cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visualizing Changes of Hierarchical Data using Treemaps

While the treemap is a popular method for visualizing hierarchical data, it is often difficult for users to track layout and attribute changes when the data evolve over time. When viewing the treemaps side by side or back and forth, there exist several problems that can prevent viewers from performing effective comparisons. Those problems include abrupt layout changes, a lack of prominent visual patterns to represent layouts, and a lack of direct contrast to highlight differences. In this paper, we present strategies to visualize changes of hierarchical data using treemaps. A new treemap layout algorithm is presented to reduce abrupt layout changes and produce consistent visual patterns. Techniques are proposed to effectively visualize the difference and contrast between two treemap snapshots in terms of the map items' colors, sizes, and positions. Experimental data show that our algorithm can achieve a good balance in maintaining a treemap's stability, continuity, readability, and average aspect ratio. A software tool is created to compare treemaps and generate the visualizations. User studies show that the users can better understand the changes in the hierarchy and layout, and more quickly notice the color and size differences using our method.
A Graphical Method for the Interpretation of Multinomial Logit Analysis

Multinomial logit analysis is a statistical technique for relating a set of continuous or discrete independent variables to a categorical dependent variable. The availability of statistical software and the publication of review articles dealing with logit analysis has resulted in increasing applications of the model. These applications have been limited by a failure to deal adequately with the magnitudes of the parameters, restricting discussion almost entirely to the direction of effects and their statistical significance. This limitation is a consequence of the large number of parameters involved and the nonlinearity of the effects. To deal with this problem, a graphical method is proposed to represent the magnitudes and statistical significance of all effects in a multinomial logit analysis. This allows for a clear interpretation of the relative magnitudes of effects both within and across independent variables. The article concludes with an example to illustrate the technique.
Effects of drugs on the fetus.

The tragic consequences for the fetuses of pregnant women using the sedative thalidomide destroyed the theory that the placenta was a type of barrier protecting the fetus from the effects of maternal pharmacology. It now is known that virtually all drugs and chemical compounds cross the placenta. Because such compounds have to cross several lipoprotein barriers in vascular walls to travel from the maternal to fetal circulation, certain physicochemical characteristics of drugs and chemicals favor transport to the fetus: low molecular weight, lipid solubility, and nonionization at a pH of 7.4. Most drugs in current use (prescription and over-the-counter) cross the placenta. Most environmental toxins also cross the placenta and present a special problem; they are very lipid-soluble and may be stored in the woman9s body fat, even from childhood until pregnancy occurs. With pregnancy may come mobilization and passage to the fetus. Details of when compounds are transferred across the placenta in pregnancy in humans are not available. Because we are unable to obtain more than the single simultaneous maternal and fetal samples available from the cord blood at delivery, our knowledge of maternal-fetal partitioning and pharmacokinetics remains fragmentary. Drug exposure can occur at any time from conception through labor and delivery.
The Problem of Knowledge in Incorporating Humanitarian Ethics in Engineering Education: Barriers and Opportunities

After both providing a brief overview of historical and recent connections between engineering practice and humanitarian efforts and noting the qualitative research methodology used, we describe an investigation into the barriers and opportunities in implementing a new initiative in Humanitarian Engineering Ethics (HEE). As the first phase toward HEE implementation, the authors interviewed engineering educators and students to better understand the types of barriers and opportunities implicit and explicit in launching HEE. Study participants reported barriers and opportunities that can be categorized according to the problem of knowledge on three dimensions: the organization, content, and hierarchy of knowledge in current engineering disciplines. These dimensions include the notions that knowledge is and has been organized along disciplinary lines, that the engineering sciences curriculum promotes particularly dominant problem-solving methods, and that some knowledge is valued over other types of knowledge. Study participants also suggested possible opportunities for addressing barriers.
Concepts: linguistic support for generic programming in C++

Generic programming has emerged as an important technique for the development of highly reusable and efficient software libraries. In C++, generic programming is enabled by the flexibility of templates, the C++ type parametrization mechanism. However, the power of templates comes with a price: generic (template) libraries can be more difficult to use and develop than non-template libraries and their misuse results in notoriously confusing error messages. As currently defined in C++98, templates are unconstrained, and type-checking of templates is performed late in the compilation process, i.e., after the use of a template has been combined with its definition. To improve the support for generic programming in C++, we introduce concepts to express the syntactic and semantic behavior of types and to constrain the type parameters in a C++ template. Using concepts, type-checking of template definitions is separated from their uses, thereby making templates easier to use and easier to compile. These improvements are achieved without limiting the flexibility of templates or decreasing their performance - in fact their expressive power is increased. This paper describes the language extensions supporting concepts, their use in the expression of the C++ Standard Template Library, and their implementation in the ConceptGCC compiler. Concepts are candidates for inclusion in the upcoming revision of the ISO C++ standard, C++0x.
Enhancing Social Justice by Promoting Prosocial Values in Career Development Interventions.

In career counseling, social justice is typically integrated by helping oppressed groups navigate their way around obstacles of injustice while also working to dislodge the oppressive conditions from society. The authors affirm both of these courses of action while also advocating a third strategy: inviting clients to serve as agents of change by introducing and incorporating prosocial values into career development interventions. This article makes the case that this strategy may enhance client well-being while simultaneously promoting harmony among organizations and society. Support for this strategy comes from theory, research, and the ethical approaches for working with values in counseling.
Pulmonary histoplasmosis in a llama

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Limited receptive area neural classifier for recognition of swallowing sounds using short-time Fourier transform

In this paper we propose a sound recognition technique based on the limited receptive area (LIRA) neural classifier and short-time Fourier transform (ST FT). LIRA neural classifier was developed as a multipurpose image recognition system. Previous tests of LIRA demonstrated good results in different image recognition tasks including: handwritten digit recognition, face recognition, metal surface texture recognition, and micro work piece shape recognition. We propose a sound recognition technique where spectrograms of sound instances serve as inputs of the LIRA neural classifier. The methodology was tested in recognition of swallowing sounds. Swallowing sound recognition may be employed in systems for automated swallowing assessment and diagnosis of swallowing disorders. The experimental results suggest high efficiency and reliability of the proposed approach.
Using Knowledge of Development to Promote Recovery of Function after Brain Damage

Knowledge of normal development of brain–behavior relations plays an important role in understanding how the plasticity of the nervous system can be used to promote recovery of function following brain damage. Aspects of the other articles in this issue are used in justification of the value of such developmental knowledge. Also, the development of amblyopia and its remediation in adulthood is discussed as a model for developing other techniques for ensuring recovery of function after stroke. Although the articles in this issue establish an excellent context for improving actual recovery of function (rather than compensation for deficits), much still needs to be discovered about how we can use developmental knowledge, along with knowledge of the plasticity of the nervous system, to improve remediation techniques.
Design of EBG Power Distribution Networks With VHF-Band Cutoff Frequency and Small Unit Cell Size for Mixed-Signal Systems

Hybrid electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) power distribution networks (PDNs) with VHF-band cutoff frequency, small unit cell size, and wideband noise suppression characteristics are proposed. Commercial lumped chip inductors are used to implement inductive bridges between neighboring metal patches instead of conventional microstrip lines. A 1D analysis model of the EBG structure is developed to find a mathematical ground for the use of the lumped chip inductors in the EBG PDN designs. From 158 MHz to 4528 MHz a measured stopband bandwidth of 4.37 GHz is achieved with over -60 dB noise suppression levels.
Spirituality in African Americans With Diabetes: Self-Management Through a Relationship With God:

The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical model about how the spirituality of African Americans affects their self-management of diabetes. The sample consisted of 29 African American men and women, ages 40 to 75, with type 2 diabetes. The authors used a grounded theory design and collected data using minimally structured interviews. The method of analysis was constant comparison. The core concept identified was Self-Management Through a Relationship With God. Participants fell into one of three typologies: (a) Relationship and Responsibility: God Is in Background; (b) Relationship and Responsibility: God Is in Forefront: (c) Relationship and Relinquishing of Self-Management: God Is Healer. These typologies varied according to how participants viewed their relationship with God and the impact of this relationship on their self-management. The spirituality of these African Americans was an important factor that influenced the self-management of their diabetes.
Effects of motexafin gadolinium on DNA damage and X-ray-induced DNA damage repair, as assessed by the Comet assay.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of motexafin gadolinium (MGd) on the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), and DNA damage in EMT6 mouse mammary carcinoma cells. The ability of MGd to alter radiosensitivity and to inhibit DNA damage repair after X-ray irradiation was also evaluated. Methods and Materials: Reactive oxygen species and GSH levels were assessed by 2,7-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence flow cytometry and the Tietze method, respectively. Cellular radiosensitivity was assessed by clonogenic assays. Deoxyribonucleic acid damage and DNA damage repair were assessed in plateau-phase EMT6 cells by the Comet assay and clonogenic assays. Results: Cells treated with 100 mol/L MGd plus equimolar ascorbic acid (AA) had significantly increased levels of ROS and a 58.9% 3.4% decrease in GSH levels, relative to controls. Motexafin gadolinium plus AA treatment increased the hypoxic, but not the aerobic, radiosensitivity of EMT6 cells. There were increased levels of single-strand breaks in cells treated with 100 mol/L MGd plus equimolar AA, as evidenced by changes in the alkaline tail moment (MGd AA, 6 h: 14.7 1.8; control: 2.8 0.9). The level of single-strand breaks was dependent on the length of treatment. Motexafin gadolinium plus AA did not increase double-strand breaks. The repair of single-strand breaks at 2 h, but not at 4 h and 6 h, after irradiation was altered significantly in cells treated with MGd plus AA (MGd AA, 2 h: 15.8 3.4; control: 5.8 0.6). Motexafin gadolinium did not alter the repair of double-strand breaks at any time after irradiation with 10 Gy. Conclusions: Motexafin gadolinium plus AA generated ROS, which in turn altered GSH homeostasis and induced DNA strand breaks. The MGd plus AA‐mediated alteration of GSH levels increased the hypoxic, but not aerobic, radiosensitivity of EMT6 cells. Motexafin gadolinium altered the kinetics of single-strand break repair soon after irradiation but did not inhibit potentially lethal damage repair in EMT6 cells. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. Motexafin gadolinium, Xcytrin, Comet assay, DNA repair, DNA damage.
Abu-Lughod's Egalitarian World Order. A Review Article

L'A. analyse l'ouvrage de J. L. Abu-Lughod « Before European hegemony : the world system A. D. 1250-1350 » qui cherche a revoir les comprehensions conventionnelles de l'organisation economique internationale premoderne. Abu-Lughod tente de decrire les circuits commerciaux a l'interieur et entre les zones principales de l'Eurasie pendant les XIII e et XIV e siecles et veut montrer que dans le systeme mondial medieval, l'Europe, le Moyen-Orient, l'Inde et l'Asie presentaient un developpement economique equivalent.
Optical control of 1200-V and 20-A SiC MOSFET

High-frequency characterization of an all-optical integrated 1200-V and 20-A SiC MOSFET driven by low-voltage GaAs optically-triggered power transistors (OTPTs) and realized in a high-temperature hybrid package is demonstrated in this paper. Experimental characterization results on the optical device are provided at device and converter levels. For the latter, a simple non-isolated 0.5 MHz boost converter was designed and implemented using the hybrid optical device. The device exhibits good switching performance and promise for high-frequency applications.
Efficient nodal equation assembly method

Using Branin and Wang's method of storing the incidence matrix, a general and efficient method of forming the nodal equations is presented.
Frege's judgement stroke

This paper brings to light a new puzzle for Frege interpretation, and offers a solution to that puzzle. The puzzle concerns Frege's judgement-stroke ('r), and consists in a tension between three of Frege's claims. First, Frege vehemently maintains that psychological considerations should have no place in logic. Second, Frege regards the judgementstroke---and the associated dissociation of assertoric force from content, of the act of judgement from the subject matter about which judgement is made---as a crucial part of his logic. Third, Frege holds that judging is an inner mental process, and that the distinction marked by the judgement-stroke, between entertaining a thought and judging that it is true, is a psychological distinction. I argue that what initially looks like confusion here on Frege's part appears quite reasonable when we remind ourselves of the differences between Frege's conception of logic and our own.
Extracting enzyme processivity from kinetic assays

A steady-state analysis for the catalytic turnover of molecules containing two substrate sites is presented. A broad class of Markovian dynamic models, motivated by the action of DNA modifying enzymes and the rich variety of translocation mechanisms associated with these systems (e.g., sliding, hopping, intersegmental transfer, etc.), is considered. The modeling suggests an elementary and general method of data analysis, which enables the extraction of the enzyme’s processivity directly and unambiguously from experimental data. This analysis is not limited to the initial velocity regime. The predictions are validated both against detailed numerical models and by revisiting published experimental data for EcoRI endonuclease acting on DNA.
Cortical and cognitive development in 4th, 8th and 12th grade students: The contribution of speed of processing and executive functioning to cognitive development

Abstract This study investigated cortical/cognitive relations in 30 4th, 8th and 12th grade students. All students were administered the Figural Intersection Test, a measure of cognitive development, and performed, three times with different targets, an event-related potential (ERP) oddball/selective-attention task. Two independent factors emerged from the ERP task that predicted development—speed of processing (P300 latency to Block 1 targets) and maturation of executive functioning (a composite ERP variable calculated as the ratio of RT and P300 latency divided by the accuracy to Block 2 targets). These two variables loaded on orthogonal factors in a principal components analysis, and were the only variables included in a stepwise regression of physiological variables on cognitive development. Speed of processing is modulated by myelination and synaptogenesis, and executive functioning is modulated by maturation of the frontal system. These electrophysiological markers could index these cortical transformations underlying cognitive development.
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) revisited.

“In the final analysis very little is known about anything, and much that seems true today turns out to be only partly true tomorrow, but as things go in medicine our knowledge of the interrelation one to the other of all the sequelae which result from the action of the parathyroid hormone is probably clearer than that for any other hormone.” Fuller Albright, Chapter 1, Page 1, THE PARATHYROID GLANDS AND METABOLIC BONE DISEASE, 1948
Trace Metal Concentration Factors in Aquatic Ecosystems

The concept of concentration factors in aquatic systems is of ultimate importance in assessing the impact of any contaminant on such an ecosystem. While the general concept of bioconcentration is widely used, it is readily apparent that the qualifying assumptions and detailed theory underlying the concept often are not considered, leading to widespread misuse and misunderstanding of the phenomenon.
Equity Effects and Revenue Potential of Sales Taxation of Services: Some Empirical Findings

This study investigates the effects on sales tax regressivity and revenue productivity when various combinations of consumer services are added to the base. Idaho's commodities-oriented tax structure (which is similar to that of most other states) is the basis of this investigation. Unlike the conventional methods, progressivity-regressivity indices are developed to evaluate the equity effects, and this approach is argued to be superior. Two ability-to-pay measures are adopted for this purpose. Further, the study evaluates the revenue significance of including services in the base. From the standpoints of equity and revenue, the results strongly favor inclusion of service in the sales tax base.
Sketch recognition algorithms for comparing complex and unpredictable shapes

In an introductory Engineering course with an annual enrollment of over 1000 students, a professor has little option but to rely on multiple choice exams for midterms and finals. Furthermore, the teaching assistants are too overloaded to give detailed feedback on submitted homework assignments. We introduce Mechanix, a computer-assisted tutoring system for engineering students. Mechanix uses recognition of freehand sketches to provide instant, detailed, and formative feedback as the student progresses through each homework assignment, quiz, or exam. Free sketch recognition techniques allow students to solve free-body diagram and static truss problems as if they were using a pen and paper. The same recognition algorithms enable professors to add new unique problems simply by sketching out the correct answer. Mechanix is able to ease the burden of grading so that instructors can assign more free response questions, which provide a better measure of student progress than multiple choice questions do.
Abstract 481: Diabetic Hyperglycemia Accelerates Atherosclerosis by Driving Adaptive Immunity in Mice with Similar Hyperlipidemia

Hyperglycemia is recognized to accelerate atherosclerosis and its complications among human diabetic individuals. Although the participation of monocytes and macrophages in the pathogenesis of diabetic atherosclerosis is well established, a role for adaptive immunity is not well understood. Unfortunately, hyperglycemia raises plasma lipids in mice fed a high-fat diet that can independently activate immune cells to enhance atherosclerosis. We have overcome this impediment with studies of hypomorphic apoE (Apoeh/h) mice deficient in LDL receptor expression. Apoeh/hLdlr-/- mice fed a chow diet display plasma cholesterol levels of 650+/-50 mg/dl by 4 months of age, and do not display significantly more hyperlipidemia when they are made hyperglycemic with streptozotocin. Our studies show that 4 weeks of hyperglycemia with an average blood glucose level of 400 mg/dl results in marked leukocytosis among 24 week-old Apoeh/hLdlr-/- mice continually fed a chow diet. Levels of blood Ly6Chigh monocytes increased by two fold and displayed enhanced cellular oxidative stress similar to primary macrophages cultured in high glucose that displayed increased NF-kB activation. Interestingly, we also noted that levels of circulating CD4+ T cells increased by twofold. A similar pattern of leukocyte expansion was also noted in the spleen, including a twofold expansion in CD11c+ dendritic cells (DC) and CD4+ T cells. We also noted evidence of DC activation as revealed by increased cell surface expression of the co-stimulatory molecule CD80 that participates in the activation and expansion of T cells. At the level of the vessel wall, we noted that 4 weeks of hyperglycemia resulted in a substantial increase in atherosclerosis in the aortic root as revealed by Oil Red O staining. Using the aorta digest method, we noted a 4-fold increase in macrophages and 3-fold increase in CD3+ T cells in the abdominal aorta. Collectively, our results show that hyperglycemia accelerates atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice by enhancing adaptive immune cell-driven inflammation, and ongoing studies are exploring mechanisms responsible for this effect.
Avoiding Another Redcar: The Decline of Steel Manufacturing in the UK

Whilst Scottish steel manufacturing plants such as those of Motherwell and Clydebridge have been able to avoid closure or the magnitude of devastating consequences attributed to the recent fortunes in the UK steel business – having found a buyer, the steel plant in Redcarr, Teeside has not been so fortunate. Despite current reports of an impending sale, its closure was announced in October 2015, with the loss of 2,200 jobs. With the growing number of closures, loss of jobs, as well as the landscape and livelihoods of entire localities, it is becoming more evident why another closure – particularly such as that of the magnitude and repercussions as that of Port Talbot, needs to be avoided. When do certain industries become of such strategic importance to the economy that they warrant bailouts which are synonymous to those provided to financial and banking institutions – those designated as “Too Big To Fail’? The steel industry being a vital and integral component of the UK economy – contributing 10% to its economic output could be considered to be of strategic economic importance. This paper, the third and final of a series of conference papers, is specifically aimed at highlighting why a demise of the UK steel industry would signify more than just the loss of strategic economic interests.
Hire someone like me, or hire someone I need: entrepreneur identity and early-stage hiring in small firms

AbstractRecent studies of entrepreneurial hiring have focused on teams of individuals brought together to form new firms. The literature is scarce on the hiring decision made by sole proprietors to obtain early-stage employees in existing growing firms, yet these firms are great in number and significantly impact the economy. Such hiring decisions will be critical to the growth, and even survival, of such small firms. This paper proposes a model suggesting that an entrepreneur's more central social or role identity influences the hiring decisions for early-stage employees. Utilizing social and role identity theories, this paper suggests how an entrepreneur's most central identity influences how early-stage hiring decisions are made in entrepreneurial small firms. Additionally, it is suggested that the job complexity of new employment positions, and the munificence of the human resources in an environment further moderate the relationship between the sole proprietor's entrepreneurial identity and the hirin...
Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(2-alkylbenzimidazole-alt-9,9-dihexylfluorene)s: A Dually Dopable Polymer System

We present the synthesis and characterization of poly(2-alkyl-benzimidazole-alt-9,9-dihexylfluorene). An improved microwave-assisted synthesis of the monomers 4,7-dibromo-2-heptyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole and 4,7-dibromo-2-(heptan-3-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole was developed. The monomers were polymerized with 9,9-dihexylfluorene-2,7-diboronic acid bis(1,3-propanediol) ester using Suzuki cross-coupling to yield the corresponding poly(2-alkyl-benzimidazole-alt-9,9-dihexylfluorene)s. The polymers were characterized by both traditional optical and thermal properties in conjunction with experiments yielding strong evidence to suggest controllable chemical doping of benzimidazole moieties. Based on ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) data, the band structure of these benzimidazole-containing polymers may be manipulated through treatment with acids or bases to achieve polycationic or polyanionic products. Protonic doping is shown to significantly impact the electronic properties of the...
Diamond optomechanical crystals in the resolved-sideband regime

We demonstrate diamond optomechanical crystals (OMCs), which support a ∼6 GHz mechanical cavity coupled to a co-resonant ∼200 THz photon field. Diamond OMCs are optically driven to a cooperativity >1, highlighted by observed ‘phonon lasing’.
Microprinted tumor spheroids enable anti-cancer drug screening

Spheroids present a biologically relevant model of avascular tumors and a unique tool for discovery of anti-cancer drugs. Despite being used in research laboratories for several decades, spheroids are not routinely used for drug discovery primarily due to the difficulty of mass-producing uniformly-sized spheroids and intense labor involved in handling, drug treatment, and analyzing them. We overcome this barrier using a novel technology to robotically microprint spheroids in standard 384-well plates. An aqueous drop containing cancer cells is dispensed into a bath of a second, immiscible aqueous phase. The drop maintains cells in close proximity to aggregate into a single spheroid. Using U-87 MG brain cancer cells, we show that this approach produces spheroids of well-defined size with ∼10% deviation from their mean diameter. We demonstrate the feasibility of robotic, high throughput compound screening against tumor spheroids using a collection of 25 standard chemotherapeutics and molecular inhibitors against U-87 MG spheroids. Each drug is used in a wide range of concentrations. Viability of cancer cells in drug-treated spheroids is measured using a PrestoBlue assay. Morphological changes are used as a secondary measure for analysis of drug effect. We identify several compounds that effectively inhibit growth of spheroids. To generate a scoring system for effectiveness of drugs, we use half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ), maximum inhibition (E max ), and area under the dose-response curve (AUC) to present a multi-parametric approach that takes into account both potency and efficacy of drugs. Our robotic technology offers a low cost and convenient platform for screening large collections of chemical compounds against realistic tumor models prior to expensive and tedious in vivo tests, dramatically improving testing throughput and efficiency, and reducing costs.
Bonding of polymer matrix composites

Abstract: This chapter discusses the drivers of and developments in structural adhesive bonding of composites by comparing and contrasting composite bonding within the aerospace and automotive industries. The chapter addresses composite pretreatment and surface characterization, composite joint design, modeling and testing of composite joints, and future trends. For each topic, the considerations that drive manufacturer’s decisions are reviewed. Recent developments in the area are then discussed.
Hemodynamic Profile of Acute Kidney Injury Following the Fontan Procedure: Impact of Renal Perfusion Pressure.

Background:Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common following cardiopulmonary bypass. Fontan completion may result in systemic venous hypertension and low cardiac output, reducing renal perfusion pressu...
Correlation of venous lactate and time of death in emergency department patients with noncritical lactate levels and mortality from trauma

Background: Serum venous lactate (LAC) levels help guide emergency department (ED) resuscitation of patients with major trauma. Critical LAC level (CLAC, ≥4.0 mmol/L) is associated with increased disease severity and higher mortality in injured patients. The characteristics of injured patients with non-CLAC (NCLAC) (<4.0 mmol/L) and death have not been previously described. Objectives: (1) To describe the characteristics of patients with venous NCLAC and death from trauma. (2) To assess the correlation of venous NCLAC with time of death. Methods: A retrospective cohort study at an urban teaching hospital between 9/2011 and 8/2014. Inclusion: All trauma patients (all ages) who presented to the ED with any injury and met all criteria: (1) Venous LAC drawn at the time of arrival that resulted in an NCLAC level; (2) were admitted to the hospital; (3) died during their hospitalization. Exclusion: CLAC. Outcome: Correlation of NCLAC and time of death. Data were extracted from an electronic medical record by trained data abstractors using a standardized protocol. Cross-checks were performed on 10% of data entries and inter-observer agreement was calculated. Data were explored using descriptive statistics and Kaplan–Meier curves were created to define survival estimates. Data are presented as percentages with 95% confidence interval (CI) for proportions and medians with quartiles for continuous variables. Kaplan–Meier curves with differences in time to events based on LAC are used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 60 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 52 years (quartiles: 30, 75) and 73% were male (age range 2–92). The median LAC in the overall cohort was 1.9 mmol/L (quartiles: 1.5, 2.1). Sixteen patients (27%) died during the first 24 h with 5 (31%) due to intracranial hemorrhage. The median survival time was 5.6 days (134.4 h) (95% CI: 2.3–12.6). Conclusions: In trauma patients with NCLAC who died during the index hospitalization, the median survival time was 5.6 days, approximately one-third of patients died within the first 24 h. These findings indicate that relying on a triage NCLAC level alone may result in underestimating injury severity and subsequent morbidity and mortality.
Physiological adaptation following four-weeks of high-intensity functional training

Background/Aim. High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) is a popular mixed-modal program that utilizes both resistance and aerobic based exercises. The aim of this study was to examine the physiological effects of the HIFT programing on physically active men (10) and women (10) over a four-week period through the measure of the aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, and maximal weight lifted. Methods. The participants first completed a maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) test. After 48-hours of rest, the subjects completed the anaerobic capacity test via the Wingate protocol. Following the Wingate test, the subjects performed a 1-repetition maximum test for squat, snatch and clean at the offsite training location. After the pre-measurements were obtained, the subjects entered a four-week the HIFT intervention and returned to the lab for all post-measurements. Results. Significant improvements were observed in male and female: VO2 max (Pre: 46.7 ± 2.6, 33.7 ± 1.7 mL/kg/min; Post: 49.0 ± 3.0, 35.0 ± 1.8 mL/kg/min), Peak Wingate Power (Pre: 1206 ± 106, 708 ± 44 W; Post: 1283 ± 88, 809 ± 38 W) Mean Wingate Power (Pre: 680 ± 46, 704 ± 48 W; Post: 434 ± 15, 458 ± 18 W; p 0.05). Conclusion. The HIFT demonstrated the rapid physiological improvements in strength, aerobic and the anaerobic capacity following a four-week intervention in the physically active participants.
Design of a soft catheter for low-force and constrained surgery

Surgeries involving interaction with soft tissue like the brain need to minimize shear and normal forces that can cause tissue damage or hemorrhage. Other surgeries require the ability to follow a complex, curved path, such as through an intestine or to a kidney stone. This paper presents a soft catheter that has the potential to aid in these challenging cases. The soft catheter is capable of apical extension in which the tip extends while the rest of the catheter remains stationary. This limits shear forces with the environment, easing movement of a body's tip through a constrained space. The soft catheter is pre-formed to patient-specific trajectories, meaning that normal forces against tissue would only arise due to errors between the actual and desired paths; we show decrease in normal force applied to the environment on the order of 100 compared to a standard catheter in a 30 degree bend. Setting the internal pressure allows for control of catheter stiffness, with a 500 times difference over the range of tested pressures. Manual operation to reach a surgical site requires only holding the correct orientation at the entry point into the body and setting the internal pressure of the catheter. This soft catheter could offer two benefits: the ability to apply low tissue interaction forces and reach challenging locations within the body.
Characterizing wear behaviors of κ-carrageenan and whey protein gels by numerical modeling

Abstract Soft solid foods commonly undergo processing steps such as extrusion, slicing, and shredding. Food tribological behaviors, especially wear behaviors, may be a good indication of their ability to be successfully sliced, shredded, or extruded. However, food wear behaviors are currently unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the wear behavior of gels with different structures using a numerical model. Wear behaviors of whey protein isolate and κ-carrageenan gels were evaluated under several normal forces. An empirical model for penetration depth was developed that accounted for deformation due to applied force and removal of material. All models had mean absolute error
Evidence of aquatic plant seed dispersal by eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) in Massachusetts, USA

Abstract Direct or incidental ingestion of fruits or seeds by freshwater turtles can facilitate seed dispersal within and between bodies of water. Here, we evaluate Chrysemys picta (Eastern painted turtles) as a dispersal mode for hydrophytes and aimed to determine: 1) factors that drive diversity and abundance of egested seeds, 2) if certain regionally-common seed taxa more frequently occur in feces, and 3) assess the viability of seeds that passed through the turtle digestive system. Close to half of the turtles captured were found to egest seeds with a high proportion of these seeds (85–94%) apparently unaffected by the digestive process. In all, 5859 seeds (ranging from 1 to 1081 per feces) were recovered representing four plant taxa. Most seeds recovered from either pond, in terms of overall quantity, density, and frequency, were those of the locally-common Nymphaea odorata, followed by Nuphar variegata, suggesting these items may be actively targeted as food items. Analyses indicate neither turtle sex nor health had an effect on overall seed number or seed richness of feces. While germination levels varied by turtle and locality, defecated N. odorata seeds were capable of germinating at high capacities. When compared to control, however, trials suggest C. picta ingestion has an inhibitory effect. Our evidence supports a complementary bi-modal dispersal system implicating the mobile C. picta with hydrochory to enhance the transport of aquatic plants like N. odorata. The seed treatment and high mobility afforded by C. picta makes it an effective vector to overcome interpond limitations of hydrochory and ichthyochory, and potential seed mistreatment by some waterbirds.
Robot-assisted en bloc anterior mediastinal mass excision with pericardium and adjacent lung for locally advanced thymic carcinoma

Robot-assisted surgery for anterior mediastinal mass resection has been increasingly adopted as an alternative method to open sternotomy and conventional video-assisted thoracic surgery. However, more evidence is needed to expand the indication of this technique to more complicated cases. We present a case of robot-assisted en bloc resection of a 7-cm anterior mediastinal mass with pericardium and adjacent lung for thymic squamous cell carcinoma, accompanied by reconstruction of pericardium with polytetrafluoroethylene patch. In conclusion, complex anterior mediastinal mass excision is feasible with robotic thoracic surgery.
Polymer Blend Thermodynamics: Flory Huggins Theory and Its Application to Excimer Fluorescence Studies

Polymer blends, which are multicomponent mixtures of two or more homo- or copolymers, have attracted increasing attention as engineering materials because of the potential ease with which the bulk properties may be controlled. A combination of theoretical approaches and experiments has been employed to determine the degree of mixing on the molecular scale. Although more recent thermodynamic theories have been proposed, the classical Flory-Huggins treatment has been shown to be particularly useful for polymer blends. In this chapter the assumptions and basic features of this quasi-lattice theory will be reviewed. In addition, excimer fluorescence will be shown to be sensitive to changes in a number of parameters that are expected to affect the Gibbs free energy of mixing: the solubility parameters of the blend components, concentration, temperature and molecular weight.
Searching for Democratic Potential in Emerging Global Governance: What Are the Implications of Regional and Global Involvements of Local Governments?

Increasing involvement of local governments in global governance is a result of changes in the missions of both global and local government organizations. For example, the UN System mission has extended inside the borders of states as a result of its Millennium Development Goals and its Mission to Protect; and local governments are now engaged in a movement to spread democratic local governments worldwide. For many years there have been global and global region organizations of local governments. Some local government organizations that cross state borders focus on specific issues such as peace, recycling and environment. Efforts are being made to coordinate these organizations through a World Association of Cities and Local Authorities Coordination (WACLAC). There is now a UN Advisory Committee on Local Authorities. The First World Conference on City Diplomacy was held in June 2008. This paper provides an overview of these, and other, developments and examines their potential for future global governance.
Feasibility of flexible technology standards for existing coal-fired power plants and their implications for new technology development

This Article explores the feasibility of adding flexibility to mandates for existing power plants in order to foster technology innovation and reduce compliance costs and
Attomicroscopy: attosecond electron microscopy

The development of Ultrafast Electron Microscopy (UEM) and diffraction (UED) permit the imaging of atomic motion in real time and space. UEM and UED have found a vast range of applications spans chemistry, physics, material science, and biology. The temporal resolution in ultrafast electron imaging, typically on the order of few hundred femtoseconds, is limited by the electron pulse duration and the space charge effect. Hence, imaging the fast motions of electrons remains beyond the reach. Recently, we break the temporal resolution limits in UEM by generating a 30-fs electron pulse exploiting the optical gating approach. The gating technique is based on the electron-laser coupling where the free electrons in the wavepacket exchange energy with the light photons of the laser pulse. In this case, the optical laser pulse acts as a temporal gating for the electrons which gain/loss energy. These electrons are filtered out and generate an electron pulse with a temporal profile similar to the gating laser pulse. The obtained, few tens of femtosecond, temporal resolution opens the door- for the first time- to image the electron dynamics in real time. Moreover, the optical attosecond pulse, which has been demonstrated earlier, eventually will be used to gate the electrons in a sub-femtosecond time window. So, the gated electrons will generate a single isolated attosecond electron pulse. This unique tool will establish the attosecond electron imaging tool which we so-called "Attomicroscopy". Attomicroscopy will enable the imaging of the electron motion, last few hundreds of attosecond to few femtoseconds, in action.
Case Study: Effect of exercise programs during receiving in a commercial feedlot on behavior and productivity of Brahman crossbred calves: Results from a commercial environment and a comparison to the research environment

ABSTRACT Exercising receiving cattle is hypothesized to be a management strategy that could mitigate receiving stress in cattle. Little empirical research has been published on the quantifiable (productivity, health, behavior) effects of this strategy in a commercial feedyard setting. In a single Texas feedyard case study, high-risk Brahman-crossbred receiving calves (n = 688; 184 ± 5 kg) were exercised during the receiving period in the fall. Upon arrival, calves were sorted into single-sex pens (n = 6 pens: n = 3 pens heifers, n = 3 pens steers) and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments within sex blocks: (1) programmatic exercise (PRO; cattle moved to drive alley and encouraged to maintain movement for 20 min), (2) free exercise (FRE; cattle moved to drive alley and allowed free movement without access to the pen for 60 min), or (3) no exercise (CON). Treatments were applied (n = 12 sessions; 3 sessions per week) across a 30-d period, between 0800 and 1000 h at least 1 h after feed delivery. Gain-to-feed ratio and mortality rate were similar among treatments. Cattle assigned to CON had greater ADG than did those assigned to FRE or PRO (1.52, 1.39, and 1.44 kg/d). Percentage of calves treated for respiratory disease was greater in FRE and PRO compared with CON. The proportion of the pen lying and resting simultaneously increased and the proportion of the pen feeding, drinking, ruminating, and walking decreased over time. Exercise treatments did not compromise gain efficiency or behavior; however, exercised cattle had smaller ADG. These results suggest that exercise reduces receiving-period gains without improving animal health or altering behaviors.
Piecing Together How Peroxiredoxins Maintain Genomic Stability

Peroxiredoxins, a highly conserved family of thiol oxidoreductases, play a key role in oxidant detoxification by partnering with the thioredoxin system to protect against oxidative stress. In addition to their peroxidase activity, certain types of peroxiredoxins possess other biochemical activities, including assistance in preventing protein aggregation upon exposure to high levels of oxidants (molecular chaperone activity), and the transduction of redox signals to downstream proteins (redox switch activity). Mice lacking the peroxiredoxin Prdx1 exhibit an increased incidence of tumor formation, whereas baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) lacking the orthologous peroxiredoxin Tsa1 exhibit a mutator phenotype. Collectively, these findings suggest a potential link between peroxiredoxins, control of genomic stability, and cancer etiology. Here, we examine the potential mechanisms through which Tsa1 lowers mutation rates, taking into account its diverse biochemical roles in oxidant defense, protein homeostasis, and redox signaling as well as its interplay with thioredoxin and thioredoxin substrates, including ribonucleotide reductase. More work is needed to clarify the nuanced mechanism(s) through which this highly conserved peroxidase influences genome stability, and to determine if this mechanism is similar across a range of species.
Haptic Assistance via Inverse Reinforcement Learning

In assistive teleoperation, an autonomous agent uses a prediction about a human user's intent to attempt to align the behavior of a controlled system with the human's goal, even if the human's own inputs are not perfectly aligned to that goal. Haptic Assistance achieves this effect by influencing the human through forces/torques applied to the human's control interface. In this work, we describe our method for creating such haptic assistance via Inverse Reinforcement Learning applied to successful task demonstrations. We then use our assistance method to examine the role that haptic feedback plays in assistive teleoperation. Through our user study, we find that when the assistance incorrectly predicts a user's intent, aiding the user via haptic feedback on their control interface, rather than directly modifying their input signal, is preferable and provides the user with a significantly greater sense of control over the system.