cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-domain imaging of airborne targets using ultra-wideband or short-pulse radar

A time-domain physical optics inverse scattering identity is derived for real-time use in ultra-wideband radar systems. It is shown that using the band-limited impulse response of a radar target provides an edge-enhanced image. A simulation based on stepped-frequency, multiaspect measurements of aircraft models produces clear images with highly-defined edges. >
β-Globin cis-elements determine differential nuclear targeting through epigenetic modifications

Increasing evidence points to nuclear compartmentalization as a contributing mechanism for gene regulation, yet mechanisms for compartmentalization remain unclear. In this paper, we use autonomous targeting of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenes to reveal cis requirements for peripheral targeting. Three peripheral targeting regions (PTRs) within an HBB BAC bias a competition between pericentric versus peripheral heterochromatin targeting toward the nuclear periphery, which correlates with increased H3K9me3 across the β-globin gene cluster and locus control region. Targeting to both heterochromatin compartments is dependent on Suv39H-mediated H3K9me3 methylation. In different chromosomal contexts, PTRs confer no targeting, targeting to pericentric heterochromatin, or targeting to the periphery. A combination of fluorescent in situ hybridization, BAC transgenesis, and knockdown experiments reveals that peripheral tethering of the endogenous HBB locus depends both on Suv39H-mediated H3K9me3 methylation over hundreds of kilobases surrounding HBB and on G9a-mediated H3K9me2 methylation over flanking sequences in an adjacent lamin-associated domain. Our results demonstrate that multiple cis-elements regulate the overall balance of specific epigenetic marks and peripheral gene targeting.
Compact feedback for MIMO-OFDM systems over frequency selective channels

Transmit beamforming can improve the performance of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems. However, the feedback overhead of beamforming matrixes may significantly reduce the FDD system throughput. Efficient feedback techniques were reported recently. However, their complexities can be prohibitively high for systems with large numbers of transmit antennas (M/sub t/) and spatial streams (M/sub s/) since numerous large matrix codebooks of Grassman manifold packing G(M/sub f/,M/sub s/) are required. In Roh et al. (2004), it is shown that the beamforming matrix can be parameterized by independent unit vectors. This implies that quantizing the matrix jointly is equivalent to quantizing the vectors separately. Firsts we show that the distributions of the unit vectors are isotropic on unit spheres. Secondly, a low-complexity, scalable quantization scheme is derived. The key innovation lies in the quantization of the large dimension unit vectors. Each large dimension unit vector is partitioned into smaller dimension vectors and quantized by small size codebooks designed for low dimension unit vectors, and the partition itself is quantized by a 3-bit codebook. Finally, an interpolation scheme is proposed for beamforming matrixes downsampled in frequency domain, which significantly reduces overhead for MIMO-OFDM systems. The missing beamforming vectors are interpolated along the geodesic connecting two fed back vectors on a unit sphere. Simulations demonstrate that the overhead in IEEE 802.16d/e draft can be reduced by a factor of three using the proposed scheme.
Memorial consequences of multiple-choice testing on immediate and delayed tests

Multiple-choice testing has both positive and negative consequences for performance on later tests. Prior testing increases the number of questions answered correctly on a later test but also increases the likelihood that questions will be answered with lures from the previous multiple-choice test (Roediger & Marsh, 2005). Prior research has shown that the positive effects of testing persist over a delay, but no one has examined the durability of the negative effects of testing. To address this, subjects took multiple-choice and cued recall tests (on subsets of questions) both immediately and a week after studying. Although delay reduced both the positive and negative testing effects, both still occurred after 1 week, especially if the multiple-choice test had also been delayed. These results are consistent with the argument that recollection underlies both the positive and negative testing effects.
Glutamic acid residues as metal ligands in the active site of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase

Abstract Four independent mutations were introduced to the Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase active site, and the resulting enzymes characterized to study the effects of Glu as a metal ligand. The mutations D51E and D153E were created to study the effects of lengthening the carboxyl group by one methylene unit at the metal interaction site. The D51E enzyme had drastically reduced activity and lost one zinc per active site, demonstrating importance of the position of Asp51. The D153E enzyme had an increased kcat in the presence of high concentrations of Mg2+, along with a decreased Mg2+ affinity as compared to the wild-type enzyme. The H331E and H412E enzymes were created to probe the requirement for a nitrogen-containing metal ligand at the Zn1 site. The H331E enzyme had greatly decreased activity, and lost one zinc per active site. In the absence of high concentrations of Zn2+, dephosphorylation occurs at an extremely reduced rate for the H412E enzyme, and like the H331E enzyme, metal affinity is reduced. Except at the 153 position, Glu is not an acceptable metal chelating amino acid at these positions in the E. coli alkaline phosphatase active site.
PARMA: a PHY/MAC aware routing metric for ad-hoc wireless networks with multi-rate radios

Ad-hoc wireless networks with multi-rate radios (such as 802.11a, b, g) require a new class of MAC/PHY aware metrics that take into account factors such as physical-layer link speed and MAC-layer channel congestion. Conventional "layer 3" ad-hoc routing algorithms typically make routing decisions based on the minimum hop-count (MH). Use of the MH metric leads to the selection of paths with few hops, but one or more of these hops may turn out to be low-speed radio links due to adaptive rate selection at the physical layer We investigate a new cross-layer routing metric that takes into account both physical layer link speed and estimated channel congestion, thus aiming to minimize end-to-end delay that includes both transmission and access times. The proposed "PARMA" routing metric thus helps to spread the traffic across the "good links and nodes" in the network, increasing network capacity and reducing packet loss and delay. The paper presents the design and implementation of the proposed PARMA metric for proactive ad-hoc routing protocols, such as DSDV. DSDV modifications for incorporating the MAC/PHY aware metric into an ns-2 simulation model are given. Simulation results for typical multi-rate 802.11 ad-hoc network scenarios show that the proposed cross-layer PHY/MAC aware metric achieves significantly higher network throughput and decreases network congestion by selecting paths with high bit-rate links, while also avoiding areas of MAC congestion.
A simulation model for distributed real-time database systems

Each transaction in a real-time database system is associated with a timing constraint in the form of a deadline. Efficient transaction scheduling algorithms are required to minimize the number of missed transaction deadlines. In this paper, a performance evaluation model is provided to enable distributed real-time database system designers to analyze transaction scheduling algorithms. The model is developed progressing from a simple mathematical analysis to complicated simulations. The paper also provides an example simulation experiment implemented using the model presented. >
Verifying Linear Real-Time Logic Specifications

Formal specification and verification are critical to the development of safe real-time and embedded systems, which have become increasingly complex. Real-time logic (RTL) has been used to describe the specification and safety assertion of real-time systems. However, the satisfiability problem for RTL, as well as other first-order logics, is undecidable. There exist already non-trivial fragments of RTL, like path RTL and extended path RTL, for which the verification can be done efficiently. The key idea used by these RTL fragments was the so-called constraint graph. The constraint graph can express dependencies between two events, but cannot describe dependencies between three or more events. This paper presents a larger class than existing fragments of RTL for which the verification problem can also be solved efficiently. Our new class is called linear real-time logic (LRTL) and includes the existing decidable RTL fragments like path RTL and extended path RTL. The LRTL class is able to express any linear timing constraint with an arbitrary number of events variables (e.g., between three or more events). The main ingredient of the LRTL class is the use of matrices instead of the constraint graph, as a more powerful data structure capable of performing the conversion from RTL to a prepositional formula. The unsatisfiability of the prepositional formula will ensure the safety and feasibility of the given real-time system. Experimental results show that the execution times for LRTL are better than the systems expressed in extended path RTL, and comparable with those expressed in path RTL.
Behavioral Treatment of Obesity: Its application to type II diabetes

This review describes the improvements made in the behavioral treatment of obesity from the 1970s to the present, and then provides a comparable overview of progress that has been made in the behavioral treatment of obese patients with type II diabetes by Wing et al. (13–19) at the University of Pittsburgh. Evidence is presented to show that structured exercise, VLCDs, and intensification of treatment programs may be useful in improving the long-term outcome of behavioral weight-loss interventions.
Prehnite Veins in Triassic Diabase, Coopersburg, Pennsylvania

Veins, principally of prehnite, occur in diabase near Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. Early formed vein minerals are pyroxene and albite (An < 5) in which most of the crystals are choked with fluid inclusions. Commonly, the albite has inclusion-free rims of the same composition as the cores. Later minerals in the sequence are an amphibole followed by chlorite and prehnite. Minor quartz and calcite occur with the prehnite. Diabase near the veins shows three zones of alteration. Adjacent to the vein is a 2 to 3 cm zone of amphibole with minor quartz and prehnite. The second zone is principally chlorite. In the third zone the texture of the diabase is preserved, but hypersthene is altered to chlorite and the plagioclase is choked with inclusions. In fresh rock, plagioclase lacks inclusions. It is suggested that the inclusion-choked albite crystallized from a hydrothermal liquid, whereas the inclusion-free rims formed after a change in state of the liquid to a vapor.
Predictive Graphical User Interface Elements to Improve Crane Operator Performance

Operating cranes is challenging because the payload significantly lags behind the control input and can undergo large amplitude oscillations. While significant work has been directed at reducing the payload swing, little effort has been placed on reducing the time lag. There is a good reason for neglecting the time lag; it cannot be eliminated. It is a result of the physical limitations of the crane; motor torque limits coupled with the very large inertia of cranes and their payloads cause sluggish behavior. Experienced crane operators become accustomed to the time lag and develop the skill to start decelerating the crane well before the desired stopping location. This paper presents a control method that aids the human operator by graphically displaying a prediction of where the crane will stop. This predictive element is combined with an input-shaping controller that both reduces the payload swing and simplifies the implementation of the predictive element. Results from a study of crane operators show that the proposed control system significantly improves tower crane performance, in terms of both task completion time and positioning accuracy.
The Quality of IEP Objectives Associated with Placement on Integrated Versus Segregated School Sites

Individualized education programs (IEPs) written for students with severe disabilities who attended either integrated or segregated educational sites were evalu­ ated on the basis of the degree to which they included seven components identified as indicators of best prac­ tices. These seven indicators fall into three categoriesage-appropriateness, functionality, and potential for generalization to a variety of environments. Teacher training and expertise were held constant. A difference was found between the groups on the overall quality of IEP objectives, with higher scores on those IEPs written for students who were integrated into regular school campuses. Opportunities available in integrated pro­ grams that may enhance IEP quality are discussed.
The dynamic vortex of a beating heart: wring out the old and ring in the new!

“I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.” —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [(1)][1] In nature, fluid motion often chooses to spiral rather than stream linearly. A beating heart, with its helical myofiber architecture and twisting-
Brain tumors : Challenges and directions

Brain tumors account for 20% of childhood cancers and provide a "frontier" in which improved disease control and functional outcome require coordinated, directed studies in neurosurgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Among the several brain tumor types common in children, the recent experiences in medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and tumors occurring in infants and very young children are reviewed in the context of recent clinical trials and ongoing investigations.
Cancer, the mind and the person: what we know about the causes of cancer

SUMMARY At a time when patients are challenged to cope adaptively with both the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, clinicians need to respond appropriately to the many inevitable questions about the causes of cancer and contributing factors, including ‘Is this my fault?’. The evidence guiding answers to such questions has been confounded by many methodological challenges, but personality, stress and life events are no longer considered causes of cancer. However, social isolation, untreated depression and social deprivation continue to influence quality of life and reduce cancer survival times. Psychiatry might play a role in promoting lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of cancer, but more importantly it can influence disease progression by optimising patients’ adaptation to the many challenges that cancer brings.
DECAY OF Tm$sup 17$$sup 3$

The mass assignment of ${\mathrm{Tm}}^{173}$ has been confirmed by cross bombardments involving the reactions ${\mathrm{Er}}^{170}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, p){\mathrm{Tm}}^{173}$, ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{173}(n, p){\mathrm{Tm}}^{173}$, and ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{174}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, p){\mathrm{Tm}}^{173}$ with isotopically enriched targets, and its decay has been studied by $\ensuremath{\beta}$-ray and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray scintillation spectrometry. The half-life of ${\mathrm{Tm}}^{173}$ is 8.24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08 h. Three gamma rays, with energies (and relative intensities) of 66 (0.01), 399 (1.0), and 465 (0.09) keV, were observed. Analysis of the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-ray spectrum indicates the presence of two major groups with end-point energies of 1.32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 MeV (2%) and 0.89\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 MeV (98%). Gamma-gamma coincidence measurements and the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray intensity data show that the 0.89-MeV $\ensuremath{\beta}$-ray group is composed of two components which differ in energy by 66 keV. The proposed decay scheme for ${\mathrm{Tm}}^{173}$ involves excited levels in ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{173}$ at 399 and 465 keV. The 399-keV level is an isomeric state with a 3.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 \ensuremath{\mu}sec half-life, and it de-excites by a pure $E2$ transition which is hindered by a factor of \ensuremath{\approx}1.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{3}$ compared to the single-particle estimate. This hindrance is attributed to violation of the asymptotic selection rules for deformed nuclei.
NOT SUCH AN EASY TARGET: A STUDENT CASE STUDY USING GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TO LOCATE BURIED MORTARS AT WEST POINT

One, or possibly two, of the 12-inch coastal artillery mortars used for cadet artillery instruction
LEPTOLEGNIA CHAPMANII, AN OOMYCETE PATHOGEN OF MOSQUITO LARVAE

The mosquito pathogen formerly referred to as Leptolegnia sp. is described and illustrated under the specific epithet, L. chapmanii. The parasite's taxonomic relationship both within the genus and family Saprolegniaceae are discussed.
Fetal echocardiography — A recent four year experience from a single urban center

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the yield of fetal echocardiography based on indications for referral and to establish the incidence of structural heart disease noted in a diverse urban population. A retrospective review of our Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory database was undertaken from March 2010 to June 2014. Demographic information, indications for referral and prenatal diagnoses were recorded. The diagnosed cardiac anomalies were classified into structural and rhythm abnormalities and the former was divided into major and minor anomalies. We compared the number of fetal echocardiograms performed during this four-year period to a similar four-year period, a decade earlier. Also, we compared the number of cardiac admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit in these two periods. 3623 fetal echocardiograms were performed on 2953 patients between 2010 and 2014. Fetal indications accounted for 70% of referrals. Overall, yield of congenital heart disease was 11.5%; 6.8% from maternal and 13.4% from fetal indications. Abnormal obstetrical fetal ultrasound was associated with congenital heart disease in 13.9% of cases. Of 336 fetuses with congenital heart disease, 119 were major and 47 were critical. 80% of all congenital heart diseases (273 of 336) and 90% of major and critical heart disease were found in those referred for fetal indications. Approximately half (24 of 47, 51%) of the critical congenital heart disease involved defects with varying degrees of left heart hypoplasia. Compared to a previous period, there was an increase in FE and neonatal intensive care unit admissions with cardiac diagnoses. However, critical congenital heart disease detected postnatally fell from 28.8 to 12.8% (P=0.001). Yield of fetal echocardiograms is higher for fetal versus maternal indications. At our center, increase in prenatal detection of critical congenital heart disease may have resulted in reduction in congenital heart disease diagnosed in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Co-Movement Puzzle and the Overlapping Roles of Consumer Durables and Capital

This paper develops an alternative new Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model that assumes, as a new feature, overlapping roles for capital and consumer durables. The model is able to generate co-movement responses of durable spending and non-durable spending to monetary policy shocks, consistently with the empirical evidence. Additionally, in contrast with the standard theory that finds a counter-factual extraordinary sensitive responses of consumer durables and capital to monetary policy shocks, the model yields responses more in tune with actual observation.
Effect of Bridging Local-Regional Therapy on Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Survival after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Purpose To evaluate the influence of bridging local-regional therapy (LRT) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and overall survival after orthotopic liver transplantation and to identify factors that predict HCC recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation. Materials and Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing database was used to identify patients with HCC who underwent liver transplantation between 2002 and 2013. Patients with complete explant data within the Milan criteria for whom a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease exception was approved were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan-Meier estimation was used for survival analysis with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard models to assess independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Propensity-matched analysis for treatment groups was performed to minimize selection bias. Results The rate of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation was 11.5% (321 of 2794), which significantly decreased overall survival (P < .001). The bridging LRT group exhibited lower recurrence (59 of 686 [8.6%]; P = .02) and longer median overall survival (75.9 months; P < .001). Recurrence was higher in patients older than 60 years, serum α1-fetoprotein greater than 400 mg/L, bilobar distribution, multiple lesions, absent necrosis, microvascular invasion, and tumors beyond the Milan criteria (P < .05). Age, LRT status, serum α1-fetoprotein, and microvascular invasion were independent risk factors (P < .05). In the matched cohort, similar factors that predicted recurrence were observed (P < .05), whereas bridging LRT (P = .03) and serum α1-fetoprotein (P = .02) were independent risk factors for recurrence. Conclusion LRT significantly decreased tumor recurrence and lengthened overall survival. © RSNA, 2016.
Molecular interactions accounting for protein denaturation by urea

Abstract Urea destabilizes proteins when added to aqueous solutions. To study its molecular mechanism we perform explicit all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of unrestrained poly-glycine, poly-alanine, and poly-leucine monomers as well as of extended poly-alanine and poly-leucine dimers. We show that poly-leucine monomers become less compact when urea is added to water whereas poly-glycine and poly-alanine monomers are only weakly affected by this co-solvent. Consistent with these results, we find that only the potential of mean force (PMF) of extended poly-leucine dimers changes significantly when urea is added to water. To rationalize these observations, we perform detail analysis of extended dimers. Urea is found to occupy positions between leucine's side chains that are not accessible to water. This allows extra van der Waals interactions between urea and side-chains to be formed which favor the monomeric state. In contrast, urea-solvent interactions are found to favor the dimeric state. The sum of these two energetic terms, i.e., urea-peptide and urea-solvent, provides the enthalpic driving force for urea denaturation. We show here that this enthalpy correlates with the potential of mean force of poly-leucine dimers. Moreover, the framework developed here is general and may be used to provide insights into effects of other small molecules on protein interactions.
1975 Group Selection

Animals might behave in ways that are detrimental to themselves if their behavior enhances the survival of the group in which they live. This model does not require that the animals in the group be close relatives. Group selection is an alternative to kin selection in explaining the evolution of altruism.
Modulation of Mosquito Immune Defenses as a Control Strategy

Abstract Mosquito immunity to malaria infection has received much attention since it was proposed as a major determinant of vector competence nearly 90 years ago. Understanding the mosquito's immune system holds the promise of devising strategies that eliminate all parasites within the vector and thus prevent malaria transmission. Herein, we review the field of mosquito innate immunity as it pertains to malaria parasite killing, providing a historical perspective and summary of current knowledge. Mosquito immunity targets each life stage of the malaria parasite as it undergoes development within its mosquito vector. Gametes and ookinetes are killed within the midgut lumen by nitric oxide produced by the mosquito midgut. Ookinetes and developing oocysts are killed by a complex process that is initiated by ookinete migration through the midgut epithelium. This process, involving nitration and opsonization, leads to parasite killing by a mechanism that is not entirely understood. A similar process is likely responsible for the sporozoite losses that occur in the hemolymph. Mosquito immune reactions are tightly controlled by a large regulatory network of extra- and intracellular signaling cascades. Their combined action is crucial for mosquito fitness as these regulatory cascades balance the positive effects of pathogen elimination with the harmful side effects of tissue damage. Several proof of principle studies have now demonstrated that genetic manipulation of the mosquito's immune system can render susceptible mosquito species refractory to malaria parasite infection. This field is thus ready to devise a framework to evaluate these approaches in the ecological context of malaria transmission.
Diagnosing acute aortic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration with point of care ultrasound.

Abstract Objective To present a case with visual images of an aortic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration. Methods: A case report was described of a patient presenting to the emergency department with back pain. An aortic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration was rapidly identified with bedside ultrasound in the emergency department. Results An aortic dissection was detected rapidly by emergency physician preformed bedside ultrasound. This led to rapid identification and treatment Conclusion Rapid bedside emergency ultrasound can quickly and accurately diagnosis an aortic dissection and lead to rapid treatment.
Impulsivity in adolescents with major depressive disorder: A comparative tunisian study.

Abstract Background The association between impulsivity and depressive disorders in adolescence has been little studied at the literature and in our country, yet impulsivity is a major risk factor for suicide. Thus we aimed on this study to evaluate impulsivity in 25 adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder MDD compared to a control sample and to analyze the correlations between impulsivity and clinical features of MDD. Methods Employing a matched case–control design, participants included 25 adolescents with MDD and 75 controls. We have administered the Barratt Impulsivity Scale BIS-11 for the two groups to evaluate impulsivity. Semi structured interviews according DSM 5 criteria were conducted for adolescents with MDD. The Child Depressive Inventory CDI was used to measure depressive symptoms in the control sample. Results Adolescents with MDD were more impulsive compared to controls according to the BIS-11 in its three domains: motor (24.96 ± 6.26 against 20.6 ± 4.84; p = 0.000), attentional (20.88 ± 5.03 against 16.64 ± 3.2; p = 0.000) and non planning (28.2 ± 7.26 against 24.44 ± 4.32; p = 0.02). Impulsivity was not correlated with clinical features of MDD (suicide attempts, psychiatric comorbidities, antidepressant medication …). Conclusion Adolescents with MDD seem to be more impulsive than control subjects regardless their clinical features. Whether it is a specific characteristic or a symptom among others of MDD, impulsivity predicts health-related behaviors and associated damage that need to be detected and prevented in time.
Paravertebral Blocks Reduce Narcotic Use Without Affecting Perfusion in Patients Undergoing Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

Autologous breast reconstruction offers excellent long term outcomes after mastectomy. However, maintaining adequate postoperative analgesia remains challenging. Use of paravertebral blocks (PVBs) reduces postoperative narcotic use and length of stay, and enhanced recovery protocols with mixed analgesia methods are gaining popularity, but few studies have explored the intraoperative effects of these interventions. Patients who underwent abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction between 2010 and 2016 were compiled into a retrospective database. We used electronic medical records to determine demographics, as well as perioperative and intraoperative vital signs and narcotic, anxiolytic, crystalloid, colloid, blood product, and vasopressor requirements, and postoperative complications. Results were compared between patients who had a PVB and those who did not and those who had a PVB alone and those who followed our enhanced recovery protocol using standard statistical methods and adjusting for preoperative values. A total of 170 patients were included in the study. Sixty-six had a PVB, and 104 did not. Of the 66 who had a PVB, 19 followed our enhanced recovery protocol. Patients who did not have a PVB required 171.6 mg of total narcotic medication in the perioperative period, those with a PVB alone required 146.9 mg, and those who followed the ERAS protocol 95.2 mg (p = 0.01). There was no difference in intraoperative mean arterial pressure, time with mean arterial pressure <80% of baseline, vasopressor use, or fluid requirement. There was no difference in complication rate. PVBs and an enhanced recovery protocol reduce the use of narcotic medications in autologous breast reconstruction without impacting intraoperative hemodynamics. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy restores body image and improves health-related quality of life, satisfaction with appearance and physical, psychosocial, and sexual well-being (Donovan et al. in J Clin Oncol 7(7):959–968, 1989; Eltahir et al. in Plast Reconstr Surg 132(2):201e–209e, 2013; Jagsi et al. in Ann Surg 261(6):1198–1206, 2015). For patients pursuing breast reconstruction, there are two major options: prosthetic (tissue expander/implant) or autologous reconstruction. However, while providing exceptional long-term outcomes, postoperative pain and length of hospital stay remains a major challenge preventing more widespread adoption of autologous breast reconstruction (Albornoz et al. in Plast Reconstr Surg 131(1):15–23, 2013; Gurunluoglu et al. in Ann Plast Surg 70(1):103–110, 2013; Kulkarni et al. in Plast Reconstr Surg 132(3):534–541, 2013; Sbitany et al. in Plast Reconstr Surg 124(6):1781–1789, 2009). Acute postoperative pain contributes to prolonged hospital stays, increased narcotic use, and associated risks of the aforementioned.
Maxwell Myer Wintrobe: New History and a New Appreciation

Maxwell Myer Wintrobe was a man whose body of work not only established hematology as a distinct subspecialty, but also earned him a place in the pantheon of physician-scientists. This account of his career contains information and photographs not heretofore available.
Security & Privacy in Smart Toys

We analyze the security practices of three smart toys that communicate with children through voice commands. We show the general communication architecture, and some general security and privacy practices by each of the devices. Then we focus on the analysis of one particular toy, and show how attackers can decrypt communications to and from a target device, and perhaps more worryingly, the attackers can also inject audio into the toy so the children listens to any arbitrary audio file the attacker sends to the toy. This last attack raises new safety concerns that manufacturers of smart toys should prevent.
Scheduling of Dual Resource Constrained Lithography Production: Using CP and MIP/CP

A dual resource constrained (DRC) scheduling problem arises at the photolithography area in semiconductor manufacturing wherein reticles are required as an auxiliary resource. Reticles are transferred from one place to another. While this shared resource gives the manufacturer a flexibility, it certainly gives rise to a complex DRC scheduling problem surrounded by jobs, machines, and reticles, restricted by sequence-dependent setup-time and location-dependent reticle transfer-time. This study proposes a constraint programming (CP) approach and investigates methods for improving our initial CP using a hybrid method and variable ordering heuristic. Experiments indicate the variable ordering heuristic brings a significant improvement over a pure CP. Note to Practitioners —There has been yet no successful exact approach that addresses litho scheduling problem, covering jobs, machines, and reticles. This study demonstrates CP is able to find an optimal solution for most of realistic industry-size test problems. In a future smart semiconductor factory, seamlessly orchestrating machines, reticles, and jobs would not be the end state. The next level is to integrate material handling system to this already overcrowded production scheduling problem. The specialized keywords of CP, as demonstrated in this study, will enable practitioners to develop a concise code of integrating vehicles, jobs, machines, and reticles.
Determination of rotational and vibrational temperatures of CH in CH4 plasmas

Understanding fundamental plasma–surface interactions remains an important component of increasing the utility of plasma systems in a range of applications including plasma-assisted catalysis (PAC). A key element in realizing the potential of these applications is understanding the foundational data that control the overall process. Here, fundamental gas-phase and film chemistry trends in methane inductively coupled plasmas are studied to model PAC systems for decomposition of volatile organic compounds. Specifically, energy partitioning trends are presented in conjunction with surface characterization data to elucidate processes occurring at the plasma–surface interface. Optical emission spectroscopy yields rotational and vibrational distribution measurements that can be converted to temperatures (TR and TV) for CH in 100% CH4 and CH4/Ar plasmas as a function of pressure (50–200 mTorr) and applied rf power (25–150 W). Under these conditions, TV ranges from ∼3000 to ∼5000 K, whereas TR has values of 1500–2500 K. These are considerably above room temperature, even at pressures of 200 mTorr and Ar content as high as 25% of total precursor feed. Surface characterization of plasma-treated substrates yields minimal changes in chemical composition but more significant variations in film morphology as functions of plasma pressure and applied rf power. Collectively, these data aim to unravel the complex chemistry of plasma systems for PAC.Understanding fundamental plasma–surface interactions remains an important component of increasing the utility of plasma systems in a range of applications including plasma-assisted catalysis (PAC). A key element in realizing the potential of these applications is understanding the foundational data that control the overall process. Here, fundamental gas-phase and film chemistry trends in methane inductively coupled plasmas are studied to model PAC systems for decomposition of volatile organic compounds. Specifically, energy partitioning trends are presented in conjunction with surface characterization data to elucidate processes occurring at the plasma–surface interface. Optical emission spectroscopy yields rotational and vibrational distribution measurements that can be converted to temperatures (TR and TV) for CH in 100% CH4 and CH4/Ar plasmas as a function of pressure (50–200 mTorr) and applied rf power (25–150 W). Under these conditions, TV ranges from ∼3000 to ∼5000 K, whereas TR has values of 1500–...
Frailty Characteristics Predict Respiratory Failure in Patients Undergoing Tracheobronchoplasty

Background Respiratory complications are the leading cause of morbidity in patients undergoing tracheobronchoplasty, yet risk stratification systems on this population are insufficient. We investigated the association between frailty and risk of major respiratory complications after tracheobronchoplasty. Methods A retrospective review was made of 161 consecutive tracheobronchoplasties (October 2002 to September 2016). A frailty index was developed by the deficit-accumulation approach comprising 26 multidomain preoperative variables. The main outcome was a composite endpoint of major respiratory complications within 30 days of surgery. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using logistic regression. Results The cohort consisted of 103 women (64%), median age of 58 years (interquartile range, 51 to 66) and median FI of 0.25 (interquartile range, 0.1 to 0.3). Forty-eight patients (30%) had respiratory complications, the most common being respiratory failure (n = 27, 16.8%) and pneumonia (n = 25, 15.5%). Severe frailty (frailty index ≥0.33) was strongly associated with major respiratory complications (73.8% versus 2.5%; OR 58.8, 95% CI: 9.6 to 358.3). The association with severe frailty appeared stronger for respiratory failure (47.6% versus 2.5%; OR 30, 95% CI: 4.7 to 189.9) than for pneumonia (40.5% versus 0%; OR 35.2. 95% CI: 2.0 to 599.8). Further adjustment for intraoperative crystalloid volume or forced expiratory volume in 1 second moderately attenuated the association between frailty with major respiratory complications (OR 17.4. 95% CI: 2.0 to 150.8), respiratory failure (OR 13.1, 95% CI: 1.7 to 95.8), and pneumonia (OR 20.1, 95% CI: 1.1 to 341.8). Conclusions Frailty, as indicated by frailty index, was associated with major respiratory complications, particularly respiratory failure after tracheobronchoplasty. Preoperative identification of frailty may help guide decision making for patients considering this effective, although arduous procedure.
Neuropsychology and Exceptional Children

The neuropsychological study of exceptional children is an expanding field. Recent developments have included particularly strong growth in the study of learning disabilities, and less rapid expansion in the neuropsychological exploration of such conditions as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and other central nervous system disorders. In these respective conditions, neuropsychological assessments may provide much more detailed analyses of learning problems than traditional psychological assessments. This leads to linkage between neuropsychologists and educators. Neuropsychological methods and test results can become important in designing individualized educational plans and in choosing effective methods for rehabilitating exceptional children to their fullest potential.
Chronic alcohol consumption intensifies caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in the rat.

Rats were chronically fed either an ethanol-containing diet (36% of total calories derived from alcohol) or a pair-fed, control diet (no alcohol) for 8 wk, and acute pancreatitis (AP) was subsequently induced by a 3-h i.v. infusion of caerulein (CR) at a dose of 5 micrograms/kg/hr. CR-induced AP in control rats (no alcohol) was characterized by a significant elevation in serum lipase content, pancreatic interstitial edema, infrequent occurrences of karyorrhexis, and the appearance of vacuoles in acinar cells. Chronic feeding of the ethanol diet followed by treatment with CR resulted in increases in serum lipase content, interstitial edema, karyorrhexis, and acinar vacuolization that were significantly greater than that seen in rats fed the control diet and treated with CR. It is concluded that chronic ethanol intake in the rat intensifies AP that is subsequently induced by CR.
The United States and the Declaration of Paris

The YALE LAW JOURNAL for February contains an interesting article by Professor Theodore S. Woolsey, with the above title. The article commences with the observation that"There is a probability that the accession of the United States to the Declaration of Paris" (of i856) "is shortly to be urged upon the Secre-tary of State." This Declaration, as is well known, begins with the proposition -" Privateering is and remains abolished;" and it is with special reference to the renunciation by our government of the right of privateering that its accession to the Declaration is urged by the writer. He concludes that if such accession " is a proper step, it should be taken now." The step may be quite proper in the sense of being expedient, but still not really proper because the law does not sanction it. Conceding all the objections to privateering, there must yet always be a serious legal obstacle to our joining in an international agreement that "privateering is and remains abolished." This obstacle is presented by our very organic law itself, thed Constitution. That instrument, in Article I., Section 8, expressly auth orizes privateering, and contemplates a resort to it, without limitation as to time or occasion (except inferentially that the occasion shall be war), by empowering Congress, in general terms, "to grant letters of marque and reprisal." The power given is a part of the War Power of Congress; the entire provision being"The Congress shall have Power * * * to declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water." Of course no legislative nor executive act can avail to do away with or modify a constitutional provision, or divest or impair a constitutional power. Nor can treaty, which possesses no higher legal force than statute,1 have any such effect. As the Supreme Court observes in an adjudged case :2 " It need hardly be said that a treaty cannot change the Constitution, or be held valid if it be in violation of that instrument." (Indeed the stipulation, which has appeared in some of our treaties, by which
Secreted Klotho and Chronic Kidney Disease

Soluble Klotho (sKl) in the circulation can be generated directly by alterative splicing of the Klotho transcript or the extracellular domain of membrane Klotho can be released from membrane-anchored Klotho on the cell surface. Unlike membrane Klotho which functions as a coreceptor for fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), sKl, acts as hormonal factor and plays important roles in anti-aging, anti-oxidation, modulation of ion transport, and Wnt signaling. Emerging evidence reveals that Klotho deficiency is an early biomarker for chronic kidney diseases as well as a pathogenic factor. Klotho deficiency is associated with progression and chronic complications in chronic kidney disease including vascular calcification, cardiac hypertrophy, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. In multiple experimental models, replacement of sKl, or manipulated up-regulation of endogenous Klotho protect the kidney from renal insults, preserve kidney function, and suppress renal fibrosis, in chronic kidney disease. Klotho is a highly promising candidate on the horizon as an early biomarker, and as a novel therapeutic agent for chronic kidney disease.
Surfaces and Curvature

This chapter is about the differential geometry of a 2-dimensional surface in 3-space. It involves measuring angles, lengths of curves, and areas of regions and ultimately finding the curvature at each point on the surface. Then in the following chapter we will see how make all this intrinsic, that is, to define a surface as a piece of an ordinary plane endowed with a non-Euclidean metric, and to determine curvature directly from that metric, without reference to any embedding in space.
Anomalous Solute Diffusivity in Ionic Liquids: Label-Free Visualization and Physical Origins

A method for visualizing the evolving concentration of water in an ionic liquid reveals a new solute diffusion mechanism, which could greatly accelerate the development of designer solvents.
The status quo bias and the uptake of open access

In this paper we argue that the framing of open access through language adopted by a variety of stakeholders serves to inhibit the uptake of open access publishing through the mechanisms of complexity and cognitive load. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, we analyze both the language and tiers of decisions that confront authors seeking information online about open access. We conclude that this information is for the most part prohibitively complex and introduces contradictory interpretations and executions of open access that act to motivate a phenomenon known as the status quo bias. The only reliable method of counteracting this status quo bias in order to bolster the uptake of open access is to re-frame the language that is commonly employed in association with open access and to minimize the tiers of decisions expected of authors, which create a barrier rather than a gateway to open access engagement.
Impact of Index Surgical Care Setting on Perioperative Outcomes and Cost Following Penile Prosthesis Surgery.

Abstract Background Penile prosthesis surgery has witnessed a migration from the inpatient to ambulatory surgical care setting. However, little is known about the cost savings afforded by this change in care setting and whether or not these savings come at the expense of worse perioperative outcomes. Aim The aim of this study was to identify predictors of index penile prosthesis (PP) surgery care setting, and whether ambulatory vs inpatient surgery is associated with comparable perioperative outcomes and costs. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study using all-payer claims data from the 2014 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Databases from Florida and New York. Patient demographics, regional data, total charges (converted to costs), and 30-day revisit rates were abstracted for all patients undergoing index placement of an inflatable or malleable PP. Multivariable logistic and linear regression adjusted for facility clustering was utilized. Outcomes The outcomes were index surgical and 30-day postoperative costs, as well as 30-day revisit rates. Results Of the 1,790 patients undergoing an index surgery, 394 (22.0%) received care in the inpatient setting compared to 1,396 (78.0%) in the ambulatory setting. Adjusted index procedural ($9,319.66 vs $ 10,191.35; P Clinical Translation Ambulatory PP surgery confers significant cost savings and is associated with comparable perioperative outcomes relative to inpatient-based surgery. Conclusions Both clinical and nonclinical factors predict the care setting of index PP surgery. Notably, underinsured patients experienced lower odds of undergoing ambulatory surgery. Ambulatory surgery was less costly with similar 30-day revisit rates relative to inpatient-based care. Berger A, Friedlander DF, Herzog P, et al. Impact of Index Surgical Care Setting on Perioperative Outcomes and Cost Following Penile Prosthesis Surgery. J Sex Med 2019;16:1451–1458.