cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coronary artery tree tracking with robust junction detection in 3D CT Angiography

Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) of the heart is a non-invasive procedure to rule out coronary artery disease or measure its extent and plan treatments and interventions. The need for coronary tree tracking methods that require minimum human interaction and produce accurate and robust measurements is therefore of great clinical importance. In this work we present a probabilistic coronary artery tree tracking method incorporating efficient statistical vessel junction detection. The method uses a single initial seed point at the top of the tree and recursively tracks every vessel branch based on a Sequential Monte Carlo framework. All junctions along the vessel tree are detected automatically. Performance of the proposed method is evaluated using the Rotterdam public coronary tracking evaluation framework that includes 24 cardiac CTA datasets. Our method yields accurate and robust tracking results with 92.7% average overlap with expert-defined centerlines.
Decreased Reproductive Potential and Reduced Feed Consumption in Mature White Leghorn Males Fed Aflatoxin

Abstract A pair-feeding study was conducted to investigate the relative importance of ingestion of aflatoxin (20 μg/g diet) versus decreased feed consumption in explaining the effects of dietary aflatoxin on reproduction. Fifty-eight mature White Leghorn males were divided among three groups - control, 0 μg/g diet ad lib; aflatoxin, 20 μg/g diet ad lib; and pair-fed, 0 μg/g diet pair fed to 20 μg/g group. Aflatoxin and pair-fed males consumed significantly less feed than controls during weeks 1 through 5 of the 8-week aflatoxin feeding period. Measures of reproductive potential (semen volume, testes weights, spermatocrit, and plasma testosterone) for pair-fed males were not significantly different from males fed aflatoxin, although both groups were significantly lower than control males. Measures of aflatoxicosis (liver weight, liver fat, and plasma albumin) for pair-fed males were not significantly different from control males, although both groups were significantly different from males fed aflatoxin. In conclusion, decreased feed consumption did not produce symptoms of aflatoxicosis but accounted for 60% of the effects of aflatoxin on reproduction. Therefore, aflatoxin has nutritional and toxicological effects on reproduction.
Chip package interaction evaluation for a high performance 65nm and 45nm CMOS Technology in a stacked die package with C4 and wirebond interconnections

An evaluation of 65 nm and 45 nm CMOS technology in a stacked die package is presented. The technology uses SiCOH advanced low K and ultra low K back end of line (BEOL) for high performance. A BEOL specific test vehicle was fabricated in these technologies and both flip chip and wirebond die used in a stacked die configuration. Manufacturability evaluations for bond and assembly processes and materials were performed and reliability studies completed on assembled modules. Results will show that the technologies are reliable in this packaging configuration.
The health transition, global modernity and the crisis of traditional medicine: the Tibetan case

The epidemiologic and demographic consequences of the health transition, coupled with worldwide pressures for health care reform according to neoliberal tenets, will create new opportunities, and well as new problems, for organized systems of indigenous medicine. Spiraling costs of biomedically-based health care, coupled with an increasing global burden of chronic, degenerative diseases and mental disorder, will produce significant incentives for the expansion of indigenous alternatives. Yet this expansion will be accompanied by pressures to rationalize and modernize health care services according to the structurally dominant scientific paradigm. Without concerted effort to maintain native epistemologies, indigenous medical systems face an inevitable slide into narrow herbal traditions and a loss of those elements of diagnosis and therapy which may be the most valuable and effective. Analyzing the case of Tibetan medicine and other Asian medical systems, I show how this process occurs and how it is resisted. I conclude by discussing the policy dimensions of this problem.
The oblique proximal phalangeal osteotomy in the correction of hallux valgus

An oblique proximal phalangeal osteotomy is introduced as an alternative to the Akin procedure for the treatment of hallux valgus. It consists of a single oblique osteotomy directed from proximal-dorsal to plantar-distal. A retrospective review of 32 patients who underwent 36 oblique proximal osteotomies is presented. The mean follow-up was 11 months (range, 3 to 21 months). Pre- and postoperative radiographic measurements of the distal articular set angles showed an average correction angle of 12 degrees (range, 7 degrees to 22 degrees; SD = 2.99). Mean range of first metatarsophalangeal joint motion was 82% of the preoperative value when combined with distal metatarsal osteotomy, and 87% of the preoperative value without a distal metatarsal osteotomy. Time to clinical and radiographic healing averaged 5 weeks (range, 4 to 8 weeks). The average amount of phalangeal shortening was 1 mm (range, 0 to 2 mm). There were no delayed or nonunions. Subjective assessment conducted by retrospective review of 19 patients at 6 months postoperatively showed that 17 were completely satisfied (90%), 1 was satisfied (5%), and 1 fairly satisfied (5%). Nineteen would have the surgery again (1 with reservations). Eighteen were very satisfied with appearance and 1 was improved. Fourteen returned to shoe gear at weeks 6 to 8, and 5 returned at weeks 8 to 12. Eighteen were satisfied with pain relief and 1 was improved. The study indicates that the oblique proximal phalangeal osteotomy is an effective, reliable, and technically simple procedure for correction of deformities of the proximal phalanx. The advantages include minimal shortening, ease of adjustability, and a construct conducive to rigid fixation.
Clustering of primordial black holes: Basic results

We investigate the spatial clustering properties of primordial black holes (PBHs). With minimal assumptions, we show that PBHs created in the radiation era are highly clustered. Using the peaks theory model of bias, we compute the PBH two-point correlation function and power spectrum. For creation from an initially adiabatic power spectrum of perturbations, the PBH power spectrum contains both isocurvature and adiabatic components. The absence of observed isocurvature fluctuations today constrains the mass range in which PBHs may serve as dark matter. We briefly discuss other consequences of PBH clustering.
A study on situated cognition: Product dissection's effect on redesign activities

Situated cognition theory describes the context of a learning activity’s effect on learner’s cognition. In this paper, we use situated cognition theory to examine the effect of product dissection on product redesign activities. Two specific research questions are addressed: 1) Does situated cogni tion, in the form of product dissection, improve product functionality during redesign exercise?, and 2) Does situated cognition, again in the form of product dissection, affect the creativity during product redesign? In this study, three sections of first-year students in two different locations – The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T) – performed product redesign using coffee makers. The redesigned products have been analyzed with respect to both depth (detail level) and creativity. Based on our results, we find that situated cognition, in the form of product dissection, improves product functionality during redesign and positively affects creativity. The implications of these results are also discussed.
Katanin Is Responsible for the M-Phase Microtubule-severing Activity in Xenopus Eggs

Microtubules are dynamic structures whose proper rearrangement during the cell cycle is essential for the positioning of membranes during interphase and for chromosome segregation during mitosis. T...
Nucleation and growth of InN thin films using conventional and pulsed MOVPE

InN was deposited on c-sapphire and GaN substrates using conventional and pulsed metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy. The nucleation and evolution of thin film growth was investigated. Growth temperature, V/III molar ratio, and substrate material were varied for the two different growth modes (conventional vs. pulsed MOCVD). It was found that InN deposition was sensitive to V/III molar ratio and growth temperature. Photoluminescence results show a peak emission at 0.83 eV. Results are presented that show the highest quality InN was deposited using pulsed metalorganic vapor-phase Epitaxy on GaN substrates.
Root dynamics and demography in shortgrass steppe under elevated CO2, and comments on minirhizotron methodology

The dynamics and demography of roots were followed for 5 years that spanned wet and drought periods in native, semiarid shortgrass steppe grassland exposed to ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2 treatments. Elevated compared with ambient CO2 concentrations resulted in greater root-length growth (+52%), root-length losses (+37%), and total pool sizes (+41%). The greater standing pool of roots under elevated compared with ambient CO2 was because of the greater number of roots (+35%), not because individuals were longer. Loss rates increased relatively less than growth rates because life spans were longer (+41%). The diameter of roots was larger under elevated compared with ambient CO2 only in the upper soil profile. Elevated CO2 affected root architecture through increased branching. Growth-to-loss ratio regressions to time of equilibrium indicate very long turnover times of 5.8, 7.0, and 5.3 years for control, ambient, and elevated CO2, respectively. Production was greater under elevated compared with ambient CO2 both below- and aboveground, and the above- to belowground ratios did not differ between treatments. However, estimates of belowground production differed among methods of calculation using minirhizotron data, as well as between minirhizotron and root-ingrowth methods. Users of minirhizotrons may need to consider equilibration in terms of both new growth and disappearance, rather than just growth. Large temporal pulses of root initiation and termination rates of entire individuals were observed (analogous to birth-death rates), and precipitation explained more of the variance in root initiation than termination. There was a dampening of the pulsing in root initiation and termination under elevated CO2 during both wet and dry periods, which may be because of conservation of soil water reducing the suddenness of wet pulses and duration and severity of dry pulses. However, a very low degree of synchrony was observed between growth and disappearance (production and decomposition). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laryngotracheal separation after attempted hanging

The successful management of a 29-yr-old patient with tracheal separation between rings one and two after attempted hanging is described. Increasing difficulty with ventilation via a tracheal tube and surgical emphysema indicated the need for a tracheostomy. The diagnosis was made during the tracheostomy procedure when it was observed that the tracheal tube was protruding through the incomplete transection of the trachea such that Murphy's eye was aligned with the lower tracheal stump. The patient underwent primary anastomosis of the trachea with placement of a Lorenz tracheal stent. On subsequent follow-up he had evidence of damage to both recurrent laryngeal nerves. The signs and symptoms of laryngotracheal separation after blunt trauma are described. A review of the airway management has been made as it requires combined anaesthetic and surgical expertise. Injuries to the trachea may have severe, life-threatening consequences and early diagnosis and management reduce morbidity and mortality.
On Wind, Convection, and SST Variations in the Northeastern Tropical Pacific Associated with the Madden–Julian Oscillation

Abstract Lagged maximum covariance analysis (LMCA) is used to examine the intraseasonal variability of zonal wind, sea surface temperature (SST), and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) in the northeastern tropical Pacific Ocean during Northern Hemisphere summertime. The analysis shows a strong temporal asymmetry in that wind and convection anomalies lead to SST anomalies, but SST anomalies are not followed by comparably strong wind and convection anomalies. This suggests that SST anomalies associated with the MJO in the northeastern tropical Pacific are largely subject to atmospheric variability.
The role of ultra-thin SiO2 layers in metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) photoelectrochemical devices (Presentation Recording)

Solid-state junctions based on a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) architecture are of great interest for a number of optoelectronic applications such as photovoltaics, photoelectrochemical cells, and photodetection. One major advantage of the MIS junction compared to the closely related metal-semiconductor junction, or Schottky junction, is that the thin insulating layer (1-3 nm thick) that separates the metal and semiconductor can significantly reduce the density of undesirable interfacial mid-gap states. The reduction in mid-gap states helps “un-pin” the junction, allowing for significantly higher built-in-voltages to be achieved. A second major advantage of the MIS junction is that the thin insulating layer can also protect the underlying semiconductor from corrosion in an electrochemical environment, making the MIS architecture well-suited for application in (photo)electrochemical applications. In this presentation, discontinuous Si-based MIS junctions immersed in electrolyte are explored for use as i.) photoelectrodes for solar-water splitting in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) and ii.) position-sensitive photodetectors. The development and optimization of MIS photoelectrodes for both of these applications relies heavily on understanding how processing of the thin SiO2 layer impacts the properties of nano- and micro-scale MIS junctions, as well as the interactions of the insulating layer with the electrolyte. In this work, we systematically explore the effects of insulator thickness, synthesis method, and chemical treatment on the photoelectrochemical and electrochemical properties of these MIS devices. It is shown that electrolyte-induced inversion plays a critical role in determining the charge carrier dynamics within the MIS photoelectrodes for both applications.
American Jews and the Presidential Vote.

It has been generally agreed since the publication of Professor Holcombe's The New Party Politics that the urbanization of American society has tended to produce class differences in our politics. The sectional alignments of the 19th century gave way to class and urban-rural politics in considerable measure as Americans continued to move to the cities. By the 1932 and 1936 elections there was a marked tendency for wealth and high prestige to be associated with Republican choice.Paradoxically, the most urban of all our citizens, American Jews, have not divided their presidential vote along class lines. As a group they rapidly improved their jobs, extended their incomes, and became highly educated during the 1930's and 1940's. At the same time, they drastically switched their predominant major party choice from the Republican party to the Democrats. And within the group itself differences in income or occupational prestige appear to have been of practically no significance in the formulation of presidential vote preference since 1936.The purpose of this article is threefold: first, to trace briefly the shifts in Jewish vote preference in recent decades through the use of aggregate election statistics; second, to probe the significant motivations of Jewish voters in 1952, primarily by analyzing the results of a sample survey conducted after the 1952 election in the city of Boston; and third, to suggest some of the basic reasons for Jewish resistance to class influences at the polls.
Theory of electrical conductance of suspensions

Electrical conductivity measurements have become widely used as a means of studying properties and reactions of living cells. Many far reaching conclusions have been drawn from the results of this type of investigation. Up to the present time little consideration seems to have been given to the fundamental aspects of the problem. All electrical conductivity measurements of living cells represent in final analysis the measurements of the resistance of a system consisting of cellular elements bathed in an electrolyte solution. Such a system when considered even in its simplest form represents a complex combination of resistances. In a previous paper by Green,1 the importance of considering separately the individual resistances concerned in such a system was pointed out, and such consideration established findings quite at variance with the interpretations of those investigators who have confirmed their data to the measurements of the total resistance of such a system. It has seemed worth while to examine this problem carefully and to determine, if possible, the significance of results which have been obtained by measuring the electrical conductance of inhomogeneous systems. The first attempts to analyze the resistance of a suspension of cells in an electrolyte solution into its component parts seem to have been made by Stewart,2 Roth,3 and Burgarsky and Tang 4 in determining the relative volume of blood corpuscles and serum in defibrinated blood by conductivity measurements. The simple proportionality which was deduced by these investigators was based on a consideration that the cells were nonconductors in comparison with the good conducting serum. The problem was later taken up by Oker-Blom 5 who considered the electrical system in some detail. He considered the possible arrange-
NEW SPECIES AND ADDITIONAL RECORDS OF FUNGI FROM HAWAII

This paper reports observations on 11 fungi from Hawaii based on a study of fungal specimens housed at the Bishop Museum as well as on recent collections. Two new species, Echidnodella imadae and Helicodendron minutum, are described. Six species are reported from Hawaii for the first time, namely Asteridiella plebeja, Balladyna velutina, Ciliochorella mangiferae, Cordella johnstonii, Dendryphiopsis atra and Excipulariopsis narsapurensis. Additional records of the relatively rare species Brasiliomyces setosa, Helicoma dennisii and Mycoenterolobium platysporum are also listed.
Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid sequence encoding bovine ubiquitin cross-reactive protein : A comparison with ubiquitin and a 15-kDa ubiquitin homolog.

Pregnancy in the cow depends on secretion of interferon-tau (IFN-τ) by the conceptus (trophoblast and embryo) and the actions of this cytokine on the uterine endometrium. A novel 17-kDa uterine protein that is regulated by IFN-τ during early pregnancy and crossreacts with ubiquitin antiserum on Western blots, has been named bovine ubiquitin cross-reactive protein (bUCRP). We suspected that bUCRP might be structurally related to ubiquitin, and to a human UCRP (ISG15 product) that has been described in several cell lines to be regulated by Type I IFNs. In this study, immunoscreening of a bovine endometrial cDNA library with ubiquitin antiserum resulted in the isolation of cDNAs encoding bUCRP. Nucleotide sequence of the bUCRP cDNA shared 70% identity with hUCRP and 30% identity with a tandem ubiquitin repeat. Computer translation revealed that bUCRP shared the Leu-Arg-Gly-Gly (LRGG) C-terminal sequence with ubiquitin and hUCRP that has been implicated in the modulation of intracellular proteins. However, some ubiquitin residues known to function in the ligation (Arg-54) to targeted proteins and in the processing of conjugates through the proteasome (His-68), have been lost through mutation in bUCRP. Lys-48, known to function in formation of ubiquitin polymers, was present in hUCRP, but mutated to Arg in bUCRP. Because bUCRP is secreted and retains the LRGG sequence, it may have both intracellular and secreted endocrine roles in maintaining pregnancy. Bovine UCRP also may have very different intracellular roles when compared with ubiquitin and hUCRP because of mutations in residues known to form polymers and to target proteins to degradation.
SLA-based implementation mechanism of pricing knowledge support system on next generation network

A pricing knowledge support system (KSS) architecture on next generation network (NGN) was proposed, by collecting and analyzing the process data of service level agreement (SLA) decision, SLA detection and SLA evaluation. It obtained network key performance indexes (KPIs), market KPIs and policy KPIs of ISP. By analyzing these KPIs, each key quality index (KQI) was got, and by evaluating these KQIs, the ISP made profit margin decision and forecasted the price impact on operation environment. An XML-based SOA implementing architecture of it was developed. Simulation result on the SLA-based NGOSS primitive platform verifies its merits in the comparison with ITDSS/TelPrice which won IST award.
Introduce best practice for blood drawing to the worlds

Blood Drawing has dramatically improved medical treatment and medical examination in the 20th century. The system of evacuated blood collection tube was invented in the US mainly to improve accuracy and efficiency of clinical examination while improving Health Care Workers safety (reduce shapes injuries) in 1970's. After the new method of blood collection spread throughout the world, laboratory automation systems and reagents have also improved. In present time, blood is the most important sample for medical examination and treatment. There are various blood collection guidelines Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; CLSI, the Japanese Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards; JCCLS and the Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine; BCP/LM, textbooks and training system in the world. Learning the best practice for blood collection technique is crucial in order to reduce pre-analytical error and provide accurate clinical data. Therefore we have to take not only a technical training, but also obtain information from either internal or external sources for developing our knowledge for improving our blood drawing technique.
Selective modification of the metal coordination environment in heavy alkaline–earth iodide complexes

A series of heavy alkaline–earth (Ae) iodide coordination compounds is reported that contains various neutral donor ligands, including triphenylphosphine oxide (OPPh3), tri-n-propylphosphine oxide (OPPr3), tetraethyl urea (TEU), dimethylpropylene urea (DMPU), and the nitrosobenzene dimer ([ONPh]2). Phosphine oxides can displace iodide from calcium or barium in coordination complexes, sometimes displaying cooperative binding and/or generating cationic species of the general formula [AeIm(OPR3)6−(m+p)(THF)p](2−m)+. In particular, despite the nonstoichiometric ratio of the reagents, 2 equiv. of OPPh3 react with CaI2 in THF to generate CaI2(OPPh3)3(THF) (1), although the use of 4 equiv. will produce the expected CaI2(OPPh3)4 (2). With CaI2 and 5 equiv. of tri(n-propyl)phosphine oxide, the cationic species [CaI(OPPr3)5]I (3) is formed. With 4 equiv. of OPPh3 and BaI2 in THF, the cation [BaI(OPPh3)5]I (4) is generated. For comparative purposes, the ureas tetraethylurea (TEU) and N,N′-dimethylpropylene urea (DMPU) were used to form the complexes CaI2(TEU)4 (5) and CaI2(DMPU)6 (6). Nitrosobenzene reacts with CaI2 in THF to form CaI2(O2N2Ph2)2(THF)2, which in the presence of trace amounts of water is converted to the hydrogen-bonded [Ca(O2N2Ph2)(H2O)2(THF)3]I2 (7). Crystal structures are reported for 3–5 and 7; the latter is the first for the nitrosobenzene dimer in a main group complex.
Polarized reflectance spectroscopy instrument for the clinical setting

We introduce a new clinical instrument based on polarized reflectance spectroscopy for the early detection of cancerous and precancerous lesions of the oral mucosa.
Checkpoints for preliminary identification of small molecules found enriched in autophagosomes and activated mast cell secretions analyzed by comparative UPLC/MSe

We report the use of ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with acquisition of low- and high-collision energy mass spectra (MSe) to explore small molecule compositions that are unique to either enriched-autophagosomes or secretions of chemically activated murine mast cells. Starting with thousands of features, each defined by a chromatographic retention time, m/z value and ion intensity, manual examination of the extracted ion chromatograms (XIC) of chemometrically selected features was essential to eliminate false positives, occurring at rates of 33, 14 and 37% in samples of three biological systems. Forty-six percent of features that passed the XIC-based checkpoint, had IDs in compound databases used here. From these, 19% of IDs had experimental high-collision energy MSe spectra that were in agreement with in silico fragmentation. The importance of this second checkpoint was highlighted through validation with selected commercially available standards. This work illustrates that checkpoints in data processing are essential to ascertain reliability of unbiased metabolomic studies, thereby reducing the risk of generating ‘false identifications’ which is a major concern as ‘omics’ data continue to proliferate and be used as platforms to launch novel biological hypotheses.
Cognitive behavioral therapy increases amygdala connectivity with the cognitive control network in both MDD and PTSD.

Abstract Background Both major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are characterized by alterations in intrinsic functional connectivity. Here we investigated changes in intrinsic functional connectivity across these disorders as a function of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an effective treatment in both disorders. Methods 53 unmedicated right-handed participants were included in a longitudinal study. Patients were diagnosed with PTSD (n = 18) and MDD (n = 17) with a structured diagnostic interview and treated with 12 sessions of manualized CBT over a 12-week period. Patients received an MRI scan (Siemens 3 T Trio) before and after treatment. Longitudinal functional principal components analysis (LFPCA) was performed on functional connectivity of the bilateral amygdala with the fronto-parietal network. A matched healthy control group (n = 18) was also scanned twice for comparison. Results LFPCA identified four eigenimages or principal components (PCs) that contributed significantly to the longitudinal change in connectivity. The second PC differentiated CBT-treated patients from controls in having significantly increased connectivity of the amygdala with the fronto-parietal network following CBT. Limitations Analysis of CBT-induced amygdala connectivity changes was restricted to the a priori determined fronto-parietal network. Future studies are needed to determine the generalizability of these findings, given the small and predominantly female sample. Conclusion We found evidence for the hypothesis that CBT treatment is associated with changes in connectivity between the amygdala and the fronto-parietal network. CBT may work by strengthening connections between the amygdala and brain regions that are involved in cognitive control, potentially providing enhanced top-down control of affective processes that are dysregulated in both MDD and PTSD.
Sustainable Soil Health

Soil is nature’s support medium for plant growth. Soils on only 12 % of Earth’s land area possess the physical requirements to function as cropland. However, one-fourth of this land is now moderately to severely degraded. Soil health is a measure of how well soil functions in retaining water and nutrients to support robust plant growth. Soil degradation, on the other hand, is any process that lowers the soil’s food-producing capacity. Biotechnologies for crop improvement will have little impact if crops must be grown on degraded soils. Even when water and fertilizer are available, agricultural use of degraded soils often results in inefficient resource use and off-site pollution. Soil quality, a term sometimes used interchangeably with soil health, applies specifically to observable or measurable soil properties that indicate soil health. Although arable soils around the world differ in inherent properties that determine potential productivity, each soil has alterable properties that can be managed to sustain high productivity into the future. Alterable properties include soil organic matter content, root and microbial density, and macroporosity, all of which are highly dependent on maintaining biological diversity and activity in the soil. Because alterable properties undergo drastic changes when native vegetation is removed and land is disturbed for crop production, sustainable soil health involves restoring biological integrity through proper management. This chapter describes how soils are formed, why soils vary in productivity, and how soil health can be improved through diversified cropping, use of organic amendments, and soil management practices that promote beneficial root-microbe interactions.
Performance evaluation and design trade-offs for wireless-enabled SMART NoC

SMART (Single-Cycle Multi-hop Asynchronous Repeated Traversal) NoC architectures enable single cycle data transfers, even between the physically far apart nodes. However, enabling single cycle hops over long distance restricts the achievable clock frequency of the system. In other words, increasing the NoC clock frequency lowers the number of hops that can be traversed in a single-cycle in a conventional SMART NoC. In this work, we demonstrate that by integrating wireless links and a novel look-ahead request mechanism in the SMART NoC, it is possible to enable low-latency and energy efficient data transfers, even when the system is designed with high clock frequencies. For the various applications considered in this work, the wireless-enabled SMART (WiSMART) NoC achieves on an average 33% reduction in message latency compared to the wireline SMART NoC. This network level improvement translates into 16% savings in full system energy-delay-product.
Pulse shape discrimination of Cs2LiYCl6:Ce3+ detectors at high count rate based on triangular and trapezoidal filters

Abstract Cs 2 LiYCl 6 :Ce 3+ (CLYC) detectors have demonstrated the capability to simultaneously detect γ -rays and thermal and fast neutrons with medium energy resolution, reasonable detection efficiency, and substantially high pulse shape discrimination performance. A disadvantage of CLYC detectors is the long scintillation decay times, which causes pulse pile-up at moderate input count rate. Pulse processing algorithms were developed based on triangular and trapezoidal filters to discriminate between neutrons and γ -rays at high count rate. The algorithms were first tested using low-rate data. They exhibit a pulse-shape discrimination performance comparable to that of the charge comparison method, at low rate. Then, they were evaluated at high count rate. Neutrons and γ -rays were adequately identified with high throughput at rates of up to 375 kcps. The algorithm developed using the triangular filter exhibits discrimination capability marginally higher than that of the trapezoidal filter based algorithm irrespective of low or high rate. The algorithms exhibit low computational complexity and are executable on an FPGA in real-time. They are also suitable for application to other radiation detectors whose pulses are piled-up at high rate owing to long scintillation decay times.
Towards Scalable and Dynamic Social Sensing Using A Distributed Computing Framework

With the rapid growth of online social media and ubiquitous Internet connectivity, social sensing has emerged as a new crowdsourcing application paradigm of collecting observations (often called claims) about the physical environment from humans or devices on their behalf. A fundamental problem in social sensing applications lies in effectively ascertaining the correctness of claims and the reliability of data sources without knowing either of them a priori, which is referred to as truth discovery. While significant progress has been made to solve the truth discovery problem, some important challenges have not been well addressed yet. First, existing truth discovery solutions did not fully solve the dynamic truth discovery problem where the ground truth of claims changes over time. Second, many current solutions are not scalable to large-scale social sensing events because of the centralized nature of their truth discovery algorithms. Third, the heterogeneity and unpredictability of the social sensing data traffic pose additional challenges to the resource allocation and system responsiveness. In this paper, we developed a Scalable Streaming Truth Discovery (SSTD) solution to address the above challenges. In this paper, we developed a Scalable Streaming Truth Discovery (SSTD) solution to address the above challenges. In particular, we first developed a dynamic truth discovery scheme based on Hidden Markov Models (HMM) to effectively infer the evolving truth of reported claims. We further developed a distributed framework to implement the dynamic truth discovery scheme using Work Queue in HTCondor system. We also integrated the SSTD scheme with an optimal workload allocation mechanism to dynamically allocate the resources (e.g., cores, memories) to the truth discovery tasks based on their computation requirements. We evaluated SSTD through real world social sensing applications using Twitter data feeds. The evaluation results on three real-world data traces (i.e., Boston Bombing, Paris Shooting and College Football) show that the SSTD scheme is scalable and outperforms the state-of-the-art truth discovery methods in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency.
Abdominal pseudocyst as a complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement: Review of the literature and a proposed algorithm for treatment using 4 illustrative cases.

Background Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement is one of the most commonly performed procedures in neurosurgery. One rare complication is the formation of an abdominal pseudocyst, which can cause shunt malfunction. Case descriptions We present four unique cases of abdominal pseudocyst formation. Our first patient initially presented with a right upper quadrant pseudocyst. Shunt was externalized and the distal end was revised with placement of catheter on the opposite side. He developed another pseudocyst within 5 months of shunt revision and developed another shunt failure. Our second patient had a history of shunt revisions and a known pseudocyst, presented with small bowel obstruction, and underwent laparotomy for the lysis of adhesions with improvement in his symptoms. After multiple readmissions for the same problem, it was thought that the pseudocyst was causing gastric outlet obstruction and his VP shunt was converted into a ventriculopleural shunt followed by percutaneous drainage of his pseudocyst. Our third patient developed hydrocephalus secondary to cryptococcal meningitis. He developed abdominal pain secondary to an abdominal pseudocyst, which was drained percutaneously with relief of symptoms. The fourth patient had a history of multiple shunt revisions and a previous percutaneous pseudocyst drainage that recurred with cellulitis and abscess secondary to hardware infection. Conclusion Abdominal pseudocysts are a rare but important complication of VP shunt placement. Treatment depends on etiology, patient presentation, and clinical manifestations. Techniques for revision include distal repositioning of peritoneal catheter, revision of catheter into pleural space or right atrium, or removal of the shunt completely.
The New Context of the Accounting Profession

Using a structural perspective this working paper proposes that the new accounting environment includes four new dimensions in need of empirical investigations.
Multisurface enamel caries in Osborne-Mendel rats fed cake rations

(1976). Multisurface enamel caries in Osborne-Mendel rats fed cake rations. Plant Foods for Man: Vol. 2, No. 1-2, pp. 75-80.
Abstract 18557: Cardiovascular Risk Factor Trajectories From Childhood to Adulthood and Depression in Middle Age: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Introduction: It is well known that depression and heart disease are closely linked. However, it remains unclear whether changes in cardiovascular (CV) risk factors over time may be related to depression. Few studies have examined the long term patterns of CV risk factors in relation to depression in middle age. Hypothesis: The trajectories of cardiovascular risk factors are associated with depression and depressive symptoms. Methods: We examined data from the Bogalusa Heart Study, a long-term community-based observational study of a biracial cohort, with first measurements in childhood in 1976. Men and women who completed the CES-D in 2010 with at least two childhood and two adult CV measurements (n=913) were included. Age, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment status, smoking status, total and HDL cholesterol, were used to calculate standardized 10-year Framingham CV risk scores at each follow-up. CES-D scores were categorized using established cut points ( 15). Discrete mixture modeling was employed to identify trajectory groupings of CV risk. The association between CV risk score trajectory and CES-D were determined using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for smoking, education, physical activity, and BMI in 2010. Results: Mean (±SD) age was 43.06±4.48 years, 57.9% were female, and 31.7% were black race. 27.7% of participants were current smokers in 2010. Mean (±SD) BMI was 30.97±7.73. We identified three CV risk patterns: stable (63.8%), slightly elevated (28.8%), and increasingly elevated (7.5%). Relative to stable CV risk, the multivariable adjusted odds ratio of higher CES-D categorization, i.e. more depressed, for slightly elevated was 1.49 (95% CI, 1.08-2.06), and for increasingly elevated, 1.53 (95% CI, 0.90-2.59). Smokers had increased odds of higher CES-D categorization over nonsmokers (OR=2.16, 95% CI 1.58-2.95). One-unit increases of BMI were associated with 1.02 times greater odds of higher CES-D categorization (95% CI, 1.01-1.04). Conclusions: Trajectories of cardiovascular risk from childhood through adulthood are associated with depression in middle age. Individuals with elevated or increasing cardiovascular risk profiles may benefit from depression screening in early middle age.
A mouse model of aerosol-transmitted orthopoxviral disease: morphology of experimental aerosol-transmitted orthopoxviral disease in a cowpox virus-BALB/c mouse system.

Abstract Objectives.—To determine the morphologic changes and disease progression of aerosolized cowpox virus infection in BALB/c mice and to ascertain the suitability of cowpox virus–infected BALB...
Practical design, testing & verification guidelines for pre-cast segmental tunnel linings subjected to fire loading

Abstract This paper presents a practical 5-stage fire design procedure for bored pre-cast segmental tunnel linings subjected to an accidental fire load. A case study is presented with each stage discussed together with references to design assumptions, structural analysis, concrete mix design, fire test specifications and guidance on the review and interpretation of fire test results. Finally, the effects of progressive local deep spalling are investigated with a non-linear transient thermal-mechanical coupled finite element analysis. The spalling behaviour is modelled with the removal of elements during the analysis to match those recorded during fire tests.
In vitro teratology.

Abstract The purpose of this conference was to reevaluate the need for and use of in vitro teratology assays; to examine the validation process for in vitro tests; and to discuss progress in the validation of in vitro teratology screens. Participants enthusiastically supported further development of short-term in vivo and in vitro systems both as prescreens for developmental toxicity and as experimental systems to explore mechanisms of action of toxicants. The group strongly endorsed the development of an updated reference list ("gold standard") of known developmental toxicants and nontoxicants as essential to further progress in developing and validating prescreening efforts. Independently, an expert group should further evaluate the performance characteristics for a validated prescreen. The limits of usefulness of prescreens for product development, regulatory use, and mechanistic investigations need to be clearly defined. Finally, too few in vitro teratology prescreens have been evaluated under multiple-laboratory conditions with common, agreed-upon test agents to draw firm conclusions regarding the merit and reproducibility of in vitro teratology prescreens. There was general agreement regarding the need to move several of the assays further along the validation pathway, at least using a short list of reference compounds.
Audit Committee Members and Restatement-Related Litigation Risk

This study investigates factors associated with restatement-related litigation against U.S. audit committee members. Using a sample of restatement-related litigation in the U.S. over the period 1999-2012, we find that the likelihood of audit committee litigation is higher in the post-SOX time period when financial reporting and auditor oversight responsibilities were significantly increased. This finding suggests that increased legal liability post-SOX could reduce the pool of qualified candidates willing to serve on the audit committee. We find that directors serving on the audit committee for a longer portion of the class action period and those with net insider selling activity during the class action period are more likely to be named as defendants. However, audit committee chairs, financial experts, and audit committee members serving on the compensation committee are no more likely to be named as defendants than other audit committee members, contrary to the perceptions of many officers and directors. Overall, our study provides insights into when audit committee members face higher litigation risk and useful information for the recruitment and retention of audit committee members.
Total Synthesis of Leuconoxine, Melodinine E, and Mersicarpine through a Radical Translocation–Cyclization Cascade

The Aspidosperma alkaloids leuconoxine, melodinine E, and mersicarpine were synthesized. The approach features a key cascade radical reaction. A 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer is followed by spontaneous 5-exo-trig cyclization to construct the central indoline architecture. Late-stage differentiation of the radical cyclization product by chemoselective oxidation allows production of either the leuconoxine/melodinine E or mersicarpine structure.
Factors Associated With Suicide Ideation in US Army Soldiers During Deployment in Afghanistan.

Importance Understanding suicide ideation (SI) during combat deployment can inform prevention and treatment during and after deployment. Objective To examine associations of sociodemographic characteristics, lifetime and past-year stressors, and mental disorders with 30-day SI among a representative sample of US Army soldiers deployed in Afghanistan. Design, Setting, and Participants In this survey study, soldiers deployed to Afghanistan completed self-administered questionnaires in July 2012. The sample was weighted to represent all 87 032 soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Prevalence of lifetime, past-year, and 30-day SI and mental disorders was determined. Logistic regression analyses examined risk factors associated with SI. Data analyses for this study were conducted between August 2018 and August 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Suicide ideation, lifetime and 12-month stressors, and mental disorders were assessed with questionnaires. Administrative records identified sociodemographic characteristics and suicide attempts. Results A total of 3957 soldiers (3473 [weighted 87.5%] male; 2135 [weighted 52.6%] aged ≤29 years) completed self-administered questionnaires during their deployment in Afghanistan. Lifetime, past-year, and 30-day SI prevalence estimates were 11.7%, 3.0%, and 1.9%, respectively. Among soldiers with SI, 44.2% had major depressive disorder (MDD) and 19.3% had posttraumatic stress disorder in the past 30-day period. A series of analyses of the 23 grouped variables potentially associated with SI resulted in a final model of sex; race/ethnicity; lifetime noncombat trauma; past 12-month relationship problems, legal problems, and death or illness of a friend or family member; and MDD. In this final multivariable model, white race/ethnicity (odds ratio [OR], 3.1 [95% CI, 1.8-5.1]), lifetime noncombat trauma (OR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.1-4.0]), and MDD (past 30 days: OR, 31.8 [95% CI, 15.0-67.7]; before past 30 days: OR, 4.9 [95% CI, 2.5-9.6]) were associated with SI. Among the 85 soldiers with past 30-day SI, from survey administration through 12 months after returning from deployment, 6% (5 participants) had a documented suicide attempt vs 0.14% (6 participants) of the 3872 soldiers without SI. Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that major depressive disorder and noncombat trauma are important factors in identifying SI risk during combat deployment.
Hypoglycemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Observational Study

Background Glycemic management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and CKD can become complicated. One factor that may affect treatment is hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia risk may be increased by several biologic processes in CKD. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, severity, and risk factors for hypoglycemia in patients with T2DM and CKD. Methods The design was a prospective observational study. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) was worn by 80 patients for up to 14 days; glucose was measured every 15 minutes. Patients with T2DM and eGFR Results A total of 80 patients wore the CGM for a mean of 12.7±2.9 days. Hypoglycemic events occurred in 61 of 80 patients (76%) with glucose Conclusions Patients with T2DM and CKD have frequent periods of hypoglycemia that can be severe and prolonged. Hemoglobin A1c does not portray the full scope of hypoglycemia risk. This study illustrates the need for careful monitoring of glucose levels in patients with T2DM and CKD.