cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational assessment of the seismic behavior of steel stairs

Abstract Stairs are an essential nonstructural system within buildings, providing egress to occupants as well as much needed access for emergency responders following an extreme event, such as an earthquake. Unfortunately, past earthquakes continue to reveal that these displacement-sensitive systems are highly vulnerable to damage and collapse. In this paper, high fidelity finite element models are developed and exercised in an effort to advance understanding of the seismic behavior of steel stairs under pseudo-static displacement loading indicative of earthquake-induced building movements. The proposed modeling approach is first validated through comparison with a set of experimental data and subsequently extended into a parametric study to broaden the range of stair configurations and details. In particular, the effect of story height, connection and landing details, and geometry on the behavior of the system is studied. Parametric analysis results indicate that the static force and displacement response of the stairs are sensitive to these key design parameters. Importantly, stair-to-buidling connections are subjected to large stress and strain demands under lateral displacement loading, as such their capability to maintain connectivity during an earthquake is crucial for robust seismic performance and hence continued functionality of the stair as a system.
Children's Speech Perception in Noise: Evidence for Dissociation From Language and Working Memory.

Purpose We examined the association between speech perception in noise (SPIN), language abilities, and working memory (WM) capacity in school-age children. Existing studies supporting the Ease of L...
Assessment of human driver safety at Dilemma Zones with automated vehicles through a virtual reality environment

Ensuring the safety of mixed traffic environments, in which human drivers interact with autonomous vehicles, is an impending challenge. A virtual traffic environment provides a risk-free opportunity to let human drivers interact with autonomous vehicles, indicating how variability in traffic environments and human responses compromises safety. Analyzing the section of road preceding an intersection known as the Dilemma Zone helps identify risks, as the Dilemma Zone involves significant uncertainty in human response (ranging from 10% to 90% proceeding through the intersection versus stopping). The goal of this study is to discover vulnerabilities at the Dilemma Zone by implementing a virtual traffic environment, in which a human driver and autonomous vehicles share the road. The scenario of interest evaluates risks of rear-end collisions at the Dilemma Zone involving a human-driven vehicle following an autonomous vehicle. The virtual traffic environment was constructed in the Unity 3D platform and displayed through a Virtual Reality headset. The team tracked vehicle dynamics and physiological responses. Participants, recruited at the University of Virginia, were given pre- and post-experiment surveys, which collected information regarding driving experience and sentiment towards autonomous vehicles before and after driving in the virtual traffic environment. This study's results demonstrated the use of virtual reality to expose human drivers to autonomous vehicles in low-risk situations. Rear-end collisions displayed improper manual driving behaviors, validating the Dilemma Zone's risk. Decreasing comfort levels surrounding autonomous vehicles corresponded with increased following distances in the simulation. Conclusions revealed that incorporating autonomous vehicles onto roads with human drivers does not completely eliminate collisions, and that human-oriented factors are impediments to implementation. Developers should incorporate accurate autonomous vehicle algorithms into virtual reality to advance the technology.
Prolonged cholestasis due to trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole

Drug-induced liver injury due to trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole is rare and classified as an unpredictable or idiosyncratic type of hepatotoxic reaction. Early reports suggested that the pattern of liver injury in the majority of cases is mixed hepatocellular-cholestatic. The current report describes two cases of severe, prolonged cholestasis after treatment with trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole; intractable pruritus and abnormal liver test results lasted for 1-2 years after discontinuation of the drug. Liver biopsy specimens showed a cholestatic pattern of liver injury and only minimal hepatocellular necrosis or inflammation. Recent case reports suggest that cholestasis alone may occur after the use of trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole; these two additional cases show that cholestasis may be quite prolonged.
The Role of the Teaching and Learning Center in Promoting Transformative Learning at a Metropolitan University

With many potential community partners and a diverse student population, the metropolitan university has many opportunities to operationalize transformative learning, which involves a dramatic shift in one’s assumptions that has a lasting change on their perspectives. The challenge of identifying transformative learning initiatives and making these initiatives take hold across a campus requires administrative direction and faculty buy-in. A teaching and learning center (TLC) can guide and sustain such transformation by providing the pedagogical expertise to identify and evaluate transformative learning initiatives, offering a collaborative forum for implementing these initiatives, and serving as an embedded structure to protect initiatives over time. The literature on organizational change in higher education and transformative learning has not yet explored the role TLCs can have in these areas. This article offers a narrative of how a TLC promoted transformative learning through two initiatives: creating a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) initiative to had better include diverse learners, and increasing community engagement through collaborative interactions with the university’s new Experiential Learning Center. This manuscript offers guidelines on leading, directly and collaboratively, such initiatives in a sustainable way, to assist other TLCs in meeting similar goals at their own metropolitan institutions.
Variability in speaking rate of native and non-native speakers

The bulk of the work on non-native speech has focused on average differences between L1 and L2 speakers. However there is growing evidence that variability also plays an important role in distinguishing L1 from L2 speech. While some studies have demonstrated greater variability for non-native than native speech (e.g., Baese-Berk & Morrill, 2015; Wade et al., 2007), others have demonstrated that under some circumstances non-native speech maybe lessvariable and that variability in non-native speech may shift as a function of many factors, including task (Baese-Berk & Morrill, to appear; Baese-Berk, Morrill, & Bradlow, 2016) and L1-L2 pairing (Vaughn, Baese-Berk, & Idemaru, to appear). In this study, we ask how variability manifests in L1 and L2 speech by speakers from a variety of language backgrounds. Specifically, we ask whether a speaker whose L1 speaking rate is highly variable is also highly variable in their L2. We also ask whether variability in speaking rate in L1 or L2 differs as a function of task (e.g., read vs. spontaneous speech) and complexity of the task (e.g., more or less complicated reading passages). The results of this study will inform our understanding of the myriad complex factors that influence non-native speech. The bulk of the work on non-native speech has focused on average differences between L1 and L2 speakers. However there is growing evidence that variability also plays an important role in distinguishing L1 from L2 speech. While some studies have demonstrated greater variability for non-native than native speech (e.g., Baese-Berk & Morrill, 2015; Wade et al., 2007), others have demonstrated that under some circumstances non-native speech maybe lessvariable and that variability in non-native speech may shift as a function of many factors, including task (Baese-Berk & Morrill, to appear; Baese-Berk, Morrill, & Bradlow, 2016) and L1-L2 pairing (Vaughn, Baese-Berk, & Idemaru, to appear). In this study, we ask how variability manifests in L1 and L2 speech by speakers from a variety of language backgrounds. Specifically, we ask whether a speaker whose L1 speaking rate is highly variable is also highly variable in their L2. We also ask whether variability in speaking rate in L1 or L2 differs as a function of tas...
Three-Dimensional Wedge Simulation Of An Ionization Wave In Nitrogen/Helium Gas

Three-dimensional simulations of pulsed plasma formation in non-equilibrium conditions still represents a significant challenge even for modern supercomputers. The high-resolution time and length scales required to accurately simulate near-atmospheric pressure ionization waves or streamers are on the order of femtosecond and tens of nanometers, respectively. To alleviate some of the most demanding computational requirements, only a 10 degree wedge of a needleplane gap with a 250 micron gap distance is simulated. Regardless, this results in nearly 200 million mesh elements while simultaneously tracking hundreds of millions of computational particles. Simulation time is on the order of many days on 5000 processing cores executed on the Sky Bridge supercomputer at Sandia National Laboratories.
Measurement of resident fatigue using rapid number naming.

Abstract Objective Sleep deprivation has a negative effect on neurocognitive performance. The King-Devick test (KDT), which tests speed and accuracy of number-reading, requires integrity of saccades, visual processing, and cognition. This study investigated effects of sleep deprivation in on-call residents using KDT. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted among 80 residents. KDT was performed at the beginning and end of an overnight call shift for the residents in the experimental group. A control group was tested at the beginning of 2 consecutive day shifts. Estimates of hours of sleep, Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS)(1 = extremely alert, 9 = extremely sleepy), and time and accuracy of KDT were recorded. Results 42 residents were tested before and after overnight call shifts and 38 served as controls. Change in test time differed between the groups, with the experimental group performing 0.54(SD = 4.0) seconds slower after their night on call and the control group performing 2.32(SD = 3.0) seconds faster on the second day, p Conclusions Sleep deprivation was inversely correlated with neurocognitive performance as measured by KDT, with more effect on surgical than medical residents. Further research could investigate whether this test could help determine fatigue level and ability to continue working after a long shift.
Surgical Management of Breast Cancer in 2010–2011 SEER Registries by Hormone and HER2 Receptor Status

Although locoregional recurrence is known to affect overall survival for operable breast cancer, the impact of receptor status on locoregional control is debated. Currently, hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status are generally not considered relevant to surgical choice. This study examines recent population-level surgical trends with regard to receptor status. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data to identify stage I–III female breast cancers diagnosed from 2010 to 2011. Patients were categorized by HR and HER2 receptor status. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess factors associated with undergoing mastectomy and the choice of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). The overall mastectomy rate for the 87,504 women diagnosed in 2010–2011 was 43.4 %. On multivariate analysis, the odds of receiving mastectomy was greater for HER2-positive disease with either HR-negative or HR-positive status, than for women with HER2-negative/HR-positive disease (odds ratio 1.73 and 1. 31, respectively; all p values <0.001). Age, stage, marital status, race, and year of diagnosis also correlated with mastectomy. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) was associated with CPM, while HER2 status was not. The mastectomy rate, which increased overall from 2006 to 2010, has continued to increase for stage III disease but has decreased for stage I disease. Mastectomy rates overall were lower in 2011 than 2010 (p = 0.012). HER2-positive disease and TNBC were independent predictors of more extensive surgery in this large, recent, population-based cohort. Although mastectomy rates have continued to increase for stage III disease, mastectomy rates overall were lower in 2011 than in previous years.
Cell-free fetal DNA screening for detection of microdeletion syndromes: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective: Fetuses with genetic copy number variants are poorly detected through traditional prenatal screening. Microdeletions and duplications are clearly identified with diagnostic testing through chromosomal microarray, and screening of a select number of microdeletions has become available with cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Our study compares the costs and outcomes of cfDNA for five pathogenic microdeletions and aneuploidy to cfDNA for aneuploidy alone in conjunction with ultrasound. Methods: A decision-analytic model was constructed using TreeAge software to compare cfDNA with microdeletions versus traditional cfDNA in a theoretical cohort of 4,000,000 pregnancies that would also be screened with ultrasound. Probabilities, costs, and utilities were derived from literature. The primary outcomes were the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), terminations, and procedure-related losses. Because the microdeletion results are available, but not reported, on all cfDNA testing we set the incremental cost of the cfDNA microdeletion screening test to zero at baseline and varied the cost in sensitivity analysis. Results: Screening with cfDNA for microdeletions among all pregnant women would result in 83 fewer anomalous neonates compared to traditional cfDNA with ultrasound. This reduction is due to increased diagnosis and termination of fetuses with microdeletions in this group. Routine use of cfDNA with microdeletions resulted in more procedure-related losses. cfDNA with microdeletions would improve effectiveness by 977 QALYs and decrease costs by $90,991,784. When we varied the specificity of the screening test, we found that it remained cost-effective down to a specificity of 91%. With a threshold of $100,000/QALY, microdeletion screening is cost-effective to an incremental increase in cost over cfDNA for aneuploidy alone of $47.10. Conclusion: For detection of fetal subchromosomal abnormalities, use of cfDNA with microdeletions is a cost-effective strategy compared to cfDNA for aneuploidy alone in conjunction with ultrasound. Cell-free DNA for microdeletions is not currently recommended as routine screening for low-risk obstetric populations by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists or the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. The test characteristics of cfDNA with microdeletions require greater examination before being routinely recommended.
Supercooling capacity of Eurasian and North American populations of parasitoids of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia

Supercooling points were estimated for seven populations of >Aphelinus albipodus, five populations of >Aphelinus asychis, and four populations of >Diaeretiella rapae to assess whether their supercooling points were sufficiently low to provide the potential for overwintering survival in colder temperate climatic areas. Test individuals from all 16 of the parasitoid populations were collected originally from mummies of the Russian wheat aphid, >Diuraphis noxia. Mummies containing parasitoid pupae were maintained for 1 wk under three different temperature conditions (treatments): at room temperature (24.8 ± 0.2 °C), 1 wk at 0 °C, and 1 wk −5 °C, and the supercooling points across treatments, and within and among species were compared. Statistical differences in supercooling points were found among populations of >A. albipodus for each treatment, and for >A. asychis when maintained for 1 wk at room temperature. No differences in supercooling points were found among populations of >D. rapae mummies maintained under the three temperature treatments. The lowest supercooling points obtained for the three parasitoid species maintained at room temperature were the >A. albipodus population from Montana (−31.68 °C), the >A. asychis population from Greece (−32.04 °C), and the >D. rapaepopulation from the Caucasus (−33.12 °C). Preconditioning the parasitoid mummies to cold had no effect on the supercooling points for >A. albipodus, and in some cases unexpectedly increased the supercooling points for >A. asychisand >D. rapae. In comparing the overall mean supercooling points of the three parasitoid species, no differences were found within species (among temperature treatments), nor among species (within temperature treatments). It was concluded that observed differences in supercooling points of only a few degrees Centigrade among parasitoid populations and species would not be expected to cause differences in their overwintering success, especially given the expected variability in temperatures within and among overwintering sites.
Alternative Complement Pathway Activation Provokes a Hypercoagulable State with Diminished Fibrinolysis.

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Several disease processes trigger prolonged activation of the alternative complement pathway. Crosslinks between complement activation and physiologic changes in platelets and neutrophils have been identified, but how this interplay alters the hemostatic potential in humans rema
18 F-Fluoride Imaging: Normal Variants and Artifacts

Sodium fluoride labeled with fluorine 18 (sodium fluoride F18 [18F-NaF]) is a bone seeking positron-emitting radiopharmaceutical tracer. 18F-NaF PET/CT provides great sensitivity and specificity in the detection of bone metastases. Uptake of 18F sodium fluoride reflects blood flow and bony remodeling. When combining with the CT component of the PET/CT, it allows better morphologic characterization of the functional findings and achieves more accurate differentiation with improved specificity.
Lost and Found in Upstate New York: Exploring the Motivations of “Lost Boys” Refugees as Founders of International Nonprofit Organizations:

This research examines engagement in diaspora philanthropy through the lens of Lost Boys of Sudan and their founding of small international nonprofit service organizations based in the United State...
Stability Analysis for Interconnected DC Microgrids with Constant Power Loads

Recent trends in the development of DC microgrids have mainly focused on standalone and islanded microgrids for the purpose of reliable power management. However, for the complex scenarios, such as load shedding due to excessive generation, energy storage overcharging and discharging, interconnecting standalone microgrids can be a very attractive solution. The main focus of this paper is to analyze and study the asymptotic stability of interconnected systems with conventional converters. A novel method using Lyapunov stability criterion is introduced and analyzed to provide a guideline for stable operation of interconnected systems. Finally, simulations are performed in MATLAB/Simulink environment to verify the proposed formulation and analysis and are validated with experimental results.
A study of event frequency profiling with differential privacy

Program profiling is widely used to measure run-time execution properties---for example, the frequency of method and statement execution. Such profiling could be applied to deployed software to gain performance insights about the behavior of many instances of the analyzed software. However, such data gathering raises privacy concerns: for example, it reveals whether (and how often) a software user accesses a particular software functionality. There is growing interest in adding privacy protections for many categories of data analyses, but such techniques have not been studied sufficiently for program event profiling. We propose the design of privacy-preserving event frequency profiling for deployed software. Each instance of the targeted software gathers its own event frequency profile and then randomizes it. The resulting noisy data has well-defined privacy properties, characterized via the powerful machinery of differential privacy. After gathering this data from many software instances, the profiling infrastructure computes estimates of population-wide frequencies while adjusting for the effects of the randomization. The approach employs static analysis to determine constraints that must hold in all valid run-time profiles, and uses quadratic programming to reduce the error of the estimates under these constraints. Our experiments study different choices for randomization and the resulting effects on the accuracy of frequency estimates. Our conclusion is that well-designed solutions can achieve both high accuracy and principled privacy-by-design for the fundamental problem of event frequency profiling.
Black Metaphors: How Modern Racism Emerged from Medieval Race-Thinking

In Black Metaphors: How Modern Racism Emerged from Medieval Race-Thinking, Cord J. Whitaker argues that contemporary ideologies of race developed through a medieval tradition of metaphors that asso...
Clinician Perspectives on Implementing Video Visits in Home-Based Palliative Care

Background: Despite the increasing use and acceptance of technology in health care, there is limited evidence on the usefulness and appropriate use of telehealth in home-based palliative care (HBPC). As part of the process evaluation of a pragmatic trial of video visits in HBPC, we assessed clinician experience with video visit implementation. Methods: We assessed clinicians' experiences with and perception of the usefulness and appropriateness of video visits using anonymous surveys and brief qualitative interviews with a subset of survey participants. Qualitative analyses were guided by sociotechnical frameworks that emphasize technology's "value proposition" for its end users as being key to adoption. Results: Clinicians (36 physicians and 48 registered nurses) generally had favorable attitudes toward video visits and telehealth. Respondents felt confident in the skills needed to make their role in video visits successful. Clinicians were neutral on whether video visits were useful for their practice or enhanced the patient-caregiver experience. Clinicians found video visits to be most appropriate for follow-up care (as opposed to start of care). The interviews yielded two themes that complemented the survey findings: (1) factors enhancing the value proposition (positive responses from patients and families and convenience) and (2) factors diminishing the value proposition (issues related to the technology and scheduling). Discussion: Our findings provide insights into clinicians' experiences with implementing remote video physician consultations, facilitated by a nurse in the patient's home in the pre-COVID-19 era. Clinician views about video visits may have shifted with the pandemic, which occurred after our data collection was complete. Clinical Trials Registration No. NCT#03694431.
Learning Fuzzy Automaton's Event Transition Matrix When Post-Event State Is Unknown.

Compared to other system modeling techniques, the fuzzy discrete event systems (FDESs) methodology has the unique capability of modeling a class of event-driven systems as fuzzy automata with ambiguous state and event-invoked state transition. In two recent papers, we developed algorithms for online-supervised learning of the fuzzy automaton's event transition matrix using fuzzy states before and after the occurrence of fuzzy events. The post-event state was assumed to be readily available while the pre-event state was either directly available or estimatable through learning. This article is focused on algorithm development for learning the transition matrix in a different setting--when the pre-event state is available but the post-event state is not. We suppose the post-event state is described by a fuzzy set that is linked to a (physical) variable whose value is available. Stochastic-gradient-descent-based algorithms are developed that can learn the transition matrix plus the parameters of the fuzzy sets when the fuzzy sets are of the Gaussian type. Computer simulation results are presented to confirm the theoretical development.
CHARGE syndrome in the era of molecular diagnosis: Similar outcomes in those without coloboma or choanal atresia

CHARGE syndrome (OMIM 214800) is a condition characterized by multisystem involvement with CHD7 pathogenic mutations leading to disease in the majority of patients. Discovery of the molecular cause of CHARGE unmasked a larger phenotypic spectrum than was previously appreciated. Within our interdisciplinary CHARGE syndrome program, we sought to characterize our CHD7-positive CHARGE cohort without coloboma or choanal atresia, highlighting complications and outcomes. We describe 18 individuals with CHD7-confirmed diagnosis from 15 families. The most sensitive finding in the cohort was temporal bone malformations, present in 13/15 individuals. Individuals had an average of 1.6 major features and 3.3 minor features defined by the Blake et al. guidelines. Despite lack of major features or major malformations, the majority of individuals continued to have difficulties with pneumonia, aspiration, secretion management and motility issues that greatly impacted their lives. Our findings illustrate the need for molecular testing and timely recognition given that the major co-morbidities are frequently experienced by patients with the mildest clinical spectrum of CHARGE syndrome.
miR-551a and miR-551b target GLIPR2 and promote tumor growth in High-Risk Head and Neck Cancer

Distant metastasis (DM) and local-regional recurrence (LR) after radiation and chemo therapy are major cause of treatment failure for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, detailed underlying mechanisms leading to DM and LR in patients are not fully understood yet. MiRNA have been proposed as biomarkers in a variety of biological and medical conditions such as cancer and stress response. The advantages of miRNA as a biomarker lies in its stability in tissues as well as body fluids, hence the potential for non-invasive diagnosis and prognosis. In this study, towards understanding the molecular mechanism causing DM and LR in HN cancer patients we performed miRNA expression profiling using tumor samples from 118 head and neck cancer patients treated by post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1992 to 1999. All patients were considered to be at high-risk for recurrence having histologically proven advanced squamous cell carcinoma. Amongst these samples, 41 found to have distant metastasis (DM), 53 responded without relapse (no evidence of disease (NED)) to PORT. Comparison of miRNA expression between DM and NED specimens using two-way ANOVA identified 28 miRNAs that were differentially expressed with statistical significance (FDR 1.5). Amongst these 28 miRNAs seen in the DM and NED outcome groups, miRNAs 551a and 551b are significantly associated with the DM group. Interestingly these two miRNAs share same seed sequence. Moreover Kaplan-Meir survival analysis in our data set and two other data sets suggested that miR-551a and miR-551b expressions are associated with poor survival in patients. We further performed cell proliferation, migration and invasion assays using the HN5 and UMSCC- 17B head and neck cancer cell lines by transfection of either mimic or an inhibitor of miR-551a and miR-551b. The results suggested that miR-551a and miR-551b mimics promote proliferation, migration and invasion whereas the inhibitor decreased. Further studies indicated that these miRNAs target GLIPR2 expression and miR-551a, miR-551b and GLIPR2 axis at least in part plays an important role in tumor progression. Hence we need to further explore miR-551a and miR-551b-3p role in HN cancer progression in detail in in-vivo models to use them as therapeutic targets in future.
Securitization of Public Policy and Pandemic: Taiwan’s Case Against Covid-19

Taiwan’s relatively better performance in the early stages of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic can largely be accredited to the rapid mobilization of public resources and the fast restructuring of government agencies to meet the pandemic-fighting coordination demand, but these measures are only possible when a community adopts a serious attitude followed by serious actions achieved via securitization of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper attempts to compare and contrast the securitization of pandemic response and management of Taiwan, the United States, and Japan to highlight the importance of how even developed states with equal or better health infrastructure than Taiwan, by contextualizing the pandemic into different security scenarios has resulted in the performance gap against COVID-19.
Deep-learning Augmented Reflectance Microscopy for Label-free Multiplexed Cytometry

We develop a label-free multiplexed cytometry technique based on deep-learning-augmented virtual labeling. We demonstrate accurate single-cell structural phenotypes of cell cycles and multi-parametric single-cell profiling across a large cell population from the multiplexed readouts.
Trends in Medicare Part B Payments and Utilization for Imaging Services Between 2009 and 2019.

Abstract Background In 2019, the total National Healthcare Expenditure (NHE) reached $3.8 trillion, or nearly 20% of the total Gross Domestic Product. This represents a 4-fold increase in its Gross Domestic Product share since 1960. Given the magnitude and growth of such expenditures, healthcare cost containment is central to the country's financial sustainability. Moreover, as Medicare represents nearly 20% of the total NHE, it is a primary target for piloting, implementing and scaling initiatives that reduce expenditures. Objective To assess trends in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Service (Part B) payments and utilization for Imaging relative to other services from 2009 through 2019. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of annual expenditures and utilization of imaging services using data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Medicare Part B. Data was grouped according to the Berenson-Eggers Type of Service Classification. The values were adjusted for inflation and we calculated the annual changes and the compound annual growth rates and the price elasticity of supply. Results For the 10-year period, Imaging represented on average 8% of the total Medicare Part B expenditures, an equivalent of 1.4% of total Medicare expenditures or 0.05% of the NHE. While NHE, overall Medicare and overall Part B had positive growth rates of total expenditures, Imaging did not. Moreover, Imaging had the most negative CAGR compared to all other categories, including Drugs, Procedures, Evaluation and Management and Durable Medical Equipment. Conclusion Imaging did not contribute to the increase in Medicare Part B expenditures, and it might have been disproportionately affected by cost containment policies.
Expression of chalcone synthase and chalcone isomerase proteins in Arabidopsis seedlings

Antibodies have been developed against the first two enzymes of flavonoid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) were overexpressed and purified from Escherichia coli as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase from Schistosoma japonicum. The recombinant proteins were then used to immunize chickens and the resulting IgY fraction was purified from egg yolks. Immunoblots of crude protein extracts from Arabidopsis seedlings carrying wild-type and null alleles for CHS and CHI showed that the resulting antibody preparations provide useful tools for characterizing expression of the flavonoid pathway at the protein level. An initial analysis of expression patterns in seedlings shows that CHS and CHI proteins are present at high levels during a brief period of early seedling germination that just precedes the transient accumulation of flavonoid end-products.
The beauty and joy of computing (BJC), AP CS principles, and the CS 10K effort

BJC was chosen as one of the initial pilots for a new "AP CS:Principles" exam to be introduced in 2015. The purpose of this course is to attract nontraditional computing students (especially women and minorities, but also English majors) to the breadth and depth of ideas in modern computer science. The National Science Foundation wants to prepare 10,000 new high school computer science teachers to teach the new AP course by 2015 (the "CS10K" effort). Under their CE21 (Computing Education for the 21st Century) initiative, we were funded to provide paid intensive six-week summer workshops for high school teachers, including two weeks of face-to-face training, one before and one after four weeks of our online course. This talk will review the status of all of these projects, the development of Build Your Own Blocks (BYOB), a graphical programming environment based on MIT's Scratch that is used in the curriculum, and how faculty, students and high school teachers can engage with these important efforts.
The Problem of Elemental Abundances

Abstract The proper sample for the primitive elemental abundances in the solar system is the Sun itself, but the data on solar abundances are not of high precision. Analytical methods applied to the meteorites are of high precision, but it is probable that no meteorite or class of meteorites can be regarded as the correct sample of primitive solar nonvolatile elements. The abundance of iron relative to other elements in the meteorites is markedly different from that in the Sun. In particular, the Orgueil meteorite probably is a sample of the maria of the Moon and can hardly be the desired sample. The Orgueil meteorite has the structure and composition expected for the mud of a primitive lake bed before sorting of minerals by running water had occurred. The maria of the Moon have the appearance and color expected for such primitive lakes. The time that the object has been in space, i.e. some two or three million years, is consistent with a lunar origin. The origin of the moon as proposed by the writer is consistent with material of this composition being at the lunar surface.
IDIOPATHIC HYPERGLYCINEMIA AND HYPERGLYCINURIA: A NEW DISORDER OF AMINO ACID METABOLISM. I

Observations are reported of a patient afflicted with a disease previously unknown to us. The outstanding features of the syndrome are: onset in the neonatal period of episodes of vomiting, lethargy and ketosis; neutropenia; periodic thrombocytopenia; hypogammaglobulinemia; hyperglycinemia and hyperglycinuria; developmental retardation; and intolerance of protein of more than approximately 0.5 gm/kg of body weight/day and of protein hydrolysate and of leucine.
Isolation of recessive (mediator-) revertants from NIH 3T3 cells transformed with a c-H-ras oncogene.

Abstract We have generated two serum- and anchorage-dependent revertants from NIH 3T3 cells transformed with multiple copies of the human c-H-ras oncogene. In both revertants, the c-H-ras oncogene was fully expressed. Fusion of either revertant with untransformed cells or of the two revertants with one another resulted in transformed progeny. These results indicated that the two revertants were recessive and in different complementation groups. We believe that in our two revertants some of the genes mediating the transforming activity of the c-H-ras oncogene are defective; we are attempting to identify these mediator genes.
Mediators of inflammation and bone remodeling in rheumatic disease

Remodeling of bone is a continuous process that occurs throughout life. Under normal physiologic conditions, bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts are tightly coupled and regulated to ensure proper balance, such that there is no net change in bone mass. However, inflammation perturbs normal bone homeostasis. The impact of inflammation on bone is dependent upon the anatomic site affected, cell types, factors and cytokines present in the local microenvironment, and local mechanical forces. Cytokines are central to the pathogenesis of inflammation-induced bone loss and contribute to the uncoupling of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation, thereby disrupting normal remodeling. In this review, we will discuss the effects of cytokines on bone in two settings, rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis, a disease category that includes ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and juvenile onset spondyloarthropathy. The outcome for bone in these disease settings is quite different, and an understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms leading to the net impact on bone has been essential in developing new therapeutic approaches to bone health in these diseases.
Postoperative shift in ocular alignment following single vertical rectus recession on adjustable suture in adults without thyroid eye disease.

Purpose To determine whether overcorrection shifts occur after vertical rectus recession on adjustable suture in the absence of thyroid eye disease. Methods The medical records of patients without thyroid eye disease who underwent vertical rectus recession surgery from 2001 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed for shifts in alignment between suture adjustment at postoperative day 1 and 2 months' follow-up. Superior rectus and inferior rectus recessions were compared. In addition, we compared the use of a nonabsorbable polyester suture to an absorbable polyglactin 910 suture in nonthyroid patients undergoing inferior rectus recessions. Results A total of 59 patients were included (superior rectus, 30; inferior rectus, 29). We found a mean undercorrection shift of 1.1 (range, 17.5 Δ undercorrection to 16 Δ overcorrection) and 1.0 Δ (range, 12 Δ undercorrection shift to 6 Δ overcorrection shift) for superior and inferior rectus recessions, respectively, between 1 day and 2 months postoperatively. Conclusions There was no trend toward overcorrection following unilateral vertical rectus adjustable suture recessions in patients without thyroid eye disease, suggesting that thyroid myopathy may account for overcorrection shifts seen with this surgery.
Robbing the bandit: less regret in online geometric optimization against an adaptive adversary

We consider "online bandit geometric optimization," a problem of iterated decision making in a largely unknown and constantly changing environment. The goal is to minimize "regret," defined as the difference between the actual loss of an online decision-making procedure and that of the best single decision in hindsight. "Geometric optimization" refers to a generalization of the well-known multi-armed bandit problem, in which the decision space is some bounded subset of Rd, the adversary is restricted to linear loss functions, and regret bounds should depend on the dimensionality d, rather than the total number of possible decisions. "Bandit" refers to the setting in which the algorithm is only told its loss on each round, rather than the entire loss function.McMahan and Blum [10] presented the best known algorithm in this setting, and proved that its expected additive regret is O(poly(d)T3/4). We simplify and improve their analysis of this algorithm to obtain regret O(poly(d)T2/3).We also prove that, for a large class of full-information online optimization problems, the optimal regret against an adaptive adversary is the same as against a non-adaptive adversary.
Incidence of lymph node and adnexal metastasis in endometrial stromal sarcoma

Abstract Objective To determine the incidence of adnexal and lymph node (LN) metastasis in newly diagnosed endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS). Methods We identified all cases with a diagnosis of ESS evaluated at our institution from January 1, 1980 to October 31, 2009. All uterine pathology was reviewed at our center. High-grade or undifferentiated tumors and ESS arising in extrauterine sites were excluded. Pertinent clinical data were abstracted from electronic medical records. Appropriate statistical tests were performed using SPSS16.0. Results We identified 94 cases of ESS. LN metastasis was identified in 7 (19%) of 36 patients who underwent LN evaluation. Six of the 7 cases with LN metastasis had lymphovascular invasion (LVI). LVI status was not reported in the other case. Five of the 7 patients with LN metastasis had grossly positive LNs with or without other gross extrauterine disease. Of 20 patients with disease grossly limited to the uterus and grossly normal LNs, 2 (10%) had LN metastasis. Both of these cases had LVI and extensive myoinvasion. Eighty-seven cases (93%) underwent salpingo-oophorectomy. Adnexal metastasis was identified in 11 (13%) of 87 cases, all manifested by gross adnexal tumor and occurring in patients with other gross pelvic extrauterine disease. Conclusion The incidence of LN metastasis in ESS is commonly associated with gross extrauterine disease, extensive myoinvasion, and LVI. Since myoinvasion and LVI status often are not assessable at the time of hysterectomy, LN dissection remains a reasonable option at primary surgery. The rate of adnexal metastasis appears to be negligible in the absence of gross adnexal and extrauterine tumor.
Quantitative pharmacological analyses of the interaction between flumazenil and midazolam in monkeys discriminating midazolam: Determination of the functional half life of flumazenil.

Abstract The duration of action of a drug is commonly estimated using plasma concentration, which is not always practical to obtain or an accurate estimate of functional half life. For example, flumazenil is used clinically to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines like midazolam; however, its elimination can be altered by other drugs, including some benzodiazepines, thereby altering its half life. This study used Schild analyses to characterize antagonism of midazolam by flumazenil and determine the functional half life of flumazenil. Four monkeys discriminated 0.178 mg/kg midazolam while responding under a fixed-ratio 10 schedule of stimulus-shock termination; flumazenil was given at various times before determination of a midazolam dose–effect curve. There was a time-related decrease in the magnitude of shift of the midazolam dose–effect curve as the interval between flumazenil and midazolam increased. The potency of flumazenil, estimated by apparent pA 2 values (95% CI), was 7.30 (7.12, 7.49), 7.17 (7.03, 7.31), 6.91 (6.72, 7.10) and 6.80 (6.67, 6.92) at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after flumazenil administration, respectively. The functional half life of flumazenil, derived from potency estimates, was 57±13 min. Thus, increasing the interval between flumazenil and midazolam causes orderly decreases in flumazenil potency; however, across a broad range of conditions, the qualitative nature of the interaction does not change, as indicated by slopes of Schild plots at all time points that are not different from unity. Differences in potency of flumazenil are therefore due to elimination of flumazenil and not due to pharmacodynamic changes over time.
Use of additives in porphyrin-tape/C60 near-infrared photodetectors

Abstract We demonstrate organic heterojunction photodetectors sensitive to wavelengths λ > 1500 nm based on a solution processed Zn–porphyrin-dimer donor layer that includes phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and/or 4,4′-bipyridyl (Bipy) additives, and an evaporated C60 acceptor layer. The inclusion of PCBM results in up to a 20-fold increase in differential resistance, while the inclusion of Bipy results in up to a 100% increase in external quantum efficiency (EQE) compared to devices lacking additives. The devices have peak specific detectivities of D∗ = 8.8 ± 0.2 × 1011 Jones (EQE = 3.6 ± 0.1%) at λ = 1130 nm, and D∗ = 8.2 ± 0.2 × 1010 Jones (EQE = 10.5 ± 0.2%) at λ = 1400 nm. The maximum external quantum efficiency at λ = 1400 nm is 13.5 ± 0.3%, approximately double that of previously reported organic near infrared detectors.
Demonstration of Microgrid technology at a military installation

TARDEC has researched, developed and demonstrated Intelligent Microgrid technology at two locations within Schofield Barracks in Hawaii: Wheeler Army Airfield and East Range. These Systems incorporate renewable energy, grid power, bidirectional vehicles and energy storage, and uses the available power to support building loads at the installations. The demonstration confirmed the capability of a system to automatically congregate and control multiple sources and loads. Using high reliability equipment can be beneficial for reducing Microgrid down time. Flexibility is needed for Microgrid designs to meet specific needs for the users at the site they are being installed, including addressing incorporation of vehicles capable of bi-directional charging. The demonstrated microgrid system increases power reliability to critical loads, increases duration of power availability during extended utility outages, and improves overall energy efficiency. The technology is applicable to both fixed installations and temporary operating bases.
Rewarding North Korea: Theoretical Perspectives on the 1994 Agreed Framework

This article tests theoretical propositions of sanctions theory against a 'crucial case study' of the US-DPRK Agreed Framework, which since 1994 has employed incentives to influence North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program. By electing an incentives-based strategy, the Agreed Framework appears to invalidate the proposition that positive sanctions are unlikely to be employed between adversaries. However, the choice can be explained in part by the unique political and security environment on the Korean peninsula, by the absence of viable policy alternatives for the USA and its allies, and by the relatively low cost to the USA. The subsequent history of implementation, however, amply confirms a number of theoretical caveats and leaves in doubt the ultimate success of the Agreed Framework. The case illustrates how diplomatic and political pressures on both sender and recipient have altered the baseline of expectations away from a pragmatic and partial improvement in relations and toward the sweeping and more problematic goal of an 'all or nothing' transformation of the adversarial relationship. Positive sanctions were caught between the perceived advantages of de-linking proliferation concerns from other contentious security issues and the domestic political advantages to the sender of greater linkage. The latter tendency is illustrated by the 1999 Perry plan, which abandoned 'limited engagement' in favor of a 'comprehensive and integrated approach'. While this policy shift may have bought time for administration policy, it did not resolve the contradictions inherent in a low-trust relationship. As it reassesses US policy towards the DPRK, the new US administration is likely to draw on the more skeptical view of positive incentives found in sanctions theory. The case of the Agreed Framework challenges several assumptions of sanctions theory, but it is too soon to claim that it invalidates them.
Biomass production and fatty acid profile of a Scenedesmus rubescens-like microalga.

Abstract This investigation examined the effects of nitrogen–phosphate combined deficiency on the biomass yield, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) production and composition from Scenedesmus rubescens-like microalga. A 15-day indoor culture was performed as a 3 × 3 factorial design (NaNO3 levels: 3, 10 and 20 mM; KH2PO4 levels: 20, 50 and 150 μM). The algae grown under medium nitrogen concentration (10 mM) and high phosphate concentration (150 μM) reached the highest biomass (1223.5 ± 152.5 mg/L). Both nitrogen and phosphate had a significant influence on the FAME yield (P