cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GridNFS: global storage for global collaborations

uGridNFS combines the NFSv4 protocol and a collection of supporting middleware services configured to run in a Globus environment. GridNFS provides a file system name space that spans a virtual organization, security that meshes with Globus, fine-grained access control lists to support virtual organization groups and users, and secure file system access for jobs scheduled in an indeterminate future. By combining and integrating standard Internet protocols, GridNFS remains fully compatible with standards-compliant desktop and enterprise network services. Furthermore, GridNFS middleware enhances those environments with global naming and facile identity representation for agile access control across security domains.
A study of single and multiple vehicle crashes involving heavy trucks in Iowa

In 2010, 16.5 percent of all fatal vehicle crashes in Iowa involved large trucks compared to the national average of 7.8 percent. Only about 16 percent of these fatalities involved the occupants of the heavy vehicles, meaning that a majority of the fatalities in fatal crashes involve non-heavy truck occupants. These statistics demonstrate the severe nature of heavy truck crashes and underscore the serious impact that these crashes can have on the traveling public. These statistics also indicate Iowa may have a disproportionately higher safety risk compared to the nation with respect to heavy truck safety. Several national studies, and a few statewide studies have investigated large truck crashes, however no rigorous analysis of heavy truck crashes has been conducted for the state of Iowa. This thesis uses the most current statewide crash data to perform an in-depth analysis of heavy truck crashes in Iowa. The objective of this study is to investigate and identify the causes, locations, and other factors related to heavy truck crashes in Iowa. To conduct this study, crash data for the years of 2007-2012 for the state of Iowa were used to develop statistical models for single and multiple vehicle heavy truck crash severity. Single vehicle crashes were modeled using a binary probit model with outcomes of injury (fatal, major, minor, or possible injury) or no injury (property damage only). Multiple vehicle crashes were modeled using a nested logit model with severity outcomes of severe injury (fatal or major injury), minor injury (minor or possible injury), and no injury (property damage only), with the two injury outcomes placed in a nest. Findings from the two models were both complimentary and contradictory. Both models found older drivers to be associated with more severe injuries. Both models also indicated crashes impacting and damaging the front of both heavy trucks and non-heavy trucks to play a significant role in the severity outcome of the crash. The main disparity of the two models relates to the effect single unit and combination trucks have on crash severity, with combination trucks increasing the probability of a severe injury in the multiple vehicle model and single unit trucks increasing the probability of an injury in single vehicle crashes. Other factors found to be significant in either of the two models relate to the manner of the collision, temporal factors (season, day of week, time of day), vehicle characteristics, roadway characteristics, and environmental factors.
Factors Mediating Cognitive Deficits and Psychopathology Among Siblings of Individuals With Schizophrenia

Schizotypal traits and cognitive disturbances are known to be present in first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia. However, there is little understanding of how these endophenotypes are related to each other. We explored the nature of this relationship in individuals with schizophrenia, their full siblings, community controls, and their siblings. All participants were assessed in the domains of working memory, attention, episodic memory, and executive function, as well as in their level of positive, negative, and disorganization symptoms. Schizophrenia probands were significantly impaired on all cognitive domains, as compared with the other 3 groups, and displayed the highest levels of positive, negative, and disorganization symptoms. Proband siblings performed significantly worse than controls on tasks of working memory, episodic memory, and executive function, and they displayed significantly more positive and negative symptoms as compared with controls. Poorer task performance across all 4 cognitive domains was most strongly correlated with increased negative symptoms. Mediation analyses revealed that working memory, episodic memory, and executive function deficits partially mediated increases in negative symptoms among proband siblings. Negative symptoms fully mediated deficits in working memory and episodic memory but only partially mediated deficits in executive function. Results suggest that there is a complex relationship between cognitive and clinical factors in this high-risk population.
SHERIFF: precise detection and automatic mitigation of false sharing

False sharing is an insidious problem for multithreaded programs running on multicore processors, where it can silently degrade performance and scalability. Previous tools for detecting false sharing are severely limited: they cannot distinguish false sharing from true sharing, have high false positive rates, and provide limited assistance to help programmers locate and resolve false sharing.This paper presents two tools that attack the problem of false sharing: Sheriff-Detect and Sheriff-Protect. Both tools leverage a framework we introduce here called Sheriff. Sheriff breaks out threads into separate processes, and exposes an API that allows programs to perform per-thread memory isolation and tracking on a per-page basis. We believe Sheriff is of independent interest.Sheriff-Detect finds instances of false sharing by comparing updates within the same cache lines by different threads, and uses sampling to rank them by performance impact. Sheriff-Detect is precise (no false positives), runs with low overhead (on average, 20%), and is accurate, pinpointing the exact objects involved in false sharing. We present a case study demonstrating Sheriff-Detect's effectiveness at locating false sharing in a variety of benchmarks.Rewriting a program to fix false sharing can be infeasible when source is unavailable, or undesirable when padding objects would unacceptably increase memory consumption or further worsen runtime performance. Sheriff-Protect mitigates false sharing by adaptively isolating shared updates from different threads into separate physical addresses, effectively eliminating most of the performance impact of false sharing. We show that Sheriff-Protect can improve performance for programs with catastrophic false sharing by up to 9×, without programmer intervention.
Use of human expertise in the evaluation of manual lifting activities

The primary objective of this research is to determine whether or not worker expertise can be used to evaluate industrial lifting activities in order to prevent lower back injuries in the workplace. Twenty-two professionals and twenty-two skilled laborers participated in the study. The results obtained in this study indicate that it may possible to use personal knowledge and experience in evaluating physical tasks such as lifting. Furthermore, there was no difference between professionals and skilled laborers in terms of the cognitive patterns relating input to output variables. This provides preliminary evidence that the logic of experienced workers is as good as that of professionals. In the open lifting model examined in this study, it is clear that the weight of load is perceived by the study participants as the most important variable in evaluating lifting activities and is in agreement with findings in the published literature. In the closed loop model, perceived risk emerges as an important variable in determining the effort level exerted during lifting activities, even more important than the weight of load.
RU486 blocks the secondary surge of follicle-stimulating hormone in the rat without blocking the drop in serum inhibin.

The stimulatory effect of progesterone on the release of the primary surges of serum UI and FSH is well characterized. Less Is known about the relationship of progesterone to the secondary FSH surge. We used the antiprogesterone, RU486, to block the action of progesterone and studied the effects on the primary surges of UI and FSH, and especially on the secondary surge of FSH. Proestrous rats were treated with RU486 at 1 200 h. Rats were killed on proestrus and estrus, and serum levels of UI, FSH, and inhibin were measured. In all RU486-treated rats, the primary surges of UI and FSH were significantly attenuated, and the secondary FSI-1 surge was completely abolished, despite a drop in inhibln levels following the primary surges. A high replacement dose of progesterone, delivered immediately after RU486 treatment, did not restore the primary surges of UI and FSH, or the secondary surge of FSH. These data suggest that other factors in addition to a drop in inh!bin are responsible for producing the secondary FSH surge.
POSTBREEDING MOVEMENTS OF AMERICAN AVOCETS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR WETLAND CONNECTIVITY IN THE WESTERN GREAT BASIN

Abstract Wetlands in the western Great Basin of the United States are patchily distributed and undergo extensive seasonal and annual variation in water levels. The American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) is one of many shorebird species that use these wetlands as breeding and migratory stopover sites and must adjust to variable conditions. We used radio telemetry to determine postbreeding, premigratory movement patterns of avocets throughout the region. In 1996 and 1997, 185 breeding adults were captured and fitted with radio transmitters at five breeding areas in Oregon, California, and Nevada. Regular aerial and ground surveys were conducted at the five main study areas from June through September, or until all avocets had left a site. Other wetlands in the western Great Basin also were surveyed by aircraft for the presence of radio-marked birds. Fifty-six percent of radio-marked avocets were still detected in the region at least eight weeks after capture. Each of these individuals was detected at an ...
Heart Health Program

Social influence processes have played an important role in the conceptual underpinnings, development, and implementation of the Minnesota Heart Health Program (MHHP). MHHP is a communitywide program developed to prevent illness and disability by helping people reduce their own risk factors associated with heart disease. This chapter describes the program as a way of illustrating how social influence processes have been used in a primary prevention program. (The program has been described at length elsewhere; see Blackburn et al., 1984; Mittelmark et al., 1986).
Pre-bond Scan Test Through TSV Probing

Previous chapters have discussed the need for pre-bond KGD test to enable wafer matching, die binning, and other methods of ensuring stack yield. Chapters 3 and 4 presented methods through BIST and probing to enable pre-bond TSV test. While TSV test is important for KGD test, it covers only a small fraction of the tests that must be performed to achieve complete KGD test. In particular, the majority of die area is dedicated to logic and associated memory.
Nutrition of the mouse. XII. Comparison of several salt mixtures.

SummaryFive salt mixtures were tested for their ability to support growth as well as fat and mineral deposition in the carcass. Feeding the mixture described by Hubbell, Mendel and Wakeman(1) resulted in significantly higher ash values than when the other four mixtures were employed. Increasing the Ca:P ratio of the Fenton-Carr mixture(4) significantly improved mineral deposition.
Team Coordination and Strategies Under Automation

This study evaluated the effects of different forms of automation on team communication and coordination in a complex decision making task. Two person teams performed a Theatre Defense task in whic...
THE BOUNDARY EFFECTS AND CONTROL OF THE SHOCK WAVE DISPERSION IN A WEAKLY IONIZED GAS

In the references [1, 2] a new mechanism of the shock wave dispersion has been introduced. The model of the shock wave dispersion proposed there can explain not only a whole complex of features of the shock wave - discharge interaction observed in experiments, but also offers a way to control the shape of the shock wave front. In this paper we discuss the possibility to change the shock wave front shape by use the superposition of the two thermal mechanisms of the shock wave dispersion. By appropriate choice of the boundary shape or the temperature distribution, the shock front can be modified to any shape required by an application. Application to the case of hollow cathode region of D.C. discharge demonstrates such a possibility of the shock front modification. The proposed solution is not limited to the mechanisms of the shock wave dispersion considered in this paper, but rather offers a broad possibility of the shock front modification with other known mechanisms.
Heat and mass transfer during free convection melting of glacial ice in sea water

Heat and mass transfer during free convection melting of pure water ice in sea water is analyzed. The analysis shows that, even at sea water temperatures below 278 K and under laminar flow conditions, the melt rates are relatively high. Thickness of ice layers lost per hour is of the order of centimeter.
Experimental traumatic paraplegia. The vascular and pathological changes seen in reversible and irreversible spinal-cord lesions

Experiments were done on monkeys in which reversible and irreversible lesions were elicited in the spinal cord by means of impact trauma applied directly to the spinal cord. Two patterns of circulatory and pathological changes were seen, related to the severity of the trauma: (1) The reversible lesion showed an initial vascular pathological disturbance which improved with time so that the cord returned to normal in appearance and histology in five days; (2) the irreversible lesion included a pathological circulatory disruption which increased with time and included venous dilation, vascular stasis, marked intramedullary hematoma formation, and edema of the cord, and, in five days, went on to liquefactive necrosis.
Swimming into the Open

This concluding chapter discusses the important contribution Black men's voices have made and can make to adult education theory and practice. Particular emphasis is placed on troubling the various factors that contribute to the silencing of those voices.
The partition of manganese among organs and intracellular organelles of the rat.

The essential metabolic r61e of manganese in the animal organism has long been a matter of record. It was an early finding that intravenously injected manganous salts are removed quickly from the blood stream (l), leaving the body somewhat less rapidly by way of t,he biliary tract (2). In the course of studies on the kinetics of manganese, our observations led us to surmise the existence in the body of a mechanism whereby the manganese is temporarily diverted in transit, entrapped, and then gradually released. Such a mechanism, with the resulting rapid movement of the element into the entrapping system, would provide an explanation for the lack of agreement noted in previous studies of this metal’s distribution in organs (3-7). The isotope used in this study, Mn 66, has the advantage of being readily available to us in sufficiently high specific activity so that dosages need not exceed levels of normal tolerance. The short half life of this materia.! confined our attention to the early portion of the distribution process, before reabsorption and redistribution of the isotope became a factor to confuse interpretation of the results. From distribution studies in organs, a correlation became apparent between the richness in mitochondria of a given organ and its ability to concentrate manganese. We, therefore, extended our studies to include the mitochondrial uptake of this element in vivo, to determine whether these organelles were a preferential site of manganese accumulation and presumably of its metabolic activity.
Adenole Cystic Carcinoma of the Prostate: Report of a Case

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the prostate is a rare but distinctive variant of prostatic adenocarcinoma. A case report is presented and the pathology, differential diagnosis and treatment modalities are discussed.
C-SATS: Assessing Surgical Skills Among Urology Residency Applicants.

Abstract Background: We hypothesized that surgical skills assessment could aid in the selection process of medical student applicants to a surgical program. Recently, crowdsourcing has been shown to provide an accurate assessment of surgical skills at all levels of training. We compared expert and crowd assessment of surgical tasks performed by resident applicants during their interview day at the urology program at the University of California, Irvine. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five resident interviewees performed four tasks: open square knot tying, laparoscopic peg transfer, robotic suturing, and skill task 8 on the LAP Mentor™ (Simbionix Ltd., Lod, Israel). Faculty experts and crowd workers (Crowd-Sourced Assessment of Technical Skills [C-SATS], Seattle, WA) assessed recorded performances using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS), and the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) validated assessmen...
Instrumental Variable Methods for Conditional Effects and Causal Interaction in Voter Mobilization Experiments

ABSTRACTIn democratic countries, voting is one of the most important ways for citizens to influence policy and hold their representatives accountable. And yet, in the United States and many other countries, rates of voter turnout are alarmingly low. Every election cycle, mobilization efforts encourage citizens to vote and ensure that elections reflect the true will of the people. To establish the most effective way of encouraging voter turnout, this article seeks to differentiate between (1) the synergy hypothesis that multiple instances of voter contact increase the effectiveness of a single form of contact, and (2) the diminishing returns hypothesis that multiple instances of contact are less effective or even counterproductive. Remarkably, previous studies have been unable to compare these hypotheses because extant approaches to analyzing experiments with noncompliance cannot speak to questions of causal interaction. I resolve this impasse by extending the traditional instrumental variables framework t...
Circulating Tumor Cells Expressing Markers of Tumor Initiating Cells Predict Poor Survival and Cancer Recurrence in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been identified in the blood of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but little is known about the exact phenotype of these cells. We assessed expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), CD133, and CD44 as markers of CTCs with a tumor-initiating cell (TIC) phenotype in patients with PDAC and the relationship of this expression to patient outcomes.Experimental Design: Peripheral blood from 60 consecutive patients with PDAC undergoing surgical resection was obtained and processed using the Isolation by Size of Epithelial Tumor (ISET) method. Immunofluorescence was used to identify CTCs expressing cytokeratin, CD133, CD44, and ALDH.Results: Forty-seven patients (78%) had epithelial CTCs staining positive for pan-cytokeratin and at least one TIC marker. Forty-six patients (77%) had epithelial CTCs that labeled with antibodies to cytokeratin and ALDH. By separate analysis, 34 (57%) had cytokeratin-positive, CD133-positive, and CD44-positive (triple-positive) CTCs, whereas 40 (67%) had cytokeratin-positive, CD133-positive, CD44-negative CTCs. The remaining 13 patients did not have CTCs, as defined by cytokeratin expression. ALDH-positive CTCs and triple-positive CTCs were significantly associated with worse survival by univariate analysis, even when accounting for other significant prognostic factors (all, P ≤ 0.01). ALDH-positive CTCs, triple-positive CTCs, and dual cytokeratin- and CD133-positive CTCs were independent predictors of tumor recurrence by logistic regression analysis and associated with decreased disease-free survival (all, P ≤ 0.03).Conclusions: CTCs labeling with one or more markers of TICs are found in a majority of patients with PDAC and are independently predictive of decreased disease-free and overall survival. Clin Cancer Res; 23(11); 2681-90. ©2016 AACR.
Clustering of receptive fields in Autoencoders

In this paper, we demonstrate new techniques for data representation in the context of deep learning using agglomerative clustering. The results from previous work show that a good number of encoding and decoding filters of layered autoencoders are duplicative thereby enforcing two or more processing filters to extract the same features due to filtering redundancy. We propose a new way to circumvent this problem and our results show that such redundancy is eliminated, yields smaller networks and filters are able to extract distinct features. The concept is illustrated with Sparse Autoenconders (SAE) using MNIST and NORB datasets.
156 Device autoinflation following penile implant surgery

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Penile implant autoinflation (AI) is a nuisance for patients, may lead to reduced patient satisfaction with their implant and reoperation when bother is high. The literature cites a rate of 11% with a 2% reoperation rate. This analysis was conducted to examine this issue in our patient population. Furthermore, we attempted to assess patient bother and to look for factors that were predictive of AI. METHODS: We recorded implant (operative and complication) data on patients undergoing Mentor/Coloplast penile implant surgery over a 12-year period. Only patients with 6 month postoperative followup were included. AI was defined as any tumescence of the penis 4/10 hardness scale and analysis was conducted to evaluate patients with sub-penetration hardness (4-6/10) and those with definitely penetration rigidity level AI (>6/10). We further compared a number of other variables: lock out valve (LOV) vs non lock-out valve (NLOV) devices; location of reservoir, space of Retzius (SOR) vs any ectopic location; partial vs complete filling of reservior. Bother was assessed on a mild, moderate, severe scale. Multivariable analysis was used to search for predictors including, reservoir location, degree of filling of the reservoir, presenceof LOV, radical prostatectomy, presenceof Peyronie0s disease. RESULTS: Overall 5.5% of 546men experienced any significant level of AI, (4% sub-penetration level, 1.5%penetration level AI). The rate for LOV devices (68% of implants) was 3.8% vs 9.1% for NLOV (32% of implants) devices. 97% of all reservoirs were placed in the SOR. 80% of these were radical prostatectomy patients and in this group no bladder or bowel perforations occurred. No AI occurred in any ectopically placed reservoir. 66% had mild bother (all sub-penetration level AI), 19% moderate bother, 13% severe bother (all penetration hardness AI). Predictors of AI included space of Retzius location, absence of lock out valve, and complete filling of the reservoir (see Table). 8/30 AI patients underwent re-operation (all moderate-severe bother). 4/8 had reservoir placed on contralateral SOR, 4 repositioned ectopically. CONCLUSIONS: AI is uncommon but more common when SOR is used as reservoir location, in devices not using a LOV and when the reservoir is completely filled.
The Effects of Stimulant Medication and Training on Sports Competence among Children with ADHD

The current study examined the relative efficacy of behavioral sports training, medication, and their combination in improving sports competence among youth with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants were 73 youth (74% male; 81% Hispanic) between the ages of 5 and 12 diagnosed with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) ADHD enrolled in a Summer Treatment Program (STP). The study consisted of a 2 (medication: methylphenidate, placebo) × 2 (sports training: instruction and practice, recreational play) between-groups design and was conducted over a 3-week period during the STP. Sports training was conducted with a novel sport, badminton, to limit previous sport knowledge and to differentiate it from concurrent sports training that occurred within the STP. Objective and subjective measures of sports skills, knowledge, and behavior were collected. Results indicated that, relative to recreational play, brief sports training improved observed and counselor-rated measures of sports competence including sports skills, knowledge, game awareness, effort, frustration, and enjoyment. During sports training, medication incrementally improved children's observed rule following behavior and counselor-rated sportsmanship relative to placebo. In the absence of sports training, medication improved behavior, effort, and sport knowledge. Training in sports skills and rules produced the largest magnitude effects on sports-related outcomes. Therefore, skills training, rather than medication alone, should be used in conjunction with behavioral intervention to teach sports to youth with ADHD. It is recommended that medication be used only as an adjunct to highly structured sports skills training for youth who display high rates of negative behavior during sports activities.
Using Factor Mixture Models to Evaluate the Type A/B Classification of Alcohol Use Disorders in a Heterogeneous Treatment Sample.

BACKGROUND The type A/B classification model for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) has received considerable empirical support. However, few studies examine the underlying latent structure of this subtyping model, which has been challenged as a dichotomization of a single drinking severity dimension. Type B, relative to type A, alcoholics represent those with early age of onset, greater familial risk, and worse outcomes from alcohol use. METHODS We examined the latent structure of the type A/B model using categorical, dimensional, and factor mixture models in a mixed-gender community treatment-seeking sample of adults with an AUD. RESULTS Factor analytic models identified 2 factors (drinking severity/externalizing psychopathology and internalizing psychopathology) underlying the type A/B indicators. A factor mixture model with 2 dimensions and 3 classes emerged as the best overall fitting model. The classes reflected a type A class and 2 type B classes (B1 and B2) that differed on the respective level of drinking severity/externalizing pathology and internalizing pathology. Type B1 had a greater prevalence of women and more internalizing pathology and B2 had a greater prevalence of men and more drinking severity/externalizing pathology. The 2-factor, 3-class model also exhibited predictive validity by explaining significant variance in 12-month drinking and drug use outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The model identified in this study may provide a basis for examining different sources of heterogeneity in the course and outcome of AUDs.
Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Pearls and Pitfalls of Diagnosis

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterized by chronic obstruction of major pulmonary arteries by organized thromboembolic material. Untreated CTEPH can result in pulmonary hypertension and eventually right heart failure, yet it is the only form of pulmonary hypertension that is potentially curable with surgical or catheter-based intervention. While early diagnosis is key to increasing the likelihood of successful treatment, CTEPH remains largely underdiagnosed. This article reviews the role of echocardiogram, ventilation/perfusion scan, and other available modalities in the diagnosis of CTEPH.
Effectiveness of low-dose radiation for primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Abstract Purpose Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) is conventionally treated with radiation therapy (RT) doses ≥30 GGy, but effectiveness of lower doses is unclear. We compared responses after a range of RT doses for pcALCL. Methods and materials From 1999 through 2015, 45 lesions in 21 patients met clinicopathologic pcALCL diagnostic criteria and were treated with RT ( Results Forty-two percent of lesions were treated with P = .84). Three-year freedom from local relapse was 100%, 86%, and 100% with P = .28). Many patients ultimately demonstrated other cutaneous or systemic relapse, with 55% 3-year and 29% 10-year progression-free survival. Overall survival at 10 years was 59%, with 2 deaths from complications of disease. Conclusions Low-dose RT offered excellent local control in the setting of the indolent, chronic course of pcALCL in this patient cohort.
Size and mineral composition of airborne particles generated by an ultrasonic humidifier.

This study describes the size distribution and concentration of particles expelled by a portable, 3-L ultrasonic humidifier. The ultrasonic humidifier was filled with waters of varying mineral content and hardness. Aerosol size distributions were measured during 8 hours of humidifier operation in a typical bedroom. Humidifiers produced approximately 1.22 × 1010 -2.50 × 1010 airborne particles per milliliter of water consumed, resulting in airborne particle concentrations of 3.01-5.91 × 104 #/cm3 , with modes ranging between 109 and 322 nm in diameter. The emission rate of particles varied by water type from 1.02 × 109 to 2.27 × 109 #/s. Lower mineral waters produced fewer, smaller particles when compared to higher mineral waters. Chemical analyses of particles collected with a cascade impactor indicated that the minerals in emitted particles had the same relative mineral concentrations as the fill water. Our results demonstrate that ultrasonic humidifiers should be considered a source of inhalation exposure to minerals dissolved in water, and that the magnitude of exposure to inhalable particles will vary with water quality.
Exploring local fishery management through cooperative acoustic surveys in the Aleutian Islands

Abstract An alternate management system is introduced which uses seasonal and spatially explicit multi-species quotas generated from small-scale cooperative fishery acoustic surveys to manage the Aleutian Islands walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) fishery while limiting impacts on the endangered Western stock of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). This is a novel collaboration among scientists, industry, and Alaska Natives considering a cooperative management approach. The proposed system integrates the catch monitoring and accounting systems already in place in the federal groundfish fisheries off Alaska with cooperative acoustic survey biomass estimates to facilitate more refined spatial and temporal fishery management decisions. Conditions were examined under which such a system could operate successfully and results from field work conducted to assess technical requirements were discussed. During field trials biomass estimates from each survey were produced within 24-h of survey completion. This suggests spatial abundance estimates can be available in a timely manner for managing local fisheries. The proposed management system was found feasible and relatively easy to initiate because of highly motivated and cooperative industry partners, a well-established mechanism for setting allowable catch limits, and a robust catch accounting system already in place. In addition, high quality commercial echosounders required for this system are currently used by industry and, with proper controls on calibration and survey design, produce biomass estimates of sufficient quality. The application of this approach beyond this case study is also discussed for managing fisheries worldwide where fine temporal and spatial scale management could benefit the conservation of other protected species.
Miniaturized Active Metamaterial Resonant Antenna With Improved Radiation Performance Based on Negative-Resistance-Enhanced CRLH Transmission Lines

In this letter, a miniaturized microstrip resonant antenna (MRA) based on the active metamaterial resonator is presented. Unlike the passive composite right/left-handed (CRLH) resonators, the presented active metamaterial resonators are realized using the negative-resistance-enhanced CRLH transmission line that incorporates active circuits for loss compensation. The active circuit uses bipolar junction transfer in its inverted-common-collector configuration to provide a negative resistance for the proposed active MRA. The presented passive and active antennas both operate in the negative-first-order resonance mode and thus have reduced dimensions compared to the conventional planar MRAs. The integration of the active elements delivers higher radiation gain compared to the passive negative-order CRLH resonator antenna. The passive and active antennas were fabricated, and the measured results are presented to validate the concept.
Evaluation of schedule dependency of anticancer drugs in the human tumor clonogenic assay.

The cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs may depend on the schedule of administration as well as on the dose used. There are limited data concerning the evaluation of drug schedules using human tumor models. The purpose of our study was to evaluate schedule dependency of anticancer drugs by comparing 1-h to continuous drug exposures in the human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA) (Salmon et al. 1978).
Complete colonoscopy: how often? And if not, why not?

OBJECTIVE Colonoscopy completion rate is an easily measurable criterion of technical competency. Reporting of completion rates lacks uniformity, however, and few studies focus on colonoscopy completion alone. The purpose of this study is to establish criteria for consistency in the reporting of completion rates, so that colonoscopists are better able to use such reports to evaluate their own experience. METHODS A prospective study of colonoscopy completion rate and reasons for incompletion was carried out for 2907 patients. Completion was defined as the colonoscope touching the end of the colon. Rates are reported as crude (all cases) and adjusted (excluding incompletions due to stool and disease). RESULTS The crude completion rate was 93.6% and the adjusted rate was 98.8%. Reasons for incompletion were stool (n = 47), colonic disease (n = 97), and pain or tortuosity (n = 34). The crude completion rate was lower in women than in men (92.4% vs. 94.8%), lower in the very young ( 80 yr, 88.9%), was < 90% in patients presenting with altered bowel habit, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhage, inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal pain, or cancer, was only 53.8% in patients in intensive care units, was 84.1% in the author's first 127 cases, was lower in women post hysterectomy (92.8% vs. 98.3%), and was higher in patients who had had a colon resection [98.4% (right colectomy), 99.2% (left colectomy), 95.8% (intact colon)]. When adjusted rates were compared, most of those differences disappeared (except male vs. female, hysterectomy vs. no hysterectomy). CONCLUSIONS Crude colonoscopy completion rates are affected by a number of factors that may make comparisons between colonoscopists difficult. The use of adjusted completion rates minimizes the effect of disease-related factors, allows completion rate to be a better reflection of technical ability, and may facilitate more uniform reporting of colonoscopy results.
Client preferences and perceptions regarding a written home exercise program or video self-modeling: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract Study Design This was a cross-sectional study. Introduction Home exercise programs (HEPs) are frequently prescribed to maximize a patient’s recovery and ensure maintenance of therapeutic gains produced during supervised treatment. Improved understanding of patient preferences and incorporation of simple mobile health technologies may be beneficial strategies for improving patient HEP adherence. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine client's preferred mode of home exercise program delivery when offered a choice between a cellular video and paper handout. Methods A convenience sample was recruited from clients receiving services at an upper extremity rehabilitation facility. Participants were provided a paper handout with written instructions and an audiovisual recording of themselves performing the exercises. A questionnaire was developed to compare clients' preferences and perceptions. Quantitative data regarding patient preference were gathered and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Collected qualitative data were themed to determine the characteristics of home exercise programs (HEPs) perceived by patients. Results A total of 30 patients participated in the study. Of the 29 responses regarding patient preference of HEP mode, 20 (69%) patients preferred a video, 4 (14%) patients preferred a paper handout, and 5 (17%) patients preferred both paper and video HEP. Patients with preference to a paper HEP reported the handout was helpful to be accessed in a simple manner and could be displayed as a visual reminder to perform the exercises. Those who preferred the cellular video reported increased understanding and confidence with accurate performance of exercises using audiovisual instructions. Discussion HEP adherence enhancement techniques include improved understanding of patient preferences in order to facilitate customized client-centered treatment. Conclusion The majority of participants in this study preferred a mobile-based video HEP. Participants perceived the video as visually appealing and a more effective mode of instruction than paper handouts.
STEM faculty who believe ability is fixed have larger racial achievement gaps and inspire less student motivation in their classes

An important goal of the scientific community is broadening the achievement and participation of racial minorities in STEM fields. Yet, professors’ beliefs about the fixedness of ability may be an unwitting and overlooked barrier for stigmatized students. Results from a longitudinal university-wide sample (150 STEM professors and more than 15,000 students) revealed that the racial achievement gaps in courses taught by more fixed mindset faculty were twice as large as the achievement gaps in courses taught by more growth mindset faculty. Course evaluations revealed that students were demotivated and had more negative experiences in classes taught by fixed (versus growth) mindset faculty. Faculty mindset beliefs predicted student achievement and motivation above and beyond any other faculty characteristic, including their gender, race/ethnicity, age, teaching experience, or tenure status. These findings suggest that faculty mindset beliefs have important implications for the classroom experiences and achievement of underrepresented minority students in STEM.
Data-driven ranking and selection: high-dimensional covariates and general dependence

This paper considers the problem of ranking and selection with covariates and aims to identify a decision rule that stipulates the best alternative as a function of the observable covariates. We propose a general data-driven framework to accommodate (i) high-dimensional covariates and (ii) general (nonlinear) dependence between the mean performance of an alternative and the covariates. For both scenarios, we design new selection procedures and provide certain statistical guarantees, by leveraging the data-intensive environment and various statistical learning tools. The performances of our procedures are exhibited through simulation experiments.
Telehealth-Based Health Coaching Increases m-Health Device Adherence and Rate of Weight Loss in Obese Participants

Background: Healthy rate of weight loss (RWL) is defined as 1–2 lb of body weight loss per week. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate changes in adherence to remote monitoring d...
Flavor from the double tetrahedral group without supersymmetry: Flavorful axions and neutrinos

We extend the work of Carone, Chaurasia and Vasquez on nonsupersymmetric models of flavor based on the double tetrahedral group. Three issues are addressed: (1) the sector of flavor-symmetry-breaking fields is simplified and their potential studied explicitly, (2) a flavorful axion is introduced to solve the strong $CP$ problem and (3) the model is extended to include the neutrino sector. We show how the model can accommodate the strong hierarchies manifest in the charged fermion Yukawa matrices, while predicting a qualitatively different form for the light neutrino mass matrix that is consistent with observed neutrino mass squared differences and mixing angles.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Qualitative Data Coding

A Step-by-Step Guide to Qualitative Data Coding is a comprehensive qualitative data analysis guide. It is designed to help readers to systematically analyze qualitative data in a transparent and consistent manner, thus promoting the credibility of their findings. The book examines the art of coding data, categorizing codes, and synthesizing categories and themes. Using real data for demonstrations, it provides step-by-step instructions and illustrations for analyzing qualitative data. Some of the demonstrations include conducting manual coding using Microsoft Word and how to use qualitative data analysis software such as Dedoose, NVivo and QDA Miner Lite to analyze data. It also contains creative ways of presenting qualitative findings and provides practical examples. After reading this book, readers will be able to: Analyze qualitative data and present their findings Select an appropriate qualitative analysis tool Decide on the right qualitative coding and categorization strategies for their analysis Develop relationships among categories/themes Choose a suitable format for the presentation of the findings It is a great resource for qualitative research instructors and undergraduate and graduate students who want to gain skills in analyzing qualitative data or who plan to conduct a qualitative study. It is also useful for researchers and practitioners in the social and health sciences fields.
RNA Template-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (RS-PCR) : A Modification of RNA-PCR that Dramatically Reduces the Frequency of False Positives.

Reverse transcription of RNA followed by the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR or RNA-PCR) is an extraordinarily sensitive method to detect as few as 1-100 copies of a specific RNA (1-3). However, we and others have found that false positives caused by contamination with minute quantities of DNA (i.e., cDNAs, plasmid DNAs, genomic DNA, or PCR carryover) is a major shortcoming of the method even when meticulous laboratory technique is employed (4-6). RNA template-specific PCR (RS-PCR) is a modification of conventional RNA-PCR in which RNA is reverse-transcribed with a primer that contains at its 5' end a unique nucleotide sequence that may then be exploited in the PCR to amplify preferentially the RNA-derived sequence. RS-PCR retains full sensitivity, but reduces dramatically the frequency of false positives (7-9).
Estimation of the degree of hydration of concrete through automated machine learning based microstructure analysis – A study on effect of image magnification

Abstract The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images are commonly used to understand the microstructure of the concrete. With the advancements in the field of computer vision, many researchers have adopted the image processing technique for the microstructure analysis. Most of the previous methods are not adaptable, non-reproducible, semi-automated, and most importantly all these methods are highly influenced by image magnification. Therefore, to overcome these challenges, this paper presents a machine learning based image segmentation method for microstructure analysis and degree of hydration measurement using SEM images. In addition, the authors looked into the impact of magnification of SEM images on the model accuracy and classifier training for the degree of hydration measurement considering two scenarios. First, the image segmentation was performed using a classifier of specific magnification, and then a common classifier is trained using the image of different magnification. The results show that the Random Forest classifier algorithm is suitable for microstructure analysis using SEM images. Through the statistical analysis, it has been proved that there is no significant effect of magnification on model training and accuracy for the degree of hydration measurement. So, a single classifier can be used to process the images of different magnification of a specimen which reduces the effort of training and computational time. The proposed method can generate highly accurate and reliable results in a shorter time and lower cost. Moreover, the findings in this research can be useful for researchers to determine the optimum magnification required for the microstructure analysis.
Laboratory Blood-Based Testing for Non-Lyme Disease Tick-Borne Infections at a National Reference Laboratory.

OBJECTIVES We evaluated trends in non-Lyme disease tick-borne disease (NLTBI) testing at a national reference laboratory. METHODS Testing data performed at Quest Diagnostics during 2010 to 2016 were analyzed nationally and at the state level. RESULTS Testing and positivity for most NLTBIs increased dramatically from 2010 through 2016 based on testing from a large reference laboratory. The number of positive cases, though not as stringent as criteria for public health reporting, generally exceeds that reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The frequency of NLTBI in the US is seasonal but testing activity and positive test results are observed throughout all months of the year. Positive results for NLTBI testing mostly originated from a limited number of states, indicating the geographic concentration and distribution of NLTBIs reported in this study. CONCLUSIONS This report provides an important complementary source of data to best understand trends in and spread of NLTBI.
Sickle Cell Disease

With advances in medical care, the predicted median survival of individuals with sickle cell disease has increased dramatically over the last several decades. As a result, an increasing number of individuals born with sickle cell disease are surviving well into adulthood, thus making it likely that many primary care providers will see patients with this condition in their adult medical practices. This chapter provides an overview of the common therapeutic interventions employed in the management of sickle cell disease as well as clinical considerations for reproductive health and genetic counseling. The recognition and management of chronic comorbid conditions often seen in adults with sickle cell disease are also discussed. Further, the chapter will highlight strategies in the assessment and management of chronic pain in young adults.
Synthesizing Environment Invariants for Modular Hardware Verification

We automate synthesis of environment invariants for modular hardware verification in processors and application-specific accelerators, where functional equivalence is proved between a high-level specification and a low-level implementation. Invariants are generated and iteratively strengthened by reachability queries in a counterexample-guided abstraction refinement (CEGAR) loop. Within each iteration, we use a syntax-guided synthesis (SyGuS) technique for generating invariants, where we use novel grammars to capture high-level design insights and provide guidance in the search over candidate invariants. Our grammars explicitly capture the separation between control-related and data-related state variables in hardware designs to improve scalability of the enumerative search. We have implemented our SyGuS-based technique on top of an existing Constrained Horn Clause (CHC) solver and have developed a framework for hardware functional equivalence checking that can leverage other available tools and techniques for invariant generation. Our experiments show that our proposed SyGuS-based technique complements or outperforms existing property-directed reachability (PDR) techniques for invariant generation on practical hardware designs, including an AES block encryption accelerator, a Gaussian-Blur image processing accelerator and the PicoRV32 processor.