cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Evolution of Pre-analytic Factors in Anatomic Pathology

Anatomic Pathology has continuously evolved since launch by Virchow in Berlin. The era from 1990 to 2010 saw the rise of immunohistochemistry and its application for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of response to therapy. Currently the next wave of evolution is ongoing; molecular pathology, with emphasis on alterations to DNA, and expression of mRNA as biomarkers. The interrogation of biomolecules by specific probes is more demanding on specimens than the traditional application of histologic stains to tissue. This issue is juxtaposed to the fact that the majority of specimens are purely evaluated by histomorphology, for which current specimen practices are adequate. The capacity to identify a priori which cassette of tissue is appropriate for molecular analysis is difficult, if not impossible, the goal is to improve the quality of all pathology specimens in an economically viable model to enable advanced assay, when applicable.
Reciprocally altruistic agents for the mitigation of cascading failures in power grids

Cascading failures in electrical power networks often come with disastrous consequences. A variety of schemes for mitigating cascading failures exist, but the vast majority depend upon centralised control architectures. Centralised designs are frequently more susceptible to communications latency and bandwidth limitations and can be vulnerable to random failures and directed attacks. This paper proposes a decentralised approach. We place control agents at each substation in a power network, each of which uses decentralised Model Predictive Control (MPC) to select emergency control actions. When making decisions, the control agents consider not only their own goals, but also the goals of nearby agents. Thus the agents act with Reciprocal Altruism (RA). Results from simulations of extreme cascading failures within the IEEE 300 bus test network indicate that this approach can dramatically reduce the average size and social cost of large cascading failures. Simulations also show that the bandwidth required for message passing is well within the limits of current technology.
Mobile agents based infrastructure for Web Services composition

Web services (WSs) are emerging as a major technology to enable dynamic service discovery, composition, and invocation. Although WSs are convenient in integrating and interoperating among applications, the functionalities of individual WS are limited and cannot satisfy some practical user requirements. The true potential can be achieved if WSs are used to dynamically compose some existing/new WSs. Moreover, WS technology is to be applied in various environments, such as wireless networks of relatively narrow bandwidth and unstable connections. In response to the mentioned problems we adopt mobile agent technology and present a mobile agent framework for WSs integration. We exploit the capabilities offered by mobile agents to invoke WSs without the need for simultaneous presence of the service requestor.
Drivers' Anonymity with a Short Message Length for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications Network

In this paper, we propose a broadcast protocol to preserve drivers' anonymity in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications network using the keyed-hash message authentication code (HMAC). Future vehicle safety applications will allow vehicles to broadcast their safety-critical information to alert neighboring vehicles of possible collisions. Such safety applications has a very low bandwidth and low communication latencies. We propose to use the keyed-hash message authentication code (HMAC) to provide anonymity, authentication and message integrity. The advantages of HMAC over asymmetric cryptographic algorithms are faster processing speed and a shorter message length which makes it suitable for V2V communications. We show that the additional number of bytes to a broadcasted message in our proposed protocol is 49 bytes. The recipients of the broadcasted message can authenticate the sender and verify the integrity of the message without identifying the source. In case of a dispute, only a Trusted Authority can identify the source of broadcasted messages.
Fluid motion mediates biochemical composition and physiological aspects in the green alga Dunaliella primolecta Butcher

Experiments were conducted in a laboratory bioreactor to study the effect of small-scale fluid motion on the composition of some key biochemical compounds and physiological processes of the microalga, Dunaliella primolecta Butcher. The bioreactor with submersible speakers generated nearly homogeneous and isotropic turbulence. Fluid flow was the only systematically controlled experimental variable, with other environmental conditions, including light intensity, temperature, initial salinity, and nutrient concentration, nearly similar during the experimental measurements. The growth, protein, and fatty acid accumulation of D. primolecta were enhanced by the moving fluid flow in the bioreactor. Over an 8-d experiment under turbulent fluid flow conditions, a twofold increase in cell number, chlorophyll, protein, and total fatty acid concentrations was observed in D. primolecta. Conversely, no significant increase in these variables was observed under stagnant fluid conditions. The results could have important implications for the design and operation of natural and engineered bioreactors under specified fluid flow conditions for efficient bioenergy production from microalgae.
Plants on early alert: glandular trichomes as sensors for insect herbivores

Summary • The ability of caterpillar or moth ‘footsteps’ to elicit defenses in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plant was examined. Although touch responses frequently have been observed in plants, the role of herbivore ‘touch’ in eliciting antiherbivore defenses has not been adequately examined. • A combination of methods, including in situ hybridization, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, was used to determine the role of trichomes in mediating these touch responses. Mutants compromised in jasmonic acid and glandular trichomes were used to test whether both of these were required for these touch responses. • We demonstrated that the rupture of foliar glandular trichomes by caterpillar or moth contact induced the expression of defense transcripts (e.g. proteinase inhibitor 2, or PIN2) regulated by jasmonic acid. Neither chewing nor the release of salivary components was required to initiate this induced response. Jasmonic acid and the genes encoding proteins involved in its biosynthesis were identified in the trichomes. • Using mutants, we showed that both jasmonic acid and trichomes were required for the contact-induced expression of PIN2. In addition, hydrogen peroxide, formed on the leaf surface, was required for PIN2 expression. Because these defenses would be activated before egg hatch, this early detection system for herbivores may be of considerable ecological significance.
Adaptive control of a MEMS gyroscope using Lyapunov methods

Two adaptive controllers for a vibrational MEMS gyroscope are described. Both controllers tune the drive axis natural frequency to a preselected frequency, regulate the amplitude of the drive axis vibration, cancel out quadrature error due to stiffness coupling, and drive the sense axis vibration to zero for force-to-rebalance operation. The first controller is based on an averaged, low frequency model, and the second is based on the full gyroscope model. Both controllers are successfully simulated for the Berkeley Z-axis gyro. The Lyapunov function used is critical in obtaining a good transient response, especially for the force-to-rebalance and automatic gain control loops. To implement the full model controller with displacement measurements only, and no velocity measurements, the controller is approximated.
Sphingolipids in Intestinal Inflammation and Tumorigenesis

Sphingolipids, and their metabolizing enzymes, have emerged as significant players in cell signaling and biology. These bioactive lipids function not only as structural lipids in cell, but mediate significant biologic functions as well. Sphingolipid enzymes function in the intestinal lumen to degrade exogenous dietary sphingolipids and in the enterocytes themselves to generate endogenous sphingolipids. Among the most studied bioactive sphingolipids are ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate. These sphingolipids and their synthetic enzymes have been extensively implicated in intestinal inflammation and tumorigenesis and will be the focus of this chapter.
An Enriched Performance Measure Approach (PMA+) for Reliability-Based Design Optimization Process

This paper presents an enriched performance measure approach (PMA+) for reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) to substantially improve computational efficiency when applied to large-scale applications. Three aspects of PMA+ are presented: as a way to launch RBDO at a deterministic optimum design, as an efficient probabilistic feasibility check, and as a fast reliability analysis under the condition of design closeness. It is found that deterministic design optimization helps improve numerical efficiency by reducing some RBDO iterations. Unlike deterministic design optimization, a significant computational burden is imposed on the feasibility check of constraints in the RBDO process due to the costs of a reliability analysis. Such difficulties can be effectively resolved by using a mean value (MV) first-order method with an allowable accuracy for the purpose of feasibility identification, and by carrying out the refined reliability analysis using the hybrid mean value (HMV) firstorder method for e-active and violate constraints in the RBDO process. In addition, the fast reliability analysis method is proposed by reusing some of the information obtained at the previous RBDO iteration to efficiently evaluate probabilistic constraints at the current design iteration under the condition of design closeness. Other RBDO methods have recently been developed to enhance numerical efficiency of RBDO while maintaining numerical accuracy and stability. Thus, the PMA+ is compared to existing RBDO methods from a numerical efficiency and stability point of view. For a numerical understanding of the RBDO process, several numerical examples are provided, including a large-scale multi-crash application.
Overdetermination and the Crisis of Higher Education Towards a Immanent Social Science

The university if facing a double-crisis. The current economic crisis that is leading to devastating cuts within the academy is also a crisis of the neoliberal economy of which the university is an integral part. I argue that this double-crisis also poses a crisis for social science methodology. This paper argues that social scientists interested in Marxist analyses must develop methods that confront the ways in which the university is now integrated within immaterial regimes of capitalist production. In other words, the university is no longer a site for simply observing the world but increasingly a site for its production. The paper’s first section offers an analysis of the crisis in higher education and what this means for social science methodology. The second sections draws on Louis Althusser’s essays “Contradiction and Overdetermination” and “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses” to develop a method for studying academic knowledge as itself immanent to the world.
On Open Minds and Missed Marks: A Response to Atholl Anderson

While we appreciate Atholl Anderson 's willingness to consider transoceanic diffusion as a viable possibility, he misrepresents parts of our argument and ignores others, particularly the linguistics that suggest that the Chumash and Gabrielifio borrowed the technique of sewn-plank construction and words related to that technique-not the word for boat or the specific design of a boat. The composite bone fishhook that appears in the Santa Barbara Channel ca. A.D. 700-900 matches simpler Hawaiian variants yet shows a significant stylistic departure from earlier southern California types. A chronological window of A.D. 400-800 for Polynesian contact is still consistent with realistic estimates for both the timing of the appearance of the sewn-plank boat technology in southern California and the initial settlement of Hawaii.
Co(+)-assisted decomposition of h6-acetone and d6-acetone: acquisition of reaction rate constants and dynamics of the dissociative mechanism.

Reaction rate constants have been acquired for the gaseous unimolecular decomposition reaction of the Co+(OC(CH3)2) cluster ion and its deuterium labeled analog. Each rate constant is measured at a well resolved cluster internal energy within the range 12 300–16 100 cm–1. The weighted, averaged kinetic isotope effect (KIE), kH/kD = 1.54 ± 0.05, is about three times smaller than the KIE measured for the rate-determining rate constants in the similar Ni+(OC(CH3)2) decomposition reaction. These reactions likely follow the same oxidative addition-reductive elimination mechanism. Thus, this unexpected change in the KIE magnitudes is not due to differences in the dissociative reaction coordinates. Rather, we propose that the unique dissociation dynamics of these two similar systems is due to differences in the low-lying electronic structure of each transition metal ion.
Abstract 4233: Early detection of pemetrexed-induced inhibition of thymidylate synthase in non-small lung cancer with FLT-PET imaging

Introduction: Successful inhibition of thymidylate synthase (TS) can be imaged with FLT ([18F]thymidine)-positron emission tomography (PET) thereby providing a measure of therapy response on day 1 of therapy. Here we characterize this imaging strategy for implementation into 1st line therapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin for NSCLC. Materials and Methods: The kinetics of pemetrexed-mediated TS inhibition mediated DNA salvage pathway “flare” in DNA was first characterized in vitro using 3H-thymidine DNA incorporation assays, analysis of TK1 protein expression and mobilization of the equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 to the cell surface membrane. Kinetics of the pemetrexed-mediated “flare” in the salvage pathway was then confirmed in an in vivo mouse model of NSCLC. Finally, a proof-of-principle clinical trial was performed to demonstrate feasibility of imaging of pemetrexed-mediated TS inhibition in human subjects with NSLC. Results: In vitro examination of pemetrexed-induced changes in the salvage pathway revealed a burst in DNA activity that peaked at 2 hrs following the administration of pemetrexed. The addition of cisplatin did not impact the amplitude or timing of the pemetrexed-induced “flare” in the salvage pathway. In vivo imaging of TS inhibition with FLT-PET confirmed a peak in salvage pathway activity at 2 hrs. Imaging of pemetrexed-induced TS inhibition in a human clinical trial demonstrated feasibility with imaging at the 2 hr time point. Conclusion: FLT-PET measured efficacy of pemetrexed-induced TS inhibition is optimal at 2 hrs from the start of therapy. This timing of FLT-PET imaging is feasible in human clinical trials. Citation Format: Xiao Chen, Ian Berger, Urooj Khalid, Jenny Cai, Akash Patel, Sharyn I. Katz. Early detection of pemetrexed-induced inhibition of thymidylate synthase in non-small lung cancer with FLT-PET imaging. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4233.
Ion Channels as Targets for Drugs

Many drugs exert their therapeutic effects by acting on the ion channels of various tissues. During the past 25 years, a wealth of information has evolved characterizing the molecular structures that form the protein pathways for ion conduction in heart and other excitable cells. With the emerging molecular and structural information, pharmacological approaches to disease management are evolving to incorporate rational drug intervention based on specific pathological conditions including genetic defects in cardiac ion channels. As illustrations, we will concentrate on only a few of the ion channels of the cardiac muscle. This chapter will focus on recent progress in the development of a molecular pharmacological approach to targeting two types of cardiac ion channels: voltage-gated calcium and voltage-gated sodium channels.
A quorum-sensing signal promotes host tolerance training through HDAC1-mediated epigenetic reprogramming.

The mechanisms by which pathogens evade elimination without affecting host fitness are not well understood. For the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this evasion appears to be triggered by excretion of the quorum-sensing molecule 2-aminoacetophenone, which dampens host immune responses and modulates host metabolism, thereby enabling the bacteria to persist at a high burden level. Here, we examined how 2-aminoacetophenone trains host tissues to become tolerant to a high bacterial burden, without compromising host fitness. We found that 2-aminoacetophenone regulates histone deacetylase 1 expression and activity, resulting in hypo-acetylation of lysine 18 of histone H3 at pro-inflammatory cytokine loci. Specifically, 2-aminoacetophenone induced reprogramming of immune cells occurs via alterations in histone acetylation of immune cytokines in vivo and in vitro. This host epigenetic reprograming, which was maintained for up to 7 days, dampened host responses to subsequent exposure to 2-aminoacetophenone or other unrelated pathogen-associated molecules. The process was found to involve a distinct molecular mechanism of host chromatin regulation. Inhibition of histone deacetylase 1 prevented the immunomodulatory effects of 2-aminoacetophenone. These observations provide the first mechanistic example of a quorum-sensing molecule regulating a host epigenome to enable tolerance of infection. These insights have enormous potential for developing preventive treatments against bacterial infections. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing molecule 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AA) upregulates HDAC1 to reduce acetylation at cytokine promoters and promote host tolerance during infection.
Cell classification using big data analytics plus time stretch imaging(Conference Presentation)

We show that blood cells can be classified with high accuracy and high throughput by combining machine learning with time stretch quantitative phase imaging. Our diagnostic system captures quantitative phase images in a flow microscope at millions of frames per second and extracts multiple biophysical features from individual cells including morphological characteristics, light absorption and scattering parameters, and protein concentration. These parameters form a hyperdimensional feature space in which supervised learning and cell classification is performed. We show binary classification of T-cells against colon cancer cells, as well classification of algae cell strains with high and low lipid content. The label-free screening averts the negative impact of staining reagents on cellular viability or cell signaling. The combination of time stretch machine vision and learning offers unprecedented cell analysis capabilities for cancer diagnostics, drug development and liquid biopsy for personalized genomics.
Involvement shield or social catalyst: Thoughts on sociospatial practice of Pokémon GO:

Around every new media technology debates circle about whether the technology is bringing people socially closer or pushing us further apart. According to popular press accounts, Pokemon GO players...
Acidic pH with coordinated reduction of basic fibroblast growth factor maintains the glioblastoma stem cell-like phenotype in vitro.

Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are a unique subpopulation of cells within glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumors that possess the ability to self-renew and differentiate into bulk tumor cells. GSCs are resistant to currently available treatments and are the likely culprit behind tumor relapse in GBM patients. However, GSCs are currently inaccessible to the larger scientific community because obtaining a sufficient number of GSCs remains technically challenging and cost-prohibitive. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop a more efficient GSC culture strategy that results in a higher cell yield of GSCs at a lower cost. We observed that the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is indispensable in allowing GSCs to retain an optimal stem cell-like phenotype in vitro, but little change was seen in their stemness when grown with lower concentrations of bFGF than the established protocol. Interestingly, a dynamic fluctuation of GSC protein marker expression was observed that corresponded to the changes in the bFGF concentration during the culture period. This suggested that bFGF alone did not control stem cell-like phenotype; rather, it was linked to the fluctuations of both bFGF and media pH. We demonstrated that a high level of stem cell-like phenotype could be retained even when lowering bFGF to 8 ng/mL when the media pH was simultaneously lowered to 6.8. These results provide the proof-of-concept that GSC expansion costs could be lowered to a more economical level and warrant the use of pH- and bFGF-controlled bioprocessing methodologies to more optimally expand GSCs in the future.
Licensing Basis Event Selection Framework for Advanced Reactors

This paper describes key aspects of the risk-informed, performance-based licensing methodology as developed by the Department of Energy (DOE) for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) project. The discussion focuses on an event selection process using modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) design attributes and identifies how top-level regulatory criteria can be placed on a frequency-consequence curve. Preliminary Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff evaluations concluded that the proposed approach is generally reasonable and responsive to the Commission’s Policy Statement on advanced reactors. However, the NRC deferred issuing any final assessments of the proposed approach due to other agency actions that were under consideration in response to the accident at Fukushima-Daiichi. In addition, important lessons learned during the NGNP prelicensing effort and their potential applications to alternative advanced reactor designs are presented.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
The Seattle spine score: Predicting 30-day complication risk in adult spinal deformity surgery

Abstract Background Complication rates in complex spine surgery range from 25% to 80% in published studies. Numerous studies have shown that surgeons are not able to accurately predict whether patients are likely to face post-operative complications, in part due to biases based on individual experience. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a predictive risk model and decision support system that could accurately predict the likelihood of 30-day postoperative complications in complex spine surgery based on routinely measured preoperative variables. Methods Preoperative and postoperative data were collected for 136 patients by reviewing medical records. Logistic regression analysis (LRA) was applied to develop the predictive algorithm based on patient demographic parameters, including age, gender, and co-morbidities, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension and anemia. We additionally compared the performance of the predictive model to a spine surgeon’s ability to predict patient complications using signal detection theory statistics representing sensitivity and response bias (A′ and B″ respectively). We developed a decision support system tool, based on the LRA predictive algorithm, that was able to provide a numeric probabilistic likelihood statistic representing an individual patient’s risk of developing a complication within the first 30 days after surgery. Results The predictive model was significant (χ 2 = 16.242, p Conclusions The application of technology and data-driven tools to advanced surgical practice has the potential to improve decision making quality, service quality and patient safety.
Diverse Mechanisms of Translation Regulation and Their Role in Cancer

Translation is a highly regulated multistep process that involves the recruitment of an mRNA to a ribosome and its translation by aminoacyl-tRNAs (aa-tRNA) into a polypeptide. Regulation can occur at any of the four stages of translation (initiation, elongation, termination, and ribosome recycling), and can be directed at the level of mRNA, translation factors, or the ribosome. In this chapter, we will review the diverse approaches the cell uses to regulate protein synthesis. Translation efficiency can be affected by mRNA sequence and structure elements, mRNA availability to the translation machinery, regulation of translation factor activity and availability, and regulation through changes in ribosome number and activity. We will also discuss how the translation machinery can be manipulated by cancer cells to promote tumorigenesis.
Fluorescent probes of DNA repair

DNA repair is now understood to play a key role in a variety of disease states, most notably cancer. Tools for studying DNA have typically relied on traditional biochemical methods which are often laborious and indirect. Efforts to study the biology and therapeutic relevance of DNA repair pathways can be limited by such methods. Recently, specific fluorescent probes have been developed to aid in the study of DNA repair. Fluorescent probes offer the advantage of being able to directly assay for DNA repair activity in a simple, mix-and-measure format. This review will summarize the distinct classes of probe designs and their potential utility in varied research and preclinical settings.
The Central City in the Postindustrial Age

Some of the major economic trends—particularly the continuing growth of the service industries—would seem to favor large central cities. Services provide many jobs of the kind that fit the characteristics of the segment of the labor force that is most unemployment-prone: unskilled or semiskilled work, often part-time, frequently calling for interests and talents found among groups living in the central cities. But there is a catch-22 situation here. Public service jobs have a definite ceiling imposed by fiscal restraints; in fact, resistance to increased public outlays is growing. Private service jobs are in an underdeveloped state. And therein lies a tale, a tale which is all tied up with the socioeconomic transformation on which we are embarked.
The Public Health Impact of Firearm Injuries

The public health impact of firearm-related deaths and injuries in the United States is enormous. During 1989, almost 35,000 people died from firearm-related injuries. Fifty-two percent of these deaths were due to suicide, 42% to homicide, and 4% to unintentional circumstances. Estimates indicate that for every firearm-related fatality more than seven nonfatal injuries occur. The lifetime cost of firearm-related injuries occurring in 1985 is estimated to be $14.4 billion. Demographic groups at greatest risk of a firearm-related death include males, adolescents, young adults, and blacks. The number and rate of firearm-related deaths in the United States has remained fairly steady through the 1980s. However, firearm-related death rates for females, male teenagers, and young adults are higher now than at any time previously. Action to lessen the impact of this public health problem is urgently needed, but this action must be guided by science.
A Time Decomposition and Coordination Strategy for Power System Multi-Interval Operation

This paper presents a time decomposition strategy to reduce the computational complexity of power system multi- interval operation problems. We focus on the economic dispatch problem. The considered scheduling horizon is decomposed into multiple smaller sub-horizons. The first time interval of each sub- horizon is modeled as the coupling interval between two consecutive sub-horizons. The interdependencies between the sub- horizons are mathematically modeled using ramp rates of generating units. A distributed coordination strategy, which is based on auxiliary problem principle, is developed to coordinate the economic dispatch solutions of the sub-horizons to find an optimal solution for the whole operation horizon. We also propose an initializing technique to start the iterative coordination algorithm from a good-enough point. This technique enhances the convergence rate significantly. The proposed algorithm is deployed to solve a week-ahead economic dispatch problem on the IEEE 118-bus system, and promising results are obtained.
Diamond-Like Hydrocarbon and Carbon Films

The name “diamondlike” was apparently first coined by Sol Aisenbergl to describe the hard carbon films that he prepared by direct deposition from low energy carbon ion beams. It has been subsequently used rather indiscriminately to refer to many types of non-crystalline, hard carbonaceous films.
Molecular Genetics in Germ Cell Tumours

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses molecular genetics in germ cell tumors (GCT). GCTs in the male arise in spermatogonial cells; they are heterogeneous, and some subsets exhibit embryonal-like differentiation. Therefore, they provide unusual opportunities for the analysis of the genetic basis of malignant transformation and differentiation in a stem cell system of unique destiny. GCTs are present in gonadal or extragonadal sites and histologically comprise seminomas and nonseminomas. The genetic basis of transformation in germ cells and regulation of in vivo differentiation in this complex tumor system remain largely unknown. This chapter presents a summary of current results of the cytogenetic and molecular analyses of male GCTs. These studies have led to a new model of transformation of a germ cell in differentiation. The model, unlike the currently well-established models of tumorigenic transformation calls for rescue, by amplification and over expression of a key gene or genes, of a cell otherwise destined to die because of inability to complete the developmental program. The chapter also discusses the studies initiated to identify specific genetic alterations that may release constraints on embryonal-like differentiation of a germ cell independently of fertilization.
Inventory control with flexible demand: Cyclic case with multiple batch supply and demand processes

Abstract We introduce, and present methods for solving, the cyclic inventory control problem with multiple flexible batch supply and demand processes. The objective of this new problem is to minimize the average or maximum amount of inventory of a single item that is held during a cycle of given length in a buffer whose stock is replenished by multiple batch supply processes and consumed by multiple batch demand processes. The problem is noteworthy in that the decision maker has control over the timing and lot sizes of all supply and demand processes subject to (1) minimum frequency and batch size requirements for each demand process and (2) maximum frequency and batch size capabilities for each supply process. Thus, demand is flexible; it is a control action that the decision maker applies to optimize the system. We model this deterministic problem as an integer linear program; obtain theoretical insights concerning problem feasibility and solution optimality; and develop three heuristic methods for attacking large problem instances. Extensive experiments compare five methods for attacking the problem: pure integer programming using IBM ILOG CPLEX; integer programming where CPLEX is given an initial feasible solution; a genetic algorithm; simulated annealing; and a random algorithm. We find that CPLEX is a good option for solving small problem instances and the proposed genetic algorithm outperforms CPLEX on larger instances.
Assessing nicotine dependence using an oral nicotine free-choice paradigm in mice

Abstract Models to assess the addictive-like properties of nicotine in mice are limited. Therefore, we aimed to characterize and validate an addiction index by using an oral nicotine free-choice paradigm in mice. Adult C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, or genetically modified mice carrying deletions for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits, (n = 8–10/sex/group) were given a choice of water or nicotine (10–960 μg/ml) solution using a two-bottle free-choice (2BC) paradigm. In general, oral nicotine intake and preference were higher in female mice compared to males. Absence of nicotine led to withdrawal, and intermittent access resulted in an escalation in consumption and greater nicotine withdrawal than continuous exposure. Additionally, oral nicotine consumption increased nucleus accumbens tyrosine hydroxylase levels. While β2 and α6 KO mice showed a significant decrease in nicotine intake, deletion of α5 nAChRs increased nicotine consumption at high concentrations. Deletion of the α7 subunit altered the observed sex difference in nicotine consumption, with females consuming less than males. The α4β2 partial agonist varenicline decreased oral nicotine consumption. Although addition of quinine to the nicotine solution lowered nicotine intake, mice primed with nicotine did not lower their intake after quinine addition. Nicotine deprivation followed by re-exposure showed increased nicotine consumption, and DBA/2J mice consumed less nicotine compared to C57BL/6J. We validated the mouse 2BC paradigm to study nicotine's addictive-like properties including nicotine intake, preference, withdrawal, and escalation of nicotine consumption during binge drinking or after reinstatement of a deprivation period.
A miniature fiber-optic sensor for high-resolution and high-speed temperature sensing in ocean environment

Temperature measurement is one of the key quantifies in ocean research. Temperature variations on small and large scales are key to air-sea interactions and climate change, and also regulate circulation patterns, and heat exchange. The influence from rapid temperature changes within microstructures are can have strong impacts to optical and acoustical sensor performance. In this paper, we present an optical fiber sensor for the high-resolution and high-speed temperature profiling. The developed sensor consists of a thin piece of silicon wafer which forms a Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) on the end of fiber. Due to the unique properties of silicon, such as large thermal diffusivity, notable thermo-optic effects and thermal expansion coefficients of silicon, the proposed sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity and fast response to temperature variation. The small mass of the tiny probe also contributes to a fast response due to the large surface-tovolume ratio. The high reflective index at infrared wavelength range and surface flatness of silicon endow the FPI a spectrum with high visibilities, leading to a superior temperature resolution along with a new data processing method developed by us. Experimental results indicate that the fiber-optic temperature sensor can achieve a temperature resolution better than 0.001°C with a sampling frequency as high as 2 kHz. In addition, the miniature footprint of the senor provide high spatial resolutions. Using this high performance thermometer, excellent characterization of the realtime temperature profile within the flow of water turbulence has been realized.
Ketamine use in refractory status epilepticus associated with anti-NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis

Abstract Purpose Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDAr encephalitis) is an auto-immune disorder associated with the production of antibodies against NR1 and NR2 sub units of the NMDA receptor. Seizures in this population are reported in up to 50% of cases with status epilepticus being reported in 25% of cases, refractory status epilepticus in 13.8% of cases and super-refractory status epilepticus in 10.2% of cases. Treatment of refractory epileptic activity in this population is not uniform and heterogeneous. Methods We present three cases of super refractory status epilepticus in patients with anti-NMDAr encephalitis treated successfully with ketamine, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist. All patients had failed to improve clinically on multiple anti-convulsants and immunotherapy prior to initiation of ketamine therapy. Results In all three cases, administration of a load followed by maintenance infusion (0.05 mg/kg/min infusion) of ketamine yielded clinical and/or electrographic seizure cessation in less than 48 h. Patients were treated for a heterogeneous duration although ultimately, epilepsy outcomes were favorable from a seizure freedom standpoint. Earlier treatments with ketamine were associated with better epilepsy outcomes in this case series. Conclusions Ketamine may be a useful adjunct treatment in super-refractory status epilepticus in patients with NMDAr encephalitis.
Minicalculators and Repeating Decimals.

The minicalculator can be used effectively in the classroom to encourage student inquiry and creativity through experimentation with mathematical ideas. The benefit of the calculator is multiplied when the experimentation requires Computations that are too difficult or time-consuming to be done by paper-and-pencil algorithms. (See "Minicalculators in Schools," Mathematics Teacher or Arithmetic Teacher January 1976.) The decimal representation of rational numbers offers a rich source
I. Indices of Pain Intensity Derived From Ecological Momentary Assessments: Rationale and Stakeholder Preferences.

Abstract Pain assessment that fully represents patients’ pain experiences is essential for chronic pain research and management. The traditional primary outcome measure has been a patient's average pain intensity over a time period. In this series of 3 articles, we examine whether pain assessment can be enhanced by considering additional outcome measures capturing temporal aspects of pain, such as pain maxima, duration, and variability. Ecological momentary assessment makes the assessment of such indices readily available. In this first article, we discuss the rationale for considering additional pain indices derived from ecological momentary assessment and examine which are most important to stakeholders. Patients (n = 32), clinicians (n = 20), and clinical trialists (n = 20) were interviewed about their preference rankings for Average, Worst, and Least Pain, Time in High Pain, Time in No/Low Pain, Pain Variability, and Pain Unpredictability. Each stakeholder group displayed a distinct preference hierarchy for different indices, and there were few commonalities between groups. Patients favored Worst Pain and Time in High Pain, followed by Pain Variability and Unpredictability. Trialists favored Average Pain, whereas clinicians favored Worst Pain. Results suggest that multiple temporal aspects of pain are relevant for stakeholders and should be considered when evaluating the efficacy of pain management. Perspective Examining which aspects of pain are most important to measure from the perspective of different stakeholders can facilitate efforts to include all relevant treatment outcomes. Our study suggests that multiple temporal aspects of pain intensity are important to stakeholders. This should be considered when evaluating the efficacy of pain management.
Effect of Exposure Conditions and Internal Curing on Pore Water Potential Development in Cement-Based Materials:

Moisture availability is a crucial factor for ongoing hydration reactions and controlling capillary pore water potential (PWP) development in cement-based mixtures. Harsh exposure conditions (such ...
Leadership style effectiveness and accountability in times of crisis: a cross-cultural study of the USA and France

This study proposes in times of crisis, accountability, not leadership styles such as charismatic and transformational, dictate followers' perception of leadership style effectiveness. The discussion is placed in the context of the emergent field of cross-cultural studies in leadership and Emotional Intelligence (EI), showing the need to set standards and best practices in exercising effective leadership. A questionnaire developed, tested, refined and validated, test a taxonomy of leadership style effectiveness and accountability in times of crisis. The USA and France are explored empirically, and managerial implications show the importance of developing standards and best practices in exercising effective leadership.
Environmental sustainability in cement industry: An integrated approach for green and economical cement production

Abstract The carbon footprint of cement industries has been a major environmental issue in recent decades. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), use of Supplementary Cementing Materials (SCMs) as partial replacement to cement, and use of nanotechnology are some approaches that are being tested and practiced for reducing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the cement industries. Each of these approaches, however, comes with their own limitations and the implementation in real industrial scenarios is yet a concern. This paper proposes an integrated approach where CO2 captured from cement plant will be utilized within the plant for producing nano calcium carbonate (CaCO3) for use in cement manufacturing process. This technology incorporates all the above three approaches and help cement industries produce sustainable, durable, and economical cement while reducing the CO2 emissions into the atmosphere: thus, leading towards green infrastructure and global environmental sustainability. Additionally, adoption of this technology ensures proper dispersion of nano materials thereby improving the performance of concrete. Further, this technology is economically attractive to cement industries as they will have a new product (nano CaCO3) with much higher cost than cement with potential of additional economic revenues.
Quality Improvement Methodology Optimizes Infliximab Levels in Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Achieving and maintaining target serum trough infliximab levels improves outcomes in children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease. Our goal was to improve adherence to an infliximab therapy guideline. The primary aim was to increase the percentage of patients with infliximab levels ≥5 μg/mL and results checked in the last 12 months from 73% to ≥80% from July 2017 to January 2018. Methods We participated in Intermediate Improvement Science Series, a course at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center designed to catalyze change using quality improvement methodology. We implemented interventions through plan-do-study-act cycles. Our outcome measure was balanced by 2 process measures to determine what actions impacted improvement. These measures included the percentage of infusion plans revised in response to a drug level Results We increased the percentage of infusion plans revised before the next infusion from 63% to 87% and the percentage of plans that had an appropriate drug level recheck from 61% to 83% from July 2017 to January 2018. We increased the percentage of patients with an infliximab level >5 μg/mL, and results checked in the last 12 months, from 73% to 80%. Conclusions Quality improvement methodology was effective in improving provider adherence to infliximab therapeutic drug monitoring guidelines. Improvement in adherence to guidelines directly improved the percentage of patients achieving target infliximab levels at any time during infliximab therapy.
Mitochondrial aberrations during the progression of disuse atrophy differentially affect male and female mice.

BACKGROUND Disuse decreases muscle size and is predictive of mortality across multiple pathologies. Detriments to mitochondrial function are hypothesized to underlie disuse-induced muscle atrophy. Little data exist on early mechanisms contributing to onset of these pathologies, nor is it known how they differ between sexes. The purpose of this study was to examine differential and conserved responses to mitochondrial quality control in male and female mice during the development and progression of disuse-induced atrophy. METHODS One hundred C57BL/6J mice (50 male and 50 female) were hindlimb unloaded to induce disuse atrophy for 0 (con), 24, 48, 72, or 168 h. At designated time-points, extensor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles were collected for analysis of mitochondrial quality control markers. RESULTS One hundred sixty-eight hours of disuse resulted in ~25% lower oxidative muscle fibre CSA in both male (P = 0.003) and female (P = 0.02) mice without any differences due to disuse in glycolytic fibres. In male mice, 48 h of unloading was sufficient to result in ~67% greater mitochondrial oxidative stress as assessed by the reporter gene pMitoTimer compared with 0 h (P = 0.002), this mitochondrial stress preceded detectable muscle loss. However in female mice, mitochondrial oxidative stress did not occur until 168 h of disuse (~40% greater mitochondrial oxidative stress in 168 h compared with 0 h of disuse, P < 0.0001). Blunted oxidative stress in female mice appeared to coincide with greater inductions of autophagy and mitophagy in female mice (~3-fold greater BNIP3 and ~6-fold greater LC3II/I ratio P < 0.0001 and P = 0.038 respectively). Male mice overall had greater reactive oxygen species (ROS) production compared with female mice. Female mice had a greater induction of ROS within 24 h of disuse (~4-fold greater compared with 0 h, P < 0.0001); whereas male mice did not have greater ROS production until 168 h of disuse (~2-fold greater, P < 0.0001). Although all muscle types exhibited some alterations to mitochondrial quality control, such as increased markers of mitophagy and fission, the soleus muscle in both male and female mice exhibited consistent alterations to various markers of mitochondrial quality. Markers of mitochondrial translation were approximately 30-50% lower within 24 h of unloading in both male and female soleus muscle (P value ranges: <0.0001-0.03). CONCLUSIONS Disuse negatively affects mitochondria differentially between sexes during development of muscle wasting. Acutely, female mice may forgo muscle mass to maintain mitochondrial quality compared with male mice. These differences may contribute to divergent clinical manifestations of atrophy.
Sequential Task Allocation with Connectivity Constraints in Wireless Robotic Networks

Compared with a single robot, the wireless robotic network provides more reliable and efficient services. When tasks are not independent and the movement of robots is constrained by wireless connectivity, coordination and cooperation are required to efficiently allocate tasks. Traditionally, the task allocation problem is formulated as a mixed-integer quadratically constrained quadratic programming, which is difficult to solve and the solution is not scalable. This paper studies the sequential task allocation for wireless robotic networks, where robots are subject to wireless connectivity constraints and the tasks are stochastic. The objective of this paper is to reduce the task completion time by using multiple robots. A one-dimensional motion along a straight line with applications for pipeline monitoring and tunnel exploration is considered. First, a baseline is developed for sequential task allocation using the greedy algorithm. Then, a deep reinforcement learning model with offline training is introduced, which can efficiently reduce the task completion time. To further improve the performance, the online rollout for reinforcement learning is employed. Wireless communication protocols and lower bounds of task completion time are also developed. The results show that robots can gradually learn the optimal policy and efficiently address the sequential task allocation problem.