cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-sided tests for change in level for correlated data

The classical problem of change point is considered when the data are assumed to be correlated. The nuisance parameters in the model are the initial level μ and the common variance σ2. The four cases, based on none, one, and both of the parameters are known are considered. Likelihood ratio tests are obtained for testing hypotheses regarding the change in level, δ, in each case. Following Henderson (1986), a Bayesian test is obtained for the two sided alternative. Under the Bayesian set up, a locally most powerful unbiased test is derived for the case μ=0 and σ2=1. The exact null distribution function of the Bayesian test statistic is given an integral representation. Methods to obtain exact and approximate critical values are indicated.
Neural Network Modeling of 85th Percentile Speed for Two-Lane Rural Highways

The study was undertaken to develop neural network models to predict 85th percentile speed for two-lane rural highways in Oklahoma. Several input parameters, namely, physical characteristics of road, traffic parameters, pavement condition indices, and accident data, were considered in developing the neural network models. The physical characteristics of road include surface width, shoulder type, and shoulder width. The traffic parameters cover average daily traffic (ADT) and posted speed. The pavement condition parameters include skid number and international roughness index (IRI). The location and statewide collision rates (overall, fatal, and injury), and percentage of drivers traveling at an unsafe speed were covered in the accident data. Four models were developed. Model 1 included physical characteristics of road and traffic parameters, including posted speed. Model 2 covered all parameters in Model 1 except posted speed. Similarly, Model 3 considered accident data with all parameters in Model 1. Model 4 used all the parameters in Model 3 except posted speed. Models 1 and 3 were more accurate than Models 2 and 4. The parametric study of the model parameters showed that 85th percentile speed decreased with an increase in the accident rate, ADT, skid number, and IRI. Similarly, widening of the surface and shoulder resulted in a higher 85th percentile speed. It is expected that developed neural network models would be an effective tool for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and other departments of transportation to enhance traffic safety.
Live-Cell Imaging of Dual-Labeled Golgi Stacks in Tobacco BY-2 Cells Reveals Similar Behaviors for Different Cisternae during Movement and Brefeldin A Treatment

In plant cells, the Golgi apparatus consists of numerous stacks that, in turn, are composed of several flattened cisternae with a clear cis-to-trans polarity. During normal functioning within living cells, this unusual organelle displays a wide range of dynamic behaviors such as whole stack motility, constant membrane flux through the cisternae, and Golgi enzyme recycling through the ER. In order to further investigate various aspects of Golgi stack dynamics and integrity, we co-expressed pairs of established Golgi markers in tobacco BY-2 cells to distinguish sub-compartments of the Golgi during monensin treatments, movement, and brefeldin A (BFA)-induced disassembly. A combination of cis and trans markers revealed that Golgi stacks remain intact as they move through the cytoplasm. The Golgi stack orientation during these movements showed a slight preference for the cis side moving ahead, but trans cisternae were also found at the leading edge. During BFA treatments, the different sub-compartments of about half of the observed stacks fused with the ER sequentially; however, no consistent order could be detected. In contrast, the ionophore monensin resulted in swelling of trans cisternae while medial and particularly cis cisternae were mostly unaffected. Our results thus demonstrate a remarkable equivalence of the different cisternae with respect to movement and BFA-induced fusion with the ER. In addition, we propose that a combination of dual-label fluorescence microscopy and drug treatments can provide a simple alternative approach to the determination of protein localization to specific Golgi sub-compartments.
Regulation of the Apaf-1–caspase-9 apoptosome

Apoptosis is probably not the only form of cell death, but it is currently the only form for which the proteins that constitute the death pathway have been characterized at the structural, biochemical and genetic levels in great detail. Apoptosis is an ancient paradigm, going back to the earliest
The effect of vibrations on sideways double-diffusive instabilities: strong stratification asymptotics

A body of salt-stratified fluid in a vertical slot can undergo double-diffusive instabilities when laterally heated. A previous study has indicated the possibility that vibrations could induce instabilities in the cases of a strong salinity gradient in regimes that are not only linearly stable, but also nonlinearly stable. We investigate this limit using the method of averaging and confirm that any level of high-frequency vibrations will lead to a reduction in the heating required for instability for a sufficiently strong salinity gradient, but that this is probably not of great importance to terrestrial experimenters.
A Multilevel, Multiobjective Policy Model: The Case of Marine Aquaculture Development

Marine aquaculture development is often constrained due to the difficulty in accommodating the industry within the evolving framework of coastal zone regulatory policy. One contributing problem is the dearth of socioeconomic, environmental, and institutional knowledge. To address this issue, a dynamic multiobjective, multilevel policy model is formulated for net-pen aquaculture development using effluent taxes as a policy instrument. Dynamic policy frontiers are generated by solving the aquacultural sector's problem, embedding the producer's dynamic response within the policy maker's problem, and then parameterizing on policy goals. The frontiers represent economic policy information consistent with the needs of a policy bargaining process.
Micro RNA like inhibition of HIV-1 replication

In this study, we investigated an RNA (R-Psi-sgRNA) that suppresses HIV-1 replication. This RNA is expressed by a plasmid vector (pR-Psi-sgRNA-ter) that was constructed accidentally. To examine if this effect is caused by RNA interference, R-Psi-sgRNA was synthesized in vitro and treated with the Dicer enzyme, an important RNase III enzyme for RNA interference. The RNA was cleaved into fragments of approximately 20 nucleotides. We then performed an HIV-1 p24 assay with the RNA fragments to evaluate their effect on HIV-1 replication. HIV-1 replication was suppressed.
mGluR5 is necessary for maintenance of methamphetamine-induced associative learning.

Abstract Conditioned place preference (CPP) reflects the significance of contextual cues that are associated with rewarding effects of abused drugs such as methamphetamine (Meth). Glutamate neurotransmission is augmented following exposure to stimulants and associated cues. Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) is critical for the acquisition and expression of stimulant-induced CPP. We hypothesized that the maintenance of Meth-induced CPP would also require activated mGluR, and that the role of mGluR1 vs. mGluR5 group I subtypes may differ. To test this hypothesis, negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of these receptors were administered following the development of Meth-induced CPP. NAMs exert their functional effects by displacing agonist from agonist-occupied receptors, thus NAMs selectively target brain regions with glutamate release. Conditioning with Meth every other day for six days resulted in significant preference for the Meth-paired compartment. Two once-daily injections of the mGluR1 NAM, JNJ16259685 (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) or its vehicle on days 13 and 14 after Meth-conditioning did not influence the maintenance of Meth-induced CPP; however, administration of the mGluR5 NAMs MTEP (3 mg/kg, i.p.) and MPEP (30 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited maintenance processes necessary for CPP to be expressed. These findings suggest a subtype-specific role of mGluR5 receptors in the maintenance of place preference memory and potential of mGluR5 NAMs as a useful target for Meth addiction therapy.
Rich conscious perception outside focal attention.

Can we consciously see more items at once than can be held in visual working memory? This question has eluded resolution because the ultimate evidence is subjects' reports in which phenomenal consciousness is filtered through working memory. However, a new technique makes use of the fact that unattended ‘ensemble properties' can be detected ‘for free' without decreasing working memory capacity.
No Longer, Not Yet

Construe the conditions on the basis of which the Berlin Wall came to be built, and the subsequent alteration that caused it to be dismantled, as historical clauses. A particular set of circumstances caused the wall to be built, and a later set dictated its departure. Building the wall brought closure to one historical configuration. Dismantling the wall has initiated a new and quite different configuration. In the interim — during the time of the wall’s existence — there was a pause of sorts: a brief hiatus which was both a “no longer” and a “not yet.” By grammatical analogy I shall refer to such a moment as a comma.
Gold-ceria catalysts for low-temperature water-gas shift reaction

Nanostructured Au–ceria is a promising new catalyst for low-temperature water-gas shift (LTS). Preparation, characterization, and catalytic properties of this material are reported in this paper. Gold–ceria was prepared by deposition–precipitation (DP), coprecipitation (CP), and gelation methods. The gold loading was varied between 1 and 8.3 at.%, while lanthanum used as a dopant in ceria, was 4 or 10 at.%. Most gold is in metallic state, but ionic gold was also present as identified by XPS. The average ceria crystallite size in samples prepared by gelation was 4.5 and 7 nm, respectively, after calcination at 400 or 650 ◦ C. The gold particle size in samples prepared by DP was <5 nm after 10 h long heating in air at 400 ◦ C. The gold particle size did not increase with gold loading in these samples. A dramatic effect of gold on the reducibility of the surface oxygen of ceria was found by H2-temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). All of the available surface oxygen was reduced, while there was no effect on the bulk oxygen of ceria. The enhancement of cerium oxide reducibility by gold is independent of the method of catalyst preparation. Oxygen storage capacity (OSC) measurements using step pulses of CO were in agreement with the TPR results; the presence of gold greatly enhances the OSC of ceria. Similar tests with copper-containing ceria were conduced for comparison. Carbon-containing species left on the surface after the CO step, can be fully removed with O2 or partially removed with H2O. The high catalytic activity of Au–ceria for LTS reaction correlates well with the ceria structure and oxygen transfer properties. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Radionuclide Imaging of Infection and Inflammation: A Pictorial Case-Based Atlas

E. Lazzeri, A. Signore, P.A. Erba, et al., Eds. New York, NY: Springer, 2013, 347 pages, $229 This comprehensive pictorial case-based atlas of radionuclide imaging in infection and inflammation comprises a diverse group of excellent cases, many using hybrid SPECT/CT and PET/CT imaging. The cases
A fuzzy intelligent organiser for control of robotic assembly operations

A fuzzy intelligent organizing control strategy, based on a fuzzy rule base and derived from measured force/moment data, for a quasi-static assembly operation is presented. Fuzzy set theory is implemented as an expert system to constitute the organizer of a robotic system for micro-tasking (part mating) purposes. A distance metric is employed to measure the uncertainty (fuzziness) of the fuzzy set as it is related to specific control actions. A learning algorithm based on the probability of a fuzzy event is introduced. The top organizing level determines the most appropriate pair of control values with minimum fuzziness and feeds this to the lower level of the system to carry out the specified task. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. >
ZIP TEST: A QUICK LOCATOR TEST FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN1

A short test to measure proficiency in English, reading and mathematics of migrant children of elementary school age is described.
Self-Knowledge: Its Limits, Value, and Potential for Improvement

Because of personal motives and the architecture of the mind, it may be difficult for people to know themselves. People often attempt to block out unwanted thoughts and feelings through conscious suppression and perhaps through unconscious repression, though whether such attempts are successful is controversial. A more common source of self-knowledge failure is the inaccessibility of much of the mind to consciousness, including mental processes involved in perception, motor learning, personality, attitudes, and self-esteem. Introspection cannot provide a direct pipeline to these mental processes, though some types of introspection may help people construct beneficial personal narratives. Other ways of increasing self-knowledge include looking at ourselves through the eyes of others and observing our own behavior. These approaches can potentially promote self-knowledge, although major obstacles exist. It is not always advantageous to hold self-perceptions that correspond perfectly with reality, but increasing awareness of nonconscious motives and personality is generally beneficial.
Characterization and application of highly sensitive infra-red emission microscopy for microprocessor backside failure analysis

The HgCdTe infrared emission microscope (IREM) system has demonstrated about 10/spl times/ sensitivity gain over the conventional silicon based CCD system for die backside near-silicon bandgap photon-emission detection. The authors' IREM system is also designed to be directly dockable to testers, eliminating the device-under-test to tester cable interface. In presenting three failure analysis cases, we demonstrate that the IREM coupled with backside sample preparation techniques also offers additional capability in detection of thermal emission spots, especially for failure analysis of flip-chip packaged ICs.
Nationwide survey of policies and practices related to capillary blood sampling in medical laboratories in Croatia

Introduction: Capillary sampling is increasingly used to obtain blood for laboratory tests in volumes as small as necessary and as non-invasively as possible. Whether capillary blood sampling is also frequent in Croatia, and whether it is performed according to international laboratory standards is unclear. Materials and methods: All medical laboratories that participate in the Croatian National External Quality Assessment Program (N = 204) were surveyed on-line to collect information about the laboratory’s parent institution, patient population, types and frequencies of laboratory tests based on capillary blood samples, choice of reference intervals, and policies and procedures specifically related to capillary sampling. Sampling practices were compared with guidelines from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Results: Of the 204 laboratories surveyed, 174 (85%) responded with complete questionnaires. Among the 174 respondents, 155 (89%) reported that they routinely perform capillary sampling, which is carried out by laboratory staff in 118 laboratories (76%). Nearly half of respondent laborato ries (48%) do not have a written protocol including order of draw for multiple sampling. A single puncture site is used to provide capillary blood for up to two samples at 43% of laboratories that occasionally or regularly perform such sampling. Most respondents (88%) never perform arterialisation prior to capillary blood sampling. Conclusions: Capillary blood sampling is highly prevalent in Croatia across different types of clinical facilities and patient populations. Capillary sampling procedures are not standardised in the country, and the rate of laboratory compliance with CLSI and WHO guidelines is low.
Gender and Ethnic Issues

In general, pain sensitivity is greater in women than men. Pressure pain threshold at fibromyalgia tender points is significantly lower in women, even in samples where men report more severe fibromyalgia symptoms. Men seeking fibromyalgia treatment will typically have more severe symptoms and disability than female treatment seekers. Both men and women generally respond similarly to typical fibromyalgia drug and non-drug treatments. Ethnicity affects pain tolerance and acceptance of healthcare recommendations.
Transcaval puncture for access to the pulmonary venous atrium after the extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection operation.

Background— Patients with surgically palliated total cavopulmonary connection are at risk for recurrent atrial arrhythmia requiring catheter ablation. Transcatheter procedures for those with extracardiac conduits (extracardiac-total cavopulmonary connection) are perhaps the most challenging because of exclusion of the venous circulation from the arrhythmia substrate. Puncture through the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary venous atrium may be an effective route for access in these patients. Methods and Results— The pediatric and adult congenital surgical databases were explored for patients with extracardiac-total cavopulmonary connection and postoperative computed tomography imaging to assess for the presence of clinically relevant (>3 mm) apposition between the inferior vena cava and pulmonary venous atrium (cavoatrial overlap). The degree of overlap between the structures was measured by 2 blinded reviewers. Patients were stratified by surgical repair in childhood versus adult congenital heart disease. Thirty-seven patients were identified, with cavoatrial overlap observed in 9 (36%) of pediatric and 1 (9%) of adult congenital heart disease–repaired patients. Time elapsed after surgery was associated with cavoatrial overlap in the pediatric cohort ( P =0.034) and was identified in all pediatric patients with computed tomography imaging ≥8 years after surgery. Three patients underwent successful transcaval puncture during the study period without complication. Conclusions— Puncture through a region of overlap between the inferior vena cava and pulmonary venous atrium is feasible. Cavoatrial overlap is present in a substantial proportion of patients undergoing extracardiac-total cavopulmonary connection in childhood and is associated with a longer time elapsed since surgery.
Ashtanga-based yoga therapy increases the sensory contribution to postural stability in visually-impaired persons at risk for falls as measured by the Wii balance board: a pilot randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: Persons with visual impairment (VI) are at greater risk for falls due to irreparable damage to visual sensory input contributing to balance. Targeted training may significantly improve postural stability by strengthening the remaining sensory systems. Here, we evaluate the Ashtanga-based Yoga Therapy (AYT) program as a multi-sensory behavioral intervention to develop postural stability in VI. DESIGN: A randomized, waitlist-controlled, single-blind clinical trial. METHODS: The trial was conducted between October 2012 and December 2013. Twenty-one legally blind participants were randomized to an 8-week AYT program (n = 11, mean (SD) age = 55(17)) or waitlist control (n=10, mean (SD) age = 55(10)). AYT subjects convened for one group session at a local yoga studio with an instructor and two individual home-based practice sessions per week for a total of 8 weeks. Subjects completed outcome measures at baseline and post-8 weeks of AYT. The primary outcome, absolute Center of Pressure (COP), was derived from the Wii Balance Board (WBB), a standalone posturography device, in 4 sensory conditions: firm surface, eyes open (EO); firm surface, eyes closed (EC); foam surface, EO; and foam surface, EC. Stabilization Indices (SI) were computed from COP measures to determine the relative visual (SIfirm, SIfoam), somatosensory (SIEO, SIEC) and vestibular (SIV, i.e., FoamEC vs. FirmEO) contributions to balance. This study was not powered to detect between group differences, so significance of pre-post changes was assessed by paired samples t-tests within each group. RESULTS: Groups were equivalent at baseline (all p > 0.05). In the AYT group, absolute COP significantly increased in the FoamEO (t(8) = -3.66, p = 0.01) and FoamEC (t(8) = -3.90, p = 0.01) conditions. Relative somatosensory SIEO (t(8) = -2.42, p = 0.04) and SIEC (t(8) = -3.96, p = 0.01), and vestibular SIV (t(8) = -2.47, p = 0.04) contributions to balance increased significantly. As expected, no significant changes from EO to EC conditions were found indicating an absence of visual dependency in VI. No significant pre-post changes were observed in the control group (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results establish the potential for AYT training to develop the remaining somatosensory and vestibular responses used to optimize postural stability in a VI population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01366677. Language: en
Effect of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy on the Growth Kinetics and Enhancement Pattern of Primary Renal Tumors.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to assess the growth rate and enhancement of renal masses before and after treatment with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS. This retrospective study included all patients with renal masses who underwent SBRT during a 5-year period. Orthogonal measurements of renal masses were obtained on pre- and posttreatment CT or MRI. Pre- and posttreatment growth rates were compared for renal mass diameter and volume using the t test. Pre- and posttreatment tumor enhancement values were compared for tumors that underwent multiphasic contrast-enhanced MRI. RESULTS. Forty patients underwent SBRT for the treatment of 41 renal tumors: clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) (n = 16), papillary RCCs (n = 6), oncocytic neoplasms (n = 8), unclassified RCCs (n = 2), urothelial carcinoma (n = 1), and no pathologic diagnosis (n = 8). The mean maximum tumor diameter before treatment was 3.9 cm (range, 1.6–8.3 cm). Three hundred thirty-eight pre- and posttreatm...
Hypersensitivity to Zidovudine: Report of a Case of Anaphylaxis and Review of the Literature

Hypersensitivity to zidovudine is an uncommon complication of antiretroviral therapy. Manifestations range from isolated fever to anaphylaxis. Fever and rash are the most common features. Diagnosis is made by rechallenge, although some patients have antibodies to zidovudine. Treatment is supportive, and symptoms resolve on withdrawal of the medication.
Maintenance of sucrase activity in rat small intestine. Influence of diet and age.

The long-term maintenance and acute induction of sucrase activity were studied under a variety of defined dietary conditions during the adult life-span of the Sprague-Dawley rat. Rats were fed chow, 74% carbohydrate, 56% carbohydrate, or 22% carbohydrate diets, from 44 to 106 weeks of age. Sucrase specific activity was measured in enterocytes isolated from the proximal, middle, and distal small intestine at 52, 86, and 104 weeks of age. Sucrase specific activity was correlated with the carbohydrate content of the diet but not affected by age throughout the adult life-span. In a second experiment, the acute induction of sucrase following a 48-hr fast was studied in 58- and 116- week-old rats. The increase in sucrase specific activity following refeeding was not different in the adult and aged rats. The results suggest that the carbohydrate-digesting capacity of the small intestine enterocyte of the Sprague-Dawley rat is not impaired during the aging process.
Evaluation of Grid Convergence and Turbulence Model Constant Changes for the Airfoil Flow Simulation

Computations of the flow over a quasi-steady and oscillating NACA 0015 airfoil are performed using the a Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes code and compared with experimental data. Grid convergence studies are performed for the static airfoil using the Spalart-Allmaras (S-A) turbulence model. Grid convergence is obtained easily for attached flow, and nearly so for separated flow (where some slight unsteadiness always remains). The main feature of these latter solutions is that the characteristic trailing-edge separation of the NACA0015 airfoil is badly predicted, and this is clearly a result of the turbulence model. Accordingly, ad-hoc modifications to the model are made and one of these shows a major improvement in the separation characteristics, as seen in the lift, drag, and pitching moment.
Understanding tourism support for a craft beer trail: the case of Loudoun County, Virginia

ABSTRACTFood and drink tourism has become an important form of the tourism trail and a means through which cultural exploration can occur. As a form of sustainable tourism, the craft beer trail is just beginning to gain recognition in academic tourism studies. Food and drink tourism literature documents the need for collaboration as a means to improve knowledge exchange and streamline destination marketing. This study presents the results of potential collaboration between tourism businesses, specifically between accommodation properties and tour/bus companies, in an effort to construct a new craft beer tourism trail in Loudoun County, Virginia. The results show that these two sectors cater to different tourism types, short-break visitors by the accommodations and day visitors by the tour/bus companies. Furthermore, the autonomy of tour/bus companies does not show viable support at the destination marketing level. Therefore, collaborative partnerships should start between brewers and the accommodations se...
Diagnostic and prognostic significance of glomerular epithelial cell vacuolization and podocyte effacement in children with minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: an ultrastructural study.

Abstract Children with minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome (MLNS) may later develop focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). It has been suggested that a low percentage of epithelial podocyte effacement (EPE) and a high degree of epithelial cell vacuolization (ECV) in nonsclerotic glomeruli presage FSGS, and that extensive epithelial cell vacuolization in biopsies clearly showing FSGS predicts a poor clinical outcome. To investigate these contentions, we examined by electron microscopy three glomeruli from each of the first biopsies of 30 patients. Ten patients (group 1) had MLNS, 10 (group 2) had FSGS, and 10 (group 3) had MLNS which progressed to FSGS. Clinical data was obtained by retrospective review of medical records. The percent of epithelial podocyte effacement was calculated by computerized linear tracing and epithelial cell vacuolization was scored semiquantitatively from 0-3. (formula; see text) The percent podocyte effacement in each group was the same and does not distinguish MLNS from FSGS. Group 2 had more extensive epithelial cell vacuolization than group 1 (p less than 0.04) and the same as group 3 (p = 0.16). The combined ECV score for groups 2 and 3, however, was significantly greater than for group 1 (p less than 0.025) suggesting that epithelial cell vacuolization may indeed be a marker of FSGS. The extent of epithelial cell vacuolization did not correlate with creatinine clearance at latest follow-up, and thus does not predict clinical outcome.
An LTE Scheduling Mechanism of Queueing Delay Aware

Long Term Evolution(LTE) system carries voice business in the packet-switched domain. The voice business quality of delay and packet loss-sensitivity is difficult to be ensured. Therefore, this paper presents a voice business scheduling mechanism of Queueing Delay Aware(QDA). It determines the users' scheduling priority according to the queue length, the channel conditions, the queuing delay and business maximum permissible delay, and allocates user resources. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the proposed scheduling mechanism can effectively use network resources, reduce the packet loss rate and improve user fairness under the condition that delay and system throughput meet the requirements compared with the VoIP Scheduling Model(VSM) scheduling mechanism.
Inherent moral practice in group psychotherapy.

The large amount and variety of group psychotherapy practiced today enjoins us to determine its morality, that is, its rightness or wrongness. In this essay group therapy and morality are briefly d...
Autopsy-determined causes of death following organ transplantation in 25 patients aged 20 years or younger.

Aim: This study aims to examine the autopsy-determined principal and proximate causes of death in 25 patients aged 20 years or younger who died during the 10-year period from 1990 to 1999 after receiving an organ transplant at the University of Minnesota/Fairview-University Medical Center. Methods: The autopsy records of this institution were examined for organ transplant recipients who were aged 20 years or younger at the time of their death. In each case, after review of the clinical and pathological data, the principal cause of death (PCOD), as well as the proximate cause of death (PXCOD) were noted. Results: A total of 25 recipient patients were identified (five heart, five lung, five kidney and 10 liver -transplants). Seven patients died 30 days or less postoperatively and 18 died thereafter. The following categories of PCOD were encountered: operative/technical complications 28%, most (6/7) being associated with liver transplantation. Infection (24%) and chronic rejection (12%) were other important PCOD. Respiratory complications accounted for 47% of the PCOD. The following categories of PXCOD were noted: technical problems 16%, pulmonary pathology 24%, miscellaneous 32%, acute rejection 4% and nil 20%. Conclusions: This study revealed that technical problems in liver transplants were an important PCOD; respiratory complications and chronic rejection were additional major causes of mortality in this young age group of transplant recipients. Pulmonary pathology and technical problems were the commonest specific groups contributing to the PXCOD.
Worksite health promotion: rationale for military implementation.

Health promotion programs are being offered in many segments of U.S. society. Corporations find offering health promotion programs at the worksite effective and cost-efficient. The U.S. military, following a 1986 Department of Defense directive, has also developed health promotion programs. At present, not all components of military health promotion programs are being offered at the worksite. Improved employee health and lower health care costs are objectives sought by both the military and major corporations. Therefore, full worksite implementation of all health promotion program components will assist the military services in reaching their health goals.
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive synaptic and neuronal loss accompanied by the presence of two forms of amyloid: extracellular plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid plaques are composed of the peptide Aβ, which self-associates to form insoluble fibrils, while neurofibrillary tangles are composed of hyperphosphorylated forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Along the way to forming fibrils, Aβ also forms soluble oligomeric toxins, which are hypothesized to be disease initiating factors. Decades before AD is clinically detectable, Aβ accumulation in the brain has already begun, giving Aβ biomarkers excellent prognostic value. Tau biomarkers are also prognostic and precede AD onset, although they reflect neural damage and disease severity much better than Aβ. Other diagnostic biomarkers, including brain atrophy, hypometabolism, hypoperfusion, and oxidative damage, are better diagnostic tools for estimating disease progression than for predicting AD onset, although no biomarkers have been validated for clinical use. The etiology, disease mechanisms, and biomarkers of AD are discussed in this chapter.
Formulation of posture optimization for multi-legged robot via eigen decomposition of stiffness matrix

This paper presents a different way to formulate the posture optimization problem for multi-legged robot, which tackles general contact force constraint and takes into account the indeterminate contact force. The stiffness matrix is considered to solve for the indeterminate contact force, which is never done before due to its complexity. Instead of optimizing directly over the stiffness matrix, we optimize over its eigenvalues to simplify the problem, and to reveal physical intuition behind it. It turns out that, with proper assumption, the new formulation reduces the traditionally tough static equilibrium constraint into easier convex constraint, which enables fast online computation.
Reviewers for FICS 1999

The journal would like to thank the following individuals who have served as referees for the articles published in volume 27 number 2 and/or for articles submitted since May 1999.
The Obstacles Perceived by Critical Care Nurses in Performing Endotracheal Suctioning

A descriptive exploratory study to identify the performance obstacles perceived by critical care nurses in performing end tracheal suctioning was conducted in eight intensive care units of AIMS, Kochi. Objectives : The objectives of the study were to; (1) Identify the performance obstacles perceived by critical care nurses while performing ET suctioning (2) Find out the opinion of critical care nurses on overcoming the performance obstacles identified in ET suctioning (3) Prepare a strategy to improve the practices of critical care nurses on ET suctioning. Research methodology : The design used for the study was exploratory descriptive design with non-probability convenience sampling technique (N=50). Results : The performance obstacles during suctioning as perceived by nurses were; difficult procedure without assistance (84%), restless patient (84%), distractions (52%), inadequate training either during student period (78%) or as a staff nurse (46%) or before practicing in the unit (62%) and unaware of research finding on ET suctioning (76%). All of them suggested the need for; training at the beginning of clinical posting in the unit, clear cut guideline/protocol on ET suctioning and updating of guideline/equipment. Conclusion : The performance obstacles were categorized into knowledge, skill, technology and tool and organization and were rated by the nurses as minimum , medium and many. The performance obstacles perceived by nurses were mostly related to skill in ET suctioning. The major knowledge related performance obstacles perceived by nurses' was inadequate training on ET suctioning in a real patient as a student (78%). Training on ET suctioning should be given in the beginning of clinical posting in critical care unit.
Bayes and MCMC for Undergraduates

ABSTRACTStudents of statistics should be taught the ideas and methods that are widely used in practice and that will help them understand the world of statistics. Today, this means teaching them about Bayesian methods. In this article, I present ideas on teaching an undergraduate Bayesian course that uses Markov chain Monte Carlo and that can be a second course or, for strong students, a first course in statistics.
Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering: Regeneration of the Skin and Its Contents

In this review, the authors discuss the stages of skin wound healing, the role of stem cells in accelerating skin wound healing, and the mechanism by which these stem cells may reconstitute the skin in the context of tissue engineering.
Companion animals and natural disasters: A systematic review of literature

Abstract In 2014, 317 natural disasters were reported, impacting 94 countries, resulting in an estimated 7963 global deaths and costing nearly US$100 billion [28] , [29] . This issue becomes even more problematic when animal guardianship is considered during disasters. Therefore, this narrative systematic review of literature investigates the impact of companion animal guardianship before, during, and/or after a natural disaster. Nineteen peer-reviewed, empirical articles were included in this review. Articles were located using search terms and inclusion criteria via EBSCOhost, JSTOR, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. The included articles covered a range of natural disasters in various countries. Findings from the included articles are discussed within methodological streams (mixed methods, qualitative, and quantitative descriptive) as well as synthesized across methodological streams. Findings suggest that companion animal guardianship can impact disaster-relevant decisions, behaviors, psychological symptoms, and willingness to work during a time of disaster. These findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to disaster planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Particularly, implications are discussed for public health and safety, disaster professionals and officials, resiliency, and contextual factors. The review concludes with a discussion of limitations and areas for future research.
Wave Interactions in Nonlinear Strings

We study the interactions of waves in a system for nonlinear elastic strings. The system can be written $${\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} u \\ v \end{array}} \right)_t} + {\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} { - v} \\ { - T(r)\frac{u}{r}} \end{array}} \right)_x} = 0,$$ where u ∊ R3 and r = |u|. This is a 6 × 6 system of nonstrictly hyperbolic conservation laws in one space dimension. There are four wave families, two being genuinely nonlinear and two being degenerate. The eigenvalues corresponding to the degenerate families have multiplicity two, and the locus of points which can be connected through a jump discontinuity is a surface, rather than a curve as in the classical case. There is a highly nonlinear coupling between the different families, which we describe geometrically. We describe the interactions of elementary waves, and speculate on the nature of long-term solutions.
Computational Methods for Road way Analysis and Design

In this chapter, a brief overview is given of the computational methods required to perform finite element analyses of asphalt concrete and asphaltic road ways. It is shown that the finite element method may be deployed to predict both temperature and moisture within the road way as functions of time and spatial coordinates, and these may then be utilized, together with input loads on the road way, and to predict mechanical response, including stresses, strain, and displacements of the pavement. Newton iteration is discussed as a means of accounting for nonlinearities due to plasticity, viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, and evolving cracks within the pavement. The finite element method is then utilized to demonstrate the power of computational mechanics in predicting the performance of road ways as a functions of global, local, and even microscale input variables, including tire pressure distribution, fillers, fines, aggregate, base material and compaction, and even environmental effects. As tools for computational analysis both micromechanics and multi-scaling are discussed in some detail, with emphasis placed on how designers can account for the effects of controllable parameters such as mix volume fractions and pavement thickness to improve road way performance, attention is paid to how these parameters can affect pavement rutting and cracking. Tools discussed in this chapter will therefore serve the designer well in improving performance of road ways of the future.
Safety and postoperative adverse events in management of acute mastoiditis in children - 30 Day NSQIP outcomes.

Abstract Objective To examine preoperative risk factors, postoperative 30-day outcomes and adverse events of acute mastoiditis using a national pediatric surgical database. Methods We explored our objectives using a cross-sectional analysis of a hospital-based reporting system database. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) pediatric database was used to identify surgical encounters for the treatment of acute mastoiditis from 2012 to 2015. Patient demographics, co-morbidities, laboratory values, surgical details, complications, and outcomes were tabulated. Linear regression was used to determine predictors of prolonged hospital stay based on pre-operative, surgical and outcome variables. Results 113 patients with acute mastoiditis were identified from with mean age of 7.8 years. Mastoidectomy was the most common index procedure performed (44; 34%). Average hospital stay length was 5.2 days. No patients died within 30 days. 4 (3.1%) patients required readmission, and 9 (6.9%) required unplanned subsequent operative procedures. Pre-operative presence of sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS; p = 0.03), and unplanned additional procedures were associated with a prolonged hospital stay (p = 0.03), but age, gender, race, and pre-operative morbidities were not (p > 0.05). Conclusions Contemporary surgical management of acute mastoiditis in children appears to be safe. Mortality is rare and has been potentially eliminated as a complication. Rates of pre-operative systemic infection were very high, despite current antibiotic utilization trends. Opportunities for quality improvement exist to investigate how to decrease rates of preoperative sepsis, limit readmissions, and unplanned re-operations. The role of mastoidectomy appears prominent, as it was used in about two-thirds of cases. Level of evidence 4.
Transactional distance and adaptive learning, by Farhad Saba and Rick Shearer, New York, NY, Routledge, 2016, 211 pp., $35.49 (paperback)

The central premise of this book is that the holy grail of education is personalized learning (Johnson, Adams Becker, Estrada, & Freeman, 2015), a highly individualized, often independent way of le...
A Review on BlockChain Security

Blockchain is a decentralized technology. It has extensive power to solve business problems. Cryptography secures the records in a blockchain transaction and each transaction is tied to previous transactions or records. Blockchain transactions are validated by algorithms on the nodes. A single entity cannot create a transaction. Finally, blockchains provide transparency, giving each participant the ability to monitor the transactions at any time. Smart contract make secure transaction which helps to avoid third party disruption. Ethereum is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts. This enables developers to create markets move funds in accordance with instructions given long in the past. The main features of blockchain are Decentralization, Immutability Faster dealings, Transaction and validation happens in seconds etc..
Making Partnerships with STEAM.

John Maeda had me at “Hello.”When the former president of the Rhode Island School of Design spoke at the 2012 National Art Education Association (NAEA) Convention in New York, his words supported m...
Tissue imaging with shaped femtosecond laser pulses

We developed two methods to access novel nonlinear functional contrast in tissue. Here we present three-dimensional, high-resolution data of two-photon absorption, sum-frequency absorption and self-phase modulation acquired in mounted melanoma cells. This fundamentally new contrast, combined with the technique’s high sensitivity, promises to significantly advance optical methods for tissue characterization and diagnosis.
Assessing the genetic diversity and characterizing genomic regions conferring Tan Spot resistance in cultivated rye

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is known for its wide adaptation due to its ability to tolerate harsh environments in semiarid areas. To assess the diversity in rye we genotyped a panel of 178 geographically diverse accessions of four Secale sp. from U.S. National Small Grains Collection using 4,037 high-quality SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) developed by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). PCA and STRUCTURE analysis revealed three major clusters that separate S. cereale L. from S. strictum and S. sylvestre, however, genetic clusters did not correlate with geographic origins and growth habit (spring/winter). The panel was evaluated for response to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis race 5 (PTR race 5) and nearly 59% accessions showed resistance or moderate resistance. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on S. cereale subsp. cereale using the 4,037 high-quality SNPs. Two QTLs (QTs.sdsu-5R and QTs.sdsu-2R) on chromosomes 5R and 2R were identified conferring resistance to PTR race 5 (p < 0.001) that explained 13.1% and 11.6% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Comparative analysis showed a high degree of synteny between rye and wheat with known rearrangements as expected. QTs.sdsu-2R was mapped in the genomic region corresponding to wheat chromosome group 2 and QTs.sdsu-5R was mapped to a small terminal region on chromosome 4BL. Based on the genetic diversity, a set of 32 accessions was identified to represents more than 99% of the allelic diversity with polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.25. This set can be utilized for genetic characterization of useful traits and genetic improvement of rye, triticale, and wheat.
Genetic Network Analysis to Assess the Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Seeking Partners on the Internet.

Author(s): Martin, Thomas CS; Chaillon, Antoine; Graves, Susannah K; Lin, Timothy; Gianella, Sara; Smith, Davey M; Little, Susan J; Hoenigl, Martin | Abstract: BackgroundOnline partner seeking (OPS) among men who have sex with men (MSM) is associated with increased risk behavior including frequency of unprotected anal intercourse, number of partners, and incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, the impact on transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is uncertain.MethodsMSM diagnosed with acute and early HIV infection were recruited from the Primary Infection Resource Consortium. HIV transmission events in the year following infection were inferred using estimated date of infection combined with genetic network analysis with linked sequences defined as ≤0.015 sequences/site difference in the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) pol coding region. Participants completed a detailed baseline questionnaire including reported methods of meeting sexual partners, including OPS, in the prior 3 months, and regression was performed with inferred transmission as the outcome.ResultsFrom 147 MSM who completed the questionnaire, there were an associated 20 inferred HIV transmissions. No association with OPS was found (odds ratio, 0.64 [95% confidence interval, .24-1.69]; P = .37), though individuals who reported OPS were more likely to have reported a greater number of partners (P = .003) and prior STIs (P = .002). Geospatial analysis did not indicate that OPS was associated with increased geographical reach of the user (P = .68).ConclusionsIndividuals reporting OPS did not have increased odds of inferred HIV-1 transmission in the year following infection using genetic linkage analysis despite apparently increased risk behavior. OPS also did not increase the geographic distance between genetically clustered HIV infections, suggesting that individuals mainly use the internet to meet partners in their local region.
A quality improvement project to reduce overutilization of blood tests in a teaching hospital.

Objective: In hospitals, physicians-in-training are major contributors to the burden of tests ordered, increasing cost and resource utilization. We implemented an intervention to discourage overuti...