cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wavelength discriminating optical switch

A novel wavelength discriminating bistable optical switch (WDOS) with completely optical input-output capabilities is presented. The WDOS is a three-terminal AlGaAs/GaAs n-p-n-p structure with an InGaAs/GaAs quantum well light emitting diode at the n-p junction. The WDOS can be switched to stable ON and OFF conditions by optical excitations at different wavelengths, which allows the use of a single optical window. The optical switching threshold can be adjusted by the external bias. Depending on the external bias, the WDOS functions as an optical inverter, an electrically programmable optical AND/OR gate, or an all-optical read-write memory element. >
Effects of Long-Term Visual Experience on Responses of Distinct Classes of Single Units in Inferior Temporal Cortex

Primates can learn to recognize a virtually limitless number of visual objects. A candidate neural substrate for this adult plasticity is the inferior temporal cortex (ITC). Using a large stimulus set, we explored the impact that long-term experience has on the response properties of two classes of neurons in ITC: broad-spiking (putative excitatory) cells and narrow-spiking (putative inhibitory) cells. We found that experience increased maximum responses of putative excitatory neurons but had the opposite effect on maximum responses of putative inhibitory neurons, an observation that helps to reconcile contradictory reports regarding the presence and direction of this effect. In addition, we found that experience reduced the average stimulus-evoked response in both cell classes, but this decrease was much more pronounced in putative inhibitory units. This latter finding supports a potentially critical role of inhibitory neurons in detecting and initiating the cascade of events underlying adult neural plasticity in ITC.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Chronic Pain: Intracranial Targets, Clinical Outcomes, and Trial Design Considerations

The use of DBS for the control of intractable, chronic pain has a history stretching more than half a century. Within this literature, targets have varied from major white matter tracts like the internal capsule to a specific gray matter island, like the Kolliker Fuse nucleus. Perhaps more impressive, the type and causes of the chronic pain in the patients have been even more diverse from crush injuries to poststroke pain. In lieu of all this variability, it is not surprising that the field still has inconsistent results on the efficacy of DBS for treating pain. As noted, much of the literature is retrospective case reports that leave much to be desired in terms of blinding, controls, and pain measures. There have been only a few clinical trials, and those have had major limitations. Nevertheless, overall, the preponderance of evidence is in favor of DBS for specific patients. Although many would point to the clinical trials sponsored by Medtronic in the 1990s as a definitive challenge to the use of DBS for pain, it should be noted that those trials were hampered by a lack of enrollment, long-term follow-up, randomization, placebo control, and the inability to address the concerns listed in the general considerations on pain research and specific considerations to chronic stimulation for the treatment of pain sections. Thus, like the studies before those clinical trials, the results are hardly definitive. A major benefit of the publication of the Medtronic trials has been an increase in more rigorous studies being published on the use of DBS with pain. Furthermore, it has encouraged scientists and neurosurgeons to expand beyond the classical brain targets and explore other options within known pain and affective circuits. Finally, and most importantly, more recent and ongoing clinical trials have the promise of being flexible, while rigorous, well-controlled, randomized, and blind, allowing for more definitive conclusions on DBS efficacy in chronic pain treatment.
Effects of Temperature on In Vitro Short-Term Storage of Sterlet Sturgeon (Acipenser Ruthenus) Ova

Artificial propagation of sturgeons is becoming increasingly important for recovery efforts as well as for commercial production. Sterlet Acipenser ruthenus is a common Eurasian sturgeon with a small body size and one of the fastest reproductive cycles among the sturgeons. The practical question being addressed in this study was how long fertilization of ovulated eggs can be delayed without substantially reducing the hatching rate, and an ancillary question is under what' temperature conditions do eggs retain good quality. Broodstock were injected with homogenized carp pituitary extract (CPE); ovulated eggs from three females were allocated to various treatment groups for temperature storage (control, 7°C, 11°C, 15°C and 19°C) until fertilized. Storage times at the regulated temperatures prior to fertilization were for 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 h. After the selected storage times in ovarian fluid, eggs were fertilized and transferred to incubation cages and then they were counted. Three replicates were allocated to each storage period and temperature. Hatched larvae were counted at 7-day post-fertilization. We found that sterlet eggs do not need to be fertilized immediately after collection. Reasonably good quality was retained for several hours if temperature conditions are fairly cool and stable. Eggs retained good quality when stored at 7°C and 11°C for up to 10 h with 54.1 ± 2.9 to 69.9 ± 7.9% hatching success, but egg quality was significantly reduced after 5-h storage at 19°C (p < 0.01) and 7.5-h storage at 15°C (p < 0.05) compared to cooler temperatures. Uniform temperatures between 7°C and 11°C can be considered as appropriate for storage of eggs in ovarian fluid for up to 10 h. This information can have practical application to routine hatchery practice for acipenserids, as well as for certain research protocols.
“Graft-to” Protein/Polymer Conjugates Using Polynorbornene Block Copolymers

A series of water-soluble polynorbornene block copolymers prepared via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) were grafted to proteins to form ROMP-derived bioconjugates. ROMP afforded low-dispersity polymers and allowed for strict control over polymer molecular weight and architecture. The polymers consisted of a large block of PEGylated monoester norbornene and were capped with a short block of norbornene dicarboxylic anhydride. This cap served as a reactive linker that facilitated attachment of the polymer to lysine residues under mildly alkaline conditions. The generality of this approach was shown by synthesizing multivalent polynorbornene-modified viral nanoparticles derived from bacteriophage Qβ, a protein nanoparticle used extensively for nanomedicine. The conjugated nanoparticles showed no cytotoxicity to NIH 3T3 murine fibroblast cells. These findings establish protein bioconjugation with functionalized polynorbornenes as an effective alternative to conventional protein/polymer modificati...
Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by a superoxide generating system

Although superoxide anion is known to inactivate nitric oxide (NO) once formed, its effect on NO synthesis is unclear. In this study, xanthine oxidase-hypoxanthine, a superoxide anion generating system, inhibited bovine cerebellum NO synthase activity as measured by the conversion of L-[3H]arginine to L-[3H]citrulline. This inhibition by xanthine oxidase was concentration-dependent. Superoxide dismutase-catalase and allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, attenuated in part the inhibition of NO synthase activity by xanthine oxidase. Xanthine oxidase also produced a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen in the assay mixture. The inhibition of NO synthase activity by xanthine oxidase was reversed completely when oxygen was passed continuously through the reaction mixture. This study suggests that a decrease in oxygen concentration caused by superoxide generation may inhibit NO synthesis.
Opposites repel: the effect of incorporating repulsion on opinion dynamics in the bounded confidence model

Various computer and analytical models have been studied that analyze population dynamics of opinions of agents in societies under various assumptions of interaction restrictions and influences. Of particular interest to us are societal models based on Self-categorization Theory which addresses how agent opinions are affected based on interactions with other agents. The Bounded~Confidence model, for example posits that two agents whose opinions are not too similar influence each other and are more likely to change their opinions towards each other after an interaction. Several extensions have also been proposed to such models that include interaction restrictions based on group memberships and the possibility of agents shifting their opinions away from each other after an interaction. We are motivated to study more realistic repulsion models where agents with extreme opinions will tend to further polarize after an interaction. We develop, simulate, and analyze several repulsion schemes within the Bounded Confidence Model of interaction and show interesting emergent phenomena that have been observed in real-life scenarios. We also present analytical models that are able to predict major features and timings of emergent opinion patterns in such interacting populations.
The Effects of Perceptions of Organizational Structure on Job Involvement, Job Satisfaction, and Organizational Commitment Among Indian Police Officers.

Successful police organizations rely on involved, satisfied, and committed workers. The concepts of job involvement (i.e., connection with the job), job satisfaction (i.e., affective feeling toward the job), and organizational commitment (i.e., bond with the employing organization) have been shown to significantly affect intentions and behaviors of employees. The current study used multivariate ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis on survey results from a sample of 827 Indian police officers to explore how perceptions of work environment factors affect officers’ job involvement, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. Organizational support, formalization (i.e., level of codified written rules and guidelines), promotional opportunities, institutional communication (i.e., salient work information is transmitted), and input into decision-making (i.e., having a voice in the process) significantly influenced the job involvement, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment of Indian po...
Collaborative Relationships — The Role of Information Technology

Drawn from structuration theory, this research investigates the role interfirm relationship (IR) agents play in appropriating technology features and utilizing everyday interactions to formulate and manage IRs. We examine how structurational conditions (i.e. routinization and reflexivity), information technology (IT) embeddedness, IT enactment (i.e. task coordination and relationship management) and sense-making together impact relationship quality. Findings support the central contention that agents’ cognitive efforts were necessary mediating conditions to realize the benefits of IT embeddedness and structurational conditions in relationship quality enhancement. Also interesting is while IT enactment and sense-making both positively contribute to a trusting, committed and stable relationship, greater ability in making sense of everyday interactions appears to mitigate the effect of IT enactment on relationship quality.
PLCloud: Comprehensive power grid PLC security monitoring with zero safety disruption

Recent security threats against cyber-physical critical power grid infrastructures have further distinguished the differences and complex interdependencies between optimal plant control and infrastructural safety topics. In this paper, we reflect upon few real-world scenarios and threats to understand how those two topics meet. We then propose a practical architectural solutions to address the corresponding concerns. As a first concrete step, we focus on networked industrial control systems in smart grid where several sensing-processing-actuation embedded nodes receive information, make control decisions, and carry out optimal actions. Traditionally, global safety maintenance, e.g., transient stability, is embedded into control and taken into account by the decision making modules. With recent cyber security-induced safety incidents, we believe that the safety-handling modules should also be considered as a part of global trusted computing base (attack surface) for security purposes. Generally, maximizing the system's overall security requires the designers to minimize its trusted computing base. Consequently, we argue that the traditional combined safety-control system architecture is not anymore the optimal design paradigm to follow given existing threats. Instead, we propose PLCLOUD, a new cloud-based safety-preserving architecture that places a minimal trusted safety verifier layer between the physical world and the cyber-based supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) infrastructure, specifically programmable logic controllers (PLCs). PLCLOUD's main objective is to take care of infrastructural safety and separate it from optimal plant control that SCADA is responsible for.
Computational Modeling of the Dielectric Function of Silicon Slabs with Varying Thickness

The dynamical dielectric function of a silicon slab, in the region from near IR to UV light frequencies, is expected to vary with its thickness, and it is important to know whether its optical properties are similar to those of bulk silicon. Slabs of varying thickness are modeled starting from their atomic structure. Modeled Si(111) surfaces are terminated by hydrogen atoms to compensate the dangling bonds, and optical properties have been obtained for Si slabs with 4, 8, and 12 layers. Real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function are obtained from the polarization of the slab, expressed in terms of a delayed response function constructed from a reduced density matrix (RDM) which includes electronic dissipative effects due to coupling of photoexcited electrons to the substrate lattice and to electronic excitations. The related index of refraction and absorption coefficient have also been calculated from the above treatment. These optical properties are obtained using density functional theory (DFT)...
Abstract A21: MAGE cancer‐testis antigens facilitate the degradation of p53 by E3 RING ubiquitin ligases

Cancer testis antigens are aberrantly expressed in cancer cells but absent from normal somatic cells, and as such they constitute excellent targets for cancer immunotherapy. Surprising recent evidence suggests that their aberrant expression in cancer cells is not simply an inert consequence of widespread genomic deregulation, but rather an important functional event promoting the cancer phenotype. However, the mechanism through which these proteins promote cancer remains completely unknown due to the lack of structural or functional characterization. Here we report the structural and functional identity of the MAGE proteins, a large family of cancer testis antigens and ubiquitous proteins of previously unknown function. Through structural prediction, X‐ray crystallography, and biochemistry we show that a conserved feature of the MAGE family of proteins is their ability to bind to E3 RING ubiquitin ligases, such TRIM28/KAP1. Surprisingly, MAGE‐RING ubiquitin ligases share structural and biochemical similarities to Cullin‐RING ubiquitin ligases. Most notably, MAGEs activate the ubiquitin ligase activity of E3 RING ubiquitin ligases. Furthermore, we show that the tumor suppressor p53 is a critical and direct target of MAGE‐mediated ubiquitination and degradation in breast cancer. Thus we have identified a novel, cancer‐specific regulator of p53 degradation and breast cancer survival and discovered the function of the enigmatic MAGE family of cancer testis antigens. These results underscore the importance of MAGE proteins as therapeutic targets for cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):A21.
Comparison of retrograde endo-pyelotomy and endo-balloon rupture of the ureteropelvic junction in a porcine model.

AbstractExcellent results and durable success have been achieved with antegrade and retrograde endo-pyelotomy for treating primary and secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Recently, a 30F dilating balloon was used to rupture the ureteropelvic junction (ENDOBRST) with encouraging results. While balloon distention of the ureteropelvic junction is a technically simpler procedure than endo-pyelotomy, clinical and laboratory data comparing the 2 methods are lacking. In an acute and chronic animal study we compared endo-pyelotomy via a ureteral cutting balloon incision to balloon rupture (that is 30F) of the normal ureteropelvic junction in each of 20 female farm pigs. Eight pigs were harvested acutely after treatment, and a macroscopic and histological examination of the treated ureteropelvic junction was completed. In 11 chronic pigs after endo-pyelotomy a 7F double pigtail ureteral stent was placed bilaterally and then removed after 6 weeks. Evaluation in the chronic group consisted of a furosemide ...
A Review of Research on Moral Injury in Combat Veterans

The moral injury construct has been proposed to describe the suffering some veterans experience when they engage in acts during combat that violate their beliefs about their own goodness or the goo...
Chest Pain of Undetermined Origin

Chest pain of undetermined origin (CPUO) can be a diagnostic dilemma for both the primary care physician and subspecialist. This article focuses on the diagnostic tools used in the evaluation of CPUO, which include: prolonged ambulatory intraesophageal pH monitoring; esophageal manometry with provocative testing; ambulatory intraesophageal pressure monitoring; the role of radiology and endoscopy in the evaluation of chest pain; the role of psychological abnormalities and abnormal nociception in the pathogenesis of chest pain; and the clinical approach and treatment rationale for CPUO.
Addition of aspirin to a fish oil-rich diet decreases inflammation and atherosclerosis in ApoE-null mice

Aspirin (ASA) is known to alter the production of potent inflammatory lipid mediators, but whether it interacts with omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) from fish oil to affect atherosclerosis has not been determined. The goal was to investigate the impact of a fish oil-enriched diet alone and in combination with ASA on the production of lipid mediators and atherosclerosis. ApoE(-/-) female mice were fed for 13weeks one of the four following diets: omega-3 FA deficient (OD), omega-3 FA rich (OR) (1.8g omega-3 FAs/kg·diet per day), omega-3 FA rich plus ASA (ORA) (0.1g ASA/kg·diet per day) or an omega-3 FA deficient plus ASA (ODA) with supplement levels equivalent to human doses. Plasma lipids, atherosclerosis, markers of inflammation, hepatic gene expression and aortic lipid mediators were determined. Hepatic omega-3 FAs were markedly higher in OR (9.9-fold) and ORA (7-fold) groups. Mice in both OR and ORA groups had 40% less plasma cholesterol in very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein fractions, but aortic plaque area formation was only significantly lower in the ORA group (5.5%) compared to the OD group (2.5%). Plasma PCSK9 protein levels were approximately 70% lower in the OR and ORA groups. Proinflammatory aortic lipid mediators were 50%-70% lower in the ODA group than in the OD group and more than 50% lower in the ORA group. In summary, less aortic plaque lesions and aortic proinflammatory lipid mediators were observed in mice on the fish oil diet plus ASA vs. just the fish oil diet.
Biopsy diagnosis in human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and the complications of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome produce a broad spectrum of lesions affecting all organs and tissues. They are caused by uncommon etiologic agents and characterized by unusual location, multiplicity, rapid progression, and tendency to generalization. Cellular reactions are inefficient and histologic appearances frequently atypical. Tissue biopsy, most often endoscopic, with microscopic examination, is the method predominantly used for achieving the required rapid, definitive diagnosis. This article reviews the lesions commonly seen in biopsy specimens of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome, their characteristic histologic features, and their differential diagnosis.
Glucocorticoids and the Developing Nervous System

The environment of a developing neuron is rich in signals which can influence its fate. Some striking examples of this are provided by neural crest cells whose destination and phenotype may be influenced by the environment through which they migrate (Cohen 1972; Teulet et al. 1978), by possible chemotactic factors such as nerve growth factor (e.g., Gundersen and Barrett 1979), by factors produced by target tissues (Patterson and Chun 1977a; Teillet et al. 1978), and by electrica! activity (Walicke et al. 1977). Glucocorticoid hormones are another likely influence on developing neurons: they have a variety of actions on the adult brain (McEwen 1978; McEwen et al. 1979), their synthesis begins during prenatal life (Jost 1966), and they are known to have numerous effects on differentiation in many tissues (Ballard 1979). A common action of corticosteroids is the acceleration of specific developmental events. For instance, the striking Increase in serum corticoid level which occurs at term as a result of increased fetal adrenal activity (e.g., Martin et al. 1977; Mulay et al. 1973) causes a wide variety of maturational changes as a “preparation for birth” (Liggins 1976). Postnatally, glucocorticoid levels fall sharply, then rise again, assuming a diurnal rhythm, as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis matures (Allen and Kendall 1967; Ramaley 1974). This rise, which elicits further differentiation, occurs at about postnatal day 19 (P19) in the rat.
The Role of Hostile Attributions in the Associations Between Child Maltreatment and Reactive and Proactive Aggression

ABSTRACTThis study examined the relations between child maltreatment and reactive and proactive functions of aggression, and whether hostile attribution biases partially accounted for these associations in a sample of 339 college students (M age = 19, 51% male). Child maltreatment was associated with reactive, but not proactive, aggression, and instrumental hostile attribution biases accounted for this association. Relational hostile attributions were correlated with both reactive and proactive aggression, but did not play a role in the link between child maltreatment and reactive aggression.
3D Clumped Cell Segmentation Using Curvature Based Seeded Watershed

Image segmentation is an important process that separates objects from the background and also from each other. Applied to cells, the results can be used for cell counting which is very important in medical diagnosis and treatment, and biological research that is often used by scientists and medical practitioners. Segmenting 3D confocal microscopy images containing cells of different shapes and sizes is still challenging as the nuclei are closely packed. The watershed transform provides an efficient tool in segmenting such nuclei provided a reasonable set of markers can be found in the image. In the presence of low-contrast variation or excessive noise in the given image, the watershed transform leads to over-segmentation (a single object is overly split into multiple objects). The traditional watershed uses the local minima of the input image and will characteristically find multiple minima in one object unless they are specified (marker-controlled watershed). An alternative to using the local minima is by a supervised technique called seeded watershed, which supplies single seeds to replace the minima for the objects. Consequently, the accuracy of a seeded watershed algorithm relies on the accuracy of the predefined seeds. In this paper, we present a segmentation approach based on the geometric morphological properties of the 'landscape' using curvatures. The curvatures are computed as the eigenvalues of the Shape matrix, producing accurate seeds that also inherit the original shape of their respective cells. We compare with some popular approaches and show the advantage of the proposed method.
Fused bis[2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole] derivatives for improved fluoride sensing: The impact of regiochemistry and competitive hydrogen bonding

Abstract Development of fluorescent chemical sensors for fluoride is important due to increased use of fluoride in environment. A fused bis[2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole] 5 , which is capable of giving ESIPT emission, is found to be a useful fluorescent sensor for fluoride detection. Upon binding to fluoride, bis(HBO) 5 shows a large spectral shift in both fluorescence (from ∼490 nm to ∼440 nm) and absorption (from 353 nm to 392 nm). In comparison with the isomeric 4 , bis(HBO) 5 dramatically improves the sensitivity in fluoride binding (by an order of magnitude), revealing a large impact of regiochemistry on the sensor performance. 1 H NMR has been used to study the fluoride binding, and to correlate the intramolecular hydrogen bonding with the fluoride response. Sensitivity of 5 towards fluoride is as low as 10 −5 M. Bis(HBO) 5 also showed excellent selectivity towards fluoride while being silent to other anions (Cl − , Br − , HS − and PO 4 3− ), thus making 5 a potentially useful probe.
Metals and Neuroinflammation

The presence within the brain of metal compounds at toxic levels, has adverse consequences for cerebral function. The type of damage that can be incurred often includes the presence of excessive amounts of inflammation. This event does not enhance cerebral defense systems and is thus not an effective or relevant response. On the contrary, such prolonged neuroinflammation can be disruptive to normal brain metabolism. This review outlines several means by which metals can bring about such extended and inappropriate immune activation within the CNS. Various mechanisms that may enable these changes will be discussed, including the formation of haptens, the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, the sequestering of reducing capacity, and the formation of inflammation-provoking colloids. Emphasis is given to the critical nature of the exact form of the metal exerting harmful effects. This can affect both access to, and subsequent disposition within the brain. The interaction of exposure to toxic metals with normal aging events is also considered.
Simplified Modeling of Organic Contaminant Adsorption by Activated Carbon and Biochar in the Presence of Dissolved Organic Matter and Other Competing Adsorbates

Cyclohexanol, phenol, benzoic acid, and phenanthrene fractional removal (italicized words are defined within the main text) by pulverized granular activated carbon and biochar adsorption in deionized water and stormwater was independent of target-adsorbate initial concentrations (C0) when C0s were below concentration thresholds. This permits a simple-modeling approach. C0-independent removal in deionized water at low-target-adsorbate concentrations potentially suggests that DOM in the deionized water induce a competitive effect that causes deviations from the Freundlich model. The Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory-Equivalent Background Compound model was used to determine the magnitude of concentration thresholds and the competitive effect of stormwater DOM and possibly deionized water DOM. These competing substances’ competitive effects were influenced by target-compound adsorbability and structure. Concentration thresholds positively correlate with competing substances’ competitive effect and negatively co...
Autoignition of methyl propanoate and its comparisons with methyl ethanoate and methyl butanoate

Abstract This work reports an experimental and computational study on the autoignition characteristics of methyl propanoate under high pressure and low-to-intermediate temperature conditions. Comparisons to its next higher and lower methyl esters are also presented. The methyl propanoate experiments have been conducted using a rapid compression machine over compressed pressure and temperature ranges of 15‒45 bar and 899‒1103 K, respectively, as well as covering both stoichiometric and fuel lean conditions. In addition, the performance of four chemical kinetic models reported in the literature is assessed by comparing the experimental ignition delay times to numerical simulations. Sensitivity analysis is also performed to identify important reactions influencing the model predictions for ignition delay times. Further, we provide a comparison between the experimental ignition delay times of methyl propanoate and its next higher and lower homologs, namely methyl butanoate and methyl ethanoate, under selected conditions. An unusual trend in the autoignition response with respect to the carbon number is observed among methyl ethanoate and methyl propanoate. Methyl ethanoate is found to be more reactive than methyl propanoate in the low-temperature regime of 850‒950 K despite having a lower carbon number, with a crossover in reactivity above 950 K. Methyl butanoate is the most reactive among the three esters investigated which is consistent with the notion of increase in reactivity with increasing carbon number. This experimental and computational investigation provides insights into the homogenous autoignition chemistry associated with small unsaturated methyl ester compounds under engine relevant conditions.
Identification of quality improvement areas in pediatric MRI from analysis of patient safety reports.

Analysis of safety reports has been utilized to guide practice improvement efforts in adult magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Data specific to pediatric MRI could help target areas of improvement in this population. To estimate the incidence of safety reports in pediatric MRI and to determine associated risk factors. In a retrospective HIPAA-compliant, institutional review board-approved study, a single-institution Radiology Information System was queried to identify MRI studies performed in pediatric patients (0–18 years old) from 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2015. The safety report database was queried for events matching the same demographic and dates. Data on patient age, gender, location (inpatient, outpatient, emergency room [ER]), and the use of sedation/general anesthesia were recorded. Safety reports were grouped into categories based on the cause and their severity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize continuous variables. Chi-square analyses were performed for univariate determination of statistical significance of variables associated with safety report rates. A multivariate logistic regression was used to control for possible confounding effects. A total of 16,749 pediatric MRI studies and 88 safety reports were analyzed, yielding a rate of 0.52%. There were significant differences in the rate of safety reports between patients younger than 6 years (0.89%) and those older (0.41%) (P<0.01), sedated (0.8%) and awake children (0.45%) (P<0.01), and inpatients (1.1%) and outpatients (0.4%) (P<0.01). The use of sedation/general anesthesia is an independent risk factor for a safety report (P=0.02). The most common causes for safety reports were service coordination (34%), drug reactions (19%), and diagnostic test and ordering errors (11%). The overall rate of safety reports in pediatric MRI is 0.52%. Interventions should focus on vulnerable populations, such as younger patients, those requiring sedation, and those in need of acute medical attention.
A Multicenter Study of Irrigation and Debridement in Total Knee Arthroplasty Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Treatment Failure Is High.

Abstract Background In total knee arthroplasty (TKA) periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), irrigation and debridement (I&D) with component retention is a treatment option with a wide variation in reported failure rates. The purpose of this study was to determine failure rates, outcomes, and factors that predict failure in I&D for TKA PJI. Methods A multicenter observational study of patients with a TKA PJI and subsequently undergoing an I&D with retention of components was conducted. The primary outcome was failure rate of I&D, where failure was defined as any subsequent surgical procedures. Results Two hundred sixteen cases of I&D with retention of components performed on 206 patients met inclusion criteria. The estimated long-term failure rate at 4 years was 57.4%. Time-to-event analyses revealed that the median survival time was 14.32 months. Five-year mortality was 19.9%. Multivariable modeling revealed that time symptomatic and organism were independent predictors of I&D failure. Culture-negative status had a higher hazard for failure than culture-positive patients. When primary organism and time symptomatic were selected to produce an optimized scenario for an I&D, the estimated failure rate was 39.6%. Conclusion I&D with retention of components has a high failure rate, and there is a high incidence of more complex procedures after this option is chosen. The patient comorbidities we investigated did not predict I&D success. Our results suggest that I&D has a limited ability to control infection in TKA and should be used selectively under optimum conditions.
A Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm for Path Planning with Micro Aerial Vehicle Test Bed

The problem of robotic path planning is relevant to many applications that have led to extensive study. This has only increased as autonomous robotic vehicles have become more affordable and varied. Optimal solutions to this problem can be computationally expensive, leading to the need for efficiently achievable approximate solutions. In this work, we present a genetic algorithm to solve the path planning problem. The algorithm operates offline but runs onboard the micro aerial vehicle (MAV). This is accomplished by mounting a single-board computer on the vehicle and integrating it with the flight control board. In addition, we evaluate the effectiveness of two genetic operators: crossover and mass extinction. Results demonstrate that a standard, single-point crossover operator is largely ineffective. Mass extinction, an operator that has been used rarely in previous work, is explored within the framework of a genetic algorithm utilizing only mutation and selection. Based on initial results, mass extinction may have some utility for path planning, however, due to large number of parameters and potential implementations, additional experimentation is needed.
Deep reinforcement learning: Algorithm, applications, and ultra-low-power implementation

Abstract In order to overcome the limitation of traditional reinforcement learning techniques on the restricted dimensionality of state and action spaces, the recent breakthroughs of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) in Alpha Go and playing Atari set a good example in handling large state and action spaces of complicated control problems. The DRL technique is comprised of an offline deep neural network (DNN) construction phase and an online deep Q-learning phase. In the offline phase, DNNs are utilized to derive the correlation between each state–action pair of the system and its value function. In the online phase, a deep Q-learning technique is adopted based on the offline-trained DNN to derive the optimal action and meanwhile update the value estimates and the DNN. This paper is the first to provide a comprehensive study of applications of the DRL framework on cloud computing and residential smart grid systems along with efficient hardware implementations. Based on the introduction of the general DRL framework, we develop two applications, one for the cloud computing resource allocation problem and one for the residential smart grid user-end task scheduling problem. The former could achieve up to 54.1% energy saving compared with baselines through automatically and dynamically distributing resources to servers. The latter achieves up to 22.77% total energy cost reduction compared with the baseline algorithm. The DRL framework is mainly utilized for the complicated control problems and requires light-weight and low-power implementations in edge and portable systems. In order to achieve this goal, we develop the ultra-low-power implementation of the DRL framework using the stochastic computing technique, which has the potential of significantly enhancing the computation speed and reducing hardware footprint and therefore the power/energy consumption. The overall implementation is based on the effective stochastic computing-based implementations of approximate parallel counter-based inner product blocks and tanh activation functions. The stochastic computing-based implementation achieves only 57941.61 μ m 2 area and 6.30 mW power with 412.47 ns delay.
A Prospective 4π Radiation Therapy Clinical Study in Recurrent High-Grade Glioma Patients.

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility, safety, dosimetric benefits, delivery efficiency, and patient comfort in the clinical implementation of 4π radiation therapy. Methods and Materials Eleven patients with recurrent high-grade glioma were recruited for the trial. 4π plans integrating beam orientation and fluence-map optimization were created using an in-house column-generation algorithm. The collision-free beam solution space throughout the 4π steradian was determined using a computer-aided-design model of the Varian TrueBeam system and a human subject. Twenty beams were optimized for each case and imported into Eclipse for intensity modulated radiation therapy planning. Beam orientations with neighboring couch kicks were merged for increased delivery efficiency, generating plans with an average of 16 beam orientations. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans with 3-4 arcs were also generated for each case, and the plan achieving superior dosimetric quality was selected for treatment. Patient comfort was surveyed after every fraction. Multiple 2-dimensional X-ray images were obtained to measure intrafractional motion. Results Of 11 patients, 9 were treated with 4π. Mean and maximum organ at risk doses were equal or significantly lower (P Conclusions The feasibility, safety, dosimetric benefits, delivery efficiency, and patient comfort of 4π radiation therapy have been clinically demonstrated with a prospective clinical trial. The results elucidate the potential and challenges of wider clinical implementations.
Who is Publishing Diverse Books Best

Small independent publishers are frequently lauded as the bastions of diversity while the Big Five are vilified as the primary contributors to the overwhelming whiteness of book publishing—yet no statistical data has been offered to support either claim. Moreover, the overall percentages of authors of color have remained the same year after year (Low in Where is the diversity in publishing? The 2015 diversity baseline survey results. Lee and Low (blog), 2016). The following study is a comparison of the Big Five publishers and small independent publishers with respect to author diversity. As social media outlets are now claiming to change the landscape of publishing by making diverse books more accessible to readers, data was sourced from an independent, reader-driven list to determine which publishers—if any—are promoting authors of color and whether their books are making it into the hands of readers.
A Gateway without a Port: Making and Contesting San Francisco’s Early Waterfront:

In the mid-nineteenth century, San Franciscans transformed a muddy cove and trading outpost into an American town and then global port. In their rush to build a port and a city, they created a soci...
Lithium Inhibits GSK3β and Augments GluN2A Receptor Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in both psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's disease; therefore regulating its activity has become an important strategy for treatment of cognitive impairments in these disorders. This study examines the effects of lithium on GSK3β and its interaction with β-catenin and NMDA receptors within the prefrontal cortex. Lithium, a clinically relevant drug commonly prescribed as a mood stabilizer for psychiatric disorders, significantly increased levels of phosphorylated GSK3β serine 9, an inhibitory phosphorylation site, and decreased β-catenin ser33/37/thr41 phosphorylation in vitro, indicating GSK3β inhibition and reduced β-catenin degradation. GluN2A subunit levels were concurrently increased following lithium treatment. Similar alterations were also demonstrated in vivo; lithium administration increased GSK3β serine 9 phosphorylation and GluN2A levels, suggesting a reduced GSK3β activity and augmented GluN2A expression. Correspondingly, we observed that the amplitudes of evoked GluN2A-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in mPFC pyramidal neurons were significantly increased following lithium administration. Our data suggest that GSK3β activity negatively regulates GluN2A expression, likely by mediating upstream β-catenin phosphorylation, in prefrontal cortical neurons. Furthermore, our biochemical and electrophysiological experiments demonstrate that lithium mediates a specific increase in GluN2A subunit expression, ultimately augmenting GluN2A-mediated currents in the prefrontal cortex.
From Squirrels to Biological Weapons: The Early History of Tularemia

After George McCoy accidentally discovered a new infection in 1911 while investigating bubonic plague in squirrels, he transmitted the disease to experimental animals and isolated the causative organism. He called it Bacterium tularense, after Tulare County, California. In 1919, Edward Francis determined that an infection called "deer-fly fever" was the same disease, naming it "tularemia." He demonstrated that it occurred in wild rabbits and inadvertently showed that it was highly infectious, for he and all his laboratory assistants contracted the illness. This characteristic led to studies of its potential as a biological weapon, including involuntary human experimentation by Japan among civilian, political and military prisoners, and its probable use in warfare during World War II. Later, in the United States, voluntary human experimentation occurred in the 1950s-1960s with penitentiary inmates and non-combatant soldiers. Soviet Union scientists allegedly developed a vaccine-resistant strain, which they tested as a biological weapon in 1982-1983.
Identification of objectives for population education programs.

(1980). Identification of Objectives for Population Education Programs. Health Education: Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 18-20.
Line and Surface Integrals; Differential Forms and Stokes' Theorem

This chapter presents an exposition of the machinery that is necessary for the statement, proof, and application of Stokes' theorem. Stokes' theorem is a multi-dimensional generalization of the fundamental theorem of (single-variable) calculus and can be called the fundamental theorem of multi-variable calculus. Among its numerous applications are the classical theorems of vector analysis. Green's theorem is a two-dimensional generalization of the fundamental theorem of calculus. The chapter discusses how to decompose a circular or triangular disk D into oriented two-cells. Upon adding the equations obtained by the application of Green's theorem to each of the oriented two-cells, the line integrals over the interior segments can cancel because each is traversed twice in opposite directions, leaving as a result Green's theorem for D. The multiplication of differentials extends in a natural way to a multiplication of differential forms.
Spontaneous reduction of acute cecal herniation through the foramen of Winslow

This is the case of a 70-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department complaining of 2 hours of acute-onset epigastric pain. She had experienced this pain once before which had spontaneously resolved. Axial imaging demonstrated the cecum in an abnormal position within the lesser sac, as well as compression of the inferior vena cava and portal vein. She was taken emergently to the operating room for laparotomy, where a free-floating cecum and ascending colon was identified without ischemia, and a right hemicolectomy was performed. Foramen of Winslow hernias are rare internal hernias with a high rate of strangulation and bowel ischemia, requiring urgent surgical intervention. Operative treatment depends on the type of herniated viscera. Spontaneous reduction is not well documented.
Defect evolution in ultralow energy, high dose helium implants of silicon performed at elevated temperatures

There is a growing interest in using high dose helium implants to alter point defect populations in silicon. Previous reports have shown that the interaction between helium and vacancies leads to the formation of cavities for medium energy (e.g., 20–100 keV) implants. However, the role of certain factors, such as the proximity of the surface, the damage created by the implant, and the effect of the implant temperature, is not well understood for low energy implants. This study explored a new regime of ultralow energy, elevated temperature implants in order to offer an insight into the effect of these parameters. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that cavity formation was avoided for 0.5 keV, 450 °C implants up to a dose of 8 × 1016 cm−2. However, extended defects in the form of {311} ribbon-like defects and stacking faults were observed. Quantitative TEM showed that the number of interstitials in these defects was less than 0.2% of the implant dose. In addition, thermal helium desorption spectrometry suggested that only 2% of the implanted He dose was retained in interstitial He and HemVn complexes. A first-order dissociation kinetic model was applied to assess desorption from HemVn, which closely matched energies predicted by density functional theory. This population of excess vacancies and excess interstitials was possibly formed because of incomplete Frenkel pair recombination. Raman spectroscopy showed that the stress from the implant was dominated by the stress from the interstitial-type defects. The evolution of the stress and defects was also explored as a function of post-implant annealing.
Decision and Choice: Bounded Rationality

The ‘Savage paradigm’ of rational decision-making under uncertainty has become the dominant model of human behavior in mainstream economics and game theory. ‘Bounded rationality’ refers to the study of how human decision-makers deal with their cognitive limitations that may prevent them from fully applying the Savage paradigm to real problems without entirely abandoning the notion of rationality. This article sketches the historical roots and current developments of this topic, distinguishing between attempts to extend the Savage paradigm (‘costly rationality’) and the development of more radical departures.