cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Office Evaluation for Post-prostatectomy Incontinence

The first step in the management of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) begins with a detailed history, including characteristics of the incontinence, patient expectations, as well as demographic variables such as the patient’s age [1]. This can help put the patient’s overall health status and long-term continence goals into context. The time since the radical prostatectomy should be ascertained as multiple studies have shown that it may take up to 1 year for most men to regain continence [2, 3]. As such, surgical therapy is typically deferred until after the first postoperative year for persistent urinary incontinence [4]. Recent evidence suggests that if patients have significant incontinence at 6 months, they are unlikely to recover, suggesting that surgical therapy may be considered as early as 6 months [5]. Preoperative factors such as obesity [6], preexisting incontinence, previous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and prior radiation therapy [7] have been shown to be risk factors for post-prostatectomy incontinence. Furthermore, surgical factors such as the approach to the radical prostatectomy, whether open, laparoscopic, or robotic [8–11], and nerve-sparing status [12–14] are also important to clarify. Oncologic status, including PSA value, can help inform the urologist about the timing to potential anti-incontinence surgery in the event the patient should require further treatment for locally recurrent or metastatic disease [1]. Prior history of pelvic radiation and surgery, including prostate and bladder procedures, should be well documented. Finally, all medications that can affect the urinary tract should be reviewed, especially alpha-adrenergic blockers, anticholinergic agents, and beta-3 agonists.
Performance, morphology and control of power-amplified mandibles in the trap-jaw ant Myrmoteras (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

National Science Foundation [DDIG DEB-1407279, IOS-1354191]; Smithsonian Institution (Peter Buck Fellowship); National Geographic Society [9481-14]; School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
A mesocosm investigation of the effects of quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) on Lake Michigan zooplankton assemblages

Abstract Dreissenid mussels are known to disrupt the base of the food web by filter feeding on phytoplankton; however, they may also directly ingest zooplankton thereby complicating their effects on plankton communities. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of quagga mussel feeding on the composition and size structure of Lake Michigan zooplankton assemblages. Two mesocosm (six 946 L tanks) experiments were conducted in summer 2013, using quagga mussels and zooplankton collected near Beaver Island, MI, to examine the response of zooplankton communities to the presence and absence of mussels (experiment 1) and varying mussel density (experiment 2). Mesocosms were sampled daily and zooplankton taxa were enumerated and sized using microscopy and FlowCAM® imaging. In experiment 1, the presence of quagga mussels had a rapid negative effect on veliger and copepod nauplii abundance, and a delayed negative effect on rotifer abundance. In experiment 2, mussel density had a negative effect on veliger, nauplii, and copepodite abundance within 24 h. Multivariate analyses revealed a change in zooplankton community composition with increasing mussel density. Ten zooplankton taxa decreased in abundance and frequency as quagga mussel density increased: except for the rotifer Trichocerca sp., treatments with higher mussel densities (i.e., 1327, 3585, and 5389 mussels/m 2 ) had the greatest negative effect on small-bodied zooplankton (≤ 128 μm). This study confirms results from small-scale (≤ 1 L) experiments and demonstrates that quagga mussels can alter zooplankton communities at mesoscales (~ 1000 L), possibly through a combination of direct consumption and resource depletion.
Truthful Computing in Wireless Networks

In this Chapter, we assume that all wireless nodes are possibly owned by individual users and the users are able to modify the algorithms deployed on them for the sake of their own interests. We also assume that each wireless node has a cost to forward the data for other nodes and a node will only relay the data if it got a payment to cover its relay cost. We studied how the source node can design a payment scheme to all relay nodes such that the relay nodes have to report its cost truthfully to maximize their profits both for the case of unicast and the case of multicast. We also discussed the selfishness of wireless nodes in other layers including MAC layer, TCP/IP layer, and application layer.
Analytical model of electro-hydrodynamic flow in corona discharge

We present an analytical model for electro-hydrodynamic flow that describes the relationship between the corona voltage, electric field, and ion charge density. The interaction between the accelerated ions and the neutral gas molecules is modeled as an external body force in the Navier-Stokes equation. The gas flow characteristics are solved from conservation principles with spectral methods. This multiphysics model is shown to match experimental data for a point-to-ring corona configuration, shedding new insights into mass, charge, and momentum transport phenomena, and can be readily implemented in any numerical simulation.
[Risk assessment for emergency events of infectious disease in outlying areas of large-scale activities].

Objective To identify and assess the potential public health risks of emergency events of infectious disease in the surrounding areas of Hangzhou during the 11th G20 summit, and to assess their impacts on the G20 summit. Methods The surrounding cities of Hangzhou included Ningbo, Wenzhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Shaoxing, Jinhua, Quzhou, Zhoushan, Taizhou and Lishui. Background information on infectious diseases in Zhejiang province was collected, and the brainstorming and expert consultation methods were used to identify the risks. The local risks and the impact of local risks on the G20 summit were assessed. Results The criteria for public health risk was first established. Through the assessments,a total of 27 kinds of infectious diseases in 4 types of public health risks were identified. The impact of these risks on Hangzhou G20 summit was divided into 1 item of high-risk, 12 items of medium risk and 14 items of low risk.According to the results of risk assessment, the recommendations for risk management of respiratory infectious diseases, intestinal infectious diseases, imported infectious diseases like Middle East respiratory syndrome and other infectious diseases were made. With risk management, Middle East respiratory syndrome was not occurred during the G20 summit, and the epidemic situation of other infectious diseases with middle or low risks was almost the same with that of past years. Conclusions sThe public health risks of Hangzhou G20 summit from sudden infectious diseases in outlying areas are mainly medium and low risks. The recommendations on risk management provide a basis for reducing the adverse consequences of public health risks in the event of an outbreak of infectious diseases, avoiding the impact of various risk factors in the outlying areas on G20 summit.
The Academic Chair: Achieving Success in a Rapidly Evolving Health-Care Environment: AOA Critical Issues

There is a growing consensus that an accomplished curriculum vitae and prior achievement as an academician may not correlate with success as a chairperson of a contemporary academic orthopaedic department. As surgeons, formal professional education, research expertise, and clinical experience often are inadequate to foster the necessary skills and experience in executive leadership, change management, business administration, and strategy. The recruiting and hiring processes to fill academic leadership roles have been slow to adapt and recognize the skills that are necessary to be a successful chairperson. Recent research has identified emotional competency, resiliency, leadership, communication, results orientation, and personnel development as skills that correlate with success in academic leadership. Formal courses and training in executive leadership and business management may be helpful in enhancing knowledge and skills in these disciplines.
Unintended consequences of a seasonal ban on fishing effort in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, India

Abstract Fisheries regulations can have a host of implications for both fishers and the fishery they aim to protect. Oftentimes there are unanticipated adaptations employed by resource users in the face of restrictions. Unintended consequences of fisheries regulations are examined through the case of an annual 45-day closed fishing season in India. Using a longitudinal study design over the course of three seasons: before, during and after the 2015 seasonal fishing ban, seasonal activities calendars and semi-structured interviews were employed to randomly selected participants (n = 171) within two fishing villages in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, India. Data suggests that some fishers shift their fishing effort to unrestricted gears during the ban and that post-ban race for fish is exemplified by all gear types, though an illegal, unregulated gear type, locally termed surukku valai exhibits the largest increase in effort. Lack of fishing-related employment options during the ban period leads to high levels of unemployment and food security concerns. Using data on average landings for each gear type, post-ban fish catch is estimated and impacts to local fish populations are projected.
US National and State-Level Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders and Disparities of Mental Health Care Use in Children

This analysis of 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health data estimates the national and state-level prevalence of treatable mental health disorders and mental health care use in US children.
Epidiolex as adjunct therapy for treatment of refractory epilepsy: a comprehensive review with a focus on adverse effects

Medically refractory epilepsy remains an area of intense clinical and scientific interest since a significant porportion of patients continue to suffer from debilitating seizures despite available therapies. In this setting, recent studies have focused on assessing the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD)-enriched cannabis, a plant based product without psychoactive properties which has been shown to decrease seizure frequency in animal models. More recently, several randomized controlled and open label trials have studied the effects of Epidiolex, a 99% pure oral CBD extract, on patients with refractory epilepsy. This in turn has led to the FDA approval of and more recently, to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s placement of Epidiolex into schedule V of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). In this review, we summarize the major findings of several recent large-scale studies using this product with a focus on its adverse effects.
Videos don't lie: African Americans' support for body-worn cameras

In light of growing concern regarding the policing of inner-city communities—including questionable incidents of use of force—equipping officers with body-worn cameras (BWCs) has emerged as a salie...
Heterotopic gastric mucosa leading to chronic jejunal obstruction

Abstract Heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) has histologic features of gastric mucosa located outside of the stomach. The congenital form is a rare clinical entity that can present with GI bleeding, intussusception from a polypoid mass or intermittent obstruction. Ultrasound and upper GI series are typically used for diagnosis. We report a case of a young male with heterotopic gastric tissue presenting as numerous polyps causing intestinal obstruction.
Efficacy of Empiric Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Neonates and Young Infants

Background. The antibiotic resistance patterns of young infants with urinary tract infections (UTIs) have evolved over the past 2 decades. Whether current empiric antibiotic regimens are sufficient...
A -106dBm 33nW Bit-Level Duty-Cycled Tuned RF Wake-up Receiver

This work presents a 33 nW wake-up receiver with -106 dBm sensitivity at 428 MHz. Within-bit duty cycling allows RF gain at nano-watt DC power levels providing 26 dB sensitivity improvement over prior art at iso-power. An RF MEMS filter and an automatic gain and offset control loop suppress noise and reject interference. The receiver can be digitally tuned across DC power, latency, and sensitivity to provide flexible functionality from indoor short range to outdoor long-range applications.
Creating drawings enhances learning by teaching.

This study tested whether creating drawings helps students generate higher-quality oral explanations during learning by teaching, thereby enhancing learning outcomes. 120 college students studied a scientific text about the human respiratory system. Students then either taught the material on video to a fictitious peer by orally explaining (explain-only), creating drawings (draw-only), or creating drawings while orally explaining (explain-and-draw). A control group of students spent the same amount of time restudying the lesson (restudy). One week later all students completed a posttest consisting of retention, transfer, and drawing questions. All three teaching conditions significantly outperformed the restudy condition on the posttest (d′s ranging from .80 to 1.46). Critically, the explain-and-draw group also significantly outperformed the explain-only (d = .99) and the draw-only (d = .65) groups. Consistent with our primary hypotheses, the explain-and-draw group produced more elaborative oral explanations than the explain-only group, which partially explained the benefits of drawing while explaining on learning outcomes. Overall, this study demonstrates that drawing facilitates explaining and enhances the effectiveness of learning by teaching. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Practical Considerations for APOL1 Genotyping in the Living Kidney Donor Evaluation.

Background.Association between the apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) and nephropathy has altered the epidemiology of chronic kidney disease. In addition, donor APOL1 genotypes play important roles in the time to allograft failure in kidneys transplanted from deceased donors and the safety of living kid
Adaptive control of coupled dynamical systems: a mixed state and output feedback framework

This paper studies a class of coupled dynamical systems consisting of an actuated dynamical system interconnected with an unactuated dynamical system. The actuated dynamical system is considered to...
Community interventions for families with children with intellectual or developmental disabilities: a systematic review

Date Presented 04/06/19 A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of public space interventions promoting community engagement for families with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Findings suggest a dearth of research and limited evidence supporting current effectiveness. Further research and collaboration among OTs, stakeholders, and public institutions are needed to increase opportunities for families' meaningful participation in the community. Primary Author and Speaker: Holly Romaniak Additional Authors and Speakers: Elisabeth Hladik, Karla Ausderau
The impacts of increasing temperature and moderate hypoxia on the production characteristics, cardiac morphology and haematology of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

Abstract Given the predicted effects of climate change on seawater temperatures and water oxygen levels (i.e., the frequency and severity of hypoxia), it is important to understand the impact of these two environmental challenges on salmon used in the Atlantic Canada aquaculture industry (i.e., of Saint John River origin). Thus, we exposed salmon to: 1) control conditions (12 °C, 100% air sat.); 2) an incremental temperature increase (1 °C per week from 12 °C to 20 °C) and then held the fish at 20 °C for an additional 3 weeks (Experiment #1); and 3) an incremental increase in temperature until mortalities reached ~ 30% (Experiment #2). Further, we conducted the two temperature challenges under both normoxic and moderately hypoxic (~ 70% air sat.) conditions. Our experiments show that these salmon can be held at temperatures up to 20 °C, and 20 °C plus moderate hypoxia, for periods of up to a month without any mortalities. However, exposure to the incremental temperature regime resulted in a ~ 10% increase in feed conversion ratio, and the addition of hypoxia decreased feed intake, and thus, growth (15–20% depending on metric). In Experiment #2, specific growth rate and feed intake dropped dramatically after 19 - 20 °C, and mortalities were ~ 15% at 22 °C and ~ 30% by 23 °C. Interestingly, hypoxia did not affect survival at these temperatures, and high temperature + hypoxia enhanced blood oxygen carrying capacity (by 15%) whereas high temperature alone increased relative ventricular mass (by 21%). This research suggests that further increases (i.e., beyond 18 - 20 °C) in coastal temperatures in Atlantic Canada may negatively impact salmon production, especially if combined with hypoxia. In addition, it highlights the need for a better understanding of how these two environmental stressors interact to affect salmon biology/physiology (especially as increases in sea-cage water temperatures are incremental world-wide, and poorly investigated).
Virtual Ophthalmology: Telemedicine in a COVID-19 Era.

Purpose To discuss the effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 betacoronavirus on ambulatory ophthalmology practices, the value proposition of telemedicine, teleophthalmology implementation methodologies, and the accelerated future of telemedicine. Design Review of the current telehealth landscape including usage, policies, and techniques for ambulatory practice integration. Methods We provide author-initiated review of recent trends in telehealth, governmental recommendations for health care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a PubMed Central query for telemedicine in ophthalmology or teleophthalmology. In addition, the authors' comprehensive experience in telemedicine design and implementation is provided. Results We provide a summary describing the present state of telehealth, teleophthalmology modeling, care delivery, and the proposed impact of telehealth surges on the future of ophthalmology practice. Conclusion Recent patient and provider interest in telemedicine, the relaxation of regulatory restrictions, increased remote care reimbursement, and ongoing social distancing practices compel many ophthalmologists to consider virtualizing services.
Boarding is Associated with Reduced Emergency Department Efficiency that is not Mitigated by a Provider in Triage.

Author(s): Napoli, Anthony; Ali, Shihab; Lawrence, Alexis; Baird, Janette | Abstract: Introduction: Boarding of patients in the emergency department (ED) is associated with decreased ED efficiency. The provider-in-triage (PIT) model has been shown to improve ED throughput, but it is unclear how these improvements are affected by boarding. We sought to assess the effects of boarding on ED throughput and whether implementation of a PIT model mitigated those effects.Methods: We performed a multi-site retrospective review of 955 days of ED operations data at a tertiary care academic ED (AED) and a high-volume community ED (CED) before and after implementation of PIT. Key outcome variables were door to provider time (D2P), total length of stay of discharged patients (LOSD), and boarding time (admit request to ED departure [A2D]).Results: Implementation of PIT was associated with a decrease in median D2P by 22 minutes or 43% at the AED (p l 0.01), and 18 minutes (31%) at the CED (p l 0.01). LOSD also decreased by 19 minutes (5.9%) at the AED and 8 minutes (3.3%) at the CED (pl0.01). After adjusting for variations in daily census, the effect of boarding (A2D) on D2P and LOSD was unchanged, despite the implementation of PIT. At the AED, 7.7 minutes of boarding increased median D2P by one additional minute (p l 0.01), and every four minutes of boarding increased median LOSD by one minute (p l 0.01). At the CED, 7.1 minutes of boarding added one additional minute to D2P (p l 0.01), and 4.8 minutes of boarding added one minute to median LOSD (p l 0.01).Conclusion: In this retrospective, observational multicenter study, ED operational efficiency was improved with the implementation of a PIT model but worsened with boarding. The PIT model was unable to mitigate any of the effects of boarding. This suggests that PIT is associated with increased efficiency of ED intake and throughput, but boarding continues to have the same effect on ED efficiency regardless of upstream efficiency measures that may be designed to minimize its impact.
Déforestation et dénaturalisation des pygmées Baka au Cameroun

This paper examines the dialectic between the deforestation in Cameroon and the denaturalization of the pygmies Baka through a discourse analysis of the song « Je suis pygmee » (I am pygmy) from the author and compositor Donny Elwood (1996). Indeed, the excessive deforestation of the Cameroonian equatorial forest has severe impact on the life and survival of this nomadic people, formerly living by picking and hunting in communion with the nature. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the cry of distress which structures this song. This cry also echoes the cry of the pygmies, powerless with this massive destruction of their nature. From their carefree and peaceful living conditions to the devastation of their forest, this paper aims to see how the process of deforestation affects and denaturalizes this people.
Diesel Generator Model Parameterization for Microgrid Simulation Using Hybrid Box-Constrained Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm

Existing generator parameterization methods, typically developed for large turbine generator units, are difficult to apply to small kW-level diesel generators in microgrid applications. This article presents a model parameterization method that estimates a complete set of kW-level diesel generator parameters simultaneously using only load-step-change tests with limited measurement points. This method provides a more cost-efficient and robust approach to achieve high-fidelity modeling of diesel generators for microgrid dynamic simulation. A two-stage hybrid box-constrained Levenberg-Marquardt (H-BCLM) algorithm is developed to search the optimal parameter set given the parameter bounds. A heuristic algorithm, namely Generalized Opposition-based Learning Genetic Algorithm (GOL-GA), is applied to identify proper initial estimates at the first stage, followed by a modified Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm designed to fine tune the solution based on the first-stage result. The proposed method is validated against dynamic simulation of a diesel generator model and field measurements from a 16kW diesel generator unit.
A molecular, elemental, and multiphase kinetic model for the hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae

Abstract This work presents a molecular, elemental, and multiphase kinetic model for the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of microalgae that leverages previously published experimental data. We propose a reaction network comprising 16 reaction pathways based on known classes of reactions that occur during HTL, including hydrolysis, repolymerization, cyclodehydration, retro-aldol condensation, Maillard reactions, deamination, and decarboxylation. We utilize these pathways with 22 unique lumped-product components to construct a system of coupled, first-order ordinary differential equations governing the rate of evolution of the carbon, nitrogen, and mass yields of each component. We evaluate the accuracy of model solutions over the entire range of experimental conditions, including over specific subsets therein, highlighting their relative strengths and areas to expand upon for future iterations. The model describes many empirical trends that were documented previously, including the effects of slurry concentration and Maillard reactions, which until now have never been modeled for this system. The model captures the biocrude and ammonia quantities most accurately, substantiating the utility of the model for optimizing important HTL process metrics, such as biocrude C recovery and aqueous ammonium recovery, that could help enhance overall process sustainability and energy return on investment.
Gender Politics and the Pursuit of Competitiveness in Malaysia. Women on Board: Juanita Elias (London: Routledge, 2020)

In this book, Juanita Elias looks at how agendas for gender equality intersect with policy-making towards the pursuit of national economic competitiveness in contemporary Malaysia. The book explore...
Sports team participation and pressures on academic achievement of African American high school students

The study aimed at whether sports participation and demographic characteristics influence academic performance and how sports participation and students’ and parental pressure to academic achievement influence academic performance among African American high school students. The results revealed two-thirds of students participated in sports team programs and the interaction effect of sports team participation and parental pressure in combination influenced high school students’ academic performance in the collected sample. The finding suggests administrators, coaches, and teachers can recognize the relationships and can apply appropriate programs to support students. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for future work on establishing a better way to balance sports participation and academic achievement by controlling the pressure students place on themselves and receive from their parents.
European Health Union as a Direction for Further Deepening of EU Integration

Розглядається Європейський союз охорони здоров’я як напрям подальшого поглиблення інтеграції ЄС. Пандемія COVID-19 виявила структурні слабкості та неспроможності ринку належним чином реагувати, щоб захистити громадян ЄС від криз у сфері охорони здоров’я і в такий спосіб продемонструвала необхідність та важливість скоординованих дій на рівні ЄС. В ЄС дійшли висновку, що для ефективної протидії транскордонній загрозі здоров’ю європейські органи охорони здоров’я мають злагоджено працювати разом, об’єднати свої ресурси та досвід, а також діяти в тісній координації з економічними органами. З огляду на це Голова Європейської Комісії як єдино правильний політичний та управлінський крок запропонувала створити Європейський союз охорони здоров’я. У повідомленні Європейської Комісії, яке окреслює напрями та практичні кроки розбудови Європейського союзу охорони здоров’я, викладені додаткові дії, які необхідно вжити в найближчому майбутньому на європейському і національному рівнях, щоб підвищити стійкість ЄС до всіх транскордонних загроз здоров’ю та забезпечити всіх європейських громадян високим рівнем охорони здоров’я. Європейський союз охорони здоров’я слід розглядати в контексті існуючих комплексних європейських стратегій врядування, таких як, наприклад, Європейський енергетичний союз та Європейський зелений курс, прийнятих для подолання проблем фрагментації управління та неадекватності розрізнених дій у сфері публічної політики у відповідь на наскрізні транскордонні виклики.
Adaptive local kernels formulation of mutual information with application to active post-seismic building damage inference

Abstract The abundance of training data is not guaranteed in various supervised learning applications. One of these situations is the post-earthquake regional damage assessment of buildings. Querying the damage label of each building requires a thorough inspection by experts, and thus, is an expensive task. A practical approach is to sample the most informative buildings in a sequential learning scheme. Active learning methods recommend the most informative cases that are able to maximally reduce the generalization error. The information-theoretic measure of mutual information (MI), which maximizes the expected information gain over the input domain, can be used for informative sampling of a dataset in a pool-based scenario. However, the computational complexity of the standard MI algorithm prevents the utilization of this method on large datasets. A local kernels strategy was proposed to reduce the computational costs, but the adaptability of the kernels to the observed labels was not considered in the original formulation of this strategy. In this article, an adaptive local kernels methodology is developed that enables the conformability of the kernels to the observed output data while enhancing the computational complexity of the standard MI algorithm. The proposed algorithm is developed to work with a Gaussian process regression (GPR) method, where the kernel hyperparameters are updated after each label query using maximum likelihood estimation. In the sequential learning procedure, the updated hyperparameters can be used in the MI kernel matrices to improve the sample suggestion performance. The advantages of the proposed method are demonstrated in a simulation of the 2018 Anchorage, AK, earthquake. It is shown that while the proposed algorithm enables GPR to reach acceptable performance using fewer training data, the computational demand remains lower than the standard local kernels strategy.
Designing hierarchical networks to improve patient access to care: a case study in veteran eye care:

Across the United States, many patients, including veteran patients, face barriers in accessing appropriate, timely, and affordable healthcare. When developing or modifying healthcare systems to im...
Racoon: Rapid Contact Tracing of Moving Objects Using Smart Indexes

The affordable mobile sensing technologies and the rise of spatio-temporal applications granted trajectory data and data streaming high importance. This led to the need for efficient data stream and trajectory—both historical and real-time—data processing. Tremendous effort has been put in this context, especially, optimizing index structures for certain crucial operations, such as trajectory join and trajectory similarity, which are used widely in many monitoring and analytic applications. In this paper, we propose an access structure that optimizes trajectory joins for contact tracing and avoidance applications. Our prelim evaluation shows that our proposed spatio-temporal index potentially can enhance the performance of contact tracing applications that require trajectory join operations.
Dissection of the impact of prioritized QTL-linked and -unlinked SNP markers on the accuracy of genomic selection1.

Background Use of genomic information has resulted in an undeniable improvement in prediction accuracies and an increase in genetic gain in animal and plant genetic selection programs in spite of oversimplified assumptions about the true biological processes. Even for complex traits, a large portion of markers do not segregate with or effectively track genomic regions contributing to trait variation; yet it is not clear how genomic prediction accuracies are impacted by such potentially nonrelevant markers. In this study, a simulation was carried out to evaluate genomic predictions in the presence of markers unlinked with trait-relevant QTL. Further, we compared the ability of the population statistic FST and absolute estimated marker effect as preselection statistics to discriminate between linked and unlinked markers and the corresponding impact on accuracy. Results We found that the accuracy of genomic predictions decreased as the proportion of unlinked markers used to calculate the genomic relationships increased. Using all, only linked, and only unlinked marker sets yielded prediction accuracies of 0.62, 0.89, and 0.22, respectively. Furthermore, it was found that prediction accuracies are severely impacted by unlinked markers with large spurious associations. FST-preselected marker sets of 10 k and larger yielded accuracies 8.97 to 17.91% higher than those achieved using preselection by absolute estimated marker effects, despite selecting 5.1 to 37.7% more unlinked markers and explaining 2.4 to 5.0% less of the genetic variance. This was attributed to false positives selected by absolute estimated marker effects having a larger spurious association with the trait of interest and more negative impact on predictions. The Pearson correlation between FST scores and absolute estimated marker effects was 0.77 and 0.27 among only linked and only unlinked markers, respectively. The sensitivity of FST scores to detect truly linked markers is comparable to absolute estimated marker effects but the consistency between the two statistics regarding false positives is weak. Conclusion Identification and exclusion of markers that have little to no relevance to the trait of interest may significantly increase genomic prediction accuracies. The population statistic FST presents an efficient and effective tool for preselection of trait-relevant markers.
Festigkeit gekerbter Laminate

Experimente haben gezeigt, das die Festigkeit von Verbundlaminaten mit Lochern oder Kerben signifikant reduziert sind. Wegen des komplexen Bruchprozesses gekerbter Laminate sind die entwickelten Methoden zur Festigkeitsvorhersage halbempirisch. In diesem Kapitel wird ein von Pipes et al. [PIP 79] entwickeltes Festigkeitsmodell wiedergegeben. Dieses Modell ist im wesentlichen eine Weiterentwicklung des von Whitney und Nuismer [WHI 74] entwickelten „Point Stress Criterion“ (PSC, Punktspannungskriterium). Wie in Kap. 2.4 diskutiert, ist ein in durchbohrten Laminatverbunden beobachtetes Ergebnis, das grosere Locher zu groseren Festigkeitsverlusten fuhren als kleine Locher, auch wenn der Spannungskonzentrationsfaktor unabhangig von der Lochgrose ist. Fig. 12.1 zeigt nocheinmal (Kap. 2) die Normalspannungsverteilung vor dem Lochrand fur isotrope Platten. Das Gebiet mit hohen Spannungen ist fur Platten mit kleineren Lochern mehr lokalisiert, was zu einer groseren Moglichkeit der Spannungsumverteilung fuhrt.
Comparison of methods for using reduced models to speed up design optimization

In this paper we compare two methods for forming reduced models to speed up genetic-algorithm-based optimization. The methods work by forming functional approximations of the fitness function which are used to speed up the GA optimization. One method speeds up the optimization by making the genetic operators more informed. The other method speeds up the optimization by genetically engineering some individuals instead of using the regular Darwinian evolution approach. Empirical results in several engineering design domains are presented.
Awakening the Analogue Computer: Rubel's Extended Analog Computer Workshop

Shannon's General Purpose Analog Computer (GPAC) was unable to directly solve many problems that Lee A. Rubel believed were critical to implement the functions of the human brain. In response Rubel defined the Extended Analog Computer (EAC) in 1993, which was able to directly compute partial differential equations, solve the inverse of functions and implement spatial continuity, among other operations.
Biological markers of lung injury before and after the institution of positive pressure ventilation in patients with acute lung injury

Several biological markers of lung injury are predictors of morbidity and mortality in patients with acute lung injury (ALI). The low tidal volume lung-protective ventilation strategy is associated with a significant decrease in plasma biomarker levels compared to the high tidal volume ventilation strategy. The primary objective of this study was to test whether the institution of lung-protective positive pressure ventilation in spontaneously ventilating patients with ALI exacerbates pre-existing lung injury by using measurements of biomarkers of lung injury before and after intubation. A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care university hospital. Twenty-five intubated, mechanically ventilated patients with ALI were enrolled. Physiologic data and serum samples were collected within 6 hours before intubation and at two different time points within the first 24 hours after intubation to measure the concentration of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and von Willebrand factor (vWF). The differences in biomarker levels before and after intubation were analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance and a paired t test with correction for multiple comparisons. Before endotracheal intubation, all of the biological markers (IL-8, IL-6, ICAM-1, and vWF) were elevated in the spontaneously breathing patients with ALI. After intubation and the institution of positive pressure ventilation (tidal volume 7 to 8 ml/kg per ideal body weight), none of the biological markers was significantly increased at either an early (3 ± 2 hours) or later (21 ± 5 hours) time point. However, the levels of IL-8 were significantly decreased at the later time point (21 ± 5 hours) after intubation. During the 24-hour period after intubation, the PaO2/FiO2 (partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of the inspired oxygen) ratio significantly increased and the plateau airway pressure significantly decreased. Levels of IL-8, IL-6, vWF, and ICAM-1 are elevated in spontaneously ventilating patients with ALI prior to endotracheal intubation. The institution of a lung-protective ventilation strategy with positive pressure ventilation does not further increase the levels of biological markers of lung injury. The results suggest that the institution of a lung-protective positive pressure ventilation strategy does not worsen the pre-existing lung injury in most patients with ALI.
Professional Ethics Code Conflict Situations: Ethical and Value Orientation of Collegiate Accounting Students

Public accounting in the United States is generally guided by the Code of Professional Conduct of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It has been suggested that education in understanding and accepting their ethical code would increase accountants’ adherence and ethicality.
Regulatory Cooperation and Competition - the Search for Virtue

This article argues that proponents of international regulatory cooperation need to confront the welfare losses that might occur due to missed opportunities for cooperative regulatory competition. Cooperative regulatory competition takes places when jurisdictions agree to honor formal and manipulable choice-of-law rules, such as contractual choice, the place-of-incorporation rule, and the territoriality principle, that enable persons engaged in international business to pick regulatory systems that will govern their transactions. I review current opportunities for this kind of competition with respect to securities regulation, bankruptcy, intellectual property, and antitrust. I then discuss the substantive case for maintaining or expanding these opportunities in light of potential benefits from "races to the top." I base my argument partly on new research by cognitive psychologists on "fast and frugal heuristics." This research undermines arguments against respecting individual choices that have dominated much of the discussion about regulation in the legal academic literature over the last fifteen years.
Redox signaling in inflammation: interactions of endogenous electrophiles and mitochondria in cardiovascular disease

Reactive species derived from oxygen and nitric oxide are produced during inflammation and promote oxidation and nitration of biomolecules, including unsaturated fatty acids. Among the products of these reactions are α,β-unsaturated carbonyl and nitro derivatives of fatty acids, electrophilic species whose reactivity with nucleophilic amino acids provides a means of posttranslational protein modification and signaling. These electrophilic fatty acids activate cytosolic and nuclear stress–response pathways (through Nrf2/Keap1 and PPARγ, for example). There is also growing evidence that mitochondria generate electrophilic species. This appreciation, when combined with the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in conditions where exogenously delivered electrophiles exhibit therapeutic benefit, suggests that mitochondrial electrophile targets are also important in the resolution and prevention of inflammatory injury. Cardioprotective signaling pathways in particular appear to converge on mitochondria, with nitro-fatty acids recently shown to protect against cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury in a murine model. Although numerous mitochondrial proteins are subject to modification by electrophiles, defining the targets most relevant to cytoprotection during inflammatory stress remains a clinically relevant goal.
The central organization of the vagus nerve innervating the colon of the rat

Abstract Background: The extent to which the vagus nerve innervates the colon remains controversial. Methods: In 29 rats the tracer cholera toxin-horseradish peroxidase was injected into the cecum, the ascending, transverse, or descending colon or the rectum. For comparison, control injections were made into the stomach. Results: For all areas of colon except the rectum, brainstem motoneuronal labeling was limited to the lateral third of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve bilaterally. In contrast, gastric injections resulted in motoneuronal labeling limited to the medial portions of the nucleus. The number of labeled motoneurons was greatest following injection of the cecum, and it significantly decreased for the more distal areas of the colon. Colonic motoneuron dendrites projected into the nucleus of the solitary tract and within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. Sensory afferent terminal labeling was limited to the commissural and medial subnuclei of the nucleus of the solitary tract. For the rectum, sensory and motor labeling was limited to the spinal cord. Conclusions: The distribution of labeling within the vagal complex indicates that all regions of the colon, except the rectum, are innervated by the celiac and accessory celiac branches of the vagus nerve.
Total lipids and the lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio of amniotic fluid: An antenatal test of lung immaturity?

Abstract The total lipid concentration and the lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio (L/S) were measured in the amniotic fluid from human gestations within 24 hours of delivery. The data show that the L/S determined by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography and the concentration of total lipids are each reliable indicators of gestational age but not of lung immaturity.
Behavior of Herbicides in Plants

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the metabolism and fate of herbicides in higher plants. It discusses (1) the role of metabolism in herbicide selectivity; (2) the need for additional information on the identification and significance of many soluble and insoluble polar metabolites and residues in plants; and (3) the need for basic biochemical studies on plant enzyme systems responsible for pesticide metabolism. Benzoic acid and its substituted analogs constitute a heterogeneous group of compounds that are used principally as phytocidal agents. Methoxy and cyano derivatives, such as dicamba and dichlobenil, represent other examples of benzoic acid derivatives that find important herbicidal use. The substituted dinitroanilines represent a relatively new class of selective herbicides. The discovery of the superior herbicidal activity of 2,6-dinitroanilines, with a dialkyl-substituted amino group and a substituent group in the 4-position of the ring, has resulted in the development of several new and important herbicides. Other herbicides discussed in the chapter include triazines, heterocyclics, diphenylethers, substituted ureas, carbamates, and anilides.
Accuracy in Social Perception: Criticisms, Controversies, Criteria, Components, and Cognitive Processes

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the major controversies surrounding accuracy research and resolves those controversies, shows the resolution of these controversies by researchers studying accuracy, and shows the resolution of identical issues in other areas of psychology. It defines social perceptual accuracy as correspondence between perceivers' beliefs about one or more target people and what those target people are actually like, independent of those same perceivers' influence on them. The chapter documents many of the conceptual, methodological, and statistical advances in the psychological study of social perceptual accuracy, with a particular focus on addressing many of the criticisms of accuracy research that have been raised over the last 50 years. Identifying criteria for establishing accuracy is also explored. Furthermore, several major approaches to the assessment of accuracy and processes leading to accurate and inaccurate social judgments are reviewed. It describes componential and non-componential approaches for the study of accuracy. It is concluded that both componential and non-componential approaches have made major and significant contributions to understanding social perception and accuracy.
Why Bother Asking? The Limited Value of Self-Reported Vote Intention

How accurate are people when predicting whether they will vote? These self-predictions are used by political scientists to proxy for political motivation, and by public opinion researcher to predict election outcomes. Phone surveys from three elections, including one survey experiment, are analyzed to compare respondents’ pre-election vote intention with their actual voting behavior using administrative records (N=29,403). Unsurprisingly, many who predict that they will vote actually do not vote. More surprisingly, many who predict that they will not vote actually do vote (29% to 56%). Records of past voting behavior predicts turnout substantially better than self-prediction. Self-prediction inaccuracy is not caused by lack of cognitive salience of past voting, or by inability to recall past voting. Moreover, self-reported recall of turnout in one past election predicts future turnout just as well as self-prediction. We discuss implications for political science research, behavioral prediction, election administration policy, and public opinion.
IT APPLICATIONS IN SUPPLY CHAIN ORGANIZATIONS: A LINK BETWEEN COMPETITIVE PRIORITIES AND ORGANIZATIONAL BENEFITS

This study profiles organizational differences between firms based upon their level of information technology (IT) use. The three key dimensions examined are: (1) organizational competitive priorities; (2) choice of specific IT applications; and (3) performance measures achieved. A mail survey to manufacturing, retailing, warehouse and distribution and transportation firms was used for data collection. The survey contained questions about general company information, the nature of the strategic planning process, focus on competitive priorities, the degree of IT usage, reliance on specific IT applications and achievements on specific performance measures. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) Firms with a high level of IT use focus on a different set of competitive priorities than firms with low or medium IT use; (2) High IT firms have significantly higher usage of specific information technologies compared to low or medium IT firms; and (3) Firms with high IT usage have significantly higher performance compared to firms with low or medium IT usage. Findings indicate that high IT firms compete on flexibility and place a greater emphasis on supply chain management in the strategic planning process. The level of IT usage also appears related to aggregate company performance with a higher percentage of high IT firms reporting substantial growth in market share over the past five years than low and medium IT firms.