cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meta-recommendation systems: user-controlled integration of diverse recommendations

In a world where the number of choices can be overwhelming, recommender systems help users find and evaluate items of interest. They do so by connecting users with information regarding the content of recommended items or the opinions of other individuals. Such systems have become powerful tools in domains such as electronic commerce, digital libraries, and knowledge management. In this paper, we address such systems and introduce a new class of recommender system called meta-recommenders. Meta-recommenders provide users with personalized control over the generation of a single recommendation list formed from a combination of rich data using multiple information sources and recommendation techniques. We discuss experiments conducted to aid in the design of interfaces for a meta-recommender in the domain of movies. We demonstrate that meta-recommendations fill a gap in the current design of recommender systems. Finally, we consider the challenges of building real-world, usable meta-recommenders across a variety of domains.
Q-TRAN: A New Approach to Transform Triangular Meshes into Quadrilateral Meshes Locally

Q-Tran is a new indirect algorithmto transform triangular tessellation of bounded three-dimensional surfaces into all-quadrilateralmeshes. The proposed method is simple, fast and produces quadrilaterals with provablygood quality and hence it does not require a smoothing post-processing step. The method is capable of identifying and recovering structured regions in the input tessellation. The number of generated quadrilaterals tends to be almost the same as the number of the triangles in the input tessellation. Q-Tran preserves the vertices of the input tessellation and hence the geometry is preserved even for highly curved surfaces. Several examples of Q-Tran are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Implementing Evidence-Based Multiple-Family Groups with Adolescent Substance Abusers

Agencies that provide adolescent drug treatment services have reported increased demand to treat multiple families in groups. However, little attention has been paid to the challenges associated with implementing multiple-family group interventions for adolescent substance abusers. To address this gap in the literature, the authors discuss the implementation of multiple-family groups embedded within a promising multimodal intervention called Strengths-Oriented Family Therapy (SOFT). We provide a brief description of the system of care within which the SOFT multiple-family groups were developed and outline the process of implementation. The authors discuss challenges they faced implementing multiple-family groups in their partnership with a not-for-profit agency using Gotham's (2006) conceptual framework for the transfer of evidence-based models into community practice. The challenges included meeting state licensure standards, providing services in rural areas, supervising the multiple-family groups, and ...
MLC quality assurance using EPID: a fitting technique with subpixel precision.

Amorphous silicon based electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) have been shown to be a good alternative to radiographic film for routine quality assurance (QA) of multileaf collimator (MLC) positioning accuracy. In this work, we present a method of acquiring an EPID image of a traditional strip-test image using analytical fits of the interleaf and leaf abutment image signatures. After exposure, the EPID image pixel values are divided by an open field image to remove EPID response and radiation field variations. Profiles acquired in the direction orthogonal to the leaf motion exhibit small peaks caused by interleaf leakage. Gaussian profiles are fitted to the interleaf leakage peaks, the results of which are, using multiobjective optimization, used to calculate the image rotational angle with respect to the collimator axis of rotation. The relative angle is used to rotate the image to align the MLC leaf travel to the image pixel axes. The leaf abutments also present peaks that are fitted by heuristic functions, in this case modified Lorentzian functions. The parameters of the Lorentzian functions are used to parameterize the leaf gap width and positions. By imaging a set of MLC fields with varying gaps forming symmetric and asymmetric abutments, calibration curvesmore » with regard to relative peak height (RPH) versus nominal gap width are obtained. Based on this calibration data, the individual leaf positions are calculated to compare with the nominal programmed positions. The results demonstrate that the collimator rotation angle can be determined as accurate as 0.01 deg. . A change in MLC gap width of 0.2 mm leads to a change in RPH of about 10%. For asymmetrically produced gaps, a 0.2 mm MLC leaf gap width change causes 0.2 pixel peak position change. Subpixel resolution is obtained by using a parameterized fit of the relatively large abutment peaks. By contrast, for symmetrical gap changes, the peak position remains unchanged with a standard deviation of 0.05 pixels, or 0.026 mm. A trial run of 36 test images, each with gap widths varying from 0.4 to 1.4 mm, were used to analyze 8640 abutments. The leaf position variations were detected with a precision of 0.1 mm at a 95% confidence level, with a mean of 0.04 mm and a standard deviation of 0.03 mm. The proposed method is robust and minimizes the effect of image noise and pixel size and may help physicists to establish reliable and reasonable action levels in routine MLC QA.« less
Modeling the rim appearance

A viewer-centered approach is presented to modeling the geometry of the visible occluding contour of solid 3-D shape. The rim appearance representation models the exact appearance of the occluding contour formed by the edges of a polyhedron. An algorithm is presented for constructing the rim appearance representation. Bounds on space and time are given, and implementation results show that the rim appearance representation is significantly smaller than both the aspect graph and the asp representation. >
Novel Two-Step Process for the Production of Renewable Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Triacylglycerides

A two-step process was developed for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons from triglyceride (TG) oils. In the first reaction step, TG (soybean) oil was noncatalytically cracked and purified by distillation to produce an organic liquid product (OLP). The resulting OLP was then converted into aromatic compounds in a second reaction using a zeolite catalyst, HZSM-5. In this second reaction, three main factors were found to influence the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons: the SiO2:Al2O3 ratio in the HZSM-5, the reaction temperature and the OLP-to-catalyst ratio. Upon cursory optimization, up to 58 w/w% aromatics were obtained. Detailed analyses revealed that most of the alkenes and carboxylic acids, and even many of the unidentified/unresolved compounds, which are characteristic products of noncatalytic TG cracking, were reformed into aromatic hydrocarbons. Instead of BTEX compounds, which are the common products of C2–C8 alkene and other feedstock reforming with HZSM-5, longer-chain alkylbenzenes dominated t...
Peyronie's disease: What's around the bend?

Introduction: Peyronie's disease (PD) is a fibrotic diathesis of the tunica albuginea that results in penile plaque formation and penile deformity, negatively affecting sexual and psychosocial function of both patients and their partners. In this review, we discuss the PD literature and PD treatment options, with special emphasis on potential future therapies. Methods: The PD literature was reviewed, and articles of interest were identified using keyword search in PubMed. Articles evaluating investigational and novel PD treatments were emphasized. Results: Existing PD treatment modalities are diverse and include oral, topical, intralesional, mechanical, and surgical therapies. Surgical treatment has high success rates and is indicated in men with significant, stable deformity. The United States Food and Drug Administration-approved intralesional collagenase Clostridium histolyticum injection therapy is a minimally invasive option with demonstrated efficacy in PD. Other nonsurgical therapies have been reported, including Botox and stem cell therapy, but these currently have little or equivocal evidence to support their efficacy. Conclusions: Further research is essential to develop novel, safe, and effective minimally invasive PD treatment options. This work is ongoing, with the promise of specific, targeted, and highly effective therapies on the horizon.
Systems Analysis in Irrigation and Drainage

Because of the food production squeeze, a water cost squeeze, and a serious political squeeze, irrigation and drainage must be brought to a point of maximum efficiency. This can be accomplished through the development and application of sound systems analysis models, provided this is accomplished by persons with sound practical and theoretical knowledge of these systems and their objectives. There is potential for a new technology based on systems analysis for precision control of soil moisture related factors of production, for the optimization of the use of unregulated stochastic streamflows, for the optimization of risk and return from water use under uncertainty, for optimal salinity, and draught strategies. There are important analytical limitations and considerable additional fundamental research is required, but the step must be taken.
Emergence of Sex-Segregated Behavior and Association Patterns in Juvenile Spider Monkeys

Abstract Sex-segregation occurs in a number of mammals, and is typically attributed to differences in body size, reproductive energetics, or social roles. Although most primates remain in cohesive groups, spider monkeys exhibit fission-fusion dynamics and sex-segregated association patterns. Here, I present results on sex differences in behavior and subgrouping in juvenile spider monkeys. I found that the monkeys exhibit several aspects of sex-differentiated behavioral and grouping patterns that emerge despite the fact that both sexes ranged with their mothers. I conclude that juvenile spider monkeys exhibit sex-segregated behavior and association patterns earlier than previously reported for this species. Because the hypotheses regarding body size dimorphism and reproductive energetics do not apply to these juveniles, I attribute these differences to social roles.
In Vivo Neuromagnetic Study of Normal and Pathological Intracellular Current in Rat Cortex

The magnetoencephalogram (MEG) may be used to localize and study synchronized cellular currents during physiological and pathological cortical activities in animal and man. However, a detailed interpretation of the magnetic responses requires an understanding of the relationship between the cellular currents and the resultant electric and magnetic fields. Based on the theoretical prediction that MEG fields are induced predominantly by intracellular currents (Cohen and Hosaka, 1976; Barth et al., 1986; Okada, Y. C., 1987), MEG animal studies, combined with electrical measurement, may provide valuable information for understanding the neurogenesis of cortical responses.
Identification of a new soybean rust resistance gene in PI 567102B

Soybean rust (SBR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. and P. Syd. is one of the most economically important diseases of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Durable resistance to P. pachyrhizi is the most effective long-term strategy to control SBR. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetics of resistance to P. pachyrhizi in soybean accession PI 567102B. This accession was previously identified as resistant to SBR in Paraguay and to P. pachyrhizi isolates from seven states in the USA (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas). Analysis of two independent populations, one in which F2 phenotypes were inferred from F2-derived F3 (F2:3) families and the other in which F2 plants had phenotypes measured directly, showed that the resistance in PI 567102B was controlled by a single dominant gene. Two different isolates (MS06-1 and LA04-1) at different locations (Stoneville, MS and Ft. Detrick, MD) were used to independently assay the two populations. Linkage analysis of both populations indicated that the resistance locus was located on chromosome 18 (formerly linkage group G), but at a different location than either Rpp1 or Rpp4, which were previously mapped to this linkage group. Therefore, the SBR resistance in PI 567102B appeared to be conditioned by a previously unreported locus, with an underlying single dominant gene inferred. We propose this gene to be designated Rpp6. Incorporating Rpp6 into improved soybean cultivars may have wide benefits as PI 567102B has been shown to provide resistance to P. pachyrhizi isolates from Paraguay and the US.
Assessing students' motivation during advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

The earliest teaching experiences for new practitioners typically involve serving as a preceptor for students during their advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE). During these early encounters, new practitioners may feel equipped to interact with students who are knowledgeable and motivated
Decreased macular thickness in nonproliferative macular telangiectasia type 2 with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Purpose:To evaluate whether carbonic anhydrase inhibitors reduce the macular thickness and/or cystic spaces in patients with macular telangiectasia (MacTel) Type 2.Methods:Retrospective review of patients with nonproliferative cystoid changes associated with MacTel seen at the University of Iowa bet
Entrepreneurship in Large Organizations. Evidence from Music Production.

Abstract: It has long been suggested that large organizations stifle the entrepreneurial spirit and spawn fewer entrepreneurial ventures. Using the music industry as an empirical context, this stud...
Review and Prospects on Identification and Classification of Bird Feathers Technology

Identification and classification of bird feather is a technique using classical taxonomy,microscopy,mathematics and molecular biology,chemistry to research complete or incomplete feathers,in order to distinguish bird species and taxonomic work.The current status on identification of bird feather in the world is introduced.The problem and research prospects about identification of bird feather is discussed and analyzed.This paper summarized bird feather identification for this technology becoming wider and better range of application.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor mRNA upregulation is an immediate early marker of myeloid differentiation and exhibits dysfunctional regulation in leukemic cells

The identification of early markers of myeloid differentiation can facilitate an understanding of how differentiation is arrested in leukemogenesis. Using murine bone marrow and the granulocyte-precusor cell line 32Dc13, we show that message for the granulocyte colony- stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR) is upregulated by G-CSF in an immediate early fashion that is specific to the differentiation pathway and is antagonized by interleukin-3. We further show that G-CSFR message is superinduced by cycloheximide and that these patterns of regulation are altered in leukemic cell lines. In particular, the v-abl oncogene product supresses both ligand-mediated upregulation and superinduction of the G-CSFR gene.
Stored human platelets retain full aggregation potential in response to pairs of aggregating agents

Abstract Human platelet concentrates stored at 22°C for transfusion purposes progressively lose their in vitro sensitivity to single aggregating agents such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP). It is known that very small amounts of epinephrine, collagen, or arachidonic acid can markedly enhance the aggregation of platelets in fresh platelet-rich plasmas in response to concentrations of ADP that do not cause aggregation when used singly. Therefore, we investigated the effects of pairs of aggregating agents on eight platelet concentrates on the day of preparation and after 3 and 5 days of storage at 22°C. We studied platelet aggregation and secretion with a lumi-aggregometer and thromboxane-B2 formation using a radioimmunoassay. When aggregation was tested in response to single agents, stored platelets were completely unresponsive to epinephrine, markedly insensitive to ADP, and moderately insensitive to collagen and arachidonic acid. In spite of this, there was no statistically significant loss of sensitivity to aggregating agents after 5 days of storage when the agents were used in pairs. There was no loss of sensitivity to ADP (2 µM) or epinephrine (2 µM) when they were used as a pair or when either was used to potentiate aggregation induced by low concentrations of collagen or arachidonic acid. In addition, the patterns of aggregation and secretion in response to pairs of agents were similar in fresh and 5-day stored platelet concentrates. Compared to fresh platelet concentrates, platelets stored for 5 days formed less thromboxane-B2 at all concentrations of collagen or arachidonic acid tested. However, the amount of thromboxane-B2 formed in response to low concentrations of pairs of agents was unchanged after 5 days of storage. Retention of in vitro sensitivity of stored platelets to pairs of aggregating agents may help explain the apparent discrepancy between poor aggregation in vitro and adequate function in vivo of stored platelets, since in vivo aggregation may well occur in response to combinations of agents.
Cytoprotective Therapy Prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are 20-carbon cyclic fatty acids synthesized from dietary fatty acids by virtually all mammalian cells. These naturally occurring compounds are biologically active, affect most cellular functions, and have both physiologic and pharmacologic effects in animals and in humans. Prostaglandins (PG) represent one of two known groups of arachidonic acid metabolites, collectively known as eicosanoids (Fig. 1). Because of their gastric acid antisecretory effects, as well as their ability to enhance gastroduodenal mucosal integrity, PG have undergone extensive evaluation in animals and in human subjects as potential antiulcer drugs. Naturally occurring PG are rapidly metabolized by enzyme systems present in most tissues, particularly in the lungs, liver, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, so that their actions are short-lived, unless they are administered by constant infusion in relatively high concentrations. A number of metabolically stable PG analogues have been synthesized that are not only more potent than their natural counterparts but are also active by the oral route. This chapter reviews some of the data supporting a physiologic and therapeutic role for PG in maintaining mucosal integrity.
Comparison of a Corn/Soybean Diet Versus a Dried, Recycled Food Waste Product in Swine1, 21Supported by New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.2Recycled food waste obtained from Nutra-Feed Corporation (Clermont, FL).

Abstract Recycled food waste (FW) may provide a nutritious, alternate feed for swine. However, the high water content of FW makes it difficult to manage, suggesting that a dry, processed product may be more suitable. Pigs will readily consume wet FW, but little research has addressed the use of dried or processed FW as animal feed. The preference and digestibility of a dry FW product were determined in two research trials. The preference trial measured food intake and growth rates during a 14-d adaptation phase and an 8-d choice phase. Barrows (n = 20; 26.3 ± 1.3 kg) were adapted to either a corn and soybean meal (CS) or FW diet for 14 d. Both diets in this and the following experiment were fed in a meal form. During this adaptation phase, pigs fed CS ate more than the FW group (CS, 2.92 kg/d; FW, 2.39 kg/d; P
Photosynthetic Properties of the Three Major Tissue Layers of the CAM Plant, Peperomia Camptotricha

C4 plants are generally characterized by a spatial separation of the C4 and C4 modes of carbon fixation into bundle sheath cells and mesophyll cells, respectively. In contrast Cam plants typically exhibit a temporal separation of the C3 and C4 modes with initial carbon fixation by the C, pathway at night and decarboxylation of the C4 products and refixation or the released CO2 via the reductive pentose phosphate pathway during the day.
Hepatitis B virus genetic diversity has minimal impact on sensitivity of the viral ribonuclease H to inhibitors.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer, but the current therapies that employ either nucelos(t)ide analogs or (pegylated)interferon α do not clear the infection in the large majority of patients. Inhibitors of the HBV ribonuclease H (RNaseH) that are being developed with the goal of producing anti-HBV drugs are promising candidates for use in combination with the nucleos(t)ide analogs to improve therapeutic efficacy. HBV is genetically very diverse, with at least 8 genotypes that differ by ≥8% at the sequence level. This diversity is reflected in the viral RNaseH enzyme, raising the possibility that divergent HBV genotypes or isolates may have varying sensitivity to RNaseH inhibitors. To evaluate this possibility, we expressed and purified 18 patient-derived RNaseHs from genotypes B, C, and D. Basal RNaseH activity and sensitivity to three novel RNaseH inhibitors from three different chemotypes were assessed. We also evaluated four consensus HBV RNaseHs to determine if such sequences would be suitable for use in antiviral drug screening. The patient-derived enzymes varied by over 10-fold in their basal RNaseH activities, but they were equivalently sensitive to each of the three inhibitors. Similarly, all four consensus HBV RNaseH enzymes were active and were equally sensitive to an RNaseH inhibitor. These data indicate that a wide range of RNaseH sequences would be suitable for use in antiviral drug screening, and that genotype- or isolate-specific genetic variations are unlikely to present a barrier during antiviral drug development against the HBV RNaseH.
Systemic Sunitinib Malate Treatment for Advanced Juxtapapillary Retinal Hemangioblastomas Associated with von Hippel-Lindau Disease

Purpose To describe the clinical course of advanced juxtapapillary retinal capillary hemangioblastomas (RCHs) associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease treated with systemic sunitinib malate, an agent that inhibits both anti–vascular endothelial growth factor and anti–platelet-derived growth factor signaling. Design Observational case review. Participants Three patients with advanced VHL-related juxtapapillary RCHs treated with systemic sunitinib malate. Methods Patient 1 was followed routinely every 4 months while on systemic sunitinib prescribed by her oncologist for metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine and kidney tumors. Patients 2 and 3 were part of a prospective clinical trial evaluating the use of systemic sunitinib for ocular VHL lesions during a period of 9 months. Visual acuity, size of RCHs, and degree of exudation were recorded at each visit. Optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography were also obtained at some visits. Main Outcome Measures Visual acuity, size of RCHs, and degree of exudation. Results Three patients with advanced VHL-associated juxtapapillary RCHs were treated with systemic sunitinib malate. Although none of the patients lost vision during therapy, treatment with sunitinib malate did not improve visual acuity or reduce the size of RCHs. Improvements in RCH-associated retinal edema were observed in 2 patients. All patients experienced multiple adverse effects, including thyroid toxicity, thrombocytopenia, nausea, fatigue, jaundice, and muscle aches. Two of the 3 patients had to discontinue treatment prematurely and the third required dose reduction. Conclusions Systemic sunitinib malate may be useful in slowing progression of ocular disease from VHL-associated RCHs. However, significant systemic adverse effects limited its use in this small series, and systemic sunitinib malate may not be safe for treatment of RCHs when used at the doses described in this report. Further studies are required to determine if this medication, used at lower doses with different treatment strategies; other medications in the same class; or drugs directed at multiple targets in the tumor may be safer and more effective for the treatment of advanced VHL-associated RCHs.
Trends in Fellowship Training for Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to characterize distinguishing features among gynecology, urology, and combined female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) fellowship programs and practices. METHODS A 32-item Web-based survey was sent to fellowship directors of FPMRS programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The survey assessed the structure of the fellowship, as well as the degree to which gynecology and urology are integrated into the fellowship training. In addition to descriptive statistics, Fisher exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Forty-one program directors (PDs) completed the survey for a 76% response rate. Of the respondents, 78% were gynecologists, and 22% were urologists. Sixty-five percent of the respondents considered their program gynecology based, 7.5% considered their program urology based, 22.5% considered their program fully integrated (urology and gynecology equal sharing), and 5% have separate tracks for urology fellows and gynecology fellows. Sixty-one percent of the programs accept both urology and gynecology fellows in their fellowship programs. Approximately two thirds of the PDs are happy with the fellowship model at their institution, whereas the remaining one third would like greater integration of gynecology and urology in fellowship training. Almost 90% of the respondents felt that there were benefits to an integrated program. The top benefits were reported as more exchange of information, better relationships, more comprehensive training, exposure to different treatment approaches, and improved care for women. For those PDs who desire a more integrated program, the top barriers listed were departmental competition/politics, lack of formally trained urology faculty, and expense. CONCLUSIONS There are several FPMRS fellowship models. A significant proportion of PDs would like a more integrated fellowship program, and an overwhelming majority note benefits for themselves and their fellows that result from increased contact with a diverse FPMRS faculty.
Prebiotic milk oligosaccharides prevent development of obese phenotype, impairment of gut permeability, and microbial dysbiosis in high fat-fed mice

This study provides the first report of the effects of prebiotic bovine milk oligosaccharides on the host phenotype of high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice.
Helping others or helping oneself? An episodic examination of the behavioral consequences of helping at work

Scholars have paid an increasing amount of attention to organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), with a particular emphasis on helping others at work. In addition, recent empirical work has focused on how OCB is an intraindividual phenomenon, such that employees vary daily in the extent to which they help others. However, one limitation of this research has been an overemphasis on well-being consequences associated with daily helping (e.g., changes in affect and mental depletion) and far less attention on behavioral outcomes. In this study, we develop a self-regulatory framework that articulates how helping others at work is a depleting experience that can lead to a reduction in subsequent acts of helping others, and an increase in behaviors aimed at helping oneself (i.e., engaging in political acts). We further theorize how two individual differences—prevention focus and political skill—serve as cross-level moderators of these relations. In an experience sampling study of 91 full-time employees across 10 consecutive workdays, our results illustrate that helping is a depleting act that makes individuals more likely to engage in self-serving acts and less likely to help others. Moreover, the relation of helping acts with depletion is strengthened for employees who have higher levels of prevention focus.
Subject-specific regional measures of water diffusion are associated with impairment in chronic spinal cord injury

We aimed to identify non-invasive imaging parameters that can serve as biomarkers for the integrity of the spinal cord, which is paramount to neurological function. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) indices are sensitive to axonal and myelin damage, and have strong potential to serve as such biomarkers. However, averaging DTI indices over large regions of interest (ROIs), a common approach to analyzing the images of injured spinal cord, leads to loss of subject-specific information. We investigated if DTI-tractography-driven, subject-specific demarcation approach can yield measures that are more specific to impairment. In 18 individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), subject-specific demarcation of the injury region was performed using DTI tractography, which yielded three regions relative to injury (RRI; regions superior to, at, and below injury epicenter). DTI indices averaged over each RRI were correlated with measures of residual motor and sensory function, obtained using the International Standard of Neurological Classification for Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI). Total ISNCSCI score (ISNCSCI-tot; sum of ISNCSCI motor and sensory scores) was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with fractional anisotropy and axial and radial diffusivities. ISNCSCI-tot showed strongest correlation with indices measured from the region inferior to the injury epicenter (IRRI), the degree of which exceeded that of those measured from the entire cervical cord—suggesting contribution from Wallerian degeneration. DTI tractography-driven, subject-specific injury demarcation approach provided measures that were more specific to impairment. Notably, DTI indices obtained from the IRRI region showed the highest specificity to impairment, demonstrating their strong potential as biomarkers for the SCI severity.
Fast Decoding of Expander Codes

Expander codes are Tanner codes defined on sparse graphs that have good expansion properties. Sipser and Spielman (1996) showed that there is a linear-time decoding algorithm for expander codes when the vertex expansion is at least 3/4 and the number of errors corrected is a constant fraction of the code length. Later, Feldman et al. (2007) gave a decoding algorithm that allows the expansion to be 2/3 + 1/(3c), where $c$ is the left degree of the underlying bipartite graph, at the expense of polynomial-time decoding complexity. Recently, Viderman (2013) further improved the expansion parameter to $2/3 - 1/(6c)$ , and the decoding algorithm runs in linear time. These results are for expander codes whose inner codes are parity-check codes. By using stronger inner codes, Chilappagari et al. (2010) showed that there is a linear-time decoding algorithm for every vertex expansion greater than 1/2. In this paper, it is shown that for every vertex expansion, there is a linear-time decoding algorithm for expander codes (using inner codes with minimum distance depending on the vertex expansion), and that the number of errors corrected is a constant fraction of the code length.
Computed tomography measurement of the left atrial appendage for optimal sizing of the Watchman device.

Abstract Introduction Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is an emerging treatment option for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who cannot tolerate oral anticoagulation. The Watchman device (Boston Scientific Corporation, Natick, MA, USA) is deployed at the ostium of the LAA, and an appropriately sized device is critical for successful occlusion. However, standardized imaging protocols for device sizing have not been established. Objectives We investigated the clinical utility of a standardized imaging protocol, with pre-procedural multi-detector cardiac computed tomography (MDCT), and intra-procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), for Watchman device sizing. Methods Patients who underwent Watchman device implantation between 2010 and 2016 at our center, and who had pre-procedural MDCT and intra-procedural TEE were included. MDCT measurements (CTmax, CTmin, CTmean), and TEE measurement (TEEmax) of the LAA ostium were determined for each case, and correlated with the final size of the Watchman device implanted. Demographic data and clinical outcomes were collected. Results The study included 80 patients (mean age: 75 ± 9.6 years; male: 68%; mean CHA2DS2-VASc score: 4.5 ± 1.4). CTmax of the LAA ostium correlated strongly with the final deployed Watchman device size (Spearman's rho: 0.81, p Conclusions A standardized imaging protocol for assessment of Watchman device implantation incorporating pre-procedural MDCT and intra-procedural TEE, was associated with excellent procedural outcomes at a mean duration of follow-up of 197 days.
Calculation of far-field radiation pattern using nonuniformly spaced antennas by a least square method

The far field pattern from a non-uniformly spaced antenna array is computed using a least squares method. The method originally developed for spectral estimation for a non-uniformly spaced finite data set is applied for the analysis of the far field pattern from unevenly spaced antennas, as the far field pattern is due to the spectrum of the location of the antenna elements. The advantage of using a non-uniformly sampled data is that it is not necessary to satisfy the Nyquist sampling criterion as long as the average value of the sampling rate is less than the Nyquist rate. For a Fourier based technique which also computes a least squares solution for the spectrum using a periodic data set, the finite data set then has to be periodically repeated resulting in bias in the solution. The methodology presented in the paper does not assume a periodic extension of the data set and can discern between the positive and negative frequencies of the spectrum unlike in the well-known Lomb periodogram. Finally, by exploiting a Hilbert transform relationship between the coefficients of the parameters in the least squares formulation an approximate fast way to compute the spectrum from unevenly spaced finite sized non-periodic samples of the data can be realized. The example presented in this paper deals with a one-dimensional array even though this methodology is general in nature and can easily be extended to the two-dimensional case.
Quantified Audiences in News Production

A number of social, technological, and economic shifts over the past two decades have led to the proliferation of audience analytics and metrics in journalism. This article contends that we are wit...
First Public Health and Population Programs

Initial efforts in the area of public health and population were geared at reducing high mortality levels and proved to be rather successful, particularly in developing countries. These first initiatives were followed by programs aimed at controlling, and sometimes eradicating, specific diseases. On this count however, results were mixed, a situation illustrated through the divergent examples of malaria and smallpox. Thereafter, governments launched large immunization campaigns (e.g., against poliomyelitis) with considerable logistical means and levels of funding, and obtained positive outcomes.
Patient Selection, Preoperative Assessment, and Preparation

The overall safety of bariatric surgery has steadily improved as technology and experience with these procedures have evolved. Mortality and complication rates have fallen dramatically as a result of improvements in surgical technique (including minimally invasive strategies), better patient monitoring and anesthetic management, and increased recognition of the unique perioperative needs of the severely obese surgical patient. Outcome results have also improved with a better understanding of the importance of preoperative screening and patient preparation.
Hermeneutics, Self-Knowledge and Self-Interpretation

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the ways in which hermeneutics might contribute to understanding third-person self-interpretation. This chapter proceeds as follows: First, we show that the “persons” form of analysis is used differently in linguistic, literary, and philosophical contexts. Second, we make the whole structure more complex by recognizing that there are different applications we can have for this “persons” form, and in particular, the goal of providing reliable epistemology for self-construction is different from providing self-understanding, in the hermeneutic sense. Third, we look at the Truman Show Delusion, which is a case in which there seems to be a systematically mistaken third-person self-understanding. We argue here that the Golds are looking to provide an actual mechanism to account for this form of delusion, instead of just a symptomology as has been done in the past. Fourth, we argue that the real issue is navigating between regimes of knowledge, and that we require forensics to accomplish this. The result of these steps is to maintain that incommensurabilities in the regimes of knowledge, for instance between first-person and third-person accounts (or between multiple third-person accounts) might be ways of checking the reliability of a narrative, but they might also end up being part of the construction of the self. Holding accounts at different regimes of knowledge is not necessarily the sign of a deficiency in one’s epistemology, or even the sign of a delusion. We might simply be highlighting the inadequacy of a forensics between two forms of reason, and that could be a creative moment for the self, rather than a dissolution of the self. Finally, we introduce the idea that the second-person can be an element of the forensics of self, in particular the openness to the voice of the other, which makes the third-person self-understanding possible.
Identifying "horse race" stories in election news

Modern election news reporting tends to focus on who is winning and on campaign strategies - what is often called "Horse Race" coverage. With the ultimate goals of better understanding the mix of election story types presented by different venues, helping people to understand their own news consumption, and recommending stories with more useful content, we explore methods for automatic classification of election news stories. We also describe a plugin that recognizes "Horse Race" articles, and recommends a similar article without the frame.
Diversity of Adjustments to Reward Downshifts in Vertebrates

This review focuses on reward-schedule effects, a family of learning phenomena involving surprising devaluations in reward quality or quantity (as in incentive contrast), and reward omissions (as in appetitive extinction), as studied in three taxonomic groups of vertebrates: mammals, birds, and amphibians. The largest database of dependable data comes from research with mammals in general, and with rats in particular. These experiments show a variety of behavioral adjustments to situations involving reward downshifts. For example, rats show disruption of instrumental and consummatory behavior directed at a small reward after receiving a substantially larger reward (called successive negative contrast, SNC)—a reward-schedule effect. However, instrumental SNC does not seem to occur when animals work for sucrose solutions—a reversed reward-schedule effect. Similar modes of adjustment have been reported in analogous experiments with avian and amphibian species. A review of the evidence suggests that carry-over signals across successive trials can acquire control over behavior under massed practice, but emotional memory is required to account for reward-schedule effects observed under widely spaced practice. There is evidence for an emotional component to reward-schedule effects in mammals, but similar evidence for other vertebrates is scanty and inconsistent. Progress in the comparative analysis of reward-schedule effects will require the intense study of a set of selected species, in selected reward-downshift situations, and aiming at identifying underlying neural mechanisms.
Contractile and hemodynamic forces coordinate Notch1b-mediated outflow tract valve formation

Biomechanical forces and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) are known to mediate valvulogenesis. However, the relative contributions of myocardial contractile and hemodynamic shear forces remain poorly understood. We integrated 4-D light-sheet imaging of transgenic zebrafish models with moving-domain computational fluid dynamics to determine effects of changes in contractile forces and fluid wall shear stress (WSS) on ventriculobulbar (VB) valve development. Augmentation of myocardial contractility with isoproterenol increased both WSS and Notch1b activity in the developing outflow tract (OFT) and resulted in VB valve hyperplasia. Increasing WSS in the OFT, achieved by increasing blood viscosity through EPO mRNA injection, also resulted in VB valve hyperplasia. Conversely, decreasing myocardial contractility by Tnnt2a morpholino oligonucleotide (MO) administration, 2,3-butanedione monoxime treatment, or Plcγ1 inhibition completely blocked VB valve formation, which could not be rescued by increasing WSS or activating Notch. Decreasing WSS in the OFT, achieved by slowing heart rate with metoprolol or reducing viscosity with Gata1a MO, did not affect VB valve formation. Immunofluorescent staining with the mesenchymal marker, DM-GRASP, revealed that biomechanical force-mediated Notch1b activity is implicated in EndoMT to modulate valve morphology. Altogether, increases in WSS result in Notch1b- EndoMT-mediated VB valve hyperplasia, whereas decreases in contractility result in reduced Notch1b activity, absence of EndoMT, and VB valve underdevelopment. Thus, we provide developmental mechanotransduction mechanisms underlying Notch1b-mediated EndoMT in the OFT.
Incomplete superficial palmar arch and bilateral persistent median artery.

Abstract Introduction The superficial palmar arch (SPA) is a major source of blood supply to much of the hand and is conventionally formed by the anastomosis of the ulnar artery with the superficial branch of the radial artery. The SPA has been classified into complete or incomplete based on the presence or absence of anastomosis between the arteries contributing to the formation of this palmar arch. Case report Reported here is a unilateral presentation of incomplete superficial palmar arch. The ulnar artery (UA) gave off one proper palmar digital artery, which supplied the ulnar side of the little finger, and two common palmar digital arteries, which supplied the little, ring, and the middle finger. The superficial palmar branch of the radial artery gave off a proper palmar digital artery to the thumb, and two common palmar digital arteries, which supplied the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Apart from the presence of the incomplete SPA, persistent median arteries were also observed bilaterally in this cadaver. Discussion The prevalence of incomplete SPA has been reported to vary between 3.6–54.76%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing an incomplete palmar arch and bilateral persistent median artery in a cadaver. Conclusion Patients should be screened for the presence of complete or incomplete SPA before harvesting the radial artery either for myocardial revascularization or for radial artery forearm flap to prevent ischemic complications in the hand.
Compounding Meta-Atoms into Metamolecules with Hybrid Artificial Intelligence Techniques

Molecules composed of atoms exhibit properties not inherent to their constituent atoms. Similarly, metamolecules consisting of multiple meta-atoms possess emerging features that the meta-atoms themselves do not possess. Metasurfaces composed of metamolecules with spatially variant building blocks, such as gradient metasurfaces, are drawing substantial attention due to their unconventional controllability of the amplitude, phase, and frequency of light. However, the intricate mechanisms and the large degrees of freedom of the multielement systems impede an effective strategy for the design and optimization of metamolecules. Here, a hybrid artificial-intelligence-based framework consolidating compositional pattern-producing networks and cooperative coevolution to resolve the inverse design of metamolecules in metasurfaces is proposed. The framework breaks the design of the metamolecules into separate designs of meta-atoms, and independently solves the smaller design tasks of the meta-atoms through deep learning and evolutionary algorithms. The proposed framework is leveraged to design metallic metamolecules for arbitrary manipulation of the polarization and wavefront of light. Moreover, the efficacy and reliability of the design strategy are confirmed through experimental validations. This framework reveals a promising candidate approach to expedite the design of large-scale metasurfaces in a labor-saving, systematic manner.
The Affordable Care Act and access to care across the cancer control continuum: A review at 10 years

Lack of health insurance coverage is strongly associated with poor cancer outcomes in the United States. The uninsured are less likely to have access to timely and effective cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care than their counterparts with health insurance coverage. On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, representing the largest change to health care delivery in the United States since the introduction of the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965. The primary goals of the ACA are to improve health insurance coverage, the quality of care, and patient outcomes, and to maintain or lower costs by catalyzing changes in the health care delivery system. In this review, we describe the main components of the ACA, including health insurance expansions, coverage reforms, and delivery system reforms, provisions within these components, and their relevance to cancer screening and early detection, care, and outcomes. We then highlight selected, well-designed studies examining the effects of the ACA provisions on coverage, access to cancer care, and disparities throughout the cancer control continuum. Finally, we identify research gaps to inform evaluation of current and emerging health policies related to cancer outcomes.