cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atypical Antipsychotics for the Treatment of ICU Delirium

Delirium is commonly described in critically ill patients as 1 factor contributing to increased length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, secondary complications, and increased mortality. Initial screening tools for delirium in hospitalized patients are generally easy to use; however, many centers have struggled with implementing these tools in a consistent and systematic manner. Haloperidol has traditionally been prescribed as the primary agent of choice for the treatment of delirium in critically ill patients. Clinicians have been challenged to consider alternative agents due to adverse effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms, QTc prolongation, and possible torsades de pointes with haloperidol use. The atypical antipsychotics are attractive alternatives to haloperidol with improved safety profiles but are flawed by limited data to support dosing and efficacy in this patient population. Future studies that provide large, prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled data to support the implementation of these agents as standard therapy over haloperidol are needed.
Prothrombotic factors in neonates with cerebral thrombosis and intraventricular hemorrhage

Aim: To investigate whether the factor V Leiden mutation (FVL), the prothrombin gene G20210A variant or the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotype are risk factors for central nervous system (CNS) thrombosis or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in neonates. Methods: Thirteen full-term infants with cerebral infarct documented with magnetic resonance imaging were assessed with the whole spectrum of assays for thrombophilia including the three DNA-based prothrombotic factors. The frequency of congenital defects was compared with that observed in 38 healthy full-term infants. The genetic defects were also assessed in 55 premature neonates, gestational age <32 wk, 17 of whom developed IVH, grade II-IV. The remaining 38 premature neonates without IVH were used as controls. Results: In the CNS thrombosis group: a prothrombotic factor was detected in 53% of patients and an underlying disease or a triggering event in 61.5%. The frequency of FVL in thrombosed neonates was higher (23%) than in the group of healthy full-term infants (10.5%), although it did not reach statistical significance. IVH developed in 30.9% of premature neonates. Apart from several maternal or neonatal risk factors for IVH, FII G20210A was found in a considerably higher prevalence in the cohort of neonates with IVH (12%) than in those without (2%), although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The pathogenesis of cerebral thrombosis or IVH in neonates is multifactorial. Along with underlying diseases or triggering events, congenital prothrombotic factors (FVL or FII G20210A) showed a trend towards a higher frequency in full-term infants with CNS thrombosis or premature neonates with IVH than in controls. However, their contribution to neonatal cerebral thrombosis or IVH remains to be determined.
Happiness in the Eye and the Heart: Somatic Referencing in West African Emotion Lexica

Although many theories about the structure of emotion have been developed, none of them seem to adequately explain the African experience. This study examined the folk emotion lexica of two indigenous West African languages. Fifty monolingual Fante speakers and 50 monolingual Dagbani speakers from rural and semirural Ghana participated in focus groups to generate words in their native language that they use to describe experiences that involve emotions. Qualitative analysis of the emotion lexica generated by the focus group participants revealed frequent somatic referencing in the emotion talk of Fante and Dagbani, although there were differences in the specific body parts mentioned in references to various emotional experiences. The ubiquity of somatic referents in the expression of African emotions suggests that future theories of emotion structure may need to incorporate the concept of embodiment.
ENHANCING SPATIAL REPRESENTATION IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY COVERAGE LOCATION MODELING

An important goal in many planning contexts is maximizing primary and secondary (or backup) coverage while locating a specified number of service facilities. In general, we are interested in providing the greatest level of coverage to demand that is continuously distributed across space. A critical issue is how to represent continuous demand in coverage analysis, reducing or eliminating error and uncertainty. This paper evaluates representation issues in primary and secondary coverage location modeling. To overcome representational limitations, enhancements for spatial coverage abstraction are introduced and incorporated in a mathematical optimization model. In addition to model improvements, this paper introduces a new and novel error assessment approach arising due to the existence of multiple objectives. Surveillance sensor siting in an urban area is utilized to assess enhanced modeling capabilities.
Hierarchical dynamic models for multivariate times series of counts

In several application areas, we see the need for accurate statistical modeling of multivariate time series of counts as a function of relevant covariates. In ecology, count responses on species abundance are observed over several time periods at several locations, and the covariates that influence the abundance may be location-specific and/or time-varying. This paper describes a Bayesian framework for estimation and prediction by assuming a multivariate Poisson sampling distribution for the count responses and by fitting a hierarchical dynamic model. Our modeling incorporates the temporal dependence as well as dependence between the components of the response vector.
Improving static resolution of dynamic class loading in Java using dynamically gathered environment information

In Java software, one important flexibility mechanism is dynamic class loading. Unfortunately, the vast majority of static analyses for Java treat dynamic class loading either unsoundly or too conservatively. We present a novel semi-static approach for resolving dynamic class loading by combining static string analysis with dynamically gathered information about the execution environment. The insight behind the approach is that dynamic class loading often depends on characteristics of the environment that are encoded in various environment variables. Such variables are not static elements; however, their run-time values typically remain the same across multiple executions of the application. Thus, the string values reported by our technique are tailored to the current installation of the system under analysis. Additionally, we propose extensions of string analysis to increase the number of sites that can be resolved purely statically, and to track the names of environment variables. An experimental evaluation on the Java 1.4 standard libraries shows that a state-of-the-art purely static approach resolves only 28% of non-trivial sites, while our approach resolves 74% of such sites. We also demonstrate how the information gained from resolved dynamic class loading can be used to determine the classes that can potentially be instantiated through the use of reflection. Our extensions of string analysis greatly increase the number of resolvable reflective instantiation sites. This work is a step towards making static analysis tools better equipped to handle the dynamic features of Java.
Generalized brain and skin proteasome inhibition in Huntington's disease

Mutated intracellular huntingtin is widely expressed in tissues of Huntington's disease (HD) patients. Intraneuronal nuclear protein aggregates of mutant huntingtin are present in HD brains, suggesting a dysfunction of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Because many cells and tissues can cope with the abnormal gene effects while others dysfunction and die, we determined gene-induced effects and considered the hypothesis that the gene causes multiple intracellular problems, but severe pathology is seen only in selected brain regions. In this study, we found inhibition of UPS function in both early (0-1, with no or little neuronal loss) and late (3-4, with more severe neuronal loss) stage HD patients' cerebellum, cortex, substantia nigra and caudate-putamen brain regions. Late HD stage increases in ubiquitin levels were unique to caudate-putamen. HD patients' skin fibroblasts also had UPS inhibition similar to brain despite increases in proteasome beta-subunit expression. Gene delivery and expression of proteasome activator PA28 increased UPS function in normal but not HD fibroblasts. These generalized UPS problems are associated with severe neuronal pathology only when coupled with decreases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, mitochondrial complex II/III activity, and increases of ubiquitin levels particularly as seen in the caudate-putamen of HD patients.
Serial Propagation of the Microsporidian Enterocytozoon bieneusi of Human Origin in Immunocompromised Rodents

Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a microsporidian, is clinically one of the most significant opportunistic causes of diarrhea and wasting associated with profound human immunodeficiencies. The lack of an animal model for E. bieneusi hinders serious investigations and limits the availability of spores to individuals with severe human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS disease who are infected with E. bieneusi. The development of procedures for purification and concentration of spores from stools of infected humans has led to the production of immune reagents and provided a source of spores to conduct research, including attempts to develop and serially propagate E. bieneusi in rodent models. We have evaluated and successfully infected six different immunodeficient and/or immunosuppressed rodent models and have demonstrated persistent infections lasting at least 18 weeks in SCID mice and in nude rats. To enhance the intensity and duration of infection in these two models, animals were given anti-gamma interferon monoclonal antibody injections at regular intervals. Of the six models evaluated, nude rats and gerbils immunosuppressed with dexamethasone excreted the highest number of spores and for longer time periods. Four different E. bieneusi isolates were equally infectious, and one of them was serially propagated in nude rats six times over a period of 10 months. Typically, rats challenged orally with 10(4) spores yielded 2 x 10(7) to 6.3 x 10(7) spores per single fecal sample when the level of spores was measured 2 weeks later. Rodent models and a nonhuman source of fresh spores will considerably enhance future investigations on this important opportunistic pathogen, including the screening and evaluation of urgently needed chemotherapeutic agents.
User Evaluation Methods for Visual Web Search Interfaces

In recent years, numerous visual Web search interfaces have been developed in the research community. However, the user evaluations of these interfaces have been performed using a wide range of methods, making it difficult to compare and verify the relative value of the proposed advancements. In this paper, we survey these evaluation methods, and propose a stepped evaluation and refinement model for the systematic study and enhancement of visual Web search interfaces. We suggest that this stepped model can be generalized to support the evaluation of other information visualization systems that target exploratory or knowledge-centric domains.
Entry, Descent and Landing "System" Performance Analysis Tool with Results for Mars

With the renewed interest in crewed missions to Mars, there is a need for s ystem-level analysis of the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) vehicles needed for these missions which will require an increase of at least an order of magnitude in the landed mass performance compared to previous successful robotic missions and ones curren tly planned for the near future. To support research in this area in the author’s research group, a planetary EDL simulation and sensitivity analysis tool has been created which allows for the variation of a number of relevant parameters and provides the user with performance data. This facilitates analysis of the effect of individual vehicle and mission design parameters on the overall EDL system landed mass performance. The tool assumes an EDL system that uses a combination of an appropriately shaped heatshield and rocket engines for deceleration since these technologies are considered extensible to large missions. The tool is based on equations of motion in a rotating reference frame with origin at the center of the planet. Aerodynamic entry is simulated based on userspecified aerodynamic characteristics. The user also specifies criteria for transition from aerodynamic entry to propulsive descent and provides performance data but not the size of the rocket engine. The propulsive descent part of the traje ctory simulation contains an internal optimization scheme to size the descent propulsion system. To date, the tool has been validated with experimental data fr om the Mars Pathfinder mission as well as simulated data. The current tool uses an atmospheric m odel of Mars based on Pathfinder data. However, the tool is designed to be able to simulate EDL for any planetary body with appropriate specification of planetary constants and a planetary atmospheric model. Also provided is a visualization routine for eas y visualization of the effects of individual design parameters on the overall EDL system performance. This paper describes the various components of the tool and presents some results to illustrate the functionality of the tool.
In silico identification software (ISIS)

Motivation: Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based metabolomics has gained importance in the life sciences, yet it is not supported by software tools for high throughput identification of metabolites based on their fragmentation spectra. An algorithm (ISIS: in silico identification software) and its implementation are presented and show great promise in generating in silico spectra of lipids for the purpose of structural identification. Instead of using chemical reaction rate equations or rules-based fragmentation libraries, the algorithm uses machine learning to find accurate bond cleavage rates in a mass spectrometer employing collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry. Results: A preliminary test of the algorithm with 45 lipids from a subset of lipid classes shows both high sensitivity and specificity. Contact: lars.kangas@pnnl.gov Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Welcome Reassurance About GLP-1 Drugs—But They Are Still Young and Not Fully Grown

An excellent article in this issue of Diabetes Care by Yu et al. (1) provides reassurance about the safety of therapies related to GLP-1. This is welcome because of the current uncertainty and anxiety about the use of these agents, which appear very promising yet not without potential risks. To understand the study’s relevance at this stage of development of these agents, consider the process of development of new therapies in general. Like people, therapeutic agents come in families with individual members and a typical life history. A new class of drugs begins as a pathophysiological insight, a gleam in a scientist’s eye. A new drug’s childhood consists of testing in animal (preclinical) studies and small human (phase 1 and 2) studies. Moving into larger clinical studies (phase 3), an adolescent drug must show consistent therapeutic effects and a lack of alarming side effects over 6 to 12 months of use in a broader population of people. Good results can lead to approval for clinical practice after which further (phase 4) studies and observation of clinical experience may explore specific clinical indications and safety during more prolonged use. Because drugs are, by necessity, launched when young and without long-term experience, there can be distressing surprises that lead to later restriction of usage. Full understanding of any drug’s best uses requires years of experience after its introduction. The family of antidiabetes agents based on the actions of GLP-1 emerged from studies of this hormone that began just over 20 years ago (2,3). About 10 years ago, drugs designed to exploit the metabolic and weight-regulating effects of the native hormone entered clinical evaluation. The first were peptides capable of activating GLP-1 receptors (GLP-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1RAs) (4–7). These peptide drugs significantly improve glucose control and favor weight …
Lim Homeobox Gene, Lhx8, Is Essential for Mouse Oocyte Differentiation and Survival

Lhx8 is a member of the LIM-homeobox transcription factor family and preferentially expressed in oocytes and germ cells within the mouse ovary. We discovered that Lhx8 knockout females lose oocytes within 7 days after birth. At the time of birth, histological examination shows that Lhx8-deficient (Lhx8−/−) ovaries are grossly similar to the newborn wild-type ovaries. Lhx8−/− ovaries fail to maintain the primordial follicles, and the transition from primordial to growing follicles does not occur. Lhx8−/− ovaries misexpress oocyte-specific genes, such as Gdf9, Pou5f1, and Nobox. Very rapid loss of oocytes may partly be due to the drastic downregulation of Kit and Kitl in Lhx8−/− ovaries. We compared Lhx8−/− and wild-type ovaries using an Affymetrix 430 2.0 microarray platform. A total of 80 (44%) of 180 of the genes downregulated more than 5-fold in Lhx8−/− ovaries were preferentially expressed in oocytes, whereas only 3 (2%) of 146 genes upregulated more than 5-fold in the absence of Lhx8 were preferentially expressed in oocytes. In addition, the comparison of genes regulated in Lhx8−/− and Nobox−/− newborn ovaries discovered a common set of 34 genes whose expression level was affected in both Lhx8- and Nobox-deficient mice. Our findings show that Lhx8 is a critical factor for maintenance and differentiation of the oocyte during early oogenesis, and it acts in part by downregulating the Nobox pathway.
Science and Process Theology

This essay offers an account of the relationship between science and Christian theology from the perspective of process theology. I show that the idea that science and Christian theology are in conflict is due to the ‘classical’ understanding of God and to scientific materialism. The classical understanding of God is supernaturalistic and denies a fully naturalistic account of the world. Scientific materialism rules out, in principle, the possibility of God’s existence. Process theology offers amendments and corrections to both of these sides and provides a naturalistic theism that can provide for a relationship of mutuality between science and theology.
Nordström, Ehrenfest and the Role of Dimensionality in Physics

In the summer of 1916, Finnish physicist Gunnar Nordstrom (1881–1923) arrived in Leiden to carry out research with Paul Ehrenfest (1880–1933), Hendrik A. Lorentz’s successor in the chair of theoretical physics. Nordstrom had recently published the first five-dimensional unified model of the universe, a theory that went virtually unnoticed by the physics community. Ehrenfest’s personal journals reveal that Nordstrom’s visit coincided with a flowering of Ehrenfest’s own interest in dimensionality, which resulted in his well-known paper on the connection between the fundamental laws of physics and the three-dimensionality of space. I examine Nordstrom’s and Ehrenfest’s collaboration and explore the relationship between their ideas and the Kaluza-Klein model of five-dimensional unification.
Rapid induction of apoptosis during Kinesin-5 inhibitor-induced mitotic arrest in HL60 cells

Small molecule inhibitors of Kinesin-5 (K5Is) that arrest cells in mitosis with monopolar spindles are promising anti-cancer drug candidates. Clinical trials of K5Is revealed dose-limiting neutropenia, or loss of neutrophils, for which the molecular mechanism is unclear. We investigated the effects of a K5I on HL60 cells, a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line that is often used to model dividing neutrophil progenitors in cell culture. We found K5I treatment caused unusually rapid death of HL60 cells exclusively during mitotic arrest. This mitotic death occurred via the intrinsic apoptosis pathway with molecular events that include cytochrome c leakage into the cytoplasm, caspase activation, and Parp1 cleavage. Bcl-2 overexpression protected from death. We probed mitochondrial physiology to find candidate triggers of cytochrome c release, and observed a decrease of membrane potential (ΔΨm) before mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). Interestingly, this loss of ΔΨm was not blocked by overexpressing Bcl-2, suggesting it might be a cause of Bax/Bak activation, not a consequence. Taken together, these results show that K5I induces intrinsic apoptosis during mitotic arrest in HL60 with loss of ΔΨm as an upstream event of MOMP.
The timing of molecular and morphological changes underlying reproductive transitions in wild tomatoes (Solanum sect. Lycopersicon)

Molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from genetic self-incompatibility to self-compatibility are well documented, but the evolution of other reproductive trait changes that accompany shifts in reproductive strategy (mating system) remains comparatively under-investigated. A notable exception is the transition from exserted styles to styles with recessed positions relative to the anthers in wild tomatoes (Solanum Section Lycopersicon). This phenotypic change has been previously attributed to a specific mutation in the promoter of a gene that influences style length (style2.1); however, whether this specific regulatory mutation arose concurrently with the transition from long to short styles, and whether it is causally responsible for this phenotypic transition, has been poorly investigated across this group. To address this gap, we assessed 74 accessions (populations) from 13 species for quantitative genetic variation in floral and reproductive traits as well as the presence/absence of deletions at two different locations (StyleD1 and StyleD2) within the regulatory region upstream of style2.1. We confirmed that the putatively causal deletion variant (a 450-bp deletion at StyleD1) arose within self-compatible lineages. However, the variation and history of both StyleD1 and StyleD2 was more complex than previously inferred. In particular, although StyleD1 was statistically associated with differences in style length and stigma exsertion across all species, we found no evidence for this association within two species polymorphic for the StyleD1 mutation. We conclude that the previous association detected between phenotypic and molecular differences is most likely due to a phylogenetic association rather than a causal mechanistic relationship. Phenotypic variation in style length must therefore be due to other unexamined linked variants in the style2.1 regulatory region.
The rise of politics and the decline of vulnerability as criteria in disaster decisions of the United States, 1953-2009.

This paper examines the shift from vulnerability to political responsiveness in presidential and gubernatorial disaster decisions in the United States from 1953-2009 (President Dwight D. Eisenhower to President Barack Obama) using annual request, declaration, and approval data from multiple sources. It makes three key conclusions: first, the 1988 Stafford Act expanded federal coverage to all categories of disasters, added a significant range of individual types of assistance, and provided extensive funding for recovery planning. Second, the election effects on disaster decisions increased over time whereas the impact of social and economic vulnerability (measured by scope of disaster) declined. Third, the changes affected governors more than presidents, and the choices of governors drove those of presidents. The analysis underscores the increasingly political nature of the disaster decision-making process, as well as the difficulty in emphasising mitigation and preparedness as intensively as response and recovery. Proactive intervention yields fewer political rewards than responsiveness. Language: en
The Transparency Imperative

The Affordable Care Act made preliminary efforts to collect and disseminate data on health care price, utilization, and quality in the United States. This commentary proposes that all such data nee...
Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy and Easy Cone State in Ta/Co 60 Fe 20 B 20 /MgO

We used broadband ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy to measure the second- and fourth-order perpendicular magnetic anisotropies in Ta/( t ) Co60Fe20B20/MgO layers over a Co60Fe20B20 thickness range of $5.0\; {\rm nm} \geq t \geq 0.8\; {\rm nm}$ . For $t > 1.0$ nm, the easy axis is in the plane of the film, but when $t nm, the easy axis is directed perpendicular to the surface. However, the presence of a substantial higher order perpendicular anisotropy results in an easy cone state when $t = 1.0$ nm. Angular-dependent FMR measurements verify the presence of the easy cone state. Measurement of the spectroscopic g -factor via FMR for both the in-plane and out-of-plane geometries suggests a significant change in electronic and/or physical structure at $t \approx 1.0$ nm thickness.
A systems approach to reducing central line associated blood stream infections

The study aims to reduce the incidence of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). We design a computer model that comprises the entire process of central line insertion and maintenance. The model attempts to capture all major events in patient care from entrance to the hospital through the time at which the central line is ultimately removed. CLABSI data is analyzed to identify areas of potential increased risk of patient death from CLABSI. Specifically, we attempt to predict death among patients affected with CLABSI while minimizing Type II (false negative) error. By crafting the model to prioritize against this type of error, and thus identifying patients most likely to die, providers will have the best chance of intervening to reduce CLABSI-related deaths. The study led to implementation of reminders and protocols that result in a reduction of 18% of CLABSI over a period of 12 months. The predictive analysis identifies high-risk individuals to allow for proper intervention to prevent CLABSI-related deaths.
Sequence Detection: Backward and Forward in Time

The classical theory of signal detection deals principally with the problem of choosing between two statistical hypothess about a signal (or two) embedded in noise. While the extension of this theory to multiple hypotheses is obvious, the raw complexity of such an extension generally grows at least linearly with the number of hypotheses to be tested. Data transmission gives rise to several problems in which a very large number of hypotheses must be tested in order to make simultaneous decisions about an entire sequence of data symbols. These problems include decoding of convolutional codes, channel equalization, and multiuser detection. In each of these problems, the complexity of optimal detection can be greatly reduced through the use of dynamic programming, which efficiently finds optimal (e.g., maximum-likelihood or minimum-error-probability) sequence decisions. This chapter reviews this area, including the early contributions of Forney and others, and continuing with more recent work on multiuser detection and turbo decoding.
Targeting platelet nitric oxide resistance with ramipril: unraveling mechanisms of atherothrombotic risk reduction with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

In the HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation) trial, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramipril reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death, stroke, and myocardial infarction, in patients who had clinical evidence of vascular disease or
Preface to 'Advances in Quantitative Analysis of Finance and Accounting' (Volume 4)

Advances in Quantitative Analysis of Finance and Accounting is an annual publication to disseminate developments in the quantitative analysis of finance and accounting. The publication is a forum for statistical and quantitative analyses of issues in finance and accounting as well as applications of quantitative methods to problems in financial management, financial accounting, and business management. The objective is to promote interaction between academic research in finance and accounting and applied research in the financial community and the accounting profession. The papers in this volume cover a wide range of topics including earnings management, management compensation, option theory and application, debt management and interest rate theory, and portfolio diversification.
Analytic Model to Estimate Thermonuclear Neutron Yield in Z-Pinches Using the Magnetic Noh Problem

Batch burn neutron yield calculations were performed using the magnetic Noh problem, in which the physical solution was anchored to experiments and a particle-in-cell simulation from the open literature. This was done by integrating the time and radially dependent physical solution using fusion reactivity, and included deuterium and deuterium-tritium targets. Achieving agreement between the batch burn yield and the actual data required tuning two parameters that control the physical solution, a timescale $t_{m}$ and a parameter $\chi $ , which is an exponent to some of the physical variables used when computed from the self-similar solution. It was found that while agreement could be achieved in all five of the cases reported in the open literature, the high current cases (7.7 MA and greater) with implosion velocities of 400 km/s and higher were the only cases in which the physical solution of density, temperature, and magnetic field in the postshock region were consistent with those of the experiments or the higher fidelity particle-in-cell simulations. Thus, the batch burn yield calculations appear to be a reasonable model reflecting the qualitative trends so long as the neutron yield is primarily thermal in origin and not due to disruption in the pinch due to Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities.
Waist circumference to height ratio and left ventricular mass in children and adolescents

Objectives Waist circumference to height ratio, a measure of central obesity, is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than body mass index in the paediatric population. Increased left ventricular mass secondary to obesity and hypertension increases the risk for death and cardiovascular disease in adults. Similar data on left ventricular mass are lacking among young patients with central obesity, as defined by waist circumference/height. The present study evaluates left ventricular mass in young patients with central obesity as defined by waist circumference/height. Methods A total of 156 patients, 2- to 20-years old, without evidence of structural heart disease were studied. As the left ventricular mass is related to age and gender, 52 patients with central obesity – waist circumference/height ⩾0.55 – were randomly matched for age and gender with 52 patients at risk for central obesity – waist circumference/height ⩾0.5 to <0.55 – and 52 patients with no central obesity – waist circumference/height <0.5. The left ventricular mass parameters measured by echocardiography were compared across the three groups. Results Patients with central obesity had significantly (p<0.05) increased Z scores for left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass/height2.7, and left ventricular mass/height1.7 compared with patients at risk for central obesity and patients with no central obesity. Z scores for left ventricular mass were higher among patients at risk for central obesity compared with patients with no central obesity. Conclusions Left ventricular mass data of the present study support maintaining an ideal waist circumference/height <0.5. Aggressive efforts to identify and manage patients with central obesity are warranted.
Design of synchronous machines for DC power generation

This research introduces a model structured to facilitate the rigorous design of passive rectifier-based DC generating systems powered by wound rotor synchronous machines (WRSMs). The model includes provisions to consider WRSMs with arbitrary damper winding configurations and to represent the dynamics and mass/loss of the output filter. Multi-objective design studies have been performed to demonstrate the usefulness of the model and to highlight differences between machines optimized for DC systems and those intended for AC applications.
Flexible-Fuel Vehicle Adoption and the U.S. Biofuel Market

The wider adoption of flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) could play a critical role in expanding biofuel consumption and achieving policy goals established by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The E85 development is constrained by limited fueling infrastructure, higher-than-parity pricing and low consumer awareness. This study empirically evaluates the importance of E85 fueling stations in FFV adoption, its impacts on the U.S. biofuel market, and the E85 market potential. Based on quarterly vehicle sales and E85 fueling station data from 2010 to 2012 in 362 Metropolitan Statistical Areas, our analysis shows that FFV adoption is affected by the availability of E85 stations, relative fuel prices, and the tax credit for FFVs. The doubling of E85 stations in 2012 would have increased the market share of FFVs from 20% to 33%. Various scenarios of barrier removal are simulated in a partial market equilibrium model of the U.S. biofuel market. The better availability of E85 fuel stations can significantly increase biofuel consumption and there is large market potential for high ethanol-blend gasoline.
Analysis of Multiple TRIGA-Based Molybdenum Production Reactor Cores Using a New Low-Enriched Uranium Target as Fuel

The most widely used and versatile medical radioisotope today is 99mTc. Roughly 30 million people depend on this radioisotope for diagnostic imaging procedures each year, and this demand is expecte...
Adaptive spatial smoothing of fMRI images

It is common practice to spatially smooth fMRI dataprior to statistical analysis and a number of diﬀerentsmoothing techniques have been proposed (e.g., Gaussiankernel ﬁlters, wavelets, and prolate spheroidal wave func-tions). A common theme in all these methods is that theextent of smoothing is chosen independently of the data,and is assumed to be equal across the image. This can leadto problems, as the size and shape of activated regions mayvary across the brain, leading to situations where certain re-gions are under-smoothed, while others are over-smoothed.This paper introduces a novel approach towards spatiallysmoothing fMRI data based on the use of nonstationaryspatial Gaussian Markov random ﬁelds (Yue and Speckman,2009). Our method not only allows the amount of smooth-ing to vary across the brain depending on the spatial ex-tent of activation, but also enables researchers to study howthe extent of activation changes over time. The beneﬁt ofthe suggested approach is demonstrated by a series of sim-ulation studies and through an application to experimentaldata.Keywords and phrases: Spatially adaptive smooth-ing, Temporally adaptive smoothing, fMRI, Brain imaging,Smoothing.
MYCOPHENOLIC ACID (MYFORTIC) IS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR PAEDIATRIC RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS WITH GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS ON MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL

Purpose To determine the prevalence of mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) use as part of the immunosuppressant regime in our current paediatric renal transplant recipients in a single tertiary paediatric nephrology centre and examine the demography of these cases. Method Case note and pharmacy record review of all paediatric renal transplant recipients9 history, immunosuppressant medication and current renal allograft function in January 2013. Indication for medication switch from mycophenolate mofetil to enteric-coated mycophenolic acid tablets (Myfortic) was noted. Data presented as median (range). Results 14 (10 male) out of a total of 88 patients with renal transplants are currently receiving Myfortic in our centre. Age and time from transplant was 12.3 (8.1–17.4) years and 4.3 (0.68–10.6) years. The most common cause of end stage renal disease requiring transplantation in this subgroup was posterior urethral valves in 5/14 cases. Two of these recipients had ABO incompatible living related transplants. Current eGFR was 46.7 (20.9–82.3) ml/min/1.73m. 2 All patients receiving Myfortic were also receiving prednisolone and tacrolimus as part of their immunosuppression regime. Dosage of Myfortic varied based on patient size from 180 mg twice daily to 720 mg twice daily. The indication for carrying out a medication switch from mycophenolate mofetil to Myfortic was related to gastrointestinal symptoms in all cases; specifically diarrhoea in 9 cases, abdominal pain in 2 cases and both symptoms in 3 cases. These symptoms improved on Myfortic with renal allograft function remaining stable, however in view of neutropenia in one patient her Myfortic is currently suspended and under review. Conclusion We have found that enteric-coated mycophenolic acid (Myfortic) was a well-tolerated alternative in paediatric renal allograft recipients who developed gastrointestinal symptoms whilst receiving mycophenolate mofetil. Its usage should be considered in such patients who are able to take tablet preparations.
An analysis on indeterminate results of human immunodeficiency virus in western blot

[Objective] To understand the indeterminate results of Western-Blot of Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) antibody as to conclude the diagnosis. [Methods] Comprehensive analysis of 104 cases were used to determine the relationship between source of sample,risk behavior,proportion of optical density value and cut-off value(S/CO) of ELISA,bands of Western-Blot and final sero-conversion. [Results] Among 104 cases,46.15% and 31.73% were from blood donors and plasma donors respectively.Most of S/CO values of ELISA were 1-4 occupied 83.65%.6 cases had S/CO value more than 6.The main bands of Western-Blot was p24,occupied 70.19%.2 cases were determined as sero-positive with S/CO value more than 6 and weak bands of gp120 and p24. [Conclusion] Most of the indeterminate results of Western-Blot samples were sero-negative.The medical follow-up and complementary diagnosis should be given to those with risk behavior and weak typical bands of WesternBlot.
Topological R\'enyi and Entanglement Entropy for a 2d q-deformed $U(N)$ Yang-Mills theory and its Chern-Simons dual

Renyi and entanglement entropies are constructed for 2d q-deformed topological Yang-Mills theories with gauge group $U(N)$, as well as the dual 3d Chern-Simons (CS) theory on Seifert manifolds. When $q=\exp[2\pi i/(N+K)]$, and $K$ is odd, the topological Renyi entropy and Wilson line observables of the CS theory can be expressed in terms of the modular transformation matrices of the WZW theory, $\rm{\hat{U}(N)}_{K,N(K+N)}$. If both $K$ and $N$ are odd, there is a level-rank duality of the 2d qYM theory and of the associated CS theory, as well as that of the Renyi and entanglement entropies, and Wilson line observables.
Internal symmetry and theC, P, T operations

A proposal is made to realize Lee's scheme (1) of conflicting discrete symmetry operations by assuming that the relevant operators consist of a part acting in ordinary space and a part acting in the internalSU3 symmetry space. A consistent realization of the internal operators is derived in the octet representation. An interpretation of the mismatches is given.
The Use of Directives to Repair Embodied (Mis)Understandings in Interactions with Individuals Diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia

ABSTRACTHow do caregivers repair the faulty contributions to interaction of people with frontotemporal dementia? When the person stumbles in a course of action that needs to be completed promptly (for example, putting away a wallet, or reading out some text) then their caregivers use high-entitlement/low-contingency (HE/LC) formats (e.g., imperatives). Less-urgent activities elicit slightly mitigated formats, whereas actions that seem to be merely compulsive symptoms of the person’s illness are repaired with multiple directives. Analysis shows that HE/LC directives in activity-focused contexts help by explicitly identifying the trouble source and often articulate the next action required. Additionally, HE/LC formats expect compliance, which may minimally derail the progressivity of an activity compared to more mitigated forms. HE/LC formats in these contexts reveal the entitlement that caregivers claim to determine another’s actions, as well as their sensitivity to what the activity requires, and to the p...
Characterization and Modeling of Lithium Dendrite Growth

The Li dendrite growth and corrosion of Li anode during the Li deposition process are critical issues for the battery safety and long term cyclability of Li metal batteries. In this chapter, we will first review various instruments/tools that are critical for the characterization of Li dendrite growth/stripping processes and analysis on the composition of the surface films formed during Li deposition process, and then the general models of the Li deposition, especially Li dendrite formation and grow processes will be discussed.
Geriatric Rehabilitation Psychology

Older adults on the rehabilitation unit often present with complex psychological needs that can impact on their stay. Depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and behavioral issues may impede recovery from illness or injury. This chapter offers an overview of the aging and mental health issues relevant to the rehab setting. Dementia, depression, and delirium are common differential diagnoses. Assessments and interventions should be adapted to the needs of an older adult. Interdisciplinary teamwork is identified as a critical component of effective care with this population.
The Prom Problem: Fair and privacy-enhanced matchmaking with identity linked wishes

In this paper we present the Prom Problem (TPP) which exemplifies a special class of matchmaking challenges. We introduce the notion of identity linked wishes — wishes that involve specific identities and are valid if and only if all involved parties have that wish. A number of protocols over the years have highlighted the conflicting goals of anonymity and authentication in attempting to match users with common wishes. More recent works have built upon past attempts proposing solutions for private and privacy-enhanced matchmaking with additional security goals. Yet those protocols are insufficient in the context of TPP due primarily to the lack of fairness and inability to ensure security and privacy. We describe TPP in detail, compare with prior work, and propose a fair and privacy-enhanced matchmaking protocol supporting identity linked wishes with an untrusted matchmaker. In practical terms, our technology can prevent much of the potential damage from data breaches similar to the recent Ashley Madison hack which has allegedly resulted in blackmail, ruined careers, espionage, and even suicide. We give a pseudo-code example of our solution along with its security and preliminary performance evaluation.
Incremental and Extended-Range Data Converters

Incremental data converters (IDCs) are Nyquist-rate analog-to-digital data converters (ADCs) which use oversampling and noise shaping to convert a finite number of analog samples into a single digital word. Thus, they are a hybrid of Nyquist-rate and noise-shaping (∆Σ) ADCs. This makes IDCs useful in applications where very high resolution (16–24 bits) is required, and simple structure and low power are also desirable. By combining the IDC with a serial ADC, such as a successive-approximation register (SAR) ADC, an extended-range ADC results which has increased accuracy.
Alternative Economies for the Anthropocene: Change, Happiness and Future Scenarios // Economías alternativas para el Antropoceno: Cambio, felicidad y escenarios futuros

This article analyzes the cultures of the alternative economies that have emerged in Spain after the 2008 crisis, but also as an answer to the ecological crisis and the global warming. After drafting a conceptual map of alternative economies, the essay focuses on their local environmental projects that are considered as nodes of complex systems. These systems involve networks of human and non-human realms, such as the money economy, the metaphors that render the relations between human and non-human life, and the modes of existence of non-human life that inspire the alternative biopolitics. The final section problematizes the environmental perspective by considerations of individual fulfillment and happiness. In conclusion, the alternative economies are reconsidered in light of the future scenarios where their impact as well as individuals’ well-being may vary significantly. Resumen Este articulo analiza las alternativas economicas y culturales que han surgido en Espana como resultado de la crisis de 2008, pero tambien como respuesta a la crisis ambiental y el calentamiento global. Tras trazar un mapa de las economias alternativas, el ensayo se enfoca en una serie de proyectos ambientales considerandolos como ejemplos de una “biopolitica alternativa”. Estos proyectos incluyen redes de ambito humano y no-humano, como, por ejemplo, otras especies, cultivos, la economia del dinero, las metaforas que expresan las relaciones entre la vida humana y no humana, asi como tambien construcciones alternativas del sentido de la vida. La seccion final problematiza la perspectiva ecologica, considerando las posibilidades de la satisfaccion y felicidad individual. En conclusion, las economias alternativas se reconsideran a la luz de escenarios futuros, segun los cuales su impacto en el bienestar individual puede variar de modo importante. Conectando los marcos de los estudios culturales y ambientales, y yuxtaponiendo un acercamiento sistemico de la ecologia y las narrativas individuales de la felicidad y frustracion, este articulo ofrece un analisis innovador de las economias alternativas como culturas ambientales con un enorme impacto en el futuro planetario.
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Bioprinting for Pharmaceutical Testing

Harnessing the potential of this technology for clinical use strongly depends on more research studies and multidisciplinary approaches that combine engineering, biomaterials, medicine, and the technical expertise of medical specialists. Working in close collaboration between polymer chemists, materials scientists, tissue engineers, and reconstructive surgeons may eventually help to achieve clinical excellence and products for a range of degenerative diseases for ultimate improvement in the quality of life.
Associations of resting heart rate with endothelium-dependent vasodilation and shear rate

Heart rate is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a hemodynamic factor that can modulate blood flow as it affects the frequency of shear stimuli acting on the arterial wall. H...
Effect of magnetic fields on microstructure evolution

Abstract Tailoring microstructure evolution with the use of external forces (magnetic, electric, mechanical, etc.) can expand the ability to control material properties and performance through microstructure engineering. In particular, crystalline materials are comprised of a distribution of grains of differing sizes, crystallographic orientations (texture), and topologies, which may evolve differently under the influence of various fields and lead to changes in material properties, bounded by movable grain boundaries. In this work, simulations are used to demonstrate the effect of an applied field, in this case a magnetic field, on the evolution of microstructure at the grain scale. The simulation results show that fields can be used to control microstructure geometry and texture. They also show that a dynamic field application of the field, through a changing field direction over time, can create new microstructure features even in a system that does not seem as sensitive to as static field, and that temperature can play a key role in this evolution as well. This work overall demonstrates how unconventional processing techniques on polycrystalline microstructures can be impacted by applying fields, and ultimately be used to improve properties and performance through engineered microstructures.