the zeroth order problem (the problem resulting from setting a small parameter a to zero in the equations of motion) is found analytically while first and higher order corrections are found from a set of numerical quadratures. The required calculations are quite modest in number and can easily be performed in real time. Impressive numerical results indicate the robust behavior of this guidance law.
Disparities in Mangement of Patients with Benign Colorectal Disease: Impact of Urbanization and Specialized Care.

Disparities in the management of patients with various medical conditions are well established. Colorectal diseases continue to remain one of the most common causes for surgical intervention. The a...
Ego Psychoanalytic Rorschach Interpretation

Abstract. This article concerns the utility of ego psychoanalytic perspectives in Rorschach interpretation. Psychoanalytic ego psychology focuses on how people cope with events in their lives and how effectively they can meet challenges to their sense of well-being. The way people deal with experienced distress constitutes their defensive style and determines to a large extent what kind of person they are. Adequate defenses against anxiety promote comfortable and productive adjustment, whereas ineffective defenses typically cause adjustment difficulties and susceptibility to psychological disorders. In Rorschach assessment, the nature and effectiveness of a person’s defensive style can often be identified with a sequence analysis that integrates the structural, thematic, and behavioral features in the protocol. In particular, the sequential quality of responses, especially preceding and following instances of cognitive slippage, can help identify causes of upsetting concerns, defensive efforts to alleviat...
Fibroblast growth factors.

Growth factors are multifunctional (Sporn and Roberts 1988) and the family of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) is a case in point. Although FGF activities have been known to exist in tissue extracts for almost half a century (Trowell et al. 1939; Hoffman 1940), it has only been in the last 10 years that these activities have been characterized and the identity of many of the factors capable of stimulating fibroblast growth have been established. They include some of the interleukins (ILs), the tumor necrosis factors (TNFs), the platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs), the transforming growth factors (TGFs), and the FGFs. The pleiotropic nature of each of these growth factors is highlighted by the fact that they share common activities on some cell types but have restricted activities on others. Thus, the csapacity of crude or partially purified preparations of tissue and cell extracts (macrophages, as an example) to stimulate fibroblast proliferation is due to the presence of a combination of many distinct families of molecules. Hence the importance of obtaining structural data to distinguish molecules that share FGF activities.
Impact of Pregnancy History and 17-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate on Cervical Cytokines and Matrix Metalloproteinases

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pregnancy history and 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) treatment on cervical fluid cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Study Design Cervical fluid was obtained between 160/7 and 246/7 weeks from women with only prior term births (controls, n = 26), women with one or more prior spontaneous preterm births (SPTBs) choosing to receive 17-OHPC (17-OHPC, n = 24), or to not receive 17-OHPC (refusers, n = 12). Cervical fluid collections were repeated 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the first sample and concentrations of MMPs and cytokines were measured by multiplex immune assay. Results Among women whose earliest prior delivery occurred between 16 and 23 weeks, cervical fluid concentration of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α at baseline were significantly elevated when compared with cervical cytokines of women whose earliest delivery occurred between 32 and 36 weeks (relative risk ratio was 3.37 for IL-6 [95% confidence interval, CI, 1.08–10.53, p Conclusion The cervical fluid of women with a history of an early prior SPTB is characterized by inflammation that is unaffected by 17-OHPC.
Interrogating Teacher Evaluation: Unveiling Whiteness as the Normative Center and Moving the Margins:

This article frames teacher evaluation from a critical race theory (CRT) perspective to unveil whiteness as the normative center of frameworks for teaching, and the marginalization of Communities o...
Wake induced by an undulating elephant seal whisker

Certain species of seals are able to faithfully detect minute disturbances in ambient water solely using their whiskers, which is attributed to the whiskers’ undulating three-dimensional (3D) morphology. While previous studies have examined effects of key morphology parameters on the wake using scaled-up whisker models, it is unclear how the wake behaves when induced by a real undulating seal whisker. Real seal whiskers usually have a diameter of about one millimeter and present variation in size and bending curvature along the length, which are not being considered in designing scaled-up whisker-like models. In addition, how the whisker orientation affects the induced wake and vortex shedding needs to be clarified. This work examines the wake flow characteristics generated by a real elephant seal whisker (of undulating morphology) and a California sea lion whisker (of smooth morphology) in laboratory water channels at Reynolds numbers of 110 and 390, using snapshot particle image velocimetry (PIV) and time-resolved PIV methods. Results indicate that the reversed flow region is remarkably reduced and turbulence intensities are greatly suppressed behind the undulating whisker compared to that of the smooth whisker, when the major axis of the whisker cross-section is parallel with the incoming flow (i.e., the angle of attack or AOA is 0 $$^{\circ }$$ ). While the vortex shedding frequency is reduced for both the undulating and smooth whiskers, the power spectral density is substantially increased at an $$\mathrm{AOA} = 90^{\circ }$$ in comparison to $$\mathrm{AOA} = 0^{\circ }$$ . Regardless of the AOA, the power spectral density is approximately 40% lower in the wake of the undulating whisker than that of the smooth whisker, indicating the favorable hydrodynamic feature of the undulating whisker. The extraordinary hydrodynamic traits of undulating seal whiskers is promising for renovating aero-propulsion flow components and designing high-sensitivity underwater flow sensors.
Spanish Law and its Expansion

This chapter provides an overview of the legal aspects of Spain's enterprise in the Americas. It addresses the uses of law in discovery, exploration and conquest; Castilian law before its expansion to new territories; the use of law to justify conquest; slavery and indigenous labour; institutions; sources of law; legal actors; and Spanish law after independence. It also presents some of the present debates surrounding the nature and construction of derecho indiano.
Sixty years of “peaceful liberation” at the Tibet Museum in Lhasa: triumphant modernization at the rooftop of the world

Drawing on fieldwork and the rhetorical analysis of translations of the descriptive panels displayed in the “Exhibition of the 60th Anniversary of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet” (EATPL), this article examines the ways in which Lhasa’s Tibet Museum in general and the EATPL in particular represent Tibet’s contested place in the rise of modern China. We analyze the displays to determine how presence, absence, and amnesiatic displays are used to celebrate the success of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) leapfrog development, how techniques of contrast produce visions of a so-called “better tomorrow for Tibet,” and how the repetition of before- and after-reform images (re)produce state narratives that showcase the triumph of modernization and the rhetoric of legacy building. By focusing on Jiang Zemin’s “Three Represents,” Hu Jintao’s “Scientific Development and Harmonious Society,” and Xi Jinping’s “China Dream,” we show that the rhetoric in these panels is aimed to constrain yearnings for the “Old Tibe...
Immunoglobulin A (IgA): molecular and cellular interactions involved in IgA biosynthesis and immune response.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the impact of new information concerning IgA physiology on the immune system. IgA should not be considered only as an isotype providing specific humoral protection of mucosal surfaces but as an integral component of the entire immune system. An unusual structural feature of human IgA is the heterogeneity of the molecular forms with characteristic distribution in various body fluids. Though most IgA in serum displays a typical four-polypeptide chain structure of the basic molecule with two Q and two light (L) chains, external secretions contain dimeric and tetrameric, disulfide-linked molecules associated with additional polypeptides-J (joining) chain and secretory component (SC). IgA-producing plasma cells are distributed in various lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues and are particularly preponderant in the lamina propria of the gut; in salivary, lacrimal, and lactating mammary glands; and in the human bone marrow. IgA occurs in different body fluids in predominantly polymeric or monomeric (plasma, cerebrospinal fluid) forms with a characteristic distribution of IgAl and IgAz molecules. Under normal conditions, an absolute majority of IgA-containing cells in secretory glands and tissues also contain J chain whereas such cells in, for example, normal bone marrow does not. Staining with fluorochrome-labeled anti-J chain is enhanced by the pretreatment of alcohol-fixed tissue sections with acid urea, which leads to the exposure of masked antigenic determinants of intracellular J chain. Specialized lymphoid tissues associated with mucosal surfaces play an essential role in the induction and regulation of generalized immune responses in external secretions.
Molecular and cellular biology of caveolae paradoxes and plasticities.

Caveolae are 50-100 nm invaginations that represent an appendage or subcompartment of the plasma membrane. They are found in most cell types but are abundant in fibroblasts, adipocytes, endothelial cells, type I pneumocytes, epithelial cells, and smooth and striated muscle cells. Functionally, caveolae have been implicated in three major processes: endothelial transcytosis, potocytosis, and signal transduction. Caveolin, a 21-24 kD integral membrane protein, is a principal component of the caveolar membrane in vivo. Within caveolar microdomains, caveolin functions as a multivalent docking site for recruiting and sequestering signaling molecules. More specifically, caveolin interacts directly in a regulated manner with multiple lipid-modified signaling molecules (such as Src-tyrosine kinases, Gα subunits, and H-Ras), preferring the inactive conformation of these molecules. Here, we present a general overview of our current knowledge of caveolae and caveolin functioning and possible implications for treatment of human disease. (Trends Cardiovasc Med 1997;7:103-110). © 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.
Fatty Acid β-Oxidation-Dependent Bioactivation of 5,6-Dichloro-4-Thia-5-Hexenoate and Analogs in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

S-(1,2-Dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC) is a nephrotoxic agent found in trichloroethene-extracted soybean meal (McKinney et al., 1957). Structure-toxicity studies with DCVC showed that the decarboxylated analog S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)cysteamine was nontoxic whereas the desamino analog 5,6-dichloro-4-thia-5-hexenoate (DCTH) was a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration (Parker et al., 1965; Stonard et al., 1977). The bioactivation mechanism of DCVC has been elucidated (Anders et al., 1988), but the bioactivation mechanism of DCTH has, however, not been defined. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the bioactivation mechanism of DCTH. This research tested the hypothesis that DCTH is bioactivated by enzymes of the fatty acid β-oxidation pathway to cytotoxic intermediates (Fig. 1). Specifically, DCTH may be metabolized by fatty acid acylCoA synthetase to the corresponding CoA thioester 1, which may be metabolized by fatty acid acyl-CoA dehydrogenase to 5,6-dichloro-4-thia-2,5-hexadienoate 2. Dienoate 2 may be metabolized by enoyl-CoA hydratase to the hemimercaptal 5,6-dichloro-4-thia-3-hydroxy-5-hexenoate 3, which may eliminate the unstable enethiol 1,2-dichloroethenethiol 4 whose formation is associated with the toxicity of DCVC (Anders et al., 1988).
The Hidden Perils of Addressing Complexity with Formal Process - A Philosophical and Empirical Analysis

This paper analyzes ethnographic interview data at two different points in time to assess the impact of formal process on the production process in a systems engineering context. While formal processes are adopted by organizations to grapple with increasing levels of complexity, they nonetheless make strong assumptions about the nature of work and the nature of the worker leading to unintended consequences. The fields of philosophy of technology and labor studies each pose deep questions about the nature of work and technology and how changes in them affect human experience and provide a compelling context in which to analyze the ethnographic data. We conclude that formal processes tend to ignore the social dynamics of the production process resulting in systemic quality problems. We also conclude that both the philosophy of technology and labor studies would benefit from a more social rather than individualistic framing of technology and production.
Some requirements for a computer-based legal consultant

SOME REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMPUTER-BASED LEGAL CONSULTANT L. Thorne McCarty Faculty of Law, SUNY at Buffalo Laboratory for Computer Science Research, Rutgers Although the literature on computer-based consultation systems has often suggested the possibility of building an expert system in the field of law (see, e.g., [2]) it is only recently that several AI researchers have begun to explore this possibility seriously. Recent projects include: the development of a computational theory of legal reasoning, using corporate tax law as an experimental problem domain
Exposure of Endothelium to Biomimetic Flow Waveforms Yields Identification of miR-199a-5p as a Potent Regulator of Arteriogenesis

Arteriogenesis, the growth of endogenous collateral arteries bypassing arterial occlusion(s), is a fundamental shear stress-induced adaptation with implications for treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Nonetheless, endothelial mechano-signaling during arteriogenesis is incompletely understood. Here we tested the hypothesis that a mechanosensitive microRNA, miR-199a-5p, regulates perfusion recovery and collateral arteriogenesis following femoral arterial ligation (FAL) via control of monocyte recruitment and pro-arteriogenic gene expression. We have previously shown that collateral artery segments exhibit distinctly amplified arteriogenesis if they are exposed to reversed flow following FAL in the mouse. We performed a genome-wide analysis of endothelial cells exposed to a biomimetic reversed flow waveform. From this analysis, we identified mechanosensitive miR-199a-5p as a novel candidate regulator of collateral arteriogenesis. In vitro, miR-199a-5p inhibited pro-arteriogenic gene expression (IKKβ, Cav1) and monocyte adhesion to endothelium. In vivo, following FAL in mice, miR-199a-5p overexpression impaired foot perfusion and arteriogenesis. In contrast, a single intramuscular anti-miR-199a-5p injection elicited a robust therapeutic response, including complete foot perfusion recovery, markedly augmented arteriogenesis (>3.4-fold increase in segment conductance), and improved gastrocnemius tissue composition. Finally, we found plasma miR-199a-5p to be elevated in human PAD patients with intermittent claudication compared to a risk factor control population. Through our transformative analysis of endothelial mechano-signaling in response to a biomimetic amplified arteriogenesis flow waveform, we have identified miR-199a-5p as both a potent regulator of arteriogenesis and a putative target for treating PAD.
Physico-chemical characterization of pedigreed sorghum mutant stalks for biofuel production

Abstract The successful commercialization of cellulosic biofuels depends on a stable and sustainable supply of high quality biomass at a reasonable cost. The physical property and chemical composition of biomass are the most important indicators of a biomass source’s potential for biofuel application. This study characterized the physical and chemical properties of 148 pedigreed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) mutant stalks for biofuel production in order to accelerate the discovery of genes or gene mutations that underlie significant beneficial traits in sorghum. Large variations of chemical compositions were observed and indicated that breeding progress was achievable for sorghum development with desirable biofuel properties. The extractives are negatively correlated with the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents with an r of −0.85, −0.87, and −0.94, respectively. However, no relationships between ash and extractives contents were found in this study. Among the tested 148 sorghum mutant stalks, sorghum mutant ARS14 was identified with high sugar contents, high heating values, but less ash contents, which was suitable for the biorefinery industries with both biochemical and thermochemical conversions.
Jenna Vinson. Embodying the Problem: The Persuasive Power of the Teen Mother. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2018. 236 pages. $29.95 paperback.

As the mother of a fourteen-year-old girl, I am intimately familiar with the commonplace that “getting pregnant as a teenager will ruin your life.” I’ve probably said these exact words, or somethin...
Short communication: Effects of meloxicam administration on protein metabolism and growth performance in transported Jersey calves.

ABSTRACT Our objective was to investigate the effects of administering the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam (MEL) before transport on various indicators of protein metabolism and growth performance over the first 96 h after transport in Jersey calves. Calves (age ± SD; 2 ± 1 d) sourced from a commercial farm were randomly administered, at 1 mg/kg of body weight, either meloxicam (MEL; n = 11) or a whey protein placebo (CON; n = 10) orally before transport to a calf facility (669 km; 8.5-h road trip). Calves were weighed and rectal temperature was recorded before departure (0 h), on arrival (8.5 h), and 96 h after arrival. Blood was collected at the same time as calves were weighed, and samples were analyzed for total protein (0-h sample), cortisol (0- and 8.5-h samples), haptoglobin (0- and 96-h samples), and amino acids, 3-methylhistidine, and urea-N (96 h). Milk replacer (MR) intake was recorded on arrival and over the next 4 d. Serum total protein concentration did not differ for CON and MEL calves. Plasma cortisol concentration was similar across treatments at 0 h; however, it was lower for CON than for MEL calves at 8.5 h. Although serum haptoglobin concentration tended to be greater for CON than MEL calves 96 h after transport, 3-methylhistidine and plasma urea-N concentrations did not differ across treatments. Plasma Asp, Asn, Glu, Lys, Met, Ser, and Trp were greater and plasma Arg, Gly, Pro, and Thr concentrations tended to be greater at 96 h after arrival for MEL compared with CON calves. Intake of MR and average daily gain were higher in MEL than in CON calves. In summary, although it had no effect on 3-methylhistidine or urea-N concentrations, administration of MEL before transport tended to reduce haptoglobin concentration, altered the amino acid profile, and was beneficial in preventing a decrease in MR intake and average daily gain in Jersey calves.
Overview of Past, Present, and Future of Incisional Hernia Repair

There are new thoughts to the proven laparoscopic procedure to repair incisional and ventral hernias. This chapter provides a look back of the predecessors of the operation. A short update of the current issues associated with the technique is provided as well as a current and future look at robotic technological applications.
Association of Prescribed Opioids With Increased Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among Patients With and Without HIV.

Importance Some opioids are known immunosuppressants; however, the association of prescribed opioids with clinically relevant immune-related outcomes is understudied, especially among people living with HIV. Objective To assess the association of prescribed opioids with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) by opioid properties and HIV status. Design, Setting, and Participants This nested case-control study used data from patients in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2012. Participants in VACS included patients living with and without HIV who received care in Veterans Health Administration (VA) medical centers across the United States. Patients with CAP requiring hospitalization (n = 4246) were matched 1:5 with control individuals without CAP (n = 21 146) by age, sex, race/ethnicity, length of observation, and HIV status. Data were analyzed from March 15, 2017, through August 8, 2018. Exposures Prescribed opioid exposure during the 12 months before the index date was characterized by a composite variable based on timing (none, past, or current); low ( 50 mg) median morphine equivalent daily dose; and opioid immunosuppressive properties (yes vs unknown or no). Main Outcome and Measure CAP requiring hospitalization based on VA and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid data. Results Among the 25 392 VACS participants (98.9% male; mean [SD] age, 55 [10] years), current medium doses of opioids with unknown or no immunosuppressive properties (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.35; 95% CI, 1.13-1.62) and immunosuppressive properties (AOR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.50-2.86) and current high doses of opioids with unknown or no immunosuppressive properties (AOR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.50-2.86) and immunosuppressive properties (AOR, 3.18; 95% CI, 2.44-4.14) were associated with the greatest CAP risk compared with no prescribed opioids or any past prescribed opioid with no immunosuppressive (AOR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.09-1.40) and immunosuppressive properties (AOR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.21-1.67), especially with current receipt of immunosuppressive opioids. In stratified analyses, CAP risk was consistently greater among people living with HIV with current prescribed opioids, especially when prescribed immunosuppressive opioids (eg, AORs for current immunosuppressive opioids with medium dose, 1.76 [95% CI, 1.20-2.57] vs 2.33 [95% CI, 1.60-3.40]). Conclusions and Relevance Prescribed opioids, especially higher-dose and immunosuppressive opioids, are associated with increased CAP risk among persons with and without HIV.
Aesthetic Truth and Pastoral Theology: A Proposal for a New Method of Reflection and Practice

Pastoral theology needs to clarify its identity as an autonomous theological discipline by developing its own knowledge base, body of research, and practice methods. It needs to broaden its scope to include not only a concern for personal issues, but also larger sociocultural and anthropological ones as well. Additionally, there is a pressing need for moving beyond the confines of traditional methods of correlation. This essay offers a new method for pastoral theological reflection and practice that is grounded in Hans-Georg Gadamer's understanding of aesthetic truth and hermeneutics. It offers a new way of conceptualizing the relationship of pastoral theology to such “conversation partners” as the Bible and theological tradition, the social sciences, and practical wisdom, demonstrating how these can contribute to the pastoral theological task.
Calculating Embedding Dimension with Confidence Estimates

We describe a method to estimate embedding dimension from a time series. This method includes an estimate of the probability that the dimension estimate is valid. Such validity estimates are not common in algorithms for calculating the properties of dynamical systems. The algorithm described here compares the eigenvalues of covariance matrices created from an embedded signal to the eigenvalues for a covariance matrix of a Gaussian random process with the same dimension and number of points. A statistical test gives the probability that the eigenvalues for the embedded signal did not come from the Gaussian random process.
Examination of Some Eco-Friendly Compounds, Extracted from Algal Biodiesel as Environmental Natural Inhibitors for Mild Steel Corrosion

The utilization of green natural compounds as natural corrosion inhibitors is ahead greatly preferred and interest owing to its harmless effect, practical usage, little price and renewable sources. Those compounds are commonly adsorbed on the steel surface through the construction of a protecting film, which separates the steel surface from the acidic environment. In the present study, some eco-friendly derivatives of phenol and Triglyceride type, extracted from algal biodiesel were investigated as environmental natural inhibitors for mild steel corrosion, by utilizing the density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamic simulation (MDS). These theories have an important application towards the project and improvement of natural inhibitors in corrosion domain, which their employment is very significant to investigate the interaction between the molecular structure and inhibitory effect. The results found from DFT indicate that the adsorption of these compounds may include both physisorption and chemisorption, through the heteroatoms and $\pi$ electrons of cyclic structures. We can also see from MDS that the inhibitory molecules adsorb to the metal surface in a nearly planar manner, demonstrating the great absorption between the molecule and the iron atoms by forming a protective layer.
Initial Single-Institution Experience With a Novel Robotic-Navigation System for Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw and Pelvic Screw Placement With 643 Screws.

ABSTRACT Background: Robotic-guided navigation systems for pedicle screw placement has gained recent interest to ensure accuracy and safety and diminish radiation exposure. There have been no published studies using a new combined robotics and navigation system (Globus ExcelsiusGPS system). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate safety with this system. Methods: This is a case series of consecutive patients at a single institution from February 1, 2018, to August 31, 2018. All patients who had planned placement of thoracic and lumbar pedicle screws using the combined robotics-navigation system were included. Chart review was performed for operative details. A subgroup analysis was performed on patients with postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans to assess screw placement accuracy using the Gertzbein and Robbins system. Acceptable pedicle screw position was defined as grade A or B. Results: One hundred six patients were included, with 636 pedicle screws, 6 iliac screws, and 1 S2AI screw. Five cases were aborted for technical issues. In the remaining 101 patients, 88 patients had screws placed using preoperative CT planning and 13 patients using intraoperative fluoroscopy planning. All screws except for 5 pedicle screws in 2 patients were placed successfully using the robot (99%). These 5 pedicle screws were placed by converting to a fluoro-guided technique without robotic assistance. Eighty-six patients had screws placed using a percutaneous technique, and 15 patients had screws placed using an open technique. Ninety-eight patients underwent interbody placement: 28 anterior lumbar interbody fusions (ALIFs), 12 lateral lumbar interbody fusions (LLIFs), and 58 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions (TLIFs). All ALIFs and LLIFs were performed prior to placement of the screws. Four LIF patients had screws placed in the lateral position. No patients had screw-related complications intraoperatively or postoperatively, and no patients returned to the operating room for screw revision. Thirteen patients underwent postoperative CT for various reasons. Of the 66 pedicle screws that were examined with postoperative CT, all screws (100%) had acceptable position. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the combined robotics and navigation system is a novel technology that can be utilized to place pedicle screws and pelvic screws safely and has the potential to reduce screw-related complications. Level of Evidence: 4 (case series).
New frontiers in imaging at DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (Conference Presentation)

The DARPA Microsytems Technology Office develops components meant to advance state of the art systems. The electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) portfolio has ongoing programs to advance imaging capability in all areas, from advancing read-out integrated circuit technology to improving resolution to improved processing. This talk will cover those efforts as well as discuss new opportunities.
Phases of decompensation during acute ischemia demonstrated in an ex vivo porcine bladder model

Background The aim of this project was to develop an ex-vivo porcine bladder model to test the effects of increasing durations of acute ischemia on detrusor function. Methods Porcine bladders were perfused through bilateral vesical arteries at physiologic flow (4 mL/min) and filled through a urethral catheter. Intravesical pressures were continuously recorded using standard urodynamics equipment. Bladder contractions, with simulated voiding, were induced by arterial infusion of KCl at 250 mL. Total, passive, and active pressures were recorded for each contraction and data were normalized to the control fill. Bladders underwent the following perfusion protocol by adjusting the arterial flow rates: Equilibration (4 mL/min), control (4 mL/min), partial ischemia (2 mL/min), global ischemia (0 mL/min) and reperfusion (4 mL/min). Perfusion periods were held for 15 min for one group and 30 min for another group of bladders. Results Porcine bladders (N=19) including 8 (15 min group) and 11 (30 min group) were used. With 15 min ischemia, passive pressure increased 39% (P=0.03) and the active pressure decreased 23% (P=0.002). Total pressure remained constant, identifying a compensated phase. Values returned to baseline with reperfusion. With 30 min ischemia, passive pressure remained unchanged. However, there was a decrease in total pressure 34% (P<0.001) and active pressure 61% (P<0.001), which incompletely recovered to baseline values, identifying a decompensated phase with incomplete recovery upon reperfusion. Conclusion In the porcine bladder, 15 min ischemia resulted in a compensated phase and 30 min ischemia resulted in a decompensated phase of detrusor function. This study provides mechanistic insight into the natural history of ischemia-mediated voiding dysfunction.
Antibiotic Stewardship Through Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth in Pediatric Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome Reduces Antibiotic Exposure and Improves Cost of Health Care.

Background Small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SBBO) is difficult to diagnose in pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome due to the invasive nature of the gold standard testing. Alternative testing methods also have barriers leaving providers to diagnose clinically. This has led to antibiotic overprescribing in this population. An algorithm for SBBO identification and standardized treatment is proposed. Objective Standardize SBBO identification and treatment in pediatric short bowel syndrome. Methods 1-year retrospective chart review and literature review. Results Final analysis of 146 admissions revealed diagnostic and antibiotic prescribing inconsistencies. In total, 28% (n = 41) received antibiotics for SBBO including those who continued home antibiotic (n = 27), those prescribed an antibiotic based on clinical suspicion (n = 12), and those prescribed an antibiotic based on duodenal aspirate (n = 2). In 10.2% (n = 15) patients, antibiotics were prescribed without clear clinical indication resulting in 342 antibiotic exposed days and $24,000 in prescription costs. Conclusion Clinical research is greatly needed as it relates to SBBO. In the meantime, the proposed algorithm guides providers through diagnosis and treatment decision-making. Thoughtful antibiotic prescribing is key to optimizing outcomes while minimizing adverse effects of antibiotics. Implications for nursing The algorithm empowers nursing to minimize antibiotic overuse through collaborative teamwork.
Forty Four Years With Baruch Kanner and The Chloride Ion

Baruch Kanner and this author have had parallel careers investigating neurotransmitter transporters. At multiple times during their careers, they have found themselves collaborating or competing, but always learning from each other. This commentary elaborates on the interactions between the Kanner and Rudnick laboratories, with a focus on transporters in the Neurotransmitter: Sodium Symporter (NSS) family of amino acid and amine transporters. A key focus of these interactions is the mechanism by which chloride ions activate and drive transport.